petsmart insurance vs. VPI insurance
i've been searching and searching for pet insurance. from the stories i've heard, monthly payments for pet insurance pays off someday. so i've decided to get insurance for my puppy. the question is i don't know which.. i've searched previous posts. and seems like VPI is best choice. There is a PetsMart near where i live that has vet inside the store (i think it's smart for PetsMart to have vet inside the store like Walmart has eggs and milk to tires.) it's convenient for me to take my puppy to vet while i shop for her food and toys. it's called Banfield vet care or something...and coverage seems pretty good you pay 70 dollar + 20 monthly and it covers most of issues anybody has Banfield? can you please recommend me which one is better between VPI and Banfield from PetsMart? here is sites Banfield from PetsMart http://www.banfield.net/health/owp_adults.asp VPI http://www.petinsurance.com thanks |
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I have both, Banfield and VPI. I will try to explain a little about both. I have had VPI for many years for my dog and have paid the $16 a month for years. SO far she has needed double knee surgery, numerous allergy treatments and medication, prednisone shots, and special diets as well as the normal vaccs and heartworm prevention and flea treatments, and so on. So far, VPI has covered NOTHING.  That's right, they have denied coverage of everything for one reason or another. Now she has an anal gland issue, and I just found out they won't cover that either! Quite frankly, the only reason I have it is in case my dog, God forbid, were to get cancer. The Banfield thing is awsome. You pay a one time fee, and your vaccs and visits and heartworm tests are covered, you get a discount on meds and flea treatments, and free spay/neuter. You can even get a package that covers dental, but it is a little higher. I love it. You should really check into it. Also, the Banfield people have top notch treatments and equipment. Very well worth it!! |
| I would love more info on dog insurance. I think I could really use it given the bad luck I've had with medical bills.
I rescued a dog for my mom a few years ago and it was convenient to take her to Petsmart /Banfield, love the all in one stop shopping, grooming & vet. However, we didn't get so lucky with the care. The dog was given flea medicine for my mom to take home in another state. When she got home she realized the medicine was expired. The care was also not tops. But that was only my experience one time. I think each place should be evaluated on an individual basis. First and foremost, I think it is important to find a vet that you believe in and feel their level of expertise is top knotch. Then decide what insurance will help. |
| The only pet insurance we have used so far is the AKC insurance http://www.akcphp.com/BHIA/ that we have on two of our girls. We have another company's policy on Maggie and Meesha but have not had to use it yet. And Pandi and Kaytee would not qualify because of pre-existing conditions.
Last month we got a check for just over $400 for a $500 surgery that Darby required for a wound... they surgically removed a benign tumor. It also paid for a portion of her allergy testing, serum, shots, office calls, Thyroid meds, etc. after the deductible was paid. We also used the policy the year before on Emma when she got a bite of a poisonous mushroom. Our policy has a deductible and an 80/20 co-pay but it has been well worth it for us. Read the exclusions so you know what you're getting BEFORE you need it. Note that many policies have caps on per-incident totals they will pay... some have a deductible for each INCIDENT while others have a deductible per YEAR instead which is much better. Some also have a lifetime maximum they will pay. Most insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions or congenital defects... again, read the terms/exclusions of the policy carefully before you make a purchase so you aren't disappointed. We took a stray cat to Banfield last summer and they were very, very nice to us and got us right in. We had "Mary" vet checked and tested to be sure she wasn't feline leukemia postive... our regular vet couldn't get us in. They offered us a deal on the spay fee... the same price the local rescue got... but we found it was about the same price our vet regularly charged. As with everything, you've got to compare the quality of service and pricing. I don't know anything about the Banfield policy... I guess one thing I would want to know is if there was a serious illness would the policy pay for treatment outside the Banfield professionals? Like for a specialist? Good luck in your search! |
| I had Banfield for about three years for my older pug and now on my second pug puppy.
