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.

[Frank and Pippa]

Is it worth it in the long run?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Let me put it this way: If it would be difficult for you to pay a $3000 emergency vet bill, you need insurance. Any dog can swallow a sock and need surgery. Any dog can get pancreatitis. Any dog can injure a knee. All of those things have happened to members here, all cost thousands of dollars to treat, and the alternative would be to let your dog die. :(

Diagnostics alone can run $3000. I had that twice in a 10 month period, once for an endoscopy and once for an MRI. And the treatments for my dog's diseases are for life. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I just got my renewal notice from Healthy Paws that mine went up 73 cents. Of course Annabelle is only 2.

[Frank and Pippa]

Now to research the best and cost effectiveness of each one

[Amy and Annabelle]

Don't forget to add in your discounts when you sign up. I think they let you used up to 3. I know I used Doodle Kisses and Costco, I can never remember my 3rd one.

[charlotte bednarsh]

Hi, I highly recommend Trupanion insurance and truly feel pet insurance is essential if your beloved doodle ever has a catastrophic illness or injury.  Personally, I don't need insurance for wellness care, as those costs are relatively predictable, it's the unanticipated health care costs where insurance is essential.  As many of you know, my beloved Paz was diagnosed with lymphoma, and the costs of cancer treatment are astronomical; over a period of 6 months, Trupanion  payed in excess of $20,000 for Paz's cancer treatment, and the bills were paid within a few hours after the claims were submitted.  Trupanion has no cap on the amount they will reimburse per illness or on the lifetime of the policy and the Trupanion staff is absolutely wonderful.   As many of you know, Paz lost his courageous battle with cancer, however I feel comforted by the fact he was able to receive the best possible treatment.  I am getting a doodle puppy in November, and I will be immediately covering the puppy with Trupanion.  I got a quote of approximately $55 per month for coverage of the new puppy and the coverage will be the same that I had for Paz.  Please go to the Trupanion website and get quotes. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks..

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Well I just got my letters from Pet Plan. The increase is about $150 more per year for two combined and Murphy went up the most but he is 7, almost 8.  The New Policy was 15,000 annual allowances, $600 per condition, and 80% reimbursement.  It was $10,000/$500/80% prior.   THey are going to get back to me to see if they are eligible for a yearly deductible which I think is new for them.  Wonder what the eligibility markers are? Age? Zip code.

I was told if I cancel they would have to be given new policies and those costs were just off the chart, so there were some advantages price wise to being an existing customer.  Either way its just too much.

I am just not going to pay $740 per year. It was a stretch at $500-$600 over the last few years.  I am going to have to do more research into other plans, but for those who mentioned looking elsewhere, what have you come up with? 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I called pet plan to change our address/zip code, but since it was still in AZ, it didn't change the policy. They said that the annual deductible eligibility is based on the number of claims in the past. 1-2 won;t be a problem, but more may make you ineligible.  Just passing that along to everyone.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sue, Try Healthy Paws.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm waiting to have to deal with this when we renew in March.  As of right now, I could easily switch AnnaBelle as she hasn't had any claims or doesn't have anything that I'm aware of in her file that should be a problem.  Lucy however is going to be an issue for me.  Her allergy meds alone cost me more than the premium and since she has already had CCL surgery as well I'm sure those two issues would be pre-existing.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle is 2 years old now. My Healthy Paws went up 75¢/mo starting with this month.