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How does pet insurance work?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 22nd 14, 02:22 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Christina Websell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,983
Default How does pet insurance work?

If my vet insists you pay immediately and then claim it back?
I thought the whole point of pet insurance is that you cannot afford a huge
fee yourself. or am I missing the point?

I didn't have boyfie insured as such but I'd paid a monthly sum in for
years. He busted it and more.
but he's doing good. I had to roll him in my blanket tonight to give him
his painkiller,I doubt he will allow that tomorrow. You only fool him
once.
Tweed






  #2  
Old January 22nd 14, 12:31 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Cheryl[_5_]
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Posts: 955
Default How does pet insurance work?

On 2014-01-21 9:52 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
If my vet insists you pay immediately and then claim it back?
I thought the whole point of pet insurance is that you cannot afford a huge
fee yourself. or am I missing the point?

I didn't have boyfie insured as such but I'd paid a monthly sum in for
years. He busted it and more.
but he's doing good. I had to roll him in my blanket tonight to give him
his painkiller,I doubt he will allow that tomorrow. You only fool him
once.
Tweed


A lot of insurance policies - pet and human - require the holder to pay
the supplier or repairman or whoever and then claim the money back from
the insurance. It works because eventually you do not pay the cost
yourself (well, for some policies, the cost minus any deductable), but
it does require that you actually be able to borrow or pay the cost of
your loss first. You benefit because you do, in the end, get reimbursed
for your expenses. Your vet or car repair perso or dentist benefits
because they get paid immediately, and their money isn't tied up in
insurance company bureaucracy. I don't suppose the insurance company
cares - some do it one way, some the other. My dentist and my optician
used to use the pay first, collect from the insurance yourself method.
When the dentist's office switched to them claiming from the insurance
company directly, and me paying any balance, it was at first more
trouble than it was worth, because my insurance situation is slightly
unusual, and the dentist's office staff sent the wrong forms to the
wrong insurance company more than once. They've got it all straightened
out now, though.

I don't actually have pet insurance myself. Last time I looked into it,
the premiums were so high that I thought I was better off just tucking a
little bit of money regularly into a cats' savings account. It's worked
so far. The only time I sudddenly needed a lot of money for vet care for
one of my RB cats, I hadn't set up those savings, but I was able to
cover the cost myself anyway.

--
Cheryl
  #3  
Old January 22nd 14, 05:49 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
jmcquown[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,008
Default How does pet insurance work?

On 1/21/2014 8:22 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
If my vet insists you pay immediately and then claim it back?
I thought the whole point of pet insurance is that you cannot afford a huge
fee yourself. or am I missing the point?

I didn't have boyfie insured as such but I'd paid a monthly sum in for
years. He busted it and more.
but he's doing good. I had to roll him in my blanket tonight to give him
his painkiller,I doubt he will allow that tomorrow. You only fool him
once.
Tweed


I checked into pet insurance a decade ago simply because I was curious.
As with any (health) insurance, usually there is a deductible you have
to pay first. As to whether you pay the vet up front and then file a
claim to be reimbursed depends on how the policy is written. And
whether or not the vet will accept and file claims against pet
insurance. In the case of a vet/clinic that won't accept it (filing
claims is a PITA and requires extra staff and effort), if you can get a
detailed statement of services rendered, you file the claim yourself.
You get reimbursed for what is *covered* under the policy.

The premiums are outrageous. What is covered? The exclusions are
numerous. Slight exaggeration here, but basically if your cat ever
sneezed forget about coverage for any respiratory ailment.

You may recall I paid a lot of money for Persia to have radioactive
isotope therapy for hyperthyroidism. She was allergic to the thyroid
medication. I didn't have pet insurance. Chances are, if I did have a
policy on her, they'd probably have denied the claim. (1) based on her
age, (2) the fact that some actuary said cats around the age of 12-13
are likely to have thyroid problems.

Like you, I keep some money set aside for things like this. As with
Boyfie, I've always done the best I can for Persia. As I did for my
little mutt dog, Sampson (RB 1999).

Jill
  #4  
Old January 22nd 14, 06:37 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
MaryL[_2_]
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Posts: 1,184
Default How does pet insurance work?



"Cheryl" wrote in message ...

I don't actually have pet insurance myself. Last time I looked into it,
the premiums were so high that I thought I was better off just tucking a
little bit of money regularly into a cats' savings account. It's worked
so far. The only time I sudddenly needed a lot of money for vet care for
one of my RB cats, I hadn't set up those savings, but I was able to
cover the cost myself anyway.

