pet insurance? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RG5384 · #1 07-05-2006, 12:07 AM

Anyone have any thoughts on this as a whole? I recently adopted a walker hound, and am contiplating getting insurance for her as i can afford 25 bucks a month but i would not be able to afford a spur of the moment 600 dollar vet visit. Any advice/stories? pros/cons? Thanks,
Ryan

davidmash · #2 07-05-2006, 12:22 AM

Check with your vet to see if they even accept it. The ask him/her what they recomend and if it will cover what you are most likely to need. My vet said no and it's a waste. Could be diffferent in your case though.

MTI · #3 07-05-2006, 11:28 AM

Check the "exclusions" under the policies to get a better idea of what the coverage is. If you can afford to SAVE $25 a month and the animal seems reasonably healthy and unlikely to need expensive care for a few months . . . why not open or add to a savings account and be "self-insured?"

aklim · #4 07-05-2006, 11:43 AM

It depends. Talk to your vet about it. Some may accept the coverage and some may not. Also see what it covers. Teeth cleaning for example can run $300 with no extractions.

Snibble · #5 07-05-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Teeth cleaning for example can run $300 with no extractions.

what a rip off... a dentist would not charge that amount fir the same sort of work.

davidmash · #6 07-05-2006, 12:05 PM

Wow, Mine charges $85 for cat or dog. $75 urring March when they have a dental hygene drive thing going on each year.

aklim · #7 07-05-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snibble

what a rip off... a dentist would not charge that amount fir the same sort of work.

A dentist does not have to knock you out to get you to hold still.

aklim · #8 07-05-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Wow, Mine charges $85 for cat or dog. $75 urring March when they have a dental hygene drive thing going on each year.

Well, there is the pre-op bloodwork which isn't too bad beause you are checking for heartworm and all the organ functions at the same time to make sure they don't have issues. In Madison, WI it ranges from $150 to $250 depending on who does it and what they do.

Hatterasguy · #9 07-05-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snibble

what a rip off... a dentist would not charge that amount fir the same sort of work.

Mine comes close.

I have never heard of pet health insurance. For $25 a month though, thats cheap insurace if it really pays when you need it.

RG5384 · #10 07-05-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Check with your vet to see if they even accept it. The ask him/her what they recomend and if it will cover what you are most likely to need. My vet said no and it's a waste. Could be diffferent in your case though.

The way the pet insurance works is you pay out of your pocket originally and then you send them a form signed by your vet and they re-imburse you a set percentage minus the deductable. The 25 dollar a month plan has a 50 dollar deductable and then they will pay i beleive 75% of the cost. Most of the insurance policies state they accept any liscensed vet, so acceptance really isn't an issue.

Snibble · #11 07-05-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

A dentist does not have to knock you out to get you to hold still.

Then again, not all patients cooperate

Frank X. Morris · #12 07-06-2006, 12:07 AM

Howdy All,
One person I heard about had insurance. The insurance company paid only 1/3 of the $2400 bill because of the circumstance of the injury. The dog broke a leg in a running competition. I found that insurance wouldn"t cover much of the $5,000 in vet bills I seem to gather every year.

Austin85 · #13 07-06-2006, 01:16 AM

I just adopted a mix border collie/ spaniel from Animal Aid. "Julia"
Awesome puppy 5 months old but has some medical iissues to overcome
I was told by the vet I was sent to for vaccines by Animal Aid not to even bring her in until I got the PetCare insurance active.
So I did that, and in 2 visits I have shelled out 800 in bills.
I did have to pay upfront and file forms, but should get back all but the deductable , and flea tick meds...
Either way I would have had her treated, so it is better to get somethng back than nothing.

Now I also adopted another pup, "Kayla" last year who is completley healthy and aside from vaccines and an ear infection (minor) she hasn't needed any vet care.

So if your new dog is healthy you could consider not getting insurance, or else for peace of mind, get it and know you are doing good for the pup!
You should be able to find a plan for under $20 / month though.

AA