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by Bhaugh on 01 February 2013 - 17:02
I have a friend who has this above plan and it has literally SAVED HER ASS. Within the past 3 months she has acquired over 5,000 in rescue dog medical bills. Unfortunately she didnt have coverage on the 3400 vet bill which she is still paying off. One of her dogs got into a fight with another dog and that bill was over $700.
I'd like to see other info regarding this from someone other than the AVMA. I'm not a fan of them (esp since they have taken the stand on raw feeding!)
Ill give that equipment is VERY expensive and if a vet wants it, then he/she will obviously pass on the cost to his clients. Thats the cost of doing business as they say.
The mindset of the individual now days is (and I think this has changed from years past) I can afford that $2,500 surgery because I have insurance, instead of can't afford it so no. Less surgeries to docs would lower the cost (supply and demand) because the demand would drop. Most vets that treat pet dogs (vs dogs from educated individuals who research what is told to them) don't even seem to offer alternatives to that costly hip replacement and some even get defensive if you question them. I have the mindset of...."Ill think about it and get back to you".
And remember if a vet says it's so, well then it's so...........
I'd like to see other info regarding this from someone other than the AVMA. I'm not a fan of them (esp since they have taken the stand on raw feeding!)
Ill give that equipment is VERY expensive and if a vet wants it, then he/she will obviously pass on the cost to his clients. Thats the cost of doing business as they say.
The mindset of the individual now days is (and I think this has changed from years past) I can afford that $2,500 surgery because I have insurance, instead of can't afford it so no. Less surgeries to docs would lower the cost (supply and demand) because the demand would drop. Most vets that treat pet dogs (vs dogs from educated individuals who research what is told to them) don't even seem to offer alternatives to that costly hip replacement and some even get defensive if you question them. I have the mindset of...."Ill think about it and get back to you".
And remember if a vet says it's so, well then it's so...........
by Abby Normal on 01 February 2013 - 17:02
I have always had Pet insurance for my GSDs, not least because my first had hip replacement surgery (andso luckily I was covered for it) and that was just one of her many health issues. However, I am coming round more to the idea of putting the equivalent premium aside in a savings account. At least that way if the worst doesnt happen you still have the money in the bank, and it also covers all the small stuff like spays and vaccinations etc. In the short term if I hadnt built up enough and didnt have enough cash of my own (which I should have) I would use my overdraft facilities to cover it and 'pay myself back with the monthly 'set aside'.
For people who don't have a fall back position where they can get their hands on any money, either by credit card, personal loan or other means I would still opt for Insurance. It has to be the worst thing in the world not to be able to afford to get your animal treated. Mind you the older they get, boy do the premiums go up, as I am finding out now with one over 8 and one over 10! and of course, that is when you are likely to need it most, which is why I am not pulling out of it now. Next time I am going 'set aside'.
For people who don't have a fall back position where they can get their hands on any money, either by credit card, personal loan or other means I would still opt for Insurance. It has to be the worst thing in the world not to be able to afford to get your animal treated. Mind you the older they get, boy do the premiums go up, as I am finding out now with one over 8 and one over 10! and of course, that is when you are likely to need it most, which is why I am not pulling out of it now. Next time I am going 'set aside'.
by VKGSDs on 01 February 2013 - 18:02
My fall back is care credit or even a credit card. Even if I can't pay it off within the card's no interest promo period, it would still be paying less than the deductible and whatever they decide not to cover and paying for the insurance plan all those months nothing is wrong with my dog. I'd rather set that money aside and if something catastrophic happens (and depending on quality of life we decide to go ahead and treat the dog), I'll deal with that when it happens since my husband and I have very good credit. I would rather pay interest to my local credit union who I am happy to do business with than pet insurance companies pocketing my money.
by HeidiGSD on 01 February 2013 - 21:02
I have Petplan and it's totally worth it to us. They pay out around $10,000 per year and it's worth every penny, I would never own another dog without it. Especially not a breed that is full of health issues to begin with.
My first GSD had chronic health issues and I didn't have insurance. Total medical bills alone for her over 14 years was at least $40,000. I did plenty of research for my second puppy and still ended up with health issues but signed her up at 6 weeks old and I am glad I did.
I don't need any help to pay for regular check ups but when you are faced with a $6,000 bill for emergency surgery, it's nice to know you will get reimbursed for the majority of the bill.
Not too long ago I spoke to a lady who had her toy breed puppy euthanized because he broke a leg and she couldn't afford the $4,000 surgery.
My first GSD had chronic health issues and I didn't have insurance. Total medical bills alone for her over 14 years was at least $40,000. I did plenty of research for my second puppy and still ended up with health issues but signed her up at 6 weeks old and I am glad I did.
I don't need any help to pay for regular check ups but when you are faced with a $6,000 bill for emergency surgery, it's nice to know you will get reimbursed for the majority of the bill.
