Pet Insurance

[Fyrja]

So I've been researching health insurance for my cats, but what I've found so far hasn't been very helpful.

Does anyone here have any experience with pet health insurance? Suggestions as to which insurance group has the best benefits?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[NinjaCat]

I considered it at one point in time. My conclusion is - It's a waste of money and can be a hassle. Yes, it would probably be worth it. But setting aside a certain amount of money each month to start up a fund is better. Why?
#1.
You don't have to file a claim
#2.
There aren't any problems or mix-ups
#3.
When the cat(s) die you may have money left that you can use or put towards another cats health fund

Another reason I chose not to is because I already had a cat with a pre-existing condition (FIV). They won't cover an animal with a pre-existing condition. I didn't want to have two covered and one not covered. She was the one that needed it the most too.

If you do decide to get it, Embrace is the best one.

[catlady2010]

I considered pet insurance but since my cats are young (both are 1 year old) I don't think it's that necessary. They're currently very healthy and are strictly indoor. I will probably get it in 5 years, maybe. Right now, I just set aside funds for them. What I don't like about pet insurance is that if something happens to your cat and the vet bill is like $200 or $300 then you have to pay that upfront. And it will take a while after you file the claim before you get the money back.

I think pet insurance is a good idea for some people...just not for my cats at the moment. I can easily cover minor things like ear infections, fleas, vaccinations, annual exams, colds, etc. The serious illnesses start appearing when they're older and maybe then I think it would be a good idea for me to consider it.

[kwarendorf]

My experience was with the ASPCA sponsored insurance. I bought it when I brought Franklin home. For the first 12 months it was great. He had significant vet bills and I was able to recoup about 65%. Once that first 12 months was over a new Term began. Everything that had been diagnosed in the prior period was now considered a preexisting condition and was not covered. They found ways to connect everything to a prior condition and paid for nothing. Be careful that what you buy is not the same type of term insurance.

[RowdyAndMalley]

We have Trupanion. I love it! We are covered 90% with no deductible. We pay 25 a month per cat this includes coverage for hip dysplasia. Trupanion works differently than most pet insurances. Once you are enrolled there are no " terms" if you cat was to develop a disease or syndrome or suffer an injury, the coverage does not change. So say we discover one of our kitties has a disease that requires treatment, as long as it is found after the 30 day probation period this is not considered a preexisting condition, nor will it ever be.

While you do have to pay the money up front they are lightning fast when it comes to getting the money back. We had took Malley to the vet for worms, and submitted the claim that same day. We had the money back in our checking account 24 hrs later.

Like most insurance they dont cover routine exams, or vaccinations.