Does anyone have pet insurance for their cat ? I have heard from some that it is only of any benefit if there was an accident or illness. But does not cover for yearly routine type stuff. Is it worth the monthly expense when you could just as well save that money up for an unanticipated event ?
CherylM
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I had it for MowMOw for years and it always seem to come to the same thing.... he would spend just enough to suck up the deductible and copay but not enough for me to get any actual MONEY back.
I stopped paying for it and recently opened a carecredit account for his surgery. Now that it's almost paid off (from his recent surgery), I have enough on there for any new emergencies.
I stopped paying for it and recently opened a carecredit account for his surgery. Now that it's almost paid off (from his recent surgery), I have enough on there for any new emergencies.
Theoretically you can try to save up monthly for each cat when they are young and have quite a bit years later. But you have to be discipline about the savings and not use the fund for other reasons.
Cheryl, I did some research on this several months ago and found this site helpful: 10 Best Pet Insurance of 2015 | Trusted by 547,000 | Consumers Advocate
They give HealthyPaws top reviews, and that was echoed by some other things I read.
I would never be disciplined enough to have a savings account dedicated to the kitties, though if you are, it's the best option, since the money you're spending is still going to you.
Or you could get CareCredit if you end up with a big expense.
Almost all of the plans have age restrictions, and none of them cover "pre-existing conditions." I looked at 4 different companies, and they all offered different levels of coverage. You have to read the fine print to see why they're not as great as they seem. That's where you get the whole list of things that they don't cover.
If your cat is older, I definitely wouldn't bother. But for a young cat, especially a cat that goes outside, it could be worth it.
They give HealthyPaws top reviews, and that was echoed by some other things I read.
I would never be disciplined enough to have a savings account dedicated to the kitties, though if you are, it's the best option, since the money you're spending is still going to you.
Or you could get CareCredit if you end up with a big expense. Almost all of the plans have age restrictions, and none of them cover "pre-existing conditions." I looked at 4 different companies, and they all offered different levels of coverage. You have to read the fine print to see why they're not as great as they seem. That's where you get the whole list of things that they don't cover.
If your cat is older, I definitely wouldn't bother. But for a young cat, especially a cat that goes outside, it could be worth it.
I use Trupanion, which is the policy that most shelters here send you home with 30 days free ($250 deductible). I decided to continue with it and will be paying $35/mth for my 1 yo male cat with a $0 deductible. For my previous cat, he was 10 and the premium was around $65 because he also had a history of health issues. I didn't buy it that time since the things I was most worried about weren't going to be covered anyway.
One thing you want to look out for is whether the deductible is annual or per condition. If you suspect your cat might have a chronic condition, then a per condition deductible will be cheaper in the long run. Otherwise, premiums tend to be lower for companies that have annual deductibles.
Also, most insurance policies don't cover exam fees which if you're going to the emergency vet will form a nice chunk of your bill. They'll pay 90% of everything else that is not an existing condition or sales tax. E.g. my cat came home with an upper respiratory infection. I took him to the emergency vet and the exam fee was $104 right off the bat. The total bill at the end of the day was $157. Only the meds $45 are covered - so I will get $40.50 back from the insurance company. I think Petplan might be the only company that does cover exam fees for accidents/illnesses.
Another thing my insurance company covers that I was pleased about is prescription food. IIRC they cover 50% of the cost after I pay 10%. That was a big part of my expense for my 10 yo cat but of course it was part of the treatment for his pre-existing condition so wouldn't have been covered.
One thing you want to look out for is whether the deductible is annual or per condition. If you suspect your cat might have a chronic condition, then a per condition deductible will be cheaper in the long run. Otherwise, premiums tend to be lower for companies that have annual deductibles.
Also, most insurance policies don't cover exam fees which if you're going to the emergency vet will form a nice chunk of your bill. They'll pay 90% of everything else that is not an existing condition or sales tax. E.g. my cat came home with an upper respiratory infection. I took him to the emergency vet and the exam fee was $104 right off the bat. The total bill at the end of the day was $157. Only the meds $45 are covered - so I will get $40.50 back from the insurance company. I think Petplan might be the only company that does cover exam fees for accidents/illnesses.
