Pet Health Insurance

119 responses so far ↓

• 1 T. E. Mueller // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:50 pm

  I wouldn’t recommend the SPCA Pet Insurnace to anyone. They are a typical insurance company, promising great things, collecting premiums, cluttering your e-mail box with their propaganda. They are also typical when it comes time to reimburse the client – the payment is usually about 15% of the bill becasue they find methods of disallowing most charges. I’d advise everyone to buy from a reputable company, not SPCA.

• 2 Mikael // Mar 24, 2008 at 11:28 pm

  Hi T.E. First of all I would like to thank you for your comment and welcome you to the blog.

  Sure SPCA is a typical insurance company but aren’t they all? I’m sure that you will find that every single insurance company outthere will have had complaining customers. I’m not saying that you aren’t right complaining but it does happen that some people are actually wrong and the company is right.

  The problem is that people are then left with the bill and that makes them want to complain. Right or wrong…

• 3 Chris // Apr 3, 2008 at 7:06 pm

  Check out Trupanion, you have to enrol your pet when they are a puppy or kitten but they have great coverage over the lifetime….

• 4 Mikael // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:41 pm

  Hi Chris, welcome to you also. Is trupanion a new insurance company? I don’t believe that I have ever heard of them before. Could you tell us a little bit more about them if you are using them for your pet? Thanks.

  Mikael

• 5 Carpe Diem // Apr 4, 2008 at 7:05 am

  Great advice about doing your homework before getting any insurance for your pet. Why should it be different then looking for auto insurance! My wife and I recently got a 9 month old Lab mix pup from our local shelter. Did my due diligence in researching insurance products and decided on a new company, Trupanion(www.trupanion.com). They specialize in lifetime coverage for puppies and kittens 8 weeks old up to one year. You get $20K to use for all accidents, illnesses, surgeries, meds and diagnostic tests,with no per incident minimum. Zero deductible and premiums won’t go up with pets aging or claims history. They’ll even cover hereditary and congenital diseases. Exclusions are pre-existing conditions and wellness/preventive care. I know coverage for wellness care is a big issue for some people, be having pets before, we have budgeted for that expense. Trupanion won’t be for everyone since they don’t cover older pets, but for us, they were the right choice because of their simple plan and extensive coverage. We’ll be sure to comment in the future “when” we have to submit a claim and can talk on the subject.

• 6 Mikael // Apr 4, 2008 at 7:13 am

  Hi Carpe Diem. That sounds absolutely fantastic. We’ll love to hear about your experiences with Trupanion. I’m actually thinking of writing a post about the sometime soon. Maybe you could comment on that as well. That would be great!

• 7 Keith Jackson // Jun 5, 2008 at 3:43 pm

  I have twice requested pamplets on dangerous things around the home for your pets. I have been promised twice that I would recieve 50 of these pamplets for my dog club the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Northern California. I have recieved nothing. Can anyone help me?

• 8 Mikael // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:59 am

  Hi Keith, thank you for your post. How did you request the pamplets? Did you send them an email, did you call them or did you actually show up in person?

  It seems strange that aren’t more than willing to give away promotional items. That is every company’s dream to have customers ask for commercials

• 9 Karen - Marie // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:01 am

  Hej jeg er fra danmark jeg hader også dyreplagerri de skulle havde nogle støre straffe. jeg ser meget Anemal

  Venlig Hilsen Karen – Marie Due

• 10 Rob Oaks // Aug 23, 2008 at 9:17 am

  I WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT A SERIOUS AND UNCONSCIONABLE FLAW IN THE ASPCA PET HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS.

  With ASPCA, you renew your plan on a yearly basis. This yearly renewal is inconvenient but not, in itself, a problem.

  Here’s the very serious problem.

  ANY CONDITION THAT EXISTED DURING THE PRIOR PLAN PERIOD IS CONSIDERED A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION!

  What are the implications? Consider the following situation:
  * Your dog is diagnosed with a serious cancer on a Monday and you schedule your dog for costly, major surgery on Thursday.
  * You submit the ASPCA insurance claim on Tuesday.
  * Your ASPCA plan is set for renewal on Wednesday.
  * Your dog undergoes surgery on Thursday.
  * You submit the ASPCA insurance claim for the surgery on Friday.

  Guess what? YOUR CLAIM WILL BE DENIED!

  Please let this sink in.

  ANY CONDITION, NO MATTER HOW SERIOUS, THAT EXISTED EVEN 1 DAY PRIOR TO RENEWAL WILL NOT BE COVERED. This also implies that any condition that lasts, in any form, more than a year, will not be covered for the condition’s duration.

  I talked to a customer service supervisor about this (their customer service is generally very good, BTW) and they acknowledged that it’s a real problem, citing examples of major, heartbreaking claims that were not covered because they spanned the renewal date.

  What ASPCA will tell you is that they have a plan, the Sterling Plan, that covers “long-term” conditions (now remember, according to the example above, LONG TERM COULD ACTUALLY BE 4 DAYS). What they won’t emphasize is the following:
  * The Sterling Plan is by far their most expensive plan. It is almost 50% more than their next most expensive plan, the Premier Plan, which is what I have.
  * The Sterling Plan has a maximum PER INCIDENT (NOT per visit) benefit of $2500, which is HALF of the maximum incident benefit for the Premier Plan. This means that any condition, NO MATTER HOW SERIOUS, will not be covered past $2500. So, if you thought you could sign up for the Sterling Plan to deal with a catastrophic care situation—think again: $2,500 doesn’t go very far when it comes to things like cancer.

  Now I understand the basic principles of insurance and actuarial science. With any insurance plan, there will be net winners and net losers. But what I’m telling you is that I do not believe that the majority of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance subscribers will save money over the life of their pet. That’s the bottom line.

  For more information or to contact ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and tell them what you think, see http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/pet-insurance-default.aspx.

• 11 Mikael // Aug 25, 2008 at 4:15 pm

  Hi Rob, thank you for stopping by and for sharing your excellent research with us. I agree with everything you state but just to expand on your last comment:

  “…I do not believe that the majority of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance subscribers will save money over the life of their pet. That’s the bottom line.”

  This is true for EVERY SINGLE INSURANCE COMPANY. If the net result was that people received more than they had paid the company would go bankrupt… It is not MEANT to give people the net benefit. It is no different than a casino.

• 12 Bill S. // Sep 12, 2008 at 10:54 am

  I completely agree with Rob. I took my cat, Taz, in for a visit on 7/14/08. He was referred to a specialist. He saw the specialist on 8/4/08 & 8/7/08. ASPCA insurance had an auto renewal on 7/15/08. Therefore, those claims for 8/4/08 & 8/7/08 were considered a pre existing condition, and the claims were refused. I saw the 180 day caveat for pre existing conditions when I signed up for the insurance, but I foolishly assumed it was for the implementation of the policy, not for every single renewal. I guarantee you, no one at the ASPCA insurance company will mention this when you sign up.
  This goes beyond typical insurance company behavior. This smacks of trickery in its truest form. I will NEVER again make a cash contribution to the ASPCA until this problem with there insurance carrier is rectified.

• 13 JDR // Oct 1, 2008 at 1:57 pm

  I was looking at the ASPCA website for insurance for my two German Sheperd mix dogs. I see lots of people having problems with diseases or hereditary conditions. I am just looking at the Accident Plan to cover snake bites, broken legs, eaten bad objects. Is there any problems that anyone knows about with this if its NOT concerning cancer or any diseases of the sort? Thank you.

• 14 Bill S. // Oct 4, 2008 at 1:26 pm

  JDR, this is how it could work…

  Lets say your dog suffered a broken leg on June 15th. On July 1st, your policy expires, so you renew it. The care for your dog’s broken leg would no longer be covered, as it occured in a “previous plan year”.
  Believe me, they won’t tell you this when you buy the insurance, but IT IS thier policy!!

• 15 Colleen // Oct 30, 2008 at 9:32 pm

  Hello –

  I have a two year old mix and I’ve been going through website after website.. Can anyone point me in a direction of a good basic insurance for my dog? Everyone bashes these insurances, but never gives an alternative… Please help!

• 16 Pamela // Oct 31, 2008 at 6:03 pm

  We have two Persian kittens that required eye surgery at an early age. ASPCA insurance refused any kind of payment as they “decided” this was a pre-existing/hereditary condition. Even with documentation from the surgeons at Cornell (who did the surgery), the supervisors at ASPCA pet insurance have denied the claim again, and again. Our cat’s bills have been paid, but this insurance BS has to stop!!! Too many pet owner’s are being taken for a money ride. Maybe it is time to get a lawyer or two into this.

• 17 Barbara Niro // Dec 10, 2008 at 9:17 am

  I wish I would have checked this site BEFORE I signed up for ASPCA Pet Insurance. I’m just now finding out how difficult it is to get a claim paid! Years ago I had VIP Pet Insurance in Calif and they were terrific. I had one claim within the first policy period and they paid with no hassle.
  ASPCA Pet Insurance has denied my claim for my dog, based on “pre-existing” condition and “waiting period”. I guess they are covering all bases?
  I’m appealing it, but looks like this may be a losing battle.
  I signed up for this insurance because it was ” ASPCA” and I am a long time supporter, but I guess the insurance is a huge mistake!
  I agree with Pamela’s comment of 10-31-08!

• 18 Nix // Dec 11, 2008 at 3:31 pm

  I was pretty close to signing up for ASPCA until I read most of your experiences, I need an insurance plan through a company I can trust….basically “just in case” insurance for my 4y/o pit & 4y/o tabby….**If anyone could offer advice and your experience I would appreciate it!**

• 19 Hate ASPCA Pet Health Insurance - You’re Not Alone // Dec 27, 2008 at 7:32 am

  [...] I first wrote the review of the ASPCA Pet Insurance a little over a year ago I might have been a little to optimistic about the company and what they [...]

• 20 lauraborealis // Jan 21, 2009 at 8:56 pm

  I wish I’d found this site, too! I stopped contributing to the ASPCA after 10 years because of the way ASPCA pet insurance has handled EVERY SINGLE CLAIM I’ve had. I currently have a cat battling Vaccine-associated sarcoma. He had a leg amputated in August. A tumor appeared on the incision, so he just finished radiation and surgery for that.

  They consider that all one incident, hence eligible for a grand total of $1500. Plus, despite the fact that I take him to a vet school, which has proven to be the cheapest option in my area (and I’ve tried quite a few vets and specialists), they, without fail, knock something off every charge as “costs above reasonable”)… sometimes even $1 on a prescription.

  I feel that they lure customers in with their association to the ASPCA… the whole “protect and love animals” thing… and proceed to ream them.

