PET INSURANCE

mhuinker · Mar 25, 2014

For any of you who have pet insurance on your Frenchies, what plans/companies are you using. Have your monthly rates ever changed? What are your experiences?

Thanks! Trying to make a decision!

Alice Kable · Mar 25, 2014

Sorry, no help here. We are self insured!

Cbrugs · Mar 25, 2014

I have insurance through VPI and so far have been pleased. The plan is up for renewal in June so not sure yet if the rates will go up. I have a major medical plan as well as a wellness plan and pay about $46 per month.

suebee · Mar 25, 2014

I got a quote from Healthy Paws for around $36/mo and Pet Plan for about $15/mo more. Neither covers well visits or dentals. Healthy Paws wont cover the exams to diagnose, but has no lifetime limits. Both plans have deductibles and you choose co-pays too. It seems pet insurance is aimed at major issues, not"maintenance." However, 2 different vets suggested getting it with French Bulldogs, so I'm glad you posted this thread I'll be interested to hear suggestions!

davidh · Mar 25, 2014

We do not have insurance on any of our bullies.

mhuinker · Mar 26, 2014

Cbrugs said:
I have insurance through VPI and so far have been pleased. The plan is up for renewal in June so not sure yet if the rates will go up. I have a major medical plan as well as a wellness plan and pay about $46 per month.

Citty - so far, I've looked at VPI, Healthy Paws and one other that I can't recall the name at the moment... but so far I like VPI because not only do they cover the major stuff, but also routine check ups and dental! ....

Cbrugs · Mar 26, 2014

mhuinker said:
Citty - so far, I've looked at VPI, Healthy Paws and one other that I can't recall the name at the moment... but so far I like VPI because not only do they cover the major stuff, but also routine check ups and dental! ....

I really liked that they had different plans to choose from. My parents have VPI for their cat and I have a friend that has an English Bulldog and has VPI and they've had to have 3 or 4 surgeries to remove a foreign object and VPI has reimbursed a good portion of the amount.

pbois · Mar 26, 2014

We don't carry insurance on our dogs, but do have a savings account set up for them. Having said that I did research, last year, on the different companies and found this site helpful http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp . I like they rate the companies and really liked reading the many reviews. I personally would have went with Healthy Paws or Pet Plan but I was looking for more of an accidental/illness coverage. The routine stuff I consider part of owning a pet so getting coverage for that stuff wasn't important to me.

You really have to read the fine print with these companies......if they can get your medical records and find anything they consider pre-existing they will.

Also, I know Healthy Paws has a 30 day back money guarantee if you change your mind. Within that 30 days you can request a medical review for them to look at your pets medical records and have them claim anything they would consider pre-existing. If you disagree with them or think they are being too nit picky you can cancel. It might save some anger down the road if you file a claim and it is denied.

mhuinker · Mar 26, 2014

pbois said:
We don't carry insurance on our dogs, but do have a savings account set up for them. Having said that I did research, last year, on the different companies and found this site helpful http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp . I like they rate the companies and really liked reading the many reviews. I personally would have went with Healthy Paws or Pet Plan but I was looking for more of an accidental/illness coverage. The routine stuff I consider part of owning a pet so getting coverage for that stuff wasn't important to me.

You really have to read the fine print with these companies......if they can get your medical records and find anything they consider pre-existing they will.

Also, I know Healthy Paws has a 30 day back money guarantee if you change your mind. Within that 30 days you can request a medical review for them to look at your pets medical records and have them claim anything they would consider pre-existing. If you disagree with them or think they are being too nit picky you can cancel. It might save some anger down the road if you file a claim and it is denied.

Good to know! Thank you Pam!

Katem001 · Mar 26, 2014

I'm in the UK and have Ruby insured. I don't know anything about insurances there but if you can then shop around. I had a quote for £56 per month with a well known brand, looked around for a while and eventually found one with the same level of cover for £13 per month. It seems like the the bigger the name the bigger the prices. It might be different over there

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CremedeLou · Mar 26, 2014

We have Healthy Paws. I pay $34/mo and reimbursed at 90% after $250 deductible. I insured him right away so luckily he has no pre-existing conditions. I filed 3 claims last year and had no problems with the reimbursement process. They don't cover preventive maintenance visits but they have plans that will include it for a higher price. (I don't have that plan) they also don't cover the doctors exam. Their reasoning being that we can compare it to a "copay" were it a human going to the doctors office. I've only been with them for a little over a year and my rate increased this year by $4/mo.