--
Cheryl

~~~~~~~
That's how I do it. I "self-insure" by putting a small amount each month
into a savings account for my cats. I do not use it for routine care; I
only use it for large or emergency services. For example, Holly was in the
hospital for a week and was on IV the whole time. Then she had a lot of
follow-up care and testing. That is the first time I dipped into my cats'
savings account.

MaryL

  #5  
Old January 23rd 14, 03:35 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Sharon & Smudgie
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 237
Default How does pet insurance work?

So glad to hear Boyfie is home and on the mend

I had to pay the specialist vet then claim it back when Smudgie was in there
being diagnosed with Epilepsy. I could have waited a further 2 days on from
when she was admitted so vet could set up the payment directly with her
insurer. I didn't want to wait, hence agreed to pay up and then claim it
back.

Sharon

"Christina Websell" wrote in message
...
If my vet insists you pay immediately and then claim it back?
I thought the whole point of pet insurance is that you cannot afford a
huge fee yourself. or am I missing the point?

I didn't have boyfie insured as such but I'd paid a monthly sum in for
years. He busted it and more.
but he's doing good. I had to roll him in my blanket tonight to give him
his painkiller,I doubt he will allow that tomorrow. You only fool him
once.
Tweed








  #6  
Old January 23rd 14, 07:39 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Christina Websell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,983
Default How does pet insurance work?


"MaryL" wrote in message
...


"Cheryl" wrote in message ...

I don't actually have pet insurance myself. Last time I looked into it,
the premiums were so high that I thought I was better off just tucking a
little bit of money regularly into a cats' savings account. It's worked
so far. The only time I sudddenly needed a lot of money for vet care for
one of my RB cats, I hadn't set up those savings, but I was able to
cover the cost myself anyway.

--
Cheryl

And that what I did, but his accident has bust his account. I never
expected this. I was sure that his savings would cover any emergency. But
835 was a bit too much for this.
Anyway, he is paid for and doing well.

I wonder what they would do if I lied about affording his treatment when I
got there to save him and couldn't pay
and yes I would have lied to save him at that point.



  #7  
Old January 23rd 14, 07:52 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
jmcquown[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,008
Default How does pet insurance work?

On 1/23/2014 1:39 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"MaryL" wrote in message
...


"Cheryl" wrote in message ...

I don't actually have pet insurance myself. Last time I looked into it,
the premiums were so high that I thought I was better off just tucking a
little bit of money regularly into a cats' savings account. It's worked
so far. The only time I sudddenly needed a lot of money for vet care for
one of my RB cats, I hadn't set up those savings, but I was able to
cover the cost myself anyway.

--
Cheryl

And that what I did, but his accident has bust his account. I never
expected this. I was sure that his savings would cover any emergency. But
835 was a bit too much for this.
Anyway, he is paid for and doing well.

I wonder what they would do if I lied about affording his treatment when I
got there to save him and couldn't pay
and yes I would have lied to save him at that point.



I'd like to think they would have understood and extended you some
credit for his care. I had to work out payment arrangements in the past
for my little dog, Sampson. They're usually pretty good about things
like that as long as you pay a bit towards the bill on a regular basis.
Of course it depends on the vet/clinic.

Jill
  #8  
Old January 24th 14, 01:42 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Christina Websell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,983
Default How does pet insurance work?


"Sharon & Smudgie" wrote in message
...
So glad to hear Boyfie is home and on the mend

I had to pay the specialist vet then claim it back when Smudgie was in
there being diagnosed with Epilepsy. I could have waited a further 2 days
on from when she was admitted so vet could set up the payment directly
with her insurer. I didn't want to wait, hence agreed to pay up and then
claim it back.

Sharon

You have to pay the whole amount here when you collect your pet.
Which seems bit pointless because most people take out pet insurance
because they don't have access to hundreds/thousands up front and think it
means they can get their animal treated and paid for,and the vet will wait
for the payment.




  #9  
Old January 24th 14, 06:14 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Cheryl[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 955
Default How does pet insurance work?

On 2014-01-23 9:12 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Sharon & Smudgie" wrote in message
...
So glad to hear Boyfie is home and on the mend

I had to pay the specialist vet then claim it back when Smudgie was in
there being diagnosed with Epilepsy. I could have waited a further 2 days
on from when she was admitted so vet could set up the payment directly
with her insurer. I didn't want to wait, hence agreed to pay up and then
claim it back.

Sharon

You have to pay the whole amount here when you collect your pet.
Which seems bit pointless because most people take out pet insurance
because they don't have access to hundreds/thousands up front and think it
means they can get their animal treated and paid for,and the vet will wait
for the payment.


It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with your insurance
policy before an emergency hits.

That being said, I don't always read all the small print myself.
Actually, I just got the papers for the policy on my new place - I must
make sure I read them carefully instead of tossing them in a file
unread, so I'll know exactly what's covered and how I make a claim.


--
Cheryl
  #10  
Old January 25th 14, 11:22 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
Christina Websell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8,983
Default How does pet insurance work?


"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
On 2014-01-23 9:12 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Sharon & Smudgie" wrote in message
...
So glad to hear Boyfie is home and on the mend

I had to pay the specialist vet then claim it back when Smudgie was in
there being diagnosed with Epilepsy. I could have waited a further 2
days
on from when she was admitted so vet could set up the payment directly
with her insurer. I didn't want to wait, hence agreed to pay up and then
claim it back.

Sharon

You have to pay the whole amount here when you collect your pet.
Which seems bit pointless because most people take out pet insurance
because they don't have access to hundreds/thousands up front and think
it
means they can get their animal treated and paid for,and the vet will
wait
for the payment.


It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy
before an emergency hits.

That being said, I don't always read all the small print myself. Actually,
I just got the papers for the policy on my new place - I must make sure I
read them carefully instead of tossing them in a file unread, so I'll know
exactly what's covered and how I make a claim.


--
Cheryl



I would have lied to the vet about "could I afford it?" at the time to save
Boyfie's life and worry about finding the money afterwards.
What would they do? surely not put him down after they operated on him half
the night. We'd have come to some arrangement about fees.
I hate it when they do this thing "is he insured, can you afford it?" Just
say yes. and sort it out when they've saved him.
Which I did.
He's doing very, very well. Like it never happened.

He's getting his stitches out Tuesday

I thought he would have a cone on his head so he didn't interfere with his
stitches but no. He's not such a cat that would dream of it.
He's just kind of perfect




 




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