Do you have pet insurance?

after a $3K vet bill last year (long story) DH and I decided to get pet insurance for our cat. now i'm torn about if we should continue. our cat is an indoor cat, never goes outdoors unless its to the vet.

what do you do?

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

We don't have it.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

I have it. I am afraid of something bad that can happen and then I don't have enough money to save my kitties.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

I have it for my dog but I honestly wouldn't get it for a cat. I would definately go to more extreme measures for him (my dog) then say, oh I don't know, DH (who doesn't have insurance)

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

Pet insurance is important for both dogs and cats. Go to Petfinder.com and search their website, there should be information. Cats are actually more expensive to treat as opposed to dogs when they become ill. Any type of blockage can set you back an easy $1,000. Remember one thing, if it is a condition that is already diagnosed and it will repeat itself, it will not be covered. That is why it is important to get insurance before the pet is sick. You just dropped $3,000 for your dog, you do not want to do the same for your cat.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

Just because your cat does not go outside does not mean it will not get sick...there are so many things that can happen and it is very expensive...blood work, lab, xrays..it will set you back thousands..and if the cat has to remain at the vet...get a second job.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

We had VPI for one year. My kitty needed to goto the vet 2 times in that year, and both of her afflictions were not covered so we had to pay for it all PLUS the pet policy. There is a large rider of what is/isnt covered. We didnt renew the next year.

It was also a huge fight to get any info from them. They told me not to even bother calling them until 3 months after I submit the paperwork, that is the minimum time for them to even look at it. So it took 5 months and about 10 phone calls for them to tell me it was not covered. I had to press hard and resubmit paperwork multiple times to get any judgement, yay or nay. I thought at least they would give me some money back for the tests - they for some reason don't consider fecal sample testing a real test. Since the results of the test was a worm - they won't pay for the test. If it was something else that they do cover, then I guess they would have paid for it. Kinda didn't make sense to me, if you are paying for a test, pay for it no matter what the outcome is.

BTW, she had a tapeworm, that was not covered, and she had infected anal glands. I could see normal anal gland maintenance not being covered - but them being infected I would think should be different. But no it seems that anything with the words 'anal gland' is not acceptable.

So we decided that we would pay out of pocket for anything that happens.

Message edited 12/6/2007 7:51:23 AM.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

We do not have pet insurance for our dog but I've been thinking about getting it......not so sure now from what I'm hearing....

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

Wow, I am surprised about the bad experience with VPI. we have it and had a couple of situations with out dog and they covered about 90% of everything. I did not get the expensive ultimate coverage though for immunizations and all of that because to me there was too much excluded and we are prepared for those costs. We got the basic policy and I have been happy. I usually get my reimbursement within 6 weeks.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

I have VPI and am very happy with it. I never had any problems with claims.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

We don't have it.

Re: Do you have pet insurance?

I use Petcare insurance(for 2 years) through Petco. I had VPI(for 3 years) and found Petcare to be better for reinbursements. Do your research before you sign up and compare the companies