Health Insurance for your Retriever

[counciloak]

I don't see the need for it. Anything small, I just pay for. Anything big would probably put the dog out of competition for many weeks. $500-$700 per weekend goes a long way toward a large vet bill.

J.O.

[laurelwood]

I don't see the need for it. Anything small, I just pay for. Anything big would probably put the dog out of competition for many weeks. $500-$700 per weekend goes a long way toward a large vet bill.

J.O.

I used to think this too, until my last dog developed diabetes. I spent about 3K initially and then about $500 a month for almost 3 years for all his meds and vet bills. That might be small change for you but it was a considerable amount for me.

When I got my next dog I started researching insurance plans, only to find that most of them excluded most of the illnesses or injuries I'd want insurance for. I went with PetPlan because they had the most coverage with the fewest exclusions. I've had one minor claim with them and they were very easy to deal with.

[counciloak]

Some people win at casinos, most people loose. Pet health insurance is the same way, or they would go out of business. Right?

[Gun Dawg]

Just looked at Embrace Ins - Here are some examples of what a pre-existing condition is and is not w/Embrace.

•A few years back your dog tore her right cruciate ligament. You purchase pet insurance and then she subsequently tears her left cruciate ligament 2 years into the policy. The left cruciate tear is considered a pre-existing condition.

•Your dog had an ear infection and a skin hot spot last year before you purchased your policy. You sign up for pet insurance and, a few months after the 2-week waiting period has expired, your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with allergies. These allergies would be considered a pre-existing condition

Reason enough to get your pup on an insurance plan ASAP.

[hotel4dogs]

I have never had an issue with pre-existing conditions, as I insure my pups at 8 weeks old.

I know everyone has different needs, but I have the insurance as just a major medical/catastrophic event policy. I can cover the other stuff.
Therefore, I have selected a $1000 per year deductible, with a $15,000 per year maximum payout (they pay 80%, after the deductible. JMO but if you are getting around $20,000 in vet bills in a year, you are probably starting to have some serious quality of life issues). I personally like the per year deductible rather than the per occurrence one, as you could run up a whole bunch of vet bills in a year and not have anything covered if all the vet bills were around $250 (a typical deductible). The insurance cost me $13 per month until this year, and it has now gone up to $15.50 per month.
They didn't have any problem with my claims when he punctured a foot, which became infected, while hunt training. They also didn't have any issue with my claim for prostatitis. Also paid for a polyp being removed from his vocal cord (grass awn!!!??!!) while doing a dental, in fact, they paid 1/2 of the anesthesia and surgical care, allocating 1/2 to the dental (not covered) and 1/2 to the polyp (covered), which I was very pleased with.
To each their own. This works for me, it gives me great peace of mind since I own one of the most cancer prone breeds.

[maryandkimo]

Unfortunately, I have had to use my insurance. I have Pet Plan and so far have been very happy. I have a BC with an iliopsoas injury and have been sending in claims in 1000 dollar increments. A week ago 1144 sent in and today a check for 958. Now I am just wondering if future rates get exponentially raised or dogs get dropped?
mary