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CremedeLou · Mar 26, 2014

Oops, I was mistaken. Healthy paws doesn't have wellness coverage at all.

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jessicae091 · Mar 26, 2014

I have been thinking serious about getting pet insurance... Especially with the emergency surgery with Lucy, cost me and arm & a leg

suebee · Mar 26, 2014

CremedeLou said:
We have Healthy Paws. I pay $34/mo and reimbursed at 90% after $250 deductible. I insured him right away so luckily he has no pre-existing conditions. I filed 3 claims last year and had no problems with the reimbursement process. They don't cover preventive maintenance visits but they have plans that will include it for a higher price. (I don't have that plan) they also don't cover the doctors exam. Their reasoning being that we can compare it to a "copay" were it a human going to the doctors office. I've only been with them for a little over a year and my rate increased this year by $4/mo.

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Just who I was looking for-someone who used Healthy Paws! When you have a problem must you pay for the regular vet exam and; if they ask you to see a specialist, must you also pay for that exam before the insurance kicks in? Also, are any tests they order during that initial exam covered?

CremedeLou · Mar 26, 2014

The veterinarian exam is not covered by the insurance. They consider that your "copay". For example, I had to take Louie in because he had acute diarrhea, shakes and vomiting. The insurance didn't cover the vet exam, (which was like $55) but covered the lab work associated with the visit and his medications. Another time I thought he ate a rock so again they didn't cover the vet exam but covered the xray. I'm assuming it would be the same for a specialist (but I bet a specialists exam is pricier!) On my very first claim I had to provide all his previous records so I could prove he had no pre-existing conditions. Hope this helps!

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suebee · Mar 27, 2014

CremedeLou said:
The veterinarian exam is not covered by the insurance. They consider that your "copay". For example, I had to take Louie in because he had acute diarrhea, shakes and vomiting. The insurance didn't cover the vet exam, (which was like $55) but covered the lab work associated with the visit and his medications. Another time I thought he ate a rock so again they didn't cover the vet exam but covered the xray. I'm assuming it would be the same for a specialist (but I bet a specialists exam is pricier!) On my very first claim I had to provide all his previous records so I could prove he had no pre-existing conditions. Hope this helps!

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You absolutely answered my questions. I think I will go with this company too. Thanks!

trishkidd24 · Mar 28, 2014

I think I talked about this in a previous post but we have decided to go without the pet insurance. What we have decided to do instead was create a Vet Savings account. Every week after we get paid I transfer $25 into the account. So for instance this last time one of my pets had to go to the vet for a annual visit I had over $300 saved in the account, so I withdrew the $150 for the exam and shots and didn't have to pay anything out of our regular checking. If I continue the $25 a week it will grow large enough so if anything major happens we should have the funds to help cover some of it if not all. Not as great as insurance in certain situations, but this is what is working best for our family right now

We have 3 healthy young dogs, so I suppose maybe once they got older in age it might be beneficial to look into insurance.

mhuinker · Mar 28, 2014

Thank you everyone for your input and opinions!

I finally made a decision this morning and signed up for pet insurance, just to cover the major medical stuff. We decided it was not cost effective to cover the routine exams and dental, so that will come out of our pet savings account.

This insurance is to cover anything extraordinary.

Julie Stevenson · Mar 28, 2014

I have healthy paws and I LOVE LOVe LOVE them! So glad I covered him immediately. IT has saved me thousands literally! I have an 80% coverage plan with a $100 annual deductable. I pay $41.00 something a month. The forms are easy to submit via email and they send us a check within a week every time. I have filed 4 claims so far I think. Ollie broke his elbow at 4 months and cost $4000. They paid 80% of that. They don't pay routine care and they don't cover the office visit, but all injuries, accidents or illnesses are covered at whatever coverage amount you choose in the beginning. It's a great company. I highly recommend them!