- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Pet Insurance
Posted on 3/29/26 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 12:58 pm
How many people participate in this?
Currently looking for my 3, and it isn't bad, but you add a wellness plan, and it becomes extremely expensive.
For those of you who have it, do you have the wellness plan?
Currently looking for my 3, and it isn't bad, but you add a wellness plan, and it becomes extremely expensive.
For those of you who have it, do you have the wellness plan?
18
Posted on 3/29/26 at 12:59 pm to Skenes
Vets straight up rob and scam pet owners.
My dog had a lot of gunk on her eye one morning. Brought her to the vet in case of an eye infection. They told me her eye didn't produce tears and she needed this prescription eye ointment that she'd have to take daily for the rest of her life (she's 2 years old). $70 per tube that would last 30 days. Had to pay for the visit and "testing".
My dog's eye cleared up a couple of days later and I was very skeptical of the diagnosis, so I didn't apply ointment for a week. Her eye was producing tears on its own every single day.
So, vets themselves can be total scam artists and I can't imagine how bad "pet insurance" will frick you. Just look at what they do in every other industry: vehicle, home, etc. Your vet will scam you and the insurance will refuse to pay the scam billing after taking your money each month, leaving you with another headache to deal with.
My dog had a lot of gunk on her eye one morning. Brought her to the vet in case of an eye infection. They told me her eye didn't produce tears and she needed this prescription eye ointment that she'd have to take daily for the rest of her life (she's 2 years old). $70 per tube that would last 30 days. Had to pay for the visit and "testing".
My dog's eye cleared up a couple of days later and I was very skeptical of the diagnosis, so I didn't apply ointment for a week. Her eye was producing tears on its own every single day.
So, vets themselves can be total scam artists and I can't imagine how bad "pet insurance" will frick you. Just look at what they do in every other industry: vehicle, home, etc. Your vet will scam you and the insurance will refuse to pay the scam billing after taking your money each month, leaving you with another headache to deal with.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 1:03 pm to Skenes
It's something I've looked at a few times, but there are absolute horror stories out there of companies refusing the pay claims. So I functionally self insure, with the idea that I'm good for any reasonable amount of money I'd be willing to pay for my dog being there's no scenario in which we're talking hundreds of thousands/millions of dollars in cancer treatment or the like.
ETA: However, if you're a bit more financial shock sensitive and sincerely fear a scenario in which you might have to choose between a preventable pet death and financial ruin, pet insurance would likely be good for your peace of mind, whether it turns out to be a good financial decision or not.
ETA: However, if you're a bit more financial shock sensitive and sincerely fear a scenario in which you might have to choose between a preventable pet death and financial ruin, pet insurance would likely be good for your peace of mind, whether it turns out to be a good financial decision or not.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 1:58 pm to Skenes
I have it, and have stated here multiple times. My big dog had her Spleen removed a few years ago, emergency surgery and then a week later we found the cause of her problems was Cancer. Insurance paid $5950 on a $6050 bill. We got my inlaws to get it and their dog broke it's leg right after, ins paid out to them also.
We have the emergency only plan. If you don't plan on putting your dog down, it's a no brainer.
My Sister in law also got covered under exploratory surgery when her dog ate a rubber ball.
We have Nationwide by the way.
We have the emergency only plan. If you don't plan on putting your dog down, it's a no brainer.
My Sister in law also got covered under exploratory surgery when her dog ate a rubber ball.
We have Nationwide by the way.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 2:00 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:01 pm to Saintsisit
Whats the general.cost? Vets are the worst of the worst. They mostly prey on emotions of an owner.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:01 pm to Joshjrn
Currently, the biggest pet bill I've had is 2k. I was able to pay the emergency bill, but I was worried about bigger issues.
So, luckily, I haven't had any issues, but I currently have three that have been known to have issues (even though my previous two had none), so I bought very basic plans.
