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We just up-graded our old Pet Insurance Policy to a new "Unlimited Coverage" plan costing more $$$.
Question is, we received our new "Unlimited" plan and, lo and behold about 3 months after the policy was put in place, the Insurance company w/o our written consent or authorization of any sort added various restrictions not on the brand new Unlimited Coverage plan that we had agreed to.
Is this "insurance un-ethical" and or fraudulent behavior on the Insurance company's part?
Yay or Nay ?
Thanks in Advance!
Ted
earntaz
01-18-2016, 06:26 PM
Insurance is insurance and fraud is fraud -- if there appears to be issues, contact your state (in your case - providence?) insurance commission with your compliant. TAZ
Thanks for the concise response.. Anyone else experience problems with a Pet Insurance company trying as hard as they can to not pay as required by a signed valid Insurance Policy.? The cost of Vet. medicine has really sky-rocketed esp. when dealing with various cancers in cats and dogs.
If you do not have insurance, and one can't mentally, emotionally put the pet down, you will have to either take out a loan or dig pretty deep into the jeans.
Anyone have any dealings with a less than scrupulous Pet Insurance company, and did it work out for you??
No Insurance Company names pls.
Thanks in Advance!
Ted
Salvatore
01-20-2016, 08:00 PM
Yes, we bought Ins. for our then new 6 month old puppy. We dropped it after several months because many things that we thought and wanted to be covered wasn't. Did not buy a cheap policy but the middle grade + policy we bought was not good in our opinion.
Luckily, we did not cancel the insurance, but, we actually up-graded the insurance to be what they call "Unlimited" coverage before cancer reared its ugly head. Unlimited in any dictionary means w/o limits..
Again boys, if you care for your pet(s) get them insured ASAP as cancer can hit'em high n' hard without warning. If this happens, and you are bereft of insurance, gonna cost you deep into the thousands of dineros.
We have an on-going set of issues re. the insurance company trying to crawl out of the signed policy.
Not real funny stuff goin' on now eh boys. In some ways, pets are more loving than many humans.
Hope I am not being boring on this thread but . . . . .
Ted
Salvatore
01-21-2016, 05:20 PM
Love pets even more than some humans!
We are in a state of "limbo" at this point in time with the pet insurance company.
As soon as I have something new, I'll get back on the thread. Makes one realize that as long as you pay and do not claim, all is good. As soon as one makes a claim, all of a sudden the screen changes. Be careful me hearties, as Vet costs are sky-rocketing and you have NO choice to protect your loving pet(s)!
T.
JRSully
02-11-2016, 12:46 AM
The Pet insurance companies are consistently targets of investigation. we had 2 separate companies and both denied claims regularly. Vets don't care because they already got paid by you. Relatively new products that pray on animal lovers, the lure of "cheap" premiums and deceptive advertising
SS427
02-11-2016, 01:06 PM
Some of you may remember the thread on here in 2008 when our dog got into antifreeze and almost died. I had in excess of $2500 in vet bills and the per insurance only covered about $400 of that. I had paid more in premiums up until that time than they actually paid out and I cancelled the policy after that.
I would hasten to state the vets are in contact with the offending Pet Insurance company in trying to resolve the issue(s). We have been kinda blessed with having great caring veterinarian doctors. . They are just not after the 'gelt'... so to speak. Cancer is hitting domestic pets e.g. dogs n' cats more and more. Hard to put 'em down eh boys if there is a chance!?!? Gotta try. The pets do not ask for much. Food, water and loving and they give back sooo much more.
Ted
Just letting you guys know, nothing new as of yet. The hospital oncologist vet is still in contact with the Insurance company and so far, no news is good news as the ole sayin' goes I guess. I do not want to upset the 'applecart' by going to an insurance commission until the Oncologist has exhausted his helping us.
Kinda costly to say the least, eh?? We have been paying for the chemo treatments out of pocket since November and each time we send the bill in to the Insurance company on the "unlimited" plans, nothing has been paid.
I would caution that when you first get your brand new puppy or kitten home, be sure you are insured or you a gonna pay big time. Veterinary costs are wayyy up there especially when cancer without warning rears its ugly head(s).
