Question:
You can insure any animal. And the only paperwork the vet has to do is sign the bottom of a form. — *Cheers* ~Just Me~ "My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, and yet I am happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?" ~Charles M. Schulz
> I think you can only insure pitbulls – if they are not condsidered > dangerous, they are not a good insurance risk. > You are welcome for this advice – normally I charge money for this! > MS
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Make your own comparisons at this informative site > http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html > > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > > What has your experience been? > > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > > — > > ~Rosy > > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I think you can only insure pitbulls – if they are not condsidered dangerous, they are not a good insurance risk. You are welcome for this advice – normally I charge money for this! MS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Make your own comparisons at this informative site > http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > What has your experience been? > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I am also a former VPI member and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone. They didn’t answer any of my questions, hung up on me when I called about claims and I paid so much into the insurance that I never got use of. I posted an opinion about it at www.epinions.com Just go there and search "Veterinary Pet Insurance" and you’ll find out all you need to know. It took 2 months or something for them to process a simple routine care visit and I cancelled as soon as I got my money back. Alicia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Pet insurance requires a lot of additional paperwork, thus increasing > staffing needs of the practice. This increases costs. > I discussed pet insurance with my vet, and he says it’s an incredable > amount of trouble for HIM and he would need to increase charges to > accomodate the difference. > Soon pet insurance would start dictating what procedures may and may not > be done, how long a pet may stay in hospitalization and the resultant > loss of care that has occurred in the human world *do we REALLY want > this?* > The pet insurance coverage/premiums are just not quite what they seem. > As a past client of the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) I’d recommend > to you that "I" feel that they are not worth the trouble. Most do not > cover preventative meds or visits without an additional charge, & VPI > will cover cancer patients "NOW", at additional coverage charges. > A dog (6 at the time) was insured for a $135.00 annual premium for their > GOLD plan. There is a few criteria they use for the premium you’ll pay, > the age of the animal, breed, & of course any existing illnesses are > exempt for the 1st 6 months of the policy. Increases after a certain > age of a pet are a reality too. > Another testimony: > Josie boy had broken the same limb 2 times – in different places, had 3 > strokes & a thyroid imbalance in one year. He was OK at the onset of > the > policy BTW. When x rays came back on the leg the first time, cancer was > found. Anyway, they paid out on the original claims for the 1st stroke, > & then on the initial visit for the thyroid problem. After that all > claims were held up until they decided eventually that it was all > related > to the cancer. > Obviously, we were not happy campers at all. It took numerous phone > calls from us AND our vet to get the "so called" prompt return call on a > claim within a reasonable amount of response time. Our vet went to > great lengths to prove that the occurrences were not related to each > other or to the cancer for that matter. He is an excellent surgeon, > years in the practice & very well versed in cancer treatments & bone > procedures too. VPI just about called him a novice & even without all > of the records & x rays they came to their decision & stuck to it. Our > vet attended a seminar later in that year & asked specific questions > regarding coverages & was hushed up promptly during the Q&A period. > Since > then, he removed all of their pamphlets & others for pet insurance. > My dog was cancelled due to his age, and the next week became > grieviously ill (had no claims against him) His vet bills amounted to > $23,000 but the insurance wasn’t involved, of course, because they had > cancelled him the week previously > My advice…..OPEN UP A SECOND CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT & MAKE > REGULAR DEPOSITS FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES! > I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which > insurance is the best? > Jo
– Alicia, Charlie, Jake, Weenie, and Sage
Response:
Make your own comparisons at this informative site http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > What has your experience been? > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which insurance is the best? Jo
Response:
Pet insurance requires a lot of additional paperwork, thus increasing staffing needs of the practice. This increases costs. I discussed pet insurance with my vet, and he says it’s an incredable amount of trouble for HIM and he would need to increase charges to accomodate the difference. Soon pet insurance would start dictating what procedures may and may not be done, how long a pet may stay in hospitalization and the resultant loss of care that has occurred in the human world *do we REALLY want this?* The pet insurance coverage/premiums are just not quite what they seem. As a past client of the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) I’d recommend to you that "I" feel that they are not worth the trouble. Most do not cover preventative meds or visits without an additional charge, & VPI will cover cancer patients "NOW", at additional coverage charges. A dog (6 at the time) was insured for a $135.00 annual premium for their GOLD plan. There is a few criteria they use for the premium you’ll pay, the age of the animal, breed, & of course any existing illnesses are exempt for the 1st 6 months of the policy. Increases after a certain age of a pet are a reality too. Another testimony: Josie boy had broken the same limb 2 times – in different places, had 3 strokes & a thyroid imbalance in one year. He was OK at the onset of the policy BTW. When x rays came back on the leg the first time, cancer was found. Anyway, they paid out on the original claims for the 1st stroke, & then on the initial visit for the thyroid problem. After that all claims were held up until they decided eventually that it was all related to the