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. 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Definately does...I was just looking into it this past week.  Still need to do more research before I decide.  I was looking at VPI.  Anyone have any dealings with this company?

 

 

[Martha & Cooper]

I had VPI with my two previous dogs and the reason I went with PetPlan this time was because VPI put a cap on the amount they would pay for each illness.   For example, if you had a torn ACL (knee injury), no matter the expense, they would only pay up to the amount listed in their policy for that particular diagnosis. I understand some changes have been made, so read the proposed policy carefully.

With PetPlan, after you meet the deductible for each illness, they pay the actual expense, even Cooper's prescription medications, up to the limits of the policy.   I have been very pleased with the manner in which they are paying.   Also, I was able to print out a form from their web page and have his most expensive procedure pre-authorized, so I would know in advance that I would be reimbursed.   VPI didn't offer this service when I was with them.  

You can get a 5% discount with PetPlan for using the code "Doodle",  and 10% for having your dog microchipped.      If  you don't have your doodle microchipped, I think there is a 5% discount just for signing  up online.   Anyway, there is a link on the website that lists all the discounts available, for a total of up to the allowed 15%.    Hope this is helpful to anyone reading this.  www.gopetplan.com

With VPI, you can get a discount if you are a member  of the Farm Bureau and possibly other organizations.   I know I got a 5% discount through being an Ohio Farm Bureau member at the time. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ya know, i asked about the doodle discount and was told I have the highest (10%) and they did not allow me to use doodle, they said since I signed up on line it was already a 5% discount.=, but it does not show that in my policy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

If you go to your online account it should come up with details, and go to declarations page and you should see the discount applied.

Microchip Discount
Multiple Pet Discount
Web Discount
10%
10%
5%

This came up on mine but the total discount was still 15 %.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Yep that's where I just looked - only discount given was the 10% microchip, no mention of on Web Discount or Doodle discount, I wrote them and asked and they said I already got the max, next year I will be asking again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Why wait til next year. Call them and tell them again. I find sometimes you need to talk, face to face is best but the phone will have to do. Rant politely.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I called them (PetPlan) when Lucca's policy was up for renewal. They were very nice and yes...there was an error in the discounting because it was done on the internet and yes there is a maximum percentage. They gladly gave me the discount. I know we meet all criteria...web discount, chipped, fixed, multi, doodle. All that said, there is still the maximum percentage allowed.

[stuart b wein]

i did a little research and trupanion in canada seems to be the cheapest, compared to petcare or petsecure

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

presidents choice is the cheapest from Sherri and my research

[Stella]

I think we have the same insurance - PC Financial?  I have had it for the last four years, and it has gone up every year, we are now paying almost $10 per month more than when we started four years ago with our first puppy.  I have thought about giving it up a couple of times, but then I think of the cost of serious illness or orthopaedic surgery and figure we should keep the policy going.  Both my boys (F1 LD and multi-gen LD) are listed as lab mixes.  There is so littel choice up here in Canada when it comes to pet insurance.  We have only made one claim and received the payment back very quickly, they have also replied promtly when I have e-mailed with questions.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Pet plan goes up flyer the dog turns three and goes up every year until the dog is seven or eight I will have to check. I pay $37.00 a month I have a fifty dollar deductible per illness, no co insurance and the max per year is very high. I can't remember . I know that jacks did not go up based on claims for a put a claim in on him monthly for cautery fees when I am in the hospital, do you have Pet Plan?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I know my Pet Plan premiums went up this year but unlike you I don't recall any of the specifics of the coverage. This year each dog was $322, ouch. I will check when I can. I have never filed any claims.