Pet Insurance

[CountAllVotes]

:hi:

Does anyone have anything to say about health insurance for pets?

I have the option of purchasing it for the dog I now have for ~$30.00 a month from a place called PetCare. Has anyone ever heard of this place or had any experience with them?

I so, please let me know if you think it is worth it. I see they offer several different types of plans ranging from about $20 a month to about $50 a month.

This link explains more:

http://www.covermewithcare.com/us/dog/index.asp?cuid=BR825-226&empNo=

I don't know what to think admittedly. :shrug:

Thanks for any help.

CountAllVotes

:dem:

[Samurai_Writer]

1. I had it for my dog Magic

I had the most basic plan, I think it was $10 a month. When Magic got pancreatic cancer, they paid for about 1/2 of his medical expenses. Without it, I would not have been able to do all the testing that I did, and wouldn't have found out what was really wrong with him. Unfortunately, the cancer was too progressed and nothing could be done for him. But the insurance was great. Paid quickly, no problems. They even paid for the euthanasia and cremation.

I would get the most amount you could afford. The higher-priced plans pay for more types of things, and pay more. I believe the $10 a month plan was limited to a total of $2000 per year they would pay out, which is what they paid for Magic's expenses.

Magic was only 5 years old and it was a total shock that he had this cancer. Even my vet was shocked, because he didn't seem that sick. The insurance is there for just those types of unexpected emergencies.

[CountAllVotes]

2. thanks

I think I'll try to get it. I can get a 5% discount being the dog is micro-chipped and also being I belong to a union, I get another 10% off, so 15% total. If I add both cats it turns into a 20% discount being I'd be signing up three pets (they have a 3+ pet discount as well).

It says that the insurance will cover congenital problems and they specifically state "hip dysplasia" which is what my dog has although she seems to show no signs of it.

However, I realize there may be many other things wrong that I haven't yet come to realize. If so, it could cost a bundle.

I'll call on Monday just to make sure that it does in fact cover the hip dysplasia just in case I have to deal with it down the road with the dog.

Thanks again for your input. I didn't know what to think.

CountAllVotes

[RebelOne]

3. I have VPI insurance for my Rottie.

I pay about $45 a month for the premium policy, which covers just about everything. The premiums are higher for Rottweilers and other large dogs. And they will not insure dogs over the age of 7.

http://www.petinsurance.com/

[CountAllVotes]

4. hey thanks!

I just called them and they are able to insure the dog for about $25.00 a month and they gave me a discount for being in my employee's union as well (I went for it)! Thank you SO much! You saved me a lot of $$$!! :D

:dem: :kick:

[RebelOne]

6. Glad to help out.

They are really good about paying claims quickly. I am quite satisfied with API.

[politicat]

5. Don't use Banfield.

It's not insurance - it's a pay as you go scheme. Our cats used about $2000 worth of services in the 2.5 years we were with them, and we were charged about $2700, but when we found another vet we liked better, with an office with 24 hour staffing and and late office hours and a cat specialty... and we were told we owed about $200 for their last sets of shots and checkups. Turns out it was just a timed payment scheme, and if we'd had something really serious happen, and one of the kitties died, we'd still have to pay until their bill was paid off. No discounts, no insurance rates. And once you hit a zero balance, you don't "pay ahead" - the money just becomes a service fee to keep the service active until you need it again.

Scam. (Banfield was the closest vet to work, once upon a time, but after we moved, there was a better one closer to home, and the less time the kitties spend in the carriers, the better for them.)

[hippiechick]

7. YES, GET IT !!!!

As noted in my thread about HippieDog Hank falling out the car window several weeks back ... his insurance covered EVERYTHING ($940) less a meager deductible. That was $940 that I didn't have to spare, for sure!!! I faxed in the claim form w/ treatment notes and reciepts from the vet, and was reimbursed within 2 weeks.

http://www.petcareinsurance.com/ < --- our carrier.

I have the 'emergency only' coverage for both Hank and Ray, it's $10/month.
Once Ray gets to age 8 (I think), he'll have to get different coverage which is a little pricier, but - and this is coming from a woman who considers any kind of insurance as a scam on people's insecurities - IT'S WORTH IT !!!!

:hi: Thanks for the pic, BTW. :hug: