Pet Insurance Quotes

Websites every pet owner should know about - Part 8

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:11:24 +0000

Do you need help with potty training your puppy? Does your pet exhibit unwanted behaviors such as growling or snapping? Are fleas a pesky problem for your pets and your home? The following web sites are full of valuable information, videos, and tips that are free of charge. They will answer your basic pet care questions, and provide you with much needed resources.

“Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute” provides information on what we are really feeding our pets when we buy dry pet food. Did you know that your pet could possibly be eating “intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts?” To learn more about the practices of the pet food industry, please visit, http://www.api4animals.org/fac ts.php?p=359&more=1.

Perfect Paws is a site that every pet owner should bookmark. You will find everything you need to know about potty training your puppy, and teaching your older dog some much needed manners. Can’t get Rover to stay off of the sofa? Perfect Paws has the solution that you have been searching for. Please visit, http://www.perfectpaws.com/pup stuff.html for many great tips.

This site offers a place to meet other single pet owners, and the chance to brag about, and show off your cutie. At PETPeopleMeet.com, you’ll be matched with others who share your love for pets. You can post a picture of you and your adorable pet, and connect with hundreds of new friends.

PET WELCOME is the “Internet’s largest pet/travel resource” site. You will find over “25,000 hotels” at, http://www.petswelcome.com/, as well as campgrounds, beaches, ski resorts, and Bed and Breakfast lodgings that are pet friendly. They even offer emergency vets, pet sitting and many other wonderful services for your peace of mind.

Searching for health insurance for your pet? The ASPCA now offers affordable health insurance, with a 30-day money back guarantee. This organization has a “140-year history” of rescuing pets that are victims of animal cruelty. You can manage your account on-line at, http://www.aspcapetinsurance.c om/?utm_id=2001, and select one of their 5 pet insurance plans. Their customer testimonials speak very highly of their services.

At PETCO, your furry friend can accompany you on your shopping trip. Shopping carts are provided for your pets to ride in, or they can walk around the store on a leash. PETCO also offers low cost pet grooming services, which include, bathing, clipping, and deodorizing. On their web site, http://www.petco.com,

Tags: Pet Insurance

An overview of the most common items surgically removed from pets

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:07:17 +0000

According to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) socks, underwear, and panty hose top the list of items that must be surgically removed after being ingested by household pets. In a release issued today by VPI, the California based pet health insurance company lists the top 10 most common surgically removed items based on reports from its claims adjusters. They are:

1. Socks

2. Underwear

3. Panty Hose

4. Rocks

5. Balls

6. Chew Toys

7. Corn Cobs

8. Bones

9. Hair Ties/Ribbons

10. Sticks

While these are the 10 most common, the complete list of ingested items that have required surgical removal is broad and seemingly limited only to what a pet can get a hold of and has an interest in. Some of the other items adjusters have seen include rubber bands, batteries, pagers, nails, needles, and baby-bottle nipples. The cost to the pet owner to diagnose the problem and remove the item can run about $1000. VPI policy holders are reimbursed for the expense.

“It’s no secret that cats are curious and dogs like to chew on things,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. “Unfortunately, those traits can motivate pets to chew on, bite, or swallow items they shouldn’t. Some of these objects will pass naturally, but others have a tendency to become lodged in pets’ gastrointestinal tracts, resulting in pain, vomiting, or internal injury. In those cases, surgery may be a necessity.”

So how can a pet owner prevent their furry friend from ingesting something that won’t agree with them and ultimately require surgery? VPI recommends keeping the floor and any other pet-accessible areas clean and clear of any item that could be chewed or eaten. Each pet has his/her own tastes and interests and pet owners should be aware of what their pets are drawn to and keep those items out of reach. VPI also warns that table scraps can contain excessive grease, bones, or other material that may not be digestible by a pet.