• 21 Heather // Jan 30, 2009 at 10:28 am

  I, too, have had problems with the ASPCA rejecting payment on claims that are for “pre-existing conditions.” I took my 12 yo tabby to the vet in November ‘08 for vomiting. The vet ran various tests to rule out other problems and then ended up diagnosing and treating him for gastroenteritis. But, my cat was treated for the exact same thing in the previous year, so the ASPCA would not cover it. But, there was no way to know what the problem was (especially in a senior cat) without running all of those tests. So, what kills me is that now if he ends up getting this problem again and again, none of the tests or drugs will cover it. Seems like a colossal waste of money to me to continue the insurance. My problem is, I now feel like something tragic will happen to him if and when I decide to cancel the coverage.

• 22 Judy // Feb 11, 2009 at 2:24 pm

  I had one claim with ASPCA for my dog and they paid about half of my costs. It was not that bad as long as you follow their insurance policy.

• 23 Deborah Allen // Feb 12, 2009 at 10:40 pm

  I was really wanting some good advice as to which company to go with. So far all I see are folks unhappy with ASPCA. Can anyone let us all know which one is grrrreat? Or at least good? Thanks

• 24 Frank Fernino // Mar 1, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  I am just starting research on Pet Insurance for my 1 year old lab. I understand the comments about ASPSA insurance not covering pre-existing conditions from one plan year to the next. Now they seem to have an option on each plan, called “Continuing care” that will cover an incident in one plan year that spills over to the next. Is this a new option, or did you folks not get that option in your coverage?

• 25 Judy // Mar 2, 2009 at 3:15 pm

  I was not aware of this option. Has anyone purchased it? On the other hand, it looks like a pre-exiting condition will be covered if 180 days have passed since cure and last treatment.

• 26 Frank Fernino // Mar 2, 2009 at 4:47 pm

  I learned a bit more about this option. On the “Primary” plan, it allows a max of $1000 (with a $2500 lifetime max) to apply to claims that were made in a prior plan year that require treatment in the current plan year. So, if 11 months into a plan year, your dog breaks a leg, The claim is made and treatment begins. The plan year ends and a new plan year starts. The dog still needs follow-up treatment for the injury. The “Continuing Care” would apply, with the $1000 limit. I think there is also a separate deductable. Sounds pretty convoluted.

• 27 Abbie // Mar 16, 2009 at 5:39 pm

  I just started with ASPCA and they are terrible. They didn’t cover a thing as promised with my puppies new health insurance. I followed every guideline including ages, breeds, etc. and they covered NOTHING. I wasted a lot of money. DO NOT go through this company.

• 28 achamblee // Mar 18, 2009 at 12:21 pm

  I got pet insurance through ASPCA – thinking it came through a reputable organization. Just a few months later my cat got injured when he thought he was trapped, and he pulled out all his own claws on a grate-like gate. The insurance knee-jerk reaction was that anything related to claws was “cosmetic grooming” and denied the claim even though the veterinarian and anti-bacterials were required and the bill was about $500. When I appealed, they paid $10. When I cancelled, the bills kept coming on my credit card. When I won the credit card appeal, they just added the total to the next billing cycle.
  It was a disaster of time and money. Self-insure and just put money aside as if it’s an insurance premium.

• 29 Judy // Mar 18, 2009 at 6:54 pm

  That was not acceptable ! Now I need to reconsider if I should continue my insurance with ASPCA. Self-insurance is probably the best way.

• 30 Mike // Mar 23, 2009 at 2:15 pm

  Wow, this really makes it tuff. I insured with VPI for 2 days then read a bunch of bad things about them on another forum. Then I got a quote from ASPCA on name recognition ( I also contribute monthly), and after reading these posts I wouldn’t even consider them. Boy is there a good company anywhere?

• 31 Barbara Niro // Apr 1, 2009 at 9:37 pm

  I have an update to my initial post in December of 2008:
  When I first filed my claim with ASPCA Pet Insurance, it was denied because THEY decided it was a pre-existing condition. I decided to fight it and got letters from my vet. I knew my dog’s condition was NOT pre-existing. They eventually paid the claim, since they really had no choice, however, they reduced it due to
  “reasonable and customary” charges that they determined.
  It’s just too bad that you have to fight with the insurance company at the same time you are trying to care for a sick pet.

• 32 Patty // Apr 4, 2009 at 1:09 pm

  I just hung up with the ASPCA’s claims dept. My story gioes like this…I signed up for insurance through them in Feb 2007 for my 2 Vizslas. At the end of November (2 months before end of policy) one of my boys was diagnosed with Diabetes. As we’ve all read here, after I signed up for the new policy they deemed the condition preexisting and have not covered a thing related to his treatment since. I pulled my initial “welcome” letter from 2007 which mentions nothing about the preexisting condition policy. It’s buried many pages into the policy and at best is veiled. I noticed the new letter for 2009 mentions it IN the welcoming letter so clearly they have had issues with this. Back to today…In November of 2008 I had cataract surgery performed on the same dog. He’s a senior and cataracts are not unusual. Well you guessed it, they tie the cataracts directly to his “preexisting” (as if Diabestes will ever go away) condition and will not pay a dime toward any of his diagnostic, surgical or follow up. I too signed up for this plan based on research and the ASPCA name and legacy. It’s dissappointing, diheartening and disgracecful. My vet is even astounded at the policy. None of the other policies he works with have this caviat. I’m not done with them yet. Mr. ASPCA CEO will be hearing from me. As will a few other choice forums. So much for the voice of the animals. My boys have been left out in the cold.

• 33 Victoria // Apr 4, 2009 at 11:53 pm

  Patty, I know! My vet said he has never dealt with such a rotten insurance company as ASPCA, either!
  My story is long and complicated, but my advice is not to believe what ASPCA’s agents tell you on the phone. I was told that both accident and illness would be covered 30days after signing up for this insurance and when i asked whether everything would be covered then, after 30 days, she told me “correct.” I was sent the audio tape which verified what i’d been told. Three month after switching from VPI to ASPCA (because it was endorsed by the ASPCA!), my dog tore her CCL and ASPCA insurance told me there was a 12-month exclusion…long story short, i’m fighting them to the hilt–i even have an appt. with an atty. next week. I’ll come armed with a transcript of that taped conversation.
  My dog has been going through hell because of this pet insurance. I only wish i’d stayed with VPI.
  As for their Sterling Plan, as Rob Oaks mentioned, it has an incident limit of $2,500. Keep in mind, they don’t have to renew anyone’s policy. With my dog, after filing claims for just one incident they won’t let me renew my policy saying she’s “high risk.”
  I wrote to the president of the ASPCA complaining of their endorsement. Everyone, please do the same and save someone else from making the same mistake. Here is where and to whom you should write:
  Mr. Edwyn Sayres
  ASPCA
  424 East 92nd Street
  New York, NY 10128-6804

• 34 Mikael // Apr 9, 2009 at 8:05 am

  I just got this email from Patty:

  Thanks for the contact info. My letter is written I just needed an address. I also received an unsolicited call yesterday from an ASPCA customer service manager. I guess the girl who was helping me (she really was quite nice) told her how upset I was and that I planned on contacting the NY Times and ASPCA. I’m calling them later. I’ve thought about the lawyer route myself. How is your dog doing? It’s so awful to be put in this situation, for us and them.
  P

• 35 Dr. Jan // Apr 20, 2009 at 10:29 pm

  Wow! So many complaints re ASPCA Pet Health Ins.

  I’ve had it with them too! Their pre-existing clause is construed in such a way it still screws folks who tried to do their homework prior to selecting a pet ins. co.

  It nailed me too and I work in the med-legal field…

  Time for a giant TORT, a class action law suit!

  Guess what I found out? Rep at the co. informed me that they DO NOT have vets looking at these claims. They use vet techs with maybe three years of training.

  This is like having a high schooler review claims.

  Please, everyone with a complaint should file a formal report with your state’s ins. board, complain to the CEO of ASPCA (they need to stop using their name on this very poor ins. product), get the media involved (I’ve worked in media and appeared on shows like Oprah, CNN,” if it bleeds it leads”… We are in a horrible recession and now, this rotten co. is causing more grief for people already struggling to make ends meet! Try something like this when you phone media folks).

  So, who out there also wants to join in a law suit?

• 36 Victoria // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:10 am

  I’ve already been hunting down a good lawyer—one who specializes in animal-related cases. I think I’ve found one, but we’ve been playing phone tag so far.
  I’ve also already written to the pres. and CEO of the ASPCA (see name and address in my post above) complaining of their choice of insurance company, AND I’ve filed a complaint with my state’s office of commissioner of insurance. I’ve DONE all of these things already. I really don’t know what else to do and yet I still do not feel compensated for all that my furry companion and I have been through because of this insurance company.
  I would GLADLY add my name to a class-action law suit. Post the details please!

• 37 Victoria // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:34 am

  P.S.
  Thanks for the inquiry into my dog’s health, Mikael. I think she is doing better. This Wednesday she will have her 4wk post-op check-up. (She finally had the TPLO she should have had from the beginning, but for which ASPCA pet health insurance refused to pay.) She still toe-touches. I’m not sure if that is now out of habit, though, since she’s had to do it since August. I’ll ask the vet when we see him tomorrow. Two weeks ago he felt she was coming along beautifully, though. I only hope—going through all she’s been through, what with having to take all of those anti-inflammatory, pain, and antibiotic meds and the possible osteoarthritis, all because she couldn’t get the RIGHT procedure done from the very beginning—that no permanent damage has been done to her longevity and quality of life. She’s just the best companion and she’s MY responsibility. It was my job to protect her and I feel that I’ve let her down by choosing to change insurance companies last May. (She had been with Veterinary Pet Insurance since I took her home at 8weeks, though we had never filed a claim with them.) I want to make sure that ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is aware that they cannot treat animals cruelly and get away with it—especially and keep their endorsement from the ASPCA! Perhaps if everyone contacts them to report cruelty to animals, done by their own insurance company, they’ll stop merely telling them to contact the party who handles their insurance problems (and who does NOTHING!)—as they did to me when I tried doing just that. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…

• 38 Patty // Apr 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm

  I’m all for a class action suit. I’ll follow your lead and the advice of a good lawyer. Not sure what’s necesssary to get it going. My last unsolicited call from ASPCA (after I threatended to contact the NY Times and other media) was to say they had “decided” to review the case (been reviewed twice already) and request medical records (so none were requested the first 2 times???) These guys are a piece of work!

• 39 Victoria // Apr 24, 2009 at 12:14 am

  The first thing we have to do is find a lawyer who will take the case…and take it for a percentage of whatever they get from Hartville. I’m afraid that I can’t afford more than what i’m already paying for my own lawyer and all the friggin’ vet bills i had hoped to avoid by buying pet insurance.
  By the way, I contacted my dog’s OLD insurance company (VPI) and unlike ASPCA, they don’t consider something that occurs while insured with them to be pre-existing for the following policy period. They also told me that my dog’s other knee would not be considered pre-existing were i to sign up with them again…ASPCA considers her other knee to be pre-existing because they consider it a “bi-lateral” injury. So I’ve signed back up with VPI.

