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by jillmissal on 18 January 2020 - 11:01

Hi all,

My insurance company (Figo) just changed its rates and is thus now not as affordable. It is a shame as it used to be so good. I am wondering what experiences everyone else has had recently with other dog insurance companies. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

by jettasmom on 18 January 2020 - 12:01

I have Nationwide. Fast reimbursement, 1 yr waiting period for HD. 250 deductible pays 90%. I’ve had it since my dog was a pup. Not changing g since rates will be higher now he is almost 2. Pup is on it since I get a 2 dog discount. I’m happy with it.

by Nans gsd on 18 January 2020 - 12:01

I use HEALTHY PAWS dog insurance on my Australian Shepherd, seem to be good but does take a little time to process refunds. So far so good though. Competitive on price also. Good Luck


by Pirschgang on 18 January 2020 - 22:01

I'm curious if these Pet Insurance plans are actually worth it. Could you all explain your experiences with these companies and if they're worth it? I've thought about it in the past, but I didn't know it they were scams or actually good services.

Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 19 January 2020 - 04:01

My experiences with Insurance for my dogs has been less good. I cannot speak about American insurers, but I no longer take out insurance over here in the UK because it has proved ridiculously expensive and difficult, in any comparison with the benefits I've got from it.

I started out, many years ago, insuring my first dog on a policy from Dog Breeders Insurance, a well-established company that had a good reputation with the Show breeders; only difference being that I went through a SAGA special offer rather than directly to DBI. Even in those days, when Pet Insurance was, frankly, in its infancy, I had some concerns about the expense. My bitch was already adult, and had radiographically assessed Hip Dysplasia (not a clinical diagnosis, since she had never experienced any lameness) - it was always clear that should there be resulting lameness or other problems, or consequent arthritis, these would all be regarded as "pre existing conditions" and not eligible for Claims for treatments. So I was buying protection against her getting some other, as yet undreamt of, conditions or illnesses. Well, she always stayed pretty healthy. She had a little recurrent ear trouble, until I changed her diet to completely non-dairy; but nothing else until her age got into double figures. Meanwhile I had years paying out both the clinic fees which came in under the Excess on the Policy (exam fees, prophylactics, ear-drops, etc) AND paying the Premium every month.

It was, however, worth having the 3rd Party Injury cover, with this particular dog, as she was a little sharp - so, "just in case" !!! Not that it ever got claimed on.

For the first few years the Premiums were at least reasonable; they did not go up EVERY year, and when they did rise it was in fairly gentle increments. But then, Pet Insurance became the next Big Thing, and the atmosphere changed. Suddenly my Premiums were rising astronomically, and at least annually; then I fell out of work and lapsed the Policy, and they would not take her back when I could pay again and wished to reinstate it because she was by then "too old" (@ 10 years). For a while I switched to another insurance provider, but found the same problems applied.

For much of her last 4 years of life, and subsequent housedogs, I have instead put money aside regularly in a separate account for large vet expenses. None of the other dogs since have given me concerns about temperament, so I'll have to take pot luck on them never making me a huge bill for biting anyone they shouldn't; but at least I am the beneficiary of all of my Direct Debits, rather than an insurance company.

From time to time, from simple curiosity or as I have aquired a new dog, I have looked into the current insurance market, but have never seen anything that persuaded me to start again.

The ONLY time I have received a useful payout was when a dog I got was covered by a Policy arranged by the breeder, which was still 'in date' when he developed a problem which entailed X raying his entire rear end - which meant I was able to claim on the hip view, and subsequent Panel scoring under our HD Scheme. Not only did that qualify for a payment from the insurers, he had a great result of very good hips also !

by jillmissal on 19 January 2020 - 09:01

Thanks everyone.

@pirschgang, I would never go without it. I keep a spreadsheet of costs. For every single dog (I have seven) the investment has at a bare minimum broken even. For one dog I'm up $14,000. That dog alone paid for all of my dog insurance for three years for all these dogs. I like being able to take my dog to the vet without worrying too much about the cost - if they need care, they get it.

 

Edited to add: I did not buy a policy for my oldest (age 14) dog because I thought he wouldn't have new problems. I was wrong. I would have broken even on his insurance every year. Lesson learned....

My insurance also paid for a cancelled vacation when one of my dogs got hurt and needed surgery. 


by astrovan2487 on 19 January 2020 - 13:01

I have aspca for my dog. They are ok, price is good and they have paid multipul claims, this year we had a $1900 emergency dental surgery and they covered it all as well as a few small mishaps here and there.
It has been well worth the money even though they wont cover any of my dogs spinal problems because it happened during a wait period

Some other things you may want to think about, most companies policies wont cover working dogs or really anything except a pet only, no breeding, sports, ect. But if you tell them upfront they may be willing to work. Also if you start over with a new company they may consider anything the dogs have been treated before as pre existing and not cover where as the old policy would. 


by GSCat on 20 January 2020 - 03:01

I like the ASPCA plan because if something goes wrong like a swallowed object, after 6 months it isn't a pre-existing condition and another swallowed object will be covered. And if something is covered, then it continues to be covered, even into the following year(s).

After $250 annual deductible, 90 percent is reimbursed, and there's no annual or lifetime maximum in the options I chose.

They've been reasonably fast and so far, between the cat and dog, I'm a little ahead.

There's a small discount for having multiple policies.

They charge my credit card every month on the same date so I don't forget, and I get the cc rebate :-)

They have free 24-hour telephonic vet consultation.

I don't like that premiums go up with the animal's age, even if the policy is already in force.

I don't like that it's reimbursement after you pay, instead of directly to the vet. There are allegedly some exceptions, and I'd have to ask for this if something major like cancer, happened.

I don't like that I still have to pay for the ASPCA poison control service if needed, even though I have their insurance :-(

If you need coverage for breeding, AKC has it.


by astrovan2487 on 20 January 2020 - 12:01

GScat ASPCA was kind of shady with me on the 6 month rule on pre existing conditions, dog had condition during wait period, was treated for it, 9 months later had a slight recurrence after a fall, they wouldnt cover treatment.

Seems like a lot of insurance companies are like this, best bet is to get it when they are still a puppy so nothing can be pre existing

by k9sar on 20 January 2020 - 19:01

I put a set amount of money away each week towards vet bills. It has certainly helped when I needed emergency surgery after a bitch fight.
In my opinion, Insurance companies are a rip off. Take what you would pay for premiums and put it in a separate account for emergencies





 


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