Any recommendations on PET health insurance?

[ReverendDeuce]

We're looking to insure our feline. I had a good experience with Banfield/Petsmart in 2001, but there aren't any located nearby anymore. Any suggestions, DU?

[blondeatlast]

1. No, but I'm interested as well. nt

[Born_A_Truman]

2. PetPlan

I have that for my pug. www.gopetplan.com

[ReverendDeuce]

3. Can you qualify a bit?

What makes PetPlan good in your mind?

[Born_A_Truman]

15. You can pick your plan, co-insurance and deductible amounts

Petplan policies provide the most comprehensive reimbursement for veterinary fees relating to treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian for illness or injury (provided that it is not pre-existing or occurred during a waiting period) such as:

Hospitalization - including emergency treatment
Diagnostic testing - such as MRIs, x-rays, endoscopy
Surgery - including cruciate ligament surgery and organ transplants but not spay/neuter
Cancer treatment - regardless of the type of cancer
Non-routine dental treatment - such as tooth extraction, root canal but not routine teeth cleaning

Prescription medications
Referral and specialist treatment
Alternative and complementary treatments - such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy or chiropractic treatment

Reimbursement is based on what your veterinarian actually charges. It is not based on what a benefit schedule dictates or a "usual or customary" fee determined by the insurance company.

Depending on the type of policy that you select we can also pay for:

Advertising and reward costs if your dog goes missing
Boarding fees if you're hospitalized and no-one else can look after your dog
Vacation cancellation due to your dog’s life-threatening illness or injury, and
Compensation if you lose your dog through straying, illness or injury

They have three different plans: bronze, silver, gold.

I have the gold plan with $200 deductible and 20% co-insurance because pugs can have some expensive health issues.

[nonsequitur]

5. It's the best there is.

[BeHereNow]

4. Ask Kestrel! She is a Kitty Doctor, she would know!

I'm taking one of my kitties to see her as soon
as our house settles from the holiday chaos.

BHN

[HopeHoops]

6. My insurance is a good vet.

He is independent and knows his shit. He used to work for a chain but quit because of their "money first, pets last" attitude. He won't recommend something unless it is necessary and isn't afraid to tell you when something is unlikely to be beneficial. A vet like that is the best insurance you can have.

[Lorien]

7. I had a horrible experience with Banfield/ Petsmart. They misdiagnosed my

cat, who later died, then they continued to charge me for the insurance for the deceased cat for seven more months. When I refused to pay they sent collection agencies after me. Read those policies CAREFULLY!

[melm00se]

8. it's usually not worth it

http://www.agilityability.com/pet_insurance.htm

[ReverendDeuce]

10. I don't know about that, my cat had major surgery...

And all I had to pay was the deductible of like $50... All his preventative care (shots and dental etc) all covered.

[Lorien]

9. The best pet health insurance:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x4388

[Vincardog]

11. Ask your vet what (s)he takes

[bullimiami]

12. our dogs are on vpi. only good experiences.

never had a problem with them paying what was covered.

[stray cat]

13. Petplan has been fair and paid me more than I paid them

about $10 per month per cat. Immunizations and dental not covered. Pre-existing conditions not covered. However it has been good in paying thousands for diagnositic stuff over the last couple of years eventhough the cat did have to be put to sleep.

[MikeE]

14. I have VPI

So far, no problems with it and it covers about everything. www.PetInsurance.com

[Lisa0825]

16. ShelterCare...

I can't vouch for their service, as all my needs are provided by the shelter I volunteer at, but last year our director signed us up for a program called PetPoint for shelter data management, and through that program, all our adopters get a free 30 day policy through ShelterCare. It is not just for shelter adoptions, despite the name.

http://www.sheltercare.com/