• 40 Patty // Apr 25, 2009 at 8:57 am

  I had checked with 3 other pet insurance copanies (VPI was one) after I realized I was being screwed by the pre-exisitng clause and all 3 said the conditions would not be considered pre-existing. That said they didn’t pay as much as ASPCA for certian ailmentss, BUT AT LEAST THEY PAY CONTINUALLY. I’m really stuck now because both my boys are 10+ and with Rudi’s diabetets no one will take either of them now. I’m afraid to pull out of ASPCA should either of them get injured or develope some other illness. Feel like a slave. I’m putting feelers out for the lawyer.

• 41 Curt // Apr 28, 2009 at 7:08 am

  AVOID ASPCA PET INSURANCE COMPLETELY. IT MAY HAVE THEIR BRANDING BUT IT IS A COMPLETE RIPOFF.
  The policy is not pet insurance it is a limited benefit polciy paying predetermined amounts for each item but they do not disclose those amounts. They try to disguise it as geographic reasonable and customary but a supervisor admitted to me that is not true. The reasonable and customary for durgs is lower than the manhufacturer sells it at cost! I paid for a premium policy and got less coverage than basic elsewhere for a much higher premium.

• 42 Curt // Apr 28, 2009 at 7:22 am

  If a class action is initiated please post the attorney information

• 43 Kristine // Apr 29, 2009 at 12:09 pm

  OMG – Ok, so now what? What insurance do we choose for our new 4month old pups?? I am confused, frustrated and …well… confused!!! Can someone direct me to ANY good pet insurance experiences??

• 44 Abbie // Apr 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm

  I just switched my puppy (9 months) to VPI Pet Insurance. I haven’t gotten the paperwork yet or tried to file a claim, so I’m not sure how it’s going to be. I have heard good things about this company from friends, however. I purchased the superior plan that runs about 47.00 a month, but it covers everything from accidents to cancer.

• 45 Victoria // Apr 29, 2009 at 7:29 pm

  I went back to VPI. (i had only switched from them because I’d thought an insurance company endorsed by the ASPCA had to be superior–it is not.) VPI doesn’t consider a condition to be “pre-existing” when it happens whilst insured by them (as ASPCA does), and they guarantee that they will not refuse to renew your policy as long as you want to renew. ASPCA won’t let me renew my policy because my dog’s CCL injury cost them too much in one year. They also now consider BOTH knees pre-existing. VPI isn’t even classifying the other knee as pre-existing, and said they’d cover it as long as it doesn’t require surgery for the next 12-months (in other words, she can injury it at 9months and, as long as her surgery doesn’t take place until 12months later, it’s covered). This exclusion isn’t even like ASPCA’s original exclusion, as the only reason for it is because my dog’s one knee already went out whilst insuraced by ASPCA and now i’m having to switch.
  Even though I’ve had this insurance in the past, i’ve not yet had to file a claim with them. Just these things, however, make them superior to ASPCAs Pet Health.
  I cannot believe that the ASPCA would endorse a company that causes pet owners–those concerned enough to have taken out pet insurance–to be left caring for pets with pre-existing conditions and no insurance. Yet unfortunately it has.
  again, grrrrrrrrrrr…

• 46 Yelnats // Apr 30, 2009 at 7:10 am

  My Vet actually recommended ASPCA Pet Insurance to me… I will have them read these posts. The crooks at ASPCA Pet Insurance should have their criminal behavior corrected by the State.

• 47 BILL S. // Apr 30, 2009 at 9:15 pm

  ASPCA is receiving a fee from the insurance carrier to use their name. It is unlikely that ASPCA would be willing to give up that stream of income. They will, however, not receive any more donations from me until they publically rebuke this company. ASPCA may be contractually bound for a set period of time, to lend their name to this insurance carrier.

• 48 Patty // May 1, 2009 at 7:12 am

  That’s interesting Bill. I had left a VM for Ed Sayers of the ASPCA last week and yesterday I received an email from their markering director. I sent a long, polite message explaining how many of us feel about the endorsement and the issues with the pre existing condition clause. I’m waiting to see how they respond.

• 49 Victoria // May 7, 2009 at 2:35 pm

  I’m a bit insulted by that news, Patty. For I have written two letters to, and left two voice messages with Ed Sayers and have yet to hear one word from him or anyone at the ASPCA.
  Oh well, my last VM gave him the URL for this website. Maybe he’ll get the picture.

• 50 Patty // May 11, 2009 at 3:09 pm

  I mentioned this website as well. And just so you know no response sincce I sent my detailed email. I was thinking just the other day I should follow up and ask if they have any comment or if they have taken my respectful suggestion that the ASPCA no longer endorse this insurance company. If I hear back I will advise all.

• 51 Victoria // May 20, 2009 at 2:26 pm

  I hope no one minds, but I’ve quoted some of your comments to the Wisconsin Office of Commissioner or Insurance. My examiner told me that her supervisor is looking into pet health insurances since she’s been receiving so many complaints. As not all of your complaints with ASPCA Pet Health have been MY complaints, I thought they’d like to know what others have been saying regarding this company–especially with regard to the “pre-existing” clause, which seems to be unique among pet insurance companies.
  I’ve done more research and have finally made my decision to go with Pet Plan USA for my new insurer. They don’t seem to have an incident limit, but rather a yearly limit–which I like, since few pets get struck with several things within one year but one incident alone can cost over $5,000. They do have one drawback: presently they only cover 70% of any “specialty” care. This means that if you take your pet to anyone other than your primary-care vet–any kind of surgeon who specializes in that surgery–it is only going to cover 70% of the cost. The good news is that they CLAIM (and it’s recorded) that they cover that percentage from what your vet charges (only exception is if the fee seems SO outrages–like 50-100% higher than normal– that they get the feeling they are being bilked, then they may question things). So the way i figure it, even 70% of what the vet charges will still be more than what ASPCA covers with their don’t-call-me-a-benefits-schedule benefits schedule. And the thing i like is that they came right out and SAID that they would only cover 70% of those charges, unlike ASPCA Pet Health who made me believe they didn’t use a benefits schedule like VPI does, but everything indicates they actually do use one, since they only allowed a fraction of what my vet charged as “reasonable charges,” and they can’t seem to tell me HOW they calculate those reasonable charges. Pet Plan USA is even hoping to change that 70% thingy by year’s end to match the rest of one’s plan (which can cover up to 100% if you want to pay for that much plan…i figured why pay for 100% coverage when they’ll only pay 70% on the really big things anyway–their plans don’t include wellness care–the annual physicals and such).
  Anyone still with ASPCA and having a pre-existing problem, do call other companies, as many of them don’t even consider some things pre-existing that occured while covered by ASPCA even though ASPCA does! (e.g. my dog’s other knee is now considered pre-existing with ASPCA, but not with both VPI and PetPlan USA.) Anyway…look into Pet Plan USA if you’d like…and if you find something I should know about and have missed…PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

• 52 Victoria // May 20, 2009 at 2:30 pm

  oh yeah, and i was told by someone at one of the other insurance companies that they heard the ASPCA is TRYING to withdraw their endorsement, but there is a lot of red tape involved…let’s see how this plays out.

• 53 Victoria // May 20, 2009 at 2:36 pm

  whoa! I was just about to try calling Mr. Sayres at the ASPCA again…and the number must have been pulled from this website! Am I missing it somehow?

• 54 Patty // May 20, 2009 at 9:57 pm

  Just to let you all know I did indeed receive a detailed reply from a Claire McCabe, Manager of Mktg for the ASPCA. She was clearly quoting verbiage from managers of the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance team. In fairness she did respond but the overall tone was that while she could appreciate my situation, that there is no one insurance that can satisfy everyone and that the Hartville Group was being very “flexible” in their response to the pre-exisrting conditions clause by now offering the Continuing Care and Sterling plans. The fact that the plans are so cost prohibitive (for my dogs it would be $110 per pet, per month on top of premiums, if they were even eligible which they are not due to age and, you guessed it, pre-existing conditions) doesn’t appear to be of concern to them. My favorite quote…” in general, we’re pleased that APHI has been able to provide what we believe to be the best accident, illness and wellness coverage in the industry, as well as to respond flexibly to concerns like those about ongoing conditions. In addition, APHI web sites and other marketing materials have been regularly and conscientiously updated to apprise prospective and existing customers of relevant plan features, including exclusions and coverage limitations.” She was pleased that I was conscientious enough to have insurnace for my pets (still doesn’t get it, it doens’t matter, they don’t pay) and “encouraged” me to continue to shop for the plan that was best for my situation (again, doesn’t get it, no one will take Rudi, he’s too old now and has several condotions that will never be covered). VPI and Pet Plan are both good. Petsurance is a little weird in that they don’t sign you up for a yearly policy. You pay month to month on a CC. They cover up to $20K for the life of your pet. And beware, Pets Health Plan IS the Hartville Group. Same as ASPCA with a different name. They actually told me they were the ONLY insurance company that offered coverage for pre-existing conditions by the simple addition of one of their continuing care options. Can you imagine???!!! Not only are they cheating folks but they point blank lied. This ain’t over yet.

• 55 Dr. jan // May 23, 2009 at 2:28 pm

  FYI…

  After making the “stink” heard around the world and firmly informing an ASPCA Pet Health Ins. rep that I expected my my dog’s pneumonia treatment ins. claim to be paid (they wanted 30 days to review the appeal) I gave them a 3 day limit (this was based on their history of bad faith) lo and behold… They called me on day two and informed me the check was going to be put in the mail. Eventually, it did arrive.

  Prior to this, I had put in a call to E. Sayres, CEO the ASPCA in NY. Apparently,
  he won’t personally respond to calls re.
  ASPCA Pet Health Ins.

  Their marketing liason ??? Ms McCabe returned my call. After listening to my complaints, like a puppet whose strings were being yanked by someone higher up,
  she uttered several obviously, parroted and very pat responses.

  An ER call came in and I had to end the call with McCabe. I called her later and left a message. Never heard from her again…

  ASPCA Pet Health Ins. still owes me hundreds of dollars re. previously unpaid claims in which they exercised their “weasel” preexisting clause.
  I’m going to see if they are going to make this right too.

  I was told this co. is now under new management.

  Dr. J

• 56 Patty // May 23, 2009 at 10:47 pm

  McCabe emailed me again and I quote “I have passed your email on to our Sr Director of Corporate Partnerships and our VP of Marketing and Licensing. I also forward copies of every inquiry to Hartville’s CMO and to their head of customer service. We are all working together to make improvements and continue to develop plans that provide the best possible value.”

  I don’t know who they are “all working together” with because it’s certainly not the customers. Got a VM message Friday I was just denied (the 3rd time they’ve “reviewed”) for Rudi’s cataract surgery because of couse they are linking it to the diabetes which is, you guessed it, pre-existing from year 2 on our policy. I will call, AGAIN, and tell them I’m in direct contact with ASPCA and see if it makes any difference to them what so ever. If nothing else they know we aren’t backing down w/o a fight.

• 57 Candice // May 25, 2009 at 6:00 pm

  I signed up for ASPCA health insurance for my labrador pup two months ago thinking they would be great. I have not tried to file any claims, he’s had no issues (I only signed up for accident coverage) but I really wished I would have read this website first, scary! I am now researching other companies because I refuse to give this company one more penny!

  I checked out Trupanion, but I live in Alaska and they do not write policies within our state! Any other companies anyone could recommend? I’m very new to this pet insurance thing, so any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

• 58 Paula // Jun 9, 2009 at 9:12 pm

  Oh my gosh! Why didn’t I find this website prior to purchasing ASPCA health insurance for my 13 year old Persian. She has no health issues (genetic or injuries), but recently she picked up a bacterial infection and the vet had to do several tests, which costs me approximately $400. I am already getting the run-around from ASPCA (they have already asked for Praline’s records from the vet) and I have a feeling that after reading all of this, I have wasted the premium payments I have already made since March. My problem is her age. There have only been two companies that will give me a quote for her: Petsurance and Trupanion. Can anyone give me any advice on this?

  I am considering calling an cancelling this plan and just “eating” the vet costs last month.

• 59 Victoria // Jun 10, 2009 at 9:15 am

  Paula,
  Don’t give up on them so easily. This is how the insurance companies make their money–people don’t bother fighting for what they deserve…besides, they may just surprise you and pay the tab. They are funny that way. Maybe they’ll find no easy way of getting out of it. Don’t get me wrong, you definitely need to find another insurance company, because ASPCA Pet Health is total crap, but don’t let them get away with not paying their portion of this bill. If they don’t pay on the first shot then file an appeal, and if that doesn’t work then contact your state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and file a complaint. It is only when we band together, and make a stink regarding the poor state of pet insurance, that we will finally get pet insurance companies to treat us properly. My state’s OCI is already gathering as much info as possible on pet insurance companies due to all the complaints being filed on them. So this is how we have to do it, if necessary. But please don’t just eat the expense and leave it at that.
  Victoria

• 60 Nicole // Jun 19, 2009 at 10:20 am

  Look into PetsBest or PurinaCare insurance. PurinaCare seems to have the best payouts, few exclusions. PetsBest is good for accident-type coverage and is a big cheaper.

• 61 Paula // Jun 19, 2009 at 8:56 pm

  Thank you Victoria and Nicole. ASPCA has finalized one of my claims (only about 1/3 of the bill) and it still reviewing the other claim. Needless to say, I am very frustrated and unfortunately, the fine print won’t allow me to cancel once I file a claim.

  PurinaCare isn’t available in SC yet and I am looking at the PetsBest. They gave me a quote, but the deductible is $100 per visit.

  I’ll keep looking.

• 62 Ruby // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:40 am

  Okay…just researching pet ins. companies, this one sounds like a bad choice. A friend of mine has Petfirst Healthcare…has anybody else used them before. I have a 2 yr old Bullmastiff and would like to get him some coverage.

• 63 Randy // Jun 25, 2009 at 8:58 pm

  Anybody who is looking for a very fair-minded company that provides good insurance coverage for your pet without pages of fine print that will allow the insurance company to “Opt Out” of either renewing your policy or paying a claim should take a hard and very serious look at TruPanion.

  It is NOT true that Trupanion won’t cover older pets. They now will enroll new pets that are as old as FOURTEEN (14) years old.

  I briefly signed up with PETPLAN but then read the policy saw all kinds of scary exclusions, qualifications, and requirements before you could renew your policy (especially as your pet ages). I could see many ways that PETPLAN could “legally” cancel your policy.

  Trupanion seems to be a very honest company. I enrolled a second pet with them. If you enroll a second pet, you don’t have to pay a second enrollment fee. That caught my mistake and advised me that they would be combining the policies and REFUNDING the second enrollment fee that I wouldn’t have to pay.

  I am impressed with that honesty. I used to work in the HUMAN health insurance industry. I know from experience that the policies are written to AVOID paying claims.

  Nothing I’ve seen in the TruPanion policy frightens me …. even with my insurance experience.

  Though I haven’t had a claim with them, my experience so far has been very positive.

• 64 Fifi // Jul 9, 2009 at 10:44 am

  I’m all for class action suit. Sign me in.

• 65 Ashlin // Jul 14, 2009 at 1:14 pm

  Absolute Rubbish! I’ve insured three dogs – at a cost of $1,200 and have paid out at least that in vet fees for vaccines, neuter, etc. I have received back a grand total of $80!!!!!
  Has cost me more in premiums than my own health care – hardly anything is covered (I’m on Advantage) Everything is a fight – Vaccinations are only the “most essential” I would think a Lyme Vaccine is cheaper than treatment of the disease. I’m fed up with them and so is my Vet who doesn’t have time to keep re-submitting records. Never Again.

• 66 Paula // Jul 14, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  I guess I’m stuck with this insurance company with my current cat. She will be 14 in September and I guess some reimbursement is better than none. Who knows? They will probably cancel her policy as she gets older. When I get a younger cat in the future, I will definitely get a different company. I will NEVER recommend this company to anyone.

• 67 Neal Q. // Jul 16, 2009 at 3:06 pm

  ****WARNING ****
  Stay far away from ASCPA Pet Health Insurance. They have what’s known as a “manifestation clause”. Policy renews annually and any claim filed now becomes ‘pre-existing’ for that treatment for the life of the policy.

• 68 Victoria // Jul 16, 2009 at 11:32 pm

  Wish me luck everyone. I just recently mailed the necessary paper-work to the Stark County Sheriff’s Office so that they could be served to ASPCA Pet Health. Our court date is Aug. 7th.
  The amount of money I lost is beyond what i’m asking, all because it took them six months to finally decide to cover my dog’s surgery. The pain from the extra surgeries my dog needed to go through because of them cannot be included, as that’s not something one can put a price on. The osteoarthritis my vet said was likely caused because she needed to go over six months before getting the proper surgery…also cannot be included. However, my lost wages because i needed to stay home from work to care for my dog; the extra 20% i had to pay for the additional surgeries; and the cost beyond their “reasonable charges,” can all be calculated. The additional cost for pain and inflamation management during that time can also be calculated, as can everything that ASPCA considers beyond the incident limit (if any of you recall, for financial reasons i needed to go with an inferior surgery because ASPCA refused to pay for my dog’s CCL injury…until AFTER that procedure, which did not hold and then required another surgery to remove the monofilament line and finally i was able to get the CORRECT surgery–the TPLO–after they agreed to pay. So obviously i went over my incident limit. Had they agreed to pay for the procedure my vet had recommended in the first place–the TPLO–i never would have exceeded that limit).
  Not only does ASPCA’s definition of “pre-existing conditions” defy all REASONABLE meaning of the term, but it was a moot point with me, as they dropped me at the end of my policy period anyway. They claimed, in different terms, that my dog’s expenses exceeded their desire to keep us as clients. She had only one injury the entire year. Nice way to make a buck, eh? Take money from everyone until they need to pay it out, then drop them so you don’t have to pay anything back.
  So now, even though my dog’s had insurance since the day i brought her home at 8wks (she’s now 4), I am left without coverage of her right knee. By ANY insurance company’s standards this is now a pre-existing condition, even though she was insured when it happened.
  ASPCA Pet Health doesn’t care about animals, obviously, and after numerous unanswered phone calls and letters to ASPCA’s president and CEO complaining about their endorsement of this company, I’ve come to feel the same way about them. How can anyone who truly cares about animals endorse–ALLOW–a pet insurance company such as this? Too many people are left facing terrible decisions with regard to their dear four-legged family members because this company didn’t represent itself properly to the client. They claim they do not use a benefits schedule in formulating what will be paid, but that is EXACTLY what they use (and one that pays little), and their “pre-existing conditions” is a grotesque misrepresentation of the term.
  Perhaps if we all take them to court they might open their eyes.

• 69 Sarah H // Jul 17, 2009 at 1:23 pm

  I, too, just cancelled my ASPCA insurance today. I had thought I had bought good insurance for my pet that would work like house insurance, as a safety net. Buy it and it’s in place continuously as long as the premiums are paid. But, as I discovered, that is definitely not the case.

  The way this misleading insurance is set up can absolutely leave a policy holder in the lurch just when financial help is need the most. It would be better to put the cost of the premiums aside in an interest bearing saving account for when you might need the money for your pet.

  When I bought a policy last week, it was NOT clearly explained to me that if a pet has the misfortune to get sick or injured before an annual policy ends and is still actively under treatment when a new policy period begins, the company will not cover any more costs related to that incident under the new policy. That’s because any condition related to the incident covered by the expired policy would be considered “an ongoing condition” by the new policy. Doesn’t matter if the pet was hit by a car or developed diabetes, it’s condition would be considered ongoing and therefore will not be covered. The pet will not have any more coverage for whatever that condition is until it is proved to be free of that particular condition for a period of 180 days. That’s the “gotcha” clause. (Try keeping a pet free of diabetes for 180 days – ha! Can’t be done.)

  An animal being treated, hospitalized or in intensive care under this policy on its last day would not be covered for whatever it was suffering from in the new policy period – even if the incident only happened the day before.

  It took four rounds of careful questioning before I pulled that unpleasant bit of information out of the sales representative. He tried to skirt the issue by repeatedly telling me about the 30 day waiting period at the start of the policy, which had nothing to do with my question about what happens if something occurs near the END of a policy period. I disliked his avoiding giving me a clear answer. It left me with a very bad feeling about his company and the ASPCA. So, I cancelled.

  He also told me that animals are legally considered “property” under the law which is why his company can do that – as can every other animal insurance policy. If that is true, then the law need changing.

• 70 Patty // Jul 17, 2009 at 9:01 pm

  Sarah to your point my dog was indeed diagnosed with diabetes several years ago while on this policy and because of the pre-existing clause ASPCA has not covered any expense or treatment assocaited with his condition since he was diagnosed, including cataract surgery to the tune of $3,000+. Surgery was successful by the way and I would do it again in a heartbeat but it was all out of pocket. He was dignosed 2 months before my policy renewed so they covered about that much time. As we all know Diabetes isn’t curable and now no other company will cover it either. I’ve done a LOT of research sicne and every other popular pet insurance company does not have this clause. The may not pay as much but they pay…and for the life of the policy. You’ll see my posts earlier in this long string but the point is ASPCA’s policy is decitful, confusing and heartbreaking. We think we’re doing right by our animal companions and a company like this contributes to devastating results. I have been in touch with several people at ASPCA asking them to cease endorsement of Hartville Group. They claim they have passed all my concerns along to the appropriate parties at both companies. I doubt it will do much good. ASPCA probably gets a pretty penny for the endorsement. The whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth. I have not contributed to the ASPCA since all of this began. And I told them that would remanin the case as long as they continue the endorsement.

