Redwing Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 We have a dog (Otis) that we thought was a pure pedigree Lakeland Terrier when we shelled out a vast amount of money for him but to cut a long story short he isnt and is in fact an unregistered 'Welsh Terrier type dog' (but we love him anyway ) We are paying a company (lets call them ABC) just under £30 a month to insure him We have known for some time that Otis isnt what he should have been but ABC won't downgrade the policy (and more importantly the price) without something in writing to say he isnt purebred (fair enough as they must get loads of people trying it on..) but two vets and two experts have so far declined to provide us with a note (they either don't want to get involved or can't be sure of his breeding) I really need to get this premium reduced (the cats also cost us £30 a month but one is old so we are swallowing that cost) so our only option is to cancel with ABC and go with someone else (a real shame as we have found them to be very good) Can anyone recommend a good pet insurance company please? I have broached the subject of putting the £60 in an account each month for all the animals vets bills but OH not at all keen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 We have always insured the cats with petplan....not sure if it is the cheapest as never compared but their customer service is great....we have claimed a couple of times and we have always had a cheque back within a week They do three different type of policies so you can choose the cover most suited to your needs We have the policy which will cover £x amount per year and this figure is reinstated on renewal even if we need to claim for the same condition. This is ideal for us as we have had cats in the past which needed life long medication and this all got paid for (less the excess) for about five years until she passed away of old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I would recommend Pet Plan. Have worked with them over the years and they are pretty solid. May not be the cheapest but you do get what you pay for. Don't leave it too long before deciding though as it is somebodies law that you will have a problem just before you fill in the form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Pet Plan here too for both our past and present GSD'S and never a quibble or moan on paying out. For Brackens recent £750 operation we received settlement within 3 weeks. We pay £25 (ish) a month for Bracken and that's their "budget" option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 *Cough* any other suggestions as Pet Plan not an option in this case........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I'd go for putting money aside each month rather than insure. We've never found it worthwhile as there are so many exclusions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 *Cough* any other suggestions as Pet Plan not an option in this case........ If you can't do Pet Plan they suprisingly Sainsburys or Direct Line. Whichever one you choose have a minimum of £4,000 per year per condiiton or £6,000 for an extended period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I'm another one who would bank the money instead ... however, it's a gamble, as with all insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 You can often almost guess the pets that are likely to need insuring as they tend to be accident prone or appear less hardy than others. I would always advise insuring for the first 18 months whatever as this gives you chance to assess what type of pet you have. Also this is the time that inherited or congenital diseases can be discovered, chewing and swallowing things etc etc happen. After 18 months then maybe reassess. Bill can be big now though as recent advances have come on e.g MRI scans, chemo therapy, total hip replacements etc. As long as your saving can cover this then putting something away will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I used to have insurance but they were charging me at least an £80 excess each time and most of the treatments you take them in for dont cost that unless they involve an op etc.. so I bank money... well I say I bank money, there is an understanding that should the girls needs a serious op/reatments then then we dip into the savings. or put hubby out on the streets.. but he wasn't keen on that idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I use Marks and Spencer and they're really good - I pay £18 a month for Charlie the lurcher and he's fully comp with that, plus there's no limit on what they'll pay out for each condition, so if he ever gets something chronic they'll keep paying for it forever. We've also claimed for things that some insurance companies would sniff at - like having his dew claws removed because he kept injuring them (companies usually say that's a preventative op and don't cover it, but M&S were fine). Prompt payment too. I'd recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I insure my cat and dog with Animal Friends. They are non profit making, after costs all their profits go to animal rescue centres or similiar. I can't remember the premiums but they seemed reasonable at the time. I have never made a claim so have no idea how good they are at paying out promptly. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 The only problem I find with putting money aside is a timescale thing. What if you go out tomorrow and your dog breaks their leg or something, this is a very expensive vet bill and if it happens a month after you start saving you wont have enough whereas insurance will cover it anyway.. just a thought i tend to think of worst case senerio!!! I use pet plan but my mum and a few friends use Direct Line and have never had any problems. i have also heard that Animal Friends are good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 The only problem I find with putting money aside is a timescale thing. What if you go out tomorrow and your dog breaks their leg or something, this is a very expensive vet bill and if it happens a month after you start saving you wont have enough whereas insurance will cover it anyway.. just a thought i tend to think of worst case senerio!!! I use pet plan but my mum and a few friends use Direct Line and have never had any problems. i have also heard that Animal Friends are good! Thats why hubby isnt in favour of it Thanks for the recommedatiions and to everyone else who posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Were were with Pet Plan but cost just seemed to be going up rather fast. Now switch to Green Bee for our two young cats. £6 for Hattie, and £7 for Augustus - seems boy are more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 i think its because boys tend to fight more so may pick up diseases and get injured more frequently..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Another vote for M&S here. We've used them for a number of years now for both cats and have only had to claim in the last 12 months. Have claimed approx £1000 for one cat and about £1500 for the other! They have paid out each time without quibbling and also pay mileage if you get referred to a specialist (which we did both times!) Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