On my older pug, I have $24.99/mo plan that included dental care and did that for two years. My impression are: Pro's: Free doctor visits, pre-paid vaccinations Con's: 1) There is a large turnover of doctors. I originally loved my Banfield vet but when she left I had a series of vets that I was lukewarm about and then one that I hated so much, I changed Banfield locations which costs $$$. Since your on a year contract, if you hate your doctor you are out of luck unless are willing to pay money to break your contract. 2) After-hour emergencies are not covered. You have no coverage at other vets. 3) While your doctor visits are free, but the techs seem to try to add additional procedures, i.e., $12 for nail trimming, $15 anal gland cleaning, $19 for ear cleaning, $20 for a bath. I fell for this at first, until I realized that the groomers will do the nail trim, anal glands and bath for the wopping price of $17. I have since come to the conclusion that the techs get ian ncentive for adding procedures. I have learned to be very clear about specifically outlining that I don't want these procedures. 4) BANFIELD IS TEST HAPPY. If you have ANY additional tests performed (beyond your annual allowance) you'll pay a slightly higher price than going rate. Yes you get a percentage off the retail rate...but their rate is high in the first place. 5) Banfield highlights their multiple vet locations...but if you change locations the records don't transfer. This is beyond me! 6) My pug has a collapsing trachea. At one Banfield location, the vet declined to provide my annual teeth cleaning even though I had paid for it because she said it medically unadvisable. However another Banfield vet said there he would perform the procedure, but would charge me for the cleaning since my credit was with another Banfield location. I called the Banfield main office to complain...but they didn't return my calls. In the end, I am not a Banfield fan as I think the level of service is very erratic and since your in a one year contract, the office doesn't necessarily need to be corgial. Technology wise, I think they're top notch. They can and do test your animal like crazy. It's probably not needed 95% of the time...but in the 5% of the time...there great at diagnosing a problem. A mixed bag for sure. I am looking forward to August when my contracts end and I can try using vpi |
| I have had PetCare Insurance for years and absolutely would not go without it. Only a $50.00 deductible per claim and NO FEE SCHEDULE. VPI has a fee schedule. I have a Persian who has been diagnosed with Pancreatitis and requires hospitalization approximately every 3 months. My hospitialization fees are approximately $3,000.00 per episode and PetCare Insurance sends a check for 80% (because my Persian is over 10 years old and 100% if he was younger than 8 years of age) of the amount billed, not the amount allowed per a fee schedule, within apporximately 2 weeks of submitting the claim.
Hope this is helpful. Alysia |
| I have VPI for my cat that I have had for about 5 years now. I signed her up last year for VPI. We paid the full $322.00 for the year. I took her in for routine vaccines and a yearly exam. My cost was $52.00. The claim back from VPI had a check for $35.00! Which was great. I ended up only having to pay $17.00 over all for that visit. We went again a couple months later for a dental. My cat ended up needing an extraction. The bill was $768.00 for the cleaning, anesthisia and extraction. This is the typical cost of a dental exam at any good quality veterinary clinic for this type of work. The claim back from VPI had a check for $368.80. The cost of that visit only costed me $399.20! That's a steal! Dentals are very exspensive for pets. Overall I have recieved $403.80 back from VPI, which is more than I pad for the insurance in the first place. Not a lot more, but more. VPI is definatley worth it. People have to realize though, you pay upfront the cost and then submit the claim for reimbursement. So yes, you are out the money up front, but you get most of it back. Would you rather be out $820.00 for ever or just for a while and then get it back? I work in the veterinary industry and I can tell you that PETSMART the STORE rocks! BANFIELD does not. Which is why they have high turnover. The BANFIELD veterinarians type in their findings about your pet into the computer. The system then tells them what they have to do next. They have to do it to continue to work there. If they diferntiate from what the system says they get in trouble. BANFIELD takes all of the human compassion and nature out of veterinary medicine. The doctors don't get to do what they feel is best or right for your pet. They do what the computer tells them to do. Which is why the doctors leave and go to individually owned vetinary practices. Vetenarians do not make a lot of money because they have so many college loans to pay for- they pocket almost nothing at the end of the day. So even though it seems costly at individually owned and not corperate owned clinics (and they don't have their own insurance plan for you to choose) they will give your pet the best care they believe your pet needs. If you get VPI you can go to ANY veterinary you choose at any time and in any state! They have many plans to choose from and different ways to pay for them. No contracts, no nothing. You do it your way. |
