Pet Insurance - post series, research and links

6/14/07

It started with a question by a friend, “does anyone know of a good health insurance for pets in the states?”

I started researching, interested in the issues, and soon realized that it is a huge topic. So it became a series of blog posts. As time goes on, that series has gotten a lot of hits from people searching for more info on the subject. Not a lot has been written by bloggers - it isn’t sexy, it is tedious - with a notable exception of Laura Bennett, who started Embrace Pet Insurance about a year ago, as of this writing.

Now, you have to assume that she’s going to do her best to sell her product while she’s providing what is an amazing amount of information, yet I was very impressed with how straightforward the information was, how she made sure not to bad mouth the other companies. Sure, she had some pointed remarks about aspects of the pet insurance business, and in the end she really does need to sell her product, doesn’t she? So take it all with a grain or ten of salt - she is still the only pet insurance company trying to educate us, the consumers and the care givers, on the ins and outs of the insurance.

I started with her blog, and found it very helpful in learning the basics, so I could then go look at several insurance companies and analyze them. Laura also has commented several times on my blog posts, both in encouragement and with answers to questions that have sometimes popped up in the comments.

It has been in my head for a while to do a few more posts in the series. The initial posts have sparked conversations with friends, and Mo has shared in the comments some of her own experiences over the years, her frustrations, what she’s looking for, and what she’s found in her research. So finally, I’m adding to the original series. And since it isn’t always easy to find the older posts, here is where I’ll collect the posts, and edit this post as I write more in the series.

Best of luck in your research, and feel free to ask me questions, as I am almost always up for doing more research. Also, any experience anyone can share, either general or specific, good or bad, is always good.

Posts:
“Pet” Insurance, Part 1
“Pet” Insurance, Part 2 - Money
“Pet” Insurance, Part 3 - Companies and Options
“Pet” Insurance, Part 4 - Reviews
“Pet” Insurance, Part 5 - two additional companies, overview

7/12/07

I got a comment linking in a review site: http://www.petinsurancereview.com

I admit I was skeptical when I first looked a the reviews. They were too positive, in my opinion, and unless you’re a brand new company, there’s always going to be someone who wasn’t happy. But then I read VPI’s reviews, and they were much the same as what I’d read elsewhere, so that gives me some confidence in the reviews.

As always, take everything with a grain of salt. I am not endorsing any one product or guaranteeing that any of the reviews are accurate!

9/12/07

Mo provided a wonderful How-To guide on getting the most out of our insurance policies. Thanks Mo!