The Ultimate Guide To Pet Insurance (2024 Edition) 

I got it right away with my dog. My dad thought I was a fool and that it is a scam, that I should just save money instead. After my dog developed epilepsy in a year after I got her with her meds, the initial emergency visit, blood tests, etc? SO WORTH IT. My dad even admitted it was a good idea.

I got my cat from the shelter, and the shelter gave me one complimentary checkup at my local vet. The checkup went well. I stupidly and casually mentioned I noticed she had loose stools probably because she was a stray and ate spoil food on the streets, who knows, so the vet sent me home with some meds, and the problem went away. I then purchased Lemonade insurance, who then obtained the record from that vet. 4 months later, my cat had one incident of diarrhea an vomiting so I took her in for a blood and urine test - $350 total. My claim was rejected by Lemonade citing - PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. Either they are playing stupid or just don't know diarrhea is a symptom of many things NOT a disease like cancer or CKD. If my cat got into my trash and ate more rotten meat, can it cause diarrhea? If I switch food too fast, can it also cause diarrhea? They sure can! Lemonade doesn't care, it's happened in 4 months ago, it must be related. All diarrhea(s) are caused by the same underlying condition. The consolation prize Lemonade gave me was - "BTW, good news is if your cat doesn't show any symptoms of diarrhea after a year, it's considered CURED!!!!!" WOW, thank you Lemonade! It only takes a year to cure diarrhea? That's it? How does this insurance company make any money insuring a cat that has DIARRHEA???!!!!!! I reported them to BBB and I am in the process of cancelling the policy. Moral of the story? KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT DURING INITIAL VET VISITS. THEY WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU SAY, WHICH THE INSURANCE CAN USE TO WIGGLE THEIR WAY OUT OF REIMBURSTMENT. And I would not use Lemonade ever again.

I got Trupanion the same day I adopted a 4 year old chihuahua mix. I also got the behavioral rider. She developed IBD and severe anxiety within months. She had to have an EGD with biopsies. She has a heart murmur too. I pay more for her insurance than I do my own but it has been a real life saver. Be aware, Trupanion doesn’t pay for exams or routine care like dentals. If someone is considering Trupanion, be aware that there is no yearly deductible to meet. So I would recommend a higher deductible because after that initial cost it pays 90% forever.

I wish I’d seen this a few years ago, but it probably would not have changed my situation. Considered getting it the year my dog got “sick”. Was not even doing wellness plans at the time because the cost was less than what I was spending. Her case is very unique and I’m guessing they would have likely considered everything pre-existing. I’m still not convinced it would have covered enough to make it worth it, but yes, thousands of dollars but she’s here 4 years later. MRI, cardiac workups, kidney issues, sooo many labs… has quarterly checkup with Ohio State Neuro this coming week. I had heard that pet insurance had annual contracts and that what wasn’t pre-existing became pre-existing the following year. The comments here seem to contradict that so I will look into it more closely if I ever get another dog! Love your channel as Vet Neuro is near and dear to my heart! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I didn't want to pay your copay so I hit the "like" button. 🤣 Another great video! 👍

My dog has had over $60k paid out by Trupanion in 9 years, all for chronic conditions. Thanks to pet insurance he has a neurologist (idiopathic epilepsy), dermatologist (atopy, food allergies, and erythema multiforme), and a cardiologist (eccentric cardiomegaly and MMVD). Add in bicipital tenosynovitis and his physiotherapist and he’s the only dog I know with 4 specialists. None of his care would be possible without insurance.

I don't know if you edit your own videos but the graphics and editing on this were great! I caught how you called out your brother like that lol great info!

Great vid!

Thanks for the good advice.

Glad to see you posting again. I put pet insurance on my dog when he was a puppy until he passed at 12. He developed IVDD and because of the insurance he was able to have several years with good treatment and rehab.

I just got my golden retriever 3.5yrs insurance, she’s a home, office and hunting dog. We’ve had at least 2k in accidents that just come with an active dog, I’ll check back in a couple years and let y’all know if it’s worth it, but for $40/month, and knowing without insurance I’d pay whatever it took till bad days outweigh the good, I think it’s a good prepayment plan. I’d spend $40 on worse things each month anyways lol

Good job thanks

I have one of your favorite breeds, ol' smush face, but I have insurance on her and the GSD. Got Wellness too simply for budgeting ease. Pets Best and FurSure. Will be switching to FurSure when available in Florida as they have a plan like Trupanion. P.S. always love the brother jabs....😂

Trupanion. Thank you so much for this information. Great video.

