Pet insurance?

[Allison]

I did a search and there are dozens of discussions re: pet insurance, incuding one about a possible discount for DK members.  Did that ever come to be?  Is there a compilation of currently recommended insurance providers?  Some of the threads I saw were from 2009.

Sorry for asking something that has been asked frequently, and/or if I am missing an obvious place where this info might be!

We have had our puppy for a week and I want to make sure we have coverage for her in case she decides to eat something she shouldn't like our neighbor's dog (they just paid 8K in vet bills!!!)

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[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Petplan is the insurance that gives the DK discount, I think!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Here is one discussion that has a spreadsheet in it.  It is from 09 so the info might be a little outdated. 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/pet-insurance-saga?comment...

There are two recent discussions that I remember that might some some info.  I started one in the Puppy Madness Group (which you should join if you haven't done so already) and Nancie and Graciedoodle just had a blog this week on Pet Insurance and a reminder to get it.  The most important thing is to get one that covers genetic issues (like hip dysplasia).  Some do and some don't.  Beyond that it is really just a very personal thing.  Like do you want it to cover annual wellness stuff (obviously that costs more).  Do you want a big or small deductible.  Do you want a 100% or would 80% work for you.  The important thing is to get some type on the record early because once something is identified in the vet records it is too late.  I personally have Pet Plan (as do many others).  But there are several other plans that I think are equally as good.  With Pet Plan you can get a discount for doing it on line and you can also get a discount for putting in the word "doodle".  Max on discount is 15%.  I think there is also a microchip discount as well but total is only 15%.  Take a look at this link above and the discussion in the puppy group and I think  lot of your questions will be answered.  Good Luck.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with this.  We've had great luck with PetPlan.  I don't believe they give a DK discount...I think their agreement is with Doodle Messenger, but you could still get that discount.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Huge fan of PetPlan. They are amazing.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I picked our insurance based on these reviews and comparisons:

http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp

I have Healthy Paws.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

We use VPI -- specifically their major medical plan with care-guard core.  Both of my dogs are covered by VPI.  There are several options, though, so be sure to read the choices carefully before choosing the one that's right for you.  Congratulations on your new addition!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I have Embrace insurance and love it.  I did a ton of research and came down to three.  I made a list of questions after reading a lot about insurance and the pros and cons.Then I called the Insurance companies.  It came down to Pet Plan, VPI and Embrace.  All of them allow you to build your own coverage plan based on how much you want to pay each month, deductible and coverage.  What I found with one of them was that each time you go into the vet with a problem, you pay the deductible and then the insurance company is billed.  As long as this problem continues they continue to send claims and the insurance company will pay.  Then lets say three months later your doodle eats something that has to be removed.  You take your pup into the vet, pay another deductible and a new claim is issued to the insurance company.  Each deductible is only for that particular issue you are dealing with.  I went with Embrace for a number of reasons.  One is that there is a 6 month waiting period for the orthopedic coverage.  But, if you take your pup to the vet, have a physical and if necessary x-rays, you submit the report and if everything was clear you now have instant coverage.  I didn't get insurance until Gracie Doodle was almost 2 years old.  She does a lot of leaping and jumping and I was getting nervous about landing wrong so I went for the immediate physical and the 6 month waiting period was waived.  We didn't need x-rays.  The vet already knew Gracie and she had hip x-rays as a puppy because she ran into a wall (too bad I didn't have the insurance then!).  So the vet already knew she was clear.  He just did a range of motion check and felt her bones.  But, the big thing for me was that I satisfy my deductible and then the rest of the entire year I have no deductible regardless of how many medical issues arise.  I have a very small monthly payment, a $500 a year deductible and I don't have dental or well visit coverage.   I have put in probably 4 claims in the last two or three years and right now dealing with a really huge ongoing one.  Unfortunately, as with any insurance, mine is due for renewal in November and Gracie's current medical problem will take us into the next year.  Therefore, I will have to satisfy my $500 deductible again which won't be hard to do with her issues.  When I called all the insurance companies I gave them scenarios to see how they were handled.  That was how I got my answers.  My daughter got the same plan for her Rhodesian Ridgeback!  Good Luck in your search!  PS  My vet sends the claim in each time and Embrace always e-mails me to let me know they received it and then they e-mail me to let me know the status.  They are great on keeping you updated and informed.