• 71 heather // Jul 22, 2009 at 10:50 am

  Wow…. After reading all of this I just don’t know what to do. I was going to join with aspca insurance because my youngest boy max was born with a deformed paw. And now it has gotten really bad and he needs some x-rays possibly have it amputated. And they told me they will not cover anything pervious that’s the last time I ever help out the aspca program. Now I do not know where to do go. Anybody know any other who will help out pervious problems and is not a scam please let me know thanks a lot, heather

• 72 Randy // Jul 22, 2009 at 2:58 pm

  Heather… There is no company that will cover pre-existing conditions (at least none that have not been symptom free for quite a while when the policy is issued). Treatment for the deformed paw will have to be paid by you. The policy that I have on both cats (including a newly insured 12 year old cat) is Trupanion. I’ve done extensive research and could find no other policy that seems to be as honest with the absence of fine print as the Trupanion policy.

  Sorry to say that all policies are only designed for illnesses that may be diagnosed in the FUTURE.

  Good luck in taking care of your pet with the deformed paw.

• 73 Victoria // Jul 22, 2009 at 6:39 pm

  I noticed that someone once mentioned that ASPCA Pet Health now has something one can add to their policy for “continuing care.” I looked this up and found that they have re-vamped their plans. Mind you they haven’t made any improvement to their old plans, just now have found a new way to trick the policy holder, because these “continuing care” plans have incident limits and “lifetime” limits—the more inexpensive one’s policy plan the less continuing coverage one can get. In fact, prior to this change one could pay through the nose for their Sterling Plan and get some sort of continuing coverage included. This plan was ridiculously over priced, but the option was there (I’m not sure what the incident limit was, however), even though few people were explained that it was the ONLY plan that covered, beyond one’s policy period, an illness or injury that occurred while covered by their insurance. With these new plans one can purchase a plan from levels one through four. Each level covers more and subsequently costs more. However, from what I can tell, the “continuing care” that is offered a policy holder depends entirely on which plan level they’ve purchased and really doesn’t cover much at all.
  Their most expensive plan–Level 4– BEGINS at an annual cost of $708 for a dog. Mind you, if your dog is over a certain age (probably 2yrs), is a certain breed, or lives in certain metro areas, you will have to pay more. This plan has a $5,000 incident limit. Then, if one wishes to purchase continuing coverage it would cost them an ADDITIONAL $102. MINIMUM for a dog! Again, it could cost a person more than this depending upon where they live, which breed they own and the age of their pet. And what does one get for that added expense? More peace of mind? Not really, because the incident limit is $2,500, with a lifetime limit of $6,000. In the mean time one is probably paying close to $1,000/yr. for this coverage!
  If one were to go down to the next level—Level 3—there is less coverage (it has a $3,500 incident limit), hence the annual cost is less, beginning at $402 for dogs, but one cannot purchase Level 4 “continuing care” with a Level 3 policy. They can, however, choose to pay an additional $85/yearly for an additional $1,500 incident limit and only $3,500 lifetime coverage. Is this really continuing care?
  All ASPCA did was give their policies new names (Level 3 appears to be their old Advantage Plan), take the continuing care away from their Sterling Plan, and allow a person to pay extra for what they would THINK is coverage for chronic illnesses. I’m sorry, but my dog went over $3,500 for ACL surgery! Any pet with REAL chronic illnesses would surely exceed these incident and lifetime limits. These are not good plans, but fortunately they seem to spell things out a little more clearly now so that one can SEE that they are not good plans. Things weren’t this clear when I purchased my insurance from them.
  The person who posted mentioning this “Continuing Care” sounds a bit as though they work for ASPCA Pet Health because all they stated was that it cost as little as $5 more a month. (Those monitoring this site may have felt the same, because it looks as though the posting was removed.) This info is true, but only if you own a cat and not a dog, have a Level 2 plan (which has an incident limit of only $1,500), and only expect to get $1,000 more coverage per incident/ $2,500 per lifetime with the Continuing Care plan. Again, it costs more if the cat is older or lives in a certain metro area, etc. In fact, by breaking it down this way ASPCA is able to charge a person TWO $100 deductibles: once for the plan and again for the “Continuing Care”! What crap.
  I have completely lost my respect for the ASPCA organization for not withdrawing their endorsement even after so many have complained directly to them. When I watch their sad commercials I mumble under my breath that ASPCA doesn’t care about animals so stop making ME feel bad. It’s sad, but I don’t think pets really have anyone reliable in their corner unless WE step up to the plate. If we don’t fight for our four-legged friends, I don’t think anyone will. Please, Please file complaints with your state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurances. Right now our pets are not considered anything more than “property.” That’s why ASPCA can get away with this pre-existing stuff. My dog is a family member and NOT my property! Let’s not let insurance companies get away with treating our family members this way. We bought insurance because we cared!
  Victoria

• 74 Brittany // Jul 23, 2009 at 4:55 pm

  ASPCA pet insurance is a COMPLETE RIP-OFF. I filed my first claim, for $260 to get my cat’s senior bloodwork/urine/fecal testing done, and every single cost on my receipt and claim they chose “reasonable costs” as their excuse for not paying. They have to get their numbers for “reasonable costs” from out in the boonies where people pay with chickens rather than money. Either way, they find every single excuse possible not to give you a dime, meanwhile here I am paying them $60 a month for NOTHING!

  They are a total rip-off. Do not go with them. You’re better off having a few thousand dollars in a savings account should your pet need a life-saving surgery or anything. These people are scam artists.

• 75 Celita // Jul 25, 2009 at 12:18 pm

  For all of you considering VPI, please save yourself the time, money and frustration. I have been with them since December 2008 and have just canceled both of my GSD’s policies. I got tired of the duplicate billings to my card, their $50 deductible per incident, and the fact that their per incident coverage amounts are about 10% of what you will actually pay the veterinarian for services. You are better off putting the monthly deductible in a savings account and paying for the services yourself.

• 76 Jo Ann // Aug 24, 2009 at 1:09 pm

  Interesting reading. I have been looking for pet insurance and anything I find in the US is overpriced and fairly useless.
  Why do they feel the need to ‘rape’ the American public?
  I have friends in Britian that have great insurance for their pets and it is reasonably priced. I could insure all 3 of my dogs per month(Gold Plan) there for what it would cost me for a monthly rate here for 1 dog( second best plan).

  Very discouraging.

• 77 Michelle // Sep 3, 2009 at 12:53 am

  I have not found the same issues of the other people on this site, but have had ASPCA for over a year. My issue has been “reasonable Costs.” I’m not taking my dog to a super high end vet either. Recently I got her spayed and they excluded $70 to “reasonable Cost” . In the last Year and a half I’ve claimed over 1000 dollars on basic vet costs (shots, accidents, illnesses, spay ect) plus the 30 dollar monthly fee (for advantage) and have only received a little over 200 in reimbursements. My advice to anyone with a new puppy. Steer clear of ASPCA, complete waste of money!

• 78 KLynch // Sep 3, 2009 at 3:44 pm

  After reading all the comments on this site I spoke to someone at the ASPCA insurance about the ‘reasonable and customary’ charges to find out more about where these costs come from. Apparently the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) publishes a guide of reasonable and customary costs for different veterinary fees each year. That’s where they get them from. It makes sense to me that they do this because you can imagine that some vets (i.e. in downtown manhattan )may charge an astronomical amount for a procedure that would be quite a bit lower anywhere else. In my mind this prevents the average person (like me) from having their insurance costs go up over time.

  I too insured my new puppy last year with ASPCA, but since I didn’t get the Wellness, I wasn’t covered for the initial expenditures of neutering, etc. I was prepared for this though, because its part of being a good pet owner. I also read my plan when I received it, and also the sample plan they have posted right on their site.

  They are a relatively new company in the pet insurance business, so they seem to be improving their plans and transparency over time. I do believe that they care about pets, because the people I’ve spoken to there when I’ve had claims or questions have all been pet owners as well. I just think most people don’t understand how insurance works.

  Pet insurance is a long term investment. No one covers a car that’s already been in an accident so why would we think they’d protect a pet that’s already sick or injured for those problems? I expect that as my little boy gets older (and he will sooner than me) I’ll see the long term benefits of coverage. I have Continuing Care and I’ll never cancel my coverage because then I’ll lose the benefit of my investment.

  BTW – I went on a few British sites like Petplan and guess what – the costs and the coverage are virtually the same as here (once you convert Pounds to US$!)

• 79 Ronnie // Sep 4, 2009 at 2:16 am

  ASPCA… Scumbags, I had the insurance for 6 months, the 1st time I needed it they covered nothing… ZERO, they said the vet wrote on the bill the dog had a lump which they found in a routine exam,they said it was not an exam but a a pre existing condition but it was only found by an x-ray so a $500 bill those A Holes Covered NOTHING, BEWARE

• 80 Victoria // Sep 5, 2009 at 7:45 am

  Dear Klynch,
  I’m afraid that i must burst your bubble. There are a few holes in your bliss.
  First you say that ASPCA Pet Health is a relatively new insurance company–prior to “ASPCA” Pet Health, they existed for many years as just plain, Pet Health Insurance. They are a subsidiary of the Hartville Group, which is owned by American Fire and Causualty. They are not at all a new insurance company. In fact, they are quite old.
  Now, for the fact about your coverage…it is true that ASPCA Pet Health NOW has what they term, “continued care” insurance for all of their levels, 1-4, you may wish to look at just what is being covered:
  You apparently have purchased level 1 or level 2 coverage since you say you don’t have wellness care. Let’s say you purchased the more expensive one, level 2. For a new puppy you are probably paying around $24.06/mo. plus $6.56/mo. for continuing coverage. In addition to that you had to pay an additional $10.50 the first month. This all comes to $344.94 for one year and the most you’ll see for coverage for each incident is $2,500 maximum!
  When i bought my insurance they didn’t offer “continued coverage” as they do today. I paid almost the same amount of money each year, though, and had a $3,500. incident limit! It is true that by offering this extended coverage they can get around people complaining that their pet’s injury occured at the end of the policy period and Pet Health then called it “pre-existing.” This “pre-existing condition” that we have all been referring was not a condition which occured PRIOR to optaining ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. It was for injuries which happened DURING our policy periods.
  My dog tore her CCL while she was covered by ASPCA PH. They gave me the run-around with regard to covering her surgery for so long that her necessary surgery occured toward the end of the policy period. If she had done ANYTHING to re-injure that knee during the following policy period she would not be covered as it would now be considered pre-existing from the previous policy period.
  But that wasn’t a problem i faced, nor will it be something that you will now face as you have continued coverage…right? Maybe not. The reason i don’t have any problem is because after I submitted my claims for her surgery they wrote me a letter telling me they will not let me renew my policy because–though put more diplomatically–my dog was costing them too much money. So, dear KLynch, even though you purchased a continued care plan, don’t hold your breath that when you need this company they will be there for you. My dog’s knee is now considered pre-existing no matter WHERE i get her insurance now.
  Now, with regard to their “reasonable costs,” call another agent and he/she will give you a different answer, unless, of course, they are now being told to say something else…or they really are using the AAHA (have you tried finding one of these books? I have. Most vets will not subscribe to them as they are very expensive and none of my local libraries carry it. So it is a nice thing to say one’s insurance company quotes from a book no policy holder can possibly find!).
  When i called asking how they came up with their idea of reasonable costs i was given different answers every time i called–once even told i lived in a “Metro Area”! I live in rural Wisconsin…my town’s population is less than 14,000. I have, however, contacted my state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurances and they’ve told me they are looking into how this company calculates its “reasonable costs” because they, too, were given obscure answers. This, they told me, will take a bit of time, though, as they will have to send an agent to go through the company’s files.
  Please do not fool yourself. This company’s policies are, by far, more unreasonable than any others. My recommendation, BEFORE your puppy really needs to be insured, is find a different company.
  Victoria

• 81 Victoria // Sep 5, 2009 at 7:50 am

  OOOPS!
  Glad that i’m re-reading my posting as I had a typo in the cost of KLynch’s policy–it is not 344.94, but rather 377.94!

