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Topic: Pet insurance anyone?

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suzysnowflake avatar
Subject: Pet insurance anyone?
Date Posted: 12/20/2008 8:20 PM ET
Member Since: 7/8/2008
Posts: 28
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I just adopted a shelter dog, and got 45 days of ShelterCare pet insurance....I was thinking about continueing it......any thoughts?

 

Thanks:) 

 

 

snowkitty avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 12/20/2008 8:34 PM ET
Member Since: 5/6/2008
Posts: 7,961
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Never had it and should have with all the vet bills I've had. If you continue it, post the cost and coverage.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 12/24/2008 7:18 PM ET
Member Since: 7/31/2006
Posts: 14,634
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my girls have the Banfield pet plan..it's not insurane but a monthly payment that covers their shots and office visits and discounts any services/medications/flea/hearguard depending on w hich plan..their plan covers dental cleaning as well. I've debated cancelling since they keep switching vets on me but they've had it almost 8 yrs.

BondGirl avatar
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Date Posted: 3/31/2009 2:05 PM ET
Member Since: 8/8/2005
Posts: 1,061
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I was thinking about getting pet insurance when I got my little guy (see avatar) but decided that because he will be an indoor cat, I wouldn't need it.  If I could afford it though, I wouldn't think twice about getting it because I'm sure it would pay for itself in the long run.

snowkitty avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 4/1/2009 11:40 AM ET
Member Since: 5/6/2008
Posts: 7,961
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Liked the link, Shelly, thanx.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/7/2009 9:23 PM ET
Member Since: 3/15/2009
Posts: 33
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I would say yes, get the pet insurance.  We didn't get it when we got our two puppies, because they were perfectly healthy (knock on wood!) and we assumed that they wouldn't need frequent pet visits until they got older.   Well, unfortunately, the other dog owners in our apartment complex are awful about cleaning up after their dogs, so it seems like every time our pups go out, they pick up some kind of bacteria, infection or parasite from other dogs' droppings.  Our oldest is only one and a half (the other is four months), and our pet bills are already in the thousands!

So yes, I am a strong advocate of pet insurance now! 

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/7/2009 9:27 PM ET
Member Since: 3/15/2009
Posts: 33
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...and, of course, by "pet bills," I meant "vet bills."  Sorry!

suzysnowflake avatar
Date Posted: 5/13/2009 1:34 PM ET
Member Since: 7/8/2008
Posts: 28
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We ended up with the "collision" insurance-VBG....this covers MAJOR things ONLY....Tex had a few preexisting conditions that wouldn't  be covered under the regular policy.  Its about $12/month.

Here's the link.

http://www.petcareinsurance.com

I also got the 24petwatch insurance in case he is lost and injured while lost.  It was about $25/year. 

here's the link for that

http://www.24petwatch.com/index.asp

They are both from the same company.

I haven't had to  make a claim, and hopefully won't need to.  I did have to send all the health records that I have on Tex to the insurance company. 

Susie

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/19/2009 2:18 PM ET
Member Since: 7/6/2005
Posts: 404
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We just lost our little dog.  Before we had to put her down it cost us well over $1,000 and they still couldn't find out what was wrong with her.  If we had insurance it would have helped.

meowysmiles avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Subject: I have pet insurance
Date Posted: 6/9/2009 10:45 AM ET
Member Since: 7/14/2005
Posts: 232
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Try petsbest.com

They have great plans and cover most things for pets including final expenses.

cateyereader avatar
Subject: Caveat emptor
Date Posted: 7/16/2009 9:58 PM ET
Member Since: 7/6/2009
Posts: 1,407
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I'd urge a giant caution on health plans like that are only valid within one corporate network such as Banfield.  These plans will NOT function as insurance in the situations when it's most needed - if you have a pet that needs care at an emergency clinic, or referral to a specialist.  The plan may save you money and function as "minor medical" insurance, but it's not really comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage at any vet clinic is available from companies like VPI.  You still need to read the fine print about things like whether a purebred animal is covered for the problems that run in its breed.