PetPlan Insurance has changed ;-(

[Leslie J]

I just received a pre-renewal letter from PetPlan. It seems they have new underwriters and have made changes that their I am very unhappy with. For five years I have had a plan with a $200 deductible, 80% coverage and $10,000 annual allowance. I haven't complained as my payment went from $200 a year to over $500 a year.

The proposed change to my plan is a $500 deduct, 70% coverage and $15,000 maximum annual allowance for $600 per year. This coverage is in not comparable! As an example, if I had a $1,200 expense the old plan would cover $800 and the new would cover $490.I tried different amounts, and according to my calculations I would need a vet bill of $15,000 or more for the insurance payout to be better with the new coverage.

They claimed in the letter I could "Build My Own Plan". I tried and set up the same coverage level I've had for the last 5 years. It would cost over $1,300 per year!!!!!

I have always been a big advocate for PetPlan, but I will no longer recommend PetPlan.

[Janet & Jaxson]

That is interesting. I had paid the annual premium in full so I don't know if that makes any difference.....

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I always pay annually and was very surprised when they started my policy over from the date of my address change. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I do not think they can do that legally Laurie, unless your plan renewal date matched the move date. I think I would be contacting them.  Weird.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I did contact them when they took the premium out. We had just moved and had so much going on, I can't even remember the explanation. I do think I will contact them again and have them re-explain it to me and I will share it here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

They may use different filing companies in MI than they did in PA....you should be able to tell from your declarations page.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I did just go back and check my emails from 10/15 and here is the letter I got....

Your change of address request has been received.

If you need a new vet as a result of your move, we can help. Now you can search for licensed vets near your new home with our vet finder. Simply log in to your account and follow the link to select your vets.

As a result of moving to a different state, a new policy will be written so your coverage can continue for another year. In accordance with the provisions of your new policy and new annual term, applicable premiums may be charged to the current card we have on file.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us toll free:
1-866-GO-PETPLAN (1-866-467-3875).

We love having you as a Petplan family member and look forward to providing you with exceptional customer service for many years to come. We wish you well in your new home.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So did you get a refund on the unused portion of the policies? You should have.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

They probably had to rewrite your policy to comply with Michigan state requirements.  I know I have a state specific (CT) endorsement on my policy so if I were to move out of state I would also have to have my policy cancelled and rewritten.  With most other kinds of insurance, when they do a cancel/rewrite their systems are able to figure out an "amount due" which would be the annual premium for the new policy minus the unused earned premium from the original policy....I would guess that would be the $700 that you were charged but I would definitely want to check.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Jane! I am pretty sure the balance I was charged was to extend my policy through October and I did check, but because it was such a crazy time in our life, I am going to recheck today.

[Gail and Bailey]

I got the letter from Pet Plan as well. I am not going to continue with them. Bailey just turned 5. I will be putting the money in my own savings account instead of giving it to them. We have never used the insurance and now we will just use our savings if needed.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope it's not needed, ever, but the problem with putting the money in the bank instead is that it will not accumulate quickly enough to cover many major vet expenses if you just put away the money that would have gone to the insurance payment each month. One swallowed sock can result in a $3000 surgery. Diagnostics alone for Jack's IBD ran me almost $4000, and then 10 months later, $3000 to diagnose his herniated lumbar disc. The surgery for that would have cost $6000.  Any dog can injure a knee, or develop a severe case of acute pancreatitis requiring hospitalization, and the list goes on. Even simple skin testing for allergies runs about $1000. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yikes!!