Healthy Paws Insurance or Pet Plan?? I would appreciate any feedback on either company.

[Adrienne]

I am researching pet insurance companies and have narrowed my choices to:  Healthy Paws or Pet Plan.  I like that Healthy Paws has unlimited lifetime benefits but they have a 1yr wait period prior to covering for hip dysplasia.  Pet Plan seems to be comparable to Healthy Paws but has an $8000 annual limit--this seems like more than enough but I do know that in rare instances, it may not be sufficient.  If you currently have pet insurance for your Doodle, I would appreciate any information that would help me decide between the two.  Also, if you have questions that I should ask prior to purchasing, that would also be helpful.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I ave Pet Plan and they are OK. They, likes all insurance Co., try to wiggle out of as much as they can but it is all
spelled out. They have many versions with different company's and deductibles with much higher limits than $800. You can get up to 15% off with credit for spay/neuter, chipping and applying on line. At least that's how it was and we did get another credit for the word doodle. Talk to them first to see what deductions are current for the fee.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I also have Pet Plan.   I've never made a claim, thankfully.  If you do go with Pet Plan, tell them ( pick any member you wish ) and they will send both you and the person who referred you, a $25.00 gift card.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Send it to Joanne : )

[Camilla and Darwin]

We have Pet Plan. They seem reasonably priced comparatively, and we've liked them but we haven't had to make a claim so I can't give any input on that.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I was also deciding between these two and went with Healthy Paws. Fortunately, we have not needed them so far (other than sumbitting minor claims towards our deductible. They have always processed those within a day.

If you haven't already, you can look at this website for more reviews of both: http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

We have Healthy Paws, but I've not made a claim - although I have talked with the people there and they've always been helpful and caring.  I remember choosing it because they paid based on the actual charges not "usual and prevailing" charges by diagnosis -- as I thought our area's charges could be higher.  Not sure it's still the same. 

I was also concerned about the lifetime limit.  It seems adequate, but with the way things are going, 2-3 separate emergency incidents or major illness could exceed that.

Con: They advertise that they cover genetic problems like Hip Dysplasia but read the fine print.  Not if diagnosed within the first 2 years :(

[Adrienne]

I just spoke with a Healthy Paws rep and she cleared up a few things for me:

1.  It is "life-time" unlimited coverage (I have seen posts stating that the maximum lifetime benefit was $25K);

2.  There is a 15-day waiting period before coverage kicks in for accidental injury/illnesses;

3.  There is a 1 yr waiting period for hip dysplasia;

4.  They have an "annual deductible" paid yearly, not per incident; 

5.  Routine care and pre-conditions are excluded (that is typical of most pet insurance companies); and

6.  Continued year-to-year coverage for ongoing care related to covered illness/injury/health conditions;

I am glad that I made the call.  I still plan to research PetPlan for a true comparison, but the phone call with the HP rep really helped.

[Adrienne]

I also spoke with a PetPlan rep and this is what I discovered:

1.  Coverage is limited based on plan:  Bronze $10k, Silver $14k & Gold $22k;

2.  24 hr waiting period for accident/injuries; 14 day waiting period for illness

3.  6 mos waiting period for hip dysplasia but can be waived if vet examines knees w/i first 30 days and states in medical records that they were examined and no existing problems;

4. Deductible is per incident;

5.  Routine care and pre-conditions are excluded;

6.  Cont'd year to year coverage for ongoing care;

7.  Covers vet exams (Healthy Paws does not);

8.  Covers alternative treatments/therapy but must be administered by a licensed vet (Healthy Paws also covers this)

[Audra Hicks]

We too went with Healthy Paws after researching for over a month and reading reviews and talking to them on the phone.  We went with a 90/10 plan for our Stewie and have had it for probably 6 months now.  He used to chew up and swallow everything so we were afraid of an accident or something getting stuck that he chewed, but thankfully we have not had to use it.  Just like any insurance, its there in case you need it, but you hope to never need it.  I have heard of major things happening at times to other pets and I don't like having yearly caps on insurance.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We originally took out Pet Plan for Lucy and Sophie  4 years ago.  They have paid over $1500 on Lucy's CCL surgery and over $2000 on the chemo treatments and death benefit for Sophie.  Like F says the didn't pay a couple little things I thought they should have but it was all spelled out in the contract so if I had read closely I would have not been expecting to be paid.  When we were getting AnnaBelle I looked closely at Pet Plan and Healthy Paws and considered changing for AnnaBelle.  The one thing that kept me from doing it was that Healthy Paws does not count the Office Visit as part of the amount in the deductible.  In the case of a specialist that is going to be at least $100 and they don't reimburse and they don't count it towards the deductible.  I don't think they pay a death benefit either although I can't specifically remember.  I ended up going with Pet Plan again just because I felt they had been fair with me.  Like F says also, you can get yearly limits up to $20,000 (maybe $22,000)  I think it is now for Pet Plan.

[Lorrie W.]

I went with Healthy Paws and have been super pleased with their service. I have submitted four claims so far and all have been paid promptly.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Adrienne, put a hold on my comment about genetic conditions.  Your discussion made me go and check my updated policy online.  I see no mention of the 2 year exclusion now, just 12 months from the policy effective date, so you might want to check with them. Maybe they changed the policy or maybe the rep gave me the wrong info. Anyhow I'm going to check back with them because for us it makes a difference to us.  Thanks for posting the question :)