Letter: ‘My fee is $62.95 a month for a dead dog’

🎧 Paying $62.95 a Month for a Dead Dog

Wynn Grcich shares a story about insurance premiums for her deceased dog

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

As we watch our rights be taken away, the public should speak up.

Wynn Grcich

I have a Consumer Affair problem. I have notified Reps. John Ley and Stephanie McClintock, who are on the Consumer Affair committee.

My dog died two weeks ago at Salmon Creek Banfield Pet Hospital. The dog was old and was coughing all the time. When I checked the dog in, at Banfield, I asked about an x-ray. With the Wellness plan discount, that was going to cost $366. To sedate the animal it would be $236, cremation $45, and the receptionist wanted to know if I wanted my dog’s teeth cleaned while it was under? Is that stupid or what? The bill she added was getting near $600 for a dying dog. They didn’t look at the animal until the afternoon. When they pulled him out of the crate, he had a heart attack and died. The end. The bill was $97 in total for it all.

I told them to take my dog off the Wellness Plan before the 28th since my dog died. They told me to call a number. I called the number and Dave told me they don’t stop your monthly payments after death. I will have to pay through September for the Wellness Plan for a dead dog. It is in the contract! Went home to look for the contract tract and no luck. Went back to get a copy.

The receptionist highlighted cancellation by a member after four days: To cancel the agreement you must call (888) 649-2716. “If Member cancels for any reason (including but not limited to death or loss of pet or transfer of ownership), whether before or after Provider has rendered services, Provider shall be entitled to retain or recover from Member all monthly installments that have previously been paid or become due, including the installment for the month in which cancellation occurs, regardless of the cancellation request date. In addition, upon cancellation prior to the end of the Plan Year… etc.” Dave from the cancellation number told me, “ I will have to pay through September.”

My fee is $62.95 a month for a dead dog.

I asked the two other people in the waiting room,

“Did they know they have to pay for the Wellness Plan for months after our pet has died.” They both said, “They didn’t know.” Bancroft Pet Hospital is all over the state. Pet owners look at your contracts!

I have a Consumer Affair Board friend in California checking into this, too. I believe the plan should end when the pet dies! I hope a law can be passed to protect the rate paying pet owners.

Car insurance is the same. State Farm, you have to pay for the whole year, not monthly. Once you have paid, and let’s say you were killed or dropped dead right after you paid, do your heirs get a reimbursement for the other 11 months you are dead? It seems to me this should be a Consumer Affair Problem and an insurance rip-off. This is a problem we all have in this state. In California they pay monthly.

Wynn Grcich
Vancouver

Wynn Grcich shares a story about insurance premiums for her deceased dog

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