Pet Insurance Questions

[Elise+Hudson]

Hey guys,

I have decided to take out pet insurance for my boy :) I have always considered that being a vet I would be able to do quite a few things if need be, or at least have someone do them for a cheaper price for me. Well... seeing some of the cases come through the ICU and specialist service - I just can't do it all!

I find the PDS very confusing through when it comes to limits for ongoing conditions.

It appears that for a condition you are allowed the entire policy amount eg. $10,000. But it looks like this is over the life of the dog, not per year.

And do these previous claims have a change on what is considered 'pre-existing'. For example a claim for a cancer removal, does then after the next policy renewal cancer become an exclusion as it was from the previous year and therefore pre-existing?

So confusing.. and this is for my healthy young dog who I have owned all his life.. Have no idea how people get through this maze with older dogs!

[Elise+Hudson]

And while I am researching - Petplan seems the best so far, but quite a bit more than the other policies.. just worried about something being classed as pre-existing if it is an ongoing issue. Obviously I hope none of this ever happens but you just don't know.

Original policy I was looking at was with PIA $26 a month

Petplan is almost $10 more, at $35 a month - with the petshare option (you pay 25% of bills with $125 excess for $10,000 cover)

But my concern here is that once he is more than 10 years old, it becomes $125 excess + 50% of the bills.. which is a lot.

If I go with the standard policy and a $250 excess brings it up to just over $40 a month, but it means it will only increase to $250 excess + 35% of bills once he is older than 10.

Seems like its a long way off him turning 10, but I guess you have to look long term. The difference between the PIA policy and the standard policy with petplan is $1344 over the next 8 years.. so its not nothing! :) But in the end I guess my mates health is the most important.

The other thing that makes it difficult is I can afford to pay the 25% petshare at the moment, but not sure if you can then ever change to the standard policy.. will have to call in the morning and find out.

NEVER do research into things like this so late at night! haha

[OSoSwift]

Yep your brain will hurt.

Petplan is either the only one or one of few that will cover your dog up to the maximum insured each year even for a long term condition. Most cover your dog up the maximum once then no longer.

Hope that makes sense???

I am about to insure my third :)

[Rebanne]

Search function is your friend!

[minimax]

It is pretty confusing, but the topics been asked and answered so often you really are best searching because you'll find all of your questions answered already, often with personal experiences from people too.

[HollyE]

I can vouch for Petplan, I have used it for my dogs, cats and horse..with no problems :)