VPI Pet Insurance seems to be the best company out there. They process your claims quickly and if you dispute any denials they will meet you half way sometimes.
What brand of pet insurance do you recommend?
Well, Red gave you some sensible advice there. But my opinion is that it is always best to be insured. You never know if or when you may have to find a few thousand dollars, or whatever, for something you couldn't foresee, such as accident or emergency. If you are insured, you know (within reason) the money will be there to cover that emergency, even if it means your premiums go up the next year. Otherwise you will be put in a position where you will have to find the money up-front, then have to start selling stuff you own to catch up with the bills! And things like that can happen to anyone at any time.
Obviously the thing about insurance is you will pay small amounts of money regularly, rather than one huge chunk all at once! And of course you never know when you might be called upon to pay a huge bill. For all you know it might be when you can least find it!
I have it for my dogs.It has been my experience that you alway at least break even at the end of the year after deductables and non-covered expenses. You never lose money, so it is worth it.
If your dog ever gets seriously injured or God Forbid a serious disease you are covered for a large amount of those costs including surgery. The way I see it if you going to even out if none of those things happen it is worth it.
You should know that they are an insurance company so they are in business to make money. Therefore, the more often your dog has to go to the Vet the higher your premiums go up the following year. It isn't much though. When they were puppies it ran me about 25.00 a month and now Bella is 6 and her premium is at 42.00 a month and Rocco is 4 1/2 and his premium is 34.00 a month.
On average if a bill that you submit is about 300.00 as you said yours came to, you will get back about 120.00 minus deductable and some medications that are not covered.
There are also different plans. I have the best one available. The are two others that cost less. I don't think the cheaper plans are worth it because the deductables are higher and their annual check ups are not covered as well as some serious conditions that are common to all breeds. Natually most people get those plans and that is where the insurance company makes their money.