poodle friend Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 A friends dog snaffled up an old crabshell full of sand on the beach 2 days ago Results later than night was an inpacted bowel, visit to the vet, and a $1,200 bill 2 days later. Her dog is just fine now. She didn,t have any pet insurance, and i was wondering how many people actually have Pet health Insurance and which insurance companies people found to be the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatsofatsoman Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I have it - we were told by every man and his dog to get it (see what I did there). We use Pet Plan Australia - it came highly recommended. Thankfully we haven't had to use it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
**Super_Dogs** Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 You would not believe what happened to me. I have pet nsurance for my 3 dogs - I think it is great. I recently got my 4th dog - a puppy from our recent litter. I recommended to all the puppy buyers to get pet insurance. Time went by and I kept forgetting to organise the pet insurance for my puppy. When she was 11 weeks old she fractured her elbow which required surgery costing us thousands of dollars. I was so cranky at myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keira&Phoenix Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Replied on other forum but yep and yep again. Totally owrth it. Have claimed back $1200 in my dogs first year (only 8 months in) and my policy is only $600 Wish I had it for my other dog. She got the shiddy end of the genetic stick and has had mites, luxatting patella (surgery) and has severe hip displaxia which has ongoing costs involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 The very question that I was hoping someone would post as I need to insure my two and have gotten bogged down in all the different websites and plans... all gets a tad confusing... I like the look of Pet Plan Australia.....Fatsofatsoman I know you have the gorgeous Lab boy Boonie and as I have also two Labs I would value your opinion on which level of cover to use bearing in mind the issues Labs can have .... Unfortunately Tippi's chiro has indicated that she may have hip issues in the future so I really need to get a good cover in place for both of them now... Thanks in advance... DDL Ps Off topic but re your chewbacca post - that's Tippi - I think Tango would sound like Teddy Bear if he could talk - bless him :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatsofatsoman Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) The very question that I was hoping someone would post as I need to insure my two and have gotten bogged down in all the different websites and plans... all gets a tad confusing... I like the look of Pet Plan Australia.....Fatsofatsoman I know you have the gorgeous Lab boy Boonie and as I have also two Labs I would value your opinion on which level of cover to use bearing in mind the issues Labs can have .... Unfortunately Tippi's chiro has indicated that she may have hip issues in the future so I really need to get a good cover in place for both of them now... Thanks in advance... DDL Ps Off topic but re your chewbacca post - that's Tippi - I think Tango would sound like Teddy Bear if he could talk - bless him :D We plumped for the standard plan - I just didn't see the need to go up to Premium as the only difference between it and standard is money if your dog dies due to illness (as in a refund of purchase price) last thing I'd care about if my dog died, and $4000 a year more - $18k instead of $14k - I'm hoping I won't need to ever use more than $14k a year on Boonie. We pay $49 a month and have a fixed excess of $100.00 for any claims. thought I'd better clarify - standard plan is the middle plan - the first plan is $100 excess plus a % of resulting fees - too much of a risk. Edited July 7, 2011 by Fatsofatsoman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) The very question that I was hoping someone would post as I need to insure my two and have gotten bogged down in all the different websites and plans... all gets a tad confusing... I like the look of Pet Plan Australia.....Fatsofatsoman I know you have the gorgeous Lab boy Boonie and as I have also two Labs I would value your opinion on which level of cover to use bearing in mind the issues Labs can have .... Unfortunately Tippi's chiro has indicated that she may have hip issues in the future so I really need to get a good cover in place for both of them now... Thanks in advance... DDL Ps Off topic but re your chewbacca post - that's Tippi - I think Tango would sound like Teddy Bear if he could talk - bless him :D Ditto, so glad someone asked the question, got totally confused with all the different fine print. It is a very good safety net I think, you just never know whats around the corner, fingers crossed you never have to make a claim. Edited July 7, 2011 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I used to have pet insurance, but have decided against continuing it. Instead of paying premiums I'm putting the $$$ (plus a little bit)away in an account. With 3 dogs at $50 per month each we are pretty quickly building up a fighting fund. I know it is a risk, but it's one that I'm happy to take. Just another point of view and obviously not for everyone as others have said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarLapyz Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I have my pups insured with Pet Plan. They are pretty good. No real complaint and have a 10% discount if you have three or more dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 The very question that I was hoping someone would post as I need to insure my two and have gotten bogged down in all the different websites and plans... all gets a tad confusing... I like the look of Pet Plan Australia.....Fatsofatsoman I know you have the gorgeous Lab boy Boonie and as I have also two Labs I would value your opinion on which level of cover to use bearing in mind the issues Labs can have .... Unfortunately Tippi's chiro has indicated that she may have hip issues in the future so I really need to get a good cover in place for both of them now... Thanks in advance... DDL Ps Off topic but re your chewbacca post - that's Tippi - I think Tango would sound like Teddy Bear if he could talk - bless him :D We plumped for the standard plan - I just didn't see the need to go up to Premium as the only difference between it and standard is money if your dog dies due to