So, luckily, I haven't had any issues, but I currently have three that have been known to have issues (even though my previous two had none), so I bought very basic plans.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:02 pm to Marciano1
quote:
Vets straight up rob and scam pet owners.
My black lab got some skin infection from the dirt. Vet told me it was going to be $5,000 for the antibiotics. This was two years after college when I didn’t have two nickels extra at the end of the month. I said “well he’s going to die I guess.” Vet then tells me that the human antibiotic does the same thing and costs $50 without insurance. $5 co pay. fricker could have started there. I ended up having a buddy in Corpus Christi go South and get the full antibiotic course for a couple of bucks just so I wouldn’t have to fool with an RX from my doctor.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:06 pm to Joshjrn
My Berndoodle ate a sock and had to have it surgically removed. Pet insurance paid 2/3rds. My share was $2250. Insurance is about $1000 year but includes two wellness visits and annual teeth cleaning including anesthesia. I think premiums vary by breed and size.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:09 pm to dalefla
Yeah, I don't think the wellness is worth it right now... I mean I'm paying $25 a month already but another 38 a month for wellness. So 68 a month for essentially basic shite and it doesn't even cover everything
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:13 pm to Skenes
My wife worked in pet insurance for 6 years, when it was becoming more of a thing. She worked for a small shop that was actually really good, had a great reputation. The owner sold and the company was bought 3 times after that before she quit.
Anytime anyone asks her about pet insurance she says absolutely do not get it. There's no point. Any prior condition can be treated as "preexisting" and denied. Vet care is still cheap enough to where insurance isn't needed, although the prevalence of insurance is changing that. Wellness is too high for the little it covers.
Find a good local vet that owns their shop. The issue is that vets aren't business savvy in most regards so they don't know how to turn a profit. There are some out there who provide good services, keep costs low enough without sacrificing patient outcomes, and are accessible.
Stay away from vets who have sold to PE and pay out of pocket.
ETA - Most people who get a big bill do so due to their dog ingesting a foreign object. That's 5-7k. If you can't stomach paying that out of pocket or working out a payment plan, don't get a dog. Or do a better job of training your dogs,picking up stuff around the house, etc.
This coming from someone who has had to pay for two out of pocket TPLOs.
Anytime anyone asks her about pet insurance she says absolutely do not get it. There's no point. Any prior condition can be treated as "preexisting" and denied. Vet care is still cheap enough to where insurance isn't needed, although the prevalence of insurance is changing that. Wellness is too high for the little it covers.
Find a good local vet that owns their shop. The issue is that vets aren't business savvy in most regards so they don't know how to turn a profit. There are some out there who provide good services, keep costs low enough without sacrificing patient outcomes, and are accessible.
Stay away from vets who have sold to PE and pay out of pocket.
ETA - Most people who get a big bill do so due to their dog ingesting a foreign object. That's 5-7k. If you can't stomach paying that out of pocket or working out a payment plan, don't get a dog. Or do a better job of training your dogs,picking up stuff around the house, etc.
This coming from someone who has had to pay for two out of pocket TPLOs.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 2:18 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:21 pm to Skenes
quote:that doesn’t make sense? Just got it and it covers accident for $30 a month up to $5k
25 a month already but another 38 a month for wellness. So 68 a month for essentially basic shite
I had to pay out of pocket to get my dog’s spleen removed and that was $5-6k at LSU. Insurance from now on
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:42 pm to Skenes
Pet insurance recently saved my arse. My cat (best dog I’ve ever had, she actually thinks she is one) was diagnosed with primary IMHA. With this condition, most just give up, but after well over 10k in treatment (90% coinsurance) she’s in full remission.
Without it I’d be in trouble. Even after the condition and renewal, my monthly payment barely increased to $50 a month. Go Embrace, amazing company with very quick claim submissions. Never thought I’d give a company free advertising but these folks deserve it.
