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Getting our new Lab puppy on May 01st. :)
What's everyone's real world experience with pet insurance.
They quoted my $100.00 per month with an annual co-pay of $200.00.
My previous lab had some medical issues in her last 6 months. Other than that just did the annual vaccines that wouldn't be covered.
create your own pet ins.
take that 200 co pay and 100 month and put it in your own bank. If you're really good put it in a 30-60 day bond. I think odds are good you'll come out ahead.
Ever since pet insurance came in by coincidence vet fees sky rocketed
My wife insisted we have it for the dogs. We've been with Trupanion now for about 15yrs. We have always come ahead. We have big (working breed) dogs and they inevitably rupture cruciate ligaments in the winter punching thru ice.
A TPLO surgery runs $3500-$4K . One dog had to have two legs done. Having the surgery covered, sure makes the decision process easier. Hate to put down a dog that is mid life because of money.
The Ottawa Animal Hospital recommends Trupanion as they provide the best service to both the client and the Hospital
Having said that: I just got a new puppy, but this time I plan to do like FFF mentioned. I have a separate bank account that I'll drop $100 month into. See if it makes a difference in the long run.
Thanks for the input.
I have seen some really bad reviews about Trupanion. Not covering expenses that should be covered and crazy premium increases with terrible customer service and nightmare cancelation issues.
I will open up a TFSA and drop in $120.00 per month.
If she lives 10 years it will be up to over $14,000.00 plus interest if I don't use it. If I use it then so be it! :)
We've never had an issue with Trupanion with 4 dogs....we did have to get the Vets to go to bat for us once with a diagnosis issue. But they responded quickly. I think we only had 2 premium increases in 15 yrs...it went from to initial $75 to $100. About right considering inflation and whopping increases in Vet services. A consult and x-rays at the Hospital is $800 !!Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
That was my thinking for this dog.Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
I forget the company I had , but I felt I always Ipaid them much more than I got out of it - limit on the yearly amount they would pay, and the paperwork required was onerous. As you decided, I just save a certain amount of money a month for emergencies. (Had a deer attack my dog once; must have been a fawn nearby. 12 inch tear and perforations in her lung. ... $2500.)Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
That's what we've been doing...
Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
I have hunting dogs from good breeding. My Vet bills per year are less than $500/year/dog including flea and tick management, heartworm medication and all annual shots. I tend to look after small injuries myself. I keep saline solution to wash wounds and antiseptic sprays. I have even given a couple of stiches when required. I won't spend a lot of money on them when they get very geriatric, when it's time it's time. (I wish someone could do the same for me). I am sure Insurance would be more expensive for me. If I ever do face something really expensive I am sure I have saved enough over the years to justify paying it.
After 2 x TPLO with the last one im considering getting it but the idea to just squirrel it away is more tempting.
Let’s see ... 1998 to now we’ve treated/paid for 3 TPLOs, hemangiosarcoma, hyperthyroidism , liver disease, degenerative myelopathy (like human ALS), major dental, nasal cancer. Three large breed dogs. The insurance quotes in the past ten years were over $100/month so we paid ourselves. Still came out ahead of what insurance would have cost us.
Oh — and all were healthy the first 7-8 years but got annual checkups, flea/heart worm/tick treatments etc.
New pup is 13 months old. We will be bankrolling this one ourselves too