PetPlan

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I know we had a discussion about this last year and everyone is aware that the rate goes up each year but I this year they automatically renewed my policy without even asking AND it's $32.00 more than last year. The first hike was only $15.00.

I seem to recall that someone here thought it tapered out a bit the 4th year, anyone remember?

Though I have never had to file a claim (knock on wood) and I have the peace of mind if something ever tragic happened I do have to say the practice of automatically renewing seems a little presumptuous. And I also have an opportunity to switch to VPI through my husbands work and intended to do a comparison before resigning.

I am not a happy camper.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

So glad my credit card number changed since last year. By law, they can only deduct from your account for one year. Call them. I heard they are very helpful on the phone. Have you called to discuss this with them?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I checked my renewals. They did send an email about the automatic renewal so I could have cancelled. Calla and Luca were both three at renewal time but he was about to turn four. So I don't know about the leveling off part. I still think they are a good company.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I didn't call them yet Joanne, I wanted to hear what everyone thought.

F. here is what the actual email said. I never got an automatic renewal email that I know of....

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for continuing to protect your pet with Petplan - America's #1 rated pet insurance!

For your convenience, your policy for Daisy has been automatically renewed. Please take a few minutes to review your policy documents. You can access your current and past year's policy documents, any time you'd like - right from your policyholder account.

Please note that payment for your policy has been processed today, in accordance with your selected payment plan.If you selected a monthly payment plan, your first and last month's premiums have been collected today; no payment will be collected in the final month of your policy term. If you selected a quarterly payment, three months' premium has been collected today, and your next payment will be collected in three months. If you selected an annual payment plan, your premium has been collected in full.

If you have any questions about your coverage or account, please contact one of our Happiness Managers, toll free at 1.866.467.3875, for assistance.

If you're happy and you know it, tell your friends!Don't forget - you can share the love and earn money by joining our Refer-a-Friend program. We'll send you a $25 Amex gift card for every friend who completes a policy application at your suggestion!

Once again, thank you for trusting Petplan to protect your four-legged family. We look forward to keeping Daisy Covered for Life!

Sincerely,

 

Natasha Ashton
co-founder & co-CEO
pet parent to wellington (8-yr-old cavalier)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lisa, yes Tara's went up about $37.00 this year. Just renewed this month. I called them and they said they have increased the premiums for "mixed breed" dogs due to the fact that they had under priced the cost in the past (compared to premiums for purebred dogs and the number of claims they were receiving on mixed breeds). Also, this year the premiums have been adjusted due to "veterinary inflation" which they normally do not do and  of course the usual age related increase which will always be the case. So next year we will hopefully only have the age related adjustment. The person I talked to said that she has been there 4 years and this is the first year they had the "veterinary inflation" adjustment.

I don't know where this leaves us in terms of how the premiums for PetPlan now compares to VPI or some of the others. I'd be interested to hear what you learn if you do any shopping...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I forgot to say that I did get an email notification. I also had PetPlan check the new premium for my cat's policy which is due to renew next week and it too is going up $29.00 due to age and vet inflation. :(

[F, Calla & Luca]

I got this (and one for Calla):

Dear F Parker,

Your renewal letter for Luca is now available on your online account under important documents.

Please do not buy another policy for your pet. Your pet's policy will renew automatically in order to ensure your pet's coverage remains continuous.

Policy Number: ALZ5012471-00

(I removed the link here : ) )

Best Regards,

The Petplan Team

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I am thinking I must have missed this email...it clearly states it will renew automatically, which is exactly what it did.

I know everyone is very happy with this company, I am just going to keep them and then next year I will watch for that letter and make sure that I compare.

I hope I never need them.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I have always gotten an e-mail in advance as well.  (Did you check your spam mail in the off chance it went in there).  I will admit that I have been upset each year when I got the e-mail because when I would look at the amount it went up on a yearly basis it seemed like a lot.  However, when I break it down by month it really doesn't seem like that much.  As an example, I'm in my third year and I think it started around $19 a month and it is now $28 or something similar.  The problem with switching at this point is anything that is in Daisy's records at this point is going to be considered a preexisting condition if you change companies.  Honestly, I would just call and talk with them about it!  Bottom line is just make sure you are covered!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wonder if it's always true that another company cites everything as a preexisting condition. That means that everyone whose dog has had any issue is stuck with whichever insurer they have  unless they wait out whatever the time period is. Somehow I think it's two years for Pet Plan.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thankfully Daisy has never had any condition...we have had wellness exams, except when we first got her she had roundworm (that took 5 visits to clear up, I then switched Vets).

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I did check my SPAM but guess what, if this made it I don't see why the first letter didn't make it. That being said it is certainly a possibility that I missed it.

Just so you all know, I really don't think $212.34 is outrageous and I probably would have kept them without even thinking about it but since VPI is $26 (this includes Care Guard) a month with the DH discount AND it covers wellness exam as well as flea and tick preventative I was going to ask what everyone thought of VPI.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Maybe you need to change your discussion title since Pet Plan leads people with other insurance to overlook this perhaps. Seems like those responding all have PetPlan. And you need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.