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Making Ends Meet: Skip Those Pricey Pet Insurance Premiums But Still Get Affordable Vet Care & Meds
Ask any pet owner and they will tell you their pets are members of their family. We'd do everything for our four-legged family members to keep them happy and healthy.
But if you think pet insurance could save you money on routine checkups or emergencies, you might be wrong!
Experts say, though, that there are alternatives to paying a pricey insurance premium that still allow you to get your pets the health care they need.
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In a recent survey, Consumer Reports found that not all pet insurance parents are satisfied, and there might be better ways to save on medical care for your furry friends.
"In our survey, over 2,000 members shared their experience with pet insurance covering. Everything from what's actually covered to the premiums they paid and the claims process for getting reimbursed. And overall, there was no real top dog. In fact, most of the results found that the insurance companies were all pretty middle of the pack," explained Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter Brian Vines.
Consumer Reports looked at survey data on eight pet insurance providers. On average, the total cost was around $47 per month per pet.
Six earned just a midrange overall satisfaction score:
Pets Best
Embrace
Trupanion
Healthy Paws
ASPCA
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Two providers bottomed out with unfavorable ratings:
Affordable health care without insuranceSo, what are those better ways to get your beloved pets the health care they need but at a price you can afford? Vines said one option is to pay yourself -- not an insurance carrier.
"Self-insure by putting away money every month into a direct deposit high-yield savings account that you can draw from should your fur baby need some medical assistance," he suggested.
CONSUMER REPORTS: Alternatives to pet insurance
If you're struggling to afford medical care for your pet, you can also look into low-cost veterinary services that are available for dogs and cats throughout Northeast Florida. You'll find reduced costs on things like routine care and preventative care, as well as spaying and neutering. Helpful links we found include the following:
Consumer Reports says you can also try telehealth vet services like Bond Vet and Pawp for non-emergency care!
More affordable option for pet medicationIf your pet needs medicine, Vines said to shop around. Ordering medications online from places like Chewy, Petco, PetMeds, and Walmart Pet Pharmacy can be cheaper.
Consumer Reports said online retailers are able to purchase medications in bulk and pass those cost savings on to consumers. But, if you are shopping around online and you find an unfamiliar site selling pet meds, you need to make sure the pharmacy is licensed and legitimate. You can check a business through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Learn more from Consumer Reports on ordering pet meds online here.
Check out our weekly newsletter compiled by Consumer Investigative Reporter Tiffany Salameh.
Know this about pet insuranceIf you are still considering pet insurance, Vines said there are some things you need to know:
Preexisting conditions are usually not covered.
There are usually annual caps. If you hit that limit, you'll have to pay out-of-pocket.
You might be responsible for paying the provider directly and then filing for reimbursement with the insurance company.
Whether pet insurance is worth it or not depends on each pet owner.
"If you're looking for a return on investment, maybe not so much, but if you value peace of mind, pet insurance may be something that you want to pursue," Vines said.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2024 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. For more information visit consumer.Org.
'Preventable Mistake': Virginia Dog Owner Says Prescription Mix-up Killed Pet
An Arlington, Virginia, woman mourning the death of her dog says a veterinarian prescribed one medication, a pharmacy provided another and her longtime companion died within days.
Daisy was Miroslava Mircheva's beloved Cavalier King Charles spaniel. She died at 10-and-a-half years old a few weeks ago. In an interview only on NBC Washington, Mircheva said she believes a medication mix-up was to blame.
"It's a preventable mistake, and nobody should go through the suffering I experienced," she said.
Daisy was Mircheva's service dog, Mircheva said. Daisy was so important to her that when the pet developed a heart condition and needed a surgery that could only be performed at a few sites worldwide, Mircheva dipped into her savings, sold her car and flew the dog to London.
"She came back with completely healthy heart and very happy," Mircheva said.
But that happiness would be short-lived. Six months after the surgery, a check-up detected a heart arrythmia. Mircheva said her vet wrote a prescription and sent it directly to her local CVS to be filled.
After the first dose, Daisy started experiencing labored breathing, lethargy and extreme thirst.
Mircheva said she was advised to take Daisy to an emergency vet clinic. Within days, she would be dead.
Mircheva said the possible cause for Daisy's decline was discovered when she sent her vet a photo of the dog's prescription bottle. She provided an image of a prescription for amiodarone, which is used to treat heart arrhythmia.