No way anybody gonna put down their beauty if there is a chance. They give tooo much to us without asking anything in return. Sorry re. the 'mild rant of sorts!'
Will get back when we hear more.
Chemo treatments are soon ending. Our cat has more energy than ever in her life thanks to the Hospital Oncologist and his team. I guess the next phase is the "pain" phase which'll be wicked for the cat.
Nothing but negated claims from the offending Pet Health Insurance company.
I was there yesterday and let me say this, my heart went out to a couple of owners who received bad news. The tears were a flowing.. Pets give us nothing but love and really ask nothing in return except for food / water / and hugs.
I'll get back to you as things unfold.
Thanks!
Ted
Just keeping you up to date. Last Mond a.m. May 16th., I had to bring another cat over to the Vet Hsptl. as I saw her gait was not quite on spec in the right rear quarters. She seemed to be slightly off balance. She had lost a bit of weight over the last week or so and therefore I figured, let's go and check the 2 things at the same time. Many tests were run and cancer of the chest was discovered. She passed peacefully on Frid. 11.58 a.m.
We'll see what the Insurance company is a gonna do with this one. Never, never had a problem with the cats, now all of a friggin' sudden it's a hittin' da fan big time.
Thanks for listening gentlemen!!
Ted
Craig_Maiorana
05-24-2016, 09:22 PM
Sorry to hear
L89DRMR
05-24-2016, 10:42 PM
Ted:
Very sorry for your loss.
Dave
Xplantdad
05-25-2016, 03:13 AM
Sorry to hear about your kitties <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif
x77-69z28
05-25-2016, 03:22 AM
Sorry for your loss. I know first hand as many of us do, what our pets mean to us. Sounds like she did not have to suffer for too long. But now you are left to. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Buddy
ANDY M
05-25-2016, 03:53 PM
Sorry for your loss, I too have been there, done that. I just remember what my grandmother used to tell me,
"Plenty more where that one came from". The shelters are full of animals waiting to be destroyed because nobody knew they were there. Just a thought.
Good morning Ladies n' gentlemen!
We appreciate the very kind words on the loss of one of our cats. Believe it or not, what you fellow board members wrote my wife and I frigging helped. Again Merci encore!! Thanks!!
Our second cat has been doing chemo treatments since last November.
The last chemo treatment is coming up next week and it will be a stronger injectable drug. Our fingers are crossed!
Now maybe, just maybe I can offer strong advice to fellow Pet Lovers re. Insurance.
Instead of asking your Pet Insurance Agent "what am I covered for within this policy", demand to have it in WRITING no holds barred, exactly what would you NOT be covered for.. Again what would your pet NOT be covered for?
Another bit a insurance chicainery that might be used is, instead of putting your monthly insurance rate(s) up, they can lower your re-imbursement rate. Therefore in lieu of a previously co-singed re-embursement rate of say 75%, the insurance company can lower your re-imbursement to 55% with no contestation from you the policy owner.
When was the last time you met with your agent or was it over the phone with nothing in valid writings and just musings?
I will get back next week with more Pet Ins. trickery. As long as you pays at dee end of each month, you ain't nevah goin' to hear from dem, i.e. the Insurance company. Soon as one has to make a valid $$ claim on your signed policy, then they'll (Insurance Agents) come outta hiding..
Ted
In limbo at this point in time. Claims are still being negated re. the chemo procedures that just ended successfully. Now we are about to check blood values and do ultrasound testing.
I can't emphasize enough to get your Pet Insurance agent to do all in writing re. what the pet will not be insured for in case of injury and or sickness. We've been at it for many months and it adds up big time.
Another insurance trick they are using is that every 6 months the Agents/companies have meetings re. their customers
that have made claims. After the last meeting we were advised our rate of re-imbursement is going down a hefty percentage. Never in 10 - 14 years were we ever advised that these meetings were taking place. Never even a frigging "howdee loyal customers". Soon as we made claims, they came outta the woodwork.
We are waitng until the last two steps are complete.. Again get it in writing what the pet(s) will not be covered for. What happens when you upgrade your policy to a higher level and something happens in the interim period?
What are you covered for in this time frame? Very important point here!!!
