Any Insurance that locks in premium or at least has less premium increase over the years?

[leyz]

Hi,

I am so new to cat site and even to owning a pet. <3 I was not a cat lover before but this little Keanu of mine who just stepped on my keyboard made me a cat lover (or maybe for now just him but I now love researching and watching about cats).

Anyway, I really need your help!!! I have been researching and researching about insurance and I really want to buy ASAP while my kitten is young and healthy! I just want to know if you know any insurance that locks in premium or at least whose premium does not increase that much based on your experience? Any company (I will research it) and a list of the premiums you have paid so far will help!

Saying that I am into locking in premium, I am kinda price conscious. Right now, I am considering Geico/Embrace, Trusted Pals due to their wellness plan, Healthy Paws, Pets Best, Lemonade, GoPetPlan, 24 Pet Watch (or maybe even Petco). I have researched on more, even have an excel file for it but I really can't find history of premiums. Even their customer service won't answer me as they do not have the info.

Suggestions, advice, insights please? Thank you very much!!!

Love lots,
Leyz

 

[Mamanyt1953]

ALL premiums will go up with time. There are none that lock in, as treatment gets more expensive with time. However, a couple of my friends are very happy with Pumpkin. Their coverage is good, and they deposit your refund directly to your account, rather than mailing a check, which means much faster turn-around.

 

[leyz]

ALL premiums will go up with time. There are none that lock in, as treatment gets more expensive with time. However, a couple of my friends are very happy with Pumpkin. Their coverage is good, and they deposit your refund directly to your account, rather than mailing a check, which means much faster turn-around.

Thank you!!! Based on your friend's experience with Pumpkin, how long have they been with and how much have the prices gone up?

Thank you!!! :-)

 

[ZaxCat]

Not sure where you're based but in the UK BoughtByMany used to do a fixed for life policy - monthly premium fixed for life, guaranteed, regardless of claims - but sadly they discontinued it in December apparently due to lack of interest (I know because I'd just recommended it to someone at the time!). As far as I know they were the only insurer in the UK to do something like that.

 

[fionasmom]

I don't know of any companies which lock in a premium...three of my cats are with ASPCA. You are right to insure now while Keanu is young.

Once you pick a policy, do not change it as most companies create a new policy if you create a change which is in your favor and that will invalidate all previous medical issues that Keanu had and make them pre existing and uncovered.

 

[leyz]

I don't know of any companies which lock in a premium...three of my cats are with ASPCA. You are right to insure now while Keanu is young.

Once you pick a policy, do not change it as most companies create a new policy if you create a change which is in your favor and that will invalidate all previous medical issues that Keanu had and make them pre existing and uncovered.

Thank you!
How's the price increase so far? Can you remember the rates over the years? Your input is much appreciated!!!

 

[leyz]

Not sure where you're based but in the UK BoughtByMany used to do a fixed for life policy - monthly premium fixed for life, guaranteed, regardless of claims - but sadly they discontinued it in December apparently due to lack of interest (I know because I'd just recommended it to someone at the time!). As far as I know they were the only insurer in the UK to do something like that.

That is really good! What company was that? Just curious. I'm US based though. Thanks!

 

[fionasmom]

I pay $260 per year and it has not increased yet as all cats insured are young...two just enrolled recently. I only have complete health care, not preventative care, but that is an option. After a particularly disastrous "lifetime" for my GSD with medical bills for all sorts of conditions, I don't even worry about whether or not I am breaking even as it is a big relief to get a check back from them for the cats. Jamie ended up with early suspicious kidney issues which will necessitate a specialist eventually but all diagnostic work like ultrasounds were covered with no questions.

 

[artiemom]

I have PetPlan for Geoffrey. I did have the one which begins with a T for Artie. I had some issues with them, regarding pre-existing conditions, after they paid for pervious vet trips and a biopsy..

With Geoffrey, I have had to use them once. I was satisfied with the re-embursement.. never enough, but, better than nothing. The only thing: I had to pay first and be reimbursed. With the T plan I did not have to pay in advance. It was prior authorized..when they then deemed it pre-existing, I went ballistic.. Long story which I will not get into...

I heard ASPCA is a fairly good plan...