cancer. Obviously, we were not happy campers at all. It took numerous phone calls from us AND our vet to get the "so called" prompt return call on a claim within a reasonable amount of response time. Our vet went to great lengths to prove that the occurrences were not related to each other or to the cancer for that matter. He is an excellent surgeon, years in the practice & very well versed in cancer treatments & bone procedures too. VPI just about called him a novice & even without all of the records & x rays they came to their decision & stuck to it. Our vet attended a seminar later in that year & asked specific questions regarding coverages & was hushed up promptly during the Q&A period. Since then, he removed all of their pamphlets & others for pet insurance. My dog was cancelled due to his age, and the next week became grieviously ill (had no claims against him) His vet bills amounted to $23,000 but the insurance wasn’t involved, of course, because they had cancelled him the week previously My advice…..OPEN UP A SECOND CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT & MAKE REGULAR DEPOSITS FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which > insurance is the best? > Jo
Response:
I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? What has your experience been? Should I get it for my pomeranian? — ~Rosy http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI and would never deal with them again…GG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
funny, I was thinking about VPI as well, but I read the fine print. Premier offers the same, perhaps a tiny bit more, and are less expensive. Glad I am making a good choice! — ~Rosy http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI and would > never deal with them again…GG > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
I didn’t read the fine print…VPI pays on schedule…Premier pays a flat 80%…Much better plan…GG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > funny, I was thinking about VPI as well, but I read the fine print. Premier > offers the same, perhaps a tiny bit more, and are less expensive. > Glad I am making a good choice! > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html > I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI > and would > never deal with them again…GG > > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having > pet > > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to > need it > > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even > this > > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It > takes > > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
Ask your vet’s office what they know about the insurance and what they themselves accept. You may even want to check with a couple of other vets to get a sampling.
Response:
Tina- I just joined the group and I missed your post about your cat’s self-mutilating. What does it consist of? I ask because one of my cats started chewing his back paws to bits several months ago- we’ve been back and forth to the vet for many tests, and the poor thing has had a cone on his head for 2 months while we wait for the feet to heal and try to figure out what’s going on. Presently, I’m waiting for the results of a biopsy, although the vet seems convinced that it’s a neurotic disorder. What is Nuerontin? My cat has been on Elavil- an anti-depressant with a sedative effect. I’d appreciate hearing any info. you can share, if we’re in a similar situation. liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what > anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, > etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance > agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. > I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about > his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an > anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this > is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if > anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. > Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check > both several times a day. > And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded > previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be > causing it! > tina, most insurance agents know nothing about pet insurance. I have a > wellness plan that is like insurance but with the personal touch. > bob
Response:
Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check both several times a day. And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be causing it!
Response:
> Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what > anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, > etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance > agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. > I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about > his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an > anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this > is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if > anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. > Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check > both several times a day. > And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded > previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be > causing it!
tina, most insurance agents know nothing about pet insurance. I have a wellness plan that is like insurance but with the personal touch.
bob
Response:
> I have VPI insurance (1-800-USA-PETS), but I can’t recommend it, because I > haven’t been too happy with it. It’s very expensive if you want good > coverage. There are several levels of coverage, and the lowest doesn’t > give much back. I think I’ve spent more in premiums than I’ve gotten back > in payments.
VPI hasn’t lived up to my expectations either. I’d suggest contacting your vet and finding out what she does in the event of an emergency — mine takes credit cards and even with insurance you have to pay the vet first and wait to be reimbursed from the insurance company which can take (in the case of VPI) months. ~ Erica
Response:
>I have 3 wonderful cats! I’m a concerned parent though, and wondering >if anyone has bought insurance for cats before. I’d feel so much better >in case of accidents, or just procedures that cost a lot. I’m live very >modestly, and don’t always have extra money after paying my bills, so if >anything were to happen to my cats, and they would need surgery, i >probably wouldn’t be able to pay the vet the whole sum at once. I hear >that vets won’t allow you to make payment plans in cases like that, and >they would demand all of the amount up front, or not help your animal. >I want to ensure that this would never happen. Anyone have any >recommendations?
