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Pet Insurance

42K views 120 replies 54 participants last post by  John Shoffner 
#1 ·
Need some input on Pet Insurance

I have been using PetsBest and until recently have been very happy. Premiums reasonable, service good, and quick turnaround with claims.

However, PetsBest has switched insurance carriers and premiums have increased by 25%.

Looked at AKC. Better price, but low yearly incident coverage ($3000)

Looked at ASPCA. Better price, but also low yearly incident coverage ($3000)

PetsBest covers up to $7000 per incident

Any other ideas?
 
#43 ·
Hey Sue

I've had VPI for the past 5 months on a dog who is currently 11 months old. I chose VPI b/c I picked up a brochure at the vet and found their website easiest to navigate.
My dog was just diagnosed with a rare injury/condition, which is not hereditary or preexisting, or otherwise excluded. I've racked up nearly 1200 in vet bills from it.
So, after getting the diagnosis from the ortho, I went home to look at my benefits sheet to see how much I would be receiving in reimbursement, and my condition was not listed. I emailed VPI a couple times back and forth, not disclosing my dogs condition so they couldn't just blacklist it the next day... I asked them what their policy is for conditions not listed. They told me "conditions not listed on the policy are not covered".
Well, I haven't received any additional information on my claim yet, so I cannot begin bashing them quite yet. But, after communicating with VPI, i did alot of research on the web and found that there are more unsatisfied customers w/ VPI than with the other guys. It could just be due to their sheer size, but I found a lot of negatives regarding their claims.

I'll let you know how my claims process goes. If it doesn't work out, I will make sure everyone knows..trust me!:)
 
#45 ·
I have a 2 1/2 year old Chocolate Lab. Bought PetPlan policy for about 250 annually. 2 or 3 months later he tore his CCL getting out of a pond at a dog park. Had TPLO surgery and rehab. Then had the other side done 5 months later. TPLO and rehab.

Total bill 6300 insurance paid 4200. (had 200 deductable and 30% copay) Everything done by internet, phone and fax. Vet faxed records to them and they sent me a check very quick.

Renewed the policy this year and the cost was about 250. Very good company. The only negative is they say they support HSUS.

As the dog gets past a certain age, they require copies of blood tests and vet records in order to renew the policy.
 
#47 ·
My Petplan says the following because that was one of the things that concerned me, would my dogs, being hunted and ran in HT, be covered. I guess " the occupational, professional" covers a lot of things but I'm not a pro. Breeding might fall under business use but they have separate language for that. Like others, I wanted big ticket items like surgeries and emergencies covered, and after chemo for one dog, cancer too.

Not covered:

"Costs for illness or injury that arise out of any racing,
coursing, commercial guarding, organized fighting or
other occupational, professional or business uses of your
pet."

"Costs arising out of or related to breeding, pregnancy,
whelping or nursing (except costs of any complications
arising from these procedures.)"
 
#52 ·
Not covered:

"Costs for illness or injury that arise out of any racing,
coursing, commercial guarding, organized fighting or
other occupational, professional or business uses of your
pet."

"Costs arising out of or related to breeding, pregnancy,
whelping or nursing (except costs of any complications
arising from these procedures.)"
I just got a sample Terms and Conditions for the Pet Plan Policy. Went through it and found nothing remarkable. I noted the same provisions as did Kim. See above.

There is also an exclusion for injury or illness resulting from "Obedience or training classes, including puppy classes."

The policy does require annual physical and dental examinations, and the submission of blood testing after the dog has turned 8.

I went throught the Petinsurancereview.com website relating to Pet Plan and found most of the complaints concerned the company's refusal to reimburse the customers for items clearly excluded by the policy (e.g. routine dental care)

It seems to fit my needs and I think I am going to switch from Pets Best to Pet Plan.

Ted
 
#48 ·
I just went out to get a quote from PetPlan online and was blown away by the pemium cost difference by breed.

Silver Plan, $200 deductible and 80% coverage is $377 annually for my 6 year old Flat-Coated Retriever.