jdog wrote: I have VPI for my cat that I have had for about 5 years now. I signed her up last year for VPI. We paid the full $322.00 for the year. I took her in for routine vaccines and a yearly exam. My cost was $52.00. The claim back from VPI had a check for $35.00! Which was great. I ended up only having to pay $17.00 over all for that visit. We went again a couple months later for a dental. My cat ended up needing an extraction. The bill was $768.00 for the cleaning, anesthisia and extraction. This is the typical cost of a dental exam at any good quality veterinary clinic for this type of work. The claim back from VPI had a check for $368.80. The cost of that visit only costed me $399.20! That's a steal! Dentals are very exspensive for pets. Overall I have recieved $403.80 back from VPI, which is more than I pad for the insurance in the first place. Not a lot more, but more. VPI is definatley worth it. People have to realize though, you pay upfront the cost and then submit the claim for reimbursement. So yes, you are out the money up front, but you get most of it back. Would you rather be out $820.00 for ever or just for a while and then get it back? I work in the veterinary industry and I can tell you that PETSMART the STORE rocks! BANFIELD does not. Which is why they have high turnover. The BANFIELD veterinarians type in their findings about your pet into the computer. The system then tells them what they have to do next. They have to do it to continue to work there. If they diferntiate from what the system says they get in trouble. BANFIELD takes all of the human compassion and nature out of veterinary medicine. The doctors don't get to do what they feel is best or right for your pet. They do what the computer tells them to do. Which is why the doctors leave and go to individually owned vetinary practices. Vetenarians do not make a lot of money because they have so many college loans to pay for- they pocket almost nothing at the end of the day. So even though it seems costly at individually owned and not corperate owned clinics (and they don't have their own insurance plan for you to choose) they will give your pet the best care they believe your pet needs. If you get VPI you can go to ANY veterinary you choose at any time and in any state! They have many plans to choose from and different ways to pay for them. No contracts, no nothing. You do it your way.
I'll put a different twist on the above comments. First, I am a Physician Assistant who has spent twenty-one years in academic emergency medicine. Like my physician counterparts, my practice is driven by my knowledge, skill, clinical instincts and standards of care, complimented by a certain degree of "defensive medicine" (where I order studies or other interventions primarily to "do what's right for the patient" AND minimize my own risk of litigation (often the result of not following standards of care)). Based on my experience described above, I can understand the attractiveness of the Banfield software systems from a practice management perspective. I doubt that the primary purpose of these systems is to tell Banfield Veterinarians how to practice medicine. Instead, I suspect that their purpose is to ensure certain "standards of care," to remind Banfield Veterinarians of certain interventions that may be suggested for the conditions that they are treating (and thereby mitigating risk), and finally, to consider interventions or services that may result in additional income for their veterinary practice (called "up-selling" in lots of business and industries). I do not think any of this is bad, in fact, I think much of it is good. In case you are wondering, there are many similar software systems in place today in some of the most respected hospitals and medical practices (for humans) in this country. Now to personalize this a bit further, our dog is covered by both VPI and a basic Banfield plan. We spend half our time in one community, and half in another community. In one community we see a fee for service Veterinarian, and submit resulting claims to VPI. In the other community we see a Banfield Veterinarian. I would consider both Veterinarians to have similar skills and knowledge, and to be equally compatent. I must admit, access to the Banfield Vet is much easier then our other Vet. "The door is always open" or "the light is