Pet Insurance?

Question

We have decided to go to the local shelter next weekend and the pound and see if we can find our new family member there. I seen a few on petfinder.com that I would like to meet and see if any of them are a good fit for us. I have located a vet already that was recommended by a rescue group. Now I am wondering about pet insurance. I know some say it is a good idea, but which one is the best. I am located in Ohio.

Answer 1

Call the good people at VPI, their number is 1-800-872-7387, they can answer any and all questions you may have regarding coverage plans, cost, and exclusions. IT IS best to start a plan right away before any prexisting conditions develop they also offer a "routine care benefit" plan that you can add to either their standard or superior plans that will give you a kick back on annual things like vaccines, teeth cleanings, and things like microchips, heartworm tests and flea control. Give them a call or check out their website. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!! It could be the difference between a decision between euthanasia or treatment in case of an emergency!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Pet insurance in Europe is huge! In the US - not so much. The reason? Veterinary care in the US is considered affordable. Why in Europe is it not? Because people there have a total different relationship with their animal and more advanced procedure are done on animals there. More MRI, CT's, chemotherapy, joint replacements, etc are done in Europe than in the US. In the US, well, just look at our huge pet over-population problem and you can tell how we view our pets - they are considered by some to be disposable like garbage!

Pet Insurance is based on risk. Consider the major breeds your are considering adopting. Some breeds are pre-disposed to medical problems - endocrine disorders, joint problems, etc. Next, compare prices. In some areas of the US, veterinary care is more expensive than other areas. In CA a fecal exam may cost $44. In Indiana it may cost $25. Ohio may be the same, but it will vary there as well by city.

Many insurance companies are starting to offer preventative care packages. They will reimburse you for the cost of heartworm preventative, flea preventative, vaccines, etc. But the plan may cost just as much as the bill to have all this done annually.

Many insurance companies (and this is how they originally started) will cover certain medical illnesses and have a limit. For instance they will pay $1000 for ACL repair, or $3000 for GDV. Some are picky - if the injury was preventable, such as a fracture, they may not pay - but some will. Some will not cover certain breeds, some may cover illness like GDV, but won't pay anything for a gastropexy to prevent GDV.

They are all different and worth looking into. The other downside to them is that you have to file all the paper work, and you have to pay your vet and then they will reimburse you. I've heard a lot of good things about them especially in dermatology and orthopedic surgery (to fields with which I have experience), but I've heard of some frustrations too.

I'd say the most popular pet insurance is VPI. They have a website you can go to look at options.

Good luck - and thanks for rescuing!!

Answer 3

i'm no longer a pug proprietor, yet a dogs proprietor with puppy insurance. we've VPI. the factor to bear in mind is that with any plan, you will pay finished cost up front and then placed up a declare for repayment. I pay around $30 a month for finished insurance. VPI does have a series volume of money that they pay for each technique, vaccine, etc. so as that they only pay an element of your finished bill. I basically had annual photos carried out, and that i paid $one hundred fifty. VPI will probable reimburse me $seventy 5 or $eighty. That reported, final 12 months my dogs progressed a bad bacterial an infection and had to bypass to the Emergency Vet. I walked out with a bill of close to to $1500. i became reimbursed $1200 of that. I had had the coverage for a 12 months at that factor, so $30 x 12 is $360.00. you will discover that I made out, enormous time. All in all, i could advise it. basically confirm which you do examine the fantastic print and get a coverage which will paintings for you.

Answer 4

See if your Vet offers it. In my state, there isn't a pet insurance company where you can buy a plan and go to a Vet of your choice, but there are plans that some clinics sell for pets. My Vet sells a plan and I know that Banfield Clinics in PetSmart stores offer an assortment of plans. Make sure you know the exclusions and like your Vet if you go to one that offers a plan because if you don't then the basic care you get won't be covered elsewhere.

Answer 5

My ex has a black lab and when we were together, we decided to get the pet insurance. Check out VPI. They will reimburse you, but sometimes not the full amount. Look into it, at least you will get something back and it does cover a wide variety of medical issues

Answer 6

you might consider petsmart vet banfield they have a puppy and dog plan and I know that it has saved us over a thousand dollars in medical costs . It is worth checking out . so good luck to you what ever you decide.

Answer 7

From friends who have pet insurance, they all seem to say VPI is the best. I don't have pet insurance, though, so I can't vouch for this.

Answer 8

My vet recommends VPI.

Answer 9

I am asking the same question! I will et you know if I find out - are you in the UK?

Answer 10

I never bought it because they have a ton of exclusions and when the dog is young, you don't need it. When the dog is older, you can't afford it.
-MM