PetPlan Insurance has changed ;-(

[Leslie J]

I just received a pre-renewal letter from PetPlan. It seems they have new underwriters and have made changes that their I am very unhappy with. For five years I have had a plan with a $200 deductible, 80% coverage and $10,000 annual allowance. I haven't complained as my payment went from $200 a year to over $500 a year.

The proposed change to my plan is a $500 deduct, 70% coverage and $15,000 maximum annual allowance for $600 per year. This coverage is in not comparable! As an example, if I had a $1,200 expense the old plan would cover $800 and the new would cover $490.I tried different amounts, and according to my calculations I would need a vet bill of $15,000 or more for the insurance payout to be better with the new coverage.

They claimed in the letter I could "Build My Own Plan". I tried and set up the same coverage level I've had for the last 5 years. It would cost over $1,300 per year!!!!!

I have always been a big advocate for PetPlan, but I will no longer recommend PetPlan.

[Leslie J]

I just got a new online quote with the dog being 6 years old, which is comparable to Cocoa one year ago. The rate for her current coverage ($200 deductible, 80% and $10,000 cap) would be $1100 compared to about $500 last year. The new recommended coverage ($500 deductible, 70% and $15,000 cap) would be $600.

I'm guessing they're trying to push everyone to this less generous coverage pla.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It didn't for my dogs.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Maci's just renewed 7/01. The policy coverages stayed the same with only slight premium increase.
Maci is 2.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just received my renewal notice for Guinness (effective 8/3/16) and mine went from $893 to $1108 - Guinness just turned 7.  They did not mention changing carriers or my coverage which is the Gold Plan ($200 Deductible and 100% reimbursement).  They rate based on zip, breed and age.  Since my zip or breed have not changed I'm assuming the increase is due to Guinness's age.  To purchase the coverage I currently have as a new policy, the premium quoted is higher than what I will be paying....they clearly are trying to discourage these high, fully reimbursed coverages.  I was surprised when they were willing to do it initially....full reimbursement leaves them pretty wide open especially with all the advances in veterinary medicine.  I won't be changing because Guinness would have pre-existing conditions which would likely be excluded with a new policy.  Also, I have been so happy with their claim practices....and I've used them extensively.  I will be calling to be sure that I'm getting all the discounts I'm entitled to....I noticed they now offer an AARP discount and I know that I don't have that one.

[F, Calla & Luca]

As I recall, they limit the number of discounts to maybe three. Still it pays to check.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I am with Healthy Paws but I think they allowed 3. I remember I used being a member of Costco as one of the discounts, DK and I can't remember the other one.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow ... we just renewed in March for Lucy and May for AnnaBelle.  I didn't notice any thing unusual.  No letters or anything.  Lucy is 8 and her policy is $676.32 and AB is 3 and hers is $336.29.  We have the $200 deductible with 100% pay and annual payout cap is $22,000.   

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's strange to me that Lucy and Guinness seem to have the same coverage, and yet Jane's premium is $400+ more per year than yours, even though Guinness is a year younger. And both have pre-existing conditions. Location must play a huge part in the premiums, I'm guessing.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Maybe because Jane has had more claims? I wonder.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't think the number of claims figures into the rating....I remember asking this when I first took the coverage and at that time they said it was all based on age, breed and zip code.  I'm guessing that my coverage is more expensive than Sheri's because of zip, but the increase over prior year is primarily due to age along with the fact that I have the Gold plan and they seem to want to move people away from that. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Jane - good to know.  All insurance companies just grate on me!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think so. Guinness has had pancreatitis. Lucy's had knee surgeries and she also has Atopic Dermatitis, which is not curable, and must be treated for life. 

I think it's likely that the difference is due to the vet rates in Jane's area being higher than in Sheri's.