The cat that just passed I am sure is having a beautiful rest upstairs with many pals. She did not suffer very long if at all. She went peacefully.
Thanks guys 'n gals!! I'll get back when things unfold further.
Ted
Still in Limbo but ALL claims are negated since cancer treatments started. We will start the process of not agreeing with the insurance company next week as other problems arose and unfortunately took precedence.
As soon as you get a pet, either put monies away on a monthly basis in case something happens to the cutie, or get pet insurance right away as the insurance companies can go back on you for small problems which can occur, but the companies can go all the way back and say "pre-existing condition".
From what I've read when I Googled the inquiry "Pet Insurance Fraud" be careful and ask and ask, ask for answers to be put in writing. Forget the ole buy it over the phone type agents get it in writing exactly what the cutie is to be covered for and exactly what the pet will not be covered for in case of....
Oncology department up here is very busy - up to 2 - 2 1/2 weeks waiting for an appointment. Hospital are not happy places, in fact nowadays around the cancer ward, very frigging sad indeed.
I will get back to you as matters progress..
Thanks for Listening!
Ted
Been a while eh boys? Well, we are close to seeing if the l'il beastie cat has beaten cancer. Should be in two weeks that we'll be bringing her back for a few hopefully, "last tests". I must repeat again, when you take out your Pet Insurance plan, do yourself a favor and question the "pre-existing" or forseeable condition(s) of your policy.
I'll get back when we get the great news, hopefully free n' clear of the dreaded cancer.
Thanks for hanging in here with us!! Merci encore!!
Ted
Pets truly feel like family at times. Hope it all works out for you and best of luck to "beastie".
x77-69z28
12-05-2016, 02:47 PM
They are family. Fingers crossed for the best news!
Buddy
Thanks COPO and Buddy for the kind words. Will get back as soon as we know..
The thing is with pets, they are family and more often than not, better'n family.
Ted
Possibility of new cancer appearing in lower intestines from yesterday's ultrasound tests. Have to bring her back in and then 2 doctors will consult after further testing.
Don't know what to tell you guys 'n gals, but again in the waiting area I saw a video
saying 52 or 54% of cats and dogs will be touched by cancer. One has to make a choice eh. I would suggest contacting a couple of insurance companies and stipulate exactly what you want covered and be sure all is in writing that you as a consumer can understand. Not doing this in writing can suprise you with $$ claims not being re-imbursed. Vet costs are up big time as you try and keep your l'il devil alive. Make sure what you sign with the insurance company is exactly what you need to have if cancer strikes.
We have been blessed with a great, knowledgeable, caring oncology team.
T
Good afternoon!! Just returned from Vet and we had to start chemo again for lesions seen in the Ultra sound Mond. Feel so badly for the l'il beastie as she has been through a load. This is the second round of chemo treatments.
Thanks for 'listening' me hearties.
Ted
Charley Lillard
01-12-2017, 08:14 PM
Some people are using Marijuana oil for Cancer treatments in animals as well as humans. You might look into it. Here is a link to a thread a friend started after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and given 6 months to live. He declined chemo and radiation. Instead he went home to die but was convinced to try Rick Simpson oil, THC-CBD oil. He was supposed to be dead a couple months ago but is now declared cancer free. He still has something going on with his liver but now they say no cancer. Someone in the tread is going to try it on their dog that has cancer. Good reading.
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=53484
Xplantdad
01-13-2017, 12:22 AM
Thanks for sharing that Charley. I got the same info from Greg for my next door neighbor- <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif
Thanks gentlemen!! I will show these responses to my better half. We have been going the homeopathic route a wee bit.
I appreciate your caring comments. The oncology unit is very busy and there are not a lot of customers with happy faces about this area.
Merci guys!!
Ted
SS427
01-13-2017, 06:09 PM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Someone in the tread is going to try it on their dog that has cancer. Good reading.
</div></div>
We for one are willing to try as one of out two English Mastiffs has bone cancer and the vet says he will never tolerate chemo so this would be the next thing to try. Thanks for the link.
