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babycake · 01-13-2010, 01:00 AM

I have Vet Insurance for my Chihuahua. When I first started the policy in March 2008, I was paying 48.95 for $0 deductible and 90% bill coverage. My dog is problematic and has a genetic liver disease, so it was well worth it for us. In October 2008, I received a letter from them stating that everyone's premiums will be going up and that mine will increase to 62.31. Fine, that was still okay with me. After the initial issue of them rejecting all my claims due to "pre-existing" conditions (it got solved when sent to a 3rd-party vet and it was determined NOT pre-existing), I never had problems claiming with them and they reimbursed me super fast.

Just last week, I received another letter from them. Guess what? Premiums are going up for everyone again -- mine will now be amost $80/month. My plan could be cheaper if I choose an option where I have to pay a deductible per illness and if I choose a lesser % coverage. But then that would defeat the purpose of me choosing Vet Insurance to begin with. I MAY keep it only because of my dog's liver condition...every 6 months' check-up for her costs around $350 because of all the blood tests and one abdominal x-ray costs $300...we had two done in less than a year and they covered both of them, which I was really happy about. I really do wish I had started the policy before my dog ingested plastic when she had a stomachache and I spent nearly $3000 at the ER in two nights.

I don't think there is a clear cut answer for anyone. If you are able to put aside money every month into a bank account for pet emergencies, then it would probably be to your advantage to not buy insurance. On the other hand, some people aren't able to do this and when emergencies come up, they don't have anything saved and their pets suffer. So, if you're unable to fish out a large sum of money immediately in case of an unexpected emergency, then it may be to your pet's advantage to buy insurance.

01-13-2010, 01:00 AM	#22
babycake What hasn't Killed me, has made me more tolerant of RS! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 191 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have Vet Insurance for my Chihuahua. When I first started the policy in March 2008, I was paying 48.95 for $0 deductible and 90% bill coverage. My dog is problematic and has a genetic liver disease, so it was well worth it for us. In October 2008, I received a letter from them stating that everyone's premiums will be going up and that mine will increase to 62.31. Fine, that was still okay with me. After the initial issue of them rejecting all my claims due to "pre-existing" conditions (it got solved when sent to a 3rd-party vet and it was determined NOT pre-existing), I never had problems claiming with them and they reimbursed me super fast. Just last week, I received another letter from them. Guess what? Premiums are going up for everyone again -- mine will now be amost $80/month. My plan could be cheaper if I choose an option where I have to pay a deductible per illness and if I choose a lesser % coverage. But then that would defeat the purpose of me choosing Vet Insurance to begin with. I MAY keep it only because of my dog's liver condition...every 6 months' check-up for her costs around $350 because of all the blood tests and one abdominal x-ray costs $300...we had two done in less than a year and they covered both of them, which I was really happy about. I really do wish I had started the policy before my dog ingested plastic when she had a stomachache and I spent nearly $3000 at the ER in two nights. I don't think there is a clear cut answer for anyone. If you are able to put aside money every month into a bank account for pet emergencies, then it would probably be to your advantage to not buy insurance. On the other hand, some people aren't able to do this and when emergencies come up, they don't have anything saved and their pets suffer. So, if you're unable to fish out a large sum of money immediately in case of an unexpected emergency, then it may be to your pet's advantage to buy insurance.