illness (as in a refund of purchase price) last thing I'd care about if my dog died, and $4000 a year more - $18k instead of $14k - I'm hoping I won't need to ever use more than $14k a year on Boonie. We pay $49 a month and have a fixed excess of $100.00 for any claims. thought I'd better clarify - standard plan is the middle plan - the first plan is $100 excess plus a % of resulting fees - too much of a risk. Thank you so much Fatsoman.... very much appreciated...it has cleared up a few of my questions... I have had a look at their website and again got a bit confused re the different plans /excess... the fine print does your head in... or maybe it is just me being thick I think you are spot on re the cover you have gone for and I did note the only difference re the death due to illness refund and like you it would be the last thing i would be thinking about...or even care about... The excess of 100.00 is what i was looking at doing too... I just want to make sure that I am covered for Xrays in particular as I know that I am headed in that direction down the track... plus more unfortunately Thanks again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatsofatsoman Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I just want to make sure that I am covered for Xrays in particular as I know that I am headed in that direction down the track... plus more unfortunately Thanks again... just had a quick read of the product disclosure again and xrays are covered and are classed as vetenary treatment - there is a clause that says they wont pay any claims on an injury that has had clinical signs that it was going to happen before you started the cover. I'm not sure whether your chiro telling you that you are in for some hip problems counts as clinical signs - I would assume it possibly would, if you chiro has noted it down on any file he has kept for your pup. If this is the case you will have to disclose it when applying - that way your monthly premium may be a little bit more each month but at least you're covered - i'd have a chat with your chiro first as if you pup is real young and it was basically just a word in your ear I probably wouldn't disclose it - then start going to another chiro - but I'm probably a bit dodgy like that. Another clause is that your dogs have to be vaccinated and have a yearly dental check up. hope this helps a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meea Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) I have it on all three dogs and need it. Was recently surprised to find that nearly all of the pet insurers are actually the same company..same PO Box etc. Its a bit like taxis - you ring your local but get the same call centre! I have one in hospital now - 6 hr surgery and 5 days hospitalisation. I am very glad my credit card only has to wear 20% of the bill. Edited July 7, 2011 by Meea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I just want to make sure that I am covered for Xrays in particular as I know that I am headed in that direction down the track... plus more unfortunately Thanks again... just had a quick read of the product disclosure again and xrays are covered and are classed as vetenary treatment - there is a clause that says they wont pay any claims on an injury that has had clinical signs that it was going to happen before you started the cover. I'm not sure whether your chiro telling you that you are in for some hip problems counts as clinical signs - I would assume it possibly would, if you chiro has noted it down on any file he has kept for your pup. If this is the case you will have to disclose it when applying - that way your monthly premium may be a little bit more each month but at least you're covered - i'd have a chat with your chiro first as if you pup is real young and it was basically just a word in your ear I probably wouldn't disclose it - then start going to another chiro - but I'm probably a bit dodgy like that. Another clause is that your dogs have to be vaccinated and have a yearly dental check up. hope this helps a little. Fatsoman - u must have read my mind !! I was trying to work out a way of not having to disclose the fact that I know that there could be issues down the track.. The chiro has said there could be and as far as I know it has just been a discussion btw him and us and I have not had this discussion at all with my vet.... The chiro has suggested that xrays around 18mnths - 2 years of age due to them being Labs... we are happy to do that with/without insurance but it would be helpful for the hip pocket ( since we are going to take out insurance anyway) if we were already covered prior to doing it :D It's such a grey area isn't it.... Perhaps if the say so re xrays comes FROM my vet AFTER we are covered then it could be alright - just won't mention the chiro - after all nothing is definite until AFTER the xrays... re problems/treatment needed... Oops.. now i sound a bit dodgy... Thank you so much for looking into the product disclosure re xrays for me... that was very kind of you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 just had a quick read of the product disclosure again and xrays are covered and are classed as vetenary treatment - there is a clause that says they wont pay any claims on an injury that has had clinical signs that it was going to happen before you started the cover. I'm not sure whether your chiro telling you that you are in for some hip problems counts as clinical signs - I would assume it possibly would, if you chiro has noted it down on any file he has kept for your pup. If this is the case you will have to disclose it when applying - that way your monthly premium may be a little bit more each month but at least you're covered - i'd have a chat with your chiro first as if you pup is real young and it was basically just a word in your ear I probably wouldn't disclose it - then start going to another chiro - but I'm probably a bit dodgy like that. Another clause is that your dogs have to be vaccinated and have a yearly dental check up. hope this helps a little. I'm with Petplan too, on the 'Standard' plan. Unfortunately my boxer pup was treated for diarrhoea (spelling?) at 9 weeks caused by coccidia. I was honest (foolish?) and disclosed this. Rather than paying a higher premium and being covered, Petplan have excluded any gastro-intestinal treatment for 24 months. After that, I can ask for that to be reviewed. Pity really, as he seems to have a sensitive stomach. Even if my dog were to swallow an object that needed surgical removal, that would be considered