This has always been my dilemma - what if you have several animals (up to 10 or more - mainly dogs and cats) - how can you afford insurance on all of them?

I don't usually take my animals to a vet - because they seem to gouge you with expenses. My last bill for a dying puppy (told it had parvo...) was over $2,000! That's not money that is lying around - we are still paying high interest and payments to care credit - from almost a year ago.

All of our animals are fixed via a spay/neuter program. Our pets have been either adopted or “found.” I wish there was a less expensive way to properly care for your pets. What do you suggest?

Thank you ^_^

Sho,

Most pet insurers provide multiple pet discounts.  I understand your dilema, as we have 8 and our monthly premium is heft for 8 dogs, even with the substantial discount.  But, not treating my own pets anymore, I find it has been very good investment.  Some of our pets have had major problems, including Gastric Torsion  (bloat), bone cancer, gastroenteritis, chronic bladder infections, which more than returned my premium on all of them.  Of course some have not needed the insurance, but I am still ahead.  But remember, you hope you don't need it, because it means your pet has a medical problem, but nice to know I get 80% coverage.  With your number of pets and the Friends of the Foundation discount you recieve the maximum discount permitted  by your state.  Dr. Jack

I am a practicing veterinarian and I want to make recommendations for pet insurance to my clients. I have come across many plans and products. What is your advice on which plans are best?

Ed,

First let me say I am biased, having founded the pet health insurance industry in the United States and President of a Pets Best Insurance.  You can go to www.naphia.org to view companies that founded the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.  The association was founded to set standards, raise awareness and improve the perception and value of pet insurance.  You can also go to the American Veterinary Medical Association Insurance Trust,www.avmaghlit.org to view a "White Paper" and Q&A on their partnership with Aetna and Pets Best. There are several good companies out there and you want to recommend one that will not cause a problem or incomplete coverage for your clients.  Look for one that pays 80:20 after a deductible, do not recommend one that pays from a benefit or fee schedule that is not reflective of veterinary care.  Ask your colleagues who performs with simple straightforward claims processing.  In the end you only want to recommend when it reflects well on you and your practice.  Dr. Jack

I am looking for get pet insurance on my dogs...however I don't know ANYTHING about pet insurance - what to look for, what’s a good policy etc.? My dogs are working hounds, usually very healthy although in the last year we have spent ALOT of money on an unforeseen pneumonia issue and also some injuries procured during work. Any suggestions on what policies are best, are there any policies that will cover a dog with an existing condition.

Liz,

First since your dogs are "working" you need to find out if the pet insurance will cover them.  Some policies will not cover working dogs.  Second check with trusted sources for a recommendation.  Your veterinarian, the veterinary staff have the most interaction and know which ones are best and perform.  Second would be friends that have a policy, although their experience will be limited to one or two.  At least they will know if they are happy.  Morris Animal Foundation has an affiliation where you can receive a "friends of the foundation" discount on this site.

Be sure you get a plan that pays a flat percent of your vet’s bill and does not pay from a benefit schedule or fee schedule.  These schedules are typically much less than most vets charge and your reimbursement at claims time may be disappointing.  Then there are deductible options, per incident limits, many features to think about.  Also, only get a policy that does not stop your coverage due to your pet aging.  Some will not insure older pets and you want to be able to maintain coverage into the golden years up to any age and not be cut off.  Dr. Jack

Hello! I am a spouse of a military member and we are currently stationed in Germany. We have a four month old Welsh springer spaniel and we would like to get insurance for her as soon as possible. We realize and understand that Pet's Best does not cover pets outside the U.S. but would it be wise to purchase insurance now, while our dog is young and condition/disease free, even thought it won't work over here? That way when we return to the states, she will be covered? Thanks for your help.

