Pet Insurance for your doodle?

[Doe Asombrado]

It has been a long time since I had a puppy and in preparation for the arrival of my 9 month old Labradoodle, Winston I am not sure if I should purchase pet insurance. Does anyone have an opinion on purchasing pet insurance? I'm considering VPI (Veterinay Pet Insurance) or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)? If you did purchase insurance, what helped you decide on the level of coverage? Thanks everyone!

www.aspcapetinsurance.com

www.petinsurance.com

[Val MacQueen]

When we first got Rusty we thought about insurance, Our house and contents policy had a pet component to it so we took it up at $46 a year. At that time it was $500 back for every amount over that you spent on any treatment even if there were two in one week. This was good because Rusty had a problem with Luxating Patelas. He had the first one done at about 1 year old and has been good since until last year when he hurt his back, Arthritis in his spine and his other knee wasn't good so the vet said it would be better for his back if the knee was fixed. we contacted the Insurance company and they had changed the rules to only paying on accidents so our vet wrote them a note saying that Rusty had hurt the knee jumping which in a way he had but it was his back not knee,they payed. So go into it and see what they pay for and check occasionly to see that they haven't changed the rules on you. He is now on Omega 3,6and 9 and a suppliment called Sasha's blend and doing well. We keep some pain drops on hand just in case.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

wow...I had always wondered this myself. We lost a dog over 3 years ago and spent $5,000 - I think in some way we are still paying!! I thank you VERY much for this question and answer. I am going to call on Monday. I now have 2 dogs....seems like a smart thing to do.

Thanks again to both of you!!

[GBK]

I've been looking at them all too. Now with two dogs, I don't want to have to go into bankruptcy if anything were to ever happen!

The only thing I don't like about the ASPCA plan is the per incident of $1500.00 if I were to go for the 8,000.00 a year plan. Sometimes with xrays and trips back to the office etc. I would worry that it would go well over that limit.

On the Petplan insurance I like that you can pick the deductuble and the copay. I am going to call them to check if there is a per incident amount. It doesn't state that there is one, but you never know. If there is not a per incident limit I will probably go with this one. I'll let you know what they say :)

http://www.gopetplan.com/

[GBK]

So I called and Pet Plan has no maximum for per incidence occurance.

If you choose the 8,000.00, 12,000.00, or 20,000 annual plans those maximums can be used for one big accident or illness up to the plan limit you choose for that year.

[Doe Asombrado]

Thanks, for the feedback! I've researched some more and came up with a spread sheet. Too bad no way to upload an excel document or atleast I don't know how to upload one. I've found that the difference between PetPlan, ASPCA, and VPI is this:

1. PetPlans: mainly covers catastrophic care.

Pros: Prescriptions, specialist care, and alternative tx also covered. i.e. chiropractic, acupuncture and behavior problems unlike VPI and ASPCA. Lost pet,death of a pet, kenneling pet if you're hospitalized covered. Not available with ASPCA nor VPI. Flexible deductibles as Gina described ranging from $50-200. Flexible co insurance: 100%-80%. No max per incidence occurance, unlike ASPCA and VPI. Max annual coverage 20K with $50 deductible, 90% co insurance: $39/mo or $454/yr.

Cons: No routine care included to keep deductibles low.

2. ASPCA:

Cons: The most expensive for not so great annual coverage 13k/year (max). Premier plan with routine care included: $62/month or $546/yr
No behaviour tx nor alternative tx covered. No coverage for lost nor death of pet, nor kenneling pet.

Pro: You can add routine care and they reimburse a portion of routine care, and I mean portion. Also, reimbursement depends on diagnosis. Deductible $100 .

[Doe Asombrado]

3. VPI: Similar to ASPCA but not as expensive.

Con: Not so great annual coverage 14k/yr max. Superior plan with routine care included (wellness premier) $47.50/mo or $546/yr.

Pro: Routine care can be added and a portion of care is reimbursed. ie dental cleaning runs about 300-400 per tx, they'll reimburse only $100.

Thanks to all of you who responded! I think I've decided to go with PetPlan. I like the max coverage: 20K/yr. I like the no max per incidence occurrance! Reimbursement isn't that great for VPI nor ASPCA that offer routine care and their max annual coverage maybe too low if my pet is needing catastrophic care beyond 13k.

[Adina P]

which insurance do you have?

[Doe Asombrado]

yes, I'd like to know what pet insurance you have! $110/yr for 2 dogs is a great deal. Do you know what they cover, just "catastrophic" or "catastrophic and routine care? Thanks for the info!