I think my vet has either PetsBest, or Healthy Paws for her family.

All insurance companies increase premiums, yearly, with age, and claims.. the older and the more claims, the higher the monthly premiums..

Insurance is just a crap shoot. You really do not know what to do about it. Some people advise to put money away monthly, in a separate bank account, just for your pet... Great, if you can remember to do so, and not spend it on something else... Hard to do...

I wish you luck..
Insurance really does come in handy when there is an emergency or a severe disease..
((Hugs)) to which ever one you decide.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Thank you!!! Based on your friend's experience with Pumpkin, how long have they been with and how much have the prices gone up?

Thank you!!! :-)

She has been with them for about a year now, so no real information on prices going up. But she is very happy with service and reimbursements thus far.

 

[kittyluv387]

I'm insured through Healthy Paws in a higher deductible plan, just for big emergencies. The premium was super cheap when my cat was a kitten. Like less than $14/month. But after a few years they definitely started increasing it. Now I'm paying $40/month for 2 male cats aged 6 and 8. I have never filed a claim yet. But at this rate I'm wondering how high its going to get once they actually become senior cats at 10+ years? At some point it may not be worth it.

 

[fionasmom]

Just to give a ballpark answer....My GSD is going on 15, in part thanks to his amazing vet and his amazing mommy who paid for everything that the amazing vet recommended. He has Cushings...not important here but it is part of the scenario. When he was 10 I called for some quotes and was told that Cushings was an exclusion which I knew it would be and that given his age, the premium would be $100 a month.

Moral is I should have insured him as that was just before the melanoma debacle and given he had never even had a single skin condition would have easily been covered.

 

[leyz]

I'm insured through Healthy Paws in a higher deductible plan, just for big emergencies. The premium was super cheap when my cat was a kitten. Like less than $14/month. But after a few years they definitely started increasing it. Now I'm paying $40/month for 2 male cats aged 6 and 8. I have never filed a claim yet. But at this rate I'm wondering how high its going to get once they actually become senior cats at 10+ years? At some point it may not be worth it.

Thank you for your reply!!!

I want to compare the entry price of new customers to your current price. At least just for one cat (unless you want to provide for the two for more comparison), can you pls provide me with the age, breed, i know it's male, the face amount of the insurance, the deductible and reimbursable percentage, and the premium you are paying monthly just for that plan? If it is the same as if I am enrolling as a new customer with same breed as yours, it will help me if I will choose Healthy Paws --- that means they are transparent with their pricing? If it is lower than new customers, then the more I will likely to get them!

Thank you very much!

 

[leyz]

Just to give a ballpark answer....My GSD is going on 15, in part thanks to his amazing vet and his amazing mommy who paid for everything that the amazing vet recommended. He has Cushings...not important here but it is part of the scenario. When he was 10 I called for some quotes and was told that Cushings was an exclusion which I knew it would be and that given his age, the premium would be $100 a month.

Moral is I should have insured him as that was just before the melanoma debacle and given he had never even had a single skin condition would have easily been covered.

Okay, very much noted! I am really willing to do insurance. I just want to hear which companies are more clear about their pricing. Thank you!

And sorry to hear about his condition. Hope he's better now!!!

 

[leyz]

She has been with them for about a year now, so no real information on prices going up. But she is very happy with service and reimbursements thus far.

Noted! Thank you!!!

 

[leyz]

I have PetPlan for Geoffrey. I did have the one which begins with a T for Artie. I had some issues with them, regarding pre-existing conditions, after they paid for pervious vet trips and a biopsy..

With Geoffrey, I have had to use them once. I was satisfied with the re-embursement.. never enough, but, better than nothing. The only thing: I had to pay first and be reimbursed. With the T plan I did not have to pay in advance. It was prior authorized..when they then deemed it pre-existing, I went ballistic.. Long story which I will not get into...

I heard ASPCA is a fairly good plan...

I think my vet has either PetsBest, or Healthy Paws for her family.

All insurance companies increase premiums, yearly, with age, and claims.. the older and the more claims, the higher the monthly premiums..

Insurance is just a crap shoot. You really do not know what to do about it. Some people advise to put money away monthly, in a separate bank account, just for your pet... Great, if you can remember to do so, and not spend it on something else... Hard to do...

