FD26 Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 We've never been big fans of pet insurance. It seems to me that for what you get back you're better to pop all the money in a savings account instead. Sure the premiums aren't too high, but when you have multiple pets, it gets a bit much. For us it would cost in excess of $70 a month. It seems wiser to hold onto that money incase of emergency. What does everyone else think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Provided you quarantine that money, you probably don't need insurance. But how many people have thousands sitting in a bank account "just in case". I don't have pet insurance but after some recent bills on one dog, I wish I had it on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 It all depends. A bad bout of gastro cost me $3800! I got $3700 back. He was under 2 years old when he got it, so even if I had saved his insurance mone, I wouldn't have had enough to cover the treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FD26 Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 poodlefan said: Provided you quarantine that money, you probably don't need insurance.But how many people have thousands sitting in a bank account "just in case". I don't have pet insurance but after some recent bills on one dog, I wish I had it on him. I know what you mean...we tend to always think that when we have emergencies come up as well! Our younger kitten spent a week at the vet right after we got her because she had such bad diahreah they thought she had a case of agressive worms. Turned out to be that she just has a sensetive stomach, but at the time the insurance would have been nice to have! But, then when I look at it rationally it just doesn't seem to be good value... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FD26 Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 megan_ said: It all depends. A bad bout of gastro cost me $3800! I got $3700 back. He was under 2 years old when he got it, so even if I had saved his insurance mone, I wouldn't have had enough to cover the treatment. Oh wow, that's pretty good then. Which insurance do you use? Maybe it's something to consider for our new puppy even though we haven't used it for our cats. Cats seem to cost a lot less when they need to go to the vet...and being indoor cats it's usually a very rare occurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 FD26 said: megan_ said: It all depends. A bad bout of gastro cost me $3800! I got $3700 back. He was under 2 years old when he got it, so even if I had saved his insurance mone, I wouldn't have had enough to cover the treatment. Oh wow, that's pretty good then. Which insurance do you use? Maybe it's something to consider for our new puppy even though we haven't used it for our cats. Cats seem to cost a lot less when they need to go to the vet...and being indoor cats it's usually a very rare occurance. PetPlan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyra20007 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 In theory if we all put the money away it would be ideal - but the fact is people won't put it aside and then it really does break the bank when you have something major you need treated. I have a friend with 3 dogs that spent over $15,000 in vet bills last year and that has prompted me into taking out insurance on mine, it is on my new year's todo list so I am glad to have that good report on PetPlan and will look into it next week. With my last dog when he was diagnosed with bone cancer I told my vet that "money is no object - please just make hime better" thankfully she was not unscrupulous and told me that there wasn't really anything that could be done, another vet may have just drained the kitty to take advantage. So I think insurance is a great idea - after all we insure our cars and house and contents so why not the pets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyra20007 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just got a quote to get insurance on my girl and it is only $41 per month with is not as much as I thought. So my girl is now insured and that is another thing of my 2010 Todo list thanks megan_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Anyone used the RACQ insurance they advertise? $1 extra a week or something I think it is if you have other insurance with them. Are they any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuddleDuck Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 After my SILs dog had an $8k vet bill we took out insurance on our dogs - its less than 90c a day for the both of them through BowWowMeow. I feel like I have more peace of mind knowing that if something was to happen to them I wouldn't have to sell everything we own (which I would do!) to make sure they are OK. I think it has an $8k per year per dog cap with a $500 excess, I went for a higher excess to bring the monthly cost down, which helps I know that the cap may not cover a whole bill if something bad happened, but I think it is enough to stop myself from questioning treatment vs income in most cases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 In around 18 months I claimed back around $6,000 in return for $800 in premiums (that was 2 years premiums). Having the comfort of insurance meant I did not have to think twice about vet visits, medication etc knowing I would get 80% back within 2 weeks from claim. With my cat's policy - recovered his premium and more with one bout of what turned out to be gastro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 PuddleDuck said: After my SILs dog had an $8k vet bill we took out insurance on our dogs - its less than 90c a day for the both of them through BowWowMeow. I feel like I have more peace of mind knowing that if something