always on" at the Banfield practice that we visit. I have watched how our Banfield Veterinarian and his technicians interact with Banfield's software, and I do not believe it to be a bad thing at all; in fact, I believe it to be a very good thing. It is interesting to watch how the system reminds our Vet and his team that we are due for a follow-up on a condition, or an immunization, or some other intervention. You could bet that if a Banfield Veterinarian ever had to defend his clinical actions, that he would have better notes to defend his actions then the vast majority of Veterinarians who do not use a software system like Banfield's. I am also a fan of the "reminders" that the Banfield system triggers to their staff; we receive many more follow-up phone calls from our Banfield Veterinarian's practice then we do from our non-Banfield Veterinarian's practice. And finally, I have been more then impressed by the wealth of resources available to the Banfield Vet Tech's when they need help or direction from a Veterinarian or a specialist, and their Veterinarian or specialist is not in the office at the time of our visit or phone call. On more then one occasion our Banfield Vet Tech has called Banfield's central offices, and received excellent advice from the Veterinarian's and specialists who are available on an on-call basis to the Banfield offices. While I admire the intentions of the earlier poster, I believe there is much more to Banfield then may appear to be visible to someone without a formal education in medicine. I am certain there is good and not so good medicine practiced in the Banfield system; I am equally certain that there is good and not so good medicine practiced in non-Banfield practices. The earlier poster's comments remind me of shots that were fired by friends at HMO's year's ago; they were quick to condemn "HMO's," and inferred that all HMO's deliver bad medicine. My family has been a very satisfied member of an HMO for more then twenty-five years. And yes, there are some similarities between the pre-paid medical care of an HMO, and the pre-paid veterinary care that Banfield offers. In addition to having received excellent care at our neighborhood Banfield, we have saved a lot of money in office visits, by not having to pay for each visit. It's also been nice not having to consider what a visit to the Vet would cost; knowing that our visits are already paid for. |
| Hello,
I have a 12 year old cocker spaniel and would sell the Banfield program to all of my friends as I brought into the plan when I first brought my dog. I have had the plan in NC and GA. The quality of care has been ok for basic exams, but I will tell you that it is usually better to drop your pet off then to wait on them to see your dog (with or without an appt). Service could be improved. I must say that Banfield is best used as a wellness plan just for basic exams. But like someone else said, I recently asked how much vacinations were at the vet where I board my dog and they quoted me $129, but they run a special in Dec for $79. Well the Banfield program is costing me about $228/year. I am going to have to evaluate weather this was a savings. When it comes to things beyond basic exams, I DO NOT RECOMMEND BANFIELD. I took my dog in because I noticed that her eye was red. I had to pay for the testing, but they said that my cocker had a scratched cornea. 2weeks later, her eye was still red. Took her back and they referred me to an eye specialist. Which were not covered on the Banfield program. So here I am paying $228/year and no coverage for anything major. I think that I would have rather paid for the wellness out of my pocket than to pay $1100 for surgery for glacoma for my dog. YES, I AM STILL A LITTLE BITTER AT BANFIELD FOR DIAGNOSING MY DOG INCORRECTLY. LET ALONE FINDING OUT THAT THEY DON'T COVER ANY OF THE SPECIALTY CARE. AFTER 12 YEARS ON BANFIELD, I WILL BE LEAVING THE PROGRAM - NOT WORTH IT. PS: I HAD TO DO BLOOD WORK PROIR TO MY DOGS SURGERY. Here is the comparison: Banfiled - $169 (5% discount for wellness plan), local vet. - $80, specialty office $75-80. As you can see the prices are double the cost of what you pay any where else. The convience is not worth paying double for the quality that you don't recieve. |
| Ava is covered by AKC insurance - Banfield wouldn't work for us since the closest place is over 2 hrs away - but it looks as though they offer good coverage if you have one nearby |
| I have worked for several Banfield locations and I must say after working at another non-Banfield vet I would not even let my worst enemy go to one on their hospitals. So many things I saw done there over the years were incorrect or done in the most cost efficient way possible for the hospital NOT in the best interest of the pet. Please be careful of Banfield hospitals for anything other than routine vaccinations.