Not too long ago I spoke to a lady who had her toy breed puppy euthanized because he broke a leg and she couldn't afford the $4,000 surgery.
by Six13 on 02 February 2013 - 08:02
I'm for it. Goti it for my Bassett as the vet told me they eat everything and it's expensive if they need surgery to remove anything they have swallowed.
first year didn't need it, but this year I have used it twice and it has more than covered my annual premium. I'm now considering getting it for my shepherds.
first year didn't need it, but this year I have used it twice and it has more than covered my annual premium. I'm now considering getting it for my shepherds.
by Abby Normal on 02 February 2013 - 09:02
I must admit that one of the nicest things about having pet insurance has always been the referral to specialists. When I have been asked do I want a referral, I never thought twice, because I knew i was covered. Never thought twice about anything actually.
That is the comfort of pet insurance. I certainly got my monies worth with my first GSD with her health problems, and probably claimed around £10,000 + over her lifetime. She was however (I like to think) an extreme case. Even so, if I calculate the premiums over her lifetime versus the amount claimed I probably only made £1 - 2000 out of the insurance company. With another dog in the past who had cruciate ligament ops etc, I calculate that over her lifetime I was about £4-5000 out of pocket to the insurance company. So far with a current dog with HD, I am out of pocket by a good £4000 even though I claim regularly for her medication. Of course, there is still time for me to claim more, but I doubt (and hope) that it won't amount to that. My other one, I am out to about £5000 and it will be more by the end of his lifetime, and again, whilst I cannot predict how much I might have to claim by then, if I extrapolate that figure to a normal lifespan it will be about £9000, and though I could have a situation where I may have to claim that I could have built up £6000 for him by now in set aside! Plus, if I had done that with all the dogs I have had in the past I would have had their 'surplus' as well.
Oh well, I didn't, but that will be my future plan. But, I still say, for some people it is absolutely the right path because no-one ever, should have to be in a position of having to lose their dog because they can't afford a vet procedure.
That is the comfort of pet insurance. I certainly got my monies worth with my first GSD with her health problems, and probably claimed around £10,000 + over her lifetime. She was however (I like to think) an extreme case. Even so, if I calculate the premiums over her lifetime versus the amount claimed I probably only made £1 - 2000 out of the insurance company. With another dog in the past who had cruciate ligament ops etc, I calculate that over her lifetime I was about £4-5000 out of pocket to the insurance company. So far with a current dog with HD, I am out of pocket by a good £4000 even though I claim regularly for her medication. Of course, there is still time for me to claim more, but I doubt (and hope) that it won't amount to that. My other one, I am out to about £5000 and it will be more by the end of his lifetime, and again, whilst I cannot predict how much I might have to claim by then, if I extrapolate that figure to a normal lifespan it will be about £9000, and though I could have a situation where I may have to claim that I could have built up £6000 for him by now in set aside! Plus, if I had done that with all the dogs I have had in the past I would have had their 'surplus' as well.
Oh well, I didn't, but that will be my future plan. But, I still say, for some people it is absolutely the right path because no-one ever, should have to be in a position of having to lose their dog because they can't afford a vet procedure.
by zdog on 03 February 2013 - 00:02
as pet insurance becomes more prevelant, watch the costs associate with vet care rise to the point where not many will be able to afford much without it. I think it's a bunch of crap myself. If I stashed 400 bucks a year per dog, I'd be making money myself rather than relying on some insurance.
by joanro on 03 February 2013 - 01:02
Zdog, I think you're 100% spot on.
by THayna on 03 February 2013 - 04:02
i didn't carry pet insurance when I had multiple dogs. I now have one dog and am nearing retirement age can afford $30 a month but would struggle with a chronic costly condition and I know I would hate to be faced with deciding between my husband's insulin and my dog's rehab bill. I truly doubt that we will see great increases in vet bills until coverage becomes universal and companies creat PPOs which is unlikely.
Trudy
Trudy
by Ashah on 03 February 2013 - 09:02
I have pet plan and I can only say good about them. I sleep peacfully at night knowing if anything I can say yes.
My stupid vet had me believing in the first year there was something wrong with my dog, test after test proved nothing, So I took her to the specialists and there was nothing wrong.
Though I stressed for months while this other vet just keep me spending.
If I am in doubt, I go search, look find and don't need to worry about the costs.
I will keep it going on all my dogs, even if just for a couple of years to make sure everything is ok, but if it isn't, it will be a God sent.
My stupid vet had me believing in the first year there was something wrong with my dog, test after test proved nothing, So I took her to the specialists and there was nothing wrong.
Though I stressed for months while this other vet just keep me spending.
If I am in doubt, I go search, look find and don't need to worry about the costs.
I will keep it going on all my dogs, even if just for a couple of years to make sure everything is ok, but if it isn't, it will be a God sent.
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