What pet insurance do you have and why?

[Ellie May]

Just because I'm curious..

I chose Petplan for Rylee because I like the $0 copay (at regular vet and ER only) a whole lot, the $50 per incident deductible is so low, they cover chronic conditions and don't consider them pre-existing at the start of a new year, there is no per incident limit, and genetic issues are covered.

I don't like that they don't have a wellness plan. I'm going to see if Embrace will let me get just their wellness plan.

Embrace and Trupanion were my second and third choices. Embrace seemed quite a bit more expensive? And none of the others offer a $0 copay?

Anyway, what company did you choose and why? We may change next year if another company has a better deal.

[BonBon]

Embrace offers everything you mention for Petplan, but they don't charge a higher co-pay percent for seeing a specialist, going to an after hours ER, etc. like Petplan does. (I'm not sure whether Embrace offers a $0 copay). There were a couple of other things that made me hesitate on Petplan but I don't remember exactly what they were now (and those things may have changed by now).

I originally switched from Embrace to Trupanion because:
1) Embrace had a limit on chronic care coverage of only 25% of your annual coverage. That limit has now been removed.
2) Embrace did not offer prescription drug coverage, unless the medication was administered at the vet's office. They now cover this.

Trupanion's coverage, lack of per incident, per year and lifetime limits sounded great to me. But after dealing with VERY poor customer service and a bad lack of communication from them, I switched back to Embrace and I'm much happier with their immediate responses and fast, knowledgeable answers. Their claims processing time is MUCH fast as well.

Oh, and from my gang - Embrace is actually less than with Trupanion. And I think it's less than it would be with Petplan when I got a quote from them. Petplan would definitely be my second choice after Embrace.

[BonBon]

I forgot to mention that Embrace has an annual deductible instead of the per-incident deductable that Trupanion offers, and I like that much better. I can't remember which one Petplan has.

[Ellie May]

That is really good to know about Trupanion. I Hate bad customer service. Better things to do with my day than to deal with companies like that.

Their plan looked good, but the lowest copay they had was 10% and every exam had to be paid by the policyholder. I hope it's not that way with Petplan. So I go in 5 times in a year for the same thing. I want to pay the $50 per year, per incident thing once and not pay an exam fee every time. That's what we're paying an insurance bill for.

I was so close to getting Embrace. I think it was a combination of their chronic condition policy (didn't know that had changed), the need to purchase the extra coverage for prescriptions, and the no 0% copay option that made me hesitate.

Yup, Petplan caps at 80% at specialty hospitals and vet schools and also if an ER is used for non emergency purposes. For us though, we only use the ER for life threatening things, so that wasn't a problem. And our vet's office does a ton of stuff onsite, so I rarely use specialists, and they would still pay 80% anyway. So that seemed okay to me. Another thing I like about them (not sure if Embrace in the same) is that if dentals are done when recommended by a vet, medically necessary tooth extractions are covered.

I think I'll be watching both companies this year to see which one we go with next year.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by BonBon

I forgot to mention that Embrace has an annual deductible instead of the per-incident deductable that Trupanion offers, and I like that much better. I can't remember which one Petplan has.

Petplan is per incident. I really like that about Embrace.

[Maximo]

What are your monthly premium payments per dog with Petplan and Embrace?

[My lil friend]

Yup, Petplan caps at 80% at specialty hospitals and vet schools and also if an ER is used for non emergency purposes. For us though, we only use the ER for life threatening things, so that wasn't a problem. And our vet's office does a ton of stuff onsite, so I rarely use specialists, and they would still pay 80% anyway. So that seemed okay to me. Another thing I like about them (not sure if Embrace in the same) is that if dentals are done when recommended by a vet, medically necessary tooth extractions are covered.

I think I'll be watching both companies this year to see which one we go with next year.[/QUOTE]


This is right where we are. We have had PetPlan for about 2 weeks.

[LDandPasquale]

Originally Posted by Maximo

What are your monthly premium payments per dog with Petplan and Embrace?

Id be interested in knowing this also.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Maximo

What are your monthly premium payments per dog with Petplan and Embrace?

Ours is $45 (10% off for being microchipped and 5% off for ordering online).

there are exclusions and limitation that everyone should read before purchasing. Accident coverage starts 24 hours after start date. Illness coverage starts 14 days after. Nothing pre-existing is covered and there may even be an issue if it's a different disease presenting with the same symptoms. If it's a curable disease, you can ask for an exemption so that it's covered if it happens again (like for UTIs, etc.).

Also LP and CCL tears aren't covered for 6 months (so if they get symptoms of either within the first 6 months, it's pre-existing and won't be covered at all). You can shorten the time it takes to get these things covered, but a vet has to certify that they are okay on exam. But if they are not okay on exam, then these issues suddenly because pre-existing and they will never be covered (if that makes sense). Also, I think they only cover one CCL tear in a twelve month period. Embrace is probably very similar.

BTW, it's so high (at $45) because I chose the lowest copay and lowest deductible. You may be able to get a plan for much less. Because my vet's office does endoscopy, some ultrasounds, extensive dentistry, some ortho, etc., and I really trust them to take care of my pups, I knew the bills could get pretty high there. So the $0 copay made sense for us. If I thought we were going to live at a specialist's office or offices (just not my thing), then I would have probably gone for a company that did 90% reinbursement for specialists instead of 80%.