Janelle,

I have good news and bad news, our policy is good anywhere for licensed veterinary care for your pet that is eligible according to policy terms.  The bad news is we cannot "sell" outside our jurisdiction or the 50 states.  If you are visiting or not yet obtained your puppy and do so here you can purchase with a US address.  As your pet moves with you or travels on vacation it is covered.  We have had claims from Germany, France, even Japan.  Always best to get insurance when no medical problems, but we insure pets of any age.  We had a 17 year old cat enroll and is now 20 years old!  Of course the premiums are higher with older age.  Thank you for your dedication and the service your husband provides our country.  Dr. S  PS don't forget the Foundation discount when you do enroll through their site, with US address required.

I have 5 cats - I have just spend over $500 because of one getting upper respiratory problem and passing it on to the other 3 (1 is totally outdoor only). I cannot be doing this or taking them all to the vets at the same time to get a discount!

I'm thinking of getting some pet insurance for them to help with future problems. What would be a good one for them to save me money and be able to vet them when necessary?

Thanks,

Sue,

Just answered similar question and stated I am biased, since I am with Pets Best Insurance,www.petsbest.com.  But did point out that you can get a "Friends of the Foundation" discount on this web site by clicking though to Pets Best and multi pet discount, but limited to 20% total discount, except NY, which has limit of 10% by law.

Pet Insurance is a great way to budget.  Pay an affordable monthly premium and then when (not if) your pet has medical problems, you can get 80% covered after deductible. 

Be sure you get a plan that pays 80%, not one with a benefit or fee schedule which determines reimbursement.  As those are usually much less on average.

Another source is www.naphia.org where companies, including Pets Best are members of association that adheres to high standards and independent reviews of service.

But, with five cats, even with discount it will cost you.  However, you may jump way ahead in few months, a year or longer if you stick to it.  I cannot tell you how many times in these hard economic times that I hear of pet owners not having the funds to take care of their beloved pet.  Pet Health insurance is a way to always be prepared.  Dr. S

This has always been my dilemma - what if you have several animals (up to 10 or more - mainly dogs and cats) - how can you afford insurance on all of them?

I don't usually take my animals to a vet - because they seem to gouge you with expenses. My last bill for a dying puppy (told it had parvo...) was over $2,000! That's not money that is lying around - we are still paying high interest and payments to care credit - from almost a year ago.

All of our animals are fixed via a spay/neuter program. Our pets have been either adopted or “found.” I wish there was a less expensive way to properly care for your pets. What do you suggest?

Thank you ^_^

Sho,

I have the same problem, in that I have 7 pets.  I have found that insuring them, although costly at over $300 per month has been beneficial.  I have had one pet that had three gastric torsions and then had bone cancer.  He alone made it worth the monthly cost, which I don't take lightly, as I pay for veterinary care same as everyone.  Some years the insurance company is ahead and others I am ahead. Mostly I am way ahead at this point.

There are several ways to cut the cost of the insurance.  First, there are multiple pet discounts. Second you can get 5% discount by enrolling through the Morris Animal Foundation web site.  Third, you can elect higher deductible and cut the premium.  Fourth, you could go for lower per incident limit and reduce the cost.

Insurance is for future unknown accidents and illness and has some benefits such as paying 80% after the deductible, which increases your buying power. You might have multiple medical events for one or more pets and you can budget for the expense.  Of course, it comes with a price and if not needed, all it gives is peace of mind.  Pet health insurance is another method, and of course I believe a good method to always be able to afford care and have that peace of mind or you can take your chances.  Then when something happens you can borrow and have the interest as you noted or make sacrifices.  But to me the value we receive from our pets emotionally and physically is worth the cost.  Pets as you may know reduce stress and make us feel good by altering the positive hormones and chemicals in our bodies and reducing the stress and depression hormones, making them more enjoyable than medication which cost even more.  Dr. Jack

Is Pets Best covering exotics yet? Any set pending date? Thanks!

