Pet Health Insurance

[Sarcastic]

A lot of people here have pets. Do you have health insurance and, if you do, how much do you pay and do you feel it's worth it.

My parrot has been sneezing and it seems he has a stuffed nose, which could indicate an infection. I took him to the vet again and for the visit, a poop test, and a blood test.... $300 now.

It's hard to find insurance for birds, but I found one company named VPI that does that. I'm just curious how you guys deal with pet health costs.

[tifosi77]

We have both dogs and the cat on VPI. It's worth it, but be aware that pet insurance is worse than people insurance in terms of things like pre-existing conditions, denying claims, etc. Our rescue dog had luxating patellas in both hind legs that required surgical correction (we knew this when we rescued her). Because she was basically born with the condition VPI wouldn't pay a dime; pre-existing at the time she was added to the policy. That was a few thousand bucks out of pocket, but we now have a bionic 11-year old beagle who still runs up steps and jumps into the bed.

[tifosi77]

Should also say that she has a pronounced starboard list when she squats. They used slightly different techniques on each knee, and her range of motion on the left is a good 6-8 degrees less than on the right. So she sort of tilts when she pees. That has nothing to do with insurance, I just think it's funny.

[dodint]

BDSM, Bestiality, and Waterworks. Been a busy afternoon.

[DocEmrick]

I think in some cases its a must.

My parents take in puppymill dogs with a lot of physical problems, and when you have 2 of those with liver or kidney disease the medical bills are insane. I don't know how it works for them exactly but I definitely recommend it.

[Idoit40fans]

My first dog came with a trial of pet insurance which i immediately upgraded. She got sick immediately...apparently was sick when we got her...and the pet insurance applied the bs trial coverage instead of what i paid for. That was 24 pet watch. Im not using them anymore. I like petplan which im using now.

[Sarcastic]

VPI sent me a pdf with all the conditions they cover and, holy crap, there are a lot of things that can go wrong with a bird. They did mention they don't cover the pre-existing stuff. He's generally very healthy, just now seems to have developed something. He still wrestles and sings and all that, I just need to get this fixed before it gets bad.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

how much is pet insurance for a single cat?

I've had her for a year and a half and had to bring her to the vet once when she stepped on a nail and **** up her paw. Cost like $600

that was kind of my fault because it happened when the cable guy came and she was so afraid so I put her in the cupboard (she likes being in dark places) but didn't realize there was an exposed nail.

[Sarcastic]

I think in some cases its a must.

My parents take in puppymill dogs with a lot of physical problems, and when you have 2 of those with liver or kidney disease the medical bills are insane. I don't know how it works for them exactly but I definitely recommend it.

I've been reading on costs and like you and tif said... they can get into ($) thousands for certain things. I'd rather just get him set up now when he's healthy. My mom already said she's not giving him back when my dad gets healthy and my dad said OK (they're divorced). Well, it won't cover the current problem (2 weeks before the insurance kicks in when purchased), but in case something comes up another time.

VPI didn't send me a price, but from what little research I did... I think it might be just $20 or $30 a month.

[Sarcastic]

My first dog came with a trial of pet insurance which i immediately upgraded. She got sick immediately...apparently was sick when we got her...and the pet insurance applied the bs trial coverage instead of what i paid for. That was 24 pet watch. Im not using them anymore. I like petplan which im using now.

I've contacted a few places and so far only VPI covers birds - but if someone has a dog or a cat, it's worth to shop around.

[Kraftster]

We use Embrace and pay about $30/month. We have basically catastrophic coverage. Annual appointments, take home medication are not covered, and we have a $500 annual deductible on things that are covered. Still, the last two years during the same week in the spring our dog has needed an overnight stay in the emergency hospital because of a GI thing. We probably saved $700 after hitting the deductible both times and then any appointments other tha annual appt were covered the rest of the year. Last year he had a torn groin muscle after the stay. We probably saved another $500-$750 on that. To me it's worth it knowing that we won't be placed in a position of having to make a tough decision where finances have to be considered.

[PghSkins]

Wait.... You put the cat in the cupboard?

[DocEmrick]

I think in some cases its a must.

My parents take in puppymill dogs with a lot of physical problems, and when you have 2 of those with liver or kidney disease the medical bills are insane. I don't know how it works for them exactly but I definitely recommend it.

I've been reading on costs and like you and tif said... they can get into ($) thousands for certain things. I'd rather just get him set up now when he's healthy. My mom already said she's not giving him back when my dad gets healthy and my dad said OK (they're divorced). Well, it won't cover the current problem (2 weeks before the insurance kicks in when purchased), but in case something comes up another time.

VPI didn't send me a price, but from what little research I did... I think it might be just $20 or $30 a month.

Yeah, it's relatively cheap. It goes a long way though, especially with pet medical bills. Again, with puppy mill bred dogs it's a bit different. They come with a whole host of physical ailments, cancers, diseases, etc because of their breeding environment (100% for profit).

It's probably a good idea to get it anyways; especially like if you're not sure the conditions the animal was bred in.

[dodint]

Wait.... You put the cat in the cupboard?

Cats and cat people. Weird.

[Idoit40fans]

I always laugh that i spend more on insurance for my pers than i do for myself.

[Idoit40fans]

So my mom does not have pet insurance for her 10 year old basset. She just found out that she may need a cleaning and to have molars removed on the dog and thats going to get pricey...thoughts on her getting the insurance(quoted at over $100/month) for a month or two, having the procedure done and getting the reimbursement and getting rid of the insurance? Is that too fraudulent? Is the insurance going to turn around and adjust the claim?

[blackjack68]

I have a rabbit and fish.

No insurance.

[bhaw]

We have our great dane on VPI for just the catastrophic stuff now. We had the full wellness plan, but the Banfield wellness plans are cheaper per month and cover way more.

Idoit, have you mom look into a wellness plan at one of the chain vets (some private vets have them too). They usually include a cleaning every year with it and any extractions will be discounted if the plans are anything like what we have. Cost is pretty reasonable and includes all the yearly vaccines and some other stuff when she needs to get those done.

[Kraftster]

So my mom does not have pet insurance for her 10 year old basset. She just found out that she may need a cleaning and to have molars removed on the dog and thats going to get pricey...thoughts on her getting the insurance(quoted at over $100/month) for a month or two, having the procedure done and getting the reimbursement and getting rid of the insurance? Is that too fraudulent? Is the insurance going to turn around and adjust the claim?

Most (that I'm familiar with but probably all) require a full physical with vet signing off in order to check for preexisting conditions. I guess a vet could kiss the dental issues, though? I doubt a vet would intentionally leave it off because, yes, that would be insurance fraud.