Pet Insurance....is It Worth It?

[Sam&Saki]

One thing to consider with pet insurance is always, always to read the fine print - many policies have hidden nasties, not just in sub-limits, but also inasmuchas many policies actually are set up to be a seperate policy for each year you have it, rather than one continual policy that just has to be renewed each year.

For such policies this means that if your dog for example gets cancer, the treatments they cover will only be up to the sublimits and for the remainder of the policy year.

The minute your policy year is over, not only will they stop covering any ongoing treatments, these also become 'pre-existing conditions' which means they can refuse you to cover you at all after that (and of course no-one else will either, once you have a pre-existing condition.)

This is something insurance companies would never get away with for human health insurance - but is exactly what two of the most popular pet insurers do.

Not to say there aren't benefits for pet insurance and it isn't a life saver for some people in some situations - just another thing to consider. :D x

Edited June 13, 2008 by Sam&Saki

[WalandLibby]

How many ppl have used CareCredit? I wonder how many general practice vets provide it? After I first used it in 2004 I talked to my gp vet and I'm pretty sure they can set it up for clients, although they said at the time that they didn't expect many ppl to use it, as the bills they're dealing with are usually a lot smaller than those at a specialist centre.

I've found it a good alternative to insurance - depending on what you choose you get quite an extended interest free period, and you only have to pay for what you use. The interest outside of the interest free period is high, though.

[jeddica]

thanks for all your posts guys

ive been looking at a vetwest policy that looks great check this out...

The Total Wellness Plan for dogs is an annual package including:-

once a year vaccination,

heartworm prevention,

intestinal wormers,

flea control,

unlimited primary consultations*

4 hydrobaths,

VIP 10% pet shop discount*

Monthly treatments are conveniently delivered to you each month

Small (up to 10kg) $310

Medium (11-20kg) $325

Large (21-40kg) $365

Extra Large (41kg-60kg) $400

Giant (61kg plus) $550

The total regular cost of all these products and services for an average 20kg dog is approximately $464, and for a 40kg dog is $522. This assumes only one visit to the vet and makes no allowance for multiple primary visits or other VIP discounts which will significantly increase your savings

I know its not pet insurance as such but think this is a pretty good idea....

I dont have my puppy yet but when i do get him ill be looking inot it a bit more.... =D

[AJP]

Hello!!!

Everyone has thier own opinion- I personlly have only just added pet insurance for my 13week old puppy, but at the moment no insurance for my two cats. I just had to pay over $1200 for my 2yr old cat when he dislocated his hip by getting caught in a fence about 2 months ago. I will be looking at adding him to the plan aswell as other cat in very near future. Only reason I have not done so before was financial circumstances.

My friend refuses to pay pet insurance, instead puts like $10 a week away into a savings acocunt to cover an emergency. Depends on individual circumstances