Pet Insurance

[Bocefish]

Bobamacare?


Seriously, never needed it with my previous pooches in the past, so that's no for me. If you plan on raising a show dog, then it's probably a good idea, or if you adopt a dog with known problems.

:twocents-02cents:

 

[SpecialK]

Almost everything I've ever read about it says don't bother. I agree if it's some type of show animal that might be different. If you are truly worried a bout it set up a savings acct for your pet care and just make to to keep it growing.

 

[HollieCakes]

I have the Banfield one they offer at PetSmart.. seems good enough.

 

[GemmaMarie]

I think it depends on the dog, and your own financial abilities. I have a dachshund who I want insurance for because, duh, their notorious for back problems which are not cheap. I am trying hard to save for "that day" now, but idk.. I'm not sure funds will be there when we need them. But if you just have a mutt or a breed with a generally clean bill of health- probably okay to for-go it. But it honestly all depends on personal preference and whether or not you think you could pay the vet bill should anything happen.

 

[Rose]

I don't have any but both my babies are chipped, are part of the Home Again program and I have copies of all their records at my house. Our vet has files on them from adoption till now as well and is less than 5 minutes down the street so we've just never felt the need for insurance on them.

Our leasing office also knows we have two pets (and their names and what they look like) so if there's an emergency or a fire in the building, they can let emergency crews in to get them out if need be. Part of our leasing contract says that we've paid the fee for the leasing office to take note and help us/our animals in case of emergency and we pay an extra $10 a month on our rent for the leasing office to keep updated files on Sadie and Sammy so they're registered to us and our apartment. Basically it says they can let emergency crews in the house to save our pets, that if there's an intruder (in any part of the building) while we're away that it's their job to make sure our pets are safe and at home and that if something happens and they see our pets in the street, they're to pick them up and either take them to our vet or contact one of our emergency pet sitters (either set of parents or one of our friends) to come get them.

 

[Rose]

I am talking about health insurance - for vet visits....like does it save money on vet visits, etc.

I have a lab and it's common for health issues with their breed and i am wondering if it might be beneficial.

It depends on your vet. For our vet, it's cheaper not to have insurance because vet visits and medication all cost the same, the only exception is they'll call you when it's time for updated vaccinations vs. just sending us a postcard.

There's also a Value Vet near us that offers pet health insurance and I believe it's a lot cheaper for check ups and what not with them if you have their insurance. With the insurance their price is comparable to our vet and they offer a 24/7 emergency clinic and phone line, but you can still use those services without insurance and even if you aren't on file with them.

This would just be something you'd need to call around to your local vets about and do price comparisons like when you get health/car insurance for yourself.

 

[Jupiter551]

Anyone have it?

What say you?

I have it, I pay about $25/month for my cat. There's around a $110 excess on vet charges, basically it's there in case something happens that would cost thousands of dollars (which I'm sure you know isn't THAT outlandish with vets).

I know that unless something terrible happens I'm wasting my money, but after my last cat died of cancer I don't ever, EVER want to be in the position again of having to ask myself if I can afford important treatment for a pet I consider a member of the family.

 

[ElaySmith]

I would think having something like care credit would work just as well. It can be used at vets as well as dental offices (maybe other medical offices as well, I am not sure) for yourself. If you can get credit through them it would be there if you or your pet if you needed it without the hassle of insurance. Im not sure what pet insurance costs or the headache you have to go through to get it, as I don't have it but just an alternate suggestion.

 

[Jupiter551]

Which plan are you on?

I am thinking of just doing the ASPCA one because it has an option for hereditary illness.

Funny thing was when I looked into all the plans (which will be different from yours cos I'm in Australia) I found that they were all underwritten by 2 or 3 insurers lol. Which basically meant they were the same thing with a different name on them, I went with PetPlan underwritten by allianz.
I'm with petplan http://www.petplan.com.au/policies/maximum-benifits

BTW it was very easy to get insurance for my cat, was able to do it all online, and yeah costs about $25/month for me.

 

[SpecialK]

Anyone have it?

What say you?

I have it, I pay about $25/month for my cat. There's around a $110 excess on vet charges, basically it's there in case something happens that would cost thousands of dollars (which I'm sure you know isn't THAT outlandish with vets).

I know that unless something terrible happens I'm wasting my money, but after my last cat died of cancer I don't ever, EVER want to be in the position again of having to ask myself if I can afford important treatment for a pet I consider a member of the family.

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. Would the insurance your carry now have covered treatment for cancer?

 

[Jupiter551]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. Would the insurance your carry now have covered treatment for cancer?

I assume so, I don't see why not, it's not a pre-existing condition etc

 

[Nordling]

Pet insurance sounds like a good idea, although I'd read the policy carefully for the same things human health insurance are rife with--pre-existing conditions, caps on coverage, etc.

A friend acquired a rottweiler puppy some years ago and at one year, it was discovered "Norton" had hip displasia in both hips. At $3,000 per hip, it set him back, but he paid it. Makes me wonder if certain breeds have different coverage in policies--since many breeds are more inclined to some conditions than others.

 

[Elysia36]

I use VPI for my dogs and cats. Fortunately I haven't had to use them,but it always helps to know that I have them if I need them.

 

[BlueViolet]

I agree with being careful to read the fine print. I've seen plans from $11/month to $220/month, I'm still thinking of investing in it.

Good friends of ours had a cat who fell and broke her leg really badly and they aren't sure how. The vet was telling them the only options were amputation or euthanasia. They went to another vet who was able to fix it for about $4,000. They've only had the cat for a few months and she's like around 6 months old... if they had gotten insurance, they would have saved a lot of money if they only had an accidental plan.