Another thing my insurance company covers that I was pleased about is prescription food. IIRC they cover 50% of the cost after I pay 10%. That was a big part of my expense for my 10 yo cat but of course it was part of the treatment for his pre-existing condition so wouldn't have been covered.
savings account vrs pet insurance
i have been doing some research on pet insurance online, going through quotes and such. in particular ive heard a lot about petsecure, so i went through their website and got a quote for a dog. it would cost me $70 each month and that would cover:
$5000 per accident
$5000 illness (per condition per year)
$400 dental (per year)
the annual deductible is $300 (which i will have to pay once per year, unless i do not make any claims).
now, if i were to go to my own bank and set up a separate account for my pets in which i put this $70 into this account each month i would have deposited $840 by the end of the year. so if i start this account with maybe $1000 when i open it, then add the $840 i would be spending on insurance anyways, plus the extra $300 i would have to pay as a deductible each year, i would be looking at $2140 by the second year with this account.
anyways my point is, i am leaning towards opening my own "pet account" with my bank. this way i am in total control of what i spend this money on, and there are no restrictions between illness, accidents, or dental. i could even use it for the annual wellness appointments, and there are no restrictions on which pet i use the money for.
do any of you have any thoughts on the matter? do you have pet insurance? wish you did?
i have been doing some research on pet insurance online, going through quotes and such. in particular ive heard a lot about petsecure, so i went through their website and got a quote for a dog. it would cost me $70 each month and that would cover:
$5000 per accident
$5000 illness (per condition per year)
$400 dental (per year)
the annual deductible is $300 (which i will have to pay once per year, unless i do not make any claims).
now, if i were to go to my own bank and set up a separate account for my pets in which i put this $70 into this account each month i would have deposited $840 by the end of the year. so if i start this account with maybe $1000 when i open it, then add the $840 i would be spending on insurance anyways, plus the extra $300 i would have to pay as a deductible each year, i would be looking at $2140 by the second year with this account.
anyways my point is, i am leaning towards opening my own "pet account" with my bank. this way i am in total control of what i spend this money on, and there are no restrictions between illness, accidents, or dental. i could even use it for the annual wellness appointments, and there are no restrictions on which pet i use the money for.
do any of you have any thoughts on the matter? do you have pet insurance? wish you did?
I think it all boils down to what works best for you: pet insurance is great for people that can afford to cover most (or all) accidents, illnesses, etc. While setting up a pet emergency fund is best for people that cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket without having money saved up.
Pet insurance would be great if it worked like human insurance, but because they require you to pay the bills yourself before giving you a reimbursement, pet insurance is useless for us. So my only option is to put a little money away each month instead.
Pet insurance would be great if it worked like human insurance, but because they require you to pay the bills yourself before giving you a reimbursement, pet insurance is useless for us. So my only option is to put a little money away each month instead.
I know that this post I started has been sitting still for awhile. But I thought I would add this on here to start with. If that doesn't work then I might start a new post.
Do most pet insurance companies require that you pay all charges up front then they reimburse you ? Are there any companies that do not ? Let's say my vet says my fur child requires a procedure that will cost $3,000. The pet insurance company will reimburse me later. But if I could afford to pay $3,000 now why would I have the insurance?! Like a lot of people I live paycheck to paycheck and paying everything up front isn't that easy.
Do most pet insurance companies require that you pay all charges up front then they reimburse you ? Are there any companies that do not ? Let's say my vet says my fur child requires a procedure that will cost $3,000. The pet insurance company will reimburse me later. But if I could afford to pay $3,000 now why would I have the insurance?! Like a lot of people I live paycheck to paycheck and paying everything up front isn't that easy.
I've had pet insurance on my two youngest since they were hopping fluff with a little pointy tail.
I am not disciplined enough to save into a special pet account. But that's me, I know my short comings and try to work around them.
To answer your last question:
What I do is pay a monthly payment, £9.00 per cat, on the insurance. If I have to use it, I am responsible for the excess or "co-pay" which is £50.00. The remainder is paid by insurance directly to the vets.
