Dog insurance

[Bearsmum]

OK, just had my renewal though for Freddie from Aviva it's gone up from £27 per month to £34, so thinking I will shop around, who do people use,;I only want cover for vets fees & happy to take a reasonable excess, he was gifted to us so of no £ value, he's a 7 yro spaniel.

 

[AmyMay]

I went with Tesco this year, changing from The Kennel Club because of a similar hike.

 

[misst]

I'm with Animal Friends - again my dogs are pets not valuable but I've got them well insured for vets fees. Puppy JRT £27 month not a big excess lifetime cover no limit to annual claims but 7K limit on each problem each year . 4yo terrier rescue covered for 6K per problem each year but again lifetime cover and no annual limit on number of individual claims £34 this year but he has had 6K treatment on knee already - he has very wonky legs . They pay very quickly. They are very easy to contact online and on the phone. I have no complaints and they were very good on comparison with other companies.

 

[blackcob]

7 is a very common cut-off age for new lifetime policies so you may find you're limited only to annual policies if you shop around now.

 

[misst]

7 is a very common cut-off age for new lifetime policies so you may find you're limited only to annual policies if you shop around now.

Yes I think you're right. It is definitely worth the money if you can get it as the terrier has terrible legs and will probably have long term problems (I knew when I took him on) so life cover is worth it. The premiums will keep going up but even so I think I'll be quids in with him. The puppy I'm hoping I won't need it so much but having run out of insurance with a horse I am feeling better safe than sorry.

 

[masajackrussells]

All of mine are with Animal Friends

 

[cbmcts]

I had a dog with Coop - same underwriter as PetPlan but a quarter of the price - paid out on many claims very well and quickly. Premium at 3 yo was £24pm (intro discount inc) and when I lost him at 6, it was £45 pm but he was a large breed and they had paid out thousands over the years.

Next dog (rotti) was too old as a new customer for Coop at 5yo so went with Bought by Many, had only paid one premium of £67 before he got ill and they paid a fraction under £6k over the next month before I lost him - no quibbling or fuss despite it being such a new policy on an older rescue.

Once I decided to keep Rotten Reggie (I'm regretting that decision this week, he's putting up a loud and sustained fight every night to be allowed to sleep upstairs, it's not happening...git) the deaf rott I got quotes from both Coop (£70 odd for £5k pa) and BBM (£51 for £7K pa) so went for BBM. He's 2.5 yo and all the policies are life ones where the pot for vet fees renews every year. IIRC both have a £99 per condition excess.

Be aware that with older dogs, that there is often a co pay (10 - 20%) + excess of all vet bills once they hit a certain age - 8 with co op and 9 with BBM. Pet insurance is the one insurance that I don't choose by price, it really doesn't always pay to go with the cheapest if they are going to be difficult when you need them.

 

[SusieT]

Just dont change if you have any pre existing conditions as they will be excluded. If you have no pre existing conditions I just shop for the cheapest with the best cover.

 

[cbmcts]

If you don't like your current company, why not try to find a new one? I mean, I'm sure there are a lot of better deals out there for you. Just sayin', no offense.
When my insurance company did the same thing as yours, I decided to switch because I was sure there would be many new options, and I was right.

If you change companies you are no longer covered for pre existing conditions or anything in the dogs vet history prior to taking out the policy that could be linked to any illness or injury in future. Makes a huge difference if you took out life time cover previously.

 

[babymare]

Pet plan put ours up from £300 to over £600. Five year old springer and no claims. When I questioned it was told she was now aged and other companies put insurance up when you make a claim! Errrr pet plan you put it up over 100% with no claim!! Figure that out!

 

[Squeak]

I'm also with animal friends and to be fair to them they have been brilliant so far and paid out quickly with no quibbles.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Timely thread! I'll pass on Animal Friends recommendation.

 

[Moobli]

I’m with Bought by Many but haven’t had to claim so far so can’t really make comment on their efficiency etc.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I am with Bought By Many and had one claim so far. Very easy to claim, paid out promptly and premium didn't go up too much. Happy with them so far.