Dr. McConnell shared some insight as to when and sometimes why this happens. “Most of these incidents occur without the pet owner’s knowledge,” said McConnell. “Pets can get anxious if left alone and start chewing on objects to relieve boredom or stress.” Whether pet owners witnessed an ingestion or not, they should always be aware of the possibility. “Never ignore the signs that a pet may have swallowed something inedible: continual vomiting, dry heaving and/or coughing.” McConnell said. “If these symptoms occur, your pet should be examined by a veterinarian.”

Pet Insurance - Part 1

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:12:16 +0000

It seems that the cost of treatment at the vets seems to be getting more expensive with every year that passes. Before any vets reading this take offence I know that most vets still offer very good value for the treatment provided.When choosing a policy there are a number of key things to check for to make sure the policy you are buying meets your needs. Monthly premiums can vary quite dramatically but the cheapest premiums are not necessarily offering the best value cover insurance cover for your pet.Most policies have some form of excess per claim with the range being between 60-100 depending on the level of cover. My advice is dont be put off by what seems a relatively high figure in this case. Some policies do not have any excess, but premiums for these products tend to be higher. Recently I received a bill for nearly 500 when my dog was bitten on his ear. The injury itself was not too severe but the cost of drugs and stitches pushed overall cost up, and I was happy to get 400 of the fees back. A friend was able to reclaim more than 5000 when her beloved dog needed operations on her joints.The various pet insurance companies also have differing rules regarding the age at which they will insure a pet. Some set maximum limits at which they will insure a pet up to, whilst others are happy to insure pets of any age but have an age limit for new policies. Typically the limits are about 8 years for a Dog and 10 years for a cat. When insuring a new puppy or kitten some Insurers insist on a 14 day introductory period, during which claims will not be honoured. I have fallen foul of this clause in the past when a puppy I had bought was found to suffering from a virus within 3 days of me taking it home, leaving a 600 bill to be paid from my own pocket. Happily Sam survived; this left a bitter taste in the mouth when the claim was rejected, so my advice is read the small print.

I know that for those operating on low income 120 to 300 a year can be quite a large sum of money to find annually, but I would suggest those who can find the money to do so in preference to potentially very large surprise bills.

Tags: Pet Insurance

10 Questions To Ask Before Buying Pet Insurance

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:35:27 +0000

There are at least a half dozen pet insurance companies in the United States and each one offers different coverage and different options. How is today’s pet parent supposed to navigate their way around all these choices?

These nine questions are designed to give you a headstart and save you time. As you learn more you will no doubt think of other questions too.

1. Does the pet insurance company give you a choice of deductibles, maximums, and copays? This is important because more choices mean more opportunities to design a plan to suit your budget.

2. Does the plan cover genetic conditions? Any pet can be at risk of genetic problems. Many pet insurance companies do not cover these but some do. For the most comprehensive coverage you want genetic conditions to be covered.

3. Does the plan cover chronic or recurring conditions? So if your pet gets sick in year 1, does it cover the same illness again in year 2? You want your plan to cover chronic illnesses.

4. Does the plan come loaded with coverages that you’ll pay for but probably never use, like “Lost & Found” or “Accidental Death”? Don’t pay for coverages that you’ll never use.

5. What is and is not covered? Is it clearly stated on their website or over the phone? You don’t want any surprises when you lodge a claim.

6. Does the plan pay claims based on a restrictive benefit schedule or the actual vet bill? You want to avoid plans with benefit schedules because they generally do not reimburse a very high percentage of your vet bill.

7. Are there per-incident limits that effectively cap the amount you could receive back? For example, some plans have a $3,000 per-incident limit. If you had a claim for $5,000 with one of these plans then the most you would get back would be $3,000.

8. How long does the company take to pay claims? Obviously the quicker, the better!

9. What are the company’s rules around pre-existing conditions? Are they excluded permanently or temporarily? Remember, no pet insurance plan will cover pre-existing conditions straight away but if you’re upfront with the company, they can be upfront with you.

10. Will your premium go up if you make a claim?

Now that you’re armed with these questions, go online or call the companies to make sure that you’re getting what you expect from your pet insurance plan.

And as you learn about the different plans more you’ll be in a better position to ask the right questions so that you can make the right decision for your budget and your pet.