I wish you luck..
Insurance really does come in handy when there is an emergency or a severe disease..
((Hugs)) to which ever one you decide.

Thank you very much for the response!!!

Pet Plan is actually one of my options. So question for you and I hope you can answer.

At what age did you enroll Geoffrey? ---this is pretty much a copy-paste of my question to kittyluv above----

I want to compare the entry price of new customers to your current price. Can you pls provide me with the current age, breed, gender, the face amount of the insurance, the deductible and reimbursable percentage, and the premium you are paying monthly just for that plan? If it is the same as if I am enrolling as a new customer with same breed as yours, it will help me if I will choose Go Pet Plan --- that means they are transparent with their pricing? If it is lower than new customers, then the more I will likely to get them!

Thank you very much!!!!

 

[leyz]

I pay $260 per year and it has not increased yet as all cats insured are young...two just enrolled recently. I only have complete health care, not preventative care, but that is an option. After a particularly disastrous "lifetime" for my GSD with medical bills for all sorts of conditions, I don't even worry about whether or not I am breaking even as it is a big relief to get a check back from them for the cats. Jamie ended up with early suspicious kidney issues which will necessitate a specialist eventually but all diagnostic work like ultrasounds were covered with no questions.

I see! Yes good point. That's why I really want to insure Keanu!!!

If you have any more insights/info, pls feel free to write it down here. Thank you!

 

[kittyluv387]

Thank you for your reply!!!

I want to compare the entry price of new customers to your current price. At least just for one cat (unless you want to provide for the two for more comparison), can you pls provide me with the age, breed, i know it's male, the face amount of the insurance, the deductible and reimbursable percentage, and the premium you are paying monthly just for that plan? If it is the same as if I am enrolling as a new customer with same breed as yours, it will help me if I will choose Healthy Paws --- that means they are transparent with their pricing? If it is lower than new customers, then the more I will likely to get them!

Thank you very much!

I'm not sure what you mean about the face value of insurance? But there are no maximums on payouts if that's what you mean. I enrolled my cat when he was 2. He's 6 now. Just a regular black cat. I've attached a screenshot of his policy. Honestly you can just get online quotes if you're looking.

 

[artiemom]

Quick, before I forget. $50 per month, currently.
250 yearly deductible. No limit annual benefits.
90% reimbursement.
Policy began 11/18. When G was adopted at age 3-4. He had a claim last year, so premiums increased this year— that is the way it goes with insurance—all of them

If G goes an entire year without a claim, there is 10% off the premiums for the next year.

I think I began with $38 monthly. It does increase every year, and with claims. I think they all do. As long as I can afford the premiums, it is worth it for me. At this point in my life, I cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars for treatments, without reimbursement of some kind— Arties issues taught me that.



I think my vet has Healthy Paws. After my experiences with Artie, I wanted a plan unlimited yearly benefits. You can customize what everyou would like.

I think ASPCA is a good plan. It was between Petplan, Healthy Paws and ASPCA for me.

G’s pre existing condition is dental— but there really are not any plans which cover that.

He had GI issues, but, I was fortunate. I had his records from the rescue which claimed him healthy except for dental.


Fingers crossed for now.

I would advise, to get the policy with you fist vet exam. That is the best way to do things.

 

[EmersonandEvie]

I have Healthy Paws for my three cats. I'm currently paying $45/month, but that's going to go up nearly $11/month after January 12. Meh.

Emerson is 4.
80% reimbursement, $250 deductible.
$20/month (unsure why his is so much higher than Evie's)

Evie is 4.
80% reimbursement, $250 deductible.
$16/month

Dexter is 2.
90% reimbursement, $250 deductible.
$21/month

This is the disclaimer on my policy page: "If you have not previously filed a claim for your pet, you may lower your pet's deductible and/or raise your pet's reimbursement level." I'm assuming that that means, once you make a claim, you are locked into that amount for the rest of the time you have the policy, which can get tricky. I'm considering doing the highest deductible/lowest reimbursement just in case we have an "Oh s*it" emergency somewhere down the line and have to make tough decisions. I can't justify spending upwards of $100/month on pet insurance alone, which is where it seems this amount is going....