Pet Insurance

[Stewie_the_Frenchie]

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been posted before - I did a search and couldn't see what I wanted though.

I'm wanting to get pet insurance for Omar (didn't do it with the boys and regretted it ).

So my question:

What company do you use, which policy is best? Omar is a French Bulldog and I know this breed is on the special exceptions to the rule list on many policies, but I want him insured for accidents etc.

Also, what is covered? The barefoot investor suggested high premiums and only insuring for what is really needed was best (and footing the regular vet bills out of pocket).

Suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated.

[minimax]

I have both my pugs on Pet Plan with a $100 excess so it's cheaper and mainly for larger things not day to day things.

There are basically two sets of insurance - pet plan and everyone else, as pet plan is the only one with a different underwriter.

I chose pet plan for my brachy breeds because they cover an illness for more than 12 months, whereas the others seem to say after that it's pre-existing and they don't cover it anymore.

But you have to do your own research and decide what's right for you and what you need/want out of it.

[Smurf1]

Choice did a comparison in 2011 which I found very helpful http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/insurance/personal/pet-insurance-policies-review-and-compare/comments.aspx. Saves having to trawl through the various company terms.

PS we've gone with Petplan, also we have a rotti so she comes under the "selected breeds" as well

Edited December 27, 2012 by Smurf1

[Alibi]

Another with petplan here, they are not the cheapest but they cover conditions for life.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

Petplan, for the lifetime cover.

[kima]

Petplan here too. Had to make a claim a few months back and found the process straight forward enough and even though the wait was about a month they were helpful and polite when I called to find out where the claim was at. Think we have the most basic option, something like $44 a month.

[Inka3095]

I'm with Petplan too; my friend recommended them to me after her cat got lymphoma and needs ridiculously expensive vet treatments - it has all been paid by PetPlan without a fuss (though it does take ages to come through)

[Alkhe]

I'm with Real and haven't had anything but good experiences so far. A member here has recently had some issues in having their claim accepted, but that is the first negative experience I've heard about, really. So far I'm very happy with the customer service, pay outs and speed of pay outs etc, and would insure with them again if I needed to insure another dog.

[OSoSwift]

I also have Petplan and have had no issues claiming. My dogs TPLO surgery went thorugh no worries and her yearly premium hasn't gone up due to the fact she has had the surgery either which I am pleased about.

[minimax]

I'm with Real and haven't had anything but good experiences so far. A member here has recently had some issues in having their claim accepted, but that is the first negative experience I've heard about, really. So far I'm very happy with the customer service, pay outs and speed of pay outs etc, and would insure with them again if I needed to insure another dog.

How do they go for lifetime cover of an illness?

[Guest donatella]

My 13 year old cousin accidentally dropped my 6 month old puppy on Christmas day and she broke both her front legs. She's having surgery today, bill so far $6500. I am with Real and am still waiting for a payout for a $380 claim for my other Pom who had a 24 hour illness 6 weeks ago.

If they so much as even resist this being she is on the top Accident, Illness and Emergency cover I will lose my shit.

So far I have nothing nice to say. They don't answer my emails, they lie and say they don't get my faxes but then when I ask to speak to a manager suddenly sorry they found the fax. Nothing gets actioned until you make the call and ask the status of your claim.

For my outstanding $380 claim I now have to fill out a stat dec to say that during the first 12 weeks of her life she was at the breeders she had no medical history. is that even legit? I mean all I know is that I picked up a healthy puppy at 12 weeks with her up to date vaccs card and a puppy pack. My ownership started from week 12 WTF am I responsible for supplying health history for weeks 1=12 to this assholes.

Needless to say I am expecting just as much a hoo haa for claim 2 as it is in the thousands but they shouldn't find fault as it was a genuine accident. I would never recommend these jerks to anyone.

[Guest donatella]

My 13 year old cousin accidentally dropped my 6 month old puppy on Christmas day and she broke both her front legs. She's having surgery today, bill so far $6500. I am with Real and am still waiting for a payout for a $380 claim for my other Pom who had a 24 hour illness 6 weeks ago.

If they so much as even resist this being she is on the top Accident, Illness and Emergency cover I will lose my shit.

So far I have nothing nice to say. They don't answer my emails, they lie and say they don't get my faxes but then when I ask to speak to a manager suddenly sorry they found the fax. Nothing gets actioned until you make the call and ask the status of your claim.

For my outstanding $380 claim I now have to fill out a stat dec to say that during the first 12 weeks of her life she was at the breeders she had no medical history. is that even legit? I mean all I know is that I picked up a healthy puppy at 12 weeks with her up to date vaccs card and a puppy pack. My ownership started from week 12 WTF am I responsible for supplying health history for weeks 1=12 to this assholes.

Needless to say I am expecting just as much a hoo haa for claim 2 as it is in the thousands but they shouldn't find fault as it was a genuine accident. I would never recommend these jerks to anyone.

[minimax]

My 13 year old cousin accidentally dropped my 6 month old puppy on Christmas day and she broke both her front legs. She's having surgery today, bill so far $6500. I am with Real and am still waiting for a payout for a $380 claim for my other Pom who had a 24 hour illness 6 weeks ago.

