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.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I had the same experience.  Very very  frustrating and annoying.  "setting up you own plan" was a joke.  I have canceled both Tigger and Roo's insurance and will self insure.  Roo is now uninsurable  with both Addison's and congestive heart failure, Tigger would have been similar to what you were quoted.  Tigger has been with Petplan for eight years, no claims.  Even with Roo it would have been cheaper to self insure. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Well, it finally became our turn for the Pet Plan fiasco.  Still very disappointed with them for doing this to folks, but in the end it isn't going to be the end of the world for us.  I renewed Lucy in March.  She turned 9 this year right at renewal time.  With her health history, switching was not an option.  We ended up going with the $15,000 max, $300 deductible and 90% coverage plan.  This actually reduced her premium by a little bit from last year.  The differences being, $300 vs. $200 deductible and 90% vs. 100% pay at her regular Vet but an increase from 80% pay to 90% pay at a specialist.  Since she sees a dermatologist, this helps us out with that.  For obvious reasons, Lucy doesn't qualify for the Annual Deductible option with Pet Plan.  Lucy's annual premium will be $663.54.  

AnnaBelle has to be renewed by May 8th.  I've been looking at options for her.  As it turns out for her, I can get the unlimited plan with the annual vs per incident deductible for just $35 more per year than the per incident deductible.  Her policy increase would have been about the normal increase I've been experiencing.   

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

I researched this when I first got Teddy last year, but let it slide.  If anybody has any primers for someone with a 9-month old Puppy -- get it now....wait.....low deductible...high deductible -- I am all ears.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Get it now. I can't advise you on the deductibles, that would depend on your financial circumstances, I think; but I can tell you that my greatest regret regarding JD is that I didn't get insurance for him back when he was still insurable. Of course, the options 11 years ago were nowhere near what they are today, but I should have gotten it anyway. 

[EJ & Dante]

Get it now.  if teddy ever had symptoms of something (digestive issues, fatigue, etc), and then later develops a condition which has that specific issue as a symptom, it won't be covered - it will be considered "pre-existing", even if it wasn't related.  The earlier you get insurance, the less has happened to your pet and then more will be covered.  With some plans, there is a waiting period for things like knee issues or hip dysplasia. 

I have healthy paws with a $100 annual deductible (not per condition), 90% reimbursement and unlimited coverage.