After recent posts of injuries to dogs (broken bone, tooth fractures, etc) I started doing some research on pet insurance. A thread called "Pet Insurance" gave some input. VPI Pet Insurance was mentioned favorably. On their website they give a list of things covered and a list of things NOT covered. They seem to conflict. For example on Oral Cavity problems not covered it lists "Orthodontics, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth."
http://www.petinsurance.com/coverage/whatsnotcovered.cfm?a=8046FAD1-802A-228A-F41B27DE2EE4391C&b=8046FAE1-802A-228A-F5C7AE35BDE97493&c=8046FAF0-802A-228A-F75A0190CAB661B3

On list of covered Oral Cavity problems it lists:
2502 Tooth Abscess
2503 Carnassial Abscess/Canine Tooth
2504 Neoplasia
2505 Trauma
2506 Foreign Body
2507 Tongue Laceration
2508 Retropharyngeal Foreign Body
2509 Mandible Luxation
2510 Ulcerative Stomatitis
2511 Root Canal
2512 Oronasal Fistula
2513 Periodontitis Medical
2514 Periodontitis Surgical
2520 Feline Odontoclastic Disease
2521 Benign Oral Neoplasia
http://www.petinsurance.com/downloads/Superior-Ben-Sched-2005.pdf

Am I missing something? I could call them but suspect I'll be told what I want to hear, that dental is covered.

Since I don't know what some of the definitions are of the covered conditions, I'm at a disadvantage if I call. Does it look like a broken or fractured tooth is on the list of covered? Tooth fractures have been mentioned in a couple of recent posts and it looks like it could be a common problem. I'd definitely want coverage for that.

Any help appreciated, before I call.

They covered Cyra's broken canine and root canal. Over all that one paid for several years of premiums. There are restrictions on amounts they would cover and they are listed on the schedule of benefits.

Filing for reimbursement is a bit clunky

I think the dental things they don't cover are due to genetic issues (teeth alignment) and neglect (cavities-tartar and root canals due to simply bad teeth)

I do have VPI and the main reason I got them was after several expensive trips to the doggie ER. Have the superior plan - $27/month - get back around $120 on routine care items. I am willing to gamble the difference on what ER trips cost..

Sandy, I was going to buy VPI also. While doing research I came accross "complaints.com" I believe. There were many many unhappy customers who felt they paid many years of premium and got nothing when they needed it. I ended up getting an account with a company called "care credit". It's like a line of credit for medical expenses. I only plan on using it for something major. If you use a certain amount, you can make payments for a year, interest free. Here is their link: http://www.carecredit.com/

Not every vet uses Care Credit so you need to check if your vet does, Sandy. Also, you need to check what your vet's terms are. Our hospital offers 3 months interest-free...other vets may choose 6 or 12 months interest-free.

Yes, Care Credit is a nice option when you find yourself facing a major vet bill and you can be approved on the spot right in the vet's office.

My expereince with VPI was not good. Similar to what Alex mentions. I have used Care Credit - the specialist had the interst free for 12 months plan. However; bear in mind you must pay off the balance at the end of the payment period or you will be charged a large interest penalty. If I was not in the position to handle large vet bills, I probably would still have VPI. I also purchased their cancer rider which provided a much larger limit for cancer. They should change it to cover all catastrophic illnesses.

Wow guys, the more I read and research the more mind-boggling it is. I'm taking everything said above into consideration. I haven't had time to research deeper into Care Credit, but the first question I have is (if I'm understanding the program) if there is no illness/injury in the first year or two, can I get my money back? Or if I continue to pay in, what happens if no reason arises to use the program? Very confusing.

Here's a site that raised more questions in my mind than answers:
http://www.insuranceaxxess.com/pet-insurance.html
A lot of what they say to look for isn't even mentioned in most pet insurance company websites, ie the lifelong coverage issue. There's a terrible lack of real info on the pet insurance websites.

Sandy,

Just to let you know, Care Credit is just a line of credit and you pay the full amount of the vet bill over the course of the term. Some cards are interest free for 12 months, but you must pay it off in full in 12 months to not have to pay the interest on the credit used. I am still trying to find which pet insurance will be right for me and my girl.

Kimberly

If you can, get a complete dummy copy of the policy from the carriers you are considering in order to determine which (if any) carrier offers the coverage you are looking for. Don't rely on the word of an agent or broker.

Sandy, I can tell you first hand about carecredit. I opened an account with them in January. I was approved for a $3k limit. I received my card about 2 weeks after I did my online app. I have not received any kind of bill or notice. It is a line of credit and if you don't use it, you don't have to pay anything. If you WERE to use it, certain amounts qualify for up to 18 months interest free. Here is an FAQ for them: http://www.carecredit.com/faqs.html

Also, as stated, not every vet takes care credit, but you can research first who does OR you can ask your vet to accept them. I did with my vet and they were happy to do it.

Here is some links I found regarding complaints: http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/february/4/61.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060926155940AAiQKZV

GSD's with possible hip/joint problems can be an easy dog to be excluded, especially at an older age. I have Boxer's & I don't expect to have coverage on all their health issues or when they get older so I don't think pet ins. will work for me.

I have heard more bad than good on pet ins. and more good than bad on a program like CC. Do you research and go from there. Good luck