I went back and changed the breed to Black Labrador and the annual premium dropped to $264

I assume this is because of the prevalence of cancer in FCR's, but I can't be sure. I'm just blown away by the difference.
 
#50 ·
I just went out to get a quote from PetPlan online and was blown away by the pemium cost difference by breed.

Silver Plan, $200 deductible and 80% coverage is $377 annually for my 6 year old Flat-Coated Retriever.

I went back and changed the breed to Black Labrador and the annual premium dropped to $264

I assume this is because of the prevalence of cancer in FCR's, but I can't be sure. I'm just blown away by the difference.
Any insurance company will have actuararial tables to calculate risk. So, I am certain that the frequency/cost of cancer treatment is included in their calculations.

And because vet rates vary depending on where you live, your premiums will differ depending on your zip code.
 
#54 ·
Hmm-so if anything happens in a class that is not covered. not that I care, just find that interesting-
Thanks for doing my homework for me Ted-the only thing I had not gotten around to is what you did, so I appreciate you posting that you did that! :rolleyes:
 
#55 ·
I have VPI I got it after my senior golden blew her CCL ($3500) She was too expensive to cover but I got it on my lab, and my young golden the day we brought her home. I plan to insure our pup who will be joining us in Dec. I have major medical, and general health. They do not cover all issues, but most. My golden needed a total hip replacement and that was not covered. I understand "some" agencies would have but they do a lessor percentage of all expenses up to "X" amount which has been discussed.

I find VPI pays for itself in claims in the course of the year. My young (THR) golden is also prone to UTI's. I just submit the paper work and they pay or deny with explanation. I find the turn around time to be very reasonable. We got a check last night and I think I sent it in just about 2-3 weeks ago. The bigger the claim the more involved so it slows down.

I would LOVE to have a dog account to pay for vet bills but until I can build that up and have it as a back up, I am so glad for VPI they have been great. They do cover Teddi's annual hip xrays she will have for the rest of her life. They are probably one of the more expensive companies, but in my book very worth it.
 
#56 ·
The Pet Plan site allows you to run your dogs for sample quote

For example

Assume Silver Coverage ($12k per year), 80% co-insurance, $200 deductible

Mootsie, DOB 9/7/2002 $390/year
Powter, DOB 3/28/2008 $230/year

Assume Silver Coverage ($12k per year), 80% co-insurance, but change deductible to $100

Mootsie $592 per year
Powter $350 per year

Because I am getting insurance for big-ticket items (TPLO, cancer, etc.) I will probably go with 80% co-insurance and $200 deductible

Please read the policy carefully, if you take dog to specialist or veterinary school, co-insurance automatically drops to 70%

Ted



 
#57 ·
Please read the policy carefully, if you take dog to specialist or veterinary school, co-insurance automatically drops to 70%

Also if you go to an ER clinic for non life threatening issues.

My rates are cheaper than anyone has yet posted, but I live in a cheap vet area. My 6 year old intact YLF is $213 for the Bronze 8K policy with $200 deductible. The others, 4 & under, are all $153/annual.
 
#58 ·


My rates are cheaper than anyone has yet posted, but I live in a cheap vet area. My 6 year old intact YLF is $213 for the Bronze 8K policy with $200 deductible. The others, 4 & under, are all $153/annual.


For the Bronze program,

Mootsie (7 years old) - $348
Powter (<2 years olf) - $205

So, your area is a bit cheaper than mine
 
#59 ·
question-i know they won't cover classes, but do they cover obedience competions? I am incredibly tired, can't spell:()
And what is life threatening?
Probably getting it anyway, but curious.
 
#60 ·
I think you need to speak to Pet Plan and ask them your questions.

I can hardly speak for them.
 
G
#61 ·
Thanks for the great discussion, everyone. I'm wishing someone could design a policy that would cover a group of dogs for catastrophic stuff only....

PS -- hurry up and get your dogs covered. In my state, at least, they can't cover a dog over 7 yrs.
 
#62 ·
How do you consider which one to get? Silver or gold?
 