Rick and Ann
Good afternoon! Went for l'il Beastie's bloodwork testing and chemo on Feb 13th. Blood values (creatine) are improving and now in the normal range. Gotta go back on Feb 20th for more bloods and chemo pilling. I gave the Oncologist the Homeopathic information on the liquids that we are trying and he said he'd look at it. Creatine levels were very high and into the danger zone, but now, as of the 13th, down appreciably into the normal factoring. I will get back after the 20th and hopefully l'il beastie is still going lower.
We and the insurance company still having a go on the "pre-existing conditions" in a certain time period.
It ain't over people, just a startin' on this non payment of what was set out in the insurance policy.
Oh me gosh Rick and Ann, what a beautiful face on the Mastiff. We WANT things to work out for you!
Try as Hard as you can with the various treatments now available.
Ted
Good morning! Still at it with l'il beastie and the insurance co. In fact, starting to heat up a mite. They will go back day 1 since you owned your pet and see what info is available from various vets you've been to 10 - 15 years ago. They are looking for anything to negate the paying of claims. A few people I've talked to are trying Homeopathic treatment(s) to go along with chemo and apparently with success.
SS427 if you want I can give you the name of this company that is helping pets fight dreaded
cancer. I will not put out the name on a "public board".
PM me if you'd like as I have not forgotten your English Mastiff ..
T Opel
Good morning!! Wee bit of an update on what is going on with the Pet Insurance company.. We are still at it with the Insurance company. Lately another one of our cats
has been found to have dental problems. We have been brushing his teeth fairly regularly
but, new problems have reared. The cat is 17 years of age - but a frigging beauty in many ways. Insurance will cover 600 beans per premium year which is a heck of a lot better than zippo. Rates of dental vets are quite high as pet has to be put asleep for the work to be performed and effected at the same time. X-rays must be taken after work is done pet has to be watched carefully and hospitalized.
Here's da preacher in me again. Have teeth, gums checked out annually. Brush teeth a couple of times a week - look for certain telltale signs of problems i.e. bad breath - tongue sticking out of mouth a wee bit - not eating like they normally do - take a peek in the mouth at the teeth - straight - crooked - loose - gums bleeding etc etc.
When you adopt a cat or cats, use your head, 'cause the beauties are gonna age.
They have to be dentally checked - not sure if that sounds right, but you get the idea, otherwise if you let it go 'cause you have too many animals, you gonna be bitten in the posterior sooner or later with a large vet bill. The insurance policy you have must read that coverage will be covered for dental exams and some cleaning etc etc etc.
Nice to adopt kittens eh boys, but, insure the l'il beasties as they are going to age just like us and it'll be hard to put em down 'cause the bux $$ are not flowing big anymore.
Take care!
T.
Good Day!
We are now waiting a Biopsy report on specimens taken from a mass(?) on the left lower jaw.. To be honest, it really does not look good, and, likely cancer.
3 cats out of three since Nov 2015.
Kibble we were feeding them for many a year must be the common denominator.
It seems as soon as Gluten was taken from the Kibble mixture, problems started.
Keeping our fingers X'd on the biopsy results.
Ted
x77-69z28
07-26-2017, 07:07 PM
Fingers crossed Ted. Keep up the good fight!
Buddy
Good morning! Thanks Buddy for the "fingers crossed.
Received Biopsy results and as kinda expected cancer encore. We'll have a meeting with the Oncologist next week to discuss various options. If she gets in too much pain, the doc and me wife and I will have a decision allbeit not a happy one. We are allready giving her Homeopathic medicine(s) and antibiotics and pain killer from the teeth extractions last week. I never really beleived in the Homeo stuff but it has helped immensely in the
first cat's treatment. She was not expected to go beyond 10 months but, believe it or not, she is close to 20 months now and a goin' strong.
Sent in the Vet bills last week for the latest cancer victom and we have not received anything as of yet. W/o the insurance we would've been sunk in the first cat's treatments. We and the insurance company are still at it with an "exclusion" clause and we ain't giving up. Can't name the company, but, even our vet says they seem to be honest. Just a few issues to iron out and Buddy we are Keeping up the good fight.
Anyone of you lads see the Brave, beautiful, valiant Marine Corps dog named Cena?
