Anyone Have Pet Insurance?

[Shay59]

So...I got 4 dogs speutered & micro-chipped recently. Part of the benefits from HomeAgain Microchips is a complimentary insurance policy that covers any injuries, etc that occurs while the dogs are lost.

While registering the dogs for the insurance I see where I can get additional coverage that covers accident, illness & routine maintenance care.

Does anyone here have this second type of coverage? Is it worth getting it? Here's a link to their home page.

http://www.petfirsthealthcare.com/index.asp
Click the header: Pet Insurance Plans , then Coverage & Pricing.


I'd appreciate input on this so I can decide if I should get an additional policy for anything that happens when not missing or routine care.

[Kirstan]

Yep, have VPI. I've had it for years even though my husband made fun of it in the beginning. It covered a good amount of:

2 bouts of cancer,
1 torn knee + surgery,
an MRI,
some tooth pulling on 3 dogs,
benign cyst removal,
foreign body obstruction,
gastric dilation,
gastroenteritis from previously mentioned FBO,
a pup who picked up a bacterial infection and landed himself in the hospital 2 x (last week) with a full set of rads, ultrasound, and a full barium series,
a couple different corneal abrasion debrides,
and aspiration pneumonia accompanied by some plant matter embedded in nasal passages and accompanying critical care at 2 separate hospitals + complete endoscopy and rhinoscopy.

It covers around 45%. We hit the $5k mark in one week... that 45% will help immensely.

I'm glad to have all my dogs with me and healthy or on their way to it. I'm glad to have VPI. The one with AP is 12.5 years old, never dropped an ounce thanks to wonderful vets. The pup dropped 7% of his weight in 3 days but gained it ALL back in a week. My girl, apparently, is quite hardy b/c she is doing JUST FINE after the eye ulcer thing healed.

hope that helped!

~kirstan

[Kirstan]

I don't have routine health care coverage just the health insurance - which I realized you weren't asking about specifically in your mail. I don't have separate riders for additional coverage but do have the 'gold package' so whatever that means that the others don't cover.

[Shay59]

There are 3 levels of coverage on each of the plans. I could get 1 dog covered for around $25 & 3 on a family plan for around $50 for the basics. That's by the month but there are annual payments too.

The routine coverage would take care of teeth cleanings & extractions, heartworm tests & meds, vaccines, prescription flea control, etc. There are deductibles on the accidents but not the routine care. (I think) And there are yearly limits as well.

I'm thinking of getting it, but not until I learn more about it other than the testimonials on their site.

[Nina06]

we had our girl on VPI for her first two years. If I remember, it was about $30 a month. I think we may have made 2 claims in those two years and it was for little stuff only. After doing some calculation, I figured we should just put that money away in case of a emergency or accident. Last year, she managed to save $300 all by her little self. We keep joking she does a better job saving money than us. I would suggest doing some calculations yourself and then evaluate your dogs and see if you think they are troublesome or not. If they are active or constantly getting in trouble, insurance may be a good option for you. Our girl is actually really really good as far as staying out of trouble or being too active. Don't give her too much credit though, she makes up for it by not listening or obeying half the time. Starting this year, I have already upped her savings to $50 a month. Again, she's already ahead in savings

[Shay59]

That's a good idea. I'll check into that. I'm thinking that with the family plan & having more than one dog, the insurance may be best, since it seems that somebody always needs to see a vet.

[pinsent]

i got petplan, not sure if its in the states or not though

[Kirstan]

Well, we did the same calculation (cuz I'm an acct.) but, we'd be WAY behind when stuff crops up you don't expect. Our area has some of the most expensive vet care comparatively speaking.

Emmitt had nothing wrong until about 9.5 years old. An MRI was $1400, the knee surgery was $2000, the FBO was $4000, the GD was $1500 and the pneumonia/nasal impaction thing is, so far, $4000 for one dog in 3 years. An average of $35/month = $420 year. $420 x 12 years = $5,040. We're ahead with the insurance. It's a crapshoot. I like it. I don't often think anything will happen but when it does - it's nice to have it.

opinion of course.

~k.

[jewelsdaddy]

I talked to my husband about insurance and he said it would be better to just put money away in a savings or something.

[cecollins]

I have insurance for Sully but do not on my older dog Skylar.
Skylar has had 2 torn cruciate ligaments and we shelled out $1200 each time. I have yet to need to use it with Sully, and hope to never use it.
But I feel good just knowing that it is there as back up in case of an emergancy.
I pay $29.50 amonth, I have a cap of $20,000 a year, no pre set limits per condition and after my $50 deductable, they pay 100%.

Hope this helps you decide which way to go.

[pblove]

I have insurance for Sully but do not on my older dog Skylar.
Skylar has had 2 torn cruciate ligaments and we shelled out $1200 each time. I have yet to need to use it with Sully, and hope to never use it.
But I feel good just knowing that it is there as back up in case of an emergancy.
I pay $29.50 amonth, I have a cap of $20,000 a year, no pre set limits per condition and after my $50 deductable, they pay 100%.

Hope this helps you decide which way to go.

which company do you have it with?

[cecollins]

I have insurance for Sully but do not on my older dog Skylar.
Skylar has had 2 torn cruciate ligaments and we shelled out $1200 each time. I have yet to need to use it with Sully, and hope to never use it.
But I feel good just knowing that it is there as back up in case of an emergancy.
I pay $29.50 amonth, I have a cap of $20,000 a year, no pre set limits per condition and after my $50 deductable, they pay 100%.

Hope this helps you decide which way to go.

which company do you have it with?

http://www.gopetplan.com/

Is what I use. As they ask what breed you have, I believe Pit Bull is more exspensive. My vet lists Sully as a lab mix. On his insurance papers, just recently mailed to me, he is considered a Medium Mixed breed. Rates are def. less expensive as they consider mixed breeds to not have so many genetic health problems.

[queeniesmama]

The aspca has a great insurance policy and ur money goes to a good cause. And the price is way better compared to other companies in the states i dont know about canadian companies though.