But that is the insurance I use and their policy. They all vary in what they do, so research is a must in picking a company.
No, most insurance co. won't pay for "maintenance" cost. What I've done is joined a "pet plan" with my vet. I pay a £10. a month and their shots, wormers, flea meds, health checks and 10% off any medications.
I figure I have to pay these costs anyway but it sure is a whole lot easier to pay a tiny amount, once a month then being walloped by a big annual vet bill for vaccinations, flea meds and wormers.
My oldest girl is 16 and I cannot afford insurance for her, however my vet does a pet plan for seniors at £17. per mo., offering everything the other kitties get plus a blood panel and 2x urine screenings and 20% off any other care she may need. It's not perfect but it is the best I can do for her, and so far all she needs, she has always been extremely healthy.
Essentially I pay around £55.00 per month for my girls health care. my only other cost per month is for their food.
I find this set up gives me the peace of mind I want in a very managable payment set up.
I am not disciplined enough to save into a special pet account. But that's me, I know my short comings and try to work around them.
To answer your last question:
What I do is pay a monthly payment, £9.00 per cat, on the insurance. If I have to use it, I am responsible for the excess or "co-pay" which is £50.00. The remainder is paid by insurance directly to the vets.
But that is the insurance I use and their policy. They all vary in what they do, so research is a must in picking a company.
No, most insurance co. won't pay for "maintenance" cost. What I've done is joined a "pet plan" with my vet. I pay a £10. a month and their shots, wormers, flea meds, health checks and 10% off any medications.
I figure I have to pay these costs anyway but it sure is a whole lot easier to pay a tiny amount, once a month then being walloped by a big annual vet bill for vaccinations, flea meds and wormers.
My oldest girl is 16 and I cannot afford insurance for her, however my vet does a pet plan for seniors at £17. per mo., offering everything the other kitties get plus a blood panel and 2x urine screenings and 20% off any other care she may need. It's not perfect but it is the best I can do for her, and so far all she needs, she has always been extremely healthy.
Essentially I pay around £55.00 per month for my girls health care. my only other cost per month is for their food.
I find this set up gives me the peace of mind I want in a very managable payment set up.
I myself was up in the air about pet insurance when I adopted Artie, 3 years ago.
I mean yes, it sounds easy if you are diligent enough to set aside xxx
amount per month for a special savings account for your pets.
But in reality, how many people are actually able to do that for a continued length of time?
It sounds good, but..............I do not know..
The Vet's office was pretty persuasive about getting pet insurance.
I signed up for it, picked my deductible. They do not cover pre-existing conditions. There are monthly premiums based on the age of the pet when signing on.
Well, Three years later, and I am so glad I did!!
I have used it up so much this past month.
ARtie was having issues and had to go thru an IBD workup--including visit with specialist, ultrasound, and an endoscopic biopsy.
They have paid 90% of the ultrasound, and biopsy and I have a claim in for his medicines...
I think only having to pay $167 for a bill of $1500 is pretty good.
Almost at my 500 deductible....
The one I have does not pay for routine visits or doctor exams...I would not have been able to afford this unless I had the insurance..
I have Trupanion. The specialist said it is the best insurance policy to have. She has it for her pets also....
My cousin who just went thru a lot with one of her cats is now seriously considering getting it...
I mean yes, it sounds easy if you are diligent enough to set aside xxx
amount per month for a special savings account for your pets.
But in reality, how many people are actually able to do that for a continued length of time?
It sounds good, but..............I do not know..
The Vet's office was pretty persuasive about getting pet insurance.
I signed up for it, picked my deductible. They do not cover pre-existing conditions. There are monthly premiums based on the age of the pet when signing on.
Well, Three years later, and I am so glad I did!!
I have used it up so much this past month.
ARtie was having issues and had to go thru an IBD workup--including visit with specialist, ultrasound, and an endoscopic biopsy.
They have paid 90% of the ultrasound, and biopsy and I have a claim in for his medicines...
I think only having to pay $167 for a bill of $1500 is pretty good.
Almost at my 500 deductible....
The one I have does not pay for routine visits or doctor exams...I would not have been able to afford this unless I had the insurance..
