Anyone have VPI ?

[Mom of 3babies]

We have been looking into getting insurance for our little guy, my Hubby was against it, but now is all for it, I posted about it on Puppy Madness, now we are leading towards VPI because we are able to add the Wellness Plan as well,  but we noticed that most people have Healthy Paw. If you have VPI have you been happy with it or should we go with Healthy Paw ?. 

Thank you, and I apologize for the million post. 

Tammy 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

We have both dogs covered by VPI's major-medical plan, plus care-guard core. In the eight years that we have been using VPI, it has been well worth the investment. I think it's a great choice.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

In fact, I just got reimbursed for a $2110.57 dental claim for Wally, for which VPI paid out $2,007.15. 

[Paula]

Healthy paws does NOT cover routine care because they believe its your responsibility. Which is true. Healthy paws does not have a limit coverage either like everyone else. I was a VPI customer for 5 yrs and I'm glad we are no longer. If you are looking for a pet insurance to cover everything including routine care like vet exams, petplan is your place. Petplan is also the ONLY insurance that covers 100% of course your fees will be a bit more but thats a no brainer. I pay 24 a month for 22k limit on petplan with a 200 deductible. Does 22k seem a lot? No, your young pup has atleast 10yrs of living, imagine 5k bills every couple of years, your 22k limit is used up. I highly suggest if you don't have an extended health warranty on your pup and/or your pup's parents never had a FULL CERF and OFA, thyroid, elbows, heart, etc checked.....go with healthy paws.

Most insurance plans want a member fee on top of your monthly payment. It sucks, trupanion is one of them. Hip displasia can easily cost 14k in one year and I know VPI has a low limit on care. As a good pet owner, I dont ask for insurance companies to pay for my routine care. It's my job and I do most of my shots, deworming, etc.

GOOD LUCK

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Side note on the petplan, and actually the reason we decided NOT to go with them. If you see a specialist FOR ANY REASON, even if you're referred, even if you have the 90% or 100% payout plan, you are ONLY reimbursed for 80%. No matter what.

The only reason it mattered for me was that if something big happened I would want the best of the best taking care of my fur kids, and if I'm paying a higher premium to get 90% coverage, I want 90% reimbursement. Not 80%. Healthy paws doesn't reimburse on the office visit, ever. Sooo you have to pick whats important to you.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I have VPI on Charlie.  The reason I went with VPI is that we had a standard poodle that had so many medical issues.  The first time I took him in for puppy check the vet suggest I get insurance and VPI was one of the few insurances companies at that time (2003).  I took out the insurance (at the time is was $19.95 per month!  He had gastro issues throughout his life and when he was 6.5 he was diagnosed with IMHA (an immune disorder).  And over a two month period his hospital expenses were over $8,000. He passed away, and they even covered all expenses for cremation.  I was very happy with VPI throughout his life.  When we got Charlie I put him on it immediately.  Two years later when we got Beau I put him on Petplan because so many people were giving good reviews on it.  I do not like petplan and I am in the process of changing him over to VPI also.  PetPlan has a $200 deductible for each condition.  So if you take your puppy in because he has an ear infection, there is a $200 deductible.  If 4 weeks later, he would get giardia - again there would be another $200 deductible for that condition.  I am not a Pet Plan advocate.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Woth petplan, if you picked a $200 deductible, that's why you have it, I have zero co insurance and a $50.00 co pay per illness. With petplan you can pick how much you want your deductible to be.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

What I do not like about it is that it is there is a deductible for each illness.  On VPI, Charlie has a $100 per year (not per illness) deductible no matter what we go in for.  I did not see that option on Pet Plan.  I have already applied to put Beau on VPI too and am just waiting for approval.  In the first year with Beau had to pay three $200 deductibles because he had 3 different issues.

[Mom of 3babies]

Thank you everyone for the input. We have decided to go ahead with VPI, and see how it goes. for 3 dogs the Wellness plan is important to us. once we get out of the puppy stage we will change it. 

Thanks again!.