Recommend me a good pet insurer

[Dixie68]

My dog's pet insurance is up for renewal soon and I'm looking for recommendations. She's a ten-year-old GSD/Collie cross with no major health problems yet, but she has started to slow down a bit due to the GSD problem of bad hips.
I don't mind paying over the odds for good service, but good service and cheap would be great!
Many thanks.

[Silent1]

Petplan, nothing touches it for cover.

[spaximus]

Look at saga for this. Our springer is 10 year old having just had an operation which the previous insurance did not cover. They will cover everything after 14 weeks clear period, not cheap but potentially good investment

[Stevenj214]

Liverpool Victoria

[mel]

They're all shisters, the statistical reality is that you'd be better off putting the money in a pot on the side and taking your chances.

[jmorgan]

We stash the cash. Premiums to me look high for the conditions imposed.

[Stedman]

Marks and Sparks. Nothing gets close. I speak from many experiences. (~£5000 in 4 weeks.) Very very VERY good.

[arfur daley]

Stedman said:

Marks and Sparks. Nothing gets close. I speak from many experiences. (~£5000 in 4 weeks.) Very very VERY good.

that was an expensive rabbit.

[Engineer1]

I'd look at the policies and check they work for your pet, one that doesn't cover repeat treatments or imposes restrictions on older animals may nor be ideal, you are heading to old car warranty style restrictions. Renewing with your current insurer may well give you the best cover.

[Toyless]

Currently using Tesco, had no problems getting a max payout for a big op one of mine needed.

The only thing Ive learnt is to check the max payout per condition as private veterinary sugery is hugely expensive and will eat away money faster than a badly maintained speed six engine.

[itsnotarace]

Stedman said:

Marks and Sparks. Nothing gets close. I speak from many experiences. (~£5000 in 4 weeks.) Very very VERY good.

+1

Although they keep stiffing me on the renewals, so I have to keep cancelling the policy and taking out a new one 2 weeks before the other expires.

[bazking69]

Petplan. Simply the most comprehensive cover you can get.

[Stedman]

itsnotarace said:

Stedman said:

Marks and Sparks. Nothing gets close. I speak from many experiences. (~£5000 in 4 weeks.) Very very VERY good.

+1

Although they keep stiffing me on the renewals, so I have to keep cancelling the policy and taking out a new one 2 weeks before the other expires.

Really? I didn't think they weren't too bad (all opinion of course!). Better than Petplan at least.

arfur daley said:

that was an expensive rabbit.

[itsnotarace]

Year 1 - £233.40 annual
Year 2 - £299.40 annual
Year 3 - £359.60 annual

Premier cover in all cases. So it's increased by over a tenner a month and yet we've not claimed for anything.

This is for 1x Golden Retriever who is coming up for 3. Doing a fresh online quote was 8 quid per month cheaper!

[fadeaway]

bazking69 said:

Petplan. Simply the most comprehensive cover you can get.

+1

G/f's dog has a habit of injuring himself in very expensive ways. Petplan have always paid out without a problem!

[becksW]

Dixie68 said:

My dog's pet insurance is up for renewal soon and I'm looking for recommendations. She's a ten-year-old GSD/Collie cross with no major health problems yet, but she has started to slow down a bit due to the GSD problem of bad hips.
I don't mind paying over the odds for good service, but good service and cheap would be great!
Many thanks.

Be really careful her age and breed many may not insure or will charge higher excess + a percentage of the bill before they pay out.

Plus if you have ever claimed, a new insurance co will not cover for pre existing conditions (even if not claimed for if on her history they are unlikely to cover)

Cheaper products usually have higher %costs and will pay out on only upto smaller amounts. Compare any you look at to pet plan (these are generally regarded as gold standard.

Ours are with Sainsburys and we've done very well with them but when I looked into insuring my parents elderly rescue poodle, excess was £125 + 15% of the bill!!

[Dixie68]

Thanks all, I'll get some quotes. She's starting to slow down a bit but you only notice it 1st thing in the morning and late at night - during the day she still jogs around and I've never needed to take her to the vets for anything other than an ear-infection.

[ALawson]

We are with NFU mutual, not claimed yet. From memory the cover was as good as petplan but cheaper. They are the Sunday Times best motor insurers for service so should be ok.

[evenflow]

mel said:

They're all shisters, the statistical reality is that you'd be better off putting the money in a pot on the side and taking your chances.

From recent experience over several months, I would certainly completely disagree with that statement.
We're with PetPlan and they have been excellent.

[Stevenj214]

mel said:

They're all shisters, the statistical reality is that you'd be better off putting the money in a pot on the side and taking your chances.

In reality, my £13 a month ensures my dog will be treated for just about any major injury. Without insurance, if something happened and the cost was £500-1000+, there's a chance I simply couldn't afford treatment.