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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Insurance… Worth it?

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    • Mjacqu6
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      58 posts Send Private Message

        I realize this question has been posted before but some threads provide a dead link… “the system cannot find the path specified”  and others didn’t quite answer all of my questions. I understand that VPI is the only major rabbit insurer in the US. I have two new rabbits and they both need to be neutered. I have done the math out and with all of the checkups and their surgery it seems insurance is the way to go at least for now. 

        What I am really looking for are any horror stories from rabbit owners using this insurance. I don’t inherently trust insurance companies as they are out to make money and I cant be sure they have my best interests at heart. It makes me a little nervous that I have only one option for this service. I am a full time college student and am committed to providing the best care possible for my new friends but  I really need to be as frugal as possible. 

        I have gotten great advice from this community in the last few days and really trust your opinions. I am very concerned about the welfare of my rabbits and I know you people are too. I will get them the medical care they need one way or the other but I will be able to provide for them better in the long run if I can find the most cost effective option for their care.  I have called around to vets and the cheapest (which happens to be the recommended rabbit expert in my area) offers the surgery at $280 per rabbit. They have captured my girlfriends heart and she has offered to help with the costs but I really don’t have that kind of spare cash. Please understand that if this is my only choice I am willing to pay but I want to explore all options first. 

        I welcome any advice from caretakers who have gone with and without insurance. I hope you understand that if I am asking questions that have already been answered its only because I want to provide the best care for my rabbits possible. I understand that taking on such a big responsibility comes with its costs but I just couldn’t let these two go to a shelter after what they have been through. 

        I just want the best for my new friends.

        Thanks


      • equalsign
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        220 posts Send Private Message

          VPI does not cover spays or neuters.

          The majority of people that purchase insurance will not “win.” That is the nature of the game. Most people will “lose” or break-even when it comes down to money spent vs money saved. Insurance is based on this idea. Basically, I think VPI is a good idea if you have trouble saving money. It’s kinda like a forced savings plan. It will not usually cover the whole of any procedure, so you still need to have money set aside for emergencies. If you are great at saving money, or have lots of money saved up, I’d recommend avoiding it.


        • Mjacqu6
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          58 posts Send Private Message

            Thanks for your response. The harsh reality of my situation is that I pretty much just make enough for my own rent and food at the moment. I realize that $560 is not a whole lot of money for most people but for me its a significant investment. I know its necessary but even if insurance wont cover the neutering, I want to bring my rabbits in for a checkup and from what i have seen they may need flea/mite treatments.  Like I said, I don’t even know if they need to be neutered (not even 100% sure on their genders). I believe I saw testicles on both of them though so I’m assuming they do?

            I like the idea of insurance because I don’t want to hesitate to bring them in if they are acting strange/sick because of the costs. I know I might not “win” cost wise but in your opinion, is this sense of security worth the little bit extra I might be paying for insurance? 

            Also do you know how much the deductible is for a regular checkup or for the flea/mite treatment with the insurance?  I tried calling an agent today but they are closed on Sundays. I will call them first thing tomorrow but that is not soon enough for an anxious new caretaker like myself   


          • Radhika
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              Me and my husband are currently working for a charity, and we don’t have a lot of disposable income left over after bills and rent. If Harry became ill and needed a lot of surgery or a lot of long-term medication, we would seriously struggle to fund it. For that reason I have opted to insure him, and his wifeybun when she comes. The major factor in my decision was that I found a company who WILL cover dental problems, which most of them don’t do. As we all know bunnies are prone to dental problems which can end up costing a lot, regularly, to keep under control. If they hadn’t covered dental I may well have taken my chances with our savings account.

              On the other hand when I had cats before I didn’t insure them, because dental procedures weren’t covered. In the end all I had to pay out of pocket was about £500 for dental surgery, and insurance would have cost more than that over the years. Since there is an excess and routine treatment isn’t covered, I ‘won’ that one.

              I think it really depends on what kind of cover you can get, and how likely you are to need it.


            • equalsign
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              220 posts Send Private Message

                I think it’s worth it for the peace of mind. One of my bunnies is kind of a sickly little guy, so it kinda reassures me that I’ll be able to get him any treatment he needs. My other is still a baby, and thus far not sickly. She isn’t insured yet. 

                You also might want to look into CareCredit. It’s a credit card that can only be used on medical expenses. Many providers (vets) accept it. CareCredit transactions usually come with some sort of promotional offer. Most common is 0% interest for 6 months IF the transaction is paid off within 6 months. It can give you some immediate flexibility with vet payments, but you seriously need to pay it off during the promotional period or you’ll have the pay a pretty high interest (including interest that would have accumulated during the promotional period). 

                They do not cover any part of a normal check up. VPI is really only for emergencies, diagnostic tests, and treatments. I don’t believe they cover parasites (mites). Treatment for that is really just 40 USD of Revolution though.


              • Sarita
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                18851 posts Send Private Message

                  Another thing about pet insurance is that you are responsible to pay the treatment in full up front and then you must send off a claim and get reimbursed so if you are stretched for money then you will still have to come up with money and pay the vet in full at the time of treatment.


