[Closed] Pet Insurance

I also need ins for our springer pup so was going to post same question 🙂

We had ours done through Sainsbury's, great cover but, the premiums more than doubled after the first year.

I used the RSPCA one, I think it was run by AXA.
Only picked them because a large chunk of the premium went to the charity & it was almost the best value anyway.
We made 2 cllaims when both cats died last year and they did take a while to be processed but everything was paid out as expected and their illness cover was of the 'for life' type.

Pet plan.
Cats and dog are both insured with them.
We have claimed for vet bills for one of the cats and they were very good. No hassle.
I Would recommend them.

Petplan, they may be a little more expensive but absolutly hassle free. I've made a few claims where the vet bills came over the excess and they just send a cheque, also premiums dont jump up like others when they hook you in.

our dogs covered with petplan trouble free, although you need to keep up with the dental checks on your dog to be covered fully
but i would recomend them.

Vet friend says that PetPlan and KC insurance most likely to settle claims without quibble.

Most importantly, choose "lifetime" cover.

Marks and Spencer for Stanley the Bedlington here - not had to claim so can't comment of service but level of cover etc was head and tails above what else we looked af for the money. No annual or lifetime limit on a given condition too which for Bedlingtons is important due to possibility of genetic liver issues (copper toxmosis)

We have our Lab insured with Marks and Spencer, they paid up with no problems, and will continue to cover the illness long term. Some only insure for the same condition for a limited time.

I've just had a quote off petplan.
£15, £22 and £34

I had also been considering just taking out a separate savings account instead and paying in monthly the cost of the highest cover.

Four year old Working Cocker here, never paid for insurance and he's cost us nothing - and tbh never paid for previous dogs either.

I'd save your cash, and with experience of previous dogs, Vets charge less for cash/personal payments.

Kennel Club for me. Can't advise on how good they are as I have never had to claim. They were recommended by my vet btw.

We didn't get insurance for our first Border Collie or our current Border Collie and have saved a lot because of that, but we have also saved a lot by having insurance for our two year old lab already, and will continue to save as she needs tablets for her joints for good now.

thanks for the replies, never insured the past 3 dogs I've had and probably saved a mini fortune over the past 20 years by doing so.

The wife is worried about the little blighter so may do it for peace of mind.

So is lifetime cover the best to go for???

Lifetime cover is the best way to do it.

Our two are insured with Animal Friends, never had any problems with them.

OK ta I will have a look at Animal friends

vets charge significantly less for cash payments.
I put whatever the premium is into a savings account and have always saved £s in the long term.

Vets fees are the same whether you are insured or not. Insured pets maybe more likely to be referred to specialists who are more experienced but more expensive for similar treatment.

Check with your vet if they will do direct claims with the company you are planning to go with. That means you only have to pay the excess and they claim the rest from the insurers. They won't do it with all as some pay out very slowly.

Personally PetPlan are choice for the dog and provide good cover an usually good to deal with. Look for lifetime cover, at least £4k in cover and a with all insurers check the small print.

Ps don't over exercise it either, springers can have elbow problems.

Tesco paid out no problem for Rufus just a couple of months ago to the tune of £2.2k.
Just had to fill the forms in, get the vet to sign it and they paid.