Hey all,
What have your experiences been with VPI or Pet Best insurance? I'm trying to decide between them and of course they each say they're the best. Pet Best says they pay a straight 80% after the deductible while VPI pays on a schedule. What have you expereinced?
2006-10-23 10:07:37 · 4 answers · asked by Jenni C 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Golly, I've never heard of that. Should I get some for the kitties?
2006-10-23 10:08:44 · answer #1 · answered by ndtaya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pet insurance is, all in all, not really that great of a deal. I included a link below that far better explains why. In essence, pet insurance needs to be used as catastrophic insurance. If you are using it to defer vet costs, you would be more worthwile to just foot the bill yourself. With the deductibles, copays, and yearly caps it actually costs you money for normal procedures. Something else you may not know is that if a dog has a hereditary predisposition to a problem then that problem will not be covered either. It sounds a lot better than it is. But if you dog is hit by a car or gets cancer, and you would pay ANYTHING to save it, then it may end up being worth your while. On average it would not. This article suggests, which may be a good idea, that you take your premium payments and put in a seperate savings account. Then you pay for your expenses, less the "copay" amount from this account. Similar idea, but you do not throw the money away if you don't end up needing it.
As for the person above, the Petsmart deal is horrible. You pay $360 a year for procedures which should cost about $200 at most. Then if there is anything they say you need on top of the bare minimum, they charge you an excessive premium. Plus the Vets at Petsmart are not very good and way overpriced. In general in talking to breeders and people in the know they do not recomend the Banfield/Petsmart clinics. Stay away, overprice and under quality.
2006-10-23 10:35:06 · answer #2 · answered by Craig B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Jenni,
We went with Pets Best because we had heard that VPI's schedule meant that usually only half of the bill was reimbursed and that it was very confusing for customers to understand what was paid for and what wasn't and why. (I searched companies and used the word "review" to find some customer reviews online before we purchased our policy.)
My experience with VPI has only been through those reviews, so I can't speak for any personal experience with them, but we really have loved Pets Best so far and would definitely recommend them.
2006-10-24 07:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by writerchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not used them. I go through Petsmart and they have Banfield Pet Hospital in the stores... they have Banfield Pet Insurane. I pay 30.00 a month it covers the office visits,his screening/shots/ 6 month full exam/Teeth cleaning... I can not speak for the Insurance that you are asking about but I will tell you it will save you money in the long run. If you have a dog or cat and you want ot make sure they are healthy make sure you get one that will cover the office visits... the only thing I have to pay for is my dogs medications and nail clippings....
2006-10-23 10:34:03 · answer #4 · answered by sheli99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