Nice add for Trupanion.

If they get a vaccine injury do insurances cover for that situation

Unlimited coverages are important for special dogs like Champion breeds or show dogs. Young dogs require 5k coverages, rarely humans have medical bills over 5k, do not over insure. This is a sales gimmick.

My dog has a pre existing condition with her teeth. Based on the video the pet insurance wouldn’t cover it. Even if by some miracle it did cover it, I do not have the cash to pay out of pocket and file a claim. I feel like I’m out of options and my dog is showing signs of pain. What do I do???

The issue of how pets’ behavioral care is covered is important and I should have looked into it more when choosing a policy for my miniature spitz. From the research I was able to do, I figured getting a “primitive” breed would reduce risks of genetic conditions during his life, but he’s coming with harder behavioral stuff 🥺

this is the problem though, pet insurance is made to cover "surprise vet bills" however you get an $8000 dollar bill and cant pay that bill? But you must pay it and get reimbursed in maybe 2-3 weeks. Most Americans still can't do that. It sounds like a complete scam. Unless they have an extremely low deductible and higher award year. But then monthly premiums are insane.

I doubt you'll see this before I make a decision. I have a 12 week old Yorkie. I am on a fixed income. I was thinking insurance would be a great idea. If she shallows something...I could never pay thousands in an emergency. Given that I am on a fixed income, what do you think about wellness care?

Second favorite? lol I just wish Trupanion was cheaper

I've wondered if it is worth it. I don't think it is with how old my pets are now, but I might consider it if I get a puppy or kitten. I think the HYS is really good advice though for anyone who maybe is "too late" to get insurance. I've generally been lucky with my pets and they have been healthy. My Greyhound is a little accident prone but it hasn't cost too much, just laceration care and wound treatment. But if he broke something I'd be in trouble. It's certainly something you need to think about. As much as I love my pets, I'm maxing out at 5k and beyond that I'll have to consider euthanasia. It's a balance. Having pets ultimately is a luxury but at the same time, they can be an essential piece to someone's mental health and well-being and being poor is a shitty excuse to say someone shouldn't have good things in their life. Maybe pet insurance can change that for some people, but also feel cautious about the idea of insurance since so often it is a systemically enforced scam that can contribute to artificially raised prices.

My dog is turning 5 no pre existing conditions is it worth it to get insurance. I just get worried in case something happens.

trupanion cost over $175.00 dollars a month ! with the way the economy is that is STEEP ! i am retired i cant afford to ditch out all that

Any word on Embrace or Pets Best?

The CEO of Trupanion earned one billion dollars in profits - outrageous

Trupanion pet insurance is very expensive

The only pet insurances I can get where I live, I've decided not to get because they don't cover ears, teeth and ER tummy issues for rabbits, and that's what I own. For rabbits those are statistically so big that even though one of mine has some weirdo unknown condition that causes her neuropathic muscle loss and the blood tests have been quite expensive, it's still not as much money as if I had bought insurance over the years. That being said, if I had indoor/outdoor cats or doggos, I'd get insurance for sure.

Got my corgi inscured at 3 months when we bought her. Her name is Sushi!

You sound like a insurance agent. What percentage do you get for each insurance? I know human doctors are expected to sell insurance to get a certain percentage

The other thing insurance doesn't cover is dental care. I've looked into insurance for my indoor-only cats and I just can't make it make sense. Dogs or any animals that go outside, it makes a lot more sense. I agree with self-insuring if you can put away the "premium" into a high yield savings account every month (auto-withdrawal from your paycheck if you can). I'm not ever going to spend $10000 on my cat though. She's going to kitty heaven if her one-time treatment would cost that much. I'm sure I've spent $5k on her teeth, but that's over 11 years.

I appreciated the video and information, I wish you would have mentioned a few other companies like a runner up or something. Also, you dont need to do the zoom in and out so much, a little goes a long way lol

for the spine issue i would use a chiropractor before i let a vet ever do surgery. no recovery time and safe.

Nothing bout cats.... or fish.... or birds

Remember veterinarians make money of insurance companies. Don’t trust you at all g. I remember they tried so hard to sell me pet insurance so badly. They were upset when I said no. Just my opinion. Don’t take this comment seriously.

Not sure why people emphasize more on dogs than cats.