Pet Insurance with good and bad points...
Written: Aug 07 '00 (Updated Oct 31 '03)
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Pros: peace of mind, quick claim service
Cons: cost and what they cover
The Bottom Line: I recommend this.
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| spodgorski's Full Review: Veterinary Pet Insurance |
When we got our puppy almost 2 years ago we immediately signed her up for insurance. My sister's dog had needed eye surgery after getting hit by a ball and it cost them a fortune... not wanting to have any unforeseen medical bills that might bankrupt us, we decided to get some insurance for our dog. (besides I have 4 children and they throw many many balls...)
The policy cost $271 plus $99 for the optional wellcare coverage. We signed up for both because we figured she might need lots of puppy visits her first year (after having 4 children, I know the first year is a lot of shots and checkups). We were right and the insurance paid off. Sadly we were living in NY and the vet bills tend to run pretty high there so they didn't cover anything over what they consider to be "reasonable". Between the regular shots and checkups and 1 emergency visit (on New Years eve, of course!) we ended up getting as much back as we had paid out! So basically that year was free... However, we had paid out much more than we got back also! Pets are expensive - good thing they are so terrific!
The time from me sending in the claim to getting checks back is very fast (only a couple of weeks usually). The only slow down is me getting the claim form into the mail and I can't fault them for that!
Then her second year, we renewed the policy for her and have submitted several bills -- she has basically used up all her well care coverage for the year already. However, I love the idea of having the coverage in case of emergencies --chances are we won't need it, but you never know. We bought the insurance to cover unexpected large emergency visits...
It is true that they don't cover 100% on anything and I didn't expect them to. They aren't suppose to cover all my costs, just assist us with the big surprise bills (or at least that is what I wanted it for). When I submit the bills that are near $160 and get a check back for somewhere closer to $50 to $75 I am still happy because I know it is $50 or more that without the insurance I would be out.... Okay so I am easily pleased, but what can I say?
So, I am basically bucking the crowd here -- so far the only other 3 people that have written about VPI have given it 2 stars... But I guess I am different when it comes to insurance (a necessary evil!) I want it in case my dog gets hit by a car and the vet bills are in the thousands - that will be the real test of insurance! I do not expect to make money on the deal and I certainly don't expect them to pay me back every penny that I spend in a normal year....
Next year, I may only do the regular insurance and will skip the well care - at this point it costs more than you get back and so it is better to just pay those bills as they come in.... But the injuries or illnesses part is something I hope I don't need, and want to be ready for if I do!
Update: 10-31-03
We now have 2 big dogs and have used this insurance for almost 5 years. I pay approximately $600 a year for both dogs, which is the emergency care, the routine care and a cancer rider.
As of yet, we haven't used the emergency or cancer portions of the coverage. (thank goodness!) And it might just be like washing your car in reverse... we have insurance so they don't have emergencies - if I were to stop.... Okay, very telling about how I believe Murphy and his laws follow me around!
Regardless, we keep paying the insurance bill. Recently I submitted almost $300 in bills (including getting 1 of the dogs fixed, and what I lovingly refer to as the basic overhaul... teeth, ears cleaned etc.) ANYWAY - I got my check from VPI and it was for a measly $95...
I wasn't too thrilled with what they covered, but I will still keep paying the bill. All told this year, we have gotten checks for about $140 of the $600 we paid, but we are ready for emergencies if they arise. The checks are still sent within 2 weeks, so that is very good.
Feel free to email me if you have questions about this.
Put Pet Insurance in the subject line.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
spodgorski
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Susan P.
Location: San Diego Area, CA
Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 53 members
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