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Insurance costs

Max's Mom

Member
I was reading some older topics and came across the posts regarding insurance claims. I'm wondering...do most of you have pet insurance? I'm in the US so I'm wondering if it is like our healthcare where certain vets accept certain insurers? Also, what does it cost in US money to have this and would you all recommend it? We have a Golden Retriever who is 10 and we haven't ever carried it on her. She has some severe anxiety with storms and noises be we don't medicate her and other than that she's never had any major vet expenses. :?
 
I wouldn't be without insurance especially on a purebred dog and more especially on a cavalier, as they do have some potentially costly health issues within the breed. That said, as far as I understand there is only one insurer in the US that covers genetic/hereditary conditions -- this would mean typical cavalier complaints like MVD, patellas, and so far they have also covered syringomyelia MRIs, drugs and surgery for some people (which can easily run to over $10,000). I do not know the cost of insurance in the US but I do recall it is more than in Ireland/UK (though at current exchange rates that may have changed!).

My insurance here in Ireland, which does cover hereditary conditions, costs me €170 a year which at current exchange rates is around $220/year.

If I had a number of dogs (say over three) I probably wouldn't insure and would instead put at least $250 a year into a pet health account to save for any incidents. This is what I do for my cats -- the odds are that I would never get back what I would pay to cover all of them, & none has yet had any problems that I would have been able to claim for above the deductible.
 
Thanks Karlin! I did do my research before buying a Cav so I do know there are definite health issues. We've been so lucky with our Golden that I've become spoiled. I'll look into this! Thanks again.
 
I am absolutely thrilled with our insurance...so far. We'll see what their response is to the bill from last week! We have Veterinary Pet Insurance and pay $250/year for each dog. It did not cover Shelby's patella, but I knew that when I purchased it. It does not cover hereditary illnesses. So, MVD is out. But, I was more than compensated for Jake's cancer surgery. Their response time was great.
 
We've got Argos pet insurance for Maxx, reasonably priced and they cover more than most other policies do. The only downside is that they took 8 weeks to settle the last claim :?

I have £4000 worth of cover for medical treatment plus a whole host of cover for other things and it costs me just over £13 a month.

My vet always laughs though and asks me when Maxx is being returned under their 16 day guarantee :lol:

My late friend had two Cavs (her hubby still has them) and they weren't insured, she was landed with an enormous bill for treatment when one of them got mild conjunctivitis, it then spread to the other and despite treatment got worse and worse and ended up with some very expensive visits to and treatment from, an eye specialist icon_yikes

I learned my lesson in not having insurance when we inherited a GSD, she was a real sweetheart but her life was not long and she was always poorly - cost me a fortune in vet fees.
 
Unless I had more than 3 or 4 dogs I'd always insure; esp. with purebreds, for the reasons you note. I have several cats that have all been very healthy; it makes more sense to set aside anamount in an accoutn each month that would cover them, than to opt for insurance. Though that said as they get older more things can occur.
 
What is the insurance in the US that accepts hereditary problems like MVD and syringo?
 
hi karlin as i live in the north of ireland i would love to know if you could reccommend as to who to get my health insurance from for my cav which i will be beinging home in 4 weeks time, i want an insurance that will cover me for everything...thanks[/b]
 
We have Abbey and two cats. We opted for CareCredit--a vet credit card. Looking back, I wish we would have opted for insurance instead. I know we will with our next Cav.
 
Cleopatra, do you have Argos over there? I have Maxx insured with them and imho they have been excellent.

Maxx has been diagnosed with SM so we paid the first £50 of the first claim when the tests began and then ever since they have paid the full amount of every claim as it is a continuation.

A lot of pet insurances won't do this. Another good one is the one through your Vet.

One thing I will say is that, unless you are extremely rich, pet insurance for a Cavalier is a definite must!!!!! Also, get the best policy you can afford. I have the Platinum cover for Maxx and it is only about £3 more than the basic but it gives me something like £4000 worth of cover - just as well when you think that this years medical bills alone have been over £2000 so far....
 
yes maxxs mummy we do have argos here, we are still part of the uk too lol...so that does sound like a real good policy.i will sure look into it , thanks a lot for your help. :)
 
Very welcome. Yes, I realise you are part of the UK - that's why i thought there might be Argos!!!!

My Vet always jokes that I should ask for my money back on the treatment that hasn't worked :lol:
 
I had big problems with Rupert's insurer, which led to his policy being cancelled, just at the age when we will probably most need it - he is 9 now. This made me very anti insurance, but we did keep Peaches' policy running fortunately - she has received over £1,000 worth of treatment this year, and they've paid the majority of it.

I wasn't going to insure Teddy - just do what many suggest, and put money aside each month. I had researched a few companies, and been told some scare stories. Some of the cheaper companies like Tescos just cancel the policy after you've claimed a couple of times - and then you can't get cover for those conditions with anyone else.

We were quoted a premium of £20 per month with PetPlan, and that was "cheap"!!

There are various types of cover available, you need to check them out thoroughly.

LIFETIME PROVIDERS

MAXIMUM BENEFIT

12 MONTH COVER

ACCIDENT ONLY COVER

THIRD PARTY COVER

There is more information - and a description of the above - available here:


http://www.vip4u.co.uk/index.htm

If your dog is Kennel Club registered, you should receive 6 weeks free cover when the dog is transfered to you from the breeder - this also includes adult dogs, not just pups.

We decided to carry on with the KC insurance, one reason being that they also cover special diets {the ones only available from the vet, eg Peaches is on Hills heart diet} - well the difference between that and your normal food anyway - which most companies don't. I have put in the first claim to them, so we will see...

Going through MVD with Peaches, and seeing the cost of the medication - currently over £1 per day plus 50p on the special diet - I would now always insure a Cavalier!
 
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