• 82 Tiff S // Sep 9, 2009 at 9:02 am

  This is ridiculous! They should not be allowed to do any of this. I originally on their advantage plan, but after a few months, I did not think that it was worth me paying that amount to cover pretty much nothing. So I decided to stay with them, since my pomeranian hadn’t really run into any major problems, but I downgraded my plan to the primary one. When my contract was almost up, I received a call, as well as emails, stating that they were going to give me a better quote, a 10%discount. This isn’t much, but better than nothing. I decided to go with it. The rep, Nate, also promoted their continuing care program, which he said was covered under the first year, but I had to pay an extra $7 and change to continue it. I became very upset because I did not understand why my original plan had it, then they supposedly give me a 10% discount, but then tacked on over a 35% increase for me to have what I oringally had covered. Nate said, to what I understood as “it is only covered for the first year, but after you have to pay for it.” He kept making it seem like what I had understood was wrong and finally said that he would have upper management call me back to explain it better. Wouldn’t you know… NO ONE ever called me back. When the new plan started, I noticed that they charged me even more than what I was previously paying. So of course, I called customer service to find out what had happened. This time, I spoke with James. He kept saying that they weren’t allowed to make me the discount offer and that it must have been a mistake. It was a good thing, I kept the emails, since Nate never bothered to leave any notes about speaking with me on my account. I emailed him what they sent me about the discount, so they couldn’t even fight me on the subject. But James DID say that they would only give me the discount for one year since it was a mistake. Since they had already charged me, he said it would be credited on Sept’s bill, which it WAS NOT!! Obviously, I called again, spoke with Tiffany, who is supposedly a supervisor, explained the situation, and she was going to have it researched and call me back the same day. NEVER HAPPENED. I just called again to find out what happened, she gave me some bs excuse about no one getting back to her. Either way, she finally called me back and said that they have fixed the problem and I will have two months of credit on my Oct bill. I even told her that I had been reading up on their org and THEY HAD HORRIBLE REVIEWS… and that I wanted to cancel, but I want to find an insurance company first since I dont really want to leave my pet without any insurance… ANY SUGGESTIONS!??!

• 83 Tiff S // Sep 9, 2009 at 9:09 am

  to anyone who needs their pet neutered/spayed:
  The actual ASPCA org, nothing to do with the insurance company (since they just use the ASPCA name), actually does neutering/spaying for $25. It is part of their mobile clinic… which I know sounds kind of iffy, but it isn’t. My pet had it done there and she is fine. My vet even complimented the work and asked where I had it done, so she could refer patients who could not afford her procedures.

• 84 Randy // Sep 9, 2009 at 4:10 pm

  I would dump ASPCA in a heartbeat and go with Trupanion.com. If you want a company that seems to have a very clean policy (no fine print or wording only a New York lawyer could understand) and good customer service then this might be the plan for you.
  We’ve not had a claim, but based on the policy (I’ve read every word) and their customer service so far, I would recommend Trupanion.com. I have told ASPCA to take me off their mailing list because I will not support an organization that scams pet owners with a sleazy insurance plan. How many pets have died because the owners “thought” they had insurance via ASPCA? My hard earned $$ won’t be going to ASPCA for ANY reason, especially to buy their scam pet insurance.

• 85 Victoria // Sep 12, 2009 at 9:05 am

  Tiff S,
  I just wanted to clarify something: ASPCA org DOES have something to do with this insurance company! By endorsing this company, as they do, they have now gone to bed with it. It is for this reason that so many of us are angry with the ASPCA, an organization that is supposed to be concerned with the care of animals.
  Many of us have written/called the pres. and CEO of the ASPCA organization to beg him to withdraw their endorsement of this insurance company, since they have caused such hardship to so many pets, but we either don’t get a reply from our letters or voice mails (I have written 2 letters and left 2 voice mail msgs and have heard nothing back from him.), or we get some sort of form letter not really addressing our concerns.
  The organization, ASPCA, therefore is definitely related to this insurance company! They must get some sort of financial compensation for their endorsement, but they have lost much of their credibility. I sneer whenever I see their advertisements now and will only donate to humane societies.

• 86 Kristen // Sep 18, 2009 at 12:10 am

  I, too, have been a recent victim of their new “manifestation clause”. I have had 5 pets insured for over 11 years – all having high coverage. I believe Level 4 they are calling it now. You do the math on how much money I have invested with them over the years.
  I have had some minor “reasonable costs” issues over the years, but overall was happy with them.
  My last claim denial (on a hefty ER bill, of course) led me to a lengthy discussion with them today. I am canceling all of my policies with them, and would love to sign up for any class action suits.
  I have been in the veterinary field (surgical/critical care nurse) for over 15 years. I have recommended them over again, only to be taken advantage of them in the end. Their current practices are deceitful, and they need to be held accountable.

• 87 Paula // Sep 18, 2009 at 9:33 pm

  Okay! Thanks to Dogster, I had a trial period for Trupanion for 60 days. Luckily for me, my persian did not get sick during this time period. I’ve been with ASPCA since March and was not happy at all! My cat got sick in May and I spent over $400 on her and was only reimbursed $100. I just cancelled ASPCA today and went with Trupanion. The price is a little higher per month, but my cat will be 14 next week and Trupanion is the only other company that will insure her and I don’t have to worry about them cancelling the policy because of her age or other stupid reasons. Wish me luck with Trupanion and my cat.

  Thanks for all of the advice.

• 88 Randy // Sep 19, 2009 at 12:31 am

  Paula, I do believe you made a wise choice. I was in the same situation in insuring a 12 year old cat. No other company would insure a feline that old. Trupanion did so with no qualms. Also their policy is very clean with very few exclusions. We have both the 12 year old and the 1 1/2 year old cat now with Trupanion. I’m glad we made that decision before making a mistake and insuring with a company that has so many “Got ya’” clauses as to make the insurance meaningless. Even the higher rated PET PLAN has scary clauses (especially as the animal ages) that would permit them to legally deny claims unless you follow their very strict rules as described in the policy. You end up becoming an underwriter for PET PLAN just to keep your insurance valid… and they are considered to be much superior to ASPCA. In my opinion, no plan is as honest as Trupanion.

• 89 Victoria // Sep 28, 2009 at 10:04 pm

  Congratulate me! I took ASPCA Pet Health to small claims court and won. Justice Prevails!

• 90 Tiff S // Sep 29, 2009 at 9:44 am

  Congrats!!!

• 91 Patty // Sep 29, 2009 at 6:40 pm

  That’s grest news Victoria. I bet it cost you to go thru all that though. After all we’ve been through (see prior posts) I’m completely fed up with these people. I recently sent back one of their direct mail pieces (telling me how they missed me and would I consider donating agian) and wrote a note stating I would not be making any further donations until such time as they disassociated themselves with the Hartville Group. What insurance are you currently using, if any?

• 92 Victoria // Sep 30, 2009 at 12:37 pm

  Patty,
  It cost me a lot in my time, but not expense. I contacted an atty who specialized in animal cases and she donated her time in consulting me and also sent me an article she’d written in Fetch magazine regarding representing yourself in small claims court (i’m sure you could find it at your local library–not sure of the issue, but by M. Senatori). I had already spent a great deal of time fighting with ASPCA Pet Health trying to get them to pay in the first place–appealing, filing complaints with the state OSI, etc. When they finally agreed to pay i was angry with the amount they were paying and for the many other expenses that were caused by their delay in covering the necessary surgery to begin with, none of which they were covering. So as for my time, it had already cost me a lot there. Going to court only took up a little more of my time.
  The cost of bringing suit in small claims is only $94.50 in Wisconsin (it had just gone up the day before I’d filed) and here one can ask for as much as $5,000. I had to pay an additional $25.00 to have a sheriff in Ohio (Stark County) serve the papers, since the defendant was outside the state. That filing fee of $94.50 was returned to me when i won.
  Mind you, I don’t think that I was given any more than what I deserved from this insurance company. The Judge (Court Commissioner?) awarded me $2,671.30, which was what remained to make up 80% of my vet bills (plus the $94.50). I had also asked for reimbursement for missed work, which I wouldn’t have missed had ASPCA agreed to pay when my dog first injured herself, but I don’t think the judge felt that this was due me. My boyfriend sort of sided with the judge on this one, saying that many people crate their dogs while they are away at work. My dog has never been crated—she’s 30” at the shoulders! Even the jumbo kennels don’t allow her to stand comfortably! But after the surgery the vet told me she could not be left alone in the house unless she was crated. I wasn’t working when she had first injured herself and so I wouldn’t have missed work, so I thought the company should reimburse me for that, too. I still feel this way, but i’ll take what I can get since it is $2,671.30 more than what I’d have had if I hadn’t pursued this. So I still consider this a victory, especially since the insurance company had to send an atty. (or some sort of representative), spend time on this, and then are having to pay me more than what they’d wanted to pay me. I think we MUST hold insurance companies like this accountable. YAH, the little guy won for once!

• 93 Victoria // Sep 30, 2009 at 12:55 pm

  p.s. Good for you, Patty, on sending back their donation cards with that msg. What a great idea!
  I’m currently with Pet Plan USA, but after reading some of these posts, I think i’ll be changing to Trupanion at the end of my policy period. I don’t like all of the loopholes that these insurance companies have for pets. Our cherished companions and family members are treated like our cars! (You can complain about this with your state’s OCI.) Pet Plan even offers a replacement cost! I must admit, it is nice for those of us who could not afford to replace our beloved pets with a similar breed. I had never owned a Leonberger before, nor had I even HEARD of them until shortly before getting mine. But being a purebred, she didn’t come cheap! Now I don’t think I’d want anything BUT another Leo. She is the greatest friend. I’d heard that her temperament is status quo for Leos. She’s the perfect breed for me, but I don’t have the money I once had and so if anything happened to her, I doubt I’d be able to afford another Leo…if not for this damned replacement thingy. So as much as I hate that it seems they are putting a value on our loved ones, there IS a certain element of practicality in it, too. Still, no other Leo would be MY Leo in the way that she is, but there would be a better chance of finding one with similar characteristics that I love so much.

