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Jac · 09-02-2009, 05:48 PM

I agree with Lynne...there is much to be desired with pet insurance, in general. You can get routine care insurance, as Lynne mentioned, but that is all that is covered and the problem with that type of insurance is that so many things can be considered "pre-existing conditions"...meaning, in pet insurance-speak, that the animal had it all along...whether or NOT there were symptoms!

I think that routine costs are equal to the premiums. Maybe the basic care is good for getting the dog spayed/neutered and basic shots, heartworm, etc. but it will add up to be similar to what you pay for the insurance if you get those things on your own. Most insurances only pay a percentage of the charge, even if you use their vets...so you still have a pretty good sized co-pay for basics.

What I like about PetPlan is that they have several options. I personally like the full coverage (100%) with no co-pay. That is, once you have a diagnosis, under covered conditions, the plan pays everything. It is more expensive annually, but since I am insuraing so many dogs, it is important for me to get the best coverage possible.

This coverage is still under $300 per year! I have had vet bills that total $6000 and $11,000 respectively...I would have given anything to have had those things covered!

The best thing about PetPlan is that they say they cover congenital conditions...now, I think that all insurances have exclusions so find out what the details are. I also like that you can use your own vet, or any vet...not theirs.

Could you pay $300 a year and not need the insurance? Sure. But you could also take that risk and not get insurance and you might be facing the $11,000 bills that I had...or putting your beloved pet to sleep because you can't afford treatment. (In my case, we still lost the pup after the $11,000 bill...)

If you only have one dog, I strongly suggest that you get insurance...for catestrophic events, not so much for the routine care.

But, investigate...as questions and be sure that your coverage is right for you.

09-02-2009, 05:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Re: Pet Insurance I agree with Lynne...there is much to be desired with pet insurance, in general. You can get routine care insurance, as Lynne mentioned, but that is all that is covered and the problem with that type of insurance is that so many things can be considered "pre-existing conditions"...meaning, in pet insurance-speak, that the animal had it all along...whether or NOT there were symptoms! I think that routine costs are equal to the premiums. Maybe the basic care is good for getting the dog spayed/neutered and basic shots, heartworm, etc. but it will add up to be similar to what you pay for the insurance if you get those things on your own. Most insurances only pay a percentage of the charge, even if you use their vets...so you still have a pretty good sized co-pay for basics. What I like about PetPlan is that they have several options. I personally like the full coverage (100%) with no co-pay. That is, once you have a diagnosis, under covered conditions, the plan pays everything. It is more expensive annually, but since I am insuraing so many dogs, it is important for me to get the best coverage possible. This coverage is still under $300 per year! I have had vet bills that total $6000 and $11,000 respectively...I would have given anything to have had those things covered! The best thing about PetPlan is that they say they cover congenital conditions...now, I think that all insurances have exclusions so find out what the details are. I also like that you can use your own vet, or any vet...not theirs. Could you pay $300 a year and not need the insurance? Sure. But you could also take that risk and not get insurance and you might be facing the $11,000 bills that I had...or putting your beloved pet to sleep because you can't afford treatment. (In my case, we still lost the pup after the $11,000 bill...) If you only have one dog, I strongly suggest that you get insurance...for catestrophic events, not so much for the routine care. But, investigate...as questions and be sure that your coverage is right for you.