CubeFarmer
New Member
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Thoughts on Pet Insurance?
- Thread starter CubeFarmer
- Start date
If it is purebred your premiums will be significantly higher due to breed issues.. but on the other hand the premiums will be lower the younger the pups is and if they are fixed.
I only recommend it if you have the expendable cash. As with most insurance, it's a gamble on whether it's worth it over the life of the dog. Peace of mind is priceless though... My older pup had a serious accident when she was a puppy and I had to come up with $2000 out of pocket... with insurance you will still have to do that but you will be compensated as with your personal insurance... I have a $50 deductible and there is a cap on specific occurences... Cancer is a seperate rider.
At the moment I can afford it, so I have it... your other option is to just put 40 bucks a month into a dedicated savings account and hope for the best.
I only recommend it if you have the expendable cash. As with most insurance, it's a gamble on whether it's worth it over the life of the dog. Peace of mind is priceless though... My older pup had a serious accident when she was a puppy and I had to come up with $2000 out of pocket... with insurance you will still have to do that but you will be compensated as with your personal insurance... I have a $50 deductible and there is a cap on specific occurences... Cancer is a seperate rider.
At the moment I can afford it, so I have it... your other option is to just put 40 bucks a month into a dedicated savings account and hope for the best.
red_explorer
Well-Known Member
If its a purebred English Bulldog...
You will do well to get the pet insurance if its an English Bulldog. I grew up with them, and all but one, the vet bills were very extensive. My parents last vet said that "Rachel (Middleton's Mistress O'Rachel) put his kids through college." A joke, but still... English Bulldogs are the most loving loyal dogs you'll ever find, totally devoted to their owners and very sweet, but they do have a tendency toward health issues, like breathing problems, anal gland issues, bone deformities, etc. Also, be sure you have a vet that's familiar with specific health issues related to English Bulldogs. My parents were lucky enough for the last 10 years, to have a vet who was educated at University of Georgia and worked with one of the mascots, UGA.
You will do well to get the pet insurance if its an English Bulldog. I grew up with them, and all but one, the vet bills were very extensive. My parents last vet said that "Rachel (Middleton's Mistress O'Rachel) put his kids through college." A joke, but still... English Bulldogs are the most loving loyal dogs you'll ever find, totally devoted to their owners and very sweet, but they do have a tendency toward health issues, like breathing problems, anal gland issues, bone deformities, etc. Also, be sure you have a vet that's familiar with specific health issues related to English Bulldogs. My parents were lucky enough for the last 10 years, to have a vet who was educated at University of Georgia and worked with one of the mascots, UGA.
One of our girls had emergency surgery - after several - SEVERAL - local visits, xrays, meds, etc...
(cha-ching)
In order to operate, $1500.00 was the required down payment with another expected $2500.00 once they concluded, whether or not my girl made it.
We applied for the on-site supplemental insurance and got the max instant approval - $500.00. The finance charge on the insurance was crazy.
You're almost better off getting a dedicated low APR credit card, throw it in your safe (or whatever) and use it solely for your pet(s) emergencies - or if they have surgeries, etc...
:shrug:
(cha-ching)
In order to operate, $1500.00 was the required down payment with another expected $2500.00 once they concluded, whether or not my girl made it.
We applied for the on-site supplemental insurance and got the max instant approval - $500.00. The finance charge on the insurance was crazy.
You're almost better off getting a dedicated low APR credit card, throw it in your safe (or whatever) and use it solely for your pet(s) emergencies - or if they have surgeries, etc...
:shrug:
This happened to my mom. Her puppy ate something that blocked it's intestine. My mom didn't have insurance and the emergency vet wouldn't touch dog without money down. My mom got talked into some emergency $5000 loan with a "1 year interest free period". All emotional, my mom signed on the dotted line. A year later after makng the minimum payments she was slapped with a years worth of interest at 35%!! She now has money put aside for the next big vet emergency.
