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I lost my puppy this last December. He was faced with grand mal seizures, developed swelling on his head and over his eyes, turned diabetic, and eventually his heart became weak and was barely beating. I didn't have insurance and I ended up spending $13,000 in just 9 days after fees for the ICU, internists, neurologists, cariologists, an MRI, muscle biopsy, and brain tap. I would have sold my house and all my belongings to save him if it were at all possible, but in the end there was no cure. I was lucky enough to have that money set aside.
I am getting another puppy this next month and I'm getting insurance this time. I called all the major pet insurance companies and thought I would share the information I found. Over half I found to be a rip off, especially if I am ever in the same situation again with another puppy.
The three most important coverages to me are: Cancer, hereditary conditions (such as hip and elbow dysplasia), and unexpected illnesses. A lot of insurance companies don't cover these.
My key questions for the insurance companies were:
1) Do you cover hereditary conditions and to what amount?
2) Is cancer covered and to what amount?
3) Do you use the actual vet bill or a predetermined value in which you think is fair?
4) Is there a single condition limit or a single incident limit?
-If so, what is the amount
-How do you treat this condition at time of yearly renewal? ie, would this now be considered a pre-existing condition and not be covered?
5) Are premiums raised if I make a claim?
6) What are the yearly coverage limits or lifetime limit?
7) Will you cover my dog for life? Do the premiums increase as my dog ages?
8) Do you cover prescription medications?
9) What is my deductable amount?
10) Do you offer a microchipping discount?
11) Can I use any vet? Does this include specialists and after hours emergency care?
12) How long does a claim take to process?
The pricing below is on a 10 week old female golden puppy in the state of Washington. I chose plans that cover cancer and hereditary conditions if available. I was not concerned with coverage for routine care, just unexpected things.
VPI: A superior plan is $46.95. They do not cover hereditary conditions and also has a single condition limit of $4,500, with a $14,000/year limit. (I ruled this company out because they do not cover hereidtary conditions and the guy on the phone was very rude. He knew I was shopping around and I think he gets commission).
PET PLAN: This company covers hereditary conditions, all medications, surgeries, and all diagnostics. You are allowed to visit any vet. There isn't a limit per condition, just a yearly limit. You are allowed to choose a yearly limit of $8k, $12k, or $20k with a $200 deductable. They offer a 10% microchipping discount. A bronze package with an $8k yearly limit and 80% reimbursement is $228.39 a year (less than $20 a month!). If you want 100% reimbursement it is $256.93 a year. A Gold package with a $20,000 year limit with 80% reimbursement is $285.48 a year. These prices do not include the microchipping discount. The only setback is if your dog has to see a specialist it is reduced to 70% reimbursement. The nice thing about this company is that if your dog is diagnosed with a condition while covered under the insurance, it will not be considered pre-existing at time of renewel and will be covered year after year.
EMBRACE: This company covers breed specific conditions. The every day plan covers unknown accidents or illnesses (including hereditary).There is no limit per condition. At time of renewel the following year, any illness from the previous year is considered a pre-existing condition and will be reduced to 25% coverage for that specific condition. The plan is $36.04 per month with $10,000 a year limit and a $200 deductable at 80% reimbursement. If you want to add precription medications and dental it is $48.96 per month.
TRUPANION: This company does not have a per incident limit nor a yearly limit, but a lifetime limit of $20,000. This covers hereditary conditions, but does not cover routine care. The Accident and Illness coverage covers medications and hereditary conditions with a 90% reimbursement at $40 a month (zero deductable) or $34.43 ($200 deductable). The catch here is that you have to pay the exam fee. Premiums do not raise as your dog gets older and you will not be dropped.
PETSBEST: This company states they cover hereditary conditions, but has a list of 8 things for a golden that are limited to $2500, instead of the 80% reimbursement. Hip dysplasia was included in theses 8 things. A basic plan has a low per incident amount of $2500 and is $14.99 a month with a $250 deductable and 80% reimbursement. The First plan has a $7,000 per incident limit and a $100,000 lifetime limit with no annual limit and a 80% reimbursement for $31.38 per month. The Premier plan can not be sold to me because I live in Washington state (Washington has some strange inurance laws!)
PETSFIRST: Had low per incident limits. I didn't even bother calling because I wanted more coverage.
PURINA CARE and ASPCA were not available in my state of Washington.
I thought this may help some of you. If anyone has used or is using any of these companies, I would love to hear about your experiences. I still haven't chose a company to insure with yet.
I am getting another puppy this next month and I'm getting insurance this time. I called all the major pet insurance companies and thought I would share the information I found. Over half I found to be a rip off, especially if I am ever in the same situation again with another puppy.
The three most important coverages to me are: Cancer, hereditary conditions (such as hip and elbow dysplasia), and unexpected illnesses. A lot of insurance companies don't cover these.
My key questions for the insurance companies were:
1) Do you cover hereditary conditions and to what amount?
2) Is cancer covered and to what amount?
3) Do you use the actual vet bill or a predetermined value in which you think is fair?
4) Is there a single condition limit or a single incident limit?
-If so, what is the amount
-How do you treat this condition at time of yearly renewal? ie, would this now be considered a pre-existing condition and not be covered?
5) Are premiums raised if I make a claim?
6) What are the yearly coverage limits or lifetime limit?
7) Will you cover my dog for life? Do the premiums increase as my dog ages?
8) Do you cover prescription medications?
9) What is my deductable amount?
10) Do you offer a microchipping discount?
11) Can I use any vet? Does this include specialists and after hours emergency care?
12) How long does a claim take to process?
The pricing below is on a 10 week old female golden puppy in the state of Washington. I chose plans that cover cancer and hereditary conditions if available. I was not concerned with coverage for routine care, just unexpected things.
VPI: A superior plan is $46.95. They do not cover hereditary conditions and also has a single condition limit of $4,500, with a $14,000/year limit. (I ruled this company out because they do not cover hereidtary conditions and the guy on the phone was very rude. He knew I was shopping around and I think he gets commission).
PET PLAN: This company covers hereditary conditions, all medications, surgeries, and all diagnostics. You are allowed to visit any vet. There isn't a limit per condition, just a yearly limit. You are allowed to choose a yearly limit of $8k, $12k, or $20k with a $200 deductable. They offer a 10% microchipping discount. A bronze package with an $8k yearly limit and 80% reimbursement is $228.39 a year (less than $20 a month!). If you want 100% reimbursement it is $256.93 a year. A Gold package with a $20,000 year limit with 80% reimbursement is $285.48 a year. These prices do not include the microchipping discount. The only setback is if your dog has to see a specialist it is reduced to 70% reimbursement. The nice thing about this company is that if your dog is diagnosed with a condition while covered under the insurance, it will not be considered pre-existing at time of renewel and will be covered year after year.
EMBRACE: This company covers breed specific conditions. The every day plan covers unknown accidents or illnesses (including hereditary).There is no limit per condition. At time of renewel the following year, any illness from the previous year is considered a pre-existing condition and will be reduced to 25% coverage for that specific condition. The plan is $36.04 per month with $10,000 a year limit and a $200 deductable at 80% reimbursement. If you want to add precription medications and dental it is $48.96 per month.
TRUPANION: This company does not have a per incident limit nor a yearly limit, but a lifetime limit of $20,000. This covers hereditary conditions, but does not cover routine care. The Accident and Illness coverage covers medications and hereditary conditions with a 90% reimbursement at $40 a month (zero deductable) or $34.43 ($200 deductable). The catch here is that you have to pay the exam fee. Premiums do not raise as your dog gets older and you will not be dropped.
PETSBEST: This company states they cover hereditary conditions, but has a list of 8 things for a golden that are limited to $2500, instead of the 80% reimbursement. Hip dysplasia was included in theses 8 things. A basic plan has a low per incident amount of $2500 and is $14.99 a month with a $250 deductable and 80% reimbursement. The First plan has a $7,000 per incident limit and a $100,000 lifetime limit with no annual limit and a 80% reimbursement for $31.38 per month. The Premier plan can not be sold to me because I live in Washington state (Washington has some strange inurance laws!)
PETSFIRST: Had low per incident limits. I didn't even bother calling because I wanted more coverage.
PURINA CARE and ASPCA were not available in my state of Washington.
I thought this may help some of you. If anyone has used or is using any of these companies, I would love to hear about your experiences. I still haven't chose a company to insure with yet.
