Health insurance for pets

[mishoga]

Does anyone here have pet insurance and if so what company do you use and are you happy with the service?

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Read the fine print....some won't cover breed specific or genetic problems. Some also won't cover pre-existing conditions.

Take care,
Lisa

[KellyChapell]

Hi guys, first time posting! Gotta agree with 6 Beautiful Pugs though ... I had a bad experience with VPI; they would not cover my dog's hip dysplasia. I ended up paying over two thousand bucks for surgery :( I actually recently signed with Pet Assure, sort of like a vet discount program. It doesn't pay out as much as actual insurance would, but they don't exclude "pre-existing conditions" and whatnot. (A similar program I've heard of is United Pet Care, I never used them though so I can't offer an opinion.)

[mishoga]

Sorry to be so blunt but it sucks they discriminate against certain breeds. That makes me mad

[Morrissey]

I've been using Pet Secure here in Canada and gave the typical Pug health problems as my reason for enrolling in their program. I'll ask the vet if they have heard of any genetic disqualifications on past claims.

Morrissey is only 5 months old though, so no pre-existing conditions for him.

[gimpydimp]

I have both Pet Plan and VPI. Although others have said they had a bad experience with VPI, I prefer it. They covered one of our pugs mast cell cancer chemo without any problems. We've been reimbursed quickly for all other issues we've had. Granted, we have not had any issues with the genetic diseases that are excluded in our dogs so haven't had any claims rejected for that reason. Pet Plan ticked me off when they raised my premium by 66% when my dog turned 12, only two years after I started with that plan. Now, because he is over 10 no other insurance plan will cover him. VPI has always done well by us.

[NTrivento]

I have pet plan insurance but they are a real pain in the ass when it comes to reimbursing. These insurance companies are very quick to throw out "pre-existing condition". Our little guy was treated for non-specific dermatitis before we got the pet insurance. When I had extensive allergy testing done for him the diagnosis was Atopic dermatitis. After submitting all of the appropriate paperwork they came back to me and stated it was pre-existing. The reason for this was there was a doctor note in the records which stated dermatitis a month before he was insured. Long story short after arguing for a good hour or so I wound up eating the 800 bucks. Believe it or not there are different types of dermatitis out there. Whatever as long as the little guy is healthy I don't care. I will probably keep the insurance however because we know these little pugs as some point in their lives are predispositioned for certain conditions. Although he hasn't had those yet I want to be ready for when it happens.

Lesson Learned get it when you first take them home.

[MopsMeister]

Dear Morrissey,
I bet your Pug has better Health Care Insurance than most Americans.

[MopsMeister]

I've looked into getting pet insurance for my pugs but I just don't see many benefits. A policy that runs on a "reimbursement" plan is absolutely worthless to me. If I had the money up front to pay a huge Vet bill I wouldn't be buying their insurance. Even The ASPCA endorsed plan seems expensive and full of exclusions and limitations.
If anyone out there has a GOOD policy that is reasonably priced AND actually covers something I'd sure like to klnow!

[MopsMeister]

Can you share the name of the company?