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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Nancy0's Avatar
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    What do you guys think?

    I've posted before about pet insurance. I had Petplan until they jacked up the premiums so I cancelled it. Then went to FIGO - cancelled them too for the same reason. I currently have Healthy Paws, but I feel my dogs both have too many pre-existing conditions. Currently, Charlie is getting adequan injections and Niner is seeing a dermatologist for this cyst on his paw. Both are not covered because they are pre-existing. Wondering if I should just dump pet insurance all together since not much is covered. I could only get 60% coverage with a 750 deductible for Charlie because of his age. Niner has 80% with a $250 deductible since he's younger. I currently pay $118 a month for both dogs. I think Healthy Paws is a good company, but pre-existing is pre-existing. What would you guys do? Keep or dump at this point? Hubby want's to know why we have pet insurance since nothing is covered lol

    Thanks
    Nancy

  2. #2
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    It might be worth looking into putting the monthly insurance cost into a GIC, or some other savings plan. I had a dog acount that I put a certain amount of money into every month several years ago. Wasn't a lot but helped. In Canada, we have TFSA (tax free savings account). Andrew and I contribute monthly to them and will use the money if an emergency ever arises.



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    Nancy0 (06-19-2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    I dumped ours and didn't look back. We were having $1200 procedures done and getting $110 back. The premiums for our seniors were just outrageous. Did the math and realized that our premiums for the last year would have covered one of our dog's recent surgeries for cancer in its entirety so that would have been a 50% payout for both. Much better than what we were getting.

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    Nancy0 (06-19-2017)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    I have never had insurance for our dogs but our main general vet is unbelievably less expensive than some I read about on here. Our bullmastiffs had more things go wrong than our labs, so far anyway. One had TPLO, another had eyelid surgery because his lids kind of curled in and his lashes were rubbing his eyes. One had multiple mast cell tumors removed, eventually getting chemotherapy for that. We just paid it out of pocket.

    It seems like a lot for you to pay. Since Niner had elbow surgery, I'm guessing anything related to arthritis in his elbows would similarly not be covered? It does make you wonder if it's worth paying for insurance. If you just put that amount, the premiums and annual deductibles, into some special dog account you'd have $2400 right there in one year, not counting your co-pay amounts.

    I'm sure one of these days something will come up and I'll wish I'd gotten insurance for mine but no doubt whatever would come up would be determined to be pre-existing anyway.

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    Nancy0 (06-19-2017)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    At that cost and coverage I'd do as Smartrock suggested and just place that amount in dog emergency savings account.


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    Nancy0 (06-19-2017)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Nancy0's Avatar
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    Thanks I'm leaning toward doing that

  11. #7
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    With so many pre-exisiting (which they can then use to fight many other things that come up) I think i'd go with a saving account at this point.

    I've never had insurance, didn't really see the need for it. Until last year. I think I will on my next young dog but probably not keep it thru their senior years (as premiums sounds as though they go up A LOT as the dog gets old). it's one of those annoying things you hope to never need, but those who don't just say it's "wasted"money (and then some have crappy plans/companies that will fight them on stuff that should be covered). I am quite jealous of those who have insurance for $20-40 a month, it's pretty expensive here for any decent coverage (70-80/mt). Pure bred labs are more expensive as well (vs say a medium mixed breed). Vetting is crazy expensive. But we'll see how i feel when it comes time to sign-up.

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    Nancy0 (06-20-2017)

  13. #8
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    After looking into insurance for the seniors, never got any because of the cost of premiums and low coverage. I have a certain amount deducted from the checking account and put in a "dog" account twice a month. So far it has covered all needs. Also, spare change gets tossed in a basket and periodically it gets deposited in the dog account. If a vet visit cost is something I can easily absorb without using the dog account, i.e. yearly physicals, I don't touch it. It's there for the big, unexpected stuff.
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    Nancy0 (06-20-2017)

  15. #9
    Senior Dog Nancy0's Avatar
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    I hear what everyone is saying. I guess I'm just worried about something like cancer or getting bit by a rattlesnake. Speciality clinics are crazy ridiculous in San Diego. My first yellow lab Cooper had cutaneous lymphoma. We did not have pet insurance. We (I) spent over $20,000 (not kidding) to help him and rates have gone even higher. Niner is getting K- laser treatments. Last year they were $30 each. This year they have gone up to $36.25. It was great when I had Petplan - they took care of everything. Darn them for raising their premiums so ridiculously high. ��

    Nanc

  16. #10
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I have 8 now... was thinking about insuring the baby (4.5 mos) but decided my current pay as we go is working well, but I've not had anything happen that was huge either. I also choose vet clinics based on my issue so can use a less expensive one w/ many issues. I am glad not to have super venomous rattlers here since I've had 4 bites in the past 10 yrs or so.
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