Deb,

Sorry we are not covering exotics and not sure when we will, not this year I know.  Stay tuned.  Dr. S

I have a cat and she's been breathing heavily lately and also she have lost some weight as well. We took her to the vet today and found out that she has some fluids in her chest and close to her lungs which caused her to breathe heavily. What are the chances that my cat will get better after all the costly surgeries? They quoted me at the emergency vet clinic about $3000 to $5000 for everything. They took some fluids out today but not all. We are considering getting pet insurance, is it too late? What would you recommend at this point? And do pet insurance cover chylothorax or heart disease conditions?

Thank you in advance!!!!

Tyla,

If you had pet health insurance prior to the condition developing, then yes it would cover 80% of the expense after the deductible if you get an 80:20 plan and not one that pays from a benefit schedule which is lower than normal fees charged.  But it is too late now.  This is a serious condition and only your veterinarian can give you a prognosis.  there are no guarantees when dealing with a serious medical condition.  Too many other variable factors, but one thing for sure without treatment the outcome is bad.  This is exactly why I started pet health insurance in the United States so pet owners could pay affordable monthly premium and then have 5X the leverage for care when needed for their pet.  Dr. S

Hello, I recently got an albino corn snake. It is my first exotic pet, it is a juvenile and in good health. The problem I am having is finding insurance for such pets. There is no way I would be able to afford veterinary costs if he were to become ill. The only insurance I have been able to find is VPI and I want to know if there are others options available to me incase I don't find VPI to be sufficient in what I need.

Yami,

No other pet insurance provider covers exotics.  You should gain a sample of their benefit schedule and show it to your vet for comparison to their fees.  Typically their benefit schedule does not fit veterinary fees, on average about 50-55% according to them.  The main thing is to know in advance and if the premium is low enough to have a lower percentage of any vet bill covered, then you decide the value to you.

I can relate that your absolute best protection is "good animal husbandry" or the snakes environment, temperature, humidity and food.  For exotic pets, these and stress from over handling or dramatic changes in their care (environment) are 90% of the cause for problems; improper environment, temperature and wrong foods.  Get a good book on Corn Snakes, if you have not already and read up as much as you can on their needs.  From you planning and question, I would presume you have already done that and want to do more.  With proper husbandry, your chances are greatly diminished of a problem.  Dr. S

Does this insurance pay for such things as X-rays required by OFA?

Sherri,

Typically not, as it is a hereditary condition excluded.  The new policy we have underwritten by Aetna will pay a limited amount towards hereditary conditions of $500, $1,000 or $2,500 depending on the plan type.

The wellness/routine care riders do pay for annual visits, blood test, heartworm and parasite test, dentals and vaccines.  The medical and accident portion would pay for x-rays if there was limping, pain in hip, fractures, etc. from trauma. And of course treatment. Jack

My wife and I have a brand new puppy that won't have old-dog health issues for many years. Should I consider pet insurance for a dog this young? Why?

I think so, let me you give you an example that happened today and is common. A pet family in Houston adopted a lab mix breed puppy from a shelter. The first week he fractured his leg. It cost them nearly $2,000 and they did not have pet insurance. After that episode they bought pet insurance. Twenty-eight days later, the puppy swallowed a set of ear rings. It required surgery to remove the ear rings and later a post operative infection developed. Thousands of dollars later, which we paid the pet is doing fine.

The point is, you never know when it will happen. I have seven dogs insured, three have never used it, two infrequently, one fairly often but not too costly. And one has had three Gastric Torsion surgeries (bloat) cost grand total for three different episodes of nearly $9,000! What would have been difficult, since I no longer treat pets was easy. All I paid was the deductible and 20% on each claim. You never know!

With pet insurance, do I get to choose my vet or do I have to go to specific ones based on the insurance?

With Pet insurance (one exception) you can choose any veterinarian. That is important, that you be able to maintain your trusted realtionship and be free to choose. In that respect pet insuance is better than many human health care plans where you cannot choose and may have to travel further.

You can also choose to accept emergency care or specialist care depending on your regular vetereinarian's hours and treatment options.

