Update on Pet Insurance Options

[Adina P]

Initially I contacted VPI pet insurance upon suggestion of one of our members in case they'd be able to offer DoodleKisses.com members a discount (since there are a lot of us).  I learned the discount is pretty small and decided to contact a few other pet insurance carriers: Pet Plan, Embrace, and Trupanion.

 

I have heard back from 2 of the 3 so far.  Essentially our options are:

 

1) Offer members a 5% discount for insurance carrier A.

2) Offer members a 10% discount for monthly plans or a 15% discount for yearly plans for insurance carrier B.

3)  Earn a commission ourselves on accepted applications from insurance carrier B.

4) Offer members $10 sign-up discount for insurance carrier C

5) Earn a commission ourselves on accepted applications from insurance carrier C.

 

Since the whole point in looking into this was to offer something cool for our members, I really wanted to check with you again on what you want.  I know most of you who are interested have already either chosen an insurance carrier or have considered the various options.  So it's not just about the biggest discount but also whether the insurance carrier offers what you most want/need in a pet insurance plan.  It would be COOL if we could earn a commission AND offer you a discount but that combo is not an option with those we've heard from, so we're going with a discount for you. 

 

Someone mentioned that saying "Doodle" when you sign up for Pet Plan (who has not gotten back to us yet) gets you a 10% discount.  This is due to the Doodle Messenger's partnership with them...I think they may even make a donation/commission back from this. 

 

Now, how should we proceed?  What do you say?  Should we take a formal poll on which carrier is MOST desired?  THIS IS NOT THAT FORMAL poll...but more of a quest for suggestions on what members want out of this. 

[Lynne B]

I have had petplan for 2 years for my two doodles and it is absolutely the best company out there, believe me-I did my homework before I signed up, the other companies are a joke, they are full of 'fine print' exclusions and limitations- the biggest fraud of all is if your pet develops a chronic condition while on a policy most of these companies will exclude treatment for that condition when the policy renews, they then consider it a 'pre-existing' condition; petplan does not do that to you!  I have filed two claims with petplan both were paid without question, my vet loves them she said that it is by far the easiest company to work with (by the way, I don't get paid to say this, notice there is no referral link in my post so that I can get $$ for it)

[Frannie & Callie]

I have also had pet plan for two years and have been equally happy. I'm a professional buyer and the result is that I nerdily research EVERYTHING. I did lots of comps on the companies, and called about 5 different vets around Atlanta to get their feedback too (like I said - NERD!). Pet plan got the best reviews (although some vets don't really know anything about insurance).

 

They have covered everything I've submitted for Callie, and both of the years I've had it, it has paid for itself within a few visits. Best of course to not NEED the insurance but better still to have it as a backup plan!

[Adina P]

Now if only Pet Plan would respond to my inquiry =)  Although since Doodle Messenger already has that connection the 10% off is available to all. It might pay to partner with a different one for those who prefer a different one?

[Frannie & Callie]

Very good point, but if there's already a doodle discount on pet plan I am unlikely to switch to another one. Perhaps (if they return your call) the larger network of doodle owners would prompt them to offer up a 15% or 20% discounts.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I also am totally sold on Pet Plan, I would never switch, even if I had to pay more. I have gotten years and years of premiums already. They never question anything. I hope they respond to you.

[Lynn Stoops]

I like Petplan.   They are easy to deal with.

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

I haven't done my homework on the issue of insurance, and this post helps me to move it up the priority list.  I love my dog and want to be super responsible.  If something happens to him, I want to make sure I have the money to take care of him.  I've been putting money away, like my own self-insurance policy.  I pay a "premium" to myself every month and pay all regular vet bills out of pocket.  To date, those have not been too many or too much:  just the regular stuff--worming medication, heartworm, and vaccinations.  Oh, and we did have the issue of Sam becoming allergic to his food in November, so that was a bit of an unexpected cost (again, not too much).

 

What I need to figure out is how the numbers end up working out.  Does it make more sense to pay the premiums to the insurance company?  Or does it make more sense (for me) to self-insure.  

 

I'd love to know what your research (polling) shows in terms of what others are doing and what they say they need.  So, in short, yes please!  Do a poll!

[Kathleen McDonald Peterson]

Thank you for taking the helm and looking into this!  We have a 10 month old that now has a Kirunda bed, after "eating" all the stuffing from his when he was left alone for under an hour! Yes, he had chewies and toys to chew!   That vet bill was $600 and the new bed was over $100 (great beds by the way! Kevlar fabric stretched between pvc piping and they sit about 5 inches off the floor...our dogs love them...I may have the spelling wrong...)  then he had a branch lodged in his upper mouth...then he....well .....I could go on! 

 

Kathleen

[Wendy and Eddie]

He just looks like he would eat anything and then just grin at you as you sign your life over to the vets!! :-)

[Lynn D.]

LOL, that is what I was thinking!  :D

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Me, too!  That's a great face! He looks like a dickens!  :-)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Such an awesome picture!