Pet Insurance

[Guest lavendergirl]

I voted no but was unable to select the correct reason from the options offered. That being that I don't believe they offer value for the conditions most commonly experienced such as tick bite coverage which has a ceiling.

[smooch]

I have Smooch covered by Pet health Plan (Insuranceline).

About two months after taking out the insurance in 2002 Smooch had a Spinal Stroke(FCE)from which he has never fully recovered. Massive vet bill of which they paid 3/4. The vet bills have been ongoing and they have always paid out within a couple of weeks of lodging the claim.

[DeltaCharlie]

Have considered it a number of times but never went through with it. With 9 dogs it would become quite expensive and if we only did half then as somebody else said it would be the others that would need it.

Instead I put money into an ING high interest savings account each fortnight (account is called Pet Insurance) and only touch it for vet things, and even then only if I don't have the money on hand to pay. Not very effective if the illness happens shortly after you start but at least if there is a stash built up it doesn't matter which dog requires the attention.

That being said, I am still considering taking it out for the next dog at 8weeks so there cannot be a claim of pre-existing conditions.

[Leema]

I voted that, no, I don't because of 'too many prior conditions' - but that's not really correct.

I don't have pet insurance because I do not vaccinate annually, and my pets are entire - and these seem to be requirements of most pet insurance.

[RubyStar]

Don't mean for this to come across as rude, but why do you have 2 different insurance companies to cover your dogs Ruby Star?

Both were covered with petplan but I'm not impressed with their claims process and extensive delays. Switched Ruby over to Medibank and submitted a claim and had the cheque in 9 working days. Submitted a claim for Millie to Petplan on the same day and STILL waiting. Millie will stay with Petplan because if I switch her elsewhere, any further cancer issues won't be covered. Besides Medibank dropping cover to 80% when my renewal comes through in a few months, I highly recommend them so far! About to put in a pricey claim related to the first payout so if I get that back then I'll be sticking with them, even when they drop me to 80% coverage.

Edited March 17, 2012 by RubyStar

[sallyandtex]

I don't beleive they are good value for money. Cover can be limiting.

Instead i put money away each week into a high interest savings account, for emergencies and routine visits.

Works well, and no need to claim or argue with the insurer.

[RubyStar]

They CAN be a waste of money, but for some unlucky ones whose dogs require more vet attention, it can be the best thing we ever did. About to submit a claim for $5k+ worth of specialist treatment this year. I certainly can't afford that!

[karly101]

I don't.. I chose to put money aside in an interest account, the reason being I saw to many claims get dismissed and not covered, then the next year the premiums get bumped up. I also work in the industry so do get some discount.

However, I have a dog who has been to the specialist a number of times and is probably facing a lifetime of medications.. perhaps it would have been worth it for him if I had done it straight away.

[Charjas]

1331946785[/url]' post='5766201']

Don't have it for several reasons.

1. I have too many animals to make it feasible! Guaranteed that if I took it out on some animals, it would be the non-insured ones that developed problems!

2. I think they are great if you insure the animal from the day you bring it home, but otherwise they will try to weasel their way out of paying. They pick through vet records and do anything they can to try and find a 'pre-existing condition'.

3. Too many things are not covered.

Absolutely. Charlie did not have what I would call a pre existing condition . As far as I'm concerned they take your money and then find loopholes to not pay. Like most insurance companies. Everything nowadays driven by profit for shareholders.

Edited March 17, 2012 by Charjas

[Blackdogs]

I voted that, no, I don't because of 'too many prior conditions' - but that's not really correct.

I don't have pet insurance because I do not vaccinate annually, and my pets are entire - and these seem to be requirements of most pet insurance.

This isn't really true. They certainly won't cover for diseases that can be vaccinated against, but otherwise you should be fine to get coverage.

I have claimed thousands for my entire, unvaccinated dog.

[moosepup]

I voted that, no, I don't because of 'too many prior conditions' - but that's not really correct.

I don't have pet insurance because I do not vaccinate annually, and my pets are entire - and these seem to be requirements of most pet insurance.

This isn't really true. They certainly won't cover for diseases that can be vaccinated against, but otherwise you should be fine to get coverage.

I have claimed thousands for my entire, unvaccinated dog.

Yep, what BD said. I've read quite a few PDS's and none of them have said desexing or vaccinating is a requirement, they just don't cover diseases that can be vaccinated against.

I'm with Pet Secure and haven't had any issues with claims. The last one was when Moose ate RatSak and it was paid very promptly after I sent off the docs. :)

Edited March 17, 2012 by moosepup

[Kaffy Magee]

I have one with medibank and have just signed up one with pet plan. The one with medibank I kept with them because they will still pay hundred percent of the claim minus my excess if I renewed however if I wanted to join my girl up it would only be eighty percent coverage. So I signed her up to pet plan as they will still pay hundred percent of the bill minus excess.

[Odin-Genie]

Financially, if I bought a dog off a breeder, I'm putting quite a bit of money into the animal, so I'd get it insured for sure.

So if you get a dog from a rescue, you won't insure it, but if you get it from a breeder, you would?

Both my dogs are insured with RSPCA insurance.

[Dame Aussie]

Don't have it for several reasons.

1. I have too many animals to make it feasible! Guaranteed that if I took it out on some animals, it would be the non-insured ones that developed problems!

2. I think they are great if you insure the animal from the day you bring it home, but otherwise they will try to weasel their way out of paying. They pick through vet records and do anything they can to try and find a 'pre-existing condition'.

3. Too many things are not covered.

These are pretty much my reasons too. We put money away that we would spend on insurance into an account instead and have a credit card for emergencies.

[FHRP]

I voted that, no, I don't because of 'too many prior conditions' - but that's not really correct.

I don't have pet insurance because I do not vaccinate annually, and my pets are entire - and these seem to be requirements of most pet insurance.

This isn't really true. They certainly won't cover for diseases that can be vaccinated against, but otherwise you should be fine to get coverage.

I have claimed thousands for my entire, unvaccinated dog.

I also have my entire male dog covered and do not vaccinate annually. I checked with the company that the three year vaccine was OK and it is. I also know that some will accept titre testing. Him being entire has never been an issue with pet insuance.

[Meea]

I have 3 dogs with RSPCA as well. I learned my lesson with my previous dog who amassed over 16,000 in his 8 years and was not insured. fincially I was crippled. His initial cost occur in emergency before a decision or prognisis can be made and once you are thousands in it us hard to stop.

This topic has been done to death surely?

One dog so far has had 8k of claim if which RSPCA pay 80% without excess. At 500 per year premium she has to live till 16 and the breed lifespan is 10! I am well ahead. Anyone have 8k in their pet ins account? Ins co are just that same painful experience for pets, cars, homes.

Meea

Edited March 23, 2012 by Meea

[Dame Aussie]

I have 3 dogs with RSPCA as well. I learned my lesson with my previous dog who amassed over 16,000 in his 8 years and was not insured. fincially I was crippled. His initial cost occur in emergency before a decision or prognisis can be made and once you are thousands in it us hard to stop.

This topic has been done to death surely?

One dog so far has had 8k of claim if which RSPCA pay 80% without excess. At 500 per year premium she has to live till 16 and the breed lifespan is 10! I am well ahead. Anyone have 8k in their pet ins account? Ins co are just that same painful experience for pets, cars, homes.

Meea

Yep.