Cat Health Insurance (?)

[darlenam8]

I have been going back and forth on the idea of getting health insurance for my 2 cats... and would love any input. I feel like it would be a good idea but my boyfriend is against is.

What do you all think?

And, if you have insurance, what company do you use, and do you like the coverage/cost?

Thanks!

 

[catbuck]

Good Q. I was wondering the same thing. I would like to hear from people that actually had to use it and if the insurance company actually came through and paid for whatever care/surgery they needed.

 

[nbrazil]

Get it when they are young, and if you can pay for an entire year, you will save even more.

This has been discussed before... and so, I'll just say that I've got Petplan, and, in fact, had to use it within a month of getting it. Fast response, got my check.*

I can only talk about them, and they have various levels of risk/protection with different deductibles and percentages paid. But be warned, it works like dental insurance. This means that the vet will NOT accept insurance. You pay the vet first for the service and get reimbursed by the insurance company. 

There are many companies, maybe someone will remember the website that compares them all. But if you get it early, the premium remains the same for the life of the pet! 

*My guy needed to see a specialist to have an echo cardiogram. My plan pays 90% after a $200 deductible, and I got the check within two weeks.

 

[catbuck]

 
Get it when they are young, and if you can pay for an entire year, you will save even more.

This has been discussed before... and so, I'll just say that I've got Petplan, and, in fact, had to use it within a month of getting it. Fast response, got my check.*

I can only talk about them, and they have various levels of risk/protection with different deductibles and percentages paid. But be warned, it works like dental insurance. This means that the vet will NOT accept insurance. You pay the vet first for the service and get reimbursed by the insurance company. 

There are many companies, maybe someone will remember the website that compares them all. But if you get it early, the premium remains the same for the life of the pet! 

*My guy needed to see a specialist to have an echo cardiogram. My plan pays 90% after a $200 deductible, and I got the check within two weeks.

Thanks for the link. My cat is just under 2 and would cost $12.52 a month for Gold coverage  ($22k a year) and 90% reimbursement. Sound like a good deal?

 

[darlenam8]

Thanks, I have been doing some research and PetPlan seems to have to most comprehensive coverage as they do cover vet visit exams, and most insurance companies don't cover visit costs. So that is one main difference (and its any easy way to meet your deductible quicker).

They quoted me $17mo for each 1 year old kitty (at the Gold coverage level of $22K) with a $200 deductible and an 80% copay.

@CatBuck  what was the deductible offered, because your monthly cost seems low (and good)

24PetWatch had some good points too, but they only pay out 70% with a $100 deductible, and I believe they offer a 5% discount each additional animal as well as if they are microchipped

ASPCA offers a similar rate, but I noticed they can drop you (or not renew you) if your animal develops a chronic condition

VPI seems to look good, but some research says that they have a lot of hidden exclusions

Trupanion and Embrace are probably very good but their rates are about double

Let me know if anyone finds any more info or has personal experience with any of these or other companies.

I appreciate the help trying to get my babies covered

 

[catbuck]

@darlenam8  I chose the $200 deductible. I also live in Ohio which may make a difference.

 

[darlenam8]

@CatBuck   thanks, just checking. Everything is more expensive in CA

 

[stephenq]

I also use Petplan and am very happy with them, but what I most recommend is a site called http://petinsurancereview.com/ which lets users rate all the companies.  Healthy paws also gets great reviews.

One way to go about it - depending on how much risk you want to take is to not insure at a young age, but hedge your bets and save a few years on premium. I waited until my cats were 9 and then I insured them and saved a lot, but it was a risk.

Someone said Petplan pays for routine visits, to be clear, no insurance company that I've seen pays for wellness visits or checkups, but everything else (except pre-existing, see above strategy and risk) is covered.

Here is a screen shot of their current reviews: You can't click on any of them, its just a photo of the website.  Follow the link above.

pet insurance.jpg

• stephenq
• May 21, 2014

 

[marc999]

I find it hard to believe your premiums remain the same for the life of the insured pet.  There must be some caveats to that.

Also, if you submit bills for the same recurring procedure, I have heard that many insurance companies will decrease the amount of the coverage, i.e. 70% instead of 80% and so on. 

 

[nbrazil]

 
I find it hard to believe your premiums remain the same for the life of the insured pet.  There must be some caveats to that.

Also, if you submit bills for the same recurring procedure, I have heard that many insurance companies will decrease the amount of the coverage, i.e. 70% instead of 80% and so on. 

I'm pretty sure that the premiums remain the same for the life with the caveat that you provide the vet's records when you insure them. Not 100% on that, but it tickles my memory as something that sealed the deal? Doesn't matter, I'll ask when I renew. 

They do not cover routine wellness - which is unlikely to exceed the $200 deductible, so that makes sense. But I'm very sure that they do not reduce the coverage if the animal is returned for the same recurring issue - essentially the claim is or remains open until the vet "closes" the issue. (Does that make sense?).

But I will ask when I renew. (Or I can just read my policy - eh, easier to ask, LOL).

 

[stephenq]

 
I find it hard to believe your premiums remain the same for the life of the insured pet.  There must be some caveats to that.

Also, if you submit bills for the same recurring procedure, I have heard that many insurance companies will decrease the amount of the coverage, i.e. 70% instead of 80% and so on. 

Premiums do NOT remain the same for the life of the cat, they increase slightly with age.  My insurance company (petplan) does not decrease coverage over time.

 

[nbrazil]

Okay, so I stand corrected (I have Petplan) - maybe I mistook coverage for premiums when I signed up. Like I've said before... dealing with getting a handle on a chronic illness where one of the symptoms affects comprehension. Nonetheless, still very happy having it! Y'never know! An insurance plan unused is not wasted money - it buys peace of mind.

 

[stephenq]

 
Okay, so I stand corrected (I have Petplan) - maybe I mistook coverage for premiums when I signed up. Like I've said before... dealing with getting a handle on a chronic illness where one of the symptoms affects comprehension. Nonetheless, still very happy having it! Y'never know! An insurance plan unused is not wasted money - it buys peace of mind.

I'm very happy with Petplan too

 

[darlenam8]

Thanks for all your input everyone.

I am going to go withPetPlan

 

[stephenq]

 
Thanks for all your input everyone.

I am going to go withPetPlan

It's a good company and I've been very happy with them.  Make sure your vet submits every invoice, whether you think its covered or not, and that they submit in a timely way.

 

[luvlyk]

I have been reviewing various pet insurance plans. I Was settled on embrace but will now take a look at petplan. If anyone does use embrace please let me know your experience with them.

 

[ritz]

I've used Petplan for several years now, and I've been pleased with them. Prompt reimbursement. The premiums do go up, currently $459, was $387 first year (one cat, strictly indoors) The first year or two, it paid for itself. This year, maybe not. BUT I have pet insurance more for the security in case Ritz has a catastrophic illnss (like cancer). It's a way of budgeting pet health care cost. It does not cover wellness check ups or routine dental cleaning (even if done with light sedation). Petplan has never questioned the 'reasonable and customary' fees.
My deductible is $50. Maximum annual policy benefit is $8,000 (which seems a little low). It does cover recurring illnesses (UTIs in Ritz' case), as long as it was not a pre-existing illness. It covers lab work and prescription medicine. It even paid for Greenies pill pockets. They also give you a discount if you microchip your animal--the discount is more than the annual renewal fee for the microchip. hey also cover specialty care, including accupuncture, at 80%.

 

[kittywhiskers]

I also use Petplan and am very happy with them. They also do a multi cat discount too.