Tags: Pet Insurance

About pet health care insurance

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:43:02 +0000

Pet health insurance providers have grown to be more well-known over the past decade, making countless dog owners, cat owners and owners of other animals think about obtaining coverage for their pet. The type of process can turn out to be a bit overwhelming, with various policy options and numerous insurance companies presenting coverage.

Pet Insurance companies similar to Veterinary Pet Insurance, Inc. (also recognized as VPI) or the ASPCA’s Insurance Company suggest fairly priced insurance policy premiums for cats, dogs, birds, exotics and other pets. VPI puts forward an assortment of coverage options, allowing pet owners to manage to pay for care and measures that they may otherwise have to miss out on. Pet owners can make a decision from a variety of insurance coverage options.

1. Routine care coverage: This selection of coverage will incorporate a main part of routine pet care, such as immunizations and yearly exams. This variety of policy is routinely the least high-priced. Pet owners should make sure that the price tag of the veterinary insurance policy premium does not go past the standard routine pet care expenses.

2. Basic coverage for particular care and procedures: Basic care policy will involve the overheads of exams and methods that drop beyond the scope of routine care. So an agreement of this type will not take in vaccines or yearly examinations. But it will cover a portion of the expenses associated with diagnostic testing, visits to veterinary specialists, operations and further procedures.

3. Premium coverage for specialized care and procedures: These upper care plans, on average, present coverage for the similar procedures and testing as the basic care plans, in spite of the truth that the payment level is higher. The premium is also a little higher to pay compensation for the greater relationship of reimbursement.

4. All -inclusive coverage: An all-inclusive coverage pet insurance policy generally covers routine care and precise care like diagnostic testing, visits to veterinarian specialists and corrective procedures. All-inclusive veterinary pet insurance policies are logically the priciest.

Unfortunately, the immense predominance of veterinary insurance companies do not expend for procedures and supplementary care up-front. The pet owner normally has to pay the vet cost up-front, and the currency is afterward reimbursed in a week or two of the claim form submission. However, in cases where it’s a subject of life or death, a large number of vets will consent to the pet owner paying just a small part of the bill. This allows the pet parent to make arrangements for the insurance reimbursement payment to be sent directly to the clinic, in that way clearing what’s left of the balance.

There is also normally a two-week time lag before pet coverage becomes in effect. Therefore, when purchasing veterinary pet insurance, pet owners ought to be certain to ask about the waiting time before the policy goes into effect.

It is quite obvious that pet health insurance is valuable. It offers more benefits, not only for the pet, but also for its owner, more than its disadvantages. However, owners should not jump into getting pet health insurance without conducting enough research, no matter what.

Researching on pet health insurance will not only make certain that you will get a hold of the best healthcare for your pet, but can additionally assist you save up some currency to focus to other wishes of your pet.

Tags: pet health insurance, Pet Insurance, veterinary pet insurance

How To Save Money On Your Pet Insurance

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:53:37 +0000

Here in Britain we are a nation of pet lovers and treat our pets like we do ourselves and our children, this includes giving them the best food, treats, toys, care and of course the best in health care by way of a vet. However when it comes to our pets they can also cost us a fortune, especially if you should have to visit the vet. However much we love our pets the bills for x-rays and medication can be sky high, however you can insure your pet. Insuring your pet doesn’t have to as expensive as you might think and could save you money in the long run.

Insurance for your pet isn’t limited to paying out when it comes to vet bills, most insurance taken out for your pet includes for other eventualities that can arise. For example should your pet be stolen then most insurance companies will pay out for a reward offered.

One way of having money for any eventuality to cover your pet, is to not actually go with an insurance company but instead set up an account which is solely for your pet and deposit money either as a lump sum or put away a little each month and allow it to build up in case you should need it. This can often work out cheaper than paying actual premiums through an insurer.

However if you wish to go with an insurer then shop around for the best deal with the cheapest premium, things you should take into account when it comes to purchasing insurance include the amount of excess that you pay. If you pay more excess then your premium will be lower.