As far as insurance companies go I ONLY recommend VPI for several reasons. 1) They are the nations oldest and largest. In my 30 years in vet medicine I have seen some 50 insurance companies come and go leaving their clients with now pre-existing conditions that can't be fully covered by ANY other company. Even the ones that say they cover pre-existing be careful it is usually only 100- 200 dollars total for the life of the pet. That will get you one visit and testing maybe two total. 2) They have a up front benefit schedule. This allows you to see exactly what you get back. They also have a list of things which are not covered. No other company does that. They say things like "reasonable and customary" or hide the lists of non-covered items behind tons of legal jargon. 3) It works! The clients in my practice that have VPI love it! I have only had one complaint and it was easily fixed by speaking with the company and finding out what paper work they needed to prove the claim. When shopping for insurance be careful and read the fine print. Then ask your doctor who they recommend. I can guarantee you will go with VPI. |
| There right about Banfield on many accounts. I worked there for a few months many years ago until I became a groomer.
First, they are good about getting you in right away. The puppy plans are also a prettly good deal as far as routine care is conserned. However, they are twice as expensive as your regular vet for anything that strays outside of the plan expecially prescriptions. They are test happy. And they do have a high turnover rate. Do check and see if the vet who is running the clinic is the owner. If so, than you can bet that unless he sells, he is not going anywhere. |
| My daughter Lisa worked at Petsmart for a few months (until a job opened in her field) and purchased the Banfield insurance. She has only had it a couple months, and has already saved lots of money. She did shots and exam when she adopted him.
She went back yesterday to get some bloodwork and try some meds for sedating him for the trip home at Christmas (she already tried herbals, benedryl and melatonin at her vet's suggestion) . They kept him and actually HELD HIM while he was sedated (they found a drug that worked!) The bloodwork was needed as he is 10 yrs old, and they needed to make sure he was OK to try the drugs. This was all covered under her plan. Lisa loves her vet there - especially as her name is Lisa too.  |
being a total new comer to owning a pup i was pretty overwhelmed with what i should do with wilbur when he became sick, we had only had him 3 days - since Petsmart was easy to get to, i took him there - they clocked him in straight away no problems, and they seemed very proficient and professional and answered all my questions... i had lots of them.. and this was before Wilbur started showing sign of Parvo! Everyone seemed to love wilbur too making a big fuss over him 
Just like any OES dad i wanted the best healthcare for my pup so i asked about getting the premium insurance for Wilbur, but my Vet advised that we should go for a lower one and he indicated that the premium one was more suited for older dogs... Four days later i rushed Wilbur in as most of you know when he became extremely ill with the parvo virus.... and we where lucky enough to get the same Vet we had a few days earlier, he was excellant - he also broke the news to me about the parvo, he was extremely apologetic and sympathetic and said he would do everything he could to save Wilbur - in my eyes he saved Wilburs life!
Had we not got the Banfield insurance a few days earlier it would have cost us a further $400 for Wilburs medical bills - the majority of the cost of Wilburs bills where from the overnight stays at the Emergency Hospital but other than that for us Petsmart and Banfield has been worth every penny and am sure Wilbur will agree too!
In addition to this since we dont have Wilburs proper documents from the original owner they will be re-vacinating him and no additional cost as this is also included under our insurance - on top of that since we are not getting him neutered they have opted to have him checked for hip displeycia (sp) too! |
| Interesting perspectives about Banfield. We remain very pleased with our local Banfield. I am a Physician Assistant x 22 years, and although I do not pretend to be knowledgable about veterinary medicine, I do admire many aspects of the Banfield practice. However, I recognize that when you have Golden Arches and you spread yourself throughout the country that there will be some good stores and practices and some not so good stores and practices.