I had a tear or 50 in me eyes. This 'beastie' was loved by many, many Marines incl.
myself. Beautiful, beautiful dog!.!. Have a good rest now!!
Good Morning!!
Last week was a bad 'un.. Lost our 2 oldest cats within 5 days. They were 17 and 15 years of youth.. Cancer of the jaw and the other cat was in remission for 6 - 8 months and all of a sudden - weight loss big time and did not have much interest in anything . .
Brought her over to Hsptl and her b - - - I do not want to get into the stories as the sadness is very high right now.. Anyways, 2 beauties in 5 frigging days gone from us.
Once it is time for them to "go", they will let you know, then you have ta stop the pain
a.s.a.p.
Just waiting for the Pet Insurance company to see what they will come through for us.
By the way people, the insurance company except for an issue or two remaining has in
fact laid out over 22G to this point in time for 3 of our deceased because of cancer beauties. I cannot give out the name of the company, but, AGAIN, make sure what you are signing, get info you must have in writing in case accident, and cancer esp cancer hits. Take not the insurance agent's word(s). HAVE it in writing. I implore you.
22Grand and counting is no small amount that the company paid for out cats.
Will get back when I know more on the final bills. IMP IMP as soon as you find a pet, get Insurance. 2 loving cats within the last 5 days gone due to cancer ..!!
Ted
x77-69z28
09-17-2017, 04:38 PM
Sorry for your loss Ted. I know how hard it is. My boy Sarge is gone 2 years now at only 7 1/2. The littlest thing that reminds me of him, and I'm done.
Buddy
SS427
09-17-2017, 05:05 PM
Very sorry to hear of your pets passing Ted. We are still fortunate enough to have both of our pets but the clock is ticking. You can never prepare for it though.
cook_dw
09-18-2017, 12:25 PM
That sucks. Never easy losing an animal friend.. Sorry to hear about the troubles.
Good morning Gentlemen and Ladies!!
Just got back from Vet. Hospital this a.m. and here are a couppla pieces of advice for
y'all. Be sure that you avail yourselves when you take out your Pet Insurance policy(s)
that dental is included. Very expensive me hearties. If a surgeon needs to do his thing,
one will be astounded at 60$ a minute.. Just a givin' a 'heads up'. Make sure once a year you take the pet(s) in for cleaning and checkup.
T'ain't friggin easy to go back to the hospital in which we hadda put 2 of our queens down within a five day period due to cancers. We had these loving pets for many, many
years and I swear we could not recognize them on their last day(s).
Gotta remember the good times and ditch their last pain filled days from the scobe.
Easier said than done though. Gonna take some time as l'il things keep a creepin' in.
Gonna ask a question here, no we ain't begging for $$$ but, anyone know what a
Pet Insurance Co-insurer is. Under what rules and regulations are they allowed to dip into refund claims money coming back. This would be another good point to ponder prior to you availing yourself your Pet Insurance.
MAKE SURE this is in legible terms that you understand. Get it in writing!!
Sorry about the Verdun ebonics that I revert into every now 'n then.
Further up this thread, there was a beautiful dog on a sofa that had cancer. Believe it
belonged to Dick and Ann. I hope it turned out great for you guys. Take care eh.
Ted
Good morning Gentlemen and Ladies!
Was reading our Journal de Montreal newspaper this a.m. and the subject of pet cancer(s)
showed up in a 2 page spread. According to numbers being released, 60 % of pets over the age of 10 are getting cancer. Lady vet said in the last 4 years at the veterinary hospital, "there were / are 10 to 15 clients per day availing themselves of cancer treatments."
My wife was smart enough to get Pet Insurance when we first got the cats, otherwise we would've had to shell out a bit over $22 grand for our three beauties who succumbed
eventually to this frigging disease. Now, to be honest, we hadda fight for our rights as policy holders in a few instances, but they (insurance company) came through.
Tis a beautiful Sund. a.m. but I just had to let you fellow Forum dwellers be appraised
of what is going on and what happened to us. Lotta people now have chosen for whatever reason not to get married or have l'il ones. Hey that is their business.
Some have taken pets to love and cherish. Hard to pet 'em down - real hard.
Ted.
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