Experience and/or recommendations or forget it?
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Pet Insurance
- Thread starter Hothonda
- Start date
I've had pet insurance for my dogs through VPI for the past ten years, and it's been great. I should mention, I've gotten the highest level policy they've offered, including whatever extra-cost options were available, like preventive coverage and cancer coverage.
My dogs have generally been reasonably healthy up through middle age, with the occasional problem to deal with. During this period, VPI's claims reimbursements, for routine preventive care as well as for treating problems, have generally been generous, and have roughly paid back about as much as I was paying out for premiums.
It's at an old age where the policy was especially helpful. Our previous dog, Cosmo, developed cancer at age 11, and needed expensive surgery and developed some severe follow-up problems requiring extensive care. At this point, VPI was absolutely terrific, covering those substantial expenses at amounts well beyond what I was paying in premiums. I spent many thousands of dollars and was reimbursed for most of it. I was able to extend his life by several years, with a good quality of life, and I don't know if I would have been able to afford to do so without pet insurance.
Our monthly premiums, per dog, have been in the $40ish range when our dogs were young, increasing to $80ish when they were old.
Read the policies carefully. You'll find limits on reimbursement amounts etc, and exclusions. Don't expect all your vet bills to be reimbursed at 100 percent. (I've had some bill totals reimbursed 80 percent or more, but others well under 50 percent, for various reasons.) To me, pet insurance has been important in helping out with vet expenses, especially when those expenses are high, but it doesn't make vet expenses go away.
Also, while they will continue to renew policies as dogs age (at higher and higher premiums), they won't write a new policy on a dog older than a certain age (seven, I think). So if you want your dog covered when he's older, you'll need to cover him when he's younger as well.
HTH
My dogs have generally been reasonably healthy up through middle age, with the occasional problem to deal with. During this period, VPI's claims reimbursements, for routine preventive care as well as for treating problems, have generally been generous, and have roughly paid back about as much as I was paying out for premiums.
It's at an old age where the policy was especially helpful. Our previous dog, Cosmo, developed cancer at age 11, and needed expensive surgery and developed some severe follow-up problems requiring extensive care. At this point, VPI was absolutely terrific, covering those substantial expenses at amounts well beyond what I was paying in premiums. I spent many thousands of dollars and was reimbursed for most of it. I was able to extend his life by several years, with a good quality of life, and I don't know if I would have been able to afford to do so without pet insurance.
Our monthly premiums, per dog, have been in the $40ish range when our dogs were young, increasing to $80ish when they were old.
Read the policies carefully. You'll find limits on reimbursement amounts etc, and exclusions. Don't expect all your vet bills to be reimbursed at 100 percent. (I've had some bill totals reimbursed 80 percent or more, but others well under 50 percent, for various reasons.) To me, pet insurance has been important in helping out with vet expenses, especially when those expenses are high, but it doesn't make vet expenses go away.
Also, while they will continue to renew policies as dogs age (at higher and higher premiums), they won't write a new policy on a dog older than a certain age (seven, I think). So if you want your dog covered when he's older, you'll need to cover him when he's younger as well.
HTH
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100% Positive experience with VPI.
We would have a spent a great deal more without the insurance.
Our beagle, Kyzyl, has transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and she's been treated for this for the past 1.5 years with excellent results. Every other week she gets chemotherapy and the cost is about $200 each visit. The insurance covers a great deal of this but there is a yearly cap.
So as Ken suggests, it pays to look over the various policies and options.
It is interesting how the entire aspect of pet health care is so dramatically opposed to human health care. The entire experience has been very positive for us. From the excellent facility that we're lucky to have close by...
http://www.vsecvet.com/
...to the really wonderful doctor that we have...
http://www.vsecvet.com/bio/rRisbon.shtml
...and to the very positive experience we've had with the insurance company
http://www.petinsurance.com/
it all added up to a positive experience.
-Jim
PS: Oh, and to the next a-hole that feels they absolutely must go out of their way to tell me I'm nuts for doing all this for a dog and if it were their dog they would just "put her down".... I may just feel tempted to introduce you to your health insurance plan.
We would have a spent a great deal more without the insurance.
Our beagle, Kyzyl, has transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and she's been treated for this for the past 1.5 years with excellent results. Every other week she gets chemotherapy and the cost is about $200 each visit. The insurance covers a great deal of this but there is a yearly cap.
So as Ken suggests, it pays to look over the various policies and options.
It is interesting how the entire aspect of pet health care is so dramatically opposed to human health care. The entire experience has been very positive for us. From the excellent facility that we're lucky to have close by...
http://www.vsecvet.com/
...to the really wonderful doctor that we have...
http://www.vsecvet.com/bio/rRisbon.shtml
...and to the very positive experience we've had with the insurance company
http://www.petinsurance.com/
it all added up to a positive experience.
-Jim
PS: Oh, and to the next a-hole that feels they absolutely must go out of their way to tell me I'm nuts for doing all this for a dog and if it were their dog they would just "put her down".... I may just feel tempted to introduce you to your health insurance plan.
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VPI all the way. I have the best plan they offer.
I have a Maltese who is almost 17. VPI has covered a pacemaker implant )
(my net was around $300), ACL reconstruction (around $400 net to me) together with diabetes treatments and Cushings meds in addition to wellness visits.
I have a Maltese who is almost 17. VPI has covered a pacemaker implant )
(my net was around $300), ACL reconstruction (around $400 net to me) together with diabetes treatments and Cushings meds in addition to wellness visits.
Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge guys!
- Joined
- 2 April 2012
- Messages
- 2
Consumer Reports says don't do it. It really depends. The average animal will not get sick enough to justify the costs of a policy. Maybe look into discount programs, instead of pet insurance, like United Pet Care, or Pet Assure. Good luck!
Holy cow! Can I get that insurance for myself? It sounds like pets have better medical coverage than most people these days.
"interesting " choice for a first post ....
Those of us who use vpi have already weighed in on the issue. I don't know many people who would have gotten their pet a Pacemaker like I did or pay $4500 for an ACL reconstruction without the insurance. fortunately I didnt have to make the choice between paying the mortgage or euthanizing my dog. 8 years on a pacemaker later I still say getting vpi was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
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its clear that if you are going to treat a pet like any member of the family then insurance makes sense....the ease in getting reimbursement makes me wonder how they(vpi) do as a business.also would be interresting to get Gary's opinion on how they are to deal with point of service.
I purchased VPI based upon Gary's recommendation when my Maltese was 8. He mentioned the breed is known for patellar issues so it made sense to buy it then since the issues usually appear when they reach 10.
I then got her a full physical and she got a clean bill of health all around so she was approved for the full/best coverage. Within 4 months, she was dying of severe heart disease and was rushed in to the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. Within an hour they were doing a pacemaker implantation.
http://www.amcny.org/about-amc/pet-stories/nicos-story
Naturally, VPI thought the timing was somewhat suspect and withheld payment for a couple of months until they reviewed her medical history. Unless her "regular" vet misdiagnosed her only months earlier, her history of perfect health was well documented and VPI picked up the tab. They have now been paying for a cardiologist for 8 years in addition to other specialists. I wish my own health coverage was as good.
I then got her a full physical and she got a clean bill of health all around so she was approved for the full/best coverage. Within 4 months, she was dying of severe heart disease and was rushed in to the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. Within an hour they were doing a pacemaker implantation.
http://www.amcny.org/about-amc/pet-stories/nicos-story
Naturally, VPI thought the timing was somewhat suspect and withheld payment for a couple of months until they reviewed her medical history. Unless her "regular" vet misdiagnosed her only months earlier, her history of perfect health was well documented and VPI picked up the tab. They have now been paying for a cardiologist for 8 years in addition to other specialists. I wish my own health coverage was as good.
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Hmm let's see.
No job, no responsibilities, no bills, yet free housing, free food, excellent medical coverage, and I when I poop, people pick my poop up after me.
So who really is the "master" and who really is the "pet"? Seems to me the labels are on backwards.
:smile:
No job, no responsibilities, no bills, yet free housing, free food, excellent medical coverage, and I when I poop, people pick my poop up after me.
So who really is the "master" and who really is the "pet"? Seems to me the labels are on backwards.
:smile:
I've been a dog lover all my life but I draw the line at this. Not judging.. for my gf pays up the butt to care for her dogs too!
Having lived in a different country has opened my eyes to the unique issues here. Darn these 1st World Country problems! Just sayin... :smile:
Having lived in a different country has opened my eyes to the unique issues here. Darn these 1st World Country problems! Just sayin... :smile:
My experience has been the exact opposite. I've had three insured dogs, all of them reasonably healthy except for two years when one dog was elderly. I've roughly broken even (getting back as much in claims reimbursements as I was paying in premiums) for all the years in which my dogs were healthy, and I got back a whole lot more than I paid when my dog got old and sick.
Of course, the whole idea behind most casualty insurance (as well as major medical type health policies) is to protect you against the risk of catastrophic expenditures. The "average" house will not burn down, but that doesn't mean that homeowner's insurance isn't worthwhile.
Do you actually have any experience with pet insurance?
I personally have never had pet insurance and can say I regret it. I wasn't even aware of pet insurance when I started adopting my babies. I have spent in total nearly $40K on medical bills for two of my dogs over the past 5-6 years, obviously for some pretty extreme circumstances. VPI would have saved me a large sum of that money. Bottom line: if you are a true dog lover, you are going to want to go that extra mile when the time comes. If you get insurance while they are you, you will safely be able to support them when the inevitable happens.
