Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Okay so I have narrowed down pet insurance to these companies. Embrace won't insure an 8 y/o dog. I've broken down the highlights of 4 companies. Any comments or maybe something I missed? Pets Best $100 deductible per incident 80% coverage 14 day waiting period Pet First $50 deductible per incident 90% coverage 14 day waiting period ASPCA $100 annual deductible 80% coverage 30 day waiting period VPI $50 deductible per incident 90% coverage 14 day waiting period Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 VPI is very picky about pre-existing conditions. They didn't insure Diamond because she had erhlichia before I got her. They excluded gastritis for Opal because I gave her a pepto bismol. And they don't cover lacerations because she was stitched up once already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandOSU98 Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I'm curious about this too. I'd like to do a dental for my dog this spring and am considering getting pet insurance to defray (some) of the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AllThingsBiotha Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Most won't cover pre-existing conditions and they all have their own definition of what 'pre-existing' is. Some will cover the condition if the dog has not been to the vet for it for a year. Like a current ear infection might be excluded for the first year of coverage, but if the dog hasn't been treated for it during that year, it would be covered after that. You should definitely take into consideration whether they insure 'hereditary conditions' and what conditions they consider hereditary. Also, do they cover cancer? Do they cover meds? Do they cover alternative medicine, even stuff like physical therapy. Do they have a specific timeframe they will cover something for--if the dog has IBD, will they only cover it for a year and then exclude it as 'pre-existing' when it's time to renew the policy. How much do the premiums increase each year as the dog ages? Is there a point when they won't insure him anymore? And as someone else mentioned, are the amounts they will cover for a specific problem pre-determined or do they actually pay out according to what you have been charged? Yearly maximum? Per incident maximum? Lots more confusing things to compare than percentages, decutables and waiting periods, unfortunately. If there's a phone number, call your top choices and ask them questions like this! Edited February 6, 2009 by AllThingsBiotha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zoolaine Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 PetFirst - pays 90% of whatever your vet charges not a set fee schedule. You do have to send in the past 12 months of vet records with your first accident or sickness claim if your policy has been in place less than a year - they do not pay for pre-existing or herditory conditions. They will only pay for ongoing treatment for six months into the next policy. They do have good routine coverage I think. So far they have been easy to use. They email you when they receive your claim and it takes about two weeks to process it and another week to get your check. And as long as a dog signs up before a certain age - can't remember the age- they will continue coverage although the price does go up as they age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 VPI wouldn't cover George without extensive testing and retesting because although his blood values are normal FOR A GREYHOUND, they're outside of the "normal" range to VPI. ASPCA is what I went with. They're fine so far. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest andrealynch Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I have ASPCA for my 8 year old (just got it a few months ago) and I have found them to be very fair and I am very happy with them. The only thing--sometimes they can be very slow on getting a check to you--and other times they are faster--so go figure! Thanks Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) PetFirst - pays 90% of whatever your vet charges not a set fee schedule. You do have to send in the past 12 months of vet records with your first accident or sickness claim if your policy has been in place less than a year - they do not pay for pre-existing or herditory conditions. They will only pay for ongoing treatment for six months into the next policy. They do have good routine coverage I think. So far they have been easy to use. They email you when they receive your claim and it takes about two weeks to process it and another week to get your check. And as long as a dog signs up before a certain age - can't remember the age- they will continue coverage although the price does go up as they age. I've had them for a year, they've paid more than $1200 in claims for Carl, both accidents and other medical stuff (including several visits to two specialists) - no questions asked, no hassle. I fax in the claim form, supporting documents and usually have a check within 10 business days. Edited February 8, 2009 by ckruzan Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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