IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN -- REMINDER TO GET PET INSURANCE!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

In the last 24 hours I've seen stories of Pets in the ER.  I also know of several others that are undergoing very expensive treatments for digestion issues or cancer.  One of these stories was just this morning when Brittany said she spent the night at the ER Vet because her Doodle Calle who never counter surfs got into and ate several pieces of dark chocolate.  One of the things she said was that when they told her they would get her an estimate she told them to just do what they thought they needed to do to help Calle.  She was able to keep all of her focus on Calle because she didn't  have to worry about the bill, she has Pet Insurance.  Instead of standing there in shock at the estimate and trying to say how am I going to pay this, or can't you skip any of this or something, I don't have this kind of money, she was able to just focus on Calle.  

Just the other day I saw someone in a post on FB refer to Pet Insurance as a Scam.  I of course had to respectfully disagree with him because I personally know that it works.  Are there some out there that are ... that is quite possible.  However, if you do your homework you can get a plan that works for you and works for your budget.  Veterinerary care has come so far in the last several years that the costs are sky rocketing.  Don't be one of those that figures that out when you end up in the ER Vet at two in the morning because your Doodle won't stop vomiting.  One night at an ER Vet can easily be over $1000.  

I don't put this here to debate this issue.  I know that there are those that have savings accounts with tens of thousands of dollars that they don't mind if they have to use to pay a Vet.  I don't happen to be one of those people.  There are also those that think they'll just put the premium in the bank each month in case something happens.  What if something happens tomorrow or next week.  It is just like homeowners or car insurance.  We have it just in case.  I'll gladly pay each month if I never need it because that means my doodles are healthy.  But, on the off chance, I don't have to worry.

I just repeatedly put this out there because I want our new doodle owners to think about this now, before they have pre-existing conditions, because then it is too late.

Do some research, see what you think.  If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer to the best of my knowledge or opinion.   

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for reminding all the new puppy owners.  It's so important to buy the insurance before there's a problem and it becomes a pre-existing condition.  We've had $2000 in Vet bills over the past few weeks and we're looking at another $2000 - $3000 in the next few weeks for Murphy's endoscopy and biopsy.  I'm so grateful for pet insurance....it would be so much more difficult to be worrying about paying for all of these tests and treatments.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

When Boris was diagnosed with OCD and required urgent operations on both shoulders plus months of rehab therapy last year I did not have to think twice. Insurance covered all but $200 they paid out over $4000. This year the premium remained the same. Do not delay if you haven't got insurance. I got it the day I brought my two home. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thank you so much for continuing to remind new pet owners of the importance of pet insurance. It is easy to be blindsided by a high vet bill because as you said the care is improving and the costs are going up.  We got insurance for Tara but not our cat. Then the cat ended up needing surgery which was $1200.00  So that issue is now pre-existing and not covered. Afterward,  we got her covered with insurance too and a year later she ended up in the ER. We ended up with an $1800.00 bill which was mostly covered by her insurance!! (Everything was covered as agreed to in our policy-no problems at all)  As you mentioned, it was so wonderful to be able to tell the ER vet "just do whatever it takes to help her" without having to consider the monetary side of it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for continuing to post these reminders, Sheri. It's so important. 

[Shoney & Ruby]

We signed up the day we brought Ruby home. We were able to get a one-month free trial run with one company, but after a lot of research [and talking with our vet] we changed to another one. Yes, $30 a month is a bite out of our budget, but when I think of how quickly vet bills add up...it is a relief.

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

I just signed up last week. Lincoln eats paper sticks etc. He is also kinds clutsy. He gets excited and will hit the end of the table. I was worried he would hurt himself. Our last dog an older standard poodle had a huge non cancerous mass that we could not afford to have removed and it just grew until it was ready to burst . We eventually had to put him down. I feel better knowing we have insurance. It was only nineteen $ a month. It is different depending where you live and the deductible you choose. I choose Pet plan.

[Stella]

I've had people tell me they don't have pet insurance becuase they can't afford it. Well, to be blunt, if you can't afford the insurance you can't afford to have a dog. I have volunteered in a vet clinic and there is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a loved pet put to sleep because the owners couldn't afford to treat it. I signed up for insurance before I got either of my dogs (once I had paid the deposit), this way part of the period that isn't covered at the beginning of the policy was already used up before I picked up the puppy. Neither of my dogs have had major surgery or serious illness and I have still claimed back more than I paid in to date. Health insurance is vital, no debate, research and buy it ASAP!!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Any suggestions on what to look for when researching pet insurance?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lyndy -- It depends on what the age of the dog is.  If it is a new puppy then pre-existing conditions don't come into play.  However if it is a full grown dog or older puppy then you need to make sure what will be excluded.  They will request copies of all vet records and anything already treated is considered pre-existing.  You need to decide what type deductible you can afford.  Some companies are deductible per issue and others are a deductible per illness/accident.  Most people don't choose a plan that covers yearly exams and shots as we know as pet parents that we have to plan for those.  So most plans are illnesses and accidents.  With Pet Plan for example you can decide how much deductible (theirs is per illness/accident) then what % of payment you want.  80/90/100% .  Obviously a lower deductible with higher % pay will cost more.  You need to know if the premium will increase yearly and how that is decided.  You need to make sure you can use your current Vet if that is important.  Just be sure you read the fine print so you don't have any surprises when you file your claims.  That is where people get a bad opinion of Pet Insurance.  They don't read the fine print and then are surprised when a pre existing condition is denied or something like that.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

And just popping in to add some "small print" that (with PetPlan~who we use) your invoice for services from your vet needs to be PAID IN FULL before PetPlan will pay the claim. That having been said, their turn around time is relatively quick but it does differ from human insurance in that aspect. My assumption would be that PetPlan may not be alone in this stipulation but perhaps other insurance companies offer direct pay to the vet and this can be avoided, I've not researched it as we couldn't be happier with PetPlan and have no reason to switch.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I can't say for sure I think most (but not all) Pet Insurance Companies work this way.  I do know that I've heard there are Vets that waited for the payment, but I think that would be a special circumstance of someone with a very good relationship with their Vet.  One thing that is very important is to know exactly what the Company needs to process the claim.  If they have to request additional information from the Vet it is going to take longer.  Not sure about others, but with PetPlan you can request a pre-approval before surgery to make sure you are getting what you think you will.  

[Katie & Roo]

So true! Roo ate underwear last week and wasn't throwing it up even after hydrogen peroxide. We had no hesitations to take him to the emergency vet to make sure he threw it up. This is actually our first claim with Pet Plan - still waiting to see how much they will pay out. Luckily - it wasn't a huge bill even if they don't cover the full 90%.