We recently had to take my cat to the vet because of bladder stones. He's fine now but our vet said that he will probably need surgery in the future. Is it a smart investment to get insurance?

Yes, althought the current problem must be resolved or cured any future bladder problem, such as stones or infection will be covered with most all pet insurance. Confirm at enrollment that future bladder problems not associated with the current one are covered first if in doubt. I know our policy is that once a condition such as cystitis (bladder infection) otitis (ear infection) or bladder stones have been treated and cured, they are immediately eligible for future events.

But remember, there are still literally thousands of other conditions which are eligible. Certain medical conditions tend to reoccur. in fact JR one of my minature pinchers has had two bladder surgeries for stones, Obie, my Scottish Deer Hound has had 3, yes THREE Gastric Torsion (bloat) surgeries at $3,000! But my deductible and 20% made all very affordable and painless.

Jasmine is going to be 13 years old next month and i am interested in getting her some pet insurance since she is very active and running all over the place. any suggestions? Is the insurance expensive for pets? thanks, Michael Krauss/Michigan

Not all pet insurers will accept a pet that is 13 years old, some like PB will accept pets of any age. You should check FIRST, if the company will accept older pets and then Second and most important, will they continue to renew older pets. Some companies decrease coverage, increase co-payments or simply do not renew older pets.

Although younger pets have more accidents and certainly their amount of medical events, it is the "older" pet that really needs coverage since they have many more medical problems. Older pets get arthritis, heart and kidney disease, organs start to break down and of course the incidence of cancer is much higher in older pets. We have a 20year old cat enrolled and a 18 year old dog, which although healthy the pet owners knew they were luckier than most. At Pets Best we have a "Guranteed" issue of Accident only for any pet, even one with Cancer and issue the standard medical/accident coverage, (same as young pets) if the pet does not have any major current illness. Of course the price is higher due to the higher risk associated, but still reasonable. I pay about $50 per month for my 16 year old min pin SKEETER for the $7.000 per incident limit. Unfortunantly for PB, I make out more than than the premium I pay for most years. But that is the way of insurance, spread the risk, so all policyholders can always say yes to needed veterinary care!

how much does it cost to get pet insurance on a pitbull boxer mix who is 7months old and how do i get it?

Cassie,

The cost will vary by the plan you choose, the deductible, limits and the company.  Generally you can get a good plan for a puppy for around $20-30 per month.  the higher the deductible, the lower the premium, since you are taking more of the risk.  Get a good 80:20 coverage with a $100 or $250 deductible since most veterinary care will be in the $400-1,000 range.  But get one with limits at least $2,500 and that is on the low side.  I would recommend higher, especially if you live in a bigger city.  Do not get a plan with a benefit schedule, as you may get much less than expected reimbursement.

You can get a "Friends of the Morris Foundation" discount on this site with one company.  You can also go to www.naphia.org for a list of companies or ask your vet which plan they recommend.  Dr. Jack

Hello Morris, can you tell me do you offer pet insurance which provides

ongoing chronic coverage for a dog with Kidney Disease. Post treatments

& routine blood work are indefinite. Or would you know of an

organization out there that would provide this type of special coverage.

I've exausted my benefit with my current pet insurance. Many other

companies do not accept animals with "pre-existing" conditions. Thanks,

GC New York

Guy,

Through the "Friends of the Foundation" Pets Best offers a discount for pet insurance.  The pet insurance offered, Pets Best Insurance does provide for chronic care of medical conditions which are covered under the policy.

However, what appears to be happening is that you have pet insurance now, but have reached the limit of coverage for this condition?  If that is the case, then there is no coverage available for pre-exisiting conditions.  But typically, if accpetable most insurance providers will cover other non related medical conditions that develop after the new policy is in effect.  But no coverage exist for problems already present.

