[coco & little guy]

Hi all. I was just wondering what the general consensus was of folks around here on the issue of pet insurance. Is it worth it? Any recommendations on insurer? Will vets accept any/all pet insurance? Is it a hassle if it has to be used? I know these are alot of questions, and with the racket that most insurance companies have become, I am leary of committing to one. There was a pamphlet at the vets office for one insurer, but are they in co-hoots with my particular vet? I have been burned by a very expensive extended warranty for my car (extended warranty is basically an insurance policy) in that the problems were not covered by the warranty. Would there be problems that my guys could develop that would not be covered?

I don't want to lose faith in the world, but I don't want to EVER have to make a decision to put one of them down because funds weren't available. I just see these insurances as a way for the companies to continue to fill their pockets, and not honor the intent of the policy. You can never get to the fine print with these either, which also makes me leary. If you have been with me this far, thanks. Please any comments / experiences / recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[Zalensia]

I have 5 cats, and could NEVER afford to insure them all. Instead i put so much away a week into my bank account, esp there for emergincies. Then if the worse happens i have money there. Insuarnce is not all its made out to be, some companies will stop cover if your cat gets diabeties, or a life time/long term illness as above. Some will only pay out so much a year, and some have terrible excess, which will most likely increase as u claim! I would (and do lol) just put money into the bank until i need it. But you have to use ur will power, not see that super cool, must have latest graphics card and must get it with the money u have.

 

[Sol]

I've understood that it is extremely expensive to insure pets in th US so maybe it's better to just save money.

In Sweden (yeah, I'm gonna brag again) it's not expensive at all. I pay about 8$ every month for my little kitten. That insurance covers practically all diseases, surgical operations and even medication and rehabilitation. Life insurance is included in it.

I pay about 100$ a year for my breeding queen. Covers practically everything plus an extra c-section and it covers care of weak kittens and "hidden defects" until the day the kittens are older than 2 years.

I pay 50$ a year for my moggie. Covers almost all diseases, all surgical operations, medicines and rehabiliation.

 

[kungfukitty]

This very subject came up a few weeks ago here. After reading everyone's thoughts, ideas and experiences I decides the best way to go- for us- would be putting money asie each month, just in case.

 

[drjean]

pet insurance

Veterinarians do not "take insurance" the same way doctors do. You pay the vet at the time the service is rendered, then you turn in a claim form with the receipt to the insurance for reimbursement. So you still have to come up with the cash, unless your vet will give you credit until the insurance pays off. Most don't. There is another program, Care card or something like that, that provides a credit card for vet expenses. Not very popular yet, but our clinic manager liked it a lot.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean