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.   

[Carol and Banjo]

Well, we have gone back and forth on this issue for five years now.   We've always said we'd dig deep if that time came.   Over the past few days we've been seriously discussing buying insurance once we return from our vacation.    The prices certainly are reasonable.   One question DH has is, do the premiums go up significantly as your dog ages?    I know we'll both feel better once we make the "leap".     Thanks for the post!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Carol -- I can't speak for the others, but Pet Plan does increase each year.  Lucy's policy renews on March 11th and I just got her renewal letter last week.  I forget the exact amount but it was somewhere in the ballpark of just under $50 per month I think.  In our case her allergy meds are currently more than the policy cost so we are ahead before we even start.  For me it is just peace of mind if nothing else.  At some point I will have to adjust my % that they refund so that I can get the price down some as I know as she gets older it is going to get pretty expensive. She is now 7 y/o.  Right now I have a $200 deductible and a 100% pay at the regular vet and 80% at a specialist. This is all based on the cost of living in the area where you live as well. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Carol, Tara's premium has increased each year too. You might be able to get an idea of the price increase by using Petplan's on-line calculator and adjusting Banjo's age upward. At least it would show the difference at this time.  This year Tara's increased $8.00 a month from age 4 to age 5 (although she turned six a few weeks later! :)

[Stella]

There was a bigger jump in the premium when my guys turned five, because my insurance company classes them as 'old' dogs once they were five!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I wonder if size makes a difference with the insurance companies in regard to "old". :( 

[Stella]

Not sure, it went up for both of them and my deductible doubled. My one LD is a big dog at 75lb (skinny but large!!) and my other is 50lb. I certainly did not consider them old at five years of age!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I don't either-it's insulting! What company are you with Stella?

[Stella]

I'm with PC Financial pet insurance (I'm in Canada). There isn't much choice of insurance companies here!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I played around with the quote thing on Pet Plan one time and I remember checking what would happen if I tried to insurance a dog for the first time that was like 9 years old.  I was shocked that it was actually cheaper than what I was paying.  What I found out was they figure by that time if a dog hasn't been insured before that there will be so many pre-existing things that they won't have to pay on going forward that it actually is better than insuring a young dog where they will get hit with everything. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That's a good point. I hadn't considered the pre-existing issues for older dogs being insured for the first time. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

On one of the sites, I think it may have been the Healthy Paws one you can actually compare the policies side by side with some of the other major carriers.  It was interesting.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I'll re-post this again for new puppy owners. It's a good resource guide to review many Pet Insurance Plans...

http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp  Click on the new Comparison Grid at the top of the review page. 

I will also reiterate to read the fine print. Example, Pet Plan charges a deductible per illness or condition. I'm not sure about other insurances. We have Pet Plan Bronze and have been very happy with it when we have used it.