I have Trupanion. The specialist said it is the best insurance policy to have. She has it for her pets also....
My cousin who just went thru a lot with one of her cats is now seriously considering getting it...
I forgot to add that I got the biopsy Pre-approved!! It took 1 day for that!
If it was an emergency, you would pay up front and the insurance company would then re-imburse you...
If it was an emergency, you would pay up front and the insurance company would then re-imburse you...
Trupanion Insurance--BEWARE
Hi everyone, please pardon any nastiness in this post. I am so upset.
Artie has recently been diagnosed with IBD, actually late last month. He is much better now that he is on a bunch of meds for it.
I have been very vocal extolling the virtues of Trupanion Insurance.
I am not now. I am taking everythig back as of this afternoon.
I adopted ARtie 3 yrs ago at age 8. He was diagnosed with dental issues and a heart murmur at his first Vet visit, so those are his pre-existing conditions which are not covered under the policy.
I get that--I never claimed them.
Over the past 3 years he has had lot of stuff...N & V, FLUTD, dental, Stress issues, etc...all are resulting in poor appetite, Nausea and Vomiting.
I submitted claims to the insurance company for this previously without any issues.
Now that he has the definite diagnosis (from endoscopic biopsy) of IBD; Trupanion has decided to flag his records.
It is their assumption, from "multiple educated adjusters with extended medical backgrounds" to not allow any claims for IBD in the future and to deny my last 2 claims for meds and post-op complications.
I am livid!
What is going against me is that I had to take him to Angell Memorial Hospital about a week after I adopted him for not eating, nausea and vomiting, coughing, sneezing and discharge from his eyes. He was diagnosed with a UTI. It was a friday night, He did not have a Vet as of yet, and he was very sick. I tried to do the best for him, but it is biting me in the butt. I should have lied when I filled out the application form, but I was honest and listed that he was seen there....should have lied....no I can't--I am an honest person
He was seen periodically because of vomiting and lack of appetite.
He had 2 dentals, FLUTD, diagnosed with stress and being a finicky eater.
Trupanion had approved his claims in the past for the same issue of Vomiting!!!! Now it is denied!
Now Trupanion has reviewed all his medical records and decided THEY decided, not any VETs, but ADJUSTERS decided that Artie Had IBD BEFORE I ADOPTED him....please pardon the capitols--I am so upset...
My Vet is really upset!
I am posting this because she said that the entire office, consisting of 5 Vets, have had so many issues with this insurance company. It has all happened recently to many of their patients. One patient had surgery pre-authorized and then denied the claim AFTER surgery.
I am posting this so that you guys will be aware of this. I find it very shady and unethical.
My Vet is going to try to help me appeal this, but based on her recent previous experience with them, she is not hopeful.
As she said, at least they paid for the biopsy and ultrasound.
Now I do not know how I am going to afford any procedures, or care that may come up in the future...
I got off the phone with the insurance company--after being really rude to them---and just broke down in complete tears.....
Just beware...
thanks for listening to me...
Hi everyone, please pardon any nastiness in this post. I am so upset.
Artie has recently been diagnosed with IBD, actually late last month. He is much better now that he is on a bunch of meds for it.
I have been very vocal extolling the virtues of Trupanion Insurance.
I am not now. I am taking everythig back as of this afternoon.
I adopted ARtie 3 yrs ago at age 8. He was diagnosed with dental issues and a heart murmur at his first Vet visit, so those are his pre-existing conditions which are not covered under the policy.
I get that--I never claimed them.
Over the past 3 years he has had lot of stuff...N & V, FLUTD, dental, Stress issues, etc...all are resulting in poor appetite, Nausea and Vomiting.
I submitted claims to the insurance company for this previously without any issues.
Now that he has the definite diagnosis (from endoscopic biopsy) of IBD; Trupanion has decided to flag his records.
It is their assumption, from "multiple educated adjusters with extended medical backgrounds" to not allow any claims for IBD in the future and to deny my last 2 claims for meds and post-op complications.
I am livid!
