Question about Rising Pet Insurance Premiums! Pet Plan

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have pet insurance on both my dogs. I have filed one claim and that was an ER visit with Fudge when she was just a puppy. This year my policy premium went up to $206.60, which is almost $40.00 more than last year. Here are the premiums I paid over the years for my dogs:

Fudge

2009    143.56

2010    143.56

2011    167.69

2012    206.60

2013    246.40

2014    308.00

2015    385.00

2015    349.68 (we moved in October 2015 and PetPlan changed our policy plan from March to  

                                10/14/2015)

2016    469.20 (Pet Plan switched me to 15,000 annual coverage, 300 annual deductible, 80%)

2017    603.10

Vern

2010    143.56

2011    167.69

2012    182.93

2013    221.07

2014    276.34

2015    345.43

2015    304.02 (see above. my policy plan switched from beginning in April to 10/14)

2016    407.97 (Pet Plan switched us to 15,000, 300 annual deductible, 80% reimbursement)

2017    524.37

My rates include a 15% discount and my coverage is for vet fees of $8000, 80% reimbursement level and $200 deductible. I guess my concern is at the rate these policies are going up, I could one day be paying big bucks for insurance and the CSR told me today that there is no cap on the premium.   Also, I was told today that the premium is not affected in any way by the amount of claims you submit, but only by age of your dog, location (where you live), and breed.

Is this comparable to what others are paying? I also wanted to get this all written down for the next time someone asks about Pet Insurance.

I still think Pet Insurance is very, very important, but just want to know if my company is in the same ballpark as others.

**sometime before we paid the 2016, Pet Plan changed Underwriters and redid all the policies. Premiums skyrocketed for many. Our policy was switched from a per incident to an annual deductible. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yes! Lisa, you should call back and try and get the additional 5% discount for being with DK.

[Bonne Bouche]

I just renewed BB's at Embrace for $254 (last year was $242) He's 14 months old.

We have

$10,000 :Annual Maximum:

$50,000: Lifetime Limit:

Annual Deductible: $500 and Co-Payment: 20%

We also buy in to the Wellness plan which costs $300 but reimburses $400 of wellness costs (includes welness, vet visits, fecal exams, heartworm and tick medication, etc). It works out to a $100 rebate on his insurance premium, as we will probably spend right about $400 for the various wellness things throughout the year anyways.  Last year we far exceeded it with his neuter/microchip. This year, if we don't max it out by the end of the policy, we'll pick up next year's heartworm meds (they even sent out an e-mail at the end of my policy to remind me to "max out" my policy before it expired).

We intend to only have it for the catastrophic injuries.

[Bonne Bouche]

I kind of thought we were getting a great deal... but now I'm not sure....

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

I went back to check Abby's insurance. I signed up last month when she was 5 months old. I have Pet Plan. 

Total Premium: $282.68

She is listed as a goldendoodle.

I received the 15% discount

Coverage is $8000 yearly max with a $100 deductible and 100% reimbursement.

I too am starting to wonder if I got a good deal and fear the upcoming price hikes.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

well since you have 100% reimbursement and only $100 deductible it seems pretty good, you can always move to 90% reimbursement and $200 deductible as the rates get higher.

[Stacy Holden]

From what I remember, Consumer Reports does not recommend getting pet insurance altogether. I enrolled my two doodles in a vet discount program called Pet Assure, I still end up paying out of pocket but I get a discounted rate at the vet.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I just saw the increase that will be in effect at Samantha's renewal in April for gopetplan.com   It went up almost $100.00 for the year. I emailed them to find out why a 25% increase. I did have a claim 2 years ago from an accident to her eye. Not a happy camper. Can't wait to hear why such a large increase.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

wow!  that is a huge increase.  Mine went up $50 for Cubbie and I wasn't happy.