Also watch out for hereditary conditions being excluded, many breeds have certain conditions which are know to be passed from generation to generation so make sure your pet doesn’t fall into this category or insurance could be worthless.

Finally take into account if there is a maximum pay out limit per year. Some policies will only pay out to a set limit, if you have an older animal that needs regular treatment then it might not be covered.

Tags: Pet Insurance

Websites every pet owner should know about - Part 7

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:48:38 +0000

Good news! As a pet owner you’ve just stumbled upon an article that’s going to answer all your pet questions. This article is a summary of some fantastic websites and forums, both informal and professional.

Here are my suggestions from many hours of research on the topic of animal care. Imagine how many hours i’m saving you and your pet. (BBB) = Better Business Bureau.

PET INSURANCE : www.PetInsurance.com (BBB registered 01.23.01 rated satisfactory) They offer an exciting website loaded with features and insurance options for your pet. Including but not limited to x-rays, surgery, accidents, cancer, flea control, heart worms, dental, spay / neutering and more. Pet insurance has become an enormous success as pet owners have learned over the years, pet care can be quite expensive. Reasonable monthly rates at www.PetInsurance.com can easily pay for itself in only a few visits or one unfortunate turn of events.

JUST ANSWER - PET HEALTH QUESTIONS : www.JustAnswer.com (BBB registered 07.19.06 rated satisfactory) This websites promise is to answer all pet related questions. Something that makes this site standout more than others is that they offer professional veterinarians online to answer your questions. An example of their commitment being that it is 2:46a on a Saturday morning and there are 9 pet vets and experts online waiting for your questions. Most questions are answered for a mere $15 plus any tip you care to offer. There are several answers that cost less than $15. Professional answers to your necessary pet questions.

DORANS CANINE COLLEGE - PET TRAINING OPTIONS : www.DoransCanineCollege.com (BBB registered 02.15.94 rated satisfactory) This canine college hosts a fantastic program. They are proud that their BBB rating has zero customer complaints to date. Their rates are kept low because they have built a facilities on their home property. Most of their teaching is aimed at canine obedience. Although dogs are their most often requested service, they do provide care and training to other pets.

PETS WELCOME - PET TRAVEL : www.PetsWelcome.com (BBB non-member at this time) They offer a multitude of pet travel information. From vehicle travels to air travels they have the answers. They keep communication with the travel industry so that they can keep their customers aware of any pet travel policy changes.

HUMAN SOCIETY of the UNITED STATES - CHOOSING A VET & CHOOSING AN ANIMAL BREEDER: www.hsus.org - Human Society (BBB non-member at this time) This

Tags: Pet Insurance

Websites every pet owner should know about - Part 18

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:22:28 +0000

Pet owners turn to the Internet as a starting place or the final destination for care and training news, shopping, and knowledge. You may wish to understand what is happening inside the brain of little Fluffy or Buster or their feathered and scaly counterparts. You may want concrete answers to particular questions about first aid or travel.

Think of the Internet as an infinite library-shopping mall-encyclopedia complex that has a section just for pets. You can refine your search before shopping or get your products and answers straight from cyberspace. Websites, whether for one species or all that can conceivably be called pets, offer a storehouse for medical issues, breeds, care, training, the benefits of pet ownership, and a place to show off cute pictures.

Consider general-knowledge websites along with pet-specific. Helpful websites include those of bookstores and television and newspaper outlets, since the Internet is a significant way they disseminate news and sell goods.

Peruse book reviews from fellow readers on Amazon.com along with its famously wide array of books. This might be the only stop you make to find an ideal book for pet first aid. On the topic of pet home emergencies, a recent search turned up a 2003 article on CBSnews.com about whether you can or should give aspirin or other medicines to a dog and how much is too much to give. This article lists medicines that should never be given to a dog as well.

Use the American Automobile Association’s site, AAA.com, to find hotels that allow pets and whether there is a size limit. It is a good idea to confirm the pet policy with a chosen hotel too, since the rules can change at the hotel.

