Insurance to protect your pump

[tedos]

As the pump is quite expensive, does anyone take out insurance protection for their pump in case it breaks. Not sure where it would fall under, contents insurance??

How about when you go travelling, when you buy your travel insurance, do you put in the pump and pay extra for its coverage. I'm thinking if the pump is going to be on me all the time, do I really need to seek this type of cover?

[Kezza]

Hi tedos, I don't have insurance for my pump. With mine (Medtronic) during the warranty period (4 years) the warranty covers ALL breakages, even those caused by accidental damage from dropping it or whatever. The Cozmo I had was the same.

I have considered getting some insurance for theft while travelling, but as it's on me all the time and I've travelled to really safe places I haven't bothered. If I was travelling to somewhere where pickpocketing was likely I'd think harder about it.

[artemis]

I'm the same as Kezza. Animas covers the pump under its warranty for 4 years.

[Kezza]

I'll just add that the warranty does not - for obvious reasons! - cover loss. You have to be able to send the broken one to them.

Pretty much everything else is covered though, my understanding is it could fall out of your pocket onto cement and crack and that's covered under warranty. Although mine's fallen and hit hard surfaces many times and is still OK :-).

[artemis]

Another thing - it's been mentioned in the forum a few times - is that most/all of the pump companies are prepared to lend you another pump as a back up when travelling. As I'm planning to go travelling later this year if all goes well, I'm going to contact my pump rep and see what I can arrange. I don't know if they charge for this service - haven't seen it mentioned here.

[Topcat]

My pump is covered under home and contents insurance, was added as a specified item. So this covers me for loss or theft anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.

The manufacturers warranty is 4 years on the pump but when I received mine I was sent a letter from health fund stating that they would only replace it in eight years.

Therefore I am not sure what happens when the four years has expired in just under two years time.

[tedos]

Thats great to know that pump companies will cover for breakage!
I hate to think how much it would hurt if a pickpocket tried to take it and not know that the tubing and all is attached to the body. They may be up for a surprise with the long tubing attached, but the pain of it being ripped off is quite scary.

Nevertheless, i think travel insurance I think covers up to $5000 at most but even then you have to pay a premium.

Seeing that the pump is on you 99% of the time, can you really lose your pump?

Topcat, who is your health insurance? Seems quite bad that they make it every 8 years.... pump technology can improve a lot in 8 years! I wonder whether the pump companies in your case will offer you an upgrade.

Which also brings me to ask, do pump companies offer existing customers the option of upgrading when a new pump comes out?

[Catapult]

Seeing that the pump is on you 99% of the time, can you really lose your pump?

I can see that lots of people take their pumps off at the beach, at the pool and for snorkelling and canoeing. Plenty of folks get things lifted from their towels etc at the beach.

Which also brings me to ask, do pump companies offer existing customers the option of upgrading when a new pump comes out?

I don't believe that is happening in Australia unfortunately.

Cat.

[cheryl]

When I got my pump in December I added it to my house & contents insurance for an extra $100 premium! I wasn't aware the Animas warranty covered it for damage - makes me wonder if I need the extra cover?
Cheryl

[Ali G]

My pump is under my house and contents for a extra premium,

I travel a lot (im a travel agent) and it was cheaper this way then a insurance policy add on for each trip.

As others have said the companies will replace the pump if you have it, I insured as I would be p!ssed if someone took my bag from the beach with the pump in it etc, or stole my handbag on of those times I am hypo in woolies and have take it off and out it into my bag in the trolley etc.

[tedos]

My pump is under my house and contents for a extra premium,

I travel a lot (im a travel agent) and it was cheaper this way then a insurance policy add on for each trip.

As others have said the companies will replace the pump if you have it, I insured as I would be p!ssed if someone took my bag from the beach with the pump in it etc, or stole my handbag on of those times I am hypo in woolies and have take it off and out it into my bag in the trolley etc.

Ali, does contents insurance cover if you are overseas?

[straygaijin]

or stole my handbag on of those times I am hypo in woolies and have take it off and out it into my bag in the trolley etc.

Why would you take it off if you are hypo, wouldn't you just suspend it?

It's always interesting to find out the hows and whys of people's techniques. Some ideas I have taken on board, some other people may have taken some of my techniques. We can all learn from each other.

[lexyjane]

I have mine insured under home and contents where I can claim up to $10,000 of my valuables anywhere in Australia for loss/breakage etc... Wasn't that much more expensive than a normal policy I felt. Lawyers and companies are awesome at trying to get away with things and I would hate to find myself unable to get a new pump through my health insurance for another 2-3 years and have it damaged and not covered. For example if it is damaged in a car accident - who covers it? Pump company or car insurance or home and contents or TAC or...? Or if you are mugged? It is then criminal damage - is that the pump company's fault? Or if it is taken off you in hospital and "lost"? Noone could give me a straight answer so I insured just in case. but thats my personality type!

[Ali G]

or stole my handbag on of those times I am hypo in woolies and have take it off and out it into my bag in the trolley etc.

Why would you take it off if you are hypo, wouldn't you just suspend it?

It's always interesting to find out the hows and whys of people's techniques. Some ideas I have taken on board, some other people may have taken some of my techniques. We can all learn from each other.

A few reasons Straygaijin, the main one being is if I put the pump into STOP mode is beeps alllllllllllllllllllll the time and drives me batty. I could change the rate down but pushing those buttons just seems like hard work when not required for me personally.. so I just disconnect for 30 mins or whatever and enjoy being "free" for a while.

I enjoy my moments of 'pumplessness' and take them while I can!

[georgie_claire]

Which also brings me to ask, do pump companies offer existing customers the option of upgrading when a new pump comes out?

I know animas does! I got the pump a month ago (animas 2020) and they've offered to upgrade me to the new animas vibe in a couple of months when it arrives in Aus, free of charge :) I love animas,their customer service is the best.

[kaito]

Georgie, how did you score that?? Been on the 2020 for 3 years and no letter in the mail yet!

[artemis]

I'd like to know too, Georgie. All I've had from J & J/Animas is a free meter!

[tedos]

i did enquire with Animas and they did confirm they will upgrade free of charge. But i think its only for people that are starting on their pump now.

[Pauly05]

I think the upgrade from the 2020 to the Vibe is only available to people that purchased the pump from March 2012 onwards.

[Caraline]

I got my Cozmo insured for theft or loss, under my household contents insurance. I rarely leave mine anywhere where it could go missing but it is reassuring when I am swimming at the beach. All other events are covered under my 4 year warranty with the pump company.