• 94 Dana // Oct 9, 2009 at 1:25 pm

  I will NOT renew my pet insurance with ASPCA.

  It has NOT been worth it. Yes it paid a small amount but I would have been money ahead by just putting the $38 a month payment into a bank account and taking my chances that my dog might eat something harmful as a puppy. My dog has been treated for hookworm …which isn’t covered under my plan and yearly shots and got him neutered. I got him micro chipped…which wasn’t covered. My puppy was in a kennel cage 4 hours at a time while I was at work so I could keep a close eye on him not to eat things he shouldn’t. Unless you plan on letting your puppy run in traffic and be alone to eat and or chew on things they shouldn’t then I don’t think you need the insurance just stash the monthly payment and take your chances! The insurance was a waste of money!!!

• 95 Mike // Oct 22, 2009 at 12:33 pm

  Thank you all for posting here. I am searching for coverage for our family pet.
  I am avoiding this ASPCA crap.
  And congrats to the lady who took them to court and won! Well done.

• 96 Marie // Nov 14, 2009 at 1:17 pm

  Thank you for all of your postings! I, too, just realized my tea-cup poodle’s plan was up for renewal 2 weeks ago. I called ASPCA today and learned that they automatically renewed the plan and charged my credit card, which I had not seen the bill for yet. I asked if in fact it was true (being recorded) that if my pet was diagnosed with an illness on 10/30, treatment begins 11/2 but plan renewal is 11/1, she will not be covered because it is a new plan and this would now be a pre-existing condition. The answer was “yes”. Therefore, have your pet checked the second day into the plan and hope for the best the remainder of the year (or cancel it within the 30 days if nothing is found! you just can’t renew it for another year, but, so what?)
  Sorry I made the investment last year, which I really couldn’t afford…..
  PS: I canceled within 30 days on this plan, so I get a full refund. Lucky break.

• 97 Coopers Mom // Nov 14, 2009 at 9:19 pm

  Ok, What the Heck!!! I can’t believe this is the practice of THE ASPCA.. Maybe they should be in the business of working agianst cruelty to people or to pets parents.. I have researched and researches..Metlife backs VPI.. more realistic.. Give it a look

• 98 Annette // Nov 17, 2009 at 1:52 pm

  I purchased ASPCA insurance 8/2009 for my 3 cats and 1 dog. In October one of my cats became ill. After my vets evaluation it was determined my cat has hypothyroid. The claim was denied for the office visit and blood work as well as his first dose of medication. After numerous phone calls and an appeal fromyself and vet the claims are still denied. I have 4 pets and can not waste my money (100$ a month) on a company that won’t pay! I have cancelled the per insurance but unfortuantely now my cat has a pre existing condition! Don’t go with ASPCA pet insurance!!

• 99 Ann // Dec 25, 2009 at 1:01 pm

  VPI might be good for animals who are young, but as they age, the reimbursements fall. My daughter has 2 cats who are 11 and the recent reimbursements don’t even cover the year’s premiums. No medicines were covered and one of the problems was considered pre-existing (treated before) although the condition had been mis-diagnosed. I am now looking for coverage for 2 young dogs and a young cat and it won’t be with VPI or ASPCA. I am continuing my search today and will look to see what Trupanion offers.

• 100 Ann // Dec 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm

  Forgot something. Last night I was on the Internet researching Pet Care and who do I get an email from today??? ASPCA, saying they were answering my inquiry for my cat. I never checked in with ASPCA! They must be monitoring other websites or their parent company is, as some of you said, Hartville Group. HOW SNEAKY!

• 101 Cyndi // Dec 27, 2009 at 4:47 pm

  I was asking my vet about insurance. They told me that the best thing they can advise is to open a savings account and be regular with a set deposit amount each month (what you would pay for a premium or more if you can). Don’t ever use it for any thing else and if you have a catastrophic illness or injury the money will be there and you won’t have to argue with anyone about pre-existing conditions or anything else. I think that is what I’m going to do.

• 102 Victoria // Dec 29, 2009 at 1:50 am

  Cyndi,
  This is great advice for someone not planning any problems for the first several years. Unfortunately problems can occur early on and so one cannot plan for their pets this way –unless, of course one can afford to invest at least $3,500. the first year and then build from there.
  So I disagree with your vet, but only to some extent. I do think that saving the money oneself would be the best way to go, not for pre-existing problems, but because pet insurance—unlike people insurance— can drop someone the minute the pet becomes a bad risk (more like one’s car insurance). Although Pet Plan USA guaranteed me they wouldn’t drop my dog under any condition, I don’t trust that there isn’t a loop-hole somewhere, because pet insurance doesn’t REQUIRE they continue to insure a pet once it becomes high-risk. So for this reason alone, a savings plan of one’s own would be ideal. But in reality, even such a lousy insurance company as ASPCA Pet Health saved me money OVER my premiums that first year. It is true that I had to fight for almost every cent of it, but it was well worth it. My dog’s surgeries, meds, and physical therapy cost well over $6,000. that first year, and my dog was only 3yrs old. Had I saved my premiums since she was born I would never have saved nearly enough to cover those expenses—not even the 80% of them that the insurance company EVENTUALLY paid me.
  An exception would be those who have numerous pets. Obviously not all will become ill or injured at once, yet premiums on multiple pets are quite high. If you’re paying $100/mo. on pet insurance it wouldn’t take too long to invest a couple of thousand for an emergency. And if you’ve not quite banked that much and you did have a problem, your credit card would likely require not much over the $100/monthly for the difference. But it would have taken me over ten years to save up, in premiums, what the insurance company eventually paid me for my dog’s injury. So I really believe insurance is the way to go with a pet—but the RIGHT pet insurance. A person should not have to go through what I went through just to get them to pay on a claim. I’ll admit, I did not do my homework. I had merely assumed that if the ASPCA endorsed them they must be reliable—I’ve learned my lesson and hopefully this website will inform others not to be so gullible.
  Victoria

• 103 Frank // Dec 29, 2009 at 8:00 am

  I agree with Victoria. In the past year our 2 year old Lab has suffered a shoulder injury ($1000) a TPLO to her left hind knee ($3700), and yesterday underwent a second TPLO ($3700) to her right hind knee. I never would have been able to save this money. PetPlan USA was the best investment I could have made. It will be at least 10 years before they break even on my dog, assuming an annual premium of $450 a year.

• 104 Victoria // Jan 1, 2010 at 2:52 am

  Frank,
  Sorry to hear of your lab’s –and YOUR–bad luck! If you’d had ASPCA you would have greatly exceeded your annual incident limit, even IF they’d been willing to pay!
  How was Pet Plan at paying on all of these? When i first signed up with them they told me that they cover 80% of one’s normal vet bills, but only 70% of specialty care vet bills (such as TPLO surgeries). They also told me they were likely going to bring those up to 80% coverage, too, by the end of this year–have they yet?
  I’ve not yet filed a claim with Pet Plan. I’m hoping i’ve finally found a good pet insurance company.

• 105 Frank // Jan 2, 2010 at 9:31 am

  Victoria,

  The first incident (shoulder injury) was prior to getting coverage and was the one that cased me to get insurance. PetUA promptly paid 80% of the first TPLO… no hassle, no looking for a loophole so they wouldn’t have to pay. The second TPLO was last Monday and I haven’t submitted a claim yet. My yearly max is $8000 according to the policy I purchased, so I am expecting the same 80% coverage on the second TPLO. I am very happy with PetPlan. Good luck.

• 106 Victoria // Jan 3, 2010 at 6:59 pm

  Frank,
  Please keep me posted on the second TPL0. ASPCA considered an ACL/CCL tear to be a “bi-lateral” condition thus making the other knee a pre-existing condition the next policy period. PetPlanUSA told me they would cover the 2nd knee after one year from the surgery of the first knee (because about 30% of dogs with ccl surgery end up tearing the other knee within one year since they baby that injured knee). I still worry about my dog, even though she’s bypassed that one year period, simply because she’s still pampering that knee. Because of my fight with ASPCA, she had to go through an inferior procedure first. She didn’t get the TPLO until 6months after tearing her CCL! So I’m still crossing my fingers this doesn’t happen again. It isn’t just the expense. As you well know, recovery from a TPLO takes 8-12 weeks of babying your pet BIG TIME! I live in the country and so generally don’t walk my dog. She has 5 acres within invisible fencing so i just open my door and let her out. Having to walk her 8-12 weeks of Wisconsin winter can be hell…brrrrr…I’d rather not have to go through it all again. Not to mention the ache from hearing her whimpering from the pain of the surgery and having to make her wait for her next pain pill. (AND ASPCA MADE HER GO THROUGH 2 PROCEDURES!)
  No, i feel for you Frank and wish you the best.
  Victoria

• 107 Victoria // Jan 11, 2010 at 8:30 pm

  Hi everyone,
  I found a brochure in my vet’s office during my last visit. It may help out those who either choose not to get insurance or have found their insurance is not covering what they should be covering. It’s called Care Credit (http://www.carecredit.com/). I can’t tell if it is as great as it looks or not. Depending upon certain particulars, it may not charge any interest for up to 18mos. (from what I can tell), but then the minute you’re delinquent once—like a loan shark practically break your knee caps—they can destroy you by charging up to 29.99% interest! Still, if one needs the money and knows they won’t miss a payment…it appears to be interest-free for quite awhile. Read all the fine print first, though, cuz I’ve not yet.
  Victoria

• 108 Claire // Jan 12, 2010 at 3:07 pm

  Renewal time for me with ASPCA in two months. So, even though I had realized that this was a plan that had so many exceptions and that I had not even enjoyed even the minimum recoup of costs. My tallying up totally surprised me. I have three dogs on advantage. Mostly healthy. I’ve spent $2,263 on premiums and $2,264 in vet costs claimed. I’ve received back from ASPCA a total of $471 !!!!! I’m going to have an investigation of my account and further review – I can’t think of anything we have done to have a claims denied to this extent. I had other problems to focus on this year, but now I am tuned in and ready to become their most annoying client.

• 109 Randy // Jan 12, 2010 at 3:50 pm

  Victoria… I think I’ll pass on CareCredit. I’ve grown rather fond of my kneecaps over the years! LOL

• 110 Randy // Jan 12, 2010 at 3:55 pm

  Trupanion….

  For those of you who might be considering Trupanion insurance for your pet, they have enhanced their customer web interface. When I originally took out the policy on our two cats, everything had to be done by calling the customer service number. That wasn’t all that bad because customer service there is very friendly and helpful, but I do prefer doing updates to my account online.

