Pet Insurance

[oslund]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with VPI Pet Insurance? I was thinking about getting pet insurance for my two birds and was wondering if anyone else has insurance (or decided agains it), and what they think about it.

Thanks

[The Outlaw]

When I last looked into pet insurance, it didn't begin to cover the important stuff. That plus with 10 birds, just which ones should I cover? What I did instead was open a savings account and I put extra money in there. I try to keep about $1,000 in there for emergencies. If its bad, that will at least get me started. I also keep one credit card here with a zero balance for bird emergencies.

THE OUTLAW

[Stacey32]

I have VPI and I am very happy with it. I have a 'medium' sized bird, pay about 10$ month, and it has saved us money. i'm not at home, but on the weekend i can give you some examples on how it has saved us.

[oslund]

Stacey

I was researching VPI, (all the info I saw on the web looked great) and I called and asked for a complete benifits schedule for birds, and they sent me the one for cats and dogs :eusa_wall ... when I called to make the request again, the person told me that everything is automated and that I would probably get the cat and dog info again. Then I was told that if I sign up for the insurance (with 10 days free) they would send me out the correct benefit schedule and if I didn't like it I could cancel. I didn't really like the sound of that.

With all that said... if you or anyone else has a copy of the benifit schedule that you could e-mail to me so I have an idea of the things that are covered, I would really appreciate that.

[Lisa B]

http://www.parrotchronicles.com/marc.../insurance.htm

[oslund]

Thanks Lisa!

That article was very informative.

[Willow]

I was just looking at this insurance today. This is what I figured out from the website:

From what I can tell, it would cost $957.60 to cover my 4 Amazons for a year. This is with the Supplemental and Routine Care Coverage which includes $181 per bird (so $724 total) toward: "Annual exam, Blood testing, Fecal analysis, Nail and wing trim, and more". Taking that into account, the total out of pocket "wasted" if there are no emergencies for the year is $233.60. That's not terribly bad.

It costs a little more if you pay monthly, though (there is a $2 processing fee per month, per bird). A little less than $100 a month. I don't know though, over the lifetime of the birds, putting $100 a month in a bank account would probably get me a bit further in the long run. Hmm. Of course, it depends on when your emergency is going to strike, really, and who knows . . . and also on how many emergies you might have. And there are restrictions in terms of what is covered, etc. But still. Something to consider.

Sorry, thinking out loud here. At this point, there is not $100 a month extra, so it'll just be thinking for a bit!

The website, is anone is looking, is: http://www.petinsurance.com

[Lisa B]

oslund

youre welcome.

[Stacey32]

The reps are pretty dodgy. I agree. Claim forms are easy and convenient.
I've never had to argue any claim.

I pay $120 year

I bought the insurance after sitting in the waiting room of Bindy's major accident. The accident (prior to insurance) cost about $500. $50 deductible each incident.

First Claim-1/4/04 -swallowed Tin Foil- Vet Bill $94 Insurance reimburs $39.60

Second Claim- 7/9/04- Conjunctivitis- Vet Bill $78 Insurance Reimbur $25.20

Third Claim- 10/30/04 - Broken Blood Feather- Vet Bill $98 Insurance reimburs $27

So, Insurance reiumbursed us about $91. We had a loss then of $30. But also had no major issues. It just puts us at ease (after her first major injury). They would have paid at minimum $220. I know these injuries aren't common, but we feel better having it.

I can fax you the payment schedule for you to peruse if you like.
stacey

[oslund]

Stacey,

That would be great. I'll private message you my e-fax number.

I have an eclectus that I've had for a couple of months now, and she already had a huge vet bill for a pasteurella infection which I, her previous owner,and her vet can't figure out how she got. So I think that at least insuring her is a good idea, if not both of my birds.