We went the VPI route for one year and bailed. I did not like being nickel and dimed by VPI with their payments on "customary charges." I think they went to some remote town with a very low cost of living to establish their customary charges. We shifted from VPI to Petcare Insurance and we are very satisfied with Petcare Insurance. They pay 90% of retail charges minus a $100.00 deductible per illness or injury-type. We just had an $800.00 allergy work-up. Petcare Insurance will pay 90% minus $100.00, and they will not impose anoher $100.00 deposit for additional allergy visits. I suggest that you give serious consideration to Petcare Insurance. Our Vet told us that when it comes to many illnesses that the AKC insurance is awful. |
| i have read through most of this thread, i too am searching for a good "plan" as well as insurance. Banfield offers a wellness plan which from after reading through the thread covers exactly what i need it too, they don't market the plan as insurance and if you read through the brochure it explains everything. I need to get Dash(rat terrier) a teeth cleaning and his vaccines/and stuff for the year and the wellness "plan" takes care of that in a very affordable way. i would just be sure to tell them to do nothing else except what is included in the plan when you visit.
Dash is the first dog that i have to take care of and i remember the 1st time taking him to the vet to get his rabie shot, they said it was $14, then when he was done they showed me the bill and it was near $80 because of a mandatory exam. i was so steaming mad, especially after i thought i had confirmed three times in which i thought was a great deal that it was only going to cost me $14. Now i am even more cautious when taking dash or myself in for any check ups or medical. ahhh, look at the puppy!  |
| I have been EXTREMELY happy with Petshealth Care Plan which I believe is an offshoot of MetLife. Customer service is excellent and they turnaround claims and payment in no time. They are at www.petshealthplan.com. |
| one of the best things we have done is to take what we would put into a pet insurance plan, and to put it into a secured credit card. That card is in the safe in a house for a major emergency.
When Rosie torsioned on us 4 years ago, out it came and sure saved our butts. We had to go to the emergency clinic at 1 in the morning and they don't care if you have insurance or not really........ |
| Just something to ask...
If you go with a Banfield plan, can it only be used at Banfield locations? Is this what you would choose to do anyway? If you find you want to switch vets down the road and your dog has been treated for a condition, a new policy would usually exclude any preexisting condition or deny coverage all together. We have policies through a few different companies- AKC PetPartners: These policies have been used the most and have paid well for the conditions that have occurred. 2 1/2 years of allergies and treatment- testing, meds, serum ( two vials at $160 per vial (10 injections per vial). It's also paid for 3 surgeries for two tumor biopsies and one for cyst removal. The one early this year was over $900. It also covered an accidental mushrom ingestion. It does NOT however cover hip dysplasia or other hereditary conditions. AKC PetPartners: http://www.akcphp.com/BHIA/ PetCare Insurance: Quick Care Gold. One policy has an excluded condition. We've never used these policies. This policy has a set rate per "category" (not per condition) so it may be a negative to consider. PetCare Insurance: http://www.petcareinsurance.com/us/dog-insurance.asp ASPCA Policy: For accidents only on two special needs dogs (hip dysplasia and blind/cleft palate)... they did not qualify for a standard health plan because of their existing conditions. I just took out a Primary policy a couple of days ago on a kitten. ASPCA: http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/?utm_id=2100 Whatever plan you go with, just be sure to read all the details and limitations/exclusions so you know what you're getting. As with any insurance, you'll kick yourself for money wasted if you never use the policy. Or you'll kick yourself for not having any policy in place if a condition or multiple health problems occur. Good luck to you. |
| If your dog is under the age of 12 months you should find out in Trupanion Pet Insurance is available in your area yet. They have the best policy by far. If it's not available in your state yet, it will be in the next few months. Look at www.trupanion.com for more info and compare to the other companies you are considering. |
| Hi im a veterinary tech. I worked for a banfield.
