Recommend me pet insurance

[defblade]

Following my "new dog" thread and lots of "get insurance" comments, the vet didn't say anything to my other half. I'm a bit leary of insurance companies that are much better at taking money than giving back, not to mention excesses etc that were in the very small print, etc.

So, who's good for dog insurance? So long as I'm paying, I might as well get a decent product....

[siwil1]

Its bit of a minefield tbh and shopping around is essential as different breeds attract different ratings like cars really.

Main thing to look for is a policy which isnt renewed each year as these can then exclude any illness which have been claimed for during the previous year.

Our Pointer (german shorthaired) is insured thru "More Than" as they offer a whole life policy, its not the cheapest by a long stretch but paid out when it needed too with no fuss.

Hope that helps

(I'm in the insurance business but dont broke pet insurance and am in no way associated with "More Than")

[Escort2dr]

Used Petplan and another one, can't remember which, and had claims through both policies. No problems with either. I will try and remember which the other was - I think it was Sainsbury's.

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

I use Direct Line and they are good

[paulm3]

i've had a Tesco plan for my Persian Cat, good price, and had to claim once. All very easy as vets sorted most of paper work out. Been with them for 6 years. (Does that mean my cat has 6 years no claims??)

[Matt Evans]

We use Petplan for our cat. Seem right enough.

[Rouleur]

Healthy Pets have been great on the three occasions I've had to use them. Cheap too.

[illmonkey]

M&S have been very good for us over 3+ years. Quick payments and no problems with claims.

[Gad-Westy]

Think ours is with Sainburys. Seemed absurdly cheap for the level of cover.

[fivesixseven8]

We have used PetPlan in the past (bonus for this is vets will deal direct with them and not want paying up front.)

We've switched to Tesco pet insurance though as it was much more reasonable price wise. Have made claims on it and had no problems what so ever.

[tvr wife]

I've used Tesco and claimed with them on a few occasions for our cats with no problems. The 'small print' wasn't unreasonable - about a £40 excess - but for over £2k worth of claims I won't knock that!

Edited by tvr wife on Tuesday 2nd February 12:28

[Scrumper]

Petplan has been fantastic for our rabbits. Loads of claims, never a query or an increase in premium. They pay promptly as well.

It's an insurance company, so I find myself surprised that I'm actually able to recommend them.

[defblade]

Sounds like pet insurance is the one corner of the insurance world the scummies haven't got to yet then!

Thanks, I'll take those names and get some details and quotes.

[philmots]

You need to make sure they do for life cover, alot of them have say 5k yearly cover and if your dog had a hip job for that costs 5k its fine. but, if the problem is re-occuring then they won't pay for futher treatment...

basically read the small print, i find pet plan is really good but not cheap, or axa direct, these underwrite alot of companies like sainsburys etc etc.

Edited by philmots on Tuesday 2nd February 14:30

[tonyvid]

As others have said, just make sure they cover illnesses for the life of the policy, not just a year - if you have a dog with a chronic illness(things like heart problems) you really don't want them pulling the cover after the first renewal.

ETA - I think we are with Direct line these days, used to be with PetPlan, and both have always stumped up with no query. Some of the excesses will really hit as the dog gets older...

Edited by tonyvid on Tuesday 2nd February 14:44

[philmots]

^ IIRC DirectLine don't offer a 'for life' cover?

Do you know otherwise? When i looked they just had 2 levels of yearly cover?

[mosp]

M&S for out cats (SWMBO used to work in accounts for a vets and from that experience knows that they are very good a paying out)

NFU for the horse - now thats expensive insurance ....

[y2blade]

afaik petplan has a "carry over" and no limit to the claims per year

we were told it was the best one to go with

paid for itself over the years as my young dog has so far had to have his stomach operated on £1.5k and his tail amputated £200

he is always in the wars poor boy

[tonyvid]

philmots said:

^ IIRC DirectLine don't offer a 'for life' cover?

Do you know otherwise? When i looked they just had 2 levels of yearly cover?

My Ex handles all that these days as we share the dogs. Maybe their policies don't now but they honour the original terms of cover?(been with them about 4 years I think) - I better get her to check, so thanks

[y2blade]

mosp said:

NFU for the horse - now thats expensive insurance ....

tell me about it we have four of the blighters

dales x Irish draught, 3/4 throughbred and two shetlands