Pet Insurance

[Aggie_Ama]

I would like to get Pet Insurance on Jens (and maybe my other animals). Here are my questions:

1. What brands (companies) are good?
2. Can I take it on a 2 year old cat with no documented health issues?
3. Can I take it on a nearly 10 year old Schnauzer? She had problem with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis when she was younger but the last bout was in 2003. She had a bladder stone removed in 2007 and the majority of her teeth last summer. Beginning signs of cataracts.

[indysteel]

I can't answer your questions direction, but I know my vet office has some flyers on display. Maybe you can ask your vet what they recommend--if anything. When we adopted a shelter cat last summer, she came with a short-term policy. The exclusions were so big that I didn't see the point in extending it. It was through Shelter Care.

Ironically, I'm off to the vet today with our older cat. He peed outside the box today for the first time ever and I'm concerned that he may have a UTI or the like.

[gabriellesca]

Hey Aggie - I have pet insurance and can offer you a bit of info:

I Have VPI (Vet Pet Insurance - how original) and love them. I got it for my 2 little himalayan kittens I rescued that had tons of medical issues when I got them. They should give you insurance on your 2 year old cat (I think they have an age cut off but its more like 6 or 8 years old). I think you would have a much harder time getting coverage on your dog because of the age, but I could be wrong. For my cats, because they had so many medical problems prior to enrollment, those issues are excluded from my policy. They have herpes, so any symptoms related are excluded, which means they will never cover those visits. Other medical issues were excluded just for 6 months.

I LOVE it - the peace of mind alone is worth the payment of $340 a year for both cats. It actually paid for itself last year due to a few visits. My policy does not cover routine or preventative care but you can purchase policies that do.

VPI has been great - easy to file claims - easy to get answers - they are pretty true to what they say they will cover and not too expensive. To boot, my Fitz and Lola get birthday cards on their birthday - which they love!

Good luck - I think its such a good investment. After racking up $8,000 and then $4,000 with older sicker animals - its really worth it.

and they MAY cover your dog. Give them a call - its pretty quick and easy.

www.petinsurance.com

[gabriellesca]

Ps. Sorry Indy - hope everything is okay with your cat.

Aggie - you submit claims after you pay so it doesn't have to be affiliated with your vet, FYI.

[indysteel]

Thanks and thanks for the pet insurance info. I might look into that.

[GLC1968]

There are lots of pet insurance companies now. When I had my last dog, VPI was really the only good option and even that didn't cover the things I needed at the time.

We were at the vet last week and I saw fliers for 5 different pet insurance companies (I admit, I counted because I was so surprised)! We might consider it eventually, but both of our dogs are young and healthy, so it's not really on our radar at the moment.

[Aggie_Ama]

See the weird thing with Heidi (the 10 year old) is she had more issues with her health when she was younger. Knock on wood, the past 3-4 years she only needs shots. I am worried Jens (the Schnauzer pup) will have similar issues. Although completely different blood lines so he may not.

[westtexas]

I like Pets Best. They pay 80% after your deductible, no matter the cost. VPI has gone to scheduled type payments like in human medicine. They determine how much something should cost and will only pay up to a certain point - so if you vet says a Heartworm test is $45, and they think it's only $15, you're out $30. The only thing with Pets Best is you have to be able to pay up front and then you get reimbursed. I have had many clients who have LOVED them. One fellow (when I was in vet school) had a dog with acute renal failure due to pyelonephritis. He spent $12000 at our hospital but only have to pay the $2400 after all was said and done. That's a huge difference.

I think pet insurance is a wonderful idea. It allows you to get the care you need for your pets without worrying (as much) about the cost. Pet care is expensive, no doubt about it. And when things go wrong, it gets really expensive, really fast.

You should definitely be able to cover your young cat and I believe with Pets Best you can cover your dog too. They just won't cover him for any more problems related to the HGE or bladder stones - that's usually how it works in people too.

HTH.

[Aggie_Ama]

I looked up Pet's Best but they don't cover congenitial issues. There is concern that Jens may have luxating patellas. My vet thought he had it slightly but wasn't sure on the initial exam, would definitely want that covered if it caused issues.

Purina has one that has fairly good reviews. They would cover Heidi (the 10 year old) but I am not sure it is worth the cost. Have to weigh that out.

[divingbiker]

I have a VPI policy for Sammy that I will not be renewing. Last year when he ate raisins and spent a few days at the emergency hospital, the bill was about $1200 and they paid $240, about the cost of the premium. If it's not going to pay when I have a true emergency situation, it's not worth having.

Am researching other companies now.

[kmehrzad]

Am researching other companies now. Am curious what you find after your research.

[Blueberry]

I have a VPI policy for Sammy that I will not be renewing. Last year when he ate raisins and spent a few days at the emergency hospital, the bill was about $1200 and they paid $240, about the cost of the premium. If it's not going to pay when I have a true emergency situation, it's not worth having.

Am researching other companies now.

Please share your results with me - I'd love to know! I PM'd the original poster, but they covered about 20% of a $6k bill for us. We cancelled.

[Aggie_Ama]

I found some review websites. I am still figuring out because I want congenital covered and would like a wellness plan for Jens and Tortilla (the puppy and cat). Heidi being old I might just get an accident/illness plan because rates are so high for her being 10.

http://www.petinsurancereview.com/
http://www.petinsurancereviews.org/compare/pet-insurance-reviews.html