I just wanted to say is that banfield pays us jack #### and we do not get anything extra for asking people if they want nail trims etc....... They work us to death as well and treat us like crap. So please dont think when your in a room we are pushing things on you. you make the decison if you want it or not. However I do understand the whole pushing thing... as banfield does not hire people with experience they train them, meaning you might get a girl in there who really doesn tknow what she is talking about, however she was just told to ask you about certin products. |
| Hello,
I highly recommend Banfield. I have it for my two dogs and it helps me so much both financially and a piece of mind. Most pet insurance have you pay a monthly premium, however, when you take your pet, you have to pay the cost upfront and then send the claim in. They will determine what will and can be reimburse to you and at a percentage. With policy I have for my two dogs, I pay $21.99 and $27.99. That's all I paid, I don't pay anything extra while on this plan and I still get discount on services that are not cover under the plan. I'm not sure what other have experience with Banfield, but I love mine pet insurance and I couldn't do without it. I used to carry VPI but it's not convenience for me because I still have to set money aside just incase I have to take my dogs in. With Banfield, no worry. Hope this help you some. Banfield customers. :D |
| I have had VPI on my Boxer, and now on my 10 wk old Yellow Lab. I prefer to take my animals to my Vet that has been the family vet for over 20 years. I can take my animals to any Vet and do not have to rely on just the Petsmart Vets. Also when my Boxer broke his leg the total cost was over $3000.00 VPI was great. They have different plans, and the plan I have pays very well. If you do not have the superior plan, of course it isn't going to pay for everything you may need done. It is important to read the plan so you know what you are paying for. I have not been disappointed. |
| We had a Wellness Plan for our Basset Hound, Harley, for at least 13 years! We took her in for her annual check-up in January and confirmed our suspicions that she needed to be put down. We had her put to sleep January 19th. Now, we are being told that because of her check-up (which is supposed to be included in her plan), we have to keep paying for her wellness plan until November? This is outrageous! We've had issues with her treatment in the past, but this tops the cake! This is the most cold-hearted customer-service I have EVER received. Not only will we NEVER take another pet to Banfield, we will NEVER shop at PetsMart either! |
What?  I'm so sorry for your loss and I don't mean to be crass but you'd be paying for wellness care on a deceased pet. I'd ask them to clarify the type of benefits they'll be providing for your now deceased pet in exchange for your premium. If there are no benefits, how can they require you to continue to pay? Read your policy carefully. Call and speak with someone higher up in the company and see if they say the same thing. You might also contact your state insurance bureau to see if they can lend any assistance if you get the same answer. |
| I don't have a copy of the contract, but if it is anything like a service contract, if you make use of the services during the year if you decide to terminate during the policy year, you have to pay the value of the services rendered during that year (less payments made) or something like that. All in all... still... yeah, it's pretty harsh. If this is not an error, then they must not be very concerned about repeat business from owners WHO JUST LOST THEIR PET and might be in the market for another policy on a nice new young and healthy pet. |
Oooh, ok. Gotcha.  If it's a service plan, the state insurance bureau probably won't be able to help. There's a comparison of plans on the Embrace Pet Insurance website at this address- http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/comp ... rance.aspx It says- Banfield Wellness Plan- Cancellable if pet dies... No I don't think the Banfield plan can even be classified as "insurance". |
| We have Akc Pet Partners insurance and I am THRILLED with it! They pay quickly and ususually withoug a problem. And belive me, my one dog was in the ICU for 10 days...You WANT the insurance! The AKC Petpartners have about four or five different plans for you to choose from. My main concern was emergencies and illness. I did not get the preventative wellness coverage. If you ahve a new puppy and register it with the AKC they will automatically offer you 30 days free trial of the insurance. I HIGHLY recommned giving it a try...Hopefully you will never need it. But believe me, if you do, you will be glad you got it! |
In response to the post...Sorry about your loss  I might add...The AKC Pet partners plan includes services for a pet that passes and you then cancel the plan. And, no, I don't work for AKC, have nothing to do with them, do not even show my dogs. Just a very satisfied customer.. Who wants people to be able to afford any medical expense for their dogs....And after revieweing many many plans that seem to nickel and dime you for every thing, I found their plan to be the best. |
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