thanks for answers about insurance BUT

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

I lhave researched and researched.  If I go with Petplan....how much does the premium go up each year?

 

Trupanion claims it does not raise its monthly rates....any truth to that?

 

 

[Diane and Bailey]

I also just researched insurance in detail.  I decided to go with Trupanion after comparing it side by side with Petplan. 

 

Petplan's customer service rep that I spoke with says they raise their premiums for age/cost-of-care approximately 6-8% per year from ages 3-11.  Trupanion's rep said that they have not raised premiums in the U.S. in the last three years (however, I did find complaints about their premiums being raised online... the rep said that those were Canadian customers only, I believe as the company was revisiting its business structure as it expanded into the U.S..)

 

The factors that lead me to choose Trupanion over Petplan are:

 

Trupanion vs. Petplan

Limits on benefits: None vs. $20k/yr limit

Emergency care: 90% reimbursement vs 80% maximum, regardless of the plan I choose with Petplan

Deductible: ability to have zero deductible if I want it, vs minimum $50

Premium raises: Trupanion may raise rates, but it's not a given, vs. Petplan, who definitely will raise rates (resulting in the premium doubling by age 11)

 

The only downside I saw to Trupanion is that you will always pay the cost of the vet office visit, while this is covered by Petplan.  However, I am getting insurance primarily to cover unexpected/huge bills.  I figure I'd rather have the 90% of an emergency visit covered, since  I figure those are more likely to be costly.

 

Additionally, Trupanion does not cover Alternative care or behavioral care if that is important to you.

 

Hope this helps!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

After I read your response I had a moment of panic and had to go and review my plan with Pet Plan.  When you indicated the maximum payment I could get with Pet Plan was 80% regardless of the plan, I thought hummmm, I thought I had 100%.  So, I logged into my policy and here is what I have for coverage with each dog under PetPlan.  The only time the reimbursement goes down is if I have to go to a specialist.  Then I believe it is 80% reimbursement.  However, as long as I'm at my Vet or at an emergency clinic, then it is reimbursed at 100% after my $200 deductible.

 

Haven't had to use it yet, and hope I never do, but to me the premiums seemed reasonable in the event of an emergency.  I figure I can always come up with $200, but not several thousand.

Gold Plan
Veterinary Fees		$20,000
Boarding Kennel and Cattery Fees		$500
Advertising and Reward		$500
Loss due to Theft or Straying		$500
Death from Illness or Injury		$1,000
Vacation Cancellation		$1,000
Quarterly Premium		$48.73
Annual Premium		$186.92
Deductible		$200
Reimbursement Level		100%

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Thanks for your answer.  It's such a confusing choice!!!

 

Pam

[Diane and Bailey]

Apologies for any confusion or errors.  The 80% I referenced was for emergency or specialized care. 

 

What I meant by saying "regardless of the plan" was that even if I opted for the 100% reimbursement option, the coverage for emergency care is 80% - it doesn't change whether I have selected the 90% or 100% reimbursement plan.

 

I went back to the sample PetPlan policy I was sent by their customer service, and I think that Petplan will cover your standard reimbursement for emergency care, so long as it is diagnosed as "life-threatening" by the treating vet (not yours... the one who provided the emergency or specialized treatment.) For non-life threatening situations, that's when the 80% reimbursement kicks in.

 

Here's what the sample policy says:

 

A twenty (20) % co-pay as stated on your Declarations Page will automatically apply to covered claims in the event that:

a. Your pet receives specialized treatment (except if treated by your primary vet)

b. You take your pet to an emergency care veterinary facility (except for a life-saving emergency consultation).

c. You take your pet to an after hours veterinary facility medicine (except for a life-saving emergency consultation).

d. You take your pet to an accredited school/college of veterinary (except for a life-saving emergency consultation).