Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi

MissGambler'sMommy · 10-13-2006, 04:57 AM

Just wondering how everyone feels about insurance for their pets. My vet pushes VPI and I looked them up and it sounds like the smart thing to do. Any opinions?

Take care, and love your corgi!
(Photo of Miss Gambler and her buddy in bed together)

Chip's Mom · 10-13-2006, 05:02 AM

I wish I had kept the insurance on Chip. It just cost me $$$ for his surgery. I am going to enroll him again.

corgimom · 10-13-2006, 05:09 AM

I am not familiar with what pet insurance all covers. Does it provide some type of payment for all visits to the vet and then some for meds? Are all ailments or surgeries somewhat covered? I thought there was limited things that were only covered by pet insurance, but I will have to do more checking.

MissGambler'sMommy · 10-13-2006, 05:29 AM

VPI is the only one that is good in every state, and you get to pick your doctor. All diagnostic testing is covered, surgeries, vaccinations, heartworm, flea meds, physicals, etc... including cancer treatment. I was given a quote of $35 a month and I am pretty sure that I will get it since when I called my vet and asked about insurance, the same company that I had found on the internet is the one that they push and I was told of a patient that just two days ago was given a bill of $5,000 and luckily had this insurance. Am I a sucker? I may just consider this my corgi umbrella. You know, when you carry an umbrella, it never rains.

Take care, and love your corgi!

Cardiguy · 10-13-2006, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissGambler'sMommy

VPI is the only one that is good in every state, and you get to pick your doctor. All diagnostic testing is covered, surgeries, vaccinations, heartworm, flea meds, physicals, etc... including cancer treatment. I was given a quote of $35 a month and I am pretty sure that I will get it since when I called my vet and asked about insurance, the same company that I had found on the internet is the one that they push and I was told of a patient that just two days ago was given a bill of $5,000 and luckily had this insurance. Am I a sucker? I may just consider this my corgi umbrella. You know, when you carry an umbrella, it never rains.

Take care, and love your corgi!

For the "umbrella rationale" alone I would get it.

Dillydoodle · 10-13-2006, 06:27 AM

I was thinking of getting pet insurance for Dillon, however when i read the policy i saw some things that were not covered (on the specific one i saw) that might be issues ( I used to work as a Short term disability claim examiner at a major insurance company so i know the loop holes to look for that would negate your policy). One of the things not covered on this particular policy were genetic problems- well the top reason i was thinking of getting pet insurance for Dillon was for elbows, hips, eyes etc - cancer would be the big one that is covered that i could have opted for but i looked at it in the long run and said that if you add up $35 or more a month times the number of years of his life, if you just put your money away and saved for the possiblity of something bad happening , you would have enough to pay for these things anyway.

In my case, i have a special savings account just for my animals, and I squirrel away money weekly into that account...more than enough to cover a lenghty illness for any or all of my 4 furbabies. I actually started doing this when Misty ( my eldest kitty) was a few years old and now she is 16, and the amount of medical needed for her and the others has been minimal so I still have a nice fat nest egg for this kind of thing should something ever happen ( God Forbid)

I think overall pet insurance is great for people who are not good at saving....or who have pets that have family history of illness, but just read the policies carefully to make sure that everything you want covered is....

Emilie

Jespah · 10-13-2006, 07:43 AM

I have to agree with Emilie on the cost checking and loop holes. When Riley got sick this summer I thought pet insurance would have been a Godsend. However, when I started looking at the cost and what it would cover - maximums, etc., I must admit a good savings plan is just as good. Riley's surgery and chemo cost several thousand dollars, and in reading the pamphlets for various insurance companies it was clear much of it wouldn't have been covered.
I have always understood that there can be huge financial risks with owning animals and have made decisions on medical care based on costs.

Fluffypants · 10-13-2006, 08:11 AM

I have VPI for Jackie - actually had the insurance before I had HER. I have the basic plan plus the "wellness" plan (which covers vaccinations & regular vet visits). It's not covered in full (especially since I live in NY, and they are based on national averages), but it's nice to get something back. I figure, I'm taking her to the vet anyway, and I have to pay them (they're real sticklers about that

), so I may as well get a little something back, right? Anything I get back is more than I would get back if I had no insurance.

ps - I save too. I subscribe to the "umbrella" theory . . . so I guess it's like having a back up umbrella.

Hayashi_eri · 10-13-2006, 08:42 AM

I didn"t get any insurance for Buta as they only cover for accidents & death...does nothing for medical bills so I really don"t see how it will help. I really wish they can improve the package so that it covers surgery or medical bills....

Michael Romanos · 10-13-2006, 05:14 PM

If you can afford it, I think pet insurance is a wonderful bonus and comfort to have. But the trick is to find the best one available or at least one of the better ones where there are no catches or 'small print.' An insurance broker might be the best person to consult if you haven't got a really switched on and completely trustworthy vet who can dish out advice. If you trust your own general insurance company, they might be able to point you in the right direction. There must be really poor pet insureance policies in the USA as well as a few really good deals. If I was a breeder, I would most definitely take out a dog health and accident insurance.