I think it's good for puppies and young animals that might have accidents such as ingesting foreign objects (most plans only cover one foreign object a year) or if you take your dog to the dog park a lot and your dog gets injured.

A lot of times plans won't cover breed specific hereditary issues such as hip displaysia or even bloat. I don't qualify for Care Credit, either, but unfortunately almost every plan will only reimburse you for the money and not pay up front so you'll have to pay the $4,000 initially (or however much), then send it for a refund.

I would probably go with 24PetWatch, personally, because it has the cheapest for accidents at like $10/month but I'm not as concerned about hereditary issues right now. I think most plans that cover hereditary issues are a lot more pricey, but worth it in the long run if it requires extensive surgery. $600 a year is better than $3,000+ without insurance at $50/month.

 

[Jupiter551]

I agree with being careful to read the fine print. I've seen plans from $11/month to $220/month, I'm still thinking of investing in it.

Good friends of ours had a cat who fell and broke her leg really badly and they aren't sure how. The vet was telling them the only options were amputation or euthanasia. They went to another vet who was able to fix it for about $4,000. They've only had the cat for a few months and she's like around 6 months old... if they had gotten insurance, they would have saved a lot of money if they only had an accidental plan.

I think it's good for puppies and young animals that might have accidents such as ingesting foreign objects (most plans only cover one foreign object a year) or if you take your dog to the dog park a lot and your dog gets injured.

A lot of times plans won't cover breed specific hereditary issues such as hip displaysia or even bloat. I don't qualify for Care Credit, either, but unfortunately almost every plan will only reimburse you for the money and not pay up front so you'll have to pay the $4,000 initially (or however much), then send it for a refund.

I would probably go with 24PetWatch, personally, because it has the cheapest for accidents at like $10/month but I'm not as concerned about hereditary issues right now. I think most plans that cover hereditary issues are a lot more pricey, but worth it in the long run if it requires extensive surgery. $600 a year is better than $3,000+ without insurance at $50/month.

I'm pretty sure I read that mine will pay up front but I might be mistaken about that...but yes over the life of a pet it takes surprisingly little to make it worthwhile. My cat, 5 years before he got cancer, broke his leg and had to have a metal pin inserted - that alone cost like $2700, which is like 10 years worth of insurance at my current rate. Then I spent probably about twice that on stuff trying to make him more comfortable, xrays, painkillers, ultrasounds, fluid draining etc when he had cancer AND diabetes stuff...It's after an experience like that you really don't think twice about getting insurance.

Btw Dakota I really LOVE your new avatar, dunno what it is about it but I just heart it!

 

[BlueViolet]

I'm pretty sure I read that mine will pay up front but I might be mistaken about that...but yes over the life of a pet it takes surprisingly little to make it worthwhile. My cat, 5 years before he got cancer, broke his leg and had to have a metal pin inserted - that alone cost like $2700, which is like 10 years worth of insurance at my current rate. Then I spent probably about twice that on stuff trying to make him more comfortable, xrays, painkillers, ultrasounds, fluid draining etc when he had cancer AND diabetes stuff...It's after an experience like that you really don't think twice about getting insurance.

Btw Dakota I really LOVE your new avatar, dunno what it is about it but I just heart it!

Aw, why thank ya : )

I'm going to look into PetPlan here and see if they pay upfront because if so, I'll invest in it right away. I was just afraid that either way, if there is an emergency, I'd need to either get a savings fund started now or get a co-signer for CareCredit to pay initially until being reimbursed.

Vet bills are always expensive.

 

[Jupiter551]

I'm pretty sure I read that mine will pay up front but I might be mistaken about that...but yes over the life of a pet it takes surprisingly little to make it worthwhile. My cat, 5 years before he got cancer, broke his leg and had to have a metal pin inserted - that alone cost like $2700, which is like 10 years worth of insurance at my current rate. Then I spent probably about twice that on stuff trying to make him more comfortable, xrays, painkillers, ultrasounds, fluid draining etc when he had cancer AND diabetes stuff...It's after an experience like that you really don't think twice about getting insurance.

Btw Dakota I really LOVE your new avatar, dunno what it is about it but I just heart it!

Aw, why thank ya : )

I'm going to look into PetPlan here and see if they pay upfront because if so, I'll invest in it right away. I was just afraid that either way, if there is an emergency, I'd need to either get a savings fund started now or get a co-signer for CareCredit to pay initially until being reimbursed.

Vet bills are always expensive.

Have a look at the petplan website in your area, and google a bit about them - with mine they will pay directly to the vet depending on the vet (some vets don't have an arrangement with them in which case you'd have to pay up front, but if that's out of the question with high bills Id suggest checking with your vet and then decide whether you want to switch vets or ask your own vet if they recommend a different policy

 

[Bocefish]

Soon... man's best friend may be driving too. :-D



AUCKLAND, New Zealand -
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks -- a trainer in New Zealand is teaching man's best friend to drive -- really!

The SPCA in Auckland thought it would be a good way to showcase how smart rescue dogs are and perhaps improve their adoption rate. So they called on animal trainer, Mark Vette, who was up for the challenge.

Click here for more on the story: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/2027 ... drive-cars

Out of a pool of seven dogs, Vette chose "Monty," "Ginny" and "Porter." Monty is an 18-month-old giant schnauzer whose owners turned him in when he became "too much for them to handle."

Ginny is a 1-year-old whippet mix rescued from abusive owners, and someone found 10-month-old Porter roaming the streets.

Vette explained their strategy.

"No animal has ever driven a car before so what we're going to do is we're going to do a straight and we're going to head off, so we'll start the car, get into position, brake on, gear in place, back onto the steering wheel, accelerator, take off and head along the straight and then stop," he said.