Listen to us - get the insurance.
Listen to us - get the insurance.
Excellent thread. Do you need to get a physical prior to the policy going active? I will definitely be doing this, no question.
http://vets.petinsurance.com/~/media/pdfs/vets/Enabling_Best_Care_How_Pet_Insurance_Can_Help.ashx
Here's a good article that outlines the pros-cons and issues.
One thing that did surprise me was VPI did not cover the removal of my dog's anal sacs. She had long term chronic problems and dietary changes and frequent digital intervention didn't help. So, we had to pay out-of-pocket for the operation to remove the sacs.
-Jim
Here's a good article that outlines the pros-cons and issues.
One thing that did surprise me was VPI did not cover the removal of my dog's anal sacs. She had long term chronic problems and dietary changes and frequent digital intervention didn't help. So, we had to pay out-of-pocket for the operation to remove the sacs.
-Jim
I definitely know what you mean. Trust me.. i'm not sure what I would do if one of my dogs was terminally ill at a young age. I've had a dog in the family for as long as I can remember (7 now, one at a time). However, my father, then now me, have never found it worthwhile to spend a huge sum of money at the vet. I'd say a huge sum is more than $1k. I don't think it's fair to prolong their life unnecessarily at an old age.
Our dogs have all passed away naturally and they have all lived over 10yrs (usually big dogs like German Shepherds). I've had my favorites admittedly but each had a special place in my heart. I suppose over the years I just get use to them coming an going. I now it may seem callous to many of you but I enjoy them while they're here. Feed them well. Make sure they get good excercise and love them. I must admit... I don't see them as being like my children (I don't have kids.. yet). I see them as pets. My gf on the other hand.. she's totally different which is why I can understand each and every one of you who will go, to what I think are extremes, to keep them around.
Would it make a difference if I told you they were all outdoor dogs and that none of them had any ailments before they were 10? I just don't feel as attached to them. Perhaps it's function of my years living abroad as a child.
So if your dog were ill at a young age, but could be cured with a $1200 operation, you'd prefer to let him die?
$1K is a very low threshold for veterinary care. Almost any surgical procedure will exceed that.
I realize that some people can't afford to spend much for veterinary care, even though they love their animals, and that's a real shame. But fortunately, those of us who own NSXs are usually doing well enough that a relatively small sum to save a pet's life - say, less than the cost of an NSX clutch replacement - is within our means.
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I don't want to offend anyone but I can honestly say I don't know. Haven't had to face that problem thank goodness. I knew posting this that my opinions may be unfathomable to many of you.
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Naw man I can certainly back you up. To put it in perspective, in many parts of the world animals we call pets (dogs, cats, etc.) are not only considered filthy, but sometimes food. In the middle east, being called a "dog" is one of the most offensive things one can say to another. It would be the equivalent of calling someone a cockaroach. How would you feel if someone had a pet cockaroach and had an insurance policy on it. In some some Asian cultures, dogs and cats are food, no different than a cow or chicken. Why should a dog or cat be held in any different regard than a pig or some tuna? Just because they are fuzzy or look cute? What about a lizard or a snake? Heck sometimes they are considered pests and are killed on sight. Yet some people are willing to postpone a wedding and spend thousands of dollars to save the life of them. Who is to judge what is a pet and what is just an animal?
Finally, one last food for thought. Think of the thousands, if not millions of dollars spent on pets. As mentioned earlier, many procedures cost well in excess of $1,000; as high as $5,000. Now do you know how many HUMAN lives $5,000 could save? And I'm not talking about in Africa or South America. I'm talking about people here in the US of A who simply cannot afford prescription drugs or medical procedures that could prolong their lives by dozens of years. So are we to believe the life of these pets are more important than these HUMANS? What kind of society are we if a person chooses to spend $5,000 to save the life of THEIR pet rather than spend that same $5,000 to save the life a complete stanger. Perhaps not all men are created equal, and just perhaps there is a value to human life... some more than others.
Finally, one last food for thought. Think of the thousands, if not millions of dollars spent on pets. As mentioned earlier, many procedures cost well in excess of $1,000; as high as $5,000. Now do you know how many HUMAN lives $5,000 could save? And I'm not talking about in Africa or South America. I'm talking about people here in the US of A who simply cannot afford prescription drugs or medical procedures that could prolong their lives by dozens of years. So are we to believe the life of these pets are more important than these HUMANS? What kind of society are we if a person chooses to spend $5,000 to save the life of THEIR pet rather than spend that same $5,000 to save the life a complete stanger. Perhaps not all men are created equal, and just perhaps there is a value to human life... some more than others.
The same kind of society where you choose to spend tens of thousands on something frivolous like an nsx rather than on medicine for a stranger.
Excuse me pot, kettle calling........
Just sayin......:wink:
