Comments on: Savings account versus pet insurance

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:31:59 +0000

Alina, this page lists some organizations that offer financial assistance for those struggling to meet veterinary expenses:

http://felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm

I’m not sure how many of them are available in Canada, but hopefully this will give you a start.

Good luck with your little one!

By: Lis

Lis — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:37:30 +0000

Alina, unfortunately, you won’t find any insurance willing to pay for care related to a pre-existing condition. You should be able to get insurance that will cover accidents and other illnesses.

By: alina

alina — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:26:36 +0000

Hi,i am new to Canada,and i brought with my my pets..i didn t have time to make an insurance,and my cat had a litlle problem in urinating..sand,cristals.i took it to the vet ,cost me 400cad,he made the urinanalisys,the x ray..it is ok now,eats only c/d.if i ll go for insurance,will they pay if i need a surgery..i hope not,but it is 8,and i am scared.the surgical intervention is the only think that i am worry..cos i don t have money..nor credit history so strong to go ask for banks,so the insurance is what i need now.is this problem one of the pre existing cond.i am sorry about my english..here for 5 months only.thank you

By: KM

KM — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:15:46 +0000

Hello…
Great blog on the importance and benefits of having pet insurance. I am a Territor Partner for Trupanion in California. While we have not gone live in California yet, I have had the opportunity to talk to several veterinarians and pet owners about pet insurance. What they like most about Trupanion is that it is so easy to understand. It truly is PET INSURANCE MADE EASY. Trupanion will pay 90% of all claims and provide $20,000 in lifetime coverage. Furthermore, pet parents are never penalized due to a pet aging or making claims. This is a company really gets it!!

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:51:48 +0000

I should not have been flippant about birds being inexpensive pets, and I apologize. We’ve been very fortunate that Larry hasn’t had any health issues and that his vet gave him a clean bill of health—sorry, couldn’t resist—at his checkup last year.

By: TB

TB — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:28:49 +0000

Hi there. Very interseting comments, I also am a Trupanion/Vetinsurance territory Rep in SW Ontario, Canada.
I think the idea of a savings account is a good idea, but having that money sitting in an account is a very real tempation to be used to fund something else. I’ve heard this same idea put forward before, but very few people have the discipline to do it in the first place, in fact after talking to a number of clinic staff, etc, I know of no one who has. Having a good quality insurance policy is the best for most people, especially if they enroll the pets when they are young, before things have had a chance to occur and then be pre-existing.
I have 4 pets insured with Vetinsurance, I pay the same rates as everyone else, and i have had to make a claim on 3 of those 4, so far. And I am not treated any differently than anyone else either, I assure you! Each time we have had our claims processed efficiently and without fuss and this is true for many others in my area who have made claims. Not seeing a rates increase, or drop in co-insurance, or any change in policy due to age of the pet or number of claims made is a real eye-opener.
I am passionate about pets and am more than pleased to be a part of an organisation with a difference, who treats everyone with honesty and integrity and has a very real impact in the lives of people and their pets. Check us out, you’ll be pleased at what you see.
To The Other Pat who wrote above,the age limit for Trupanion is 8 weeks to 1 year. Vetinsurance in Canada will take pets up to age 12.
check out the website at http://www.trupanion.com

By: KB

KB — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:06:49 +0000

That is correct Pat, at this time we are only enrolling puppies and kittens. The reason why we chose to go this route is because our biggest disappointment over the past 8yrs has been having to deny claims based on pre-existing conditions. We don’t want to deny claims……. period.
There are a number or companies that enroll older pets…….

Pets Best
VPI
Embrace
PetCare
Petplan
Pet Assure
Hartville/ASPCA

Trupanion certainly cannot make every pet owner happy but we can continue to have the best value and coverage for all puppy and kitten owners.
We’re currently liscenced to sell to the majority of pet owners in the United States…. where do you live?

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:51:29 +0000

So that means Trupanion is of no use to anyone adopting an adult pet?

Also, when will it be available in all areas of the United States?

By: KB

KB — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:26:25 +0000

HI everyone,
There are definitely some interesting points being brought up in this blog. Keep em rolling! I will start off by saying that I am territory partners with a pet insurance company called Trupanion (Vetinsurance in Canada). I have worked in the veterinary industry for years and have heard “you’re better off just having a savings account, rather than investing in pet insurance” numerous times. I understand the frustrations that pet owners have faced over the years with pet insurance. High deductibles, changes to coverage…… we have been trying to “break the mold”, so to speak. I know what you’re all thinking, “sure, sure, insurance companies are all in it for the money”. I am passionate about what I do because I know that what I’m doing is helping thousands of pets and pet owners. I have my own three pets insured and have only had to use the insurance for my one dog ‘Titan”. That’s what the insurance is for. I hope I never have to use it, but I’m sure glad I have it in case I do!! In regards to a savings account, it sounds great in theory, but realistically it would take over 8 yrs just to save up $3000 (at $~30 per month) and think of all of the interest you’ll be paying over those 8 years! Trupanion has lifetime coverage of $20 000 (no limits per year or illness or accident). You can use that $20 000 for all accidents and illnesses that occur over your pet’s lifetime. We only enrol puppies/kittens from 8wks to 1yr of age. This reduces the chance of there being any pre-existing conditions, therefore anything would be covered (yes, including congenital and hereditary disorders). I know an “honest insurance company” sounds like an oxymoron…. check it out. We may be new to the States but we’ve been in Canada as Vetinsuracne for 8yrs and you can read our reviews at http://www.petinsurancereview.com.

By: jflare

jflare — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:59:24 +0000

18 years ago when we brought our yellow lab Honey into our family, we did not even know about pet insurance. 10+ years later Honey experienced several health issues, and we were face with either paying expensive vet bills or not treating Honey’s various health issues. If we had it to do over again we would have bought pet insurance when she was a puppy. I recently entered into a business relationship with Trupanion, which insures puppies and kittens. Trupanion is an ethical company which any pet owner should examine.