The latest issue of Whole Dog Journal has an article on Pet Insurance and how to go about choosing a plan.

The article mentions a web site that I thought you all might find helpful. The topic comes up frequently on the board:

http://www.petinsurancereview.com/

It gives information about the various companies offering insurance, allows you to get quotes, and outlines the plans offered.

It also includes user reviews....hundreds of comments from owners who have used the actual product and who have both good and bad things to say about their experience with that particular company.

We learned a huge lesson, the hard way, about getting pet insurance. THE biggest thing you must remember is that ANYTHING your pet has seen the vet for prior to getting insurance is considered an 'existing condition' and will NOT be covered EVER for the life of your pet! So if you're going to get insurance,buy it the day you bring that puppy home so you have a clean vet record! Even if you think there's nothing on your vet file that would matter, you read it first. Our dog had an anal gland infection at only 3 months old, there was a rash from him licking back there because it hurt, and so the dr noted 'dermatitis' in the file - which means any kind of skin rash. We bought insurance a month later. At one year of age, he started having allergy problems and we went to a dermatology vet thinking he was covered (we had called to confirm they covered skin testing, shots, etc and were told the insurance did by the insurance rep). But when we sent in our claim we were denied payment because they said he had an existing skin problem when he was 3 months old! So because of that rash caused by his own licking due to pain, they would not pay for anything the rest of his life that had to do with skin rashes! So be careful that you have a clean file!