I feel pet insurance is a great thing to have. My dog is like my kid... I would most definitely have insurance on my child. Yes you may never have to use it in your dogs lifetime and that’s a huge waste but I feel better to be safe than sorry. If you do decide to go for it make sure you really do your research, some out there are very expensive and don’t cover much. Also if you don’t end up getting your dog fixed most insurance companies will have a huge limit on what they will actually cover on your dog so in that case it is not worth it. Good luck 
btw I have trupanion insurance
btw I have trupanion insurance
ICit
Jam out with ur clam out
No matter if u go to your reg dvm for shot or u have an ER that's 5000...... Pet insurance does not pay for it up front YOU do! Then u turn in a claim to be reimbursed. Your best bet is to have care credit on your side...... But you do have to use it once a year or they close your acct.
CubeFarmer
New Member
Thanks for the feedback!!
I used CareCredit for the $2000 bill I got for my older pup. From experience, I would not recommend it if you can't pay your bill inside of 180 days.
In conjunction with good pet insurance it's probably not a bad thing to look into.
ICit
Jam out with ur clam out
correct
but I see lots of people that do not understand the principle of pet insurance... and how it really works and what it does and does not cover.. and how much. Most come into the vet thinking its just like their insurance... and think they should only pay "such and such" amount. :shrug:
yes carecredit helps but for those that may be the only option they have... and what gets them thru.
people dont understand... pets are expensive when they get sick!
KDENISE977
New Member
.
I have 2 boxers, one always has health and allergy issues, one is a ROCK and never a problem. I got VPI, against the recommendation of my vet (he says they are not worth it) and I had it for a year, until I realized, we were paying for the BEST coverage, covers EVERYTHING...but... the MAXIMUM payout per year for "well" coverage (routine)..was the total of the 12 month premiums??? WHAA??? so yes, we canceled it... paid over $1200 for a year, they denied EVERY SINGLE claim I took the time to send in... nothing, not one exam, not one surgury (blown ACL)...NOTHING.. My advice, save your money... like a doggy flex spending account !!
star777
New Member
I have a dog with allergies. I found out that no matter the issue, after three office visits for the same problem, it's considered a pre-existing condition and they won't allow you to get insurance. The insurance lady also told me that even if I had insurance, they would eventually drop me because allergies are a life-long problem. She did say I could still get insurance coverage for emergencies if I wanted.
ICit
Jam out with ur clam out
ding-ding-ding we have a winner!!!! thank god you canceled it!!!! put the dollars away just like you said... perfect!!! pup-flex spending acct!!!
they will not cover a blown ACL
its a rip-offbut with that said... ASPCA has an Accident policy for ANY dog... not bad
Sadysue
New Member
If you do the math on pet insurance, you will see that it is just not worth it. For example say pet insurance will cost you $40 per month. And lets say your expect your dog to live 12 years or 144 months. $40 X 144 months = $5760.00
Personally, I have NEVER spent that much money on an animal. I might have spent around $2000 on an emergency situation for one dog... Most animals I have only payed for spay neuter, shots, and maybe a sick call every 2 or 3 years. I would bet it would be no more than $2500.00 over the life of each animal.
You would be much better off to open a savings account and put that $40 a month in there for emergencies. Then if you don't need it for the animal, you always have it for something else.
Personally, I have NEVER spent that much money on an animal. I might have spent around $2000 on an emergency situation for one dog... Most animals I have only payed for spay neuter, shots, and maybe a sick call every 2 or 3 years. I would bet it would be no more than $2500.00 over the life of each animal.
You would be much better off to open a savings account and put that $40 a month in there for emergencies. Then if you don't need it for the animal, you always have it for something else.
Many would say the same about automobile or health insurance.
residualvisuals
black widow
I think I mentioned it in an ancient thread, but since it's come up again I thought I'd share:
I only spend $25/quarter on insurance for my boys, only adds up to $200/year for the both of them. It's great insurance with a high cap, and totally worth it. Better than being $2000 in debt for an emergency surgery any day.
Gopetplan.com. They also have really great customer service, you can really tell they're animal people and they care.
I only spend $25/quarter on insurance for my boys, only adds up to $200/year for the both of them. It's great insurance with a high cap, and totally worth it. Better than being $2000 in debt for an emergency surgery any day.
Gopetplan.com. They also have really great customer service, you can really tell they're animal people and they care.
I've said it for years...but I'm forced to buy auto insurance.