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| Author | Topic: what do you think? |
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Rich Member  Posts: 52 |
posted 08-12-2003 02:05 AM
 
Some people favour Pet insurance whilst some tend to favour a savings account for the purpose of a possible crisis arising but what do you think is the best avenue to pursue? Is insurance all it is cracked up to be....Have your say! ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 08-12-2003 09:57 AM
I said this before but I'll post my opinion again. I think if you are able to tuck money away and leave it alone (no cheating) then a savings account is much better. You will earn interest on it and you won't end up losing it if it's not needed. I think it really depends on the person and the pet, some people may do better with an insurance plan, personally I was disappointed with my experience and research, I found that there was FAR TOO MUCH FINE PRINT, the plan I had didn't provide coverage either time I needed it. The thing is, you are paying for it, anyway you look at it, it's your money that pays the vet bill in the end. If you happen to get lucky and not need to use any of the money you gave that insurance company...they get to keep it and what did you get? If it's in a savings account and you don't use it, you can keep a minimum balance and use the excess for something special for your pet or family. The leaste expensive plan I found that had any real coverage was $20 a month, thats $240.00 a year that you are dumping if your pet doesn't need care. Not just ANY care, it has to be only the care described in your policy thats covered. Both times I needed coverage, it wasn't something covered, not only that, but I found in my own policy and some others I later researched that if your dog has a medical issue and they do cover it, it's a one time thing, if your pet has a reoccurance, it will not be covered. It seems like gambling to me, there is a chance that you may get a good bit of benefit from the policy, and it may turn out to have been worth it, BUT just like gambling in Las Vegas, that never happens for me! Insurance companies spend huge amounts of money to write those policies so that they will most likely benefit in the long run. I guess I am not a gambler, I'll keep my money in the bank and actually use it when my pet needs it, for whatever he needs it for, whether it's for hematomas on his ears , kidney stones or a an accident, I'll know the money will be there. PS. I have three dogs, thats $60 a month for the minimum plan, $720.00 a year...thats alot of money to give away every year. IP: Logged |
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puttin510 Member Posts: 1179 |
posted 08-12-2003 02:22 PM
My pet insurance pays up to a certain amount. I have had it for nearly 2 years. They don't pay for yearly shots but have so far come thru very well for me, from ear infections to meds to arthritis problems and skin issues they cover alot. With each illness they pay out a certain amount. When it becomes apparent that I have gone pass those limits I will cancel. So far They have paid for more than I have given them, so it works. If you are someone that is good at putting aside money then that is great too. IP: Logged |
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Rich Member Posts: 52 |
posted 08-13-2003 12:55 AM
Do you guys know anything about pedigree pet insurance? I'm not too sure if they serve worldwide or not but thought I'd ask any how ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 08-13-2003 10:16 AM
Hi, I would never be without pet insurance. I had to put a dog to sleep once because I did not have enough money to pay for her VERY expensive medecine and surgery. You just never know when a medical problem will occur and when it does can cost thousands, not just hundreds. My dog needed about $3000 worth vet care and she was under two years old. Even saving up the money I would have given to the insurance company wouldn't have come close to covering the cost. I never want to be stuck like that again. My new puppy has pet insurance and I just think of it as being part of the cost of having an animal. (I use Petcare which was recommended by the vet and has a good reputation.) I think I'll have to make a claim soon because my puppy has a little bald patch. Because I've got coverage, I don't have to worry about dropping into the vet just to check it out. (Honestly - I don't work for a pet insurance company! I just feel very strongly about it! IP: Logged |
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Rich Member Posts: 52 |
posted 08-15-2003 02:28 AM
Hi Lucky, Just wondered how much your insurance costs you and whether or not you have had to make a claim before? Also have you ever come across Pedigree Insurance and if so what do you think of them. I'm doing a little research to try and find the best option so any advice is welcome! ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 08-16-2003 05:37 PM
Hi Rich, I have used Petplan in the past and never had any trouble getting my money out of them. (They've always had very polite phone people, too!) I'm using Petcare this time just because they had a free 10 week sign up bonus. I'm not sure yet which plan type I'll end up using, but I think it will be about $24 dollars (Canadian) a month. My advice would be to talk to your vet's office help and see what plans they've worked with. IP: Logged |
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1Dog3Cats Member Posts: 52 |
posted 08-16-2003 06:28 PM
I don't *like* Pet Insurance for (2) simple reason.. The companies won't cover a pre-existing illness. They have a yearly limit on the amount of money they will provide. To me, *why* have Pet Insurance if the company won't cover *all* illnesses? To me, it's playing *favorites* and deciding who's going to be the *cheapest* to insure. To me, it's *unreasonable* to say XYZ illness will cost every owner X amount of money a year, no exceptions!! Take my dog with severe allergies as an example. Pet Insurance wouldn't cover allergy treatments. They would be a pre-exisiting illness, they would cost more than the yearly set amount of money, and they wouldn't be a cheap illness to cover. I work overtime every week, and that money goes towards ALL pet care bills. Yes, it means less time at home, but, I know my pets will get the care they need, no matter what the illness may be and I don't have to sit through red tape with a Pet Insurance Company. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 08-17-2003 11:14 AM
I agree that there are a lot of frustrating aspects to pet insurance - especially the limits and pre-existing conditions clauses. (But, if you take your dog in when it is young -it probably has no pre-existing conditions and so will be covered for everything!) All insurance companies play favourites - that's how they make money. And as much as I hate that, I still would not be without house or health insurance for my family. I wish I had enough money so that I could be sure I could pay for every vet expense - but I don't and if I get a couple of thousand dollars worth of coverage a year then that could mean the difference between life and death for my pet or it could mean the difference between life on pain killers and life with new hips. So, for me, I still think it is worth it. IP: Logged |
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Rich Member Posts: 52 |
posted 08-18-2003 01:09 AM
So if you get your dog covered whilst they are young would they be covered for problems such as allergies? ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 08-18-2003 10:33 AM
I imagine that there are different plans available, but my understanding is that your pet is covered for anything that has not yet been documented by the vet. (All the info should be in an insurance co. brochure.) In fact, I had a friend whose vet mentioned that her dog might have hip problems. This off the cuff comment was not written in the dog's chart so my friend got insurance for the dog and then had the hips 'officially' checked out. The dog's hip surgery was then covered by her insurance. IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 08-18-2003 10:37 AM
One more thing...the only (other) lousy thing about pet insurance is that some breeds are more expensive to insure than others. Mixed breed dogs are the cheapest to insure, but you'll have to check out prices if you've got a purebreed. IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 08-18-2003 10:57 AM
1dog3cats, I had VPI (vetinary pet insurance) and I did not get the coverage for meds, They do have it so when my cat came down with huge allergies, I went to with shots, because it was meds it would not cover it at $200.00(nothing else they were doing was helping) I think you are wise to put money away. I cancelled the insurance because I was spending $95/month for 2dogs and one cat. Now if I put that money into an acct like you do I would have $1100/year compounding to go toward future vet bills. honeybear IP: Logged |
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Rich Member Posts: 52 |
posted 08-19-2003 01:46 AM
It is surprising how much difference there is between a mixed breed and a purebreed and from what I have seen so far I think it will be my Boxer Merlin that is going to cost the most out of the bunch but they deserve the best I can possibly offer them! ------------------ IP: Logged |
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