Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! We are definitely getting pet insurance for our other dog after our experience with Calvin this year. A costly lesson learned. We are looking into nationwide pet insurance, anyone have any good/bad experience with them or any other recommendations for us to look into? Thanks in advance!
Hi Kayla,
I don't have pet insurance, but here are a few links I found useful when researching:
http://tripawds.....insurance/
Thanks for sharing those links Jet!
Funny you mention Nationwide. I just talked to someone yesterday whose dog needed a procedure that wasn't covered because it's a congenital thing, and Nationwide doesn't cover it.
We have Trupanion, after being with Pet's Best for years (which I think got purchased by Nationwide, which doubled our rates). I went with Trupanion because they have a 1 deductible per diagnosis, for the life of the pet, cancer and congenital are covered and you can get a policy add-on for rehab and holistic-oriented care (which we did).
On the downside...they are extremely persnickety over the claims when you do file them. A friend who has a policy with them confirmed this when we compared notes. Our vet had to call to dispute a denial on a claim we filed, which they ended up overturning after the phone call. So you really have to be a good advocate and prepare to do battle, but once the claim is approved that diagnosis is covered for good. The only thing is that something like "arthritis" can have multiple diagnosis, such as Wyatt Ray , who has arthritis in his spine and in his remaining rear limb, so those are two separate diagnosis. Make sense?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the feedback! Trupanion was the other one I had looked into. Good to know what to expect- i honestly had no idea how any of it worked before I started looking into it. I will look a little more at them and ask more questions before I decide. I would have never though arthritis could have multiple diagnosis’s- ha!
We were in the same boat--after Fallon, we decided we always need pet insurance. A costly live and learn lesson.
We started with Embrace for Maggie last year--main reason was, it was easy, and we got a discount by being members of the Greyhound Health Initiative.
After we got Danica, and as Maggie's year on Embrace was ending, I started doing more research. It came down to 3--Embrace, Trupanion, and Nationwide.
Our vet recommended all highly. However, he said Nationwide sometimes gave their clients a problem as they did not necessarily reimburse what the client paid, they use a scale of reasonable and customary costs. That may matter more here as we live in costy, rip-off NY state. I liked Nationwide though as they are part of my company's optional benefits offered, and the price was decent, although it covered more than we were looking for, plus they would deduct the premium from my paycheck monthly.
They work with Trupanion a lot, and never have a problem. In fact, in their waiting area, all the brochures are for Trupanion.
We ended up staying with Embrace. The reason was I only wanted coverage for catastrophes, like amputation/cancer/chemo/etc. I don't need coverage for the routine or wellness stuff, we already plan for that. I was able to get a high deductible plan ($1000 deductible, pays 70% of costs after that, with an annual max of 15K) for an annual rate of just over $400 that covers both dogs. I liked that I could pay it annually. We are only looking for a safety net, and this worked.
I have no experience regarding filing claims, but from reading reviews on line, Trupanion and Nationwide both have a lot of positive feedback. Embrace was OK, they had a few negative comments about taking too much time, paperwork getting lost, etc.
Fallon 8/28/06--9/6/18. My Heart.
Fallon's left front leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on 10/11/17.
Nothing But Love in Her Heart - dawn3g.tripawds.com
Nationwide is good for a major medical policy but they do not cover hereditary disease and can take a little longer for reimbursement. Trupanion covers hereditary issues and I think your premium is based on breed so if you have a Bulldog you pay more than if you have a mixed breed. Trupanion has the fastest turnaround for paying you back. My clients have used both. I think Trupanion covers more and has an option for alternative care including acupuncture and rehab. I do not have experience with Embrace.
Pam
That was so helpful!! Thank you! We only want it for major medical as well. Looks like the monthly payment at nationwide and trupanion is about the same, about $52-$54 for major medical. I will look into embrace as well. The problem is I live in Tennessee, i worked at a vet clinic for years and never once saw pet insurance. It is not common here so it’s not as easy to ask my vet or other pet loving friends. I’m going to look into embrace now and compare it, thank you!!
I have Embrace for both my bulldogs and I love them. I've never had to argue with them over anything. I pay 1500 annually for each. I have a $200 annual deductible and then they pay 80% up to 10K a year. Bulldogs are much more expensive to insure as they have more health problems. Yes, they do and because of this I typically at least break even every year. I don't think there has been a year where I've been in the hole. This year....well I'm giving them a run for their money due to our new Tripawd status!! I had Pets Best before Embrace and was very unhappy with them.
Just my 2 cents!
I also have Embrace and highly recommend them. I pay $91 month for my 3 dogs, $1000 annual deductible, then 80/20 up to 10k. I viewed it as a catastrophic plan, and it has been a huge help. I got it when my dogs were 6,7,8 before anything major, then my youngest got Cushings, Casey had an acl repair 2 years ago and now this. After the initial orthopedic eval they are very easy to work with, upload receipt and insurance form and about a week later reimbursement deposited into account, so I have it to pay Care Credit.
My vet loves Trupanion. Major difference is the deductible is a one time for each illness, so if you only have one major illness you make out, but 2 illnesses are 2 deductibles.
I made my decision based on having 3 dogs and it being affordable. My first year my premium was $57 for the 3, I am in my 4th year with them. They also take the deductible down $50 a year if no claims.
My job offers Nationwide for Pet Insurance as part of our benefits. I kind of glanced at it when enrolling, but decided to decline it for now. I may need to look into it though.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
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