We’ve had our Maine Coon insured with Nationwide for over four years now. It’s an unlimited plan with a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement at $103 a month, but it keeps getting more expensive. Now we have a 10-month-old Golden Retriever mix, and I’m looking into insurance for him. Nationwide no longer offers unlimited payouts at 90%, but our cat is grandfathered in. The best they offer now is 80% with a $10k max payout.
Our dog currently has a free month with Trupanion, but it’s pretty expensive without a deductible. A $1000 deductible would bring it down to about $56 per month. What’s a common deductible amount? Are there other good insurance companies that are more affordable? I’d love to have both pets on the same plan, but since my cat has had hot spots and some kidney issues, I doubt another company would take him with those pre-existing conditions. Any advice on what to do for the dog’s insurance?
I’ve had Healthy Paws for my dog since he was 6 months old. We have a $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and no max payout. When we started, it was about $38 a month, and now that he’s 7, it’s closer to $90. They pay out faster than my credit card gets charged, and I’ve never had any issues with them.
For my Golden Retriever pup, I went with Pets Best. I’m really happy with it. They offer unlimited annual benefits, a $500 deductible, and 90% co-insurance, all for $62 a month.
Usually, policies with a cap are cheaper. I’ve got a $40k annual limit, 90% co-insurance, and a $250 deductible for my 9-year-old cat. It covers exams, meds, and rehab, and I pay $33 a month.
No insurance company is going to cover pre-existing conditions. You should definitely keep your cat on the plan you have now. Switching would cost you more, and those existing conditions wouldn’t be covered. I use Embrace for my dog and love it.
I’ve had Nationwide for 5 years, and they haven’t dropped me yet, but MetLife agreed to give me a policy that covers pre-existing conditions. I think you just need to work for a company that qualifies for that plan.
You should check out Physicians Mutual. They have unlimited payouts and 100% co-insurance after the deductible. No one seems to talk about them, but their rates are pretty good.
They’re kind of under the radar. When I checked here in NC, it looks like they’re using the same rate tables as Pets Best, but they’re the underwriting company and servicer, not a private equity firm, so I’m hoping they won’t have crazy rate increases in the future. Just be aware of their pre-existing clause. Your pet needs to have been examined within the last 12 months, or they’ll use the next exam to check for any pre-existing conditions. If there’s been no occurrence in the past year, they’ll likely cover it.
I’d love to get my Maine Coon on that plan, but they’ve noted some kidney concerns in the past. Tests came back normal, though. He also has a history of hot spots and needs antibiotics from time to time. If we don’t have any records of these issues for over a year, do you think he could be covered? Sorry for all the questions.