10-13-2006, 04:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
MissGambler'sMommy Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay area, but commute to Las Vegas, with Miss Gambler, for work Posts: 431	Question about insurance for pets.... Just wondering how everyone feels about insurance for their pets. My vet pushes VPI and I looked them up and it sounds like the smart thing to do. Any opinions? Take care, and love your corgi! (Photo of Miss Gambler and her buddy in bed together)

10-13-2006, 05:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chip's Mom Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 2,296	I wish I had kept the insurance on Chip. It just cost me $$$ for his surgery. I am going to enroll him again. __________________ Bonnie A Good Home, Loving Family and Three Loyal Corgis at my feet - I am truly Blessed.

10-13-2006, 07:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jespah Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,024	I have to agree with Emilie on the cost checking and loop holes. When Riley got sick this summer I thought pet insurance would have been a Godsend. However, when I started looking at the cost and what it would cover - maximums, etc., I must admit a good savings plan is just as good. Riley's surgery and chemo cost several thousand dollars, and in reading the pamphlets for various insurance companies it was clear much of it wouldn't have been covered. I have always understood that there can be huge financial risks with owning animals and have made decisions on medical care based on costs. __________________ Deb Toronto, ON, Canada Rupert Jemma

10-13-2006, 08:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Fluffypants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,447	I have VPI for Jackie - actually had the insurance before I had HER. I have the basic plan plus the "wellness" plan (which covers vaccinations & regular vet visits). It's not covered in full (especially since I live in NY, and they are based on national averages), but it's nice to get something back. I figure, I'm taking her to the vet anyway, and I have to pay them (they're real sticklers about that ), so I may as well get a little something back, right? Anything I get back is more than I would get back if I had no insurance. ps - I save too. I subscribe to the "umbrella" theory . . . so I guess it's like having a back up umbrella. __________________ Jessica (aka Fluffy-P) Jackie's Dogster Page: www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=262231 My Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443492@N00/

10-13-2006, 08:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hayashi_eri Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 327	I didn"t get any insurance for Buta as they only cover for accidents & death...does nothing for medical bills so I really don"t see how it will help. I really wish they can improve the package so that it covers surgery or medical bills.... __________________ I love love love love loooovvvvveeeee Corgis!!! I have discovered Corgis ONLY expand SIDE WAYS.

10-13-2006, 05:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
corgimom Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,199	I am not familiar with what pet insurance all covers. Does it provide some type of payment for all visits to the vet and then some for meds? Are all ailments or surgeries somewhat covered? I thought there was limited things that were only covered by pet insurance, but I will have to do more checking.

10-13-2006, 05:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
MissGambler'sMommy Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay area, but commute to Las Vegas, with Miss Gambler, for work Posts: 431	VPI is the only one that is good in every state, and you get to pick your doctor. All diagnostic testing is covered, surgeries, vaccinations, heartworm, flea meds, physicals, etc... including cancer treatment. I was given a quote of $35 a month and I am pretty sure that I will get it since when I called my vet and asked about insurance, the same company that I had found on the internet is the one that they push and I was told of a patient that just two days ago was given a bill of $5,000 and luckily had this insurance. Am I a sucker? I may just consider this my corgi umbrella. You know, when you carry an umbrella, it never rains. Take care, and love your corgi!

10-13-2006, 06:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dillydoodle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,397	I was thinking of getting pet insurance for Dillon, however when i read the policy i saw some things that were not covered (on the specific one i saw) that might be issues ( I used to work as a Short term disability claim examiner at a major insurance company so i know the loop holes to look for that would negate your policy). One of the things not covered on this particular policy were genetic problems- well the top reason i was thinking of getting pet insurance for Dillon was for elbows, hips, eyes etc - cancer would be the big one that is covered that i could have opted for but i looked at it in the long run and said that if you add up $35 or more a month times the number of years of his life, if you just put your money away and saved for the possiblity of something bad happening , you would have enough to pay for these things anyway. In my case, i have a special savings account just for my animals, and I squirrel away money weekly into that account...more than enough to cover a lenghty illness for any or all of my 4 furbabies. I actually started doing this when Misty ( my eldest kitty) was a few years old and now she is 16, and the amount of medical needed for her and the others has been minimal so I still have a nice fat nest egg for this kind of thing should something ever happen ( God Forbid) I think overall pet insurance is great for people who are not good at saving....or who have pets that have family history of illness, but just read the policies carefully to make sure that everything you want covered is.... Emilie

10-13-2006, 05:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Michael Romanos Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Silverstream (near Wellington, the capital of NZ) Posts: 5,030	If you can afford it, I think pet insurance is a wonderful bonus and comfort to have. But the trick is to find the best one available or at least one of the better ones where there are no catches or 'small print.' An insurance broker might be the best person to consult if you haven't got a really switched on and completely trustworthy vet who can dish out advice. If you trust your own general insurance company, they might be able to point you in the right direction. There must be really poor pet insureance policies in the USA as well as a few really good deals. If I was a breeder, I would most definitely take out a dog health and accident insurance.

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Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Question about insurance for pets....