Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on August 4, 2011 at 6:56pm

Hi Steve, here's an old discussion. In a nut shell, it's just like human insurance, it depends on age, pre-exsisting condition, amount of deductible and the amount of coverage. Remember to read the fine print.

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Permalink Reply by steve smith on August 4, 2011 at 8:04pm

Thanks for the reply. I thought the computer lost it. While hit the Add Reply button it went away like it did not post. I will look into it. I wonder if they ask if they smoke?

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Permalink Reply by FredG and Dixie on August 4, 2011 at 8:05pm

Steve, try this http://www.petinsurancereview.com/

 

I have to bring Dixie in for her first vet appointment on Monday at Banfield. I am going to compare their plan to Petplan US and VPI and see what's worth getting.

 

For now I see pet insurance as only being something for catastrophic problems that would hit my wallet hard, kind of like auto insurance, so the Banfield plan may not be worth it to me.

 

But I'll see come Monday.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on August 4, 2011 at 8:29pm

I have heard several people on here that were very unhappy with the banfield plan. Just an FYI. I have petplan for my chihuahua and it was relatively cheap (like $24 a month or something). With all of the research I did and talking to customers at the vet where I work I found that PetPlan was the company people were most happy with. Beware of VPI, they only pay a percentage and put a cap on each "condition". For example, they will pay something like $250 for a broken leg, when in reality that will barely cover cost of exam, bandage, and x-rays. Pet plan does not put a cap on the amount they pay out per condition, but rather a yearly payout cap (like $12,000).

Honestly, I have been told more often than not that people with insurance have felt that they would have saved more by putting the monthly insurance fee into a bank account specifically for their dog/emergencies.

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Permalink Reply by Dora & Rocky on August 5, 2011 at 2:22pm

Honestly, I've heard and read so many horror stories about pet insurance to last me a life time. A lot of the time, it's about insurance company trying to drag their feet in paying out (I guess they're hoping that you'd given up eventually?). Now I just set aside $50 a month for my little guy so I know that, knock on wood, if I need to take him in for an unexpected vet visit, the bill would be covered.

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Permalink Reply by steve smith on August 6, 2011 at 6:20am

I think that your idea is the best so far. I have done that and will continue to do so. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by paul j on August 5, 2011 at 11:56pm

check out trupanion pet insurance. no cap or limit. 

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Permalink Reply by NancyOkada on August 6, 2011 at 11:18am

I have PetCare pet insurance and have never had a problem with them. They are always prompt in paying and have never challenged anything. The only down side is the $3000 max per "system", and I have had more than one incident that goes over the $3000 but it has been worth it for one of the dogs and the other is still young!

 

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Permalink Reply by steve smith on August 7, 2011 at 10:35am

It is not hard to exceed $3000.00. Have not done so yet but it seems that it is better at least for me to have the cash. In many cases if you dont have the funds the hospital or vet will work with you. As long as I have been going to this hospital they will be glad to help you out.

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