                • equalsign
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                    Posted By Sarita on 10/21/2012 01:18 PM

                    Another thing about pet insurance is that you are responsible to pay the treatment in full up front and then you must send off a claim and get reimbursed so if you are stretched for money then you will still have to come up with money and pay the vet in full at the time of treatment.

                    I forgot to mention this. A really good point. I use CareCredit along with my insurance to put off the costs until I’m reimbursed.


                  • RabbitPam
                    Moderator
                    11002 posts Send Private Message

                      I was just talking to a friend about this the other day, and she reminded me that you don’t get the insurance until something happens, then it’s too late because it’s a pre-existing condition. Granted it doesn’t cover speuters, but I have had it for the peace of mind for a couple of years now, and when I had one incident with tummy trouble last year – and things were really, really tight that month – I was grateful to have it (VPI) and they reimbursed me as promised in the time allotted. My friend said they don’t cover many treatments for ferrets, but I think their rabbit coverage is sufficient to make it worthwhile in the long run. I went 8 years without it with Spockie (didn’t know about it), but when I learned all the possible things that can suddenly happen to a bunny, I got it immediately with Samantha. She’s healthy, but as I said, I’ve already used it once to my satisfaction.


                    • james waller
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                        Posted By Mjacqu6 on 10/21/2012 11:26 AM

                        I realize this question has been posted before but some threads provide a dead link… “the system cannot find the path specified”  and others didn’t quite answer all of my questions. I understand that VPI is the only major rabbit insurer in the US. I have two new rabbits and they both need to be neutered. I have done the math out and with all of the checkups and their surgery it seems insurance is the way to go at least for now. 

                         

                        What I am really looking for are any horror stories from rabbit owners using this insurance. I don’t inherently trust insurance companies as they are out to make money and I cant be sure they have my best interests at heart. It makes me a little nervous that I have only one option for this service. I am a full time college student and am committed to providing the best care possible for my new friends but  I really need to be as frugal as possible. 

                         

                        I have gotten great advice from this community in the last few days and really trust your opinions. I am very concerned about the welfare of my rabbits and I know you people are too. I will get them the medical care they need one way or the other but I will be able to provide for them better in the long run if I can find the most cost effective option for their care.  I have called around to vets and the cheapest (which happens to be the recommended rabbit expert in my area) offers the surgery at $280 per rabbit. They have captured my girlfriends heart and she has offered to help with the costs but I really don’t have that kind of spare cash. Please understand that if this is my only choice I am willing to pay but I want to explore all options first. 

                         

                        I welcome any advice from caretakers who have gone with and without insurance. I hope you understand that if I am asking questions that have already been answered its only because I want to provide the best care for my rabbits possible. I understand that taking on such a big responsibility comes with its costs but I just couldn’t let these two go to a shelter after what they have been through. 

                         

                        I just want the best for my new friends.

                         

                        Thanks

                        my facility has 12 bunz between ages 5 yr and 7.5 yr.,,i donot have insurance as i have been by neccesity their caregiver,-any money is used for housing,feeding-supplys-,heating-cooling-electrical,-and medial,diagnosis and medicines,..i  studied rabbitry for many years with exotic dvm,s ,and internet correspondence– i have found rabbiting to be one profound,demanding job,-and i love it,,-i am disabled and had my first heart attack last year,–to be blunt get a good education because these little critters are well worth it,–and you will save money as  a result..–sincerely james waller–


                      • jerseygirl
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                        22338 posts Send Private Message

                          You might like to look into Low Cost Neuter services in your area as some do rabbit desexings now. I found this resource recently that lists some services and indicates ones that do rabbits with a rabbit symbol.
                          http://www.nootersclub.org/lowcostspayneuter.htm

                          A member here recently utilised one of these clinics and discovered the vet that did the desexings was the same rabbit vet from a clinic she had been given an expensive quote. I believe he volunteered his time for the program.


                        • lmais
                          Participant
                          272 posts Send Private Message

                            I agree with jerseygirl, definitely worth looking into what services are available locally – you just don’t want to go too cheap so that you know they will be well taken care of.

                            As for the insurance, it will really depend on the rabbit’s health and how much it costs you. Ruby had an eye infection about a year ago and I spent way higher than my budget in just a few months, but since then I haven’t had any necessary trips to the vet (only trips because I’m a paranoid momma). Maybe check out the spay and take them for a once over and see from there? My vet did that for me and gave me all kinds of tips to keep her away from the clinic as much as possible and so far so good! As far as I know they don’t offer insurance for rabbits in Canada, but other than those 2 months it would definitely not be worth it for me to pay for it.


                          • james waller
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                            19 posts Send Private Message

                              –one thought here,,-are we talking neuter? spay?–exotic dvm,s speialists are none existant in my area,..requardless of where the bunz are taken,you must be one up on the dvm–therefore i urge you to get informed as best possible about the operation/procedure before any surgery–you must ask questions-this is called sereening,–again here is the link http://www.medirasbbit.com ,,sincerely james waller

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                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Insurance… Worth it?