A second image Mircheva provided shows a prescription bottle for amlodipine, a blood pressure medication.
Both drugs can be prescribed for dogs and humans, but for different maladies. The names are similar but they're not the same.
"I never expected that. I fully trusted the pharmacist to give what had been prescribed," Mircheva said.
She said she notified CVS, they told her to file a claim and she's waiting for the next steps.
NBC Washington reached out to CVS and a spokesperson said they were looking into the matter.
Mircheva said she hopes her story can serve as a reminder to be extra vigilant with medications for both pets and people.
MetLife Pet Insurance Review 2024
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About MetLife pet insuranceMetLife is one of the oldest insurance companies, dating back to 1864. The company began offering pet insurance in 2021. MetLife partners with many employers across the country to offer reduced rates or payroll deductions for its employees. It also has many discounts available.
Pet insurance through MetLife is more affordable than some other carriers, but may not be the cheapest option available. You can choose a high deductible option of $2,500 to save on your monthly premium, but you're limited to only $10,000 in annual coverage.
Though its claims processing can take time, policyholders can enjoy benefits like a one-day waiting period on accidents, grief counseling and 24/7 vet telehealth services. This MetLife pet insurance review can help you decide if it's the best option for your pet.
What MetLife pet insurance coversMetLife has an accident and illness plan available, plus an optional wellness plan add-on to cover your pet's routine and preventive care.
In some areas, you may be eligible for an accident-only pet insurance plan. This is a cheaper option because it only covers accident-related veterinary expenses, but excludes illness coverage.
Accident and illness coverageMetLife accident and illness coverage includes:
MetLife's wellness plan offers basic wellness plan coverage for your pet's general health, which includes:
As with all pet insurance companies, MetLife has exclusions. This carrier doesn't cover:
Metlife also will not cover pre-existing conditions unless they are considered curable. If your pet goes a period of time without symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, bladder, ear, respiratory, or urinary tract infections, Metlife will consider covering them.
How to get MetLife pet insuranceYou can get MetLife pet insurance online or by calling the company directly. Your employer may offer MetLife pet insurance as part of your employee benefits package. Ask your human resource department to find out.
Best pet insurance companies comparison PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE Learn More $44 $25 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $44 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $25 Learn More $59 $32 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $59 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $32 Learn More $46 $27 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $46 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $27 Learn More $76 $47 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $76 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $47 Learn More $77 $47 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $77 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $47 Learn More $47 $43 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $47 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $43 Learn More $52 $23 PET INSURANCE COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE $52 AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE $23 Learn MoreAverage monthly pet insurance cost assumes unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage for a dog insurance accident and illness plan. These average pet insurance company rates are based on dogs and cats of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes. Source: PetInsurer.Com.
MetLife pet insurance review FAQs Does MetLife require your pet to be spayed or neutered?No, MetLife does not require your pet to be spayed or neutered to get pet insurance for your cat or dog. If your pet is not spayed or neutered before buying MetLife pet insurance, consider its wellness plan add-on, which can include some coverage for your pet's spay or neuter costs.
Can I take my pet to any vet with MetLife?Yes, with MetLife, you can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, including emergency vet clinics. You'll pay for your pet's care in full up front, then file a claim for reimbursement under your MetLife pet insurance plan.
Does MetLife pet insurance cover medications?Yes, MetLife pet insurance covers medications, as long as they are prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for a coverable condition. This includes injections, liquids, pills and compounded medications, whether administered by the pet parent or the veterinarian.
Does MetLife pet insurance cover routine vet visits?MetLife's standard pet insurance plan does not cover routine vet visits, but it will cover your pet's exam fees if it is seen for a covered accident or illness. Routine vet visits are only covered by MetLife's extra-cost wellness plan for pets.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider's website for the most current information.
Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.
Scott Nyerges is a veteran journalist with experience in insurance and consumer reviews. Before contributing to USA TODAY Blueprint, Scott was the senior insurance editor and content strategist for U.S. News and World Report. He's also written and edited for Consumer Reports, MSN, Cheapism and Consumer Search. He loves helping people make smart money decisions. Scott's expertise lies in car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, pet insurance and small business insurance. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of Missouri-Columbia.
Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.
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