Pet Insurance?

[Rocky&Michael]

Okay, I’ve been thinking about getting pet insurance (for my rabbit of course). So I was wondering, how does it work? Is it worth it? Or is it just a waste of everything? Thanks! Also, what does it cover? Like check-ups, emergencies, etc.

[wendyzski]

VPI covers emergencies and illnesses/injuries but not “maintenance” like speuters.  There is a $50 deductible for each condition, a 6 months waiting period for preexisting conditions, and most conditions have coverage limits, but within those limits you pay and they reimburse you 90%.  I get my reimbursements in about 3 weeks. I pay $12/month.

My Pepper turned out to have Pasteurella which is now chronic and she will be on and off meds for the rest of her life.  I’d be out a couple thousand had it not been for VPI.  Just knowing that I could get her treated without having to worry about the expense was a huge load off my mind.

[KatnipCrzy]

I strongly recommend pet insurance for bunnies- and the only company that offers for bunnies in the US that I know of is VPI. 

Rules and regulations can vary from state to state so it is best to check directly with the company.  But I do know they do not cover spay/neuter, nail trims, etc.  They do not cover genetic conditions (like hip dysplasia in dogs, and malocclsuon (misaligned teeth) in rabbits).  But they do cover other dental issues like abcesses, etc.  They also of course cover emergencies like wounds, limping, ear or eye infections, etc.  VPI insurance does not work like human insurance where you have a co-pay and everything else is covered- a certain portion is covered and it is usually done by reimbursement.  So you have to pay the vet bill- but you get a check mailed to you from the insurance company.  But for treatment that you would be unable to decline anyway (it would break my heart to NOT ok treatment for my pets) it is worth it!

Both of my dogs are enrolled, and I work at a vet clinic.  I had signed up Cotton when she was about 4 months old.  Then in Oct of last year and Jan of this year I got 2 more rabbits.  I had always meant to sign them up for insurance, but my husband lost his job and I thought- later, I will do it later.  Well about 6 weeks or so ago- one of my bunnies was ill, seriously ill.  The entire ride to the exotics vet 35 minutes away I was so angry at myself for not getting the insurance when I KNEW I should have.  I was so scared that I would get an estimate for $1500 or something like that and I couldn’t NOT do it- so I would have just put it on my credit card.  Unfortunately Penny died at the vet clinic.  But I did not forget the horrible ride there and signed up Schroeder ASAP.  So now both my bunnies have insurance.  It is about $10 a month.  And Cotton has had her insurance for over a year now with no claims- but if I had one claim with her it would most likely reimburse approximately a years worth of premiums.  It is well worth it in my opinion.

[Adalaide]

I’ve been on the fence with this all week. I like thinking that Freya is such a happy, healthy bunny that she’ll stay so forever. The vet said she looks great and doesn’t expect to see her again until she gets spayed. But what happens if something goes horribly wrong? I used to think the people who would drop a few thousand dollars or do anything to save a pet were crazy… I guess I’m crazy. I don’t even HAVE a few thousand dollars, but I promised her I’d take care of her when she came home. She’s my baby and I couldn’t possibly let anything happen to her, I think we need insurance.

[bunnytowne]

Oh noo I just typed up a thing and I forgot to submit it.

After Cotton Boo’s little lip episode I got vpi pet ins. I was so relieved that it wasn’t abcessed or infected.

I believe they pay 1 well checkup a year and a tooth filing.  Also they pay part of the microchipping. Since they have had no serious problems I dont’ know the rest of what they cover. They send you a package telling you what and how many of what that they cover.

I love my darlings so much I wouldn’t want anything to happen I can’t pay for. I know you love your Cotton the same too. They can go down so quick you just never know

Tho there are buns who never get sick too. I just dont’ want to take that chance.

 

[sibley]

If you compare it to a person… we get sick frequently, and badly once in a while. And when it’s bad it’s always better to go to the doctor than to wait and see what happens. You get drugs and feel better so much faster. Plus people can tell you what’s wrong and bunnies can’t. It’s just that much riskier to “wait and see” and if you don’t have insurance that’s what you’re going to wait and do until it becomes clear that the bunny NEEDS to go… and then it’s just that much more expensive.

The peace of mind definitely wouldn’t hurt either =) I’ve been trying to get my mom to get this for our dog.

[RabbitPam]

I researched VPI online at their website, which is very thorough about what they cover and their procedures, before I bought it. I actually decided to get it before I found Sammy. They required that I have her for a couple of months before they would start insuring her, so I submitted my application right away, (October) and it became available in January. They didn’t cover the spay, but by doing it immediately I was sure I did not have a pre-existing condition to worry about. Now it’s $12/month and she’s covered for the future. It brings me great peace of mind.

[BinkyBunny]

I have found it so worth it. I mean even if you don’t use it for years and then one day you need it, most likely none of us would put the amount we would need all at once into a savings account, so I look at this like a savings account in a way. As I know I will be paying for years without ever using it and then need it. I can also tell you that the surgery coming with the xrays already done etc, will be around $1,000. I can’t tell you how HAPPY I am to have insurance right now!! Jack has been so healthy too (or so I thought) Never had gi stasis, a bout of gas, no injuries, no nothin’. I always said he’s such a sturdy healthy bunny and bam, we discovered a huge bladder stone and surgery will be done this week.

So you just never know!

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