I think that depends on the vet. The Animal Medical Center is NYC generally demands all payment before they release your pet. I have VPI insurance (1-800-USA-PETS), but I can’t recommend it, because I haven’t been too happy with it. It’s very expensive if you want good coverage. There are several levels of coverage, and the lowest doesn’t give much back. I think I’ve spent more in premiums than I’ve gotten back in payments. Of course, this depends on where you live. They offer a percentage back based on what they feel is a "reasonable" charge for given procedures. Where I live, in NYC, charges are much higher than what VPI considers "reasonable." They claim most other areas fall within their charts. So you’re best to call them and check it out, carefully, for yourself. Kami — http://members.tripod.com/~Furpods/petpage.html
Response:
I have 3 wonderful cats! I’m a concerned parent though, and wondering if anyone has bought insurance for cats before. I’d feel so much better in case of accidents, or just procedures that cost a lot. I’m live very modestly, and don’t always have extra money after paying my bills, so if anything were to happen to my cats, and they would need surgery, i probably wouldn’t be able to pay the vet the whole sum at once. I hear that vets won’t allow you to make payment plans in cases like that, and they would demand all of the amount up front, or not help your animal. I want to ensure that this would never happen. Anyone have any recommendations?
Response:
You can insure any animal. And the only paperwork the vet has to do is sign the bottom of a form. — *Cheers* ~Just Me~ "My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, and yet I am happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?" ~Charles M. Schulz
> I think you can only insure pitbulls – if they are not condsidered > dangerous, they are not a good insurance risk. > You are welcome for this advice – normally I charge money for this! > MS
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Make your own comparisons at this informative site > http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html > > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > > What has your experience been? > > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > > — > > ~Rosy > > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I think you can only insure pitbulls – if they are not condsidered dangerous, they are not a good insurance risk. You are welcome for this advice – normally I charge money for this! MS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Make your own comparisons at this informative site > http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > What has your experience been? > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I am also a former VPI member and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone. They didn’t answer any of my questions, hung up on me when I called about claims and I paid so much into the insurance that I never got use of. I posted an opinion about it at www.epinions.com Just go there and search "Veterinary Pet Insurance" and you’ll find out all you need to know. It took 2 months or something for them to process a simple routine care visit and I cancelled as soon as I got my money back. Alicia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Pet insurance requires a lot of additional paperwork, thus increasing > staffing needs of the practice. This increases costs. > I discussed pet insurance with my vet, and he says it’s an incredable > amount of trouble for HIM and he would need to increase charges to > accomodate the difference. > Soon pet insurance would start dictating what procedures may and may not > be done, how long a pet may stay in hospitalization and the resultant > loss of care that has occurred in the human world *do we REALLY want > this?* > The pet insurance coverage/premiums are just not quite what they seem. > As a past client of the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) I’d recommend > to you that "I" feel that they are not worth the trouble. Most do not > cover preventative meds or visits without an additional charge, & VPI > will cover cancer patients "NOW", at additional coverage charges. > A dog (6 at the time) was insured for a $135.00 annual premium for their > GOLD plan. There is a few criteria they use for the premium you’ll pay, > the age of the animal, breed, & of course any existing illnesses are > exempt for the 1st 6 months of the policy. Increases after a certain > age of a pet are a reality too. > Another testimony: > Josie boy had broken the same limb 2 times – in different places, had 3 > strokes & a thyroid imbalance in one year. He was OK at the onset of > the > policy BTW. When x rays came back on the leg the first time, cancer was > found. Anyway, they paid out on the original claims for the 1st stroke, > & then on the initial visit for the thyroid problem. After that all > claims were held up until they decided eventually that it was all > related > to the cancer. > Obviously, we were not happy campers at all. It took numerous phone > calls from us AND our vet to get the "so called" prompt return call on a > claim within a reasonable amount of response time. Our vet went to > great lengths to prove that the occurrences were not related to each > other or to the cancer for that matter. He is an excellent surgeon, > years in the practice & very well versed in cancer treatments & bone > procedures too. VPI just about called him a novice & even without all > of the records & x rays they came to their decision & stuck to it. Our > vet attended a seminar later in that year & asked specific questions > regarding coverages & was hushed up promptly during the Q&A period. > Since > then, he removed all of their pamphlets & others for pet insurance. > My dog was cancelled due to his age, and the next week became > grieviously ill (had no claims against him) His vet bills amounted to > $23,000 but the insurance wasn’t involved, of course, because they had > cancelled him the week previously > My advice…..OPEN UP A SECOND CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT & MAKE > REGULAR DEPOSITS FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES! > I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which > insurance is the best? > Jo
– Alicia, Charlie, Jake, Weenie, and Sage
Response:
Make your own comparisons at this informative site http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/8790/htmls/petinsurance.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? > What has your experience been? > Should I get it for my pomeranian? > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which insurance is the best? Jo
Response:
Pet insurance requires a lot of additional paperwork, thus increasing staffing needs of the practice. This increases costs. I discussed pet insurance with my vet, and he says it’s an incredable amount of trouble for HIM and he would need to increase charges to accomodate the difference. Soon pet insurance would start dictating what procedures may and may not be done, how long a pet may stay in hospitalization and the resultant loss of care that has occurred in the human world *do we REALLY want this?* The pet insurance coverage/premiums are just not quite what they seem. As a past client of the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) I’d recommend to you that "I" feel that they are not worth the trouble. Most do not cover preventative meds or visits without an additional charge, & VPI will cover cancer patients "NOW", at additional coverage charges. A dog (6 at the time) was insured for a $135.00 annual premium for their GOLD plan. There is a few criteria they use for the premium you’ll pay, the age of the animal, breed, & of course any existing illnesses are exempt for the 1st 6 months of the policy. Increases after a certain age of a pet are a reality too. Another testimony: Josie boy had broken the same limb 2 times – in different places, had 3 strokes & a thyroid imbalance in one year. He was OK at the onset of the policy BTW. When x rays came back on the leg the first time, cancer was found. Anyway, they paid out on the original claims for the 1st stroke, & then on the initial visit for the thyroid problem. After that all claims were held up until they decided eventually that it was all related to the cancer. Obviously, we were not happy campers at all. It took numerous phone calls from us AND our vet to get the "so called" prompt return call on a claim within a reasonable amount of response time. Our vet went to great lengths to prove that the occurrences were not related to each other or to the cancer for that matter. He is an excellent surgeon, years in the practice & very well versed in cancer treatments & bone procedures too. VPI just about called him a novice & even without all of the records & x rays they came to their decision & stuck to it. Our vet attended a seminar later in that year & asked specific questions regarding coverages & was hushed up promptly during the Q&A period. Since then, he removed all of their pamphlets & others for pet insurance. My dog was cancelled due to his age, and the next week became grieviously ill (had no claims against him) His vet bills amounted to $23,000 but the insurance wasn’t involved, of course, because they had cancelled him the week previously My advice…..OPEN UP A SECOND CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT & MAKE REGULAR DEPOSITS FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I would like to know that answer also. I have a Chihuahua. Also which > insurance is the best? > Jo
Response:
I am considering Premier Pet Insurance. Does anyone have them? What has your experience been? Should I get it for my pomeranian? — ~Rosy http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
Response:
I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI and would never deal with them again…GG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
funny, I was thinking about VPI as well, but I read the fine print. Premier offers the same, perhaps a tiny bit more, and are less expensive. Glad I am making a good choice! — ~Rosy http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI and would > never deal with them again…GG > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having pet > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to need it > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even this > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It takes > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
I didn’t read the fine print…VPI pays on schedule…Premier pays a flat 80%…Much better plan…GG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > funny, I was thinking about VPI as well, but I read the fine print. Premier > offers the same, perhaps a tiny bit more, and are less expensive. > Glad I am making a good choice! > — > ~Rosy > http://lt.belana.tripod.com/home/index1.html > I also use Premier…Great company…I had a terrible experience with VPI > and would > never deal with them again…GG > > I use Premier and have been very satisfied with them. Of course, having > pet > > insurance is like having your own medical insurance – you hope never to > need it > > badly enough to make back your premiums! Actually, I think I broke even > this > > year (I have the most expensive coverage because it covers the most). It > takes > > about 5 weeks for reimbursement when you send in a claim. > > Dorothy, owned by C.C., a very spoiled dachshund
Response:
Ask your vet’s office what they know about the insurance and what they themselves accept. You may even want to check with a couple of other vets to get a sampling.
Response:
Tina- I just joined the group and I missed your post about your cat’s self-mutilating. What does it consist of? I ask because one of my cats started chewing his back paws to bits several months ago- we’ve been back and forth to the vet for many tests, and the poor thing has had a cone on his head for 2 months while we wait for the feet to heal and try to figure out what’s going on. Presently, I’m waiting for the results of a biopsy, although the vet seems convinced that it’s a neurotic disorder. What is Nuerontin? My cat has been on Elavil- an anti-depressant with a sedative effect. I’d appreciate hearing any info. you can share, if we’re in a similar situation. liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what > anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, > etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance > agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. > I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about > his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an > anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this > is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if > anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. > Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check > both several times a day. > And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded > previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be > causing it! > tina, most insurance agents know nothing about pet insurance. I have a > wellness plan that is like insurance but with the personal touch. > bob
Response:
Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check both several times a day. And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be causing it!
Response:
> Basically, the subject line says it all. I was wondering what > anybody knows about pet insurance (availability, cost, coverage, > etc.)…I know an easy way (maybe) would be to call our insurance > agent, but I work long hours and am not home before the office closes. > I’m the ‘mom’ of Ned, etc., the one a few months ago I posted about > his self mutiliating. He’s now on Neurontin (Gabapentin)–an > anticonvulsant–3x/day at 50 cents per capsule. Needless to say, this > is probably going to be a long-term situation, so I wasn’t sure if > anybody knew if pet insurance would cover such a thing. > Please feel free to respond via e-mail, or directly to ng. I check > both several times a day. > And a great big, warm thanks to everybody who had responded > previously re: my questions about Ned’s problem & what could be > causing it!
tina, most insurance agents know nothing about pet insurance. I have a wellness plan that is like insurance but with the personal touch.
bob
Response:
> I have VPI insurance (1-800-USA-PETS), but I can’t recommend it, because I > haven’t been too happy with it. It’s very expensive if you want good > coverage. There are several levels of coverage, and the lowest doesn’t > give much back. I think I’ve spent more in premiums than I’ve gotten back > in payments.
VPI hasn’t lived up to my expectations either. I’d suggest contacting your vet and finding out what she does in the event of an emergency — mine takes credit cards and even with insurance you have to pay the vet first and wait to be reimbursed from the insurance company which can take (in the case of VPI) months. ~ Erica
Response:
>I have 3 wonderful cats! I’m a concerned parent though, and wondering >if anyone has bought insurance for cats before. I’d feel so much better >in case of accidents, or just procedures that cost a lot. I’m live very >modestly, and don’t always have extra money after paying my bills, so if >anything were to happen to my cats, and they would need surgery, i >probably wouldn’t be able to pay the vet the whole sum at once. I hear >that vets won’t allow you to make payment plans in cases like that, and >they would demand all of the amount up front, or not help your animal. >I want to ensure that this would never happen. Anyone have any >recommendations?
I think that depends on the vet. The Animal Medical Center is NYC generally demands all payment before they release your pet. I have VPI insurance (1-800-USA-PETS), but I can’t recommend it, because I haven’t been too happy with it. It’s very expensive if you want good coverage. There are several levels of coverage, and the lowest doesn’t give much back. I think I’ve spent more in premiums than I’ve gotten back in payments. Of course, this depends on where you live. They offer a percentage back based on what they feel is a "reasonable" charge for given procedures. Where I live, in NYC, charges are much higher than what VPI considers "reasonable." They claim most other areas fall within their charts. So you’re best to call them and check it out, carefully, for yourself. Kami — http://members.tripod.com/~Furpods/petpage.html
Response:
I have 3 wonderful cats! I’m a concerned parent though, and wondering if anyone has bought insurance for cats before. I’d feel so much better in case of accidents, or just procedures that cost a lot. I’m live very modestly, and don’t always have extra money after paying my bills, so if anything were to happen to my cats, and they would need surgery, i probably wouldn’t be able to pay the vet the whole sum at once. I hear that vets won’t allow you to make payment plans in cases like that, and they would demand all of the amount up front, or not help your animal. I want to ensure that this would never happen. Anyone have any recommendations?