Do you have pet insurance?

No, I don't. There are so many exclusions, that I don't think it's a good value. Certainly, there are some people who get their money's worth and more out of it, but it's more common that when they try to make a claim, they end up getting less than they expected, if anything at all.

We have a line item in our budget for pet healthcare each month and it rolls forward indefinitely until it's needed. I'd rather do it that way than pay for premiums that we'll probably never be able to recoup.

Yes, I do.

However you need to be fully aware of what you are getting, what is covered and what will not be.
Each insurance will have a supporting policy document and you need to read every word that carefully and if you understand what you are signing up for and decide if it is still worth it, then you'll probably be happy.
You can't just sign up and "assume" every illness will be covered, they won't be and it's people who don't do that who then bitch and moan when their claims are denied.
The documents clearly state any exclusions and the conditions under which claims will not be paid, you need to understand what they are.

I haven't looked into any companies in the USA, but they are probably similar to those here (Au)
One example is that only medical tests that diagnose a covered medical condition will be eligible.
So when my cat got sick last year and she needed a CT scan...it cost me $1200, if the scan had been clear and nothing found then that money is out of my pocket, no claim. In our case it did diagnose her with cancer, so in that case it was covered and I got 80% of that back.
People incorrectly assume that every test a vet orders will be covered, but it isn't.

I have pet insurance for the "big stuff" cancer, major surgery etc. It's not for dental work and routine care. Millie got diagnosed with lymphoma and thyroid disease and in the 4 months before she died my vet bills were close to $4000. I paid a $200 excess and got 80% of the total back. Her total insurance costs over the previous 5 years came to about $1200 ($20 month) Also 3 years ago she had a lump removed form her neck which was also fully covered and I got about $900 back that time.  During that time none of her routine care, vaccinations, worming etc were covered, she also had cat flu and periodically needed antibiotics and eye drops etc and none of that was covered...but I always knew that wouldn't be. So financially it was worth having her insured, even though there were still other conditions that I paid out of pocket for that were not covered by her insurance.
On the other hand I have Angelique who has been insured for 9 years and never made a single claim on her. But a cancer, swallowing a foreign body, thyroid disease or diabetes and I could easily make a few thousand dollars worth of claims within a few months, which is why I'll keep it.

We don't but our vet doesn't accept pet insurance because he charges less than all other vets in the area. He feels that affordable health care for pets is more important than being rich. He is also the busiest vet in town. They have 10 doctors out there and they are always swamped with people and their pets. It is only $19 for an office visit. Most meds are $5.

Out vet doesn't bill insurance directly, we pay then we send the claim in, but they always pay quickly

With Trupanion if you insure within the first 6 months they will cover hips (I think it's six months it's been a while since Jax was a pup)

I would check with your vet about wellness plans. Almost all the vets around here offer them and they are generally better prices than through VPI.

We have it for our cat - the first time he went to the vet, the cost of treatment was more than we had paid so far in premiums so it was/is worth it for us. The cost they gave for treatment which did not include surgical intervention shocked me, to be honest, especially as I get medical treatment under the NHS over here so never see a breakdown of the cost of that treatment.

However, I am tempted to say 'no' when they ask if I have insurance and then see how much that bill works out at!! Especially when I know from having had a prang with my car some time ago that the work done is cheaper when it doesn't go through the insurance company (at least in the experience I had and asking at way more than one mechanic's business).

Jennifer, my coworker uses Oakdale Animal Hospital on Hwy 471.  A few months ago my dog and her dog got sick with the same gastrointestinal virus - I went to Petsmart's vet and ended up paying almost $100 more than she did for the exact same treatment & meds.  I plan on using her vet the next time we need one.

My DH's work offers it, but it didn't seem to make sense to us for our kitties. We just have a Care Credit card that will give us zero percent interest that we love for any times where it is a large bill and we want to spread it out over time instead of paying all at once. Love that thing.

Melissa

I don't think most vets accept pet insurance. You pay the bill and then you apply for reimbursement directly. But at those office visit rates, you probably don't need insurance. A visit with our vet is $65 minimum.

I have it. I have mixed feelings about it. My dog just had knee surgery and I expect to get back about 1/3 of the cost, but that is only about $200 over the cost of the insurance. So is it really worth it?

I have VPI but our vet recommends Trupanion.