Sorry guys -I did "Search" pet insurance to catch prior opinions and got some on "PetCare" but then started reading other non related interesting threads that came up!
So in light of Kristi's recent struggles, etc. can we weigh in with experience in buying a good plan?
Here's why I named the subject with some of my preferences for high cost care (i.e. majory surgery, chemo etc.)..
Previous AmStaff was a MST and (geriatric onset) Cushinoid dog. She had five surgeries for the recurrent mast cells -increasingly aggressive margins, etc. The surgeries were extremely hard on her and after the fifth one at age 10 we said enought..But she lived a long active life until she passed last year at 15 from invasive adrenal CA..we paid for all clinical care (EKGs and extensive blood work as needed) ourselves -probably paid for the new wing on the hospital -LOL!
BUT now with Shiva -I'd sure love an effective way to recoup major clinical costs should they ever arrive...she is ridiculously healthy with no pre-existing anything currently..
Thoughts??

I have in the past had full coverage insurance for my Rottie. I think it's great if you're very careful about the company you select. The biggest problem I encountered with a previous plan is that they pay by a set scale and depending on what your diagnosis is they will cover very little or nothing. When my Rottie required emergency surgery while out of state with us we discovered that she had pyloric stenosis which had evidently become obstructed. The surgery cost us $1,500. Because of the diagnosis "pyloric stenosis" they paid about $200. Didn't cover the surgery, any of the lab work or x-rays. They didn't even care that the complication was the obstruction. They only looked at the diagnosis.

The insurance I originally had for JD was pretty good - but their premiums doubled in the last year - to $70+/month and it wasn't because I'd ever used it - they just raised their rates. Even covering annual wellness checks and dental (with what they would pay) it wasn't worth the price.

So, I probably will insure JD again just because of the type of dog he is and the incident for injury/accidents is most likely high, but I will do a great deal of research before I do.

I've heard similar, regarding pet insurance, rates, & coverage.

I know some peeps set up a "designated dog" savings account, with varied amounts; thus if never used, unlike insurance premiums, you still have your cash! (Wish in hindsite, I had done this with prior dental insurance, as it didn't cover my incurred expenses, so the premium was never off set!)

In the past I had a "Care Credit", credit card, that is accepted at some veterinary offices (I think you may get better rates, or some interest free months; don't remember the specifics)
I had that before this "tsunami" of an economy hit me, & has left me where I Never thought I would be!!

 Quote: Dana Martin

I have in the past had full coverage insurance for my Rottie. I think it's great if you're very careful about the company you select. ..... I probably will insure JD again just because of the type of dog he is and the incident for injury/accidents is most likely high, but I will do a great deal of research before I do.

Yep.

Because I mostly have pre-owned adults and seniors, the pre-existing condition thing is a huge sinkhole for me. http://ezinearticles.com/?Pets-With-Pre-Existing-Conditions---Can-You-Still-Get-Pet-Insurance?&id=4784255

When I first got a dog again as an adult I had pet insurance until I realized that there was pretty much a loophole for every condition including pre existing, genetic, working, sporting, and good grief - good luck getting coverage if your dog is intact.

Add in that most pet insurance is reimbursement and most e vets needing a credit card before they'd even acknowledge you had a dog and I decided that it'd be in my best interests just to add a savings acct that I dumped a few dollars in every paycheck. So far it's covered most everything and I can't think of one incident in the past six years where insurance would have covered it.

I've liked what I've seen with PetPlan insurance.

I just got a quote for Kenzi - 2 y/o Border Collie and the cost would be $27/month if I pay a year at a time. This plan has a $100 deductible and has a 90% reimbursement for any condition that is not evident before the waiting period was up (30 days I think), including heritable ones. $12,000 annual limit.

For Kipp who is 6 y/o the cost for the same plan would be about $35/month.

This plan seems to be pretty reasonable all around. It doesn't cover routine expenses, but I think if you've got pets you should be able to budget a couple hundred dollars a year for routine care.

OR with 3 dogs I could add $100/month to a savings account for them. If I had started with Missy 9 years ago and added $30/month per dog I'd have nearly $8000 in an emergency account right now. Yes, I realize a couple incidents could wipe that out, but it sure would give a good starting point.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

I've liked what I've seen with PetPlan insurance.

I just got a quote for Kenzi - 2 y/o Border Collie and the cost would be $27/month if I pay a year at a time. This plan has a $100 deductible and has a 90% reimbursement for any condition that is not evident before the waiting period was up (30 days I think), including heritable ones. $12,000 annual limit.

For Kipp who is 6 y/o the cost for the same plan would be about $35/month.

This plan seems to be pretty reasonable all around. It doesn't cover routine expenses, but I think if you've got pets you should be able to budget a couple hundred dollars a year for routine care.

OR with 3 dogs I could add $100/month to a savings account for them. If I had started with Missy 9 years ago and added $30/month per dog I'd have nearly $8000 in an emergency account right now. Yes, I realize a couple incidents could wipe that out, but it sure would give a good starting point.

You might want to ask if they reimburse based on a set scale and/or based on diagnosis code alone. The plan I spoke of also had a 90% reimbursement rate but the scale that they used for reimbursement was ridiculously low. Alot of times it's paid at 90% of what their scale says is the allowed amount. Hence, Callie's surgery = $1,500. For the diagnosis code of pyloric stenosis their allowed amount was something like $250 so we were reimbursed at about $200. Nothing else was considered.

I would imagine that there are good plans out there, I'm just very wary these days after getting burned.

The only insurance I would ever recommend (and the only one the clinic recommends due to so many problems and complaints with the others), is Trupanion, previously known as "vet insurance".

They provide unlimited yearly and lifetime coverage, pay 90%, you choose the deductible, they cover almost everything - including congenital health problems and HD (if you enroll before 1 year old, which is what I did. When I have Faroh screened, I can removed the option). I've seen them pay out BIG bills.
I will be leaving Faroh intact, and had an issue with one of the clauses in the policy. I wrote them a letter with my concerns, and they basically changed it to suit me - in writing.
Some other companies tend to limit the amount you can spend on one particular health issue, either per year, or in the pet's life.
This one provided unlimited funds for everything except basic care.

I did a quick quote for Trupanion and with the deductible set at $500, my monthly price would be $60.95.

I think I will just continue what I was doing for my previous dog; I have a separate account and have an automatic transfer of $100 to the account every month. There is almost $5000 in there now even after the money I paid out for Sierra last October.

 Quote: Debbie Martin

I did a quick quote for Trupanion and with the deductible set at $500, my monthly price would be $60.95.

I think I will just continue what I was doing for my previous dog; I have a separate account and have an automatic transfer of $100 to the account every month. There is almost $5000 in there now even after the money I paid out for Sierra last October.

Really? I only pay $47 with a $300 deductible, and I have the HD option. Breed maybe... Though I would think a GSD would have to be pretty far up there. Perhaps location as well, though I wouldn't think too much.

Sounds like you have a good nest egg for your girl!

ETA - was that for an 8 week old female Mastiff - that quote?