What is going against me is that I had to take him to Angell Memorial Hospital about a week after I adopted him for not eating, nausea and vomiting, coughing, sneezing and discharge from his eyes. He was diagnosed with a UTI. It was a friday night, He did not have a Vet as of yet, and he was very sick. I tried to do the best for him, but it is biting me in the butt. I should have lied when I filled out the application form, but I was honest and listed that he was seen there....should have lied....no I can't--I am an honest person
He was seen periodically because of vomiting and lack of appetite.
He had 2 dentals, FLUTD, diagnosed with stress and being a finicky eater.
Trupanion had approved his claims in the past for the same issue of Vomiting!!!! Now it is denied!
Now Trupanion has reviewed all his medical records and decided THEY decided, not any VETs, but ADJUSTERS decided that Artie Had IBD BEFORE I ADOPTED him....please pardon the capitols--I am so upset...
My Vet is really upset!
I am posting this because she said that the entire office, consisting of 5 Vets, have had so many issues with this insurance company. It has all happened recently to many of their patients. One patient had surgery pre-authorized and then denied the claim AFTER surgery.
I am posting this so that you guys will be aware of this. I find it very shady and unethical.
My Vet is going to try to help me appeal this, but based on her recent previous experience with them, she is not hopeful.
As she said, at least they paid for the biopsy and ultrasound.
Now I do not know how I am going to afford any procedures, or care that may come up in the future...
I got off the phone with the insurance company--after being really rude to them---and just broke down in complete tears.....
Just beware...
thanks for listening to me...
I think your experience is probably true for every insurance company. It depends on the adjuster and how they interpret the records. Same for people. It is horrible that one person has that much power. But I would definitely appeal, you never know.
Have you looked into Care Credit?
Have you looked into Care Credit?
My experiences weren't so shifty.... but by the time I payed for the policy, subtracted the deductibles I barely ever got any money back from them. It seems like a pretty raw deal, especially since they don't help with preventative maintenance. Meh. Care Credit was way better, imo. Less hassle.
I always wondered what was to stop people from changing to a brand new vet and giving the cat a new name and going to a new pet insurance company and pretending like they JUST adopted the cat?
I always wondered what was to stop people from changing to a brand new vet and giving the cat a new name and going to a new pet insurance company and pretending like they JUST adopted the cat?
thanks Marie, I do have a CareCredit Card. They have changed their policies also....
I have used it.. reminds me that I have to a balance to pay...
I have used it.. reminds me that I have to a balance to pay...
I've heard bad things about them too through a friend of mine with a very similar story. It's not fair.
I decided to put the money I would have paid to the insurance company into a savings account with a pre-authorized transfer straight from every pay check from the day I adopted Leelu. It's got a good balance on it even after ultrasounds and specialists and I have a second credit card for emergencies. I'd urge anyone to do that if you can trust yourself not to use the money
I decided to put the money I would have paid to the insurance company into a savings account with a pre-authorized transfer straight from every pay check from the day I adopted Leelu. It's got a good balance on it even after ultrasounds and specialists and I have a second credit card for emergencies. I'd urge anyone to do that if you can trust yourself not to use the money
My vet offers a plan that covers unlimited regular office visits and vaccinations, but only 5% of other costs. It'd be nice to not have to worry about the cost of just-in-case visits, but that doesn't add up to much. Two of my other cats had $5000 end-of-life experiences, and I'd pay to cover those kinds of expenses, but I don't trust insurance companies. Never ever ever.
PetPlan saved the life of my red ticked tabby girl from a freak accident. Less than two years old, and probably from rough housing play between her and her much larger Ragdoll brother, she took a blow that burst her bladder.
Diagnosis and surgery ran a bit more than $4,000. My plan has a $200 deductible then 90 percent reimbursement. Costs about $20/month. Glad I had it or she would have just been put down, suddenly taken very ill and no diagnosis (because without the insurance, would not have done the ultrasound). It just worked out for me.
Diagnosis and surgery ran a bit more than $4,000. My plan has a $200 deductible then 90 percent reimbursement. Costs about $20/month. Glad I had it or she would have just been put down, suddenly taken very ill and no diagnosis (because without the insurance, would not have done the ultrasound). It just worked out for me.
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