Need Vet & Pet Insurance Recommendations

[MD]

I recently moved to Walnut, CA (between Diamond Bar & West Covina), and need to find a new vet, preferably more in Orange County and not further into the inland cities, since I will be driving around Orange County a lot.  I aslo should have gotten pet insurance, and do not want to use VPI. Can anyone in the area recommend a good vet or pet insurance company?

Thanks, Michelle

[KytKattin]

I’m sure someone else can help you with finding good vets in your area (as well as giving you a list on questions to ask him or her). As for insurance, I was under the impression that only VPI covered rabbits. Maybe I am wrong, but even if there is another insurance that covers rabbits, I don’t think they are as reliable as VPI. Is there a particular reason for not wanting to use VPI?

[jerseygirl]

I visited a site a few weeks ago that gave comparison plans http://www.bunnycover.com According to that site though, VPI is the only one that covers rabbits in the States. It is rabbit cover you’re looking for or other pets?

[Sarita]

homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/Vet_CA.html

Above is the PetBunny list…any of those cities near you?

[Beka27]

I have also checked into a few different pet insurers and I believe VPI is the only option for rabbits?
What is your concern regarding them?

[bunnytowne]

Geico or Progressive also have pet ins coverage  but they dont cover buns

[Hedi]

I know with Progressive though its only $100 coverage and its automatically apart of your home insurance. And Ive been told by an insurance agent its very specific as far as animals it covers and conditions it covers. I think its really only for accidents concerning animals.

Our buns are considered exotic so we are less likely to be covered by all pet insurance companies. I know Jennifer has VPI and she has had good coverage from them.

[BinkyBunny]

Yes, I am a VPI fan. Probably because I have spent sooo much money on vet care – I mean we are talking into the thousands of dollars, so no matter what my premium is it still never adds up to how much I have been reimbursed by them. It’s a definite good deal in my case.

[MD]

I had looked up a vet list link from the House Rabbit Society website, and also checked the link you posted, Sarita, and unfortunately, they are all 20 miles away or further from my home. I’m surprised (and rather disappointed) that there aren’t more rabbit vets in LA and Orange Counties. In Las Vegas, I had two rabbit vets that were closer than 10 miles from my apartment. This is going to be trickier than I thought.

[jerseygirl]

This has quite a few listings too if you want to check out their suitability.  http://www.bunnybunch.com/vetnews2.html  I’m not sure when list was compiled or if these vets still in the area. 

[KatnipCrzy]

AS far as I know VPI is the only insurance company to cover exotics- at least in the US.  You would try a google search all call some other companies- maybe they have changed their criteria.

[skunklionshow]

I have VPI and have never had a problem.  I too agree that thy are the only exotic coverage.  I remember doing a search for the comparisons when I first looked into it (1 yr ago).

Also, you may want to call some vets in your area.  My vet is a large practice and is one of the few practices that sees exotics (all small mammals, birds, & reptiles).  I didn’t see them listed on some of the standard rabbit vet sites.  One of their sites had a doctor that hasn’t worked there for years listed.  I reported this info to my practice.  They were surprised and corrected the issue.  So you may want to call around.  Some practices will have a small animal vet maybe 1-2 days a week, which isn’t preferred, but may be a consideration.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

We dont’ have any insurance in Canada that covers rabbits as far as I’m aware but we’ve looked into it with our dog. My parents dog has had over 20,000$ of treatment with cancer and complications-and with insurance that would have been all paid for.

I think the big key is making sure you get it before any condition is established. Remember as with people, a pre-existing condition may not be seen by a doc, but could be determined by a reasonable person knowing. SO if your going to do it-do it now

The other thing I would look at is cost of premiums and deductables vs. payout. I think over the long term a rabbit’s vet bills-whether healthy or not-are going to be bigger then montly premiums=-but look at your deductables-do you have to pay 500$ to make a claim? or do you have to pay a huge premium for a lower deductable? They are in the business to make money so investigate well

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