Without it I’d be in trouble. Even after the condition and renewal, my monthly payment barely increased to $50 a month. Go Embrace, amazing company with very quick claim submissions. Never thought I’d give a company free advertising but these folks deserve it.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:49 pm to Proximo
It is accident + things like cancer then it I want wellness (regular checkups, shots, etc) it add more
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:54 pm to Skenes
I did some deep analysis on this topic when I was searching.
The wellness plans did not provide enough benefit for me to justify the cost. You still have the headache of submitting receipts, keeping up with the value, etc. From what I could tell, the cost difference in adding wellness was about the same as what I pay out of pocket so I decided to not get it.
The wellness plans did not provide enough benefit for me to justify the cost. You still have the headache of submitting receipts, keeping up with the value, etc. From what I could tell, the cost difference in adding wellness was about the same as what I pay out of pocket so I decided to not get it.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:59 pm to Roy Curado
This is kinda where I am, but deciding on if the rest is worth it
Posted on 3/29/26 at 3:03 pm to Skenes
I also want to add that if you get pet insurance, get it early. Unlike human insurance, they won’t cover preexisting conditions. So keep that in mind. So once the inevitable major condition happens, you’re locked in and can’t switch carriers.
That, and if you don’t have insurance at all (the irresponsible thing to do if you love your pet), you can’t get insurance for that condition.
That, and if you don’t have insurance at all (the irresponsible thing to do if you love your pet), you can’t get insurance for that condition.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 3:06 pm
Posted on 3/29/26 at 4:30 pm to ChatGPT of LA
I will say it's gone up with everything else. I believe in 2018 when we first got it, it was $23 a month. Now it's about $44. But it's nice not having to worry about a huge vet bill at any time
Posted on 3/29/26 at 5:00 pm to Skenes
I am a vet , as is the wife, and we have it (trupanion). It covers treatment for long term conditions and emergencies. no coverage for wellness / annuals. Generally i recommend it. Vet med is getting more expensive. We use the same medicines and tools most human medicines practitioners use. Those things arent cheap, and they arent getting cheaper. That translates into higher bills. You very well may never use your insurance, but you will be thankful in the situation where it saves you 5-10k.
Also, a lot of vitriol being spewed towards vets in here. I also dont believe most of your "stories". A vet charging 5k for antibiotics? C'mon man. Vet are some of the smartest people you are going to run into. Dont you think they would know what would happen to their business if they tried to fleece everyone? I find people who are feeling mistreated by vets more often than not did not understand what the vet was telling them and made up what they wanted to hear by patchworking choice information or, are just flat out lying. If the only thing vets cared about was money, then there wouldnt be any vets. Any one of us could have gone to dental school or med school and made way more money.
Also, a lot of vitriol being spewed towards vets in here. I also dont believe most of your "stories". A vet charging 5k for antibiotics? C'mon man. Vet are some of the smartest people you are going to run into. Dont you think they would know what would happen to their business if they tried to fleece everyone? I find people who are feeling mistreated by vets more often than not did not understand what the vet was telling them and made up what they wanted to hear by patchworking choice information or, are just flat out lying. If the only thing vets cared about was money, then there wouldnt be any vets. Any one of us could have gone to dental school or med school and made way more money.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 5:03 pm to Saintsisit
quote:how much is it a month? I’ve got a 5 year old 100 lb GoldenDoodle
We have Nationwide by the way.
Posted on 3/29/26 at 5:03 pm to ChatGPT of LA
quote:
Vets are the worst of the worst. They mostly prey on emotions of an owner.
You’re thinking of vet emergency clinics. Those places are evil.
I sold into vet market for 6 years and my experience was opposite, 100% of them loved animals and loved the animals that customers brought it. I was just a guy in the back waiting to sell present a product, and would hear the vets candidly chatting with staff. It was always kind and genuine. They didn’t like to invest in my diagnostic equipment because they wanted to keep prices down for their customers.
Except at 24hr emergency clinics where the goal was to scare and extract money. Those psychos would even charge people a deposit before starting any treatment.
Page 1 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News