Pet Insurance

[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.