GI and it wouldn't be covered. I'm happy to have the insurance (you never know, he could need expensive treatment for something else!) I did seriously consider just setting aside the money I would have spent on premiums as a 'fighting fund' too. I just don't trust myself to be that disciplined! Petplan are underwritten by Allianz. I think most of the others are underwritten by Hollard. The small print is mind boggling! Good luck in your decision-making. An anonymous phone call to a few insurers to ask a few questions might be worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 just had a quick read of the product disclosure again and xrays are covered and are classed as vetenary treatment - there is a clause that says they wont pay any claims on an injury that has had clinical signs that it was going to happen before you started the cover. I'm not sure whether your chiro telling you that you are in for some hip problems counts as clinical signs - I would assume it possibly would, if you chiro has noted it down on any file he has kept for your pup. If this is the case you will have to disclose it when applying - that way your monthly premium may be a little bit more each month but at least you're covered - i'd have a chat with your chiro first as if you pup is real young and it was basically just a word in your ear I probably wouldn't disclose it - then start going to another chiro - but I'm probably a bit dodgy like that. Another clause is that your dogs have to be vaccinated and have a yearly dental check up. hope this helps a little. I'm with Petplan too, on the 'Standard' plan. Unfortunately my boxer pup was treated for diarrhoea (spelling?) at 9 weeks caused by coccidia. I was honest (foolish?) and disclosed this. Rather than paying a higher premium and being covered, Petplan have excluded any gastro-intestinal treatment for 24 months. After that, I can ask for that to be reviewed. Pity really, as he seems to have a sensitive stomach. Even if my dog were to swallow an object that needed surgical removal, that would be considered GI and it wouldn't be covered. I'm happy to have the insurance (you never know, he could need expensive treatment for something else!) I did seriously consider just setting aside the money I would have spent on premiums as a 'fighting fund' too. I just don't trust myself to be that disciplined! Petplan are underwritten by Allianz. I think most of the others are underwritten by Hollard. The small print is mind boggling! Good luck in your decision-making. An anonymous phone call to a few insurers to ask a few questions might be worthwhile. Trinabean the small print is a minefield in itself Sometimes when you try and do the right thing it comes back to bite you - esp in your case if your pup is prone to tummy issues.... I would be no good putting money aside either - it would find it's way to something new for the two spoilt brats that they just "had to have"....I am hopeless....so I think insurance is the way to go for me anyway... I have looked at about 6-7 websites and I can see that they must be underwritten by the same insurer as they all seem quite similiar but then all have different covers/fine print etc.... costs vary slightly though too I don't remember my health insurance being so complicated :D But then again I have come to the conclusion that my two are treated far superior and eat way better than my husband and me for that matter - mind you not that he cares he would say the same thing about me As they are on specialised diets for weight loss - they get specially coooked meals/veges and supplements and when it comes to our dinner - its rice cakes and freezer foraging But i digress.... I think I might take Fatsofatsoman's advice and go with Pet Plan.... Re disclosure at the end of the day nothing has been diagnosed and the xrays have been suggested as a precuation in case there are problems later...gut feeling says there will be but I am sure that is not classed as a medical term ! Worse case scenario we will pay outright if it becomes an issue down the track but as we were definitly going to take out insurance anyway we may as well do it prior and see how we go... Of course if I had of taken out insurance 6 months ago when I meant to I wouldn't be having this dilemma now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minxy Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I have Medibank Pet Insurance. We've had it since January this year and have just last week claimed back $1000. We had absolutely no issues with them. Cheque came in the mail two weeks later. We will most likely have a few grand more to claim and they've already said there won't be any issues with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Don't have pet insurance but the dogs have their own bank account Pet insurance won't cover Charlie anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallomph Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I used to have pet insurance, but have decided against continuing it. Instead of paying premiums I'm putting the $$$ (plus a little bit)away in an account. With 3 dogs at $50 per month each we are pretty quickly building up a fighting fund. I know it is a risk, but it's one that I'm happy to take. Just another point of view and obviously not for everyone as others have said. Same here. Have just discontinued my insurance and started an account to save for vet fees only. My reason is that every year since I've had it, not only have the premiums gone up much more than the rate of inflation, but each year there have been more conditions, exclusions etc added in the small print at renewal time. I've never even made a claim, but the way the policy was heading, bugger all would be covered anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tiddles Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I went for PetPlan today on the budget package of about $40 a month for my 4 year old Aussie terrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiwogabull* Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) I have mine insured with Pet Insurance Australia, Love the cover, I have the $500 excess as I could cover anything under that, unless I thought it could lead to a larger more expensive problem. I had the cover for less than a month when I needed to claim almost $2500 They processed the claim it was quick and easy Approximately $52 a month to cover my 2 "showies" Edited July 9, 2011 by Chiwogabull* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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