Pet insurance

[Connonym]

Anyone have pet health insurance? I've spent a couple thousand on my dog's broken leg and I'm wondering if I should be carrying insurance on them in case something like this happens again. I don't know anyone who has used it and I have no clue if it's worth it. Anyone with an opinion?

[flvegan]

1. It's worth it, and I recommend it to everyone who adopts from us.

I, of course, wasn't smart enough to have it on MY dog. $6k in cancer payments later...

[Dangerously Amused]

2. I was just researching this a few days ago.

Here are links to two helpful articles I found:



http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/AssessYourNeeds/ShouldYouBuyPetInsurance.aspx


http://money.aol.com/consreports/smartshopping/personal_finance/_a/what-if-fido-or-fluffy-gets-sick/20060208172409990001


Good luck.

[TZ]

3. I wouldn't recommend it

My mom had pet insurance for her dog. He broke his leg and had to have surgery. Pet insurance paid I think 400 dollars and left them to pay 1,500 dollars. Considering how many premiums they had paid in the 2 years up to that, it wasn't exactly helpful. I regard it as a scam really. my mom dropped the insurance after that.

[Critters2]

4. I have it, and I recommend it

When the beagle got into some OTC meds and landed at the vet after hours, well, I thought it would break me. The vet gave her CPR, and then valium to stop a seizure, pumped her stomach, and called the ASPCA poison control center (which charges a fee) for advice. Then she sent another vet to the human hospital ER for an antidote that vet clinics don't often keep on hand. She stayed with the beag until 2 am, then sent her home with me, and with two hypodermic needles filled with seizure meds, and told me how to administer it. She made a house call the next morning, decided the beag was hypothermic and dehydrated, so took her to the clinic for fluids and hot compresses. The beag stayed that night, and I picked her up the next day, along with two heat disks to keep in her crate. Then an appt the next day to check on her.

I thought it would break me...but after insurance payments, it cost me $110.00 out of pocket. A lot to some, but a tiny pittance compared to the thousands I thought I'd be paying. Would've been worth it--she's a great dog. But I was glad to have the insurance!!

[lavenderdiva]

5. what is the name of the company whose insurance you have?

I would be interested in finding out how much the premium would be for my parti-variety cocker spaniel. I'm sorta afraid they might be high because of her age: 9yrs. But I would be willing to investigate....

[Critters2]

6. Veterinary Pet Insurance. nt

[lavenderdiva]

7. thanks for sharing that, mycritters2

:hi:

[RebelOne]

9. I have that insurance. Great company. I can recommend it. n/t

[Connonym]

11. I just got a quote from them and it's not too outlandish

$35 a month for both my dogs and it covers some preventative. I think I'm going to go for it. After considering the reimbursement for preventative care I think the little bit more I'd be paying for the insurance is worth the peace of mind of not having to worry about another sudden veterinary expense.

[skygazer]

14. Beagles

They'll eat anything, won't they? Glad she survived that one. :hi:

[Critters2]

15. Absolutely anything!

It was a bottle of 5-htp, which had been sitting there for weeks and never aroused any interest. Then one evening, while I'm away at a Deacons meeting, she chews up the bottle and eats a bunch of the pills. Happily, the poison control center knew exactly what to do. She wasn't the first dog to eat this stuff...and I'm guessing all of the others were beagles, too :)

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

8. I had good luck with it

But get it while your pet is younger; the premiums are cheaper.

[seemunkee]

10. We have the AKC plan

Your dog doesn't have to be AKC registered to get it. The first year we got the highest option since it covered spay/neuter. After that we dropped down to a less expensive plan.
It runs $55 per month and I haven't had any problems with reimbursments.

[MissMillie]

12. I don't but

I have a credit card that is only accepted by medical providers for un-covered medical care. I think it's called Care Credit.

It's the only credit card I have anymore. But when there's an emergency, I have some way of dealing with it.

[Critters2]

13. Does it work for vet care? nt

[MissMillie]

16. yes, but not all vets accept it

check w/ your vet