Moving to pet-specific websites, chances are you will find more choices than you need. Pet health and medical care are major concerns for pet owners and are well-covered in the cyber world. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) runs Healthypet.com, which has articles and FAQs about dogs, cats, exotic pets, and veterinary medicine. This is the place for information on reptile or box turtle care, air travel with pets, insurance, and that sensitive subject, trimming animals’ nails. A pet photo page for fun and a bookstore round out the site. Healthypet has a hospital finder; search for a specific hospital or by zip code. From there, many hospitals post their own sites with information about their services

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About pet health care insurance - Part 2

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:52:58 +0000

As veterinary medicine becomes more sophisticated and more specialized it is also becoming more expensive. Pet health insurance is growing in popularity for many pet owners who want the best health care that money can buy for their furry and feathered family members. Like humans, pets are now living longer and healthier than ever before. Advances in health care is improving quality of life for pets, and increasing cost as veterinarians need to acquire specialized equipment and training to keep up.

Unlike health insurance for humans, animal health insurance usually doesn’t cover upfront costs. All the pet insurance companies that I’m aware of only reimburse pet health costs. You will still have to have the money to pay your veterinary bill, and then submit your receipts and claim forms to the insurance company who then sends you a check.

There are two major systems that the companies use to pay claims. Some, such as Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) follow a schedule of payouts. Each type of injury or illness has a preset amount of coverage associated with it, and the company will pay up to that amount for each problem. How much you get back compared to how much you pay upfront to your veterinarian depends on how close the charges are to the insurance company’s payout schedule.

The second system is for the pet insurance company to pay a percentage of each claim, regardless of the health problem. Pet’s Best Insurance, and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance use this method.

Pet health insurance companies may also require a deductible, either for each incidence (each trip to the veterinarian) or for each problem (all visits are covered for a particular problem, even if repeated visits to the vet are needed). The good news is that most national pet health insurance companies allow you to choose any veterinarian you want to go to. Some individual hospitals or doctors may offer their own insurance that is only good at that particular practice, so make sure you know which you’re getting if you sign up while you’re at a veterinary hospital.

There are many options for coverage beyond the standard plans. Some companies offer routine wellness care. This may include annual exams, vaccinations, routine dental cleanings, and preventive medicine like heartworm and flea preventatives.

They may also offer a separate emergency care plan that would cover only serious unexpected injury, like if your dog that is hit by a car. These other plans may be available

Tags: pet health insurance, Pet Insurance, veterinary pet insurance

Choosing pet insurance: what questions to ask

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:48:34 +0000

Pet insurance has been called the most confusing of all types of insurance. And this is not without good reason! There are a vast number of different providers of pet insurance out there, and most of these offer several different types of policy.

So if you are a newcomer to the scene, where on earth do you start?

One place to start is with your vet. Your vet may have experience of different types of pet insurance policy and be able to advise you. In particular, he or she may know which companies are better at paying out! But you can’t take this for granted. Many vets know surprisingly little about different Pet insurance companies. And some vets also receive commission for recommending a company. This isn’t necessarily a slur on the vet’s integrity – he or she will probably genuinely believe the company is good, but won’t have researched the others in any detail.

So if you don’t have anyone to advise you, how do you know what to look for?

Here are some questions to ask – for some of them you may need to look deep into the small print. These are questions that need a “yes” answer:
• Does the pet insurance policy provide genuine lifetime cover?
• Does the provider continue to cover your pet when he gets old, rather than abandoning you when he reaches 8 or 10 years?
• Do they give you a discount for more than one pet?
• Do they keep your premiums the same even if you make a claim, rather than putting them up?
• Are the premiums capped, rather than going up automatically each year?
• Can you make your payments by interest-free monthly instalments?

Here are some questions that need a “No” answer:
• Will there be a large excess fee for any treatment?
• Is the level of the premium based on where you live?
• Does the pet insurance policy carry a lot of unreasonable exclusions, such as “investigative treatment”?

It may require a bit of “homework”. But if you can find the right answers to these questions, you should find a policy that meeds your needs.

Tags: Pet Insurance