Advice for new puppy owners - pet insurance

lmtoth2 · 03-24-2008, 04:47 PM

Just wanted to offer some unsolicited advice

After 1.5 yrs of owning a puppy (and later an adult dog), I realized that I really wish we had signed them up for pet insurance when we first got them. I recently enrolled them in the most basic plan for VPI for only $130/yr per dog, but not before we spent a bundle the past ~2 yrs.

Since having Dexter we have paid out for 2 large incidences: 1) As a 4 month puppy we thought he had a jaw problem...went to a fancy specialist to find out he overchewed on rawhide - cost $500 (he has not seen a rawhide since) 2) Recently Dex ate pieces of a tennis ball. After all was said and done - cost (regular vet for surgery/stay=$750; seeing a fancy specialist for a fancy x-ray = $350) = $1100. I found out VPI would have paid pretty much all of this.

Dexter now has it noted he has a "pre-existing condition" for injesting objects and won't be covered in the next 6 months (in case he injests anyting else), but after that will be covered.

Basically what I am trying to say is that I wish we had done this from the day we brought him home. He would have had no pre-existing conditions and we would have spent $260 for 2 yrs instead of $1600 on these 2 events.

Not trying to push any company, but just wanted to share our experience and encourage new puppy owners to consider insurance...

tykesmom · 03-24-2008, 04:51 PM

Leslie, do most vets accept insurance now? Luckily, I haven't had an experience where I had to use it, but I was just wondering how many will accept insurance for pets.

L's Mom · 03-24-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tykesmom

Leslie, do most vets accept insurance now? Luckily, I haven't had an experience where I had to use it, but I was just wondering how many will accept insurance for pets.

Great question! I would like to know this too!

lauren46 · 03-24-2008, 05:41 PM

Oh wow... I'd also like to know if most vets accept it...

lmtoth2 · 03-24-2008, 06:28 PM

VPI told me that I could go to any vet and their coverage would apply. Of course I would call yourself to find out

Oh - we belong to Banfield so we receive discounted services so there are plans that cost more than what we got...basically I am looking to cover large unexpected accidents.

lauren46 · 03-24-2008, 06:30 PM

Oh ok! Thanks so much Leslie! I'll definitely be checking into that!

thanks

03-24-2008, 06:51 PM

I have VPI for Maya. We get a discount through my company (you may want to check with your benefits person to see if you do too). You can go to any vet. You pay the costs upfront and then send in a one page form and the detailed receipt from the vet. VPI reserves the right to request additional medical records if they want. I have yet to send in a claim (I need to though) so I am not sure if it is as easy as it looks but they have been in business for a long time so I hope it is.

It eases my mind to have it. I know that if there was a major illness I would have some help in paying for the costs. After 8 mos Maya has completely wormed her way into my heart and I would do anything it costs to help her!

Libby&Jofi · 03-24-2008, 06:59 PM

I've just today arranged Jofi's insurance - and I wish I'd done it sooner. In Holland we don't have the problem with vets accepting insurance - if you have it, then they'll accept it.

I think it's definitely worth paying for - I really wish I'd done it before as it would have saved me a several hundred dollars.

Libby

River Rat · 03-24-2008, 08:22 PM

I chose Metropolitan because they cover genetic conditions as well as accidents. With this group you pay up front, as Heather described for VPI, and then they supposedly reimburse you. There's probably a deductible; I researched the details when I signed up but I forget them now.

Leslie

annieG · 03-24-2008, 08:24 PM

We had insurance on our first doodle and we have insurance on Tanner.

In my experience, you pay your bill and then submit a form (which the vet has to fill out part of) to the insurance company then you get reimbursed.

The vets do not do insurance billing for you. Some insurance companies are not in all states. Tanner is insured with Metropolitan and that is because they are in all states and cover genetic conditions. We have just submitted our first claim for Tanner's Xrays and recent illness and I will let you know how the reimbursement goes.

We had PetsBest with our first doodle and they paid what they said they would.