You can go to any of their sites and get a free quote.

I don't think I'll have another dog w/o insurance.

[RileyDC]

I have Trupanion.

I chose - 0 - deductible. They reimburse 90% of the veterinary bill for costs arising from injury or illness, less the veterinary exam fee and deductible, if selected.
Also, all diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications (including hereditary and congenital disorders).

I have had to file 3-claims with them within a months time for an allergic reaction to something Riley walked over, which then caused ear infections, and then he had a reaction to the Tresaderm they gave him. I had absolutely no issues and thought the customer service was wonderful.
All of my claims were approved within 1-week and I got my checks a few days later.

They did just raise their premium. I was paying $32.68 and it just went up this month to $43.77.... I heard it went up for several people. I have only had them for exactly 1-year, tomorrow.

I will stick with them, for now and will continue paying with the Hope, really, that I will Never have to use it. =)

[YorkieMom6]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Ours is $45 (10% off for being microchipped and 5% off for ordering online).

there are exclusions and limitation that everyone should read before purchasing. Accident coverage starts 24 hours after start date. Illness coverage starts 14 days after. Nothing pre-existing is covered and there may even be an issue if it's a different disease presenting with the same symptoms. If it's a curable disease, you can ask for an exemption so that it's covered if it happens again (like for UTIs, etc.).

Also LP and CCL tears aren't covered for 6 months (so if they get symptoms of either within the first 6 months, it's pre-existing and won't be covered at all). You can shorten the time it takes to get these things covered, but a vet has to certify that they are okay on exam. But if they are not okay on exam, then these issues suddenly because pre-existing and they will never be covered (if that makes sense). Also, I think they only cover one CCL tear in a twelve month period. Embrace is probably very similar.

BTW, it's so high (at $45) because I chose the lowest copay and lowest deductible. You may be able to get a plan for much less. Because my vet's office does endoscopy, some ultrasounds, extensive dentistry, some ortho, etc., and I really trust them to take care of my pups, I knew the bills could get pretty high there. So the $0 copay made sense for us. If I thought we were going to live at a specialist's office or offices (just not my thing), then I would have probably gone for a company that did 90% reinbursement for specialists instead of 80%.

You can go to any of their sites and get a free quote.

I don't think I'll have another dog w/o insurance.

I love my PetPlan insurance and added my new puppy Austen, as soon as I got him home. The claim process is simple and refund is prompt. I too, chose the gold plan with the lowest copay and for the highest coverage of $20k. We had our first year's premiums covered with only one urgent care (pancreatitis) and then were ahead of premiums after an ER visit bloody stools. I always pray we do not have to use it - but the knowledge that we have it; eliminates any and all fears of what something may cost.

[Britster]

I've been too scared to get pet insurance, lol.

I feel like I'd get it, and then Jackson would get the one thing that they don't cover, or they'd say 'it's a genetic issue' or something.

I really do need to look into it though.

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by Britster

I've been too scared to get pet insurance, lol.

I feel like I'd get it, and then Jackson would get the one thing that they don't cover, or they'd say 'it's a genetic issue' or something.

I really do need to look into it though.

Trupanion has no hereditary or cogenital breed exclusions.

I figured I would start with it for Riley, for at least his first few years... and then re-evaluate, after that.
I have been extremely happy with Trupanion's customer service so far. Hoping that continues, but like I said, I am Hoping I Won't have to use it.
My first pup, a Schipperke, was in and out of the vet Several Tiimes the first few years with random injuries. He was such a Boy!!!! LOL!!
He lived to 13-years and was Extremely Healthy after he got through the puppy stages.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

That is really good to know about Trupanion. I Hate bad customer service. Better things to do with my day than to deal with companies like that.

Their plan looked good, but the lowest copay they had was 10% and every exam had to be paid by the policyholder. I hope it's not that way with Petplan. So I go in 5 times in a year for the same thing. I want to pay the $50 per year, per incident thing once and not pay an exam fee every time. That's what we're paying an insurance bill for.

I was so close to getting Embrace. I think it was a combination of their chronic condition policy (didn't know that had changed), the need to purchase the extra coverage for prescriptions, and the no 0% copay option that made me hesitate.

Yup, Petplan caps at 80% at specialty hospitals and vet schools and also if an ER is used for non emergency purposes. For us though, we only use the ER for life threatening things, so that wasn't a problem. And our vet's office does a ton of stuff onsite, so I rarely use specialists, and they would still pay 80% anyway. So that seemed okay to me. Another thing I like about them (not sure if Embrace in the same) is that if dentals are done when recommended by a vet, medically necessary tooth extractions are covered.

I think I'll be watching both companies this year to see which one we go with next year.

One thing that I didn't know about Trupanion until it was too late - they do NOT cover the cost of the exams, you have to pay all of the exam fees yourself. The exam fee does not apply to your deductible or co-pay amounts either.

Both Embrace & Petplan include the exam in their reimbursable amounts.

[Ellie May]

That is what immediately made me realize it probably wasn't the plan for us. If I have to take a pup in 5 times in a year for the same thing, I want to pay the $50 deductible one time, not $40 each of the 5 times and then the deductible too (if any) and then the copay!