Feeding and Nutrition :: Turtle insurance!

[~TurtleDerp~]

Hello fellow RES members I wanted to know which company is the best for reptiles (obviously - turtles). I was thinking about VPI pet insurance (for exotic pets - reptile plan) or POSSIBLY pet assure. I live in New Jersey and my turtle is about 2 and a half? He's starting to get bigger - 1 inch & six eights So if anyone can give me the names of any good insurance companies? Thank you so much!

[steve]

There are not many I'm afraid. What some people do is put money aside every week for emergency vet visits. If you already have a vet for your turtle, one that you're comfortable with, you should ask them what companies they accept.

[~TurtleDerp~]

Oh okay that's a good idea! & how often should I take my turtle to the vet? Annually?

[steve]

Yes, but that's if you have a good vet. It could probably be skipped if you have a healthy RES in the appropriate habitat. Still, putting money aside for emergency is a very good idea.

[~TurtleDerp~]

Okay thanks so much! So just to clarify I shouldn't take my turtle for annual check ups? Just for emergencies?

[texasreb]

I have VPI for my dogs and it's been helpful especially for non-routine matters.

[~TurtleDerp~]

Oh okay - and how good is the company in general?
Because I've heard rumors of them denying many
claims.

[texasreb]

I only have the non-routine coverage so I can't speak to how well their annual visit/vaccine coverage is.

I'm talking about dogs here, but they've paid a portion of every claim I've ever submitted. My claims have included a broken bone with surgery, pinning and follow-up care; chronic ear infections; environmental allergies; a torn dew-claw; removal of a pre-cancerous growth; and Cushing's Disease. These claims were for three different dogs: an English Bulldog; an Australian Cattle Dog; and a Boerboel (South African mastiff). VPI has raised my rates but they are within a few dollars of the original quoted amount. I think the mastiff's insurance has gone up about $5.00/year and the cattle dog's is about the same. The bully is now deceased. The mastiff is 7 years old and has been continuously insured throughout his life; the cattle dog is 16 and she's been insured since she was about 4-5.

They cover about 50-80% of the original bill. Of course you have to pay the bill in full and then they reimburse. I've always gotten back more than my annual bill in claims.
I think the insurance is more costly if you pay monthly as their are additional processing fees. I pay annually.