Anyone use pet insurance?

[JenM]

So, obviously it's probably not worth insuring Tink at this point, since most issues would be considered "pre-existing". But I AM interested in getting insurance for my 1yr old dog.

I'm trying to decide between Trupanion and HealthyPaws - both sound pretty good but Healthy Paws offers a lower premium. However, I know that often times you get what you pay for. Any experience with either of these companies?

My biggest concern I think (based on reviews) is WHAT are they going to consider "pre-existing". A few have posted that because their dog had previously been seen for vomiting, now years later a major stomach bug isn't being covered because her vomiting is a pre-existing condition - things like that. THAT worries me. A lot of complaints are for things that clearly aren't covered and people just dont read their policy... but I do worry about what future things they might try to say are related to her having had parvo as a pup.

If anyone has any experience with actually getting a claim paid through these (or any) pet insurance companies, I'd LOVE to hear your stories. Good or bad.

Thanks!

 

[Alexis & Nikki (GA)]

I thought about getting pet insurance for my cats, but after doing a lot of research into what is covered vs. what is excluded and some thinking, I decided to set up a special savings plan on my own. I picked the highest interest earning savings account I could find and set up my bank to send them $30 a month (about the amount I would have spent to insure the cats).

I figured this way I'd have control of the money (why pay premiums to someone else if there is a chance the cats wouldn't need it) and since it's a different bank than my regular one, I'm not tempted to spend the money for other things. I'm in the same boat as you, my older cat probably isn't insurable and I figure I'll have enough in the account to treat my younger cat by the time she gets old enough to have issues.

Just throwing it out there that you might want to just pay into an account yourself and not worry about exclusions. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Merlin]

I pretty much have done the same thing that Nikki's mom has done. I set up a separate account (savings) for pet emergencies. I like the idea of being in control as well as keeping all my money with me. I am not familiar with any of the pet insurance companies.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I have a friend that got pet insurance for her cat when she was 12 years old. They are paying for most of her cancer treatments including an MRI. The company is Truvania. She had to contest a few tings but her vet sent the documentation and she has never been denied.

 

[JenM]

That's a good idea about a savings account. I just worry that it's not enough. I would have had to have been saving $30/mo for nearly ten years to have paid for Tink's diagnosis & hospitilization. Another 5 years to pay for the round of parvo my dog just endured.

I can totally do the routine stuff - even the slightly more expensive stuff like bloodwork and UA's, etc. It's these huge "I'm gonna spend a week or two in the hospital and try to die on ya" ordeals that the insurance would be handy for. I've spent over $5k on Tink & my dog Zara in the last 6mo. OUCH.

I'm not even looking at the places like VPI and others that reimburse a flat rate for various conditions. The two I'm looking at have 90% coverage, minus deductible (which you choose) on "any accident or illness" - excluding pre-existing conditions. My vet did recommend Trupanion - though I'm leaning more towards Healthy Paws as they have nearly identical coverage, very similar reviews, and considerably lower premiums. Trupanion does cover a few additional things, but it's things I would be unlikely to use, such as dietary supplements and therapeutic pet foods (which I think were both for a limited time anyway). Both companies have no payout limits (most pet insurance companies have pretty low limits).

I did just send an email re: preexisting conditions. A few reviews claimed that their claim was denied because their dog presented with vomiting, and had previously presented with vomiting (for a different condition) - so it was deemed pre-existing. If that's the case, forget it! All KINDS of things present with vomiting, diarrhea & lethargy. How else do you know your dog/cat is sick!?! So we'll see what they say about that. Reading the reviews, it sounds like a lot of people are REALLY happy with it and have had major claims paid. Both companies have some negative reviews... but MANY of these are because people dont read their policies and either didn't meet the waiting period, or were expecting coverage for what is clearly a pre-existing condition. Still... the whole vomiting thing concerns me - given that the dog I want to insure just recovered from parvo. Symptoms pretty much ran the gamut - so if ALL her symptoms from that are now "pre-existing"... nothing will be covered except physical injuries (which may still be worth it as "graceful" as she is!). :roll:

For what it's worth, her premium was around $40/mo with Trupanion ($500 deductible) and around $28/mo with HealthyPaws ($250 deductible).

 

[tiffmaxee]

I don't know about that company. Her cat's preexisting was kidney. It has covered all her IBD an cancer treatments. She has had several US covered and the chemo. She doesn't have to think twice about whether to do a test or procedure based on $$. She only has to think about whether it will be hard on her cat. Good luck with whichever you pick. I find it interesting that you were quoted $40 for a young one as that is what she pays for her cat.

 

[JenM]

I'll look into that company as well! Thanks! It's nice to hear that it really DOES work for real people. I try to look for independent reviews (I actually PREFER to see a few negatives, because it lets me know they're not censored!) - but hearing from real live people is the best.

I WISH I could afford it for ALL my cats/dogs... but to insure 6 animals would be way beyond my budget.