This is another reason that pet owners need to be sure they purhcase policies with higher limits.  We all think it will never happen, but as you are experiencing a severe or chronic condition with a pet can reach maximium limits, so best to purchase a policy with a high limit to protect yourself.  We provide $2,500/7,000 and $14,000 per incident limits, no annual limits and lifetime limts of $42,500 and $100,000.   Dr. Jack

We purchased pet insurance a couple of months after we purchased our puppy obviously not knowing he would develop FCP. The 1st time we took him to the ortho and had x-rays ($800 in addition to the $200 billed by our vet to refer us to the ortho) it was too early to tell. He began limping more visibly (9 mo) later so we went back to the ortho for more x-rays. Another $500 and a recommendation for surgery ($2200-$2500) we are told this FCP development would not be covered. Besides trying to get credit which is not an option because we are in the middle of a refi what are our options?

Melissa,

A fractured cornoid or "elbow dysplasia" is one of the typical hereditary exclusions to coverage.  You might try ChaseHealthAdvance.com which has 12,18 and 24 month no interest payment plans.  It does require your veterinarian to particpate with Chase (or any other similiar option).  But they do it all the time to help find financing for pet owners.  Chase simply has the best options right now for pet owners.  It would be on your credit report, but you might consider timing it after you have your refi approved.

Also, I would strongly suggest you maintain your insurance, as many many other conditions can and do develop that are covered.  With our program you could have up to $2,500 for any one incident of hereditary defects in our new policy, not yet available in all states, which certainly would have covered the condition.  Pet insurance is still a good idea.  Dr. Jack

where can i get good, affordable pet insurance for my 3 year old dog in Florida?

Claudia,

You can go to www.naphia.org and see a list of six pet insurers which offer a variety of plans.  you can also link onto Pets Best through the Morris Animal Foundation web site and recieve a "Friends of the Foundation" discount, plus any multiple pet discounts if you enroll other pets.

Affordable insurance can be obtained by having a higher deductible and lower limit plan.  But of course, then you will have more out of pocket and may run out of benefits for a serious problem.  Get a plan that fits into your monthly budget, so you do not notice it.  Also, be sure the plan you choose (all Pets Best Plans do) pays 80% of your veterinarians fees, not from a benefit or fee schedule.  That way you will not be surprised by less than you expect reimbursement.  Also, remember all pet insurance at this time is reimbursement insurance, so you are out of pocket for awhile.  You also want a company that reimburses fast, not slow to pay since it is your money.  If you have a very high expense, most vets will bill the company after verification of coverage, but some will not.  Dr. Jack

I have a toy poodle who has a hip joint problem that has not been treated yet she is being nuetered next week and will be xrayed while she is out for the surgery. Is this a preexisting condition if I sign up for insurance today?

Yes, Jean

Insurance is for "future" unknown medical events.  Same as auto insurance where you have to be covered prior to an accident.  Otherwise the rates would be the same as your cost incurred.  But there are still many thousands of conditions which could and do happen to pets that are covered besides the one pre-exisiting condition which is not.  Don't wait for the next event before getting coverage.  Dr. Jack

Hi,

My dod is insured with Pet's Best.

I had a claim from October denied for my pet. You customer service sent on Dec 1 about a new policy that you will not cover fees by the vet working on their own pet.

Really? Really? When did that start and why would it apply before you let us know?

There are alot of implications to this discriminatory (likely legal, but discriminatory no less) choice that you may not have considered.

Please contact me @ IDrPets@aol.com

Lisa,

The new underwriting rule from our carrier does not permit a veterinarian to treat their own pets.  Your pet can still be treated in the hospital, but needs to be treated by another vet in the practice or supervise the treatment.  Notice was only recently given and your claim from October should not present any problem, will have it reviewed for you.

The underwriter feels just as with auto body shops or mechanics cannot repair their own damaged autos, they want to avoid vets treating and charging for their own pets to prevent potential abuse.  Although, I have not seen any and felt it was unwarranted, they are taking the risk and have that right.  Dr. Jack