was to happen to them I wouldn't have to sell everything we own (which I would do!) to make sure they are OK. I think it has an $8k per year per dog cap with a $500 excess, I went for a higher excess to bring the monthly cost down, which helps Don't hold your breath waiting for that company to process a claim. My claim has been in for almost 4 weeks. When I phoned they claimed I did not have a current policy with them. I had the policy document in front of me. When we sorted that out they said they had received no claim from me. I told them the claim was sent by registered mail and I had a signature of receipt. They then acknowledged they did have my claim and they would phone me in a few weeks to advise me of the progress (or not). I suspect they will find a reason to try to dispute the claim. I doubt they will call so I'll phone them in a couple of weeks and I daresay we will have much the same conversation. Evidently they have an internal stuff up of their policy numbers. I have 2 policies with them and when they expire I won't be renewing with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I was out this morning and overheard a lady negotiating a payment plan for her multi-thousand dollar vet bill. It made me thankful that we have insurance and it made the annual premium (due next week) seem easier to pay. We haven't claimed and I'd be happy if we never have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsha_UK_AU Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 We just bought a 1 year old CKCS this morning & get a puppy (same breed) in March. I am keen to take out Pet insurance on both. I quite like the look of Medibank Private....I am with them for my health insurance so would get a 10% discount. Anyone got insurance for their pets through them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I have a policy with pet plan. Sent in a claim beginning of November and am still waiting for it to be approved. I sent all medical history of the dog as requested. They somehow think there are gaps in the history so I must have taken the dog elsewhere. I have told them the dog hasn't been to any other vets but they don't believe me. They have contacted all the vets round my area to see if I have taken my dog there. It is only a $500 claim. I am now looking into other insurance companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laeral Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I have accident cover with Pet Insurance Australia for my dog. I had only had the policy a little over a month when I needed to claim $1200. I was paid no questions asked, very easy. It took about a month for the cheque to come in but as it was my first claim, can understand it. I would highly reccomend them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I have BowWowMeow insurance for my Westies, Penny and Mac, it was the only one that insured for a reasonable cost dogs that are over 9 years old, and they will only insure for accident/injury after that age. I only had the insurance a few weeks when Penny got a pig knuckle stuck in her oesophagus.....$960 (or near enough to that figure)...I faxed the vets invoice to them (after I paid the vet) and the money was in my account 9 days later less $100 excess. They paid as it was an accident. BowWowMeow insurance is around $34 for both dogs, direct debit per month. I also have RACQ insurance which is around $50 annually, per dog, and you can take it out as an extra clause in the home and contents insurance.(I have an idea that NRMA also do something similar) I have it as if one of the dogs is sick (ie, not and accident/injury). They only cover up to $500 (there is a $50 excess, so the most you can get per claim is $450) I did claim on that for Penny when she had a tumour removed from inside her bum, and Mac when his paw swelled up, they covered all of Mac's (less the $50) as his vet fee was under $500 and I got back $450 from Penny's operation...her specialists costs were HEAPS more! I AM PRETTY HAPPY I TOOK OUT INSURANCE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandra64 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 My two are with pet insurance australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL1 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Boronia said: I have BowWowMeow insurance for my Westies, Penny and Mac, it was the only one that insured for a reasonable cost dogs that are over 9 years old, and they will only insure for accident/injury after that age. I only had the insurance a few weeks when Penny got a pig knuckle stuck in her oesophagus.....$960 (or near enough to that figure)...I faxed the vets invoice to them (after I paid the vet) and the money was in my account 9 days later less $100 excess. They paid as it was an accident. BowWowMeow insurance is around $34 for both dogs, direct debit per month. I also have RACQ insurance which is around $50 annually, per dog, and you can take it out as an extra clause in the home and contents insurance.(I have an idea that NRMA also do something similar) I have it as if one of the dogs is sick (ie, not and accident/injury). They only cover up to $500 (there is a $50 excess, so the most you can get per claim is $450) I did claim on that for Penny when she had a tumour removed from inside her bum, and Mac when his paw swelled up, they covered all of Mac's (less the $50) as his vet fee was under $500 and I got back $450 from Penny's operation...her specialists costs were HEAPS more! I AM PRETTY HAPPY I TOOK OUT INSURANCE! I think mine is only $22 a month for two dogs. You must have a better cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I pay them $42 a month for two dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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