  Trupanion now offers this convenience. You can update pretty much all aspects of your account including pet medical history and payment method.

  You can also download a sample policy before you buy so you can compare it to the other companies.

  If you want to know which pet insurance policy is straight forward with no fine print or onerous requirements on the pet owner, I’d recommend comparing the Trupanion policy with any other pet insurance policy out there.

  I think you’ll come to your own conclusion pretty quickly. There is one honest company and then there are the others.

• 111 Trish // Jan 19, 2010 at 11:40 pm

  Today I received postal mail from ASPCA pet insurance. My husband asked if maybe we should check into switching since we’d been noticing that our current provider (VPI) had been getting increasingly more expensive.

  After checking around online, and seeing some of the stories, I think we will be staying with VPI.

  They’ve had our business now through the lives of two of our previous cats and the one we currently still have.

  The first one was diagnosed with diabetes. Our first hint of it was when we woke up one morning and he was lying on the floor next to our bed unable to stand up. One week in the animal hospital adds up to a pretty good sized bill. By the time they got done carving up what they were willing to pay, I think I remember it being about 75% of the bill. Which wasn’t too bad. He had diabetes for about 1 1/2 years and died at the age of 14. Throughout, he was insured through VPI. They never once told me they were thinking about canceling the plan.

  The second one passed away last year in November. Prior to her passing, the tests that were done added up to around $1900. Total paid by VPI was $1400.

  There are some things that I wish VPI did better, but I certainly can’t fault a business for making money. And I always do have the option of opening up a savings account and tossing the money into that each month for an ‘animal welfare fund’ on my own. With VPI though… at least I don’t have to worry about them saying that renewing my plan each time causes a “pre-existing” condition. That sounds a bit shady to me.

  The shame is, I have such good admiration for the ASPCA that it is hard for me to believe that they would endorse insurance for animals that will leave owners holding extremely large bills for that they’re not expecting. If you have an insured animal one day, how can you reasonably expect that the next day it all of a sudden has a pre-existing condition under the same continuing insurance plan? The plan definately needs to be re-written.

• 112 Victoria // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:05 pm

  I agree with you whole-heartedly regarding your thought that the ASPCA would NEVER endorse an insurance company that would CAUSE the cruel treatment of animals. At least that’s what I used to think, too. In fact, that is why I had switched from VPI to ASPCA about 1-1/2 yrs ago. My dog had been with VPI since I brought her home at 8weeks, and then I received a brochure in the mail from the ASPCA promoting their insurance. I had, in the past, donated to the ASPCA. I thought they were the good guys, so why wouldn’t they endorse one of the better insurance plans, right? Wrong! We were all duped by them. Even AFTER taking them to court and winning, I would have been MUCH better off with your 75% coverage from VPI. My dog went through so much because ASPCA Pet Health were such …creeps! (can’t use the word I’d like to use here) My dog is still limping and I will be setting up yet another appt. for yet another x-ray–these were likely caused because it took ASPCA 6 months to approve her surgery– and they will not be covered because ASPCA then dropped us for costing them too much. So now her knee is considered pre-existing, of course, by all other companies. Even had I been able to stay with ASPCA, I found out that it would have been considered the same even by them.
  No, after several letters and phone calls to the Pres. And CEO of the ASPCA, I no longer believe they were also duped by this insurance company. They have been told of this website and all of the problems we’ve experienced with the insurance company they’ve endorsed, and still they have not pulled their endorsement. I guess they like the financial kick-back too much to worry about the pets who have been harmed. Pets who live in loving homes and have owners who care enough to buy insurance for them don’t make for good television on their animal cop shows, either, I guess.
  Don’t donate to the ASPCA any longer—give to the Humane Societies.

• 113 Sirena // Jan 21, 2010 at 1:52 pm

  CareCredit: I have used them before and this IS how it works or at least worked (since it has thankfully been 2 years since I needed to use it). I signed up at the vet and was approved with in minutes. I DID have free financing for several months based on my charges. I paid it off by the end of the the free period so no finance charges where paid.

  Things to know: 1) different dollars amount qualify for different time periods to repay finance free. Ask at the vet, they should have the latest “offers” or schedule. 2) IF you do not completely pay off your balance by the end of the free period they will RETROACTIVE all the finance charges. 3) only certain vets participate w/Care Credit. YOu don’t need a referral or pick a provider like human insurance. Know ahead of time who particiaptes so you don’t find yourself in an emergency only to be told the vet does not take care credit.

  If you have pet insurance I would think you could still use this as you have to pay the vet first. So now you can by yourself some time while waiting for your claim to be paid.

  If you DO NOT think you will be able to pay the care credit balance before the fees are tacted on, I believe you would be better off charging it to your credit card OR use one of the balance transfer checks for a low apr. Some co’s don’t like those checks so your credit card company many let you make it out to yourself/deposit it straight into your checking account.

• 114 Victoria // Jan 22, 2010 at 9:33 pm

  Thanks for the info, Sirena. It’s nice to know that Care Credit will, at least, give one a period of time where he/she will be interest-free. But i agree that if one cannot pay it by that cut-off period Care Credit’s APR (22.98%-29.98%) is MUCH higher than that of most credit card companies.

• 115 sheri // Jan 28, 2010 at 4:23 pm

  I happen to agree that the ASPCA pet Insurance is very poor. I recently purchased for my dog, she was running, began limping and they call it pre-existing. I will now switch to Pets’ Best….I understand that ASPCA farms this out to another company.
  Please go on their web site and let them know you are unhappy!!

• 116 Randy // Jan 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm

  Sheri….

  I used to be on the ASPCA mailing list and I made donations to them in the PAST (but No More!).

  After I discovered their scam Pet Insurance plan, I patiently waited for their next mailing. I then printed copies of several of the very sad experiences people had with the ASPCA plan that exposed them as a FRAUD.

  I sent these copies back to ASPCA in their POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE and demanded they forever remove me from their mailing list.

  It worked like a charm!

  I am FREE from the ASPCA donation solicitations. There are many other legitimate animal welfare groups that are deserving of my charity.

  ASPCA has lost the right to receive donations from me now that they’ve decided to resort to fraudulent tactics to sell pet insurance.

  Good Riddance ASPCA!!!

• 117 Victoria // Jan 29, 2010 at 12:05 am

  Sheri,
  The ASPCA doesn’t own ASPCA Pet Health insurance. They merely endorse the company and in so doing have lent their name to the insurance company, thus misdirecting many of us to a very bad pet insurance company–one that actually CAUSES cruelty to animals.
  Still, many of us have complained to the Pres. & CEO of ASPCA asking that they withdraw their endorsement and they refuse to do anything.
  No, ASPCA Pet Health is OWNED by the Hartville Group. I looked them up online and found this:
  “Hartville Group, Inc. (Hartville Group) is a holding company whose wholly owned subsidiaries include Hartville Re Ltd. (Hartville) and Petsmarketing Insurance.com Agency, Inc. (the Agency). Hartville is a reinsurance company ["Reinsurance" is the contract made between an insurance company and a third party to protect the insurance company from losses. The contract provides for the third party to pay for the loss sustained by the insurance company when the company makes a payment on the original contract] that is registered in the Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Hartville was formed to reinsure [re•in•sure
  To insure again, especially by transferring all or part of the risk in a contract to a new contract with another insurance company.] pet health insurance that is being marketed by the Agency. The Agency is primarily a marketing/administration company concentrating on the sale of its proprietary health insurance plans for domestic pets. Its business plan calls for introducing its product effectively and efficiently through a variety of distribution systems. The Company accepts applications, underwrites and issues policies. Visit http://www.hartvillegroup.com for more information.”
  [quoted from: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hartville+Group,+Inc.,+Launches+'ASPCA+Pet+Health+Insurance'-a0154153025]
  And this was another:
  “Hartville Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in pet insurance business in the United States. The company sells and administers pet insurance, a niche insurance product designed to help cover the veterinary expenses of dogs and cats. It also reinsures pet health insurance. The company’s products are sold under the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Petshealth Care Plan, and Hartville Pet Health Insurance brand names. Hartville Group is based in Canton, Ohio.”
  http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ric=HVLL.PK

• 118 Kathy // Feb 2, 2010 at 6:40 pm

  Run, don’t walk, away from anything to do with ASPCA Pet Insurance. They tell you over the phone what the plan offers and when it comes down to actually covering a claim, they come up with all kinds of reasons for denying claims. I was told initially that the only things not covered were genetic disorders, preexisting conditions and well care. My dog got a torn ACL and needed surgery (which costs $2810.00 not including x-rays). I was told when I signed up that all the diagnostic things would be covered for injuries, surgery and medication. Guess what!! ACL surgery and diagnostic things are not covered when they take place within the 12 month period after signing the plan (which only covers a 12 month period!!) If you sign again, then you are not covered either since that would be a preexisting condition. You can’t win this one. If you choose to cancel your membership, they will take off plenty of what it cost you and will deny you if you have filed one claim. The ASPCA Insurance Plan is worthless and I consider their phone analysis of what is covered absolutely false. They say one thing and when they get your money, the plan says another. This is a scheme to steal from the people land also a very dishonest organization. I would never recommend it to anyone. Look at all the customers who have been disappointed and lied to. Do not trust them; they are untrustworthy.

• 119 Victoria // Feb 3, 2010 at 12:18 am

  Kathy,
  Ask them for a copy of your recorded conversation when you signed up with the plan. If there is no mention of a 12month exclusion for ACL injuries (by the way, ASPCA keeps refering to it as an ACL injury, but dogs don’t even have ACLs. It is a CCL injury so technically they should mention that they have a 12month exclusion on CCL injuries!) If they have NOT mentioned it you have a case against them. File a complaint with your state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance first. This may get their underwriters to pay up. If not, take them to Small Claims court.
  The same thing happened to me. They refused to pay for the same reason and so I put my dog through an inferior procedure since it was all that I could afford (the TPLO required $3,500. up front), even though my regular vet recommended the TPLO since I have a jumbo-breed dog. That first surgery did not hold and so my dog went through another procedure to remove the monofilament line, which had snapped. Finally after all of my complaints from my OCI, ASPCA agreed to pay for anything ACL-related for the remainder of my policy period (by then only a few months away). She had the TPLO—6 whole months after her injury, but by then I’d long past my incident limit, in addition she required vast amounts of physical therapy sessions due to her muscle atrophy in that leg…to get to the point…
  Since you’ve probably not exceeded your incident limit, you may not need to take them to court to get paid—file a complaint with your OCI first. But if you do need to take them to court…I won the case and you can, too, if they never mentioned anything about it in that initial conversation—ask them for the tape. They have to keep it and they should send it to you. (They just emailed it to me as an attachment. I had to go through the work of transcribing it for court.)
  DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS. They think we won’t fight it, that they’ll make money because we’ll take it—don’t give in. Don’t let them win.

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