I'm starting to wonder if its worth insuring my dog ?

[BBH]

My dog died in January of a massive heart attack having given no indication he was ill. He was 7 yrs old. The insurance company asked me to supply details of a bulldogs value. Every add I found they were circa £1800 so I collected some and sent them off. I wasn't expecting £1800 because the sum assured as a max of £1000 - any excess.

Today I got a payment of £300 because he was old. Apparently this was all in the T & C's ( isn't it always. Headlines scream a decent level of cover when in reality its different and always in the insurers
favour ).

So I'm worried that if my other girl gets sick, injured, dies she won't be protected. I have been looking up pet insurance reviews and they all appear to be horrendous with numerous tales of poor customer service, no payouts or reduced payouts all hidden in T & C's so they can refer to something obscure if customers complain. I pay £32 a month and am wondering if I should just save the money in an account for her instead.

Any thoughts.

 

[BBH]

The other thing that worries me is that she is a rescue dog and when I took the policy out I explained I didn't know her medical history and they said ' we understand don't worry' well they would I guess but on a claim will they turn round and say we're not paying due to undisclosed history or something.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I have Evie insured just for vets fees, £5 a month tacked onto my NFU household insurance, it is quite basic cover but that is all I want. I know quite a few people who just put a sum away each month to cover possible vets fees rather than pay for insurance, but obviously you won 't get a payout for the value of the dog on their death. I suppose unless you have replacement value (which I have never seen) it is not unreasonable that you will get a smaller amount for an older dog. It is a sad fact that once a puppy gets beyound 8 - 10 weeks their value goes down fast, unless they are a top show dog or similar.
I would hope in the case of your rescue girl, as long as it is not you who hasn't disclosed history they can't refuse a claim, but as you say they do tend to look for ways not to pay.

 

[SusieT]

Would somebody have paid 1800 for your dog?
Dogs are not really worth insuring for their 'value' as such, its more to cover vets fees, which can run to 4-5K if not more if your unlucky.

 

[lexiedhb]

Until today I did not know insurance companies would "pay out" if a dog dies

I mean I understand if it is a priceless stud dog, but a family pet? Im not sure I understand the logic behind it.....

 

[BBH]

Would somebody have paid 1800 for your dog?
Dogs are not really worth insuring for their 'value' as such, its more to cover vets fees, which can run to 4-5K if not more if your unlucky.

TBH the death benefit was part and parcel of the package I got him, some sort of premium plus for top vets fee cover. I insure primarily for vets fees. I don't really bother about a death sum but as it was included anyway I thought I may aswell claim.

 

[cellie]

Ive just taken out basic insurance with tesco £6 per month dog is 7 months old.Once I sell our house I will put some money away to cover myself for emergencies as I know insurance will only go up as he gets older.

 

[blackcob]

Until today I did not know insurance companies would "pay out" if a dog dies

I mean I understand if it is a priceless stud dog, but a family pet? Im not sure I understand the logic behind it.....

It's usually an added perk of 'premium' insurance packages, I don't think it's a standard thing. Mine will pay the purchase price of the dog if it dies before a certain age - seven, I think - but only if you supply a receipt for the original purchase. I paid cash for Dax with no receipt so if she carks it early I'm £100 down.

As for whether to insure or not... for me, the knowledge that something as simple and accidental as a broken leg could cost thousands of pounds to fix is enough to justify £10 a month for premium cover. They paid out £300 for an accidental injury just last year. Third party liability cover is also essential, I think - if the worst ever happened and my dog caused a road accident, or decimated a field of livestock...

 

[Cinnamontoast]

My sincere sympathy for your loss.

I think it's worth covering the dog: my boy cost £6000, half of whch the insurane paid for. I would have a real issue getting that together and the vets often deal direct so you don't pay anything up front. A fund is a good idea but you lose a lump all in one go if you need treatment.

 

[2Greys]

So sorry for your loss, strangely my dog also died prematurely in similar circumstances in January.

We claimed his £100 insured value and the £100 disposal as he was a rescue we just provided our adoption receipt and they paid it in full with no excess and cancelled the policy, it just covered his cremation costs so was useful. In our circumstances we just couldn't afford to self-insure, but i don't mind paying the premiums as i've paid loads out over the years in house/car insurance etc with no claims just peace of mind and i expect to claim on dog insurance at some point. All you can do is go for the best lifetime policy you can afford from a reputable company/underwriter & check the small print, it is a bit of minefield but i think its worth having.