If they so much as even resist this being she is on the top Accident, Illness and Emergency cover I will lose my shit.

So far I have nothing nice to say. They don't answer my emails, they lie and say they don't get my faxes but then when I ask to speak to a manager suddenly sorry they found the fax. Nothing gets actioned until you make the call and ask the status of your claim.

For my outstanding $380 claim I now have to fill out a stat dec to say that during the first 12 weeks of her life she was at the breeders she had no medical history. is that even legit? I mean all I know is that I picked up a healthy puppy at 12 weeks with her up to date vaccs card and a puppy pack. My ownership started from week 12 WTF am I responsible for supplying health history for weeks 1=12 to this assholes.

Needless to say I am expecting just as much a hoo haa for claim 2 as it is in the thousands but they shouldn't find fault as it was a genuine accident. I would never recommend these jerks to anyone.

OMG she broke her front legs Poor puppy!

It will be interesting to see down the line if, after 12 months, they now exclude covering anything to do with those front legs and class them as a pre-existing condition.

[Guest donatella]

My 13 year old cousin accidentally dropped my 6 month old puppy on Christmas day and she broke both her front legs. She's having surgery today, bill so far $6500. I am with Real and am still waiting for a payout for a $380 claim for my other Pom who had a 24 hour illness 6 weeks ago.

If they so much as even resist this being she is on the top Accident, Illness and Emergency cover I will lose my shit.

So far I have nothing nice to say. They don't answer my emails, they lie and say they don't get my faxes but then when I ask to speak to a manager suddenly sorry they found the fax. Nothing gets actioned until you make the call and ask the status of your claim.

For my outstanding $380 claim I now have to fill out a stat dec to say that during the first 12 weeks of her life she was at the breeders she had no medical history. is that even legit? I mean all I know is that I picked up a healthy puppy at 12 weeks with her up to date vaccs card and a puppy pack. My ownership started from week 12 WTF am I responsible for supplying health history for weeks 1=12 to this assholes.

Needless to say I am expecting just as much a hoo haa for claim 2 as it is in the thousands but they shouldn't find fault as it was a genuine accident. I would never recommend these jerks to anyone.

OMG she broke her front legs Poor puppy!

It will be interesting to see down the line if, after 12 months, they now exclude covering anything to do with those front legs and class them as a pre-existing condition.

Both

And because she is so small casting isn't an option she needs pins and plating. It's been a very very very expensive excuse.

New rule around here, anything under 18

[Guest donatella]

My 13 year old cousin accidentally dropped my 6 month old puppy on Christmas day and she broke both her front legs. She's having surgery today, bill so far $6500. I am with Real and am still waiting for a payout for a $380 claim for my other Pom who had a 24 hour illness 6 weeks ago.

If they so much as even resist this being she is on the top Accident, Illness and Emergency cover I will lose my shit.

So far I have nothing nice to say. They don't answer my emails, they lie and say they don't get my faxes but then when I ask to speak to a manager suddenly sorry they found the fax. Nothing gets actioned until you make the call and ask the status of your claim.

For my outstanding $380 claim I now have to fill out a stat dec to say that during the first 12 weeks of her life she was at the breeders she had no medical history. is that even legit? I mean all I know is that I picked up a healthy puppy at 12 weeks with her up to date vaccs card and a puppy pack. My ownership started from week 12 WTF am I responsible for supplying health history for weeks 1=12 to this assholes.

Needless to say I am expecting just as much a hoo haa for claim 2 as it is in the thousands but they shouldn't find fault as it was a genuine accident. I would never recommend these jerks to anyone.

OMG she broke her front legs Poor puppy!

It will be interesting to see down the line if, after 12 months, they now exclude covering anything to do with those front legs and class them as a pre-existing condition.

Both

And because she is so small casting isn't an option she needs pins and plating. It's been a very very very expensive excuse.

New rule around here, anything under 18 MUST be sitting down when interacting with my dogs.

I swear to god if they even put up a fight with this claim they are going to have one angry customer on their phone lines.

[Alibi]

Poor Bonnie . When i have my pup out and about i am always getting kids rushing over and picking her up or they may ask to pat her and instead they pick her up, its a real pain.

Hugs for Bonnie and i hope all goes well

[OSoSwift]

OMG I am so very sorry to hear about your puppy. I think if they stuff you around that you have every right to go ballistic on their arse.

Hope your girl is all better very soon. What an awful thing to happen

[Stewie_the_Frenchie]

Thank you so much for the advice and recommendations! I'm pretty sure I know who I'll go with.

Donatello, I'm really sorry to hear about your pup, that's so incredibly stressful.

[Stewie_the_Frenchie]

*Donatella*

[Guest donatella]

Thanks guys. It was so stressful. I REALLY hope my insurance company cooperates. I'm thinking because it was an accident it might be a bit easier then say an illness whereby they dig deep for pre existing conditions.

The Specialist today said that if there is any problems with them he is more then happy to call the company, and has done in the past as he hates insurance companies as they are renowned for being jerks and they often have to make calls on behalf of the client.