#66 ·
Bronze is 8k total per year per animal
Silver is 12k total per year per animal
Gold is 20k total per year per animal

You need to decide what you think you need to insure for.

$20k is more than I need
 
#64 ·
I too wish there was a group policy for just "the big stuff"
but I am wondering, do any of the policies cover pets injuries sustained in a car accident...I am considering switching to Progressive insurance because they are offering this option
Also for some one w/hunt test dogs, that are bred, pet plan or VPI sounds the best from what I have read...correct? or does someone have a better opinion? Also does anyone know of "life insurance" type coverage for dogs?
 
#65 ·
Progressive and a couple others cover dogs (not sure about other pets) in vehicular accidents but last time I checked, it was $500 max. There is also a type of life insurance, animal mortality, for dogs through Kennel Pro. http://www.mourerfoster.com/kennelpro.shtml Kennel Pro will also address auto accident coverage, kennel buildings, things like that.
 
#70 ·
This is a great discussion, thanks! I've been meaning to review the dog insurance to see if there is a better one out there. I've had VPI for almost 6 years now.

My experience has been very good with them. When I have called with questions on claims they have walked me through them line by line and explained and always made sense. My claims get paid in 2-3 weeks with no hassles. I've learned to send in a copy of vets notes and a copy of any bloodwork etc results with the claim so they don't have to ask for them later. They no longer even require a vets signature on the claim form which makes things easier.

So far on 2 out of 3 dogs it pays for itself. My 9 year old dog has had $5,500+ in claims over 5 years, they have reimbursed me $2,700 which is more than I paid in premiums so I consider it a success. These have been things like tick illness, lump removal, tooth removal. VPI has a $50 deductable and pays at 90%.

My middle dog Hunter is healthy and has had few claims so they make their money back on him... for now.

Youngest is 19months old and had two things stuck in his eye within a month, his premium is just over $100 per year and has already paid for itself.

I was shocked at the prices Pet Plan was quoting for my dogs (flatcoats) VPI was much less expensive. Could just be my breed and where I live.

Just wanted to let people know that my experience has been good as a customer of VPI. I hope it continues that way.
 
#72 ·
I just got back my first claim with Petplan. They paid out exactly as they said the would on a large claim I filed for Ruckus. I have had VPI with my other dogs, but became disenchanted when Honor spent 8 days in ICU for a melting corneal ulcer caused by a field injury. It was almost a carrer breaker. VPI paid "according to their schedule" which are typical scenarios, not like the severe situation he had. They sent me back $346.

My next pup is also going on Pet Plan. The only PIA is that you have to send the medical records each and every time, which is not a requiremennt with VPI. But, considering the claim handling, I'll put up with a little inconvenience.
 
#73 ·
I have switched most of my dogs to Pet Plan, and will move the rest once I have gotten annual checks for the others (a condition of insurance with Pet Plan)

Ted
 
#74 ·
I have been interested in getting insurance for Kona so this thread has been great reading. Petplan sounds great.

My one concern though is an injury that occurs during training or a HT. From what I am reading that would not be covered.? Injuries occuring during training and HT's are my main concern. Can anyone clarify for me please
 
#75 ·
...
My one concern though is an injury that occurs during training or a HT. From what I am reading that would not be covered.? Injuries occuring during training and HT's are my main concern. Can anyone clarify for me please
I have heard that these injuries sometimes occur just romping about the field. ;)
Are you sure that in the heat of the moment, you would remember to mention that a duck was involved?

JS
 
#84 ·
Sinner is covered by Pets Best "Premier Plan". Our premiums are approx $60 per month.

The "Premier" plan has a $250 deductible and covers 80% of eligible charges with a per incident limit of $14,000.00 and a lifetime limit of $100,000.00.

The total cost of Sinner's shoulder surgery, stem cell therapy and rehab will be approximately $18,000.

My "out of pocket" expenses will be approx $4000 with Pets Best paying $14,000.

I am grateful to have the insurance. It allowed me to provide Sinner with the best care possible. Pets Best customer service during this period has been very good.
 
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