03-24-2008, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
lmtoth2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,920	Advice for new puppy owners - pet insurance Just wanted to offer some unsolicited advice After 1.5 yrs of owning a puppy (and later an adult dog), I realized that I really wish we had signed them up for pet insurance when we first got them. I recently enrolled them in the most basic plan for VPI for only $130/yr per dog, but not before we spent a bundle the past ~2 yrs. Since having Dexter we have paid out for 2 large incidences: 1) As a 4 month puppy we thought he had a jaw problem...went to a fancy specialist to find out he overchewed on rawhide - cost $500 (he has not seen a rawhide since) 2) Recently Dex ate pieces of a tennis ball. After all was said and done - cost (regular vet for surgery/stay=$750; seeing a fancy specialist for a fancy x-ray = $350) = $1100. I found out VPI would have paid pretty much all of this. Dexter now has it noted he has a "pre-existing condition" for injesting objects and won't be covered in the next 6 months (in case he injests anyting else), but after that will be covered. Basically what I am trying to say is that I wish we had done this from the day we brought him home. He would have had no pre-existing conditions and we would have spent $260 for 2 yrs instead of $1600 on these 2 events. Not trying to push any company, but just wanted to share our experience and encourage new puppy owners to consider insurance... __________________ Leslie

03-24-2008, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
tykesmom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,120	Leslie, do most vets accept insurance now? Luckily, I haven't had an experience where I had to use it, but I was just wondering how many will accept insurance for pets. __________________ Kim and Tyke "You say dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you they will be there long before any of us." - Robert Louis Stevenson

03-24-2008, 05:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
lauren46 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 401	Oh wow... I'd also like to know if most vets accept it... __________________ Lauren and Riley (F1B Labradoodle)

03-24-2008, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
lmtoth2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,920	VPI told me that I could go to any vet and their coverage would apply. Of course I would call yourself to find out Oh - we belong to Banfield so we receive discounted services so there are plans that cost more than what we got...basically I am looking to cover large unexpected accidents. __________________ Leslie

03-24-2008, 06:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
lauren46 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 401	Oh ok! Thanks so much Leslie! I'll definitely be checking into that! thanks __________________ Lauren and Riley (F1B Labradoodle)

03-24-2008, 06:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	I have VPI for Maya. We get a discount through my company (you may want to check with your benefits person to see if you do too). You can go to any vet. You pay the costs upfront and then send in a one page form and the detailed receipt from the vet. VPI reserves the right to request additional medical records if they want. I have yet to send in a claim (I need to though) so I am not sure if it is as easy as it looks but they have been in business for a long time so I hope it is. It eases my mind to have it. I know that if there was a major illness I would have some help in paying for the costs. After 8 mos Maya has completely wormed her way into my heart and I would do anything it costs to help her!

03-24-2008, 06:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Libby&Jofi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amersfoort, The Netherlands Posts: 189	I've just today arranged Jofi's insurance - and I wish I'd done it sooner. In Holland we don't have the problem with vets accepting insurance - if you have it, then they'll accept it. I think it's definitely worth paying for - I really wish I'd done it before as it would have saved me a several hundred dollars. Libby

03-24-2008, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
River Rat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 983	I chose Metropolitan because they cover genetic conditions as well as accidents. With this group you pay up front, as Heather described for VPI, and then they supposedly reimburse you. There's probably a deductible; I researched the details when I signed up but I forget them now. Leslie __________________ \Portraits http://www.leslieficcaglia.org \ \Wild and Scenic http://mauriceriver.igc.org/ \

03-24-2008, 08:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
annieG Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,929	We had insurance on our first doodle and we have insurance on Tanner. In my experience, you pay your bill and then submit a form (which the vet has to fill out part of) to the insurance company then you get reimbursed. The vets do not do insurance billing for you. Some insurance companies are not in all states. Tanner is insured with Metropolitan and that is because they are in all states and cover genetic conditions. We have just submitted our first claim for Tanner's Xrays and recent illness and I will let you know how the reimbursement goes. We had PetsBest with our first doodle and they paid what they said they would. __________________ AnnieG & Tanner

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