Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Bunny?

[KelseyCupcakes]

 Since I found out he has Snuffles, I’ve been thinking of getting pet insurance. Is it a good idea? What are the pros and cons? how much is it? Is Snuffles considered a pre-existing condition? If it is, (and I hate to do this) but, could I just say he doesn’t have a pre-existing condition or will they find out??

[LizzyBunny]

Pet insurance is different for every state/province generally. It depends on if they allow rabbits, which a lot don’t and if they require a pre-vet check up. I think there are one or two members here who have it. Try to google it?

[kinggoblin]

I’ve been told and looked into and think its a waste of money. Not enough coverage and they don’t want to reimburse you for much. Its better, in my opinion, to just to set aside some money if your pet ever has big vet bills.

[FrankieFlash]

I looked into it a little (just browsing websites) and I was deterred from the fact that at the most, they will only cover half the bill and for spending over $100 dollars a year for something that only *might cover something, it wasn’t worth it for me.

But I can’t say I won’t ever get it if I found a good reliable company or my Bun got a health condition that would require lots of vet visits

[bunnyfriend]

I can’t say that all the pets insurances out there aren’t good, I know a few members here have some and it’s been helpful. For me the best option was to have a set amount of money put away, I have 2 buns so I put more money away, you’d have to figure out what amount works for you. Hardest thing is not to touch it when you really want to buy something haha . But also I’m lucky in that if one or both of the buns had something serious that costed a ton my mom would help me out, I know that’s not an option for everyone but maybe a possibility.

[BinkyBunny]

 I personally found it a lifesaver.  Yes, you spend about $120 a year, and you could create a saving account if you’d rather use that money for that, but I don’t know how many times something that is saved for one emergency is used for another emergency. The good thing that I like about pet insurance (or at least the kind I use — VPI) is that it’s extremely helpful when something expensive happens.  And with bunnies, I bet that at least once you will go to a vet for some sort of issue and will not walk out of there for less than $120.    Jack’s bladder stone surgery was over $1000, and it was nice to have about 70% of that back.  It would have taken me 7 years to save up if I only put in $120 a year towards the savings instead of making insurance payments.   And that isn’t the only time that I have had major expenses for vet care.  So for me, and my experience, it was extremely helpful. 

We have had some previous discussions about this that may be helpful — other people’s experiences and thoughts (which will differ). 

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

 

 

 

[Sarita]

Well first snuffles is not an illness, it’s not a proper term – it is just a symptom. What your rabbit has is not really known other than it is an upper respiratory infection.

You cannot lie to an insurance company, it would be fraud.

Here is the definition of a Pre-existing condition straight from the VPI website:

Pre-existing conditions are any condition that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred before a policy effective date, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated. Conditions that are secondary to pre-existing conditions (conditions that stem from or are related to a pre-existing condition) are also not covered. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any company.

Pre-existing Condition at Enrollment
Your pet may still be eligible for coverage with a VPI Pet Insurance policy even if he/she currently has a pre-existing condition. To find out your coverage options, contact a licensed pet insurance specialist at (800)872-7387 Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time).

Future Coverage of Pre-existing Conditions
Future coverage may be eligible for pre-existing conditions that are considered curable. Chronic conditions are not eligible for coverage if the condition was deemed pre-existing. Click here to find out how a condition deemed pre-existing on your policy may be covered in the future.

[RabbitPam]

I am very glad I have VPI. Just 2 weeks ago I had to take Sammy in to the vet very unexpectedly. It was for a GI partial blockage that she was able to pass, but we were there for over 4 hours getting her an xray, injected fluids and pain killers, and walking her. In illness terms, this was a relatively simple treatment: final bill was $265. If I had waited until Sunday I’d have had an emergency and the bill would be 4 figures.

But it happened on a Saturday, while I am job hunting, and one week after I needed to replace my car radiator and had an oil leak. So the budget couldn’t handle it. Even if I’d saved for vet emergencies, I know I would have dipped into it for the car repairs not knowing I would need it so soon after. It’s $120/year, but that’s only $12 /month, which I allow to be automatically withdrawn. It’s very low for my monthly budget.

Now I am checking their website frequently for word of my reimbursement. I don’t know how much yet, but I will be so glad to have money come back in rather than paid out. It’s within 30 days. I know I’ve invested in it for almost 3 years, but my relief of knowing she was covered was worth it.

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