Pet Insurance?

[Vater Araignee]

Back story:
Yesterday I had Buttercup with me as I was pet store hopping, ya know trying to get her use to travel and people. At a big box (I was looking at food) I was approached by a pet insurance salesperson. I promptly dismissed this person by telling them “Go away.” that’s about as polite as I can get in that kind of situation, but it got me dwelling on the subject.

Ok, the question mark in the title turns it into a misnomer for me, I do know some things about it. In fact I know more that I would like.
Before I give my opinion, I would like to see other opinions.
Who knows, somebody may change my mind.

[MarkBun]

A few people here have pet insurance (VPI seeming to be the popular one)  for their rabbits and it has come in VERY handy. I believe that rabbits are still listed as ‘exotic’ pets and as such often have higher pet bills due to their unique, and sometimes very tenuous health. One major trip to the vet ($500+) could cost you as much as 4 years of insurance premiums. I figure it is a prudent gamble, especially if your rabbit seems to be somewhat sick or accident prone.

I had planned on buying insurance for one of my girlfriend’s rabbits as it had a habit of severe GI stasis. I had forgotten to get it for her new rabbit but I plan on it as a birthday present.   I’m also going to be enrolling my own rabbit in a short time. She’s getting older and as such will probably need to see the vet a little more often than normal.

[Beka27]

Yes, like Markus said, most illnesses/accidents for rabbits will cost at least 300-400 dollars. This is not including any surgeries that may need to be done. That is usually just the diagnostic aspect of it. Vet ins. is not very expensive, of course there are limitations on what it covers, but I know the people who have it, they swear by it. I’ve looked into it a couple times. It is not expensive for two buns, and I don’t believe there are age requirements like for cats and dogs.

[wendyzski]

I have VPI for Pepper.  I got it because it seemed to me that when things go wrong with a bun they go terribly and expensively wrong.

6 months after I got it for Pepper she began presenting symptoms which turned out to be pasteurella multocida, which used to be the most common killer of domestic rabbits.  Now it can often be managed with antibiotics although it looks like Pepper’s case is chronic and she will be on and off meds for the rest of her life.  She has maxed out her benefits 2 years in a row now but it has more than paid for itself.  If I had waited until she started showing symptoms then none of this could be covered and i would be out a couple of thousand dollars so far.

It’s not perfect by any means – I think they have too many exclusions and that their benefit caps are a bit too low.  But the $12/month it costs me buys me a LOT of peace of mind that when something looks wrong I can just take her in without worrying about the costs.

[bunnytowne]

I have been thinking of getting it too.  The VIP ins.   You just never know.   And the way I dote on Cotton if anything happened to him and I couldn’t pay for it.  Ohh I would just die. 

They are both healthy Ruby and he  but just in case. 

[MarkBun]

The only requirement with the VPI insurance is that you have owned your pet for at least 3 months and I think they need to have seen a vet as you have to fax over the vet charts on your rabbits so they can see that they have seen a vet and what their current health condition is. Buying it will definitely be a ‘peace of mind’ thing for my girlfriend after her last two rabbits died at very young ages. This way, she won’t have to worry about costs as much as before.

[KatnipCrzy]

The rules and conditions can vary from state to state with VPI pet insurance since insurance is regulated on some levels by the state offered it.

I highly recommend it.  Pre-existing conditions are not covered- so it is best to insure your bunny when they are young anyway.  Also there is no coverage for routine care like nail trims and spaying.  Some dental problems are covered- but in Michigan I know they do not cover malocclusion- when the front teeth are so crooked that they severely overgrow and need to either be trimmed constantly or removed.  But other dental problems that are not considered genetic would be covered.

VPI is the only pet insurance that accepts bunnies that I am aware of.  And pet insurance does work differently than human insurance- you typically have to pay your vet bill in full yourself and submit the claim to the insurance company- and the insurance mails you the check for what is covered.

A typical monthly premium for a young bunny is about $11-12 dollars a month- and just claiming one incident a year can get you a reimbursement of more than your yearly premium.  But of course with that being said- you may never have to claim anything.  Cotton has had insurance since she was 5 months old- so over a year now, and no claims.  But I would rather have her healthy than get my moneys worth from insurance, plus the peace of mind is worth it!

Typically the more pets you have insured- you ocan get a multi pet discount- at least in Michigan.  Both of my dogs have insurance also, plus the additional riders that are offered for dogs and cts that cover a portion of routine care- vaccine, yearly exam, fecal check, etc.

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