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. 

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

My problem is that I just don't trust insurance companies in general.  I have to get off my duff and do the numbers crunching (assuming I can figure that out) and see what's what.  I just feel like there's got to be a catch with the pet insurance...Why am I so paranoid???

[Sarah, Bruno & Dudley]

I would love to carry an insurance that works well with all of us. I currently have Pet Plan and I love what they offer. So I hope everyone else does too. They cover things other companies did not, and I did my research. Their prices are somewhat reasonable, so it would be nice to get some sort of a DOODLE coupon saving. They do offer a 25 dollar American Express gift card for purchasing and also if you refer someone they give you both a card.  Let us know.

[Rachelle & Yankee]

I like that idea, I used to have VPI, but they were not good in reimbursing your claim.  There was too much fine print.  After a 1200.00 vet bill for testing for intestinal issues with no results to the cause.  VPI only reimbursed me for 250.00 and the following year their premiums were going up, so now we have no insurance.  We would like it for anything unexpected, so we are interested!

[Adina P]

I need a response to this from those of you in this discussion:

 

Since...

 

A) It seems Pet Plan is the most desired insurance carrier based on overwhelming response

 

and

 

B) The Doodle Messenger website (created to help doodles in need afford health care and spread the word about lost doodles) has a partnership with Pet Plan whereby you can get a small extra discount AND the charity can earn a commission to go toward their work

 

Do any of you STILL think it's necessary to create a partnership with A DIFFERENT insurance carrier like Embrace or Trupanion for another option?  I don't want to step on the Doodle Messenger's toes as they are a charity and DK is not (though we donate to doodle and dog rescue). 

 

Who actually is interested in either VPI or Embrace?  One will offer 5% discount and the other 10% monthly or 15% with annual enrollment.  This is what we need to decide in order to proceed. 

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I think PetPlan is doing a GOOD thing for Doodles. I say stick with them.

Sorry Adina, I think we all rambled and never actually answered your question:) But, the rambling was interesting!!!

[Adina P]

Right, but what benefit is there for us to partner with Pet Plan when there's no addition benefit to YOU?  Doodle Messenger already has a 5% discount you can use via their 'doodle' code.  We couldn't offer anything better than that as far as I'm aware.  And they get a commission toward their good charitable work for doodles.  I don't want to step on their toes.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't know if it matters, but when I was doing all my research before selecting PetPlan, Embrace had better customer satisfaction ratings than VPI.  I do believe they were also more expensive.  Which of the two is providing the larger discount?

[Jennifer and Jack]

I think we should leave well enough alone, I agree it is a good cause and toe stepping hurts..

[Marcia Miller]

I support Adina going ahead and making whatever best arrangements she can make with Pet Plan, and let people who want to sign up (which can also include switching), let them.

[Adina P]

Marcia we will NOT go with Pet Plan because there's no benefit beyond what Doodle Messenger offers--and that is available to anyone who uses the code "Doodle".  And I don't want to compete with them for the commission we'd get.  Please see above note from me.

[Diane Hinson]

Has anyone answered my question as to what happens to those of us who have insurance with other companies (like PetCare) if we were to switch to PetPlan -- wouldn't all existing conditions be excluded as pre-existing conditions??  I fear that would offset any discount.

[Adina P]

This might be a good question for a separate discussion Diane.  Simply because this one is so big and we're trying to get to the bottom of what should DK do as far as partnerships...and what our members want.