Insurance

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TayloredEq

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www.tayloredequestrian.com
Just wondering how many of you insure your dogs?

I don't insure my horses because it would cost too much to cover all of them. But my gut instinct is saying that I should get Bear insured. Quite often in the past when I have had a feeling like this things have then happened, maybe not straight away but at some point.

So, who is the best company to insure with? Does it work the same way as with horses - ie insure the dog for a value? Are there different types of insurance and is there a rough guide of what I should expect to pay each year?

All advice welcome!!
 
Yes, insurance is defiantely a must IMO, for a dog, vet fees now are extreme, even for the smallest of procedures, I do not insure, as Im a nurse, in a vets
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so no bills for me, but If I did not, I would have insurance.

The ins, will give u a monthly price, based on breed, i.e if it's a pedigree and prone to health probs, you will pay more.
PETPLAN, IMO is by far the best on the market, a little most expensive, but cover a condition for life as opposed to a 12 month period, like most others, they settle quick, and no up front payment, other than your excess is asked.

What breed is Bear?
 
he is a gsd, no papers, parents weren't hipscored. he'll be 8 weeks on Fri.

I just really feel I should get him insured. A few years ago I had a dream that my horse would trip on the road and I should buy some knee boots. It took 4 years but he went down and the knee boots stopped it from being a big issue.

Someone told me that petplan do 6 weeks free insurance for puppies so I guess they should be my first port of call.
 
im with halifax...claimed several times and always paid up quickly and also still claiming for an on going treatment

i would def insure if you can afford it or some owners put money aside for the unexspected

My whippet had an accident on the coursing field last year, so im glad she was insured ...its suprising what a dog can do in a field (shes not insured for racing/coursing)
 
I would defo insure, especially for a purebred dog with no family history... Boss (gsd) had skin problems typical for the breed that took months to sort out and cost a fortune, as a poor student at the time I'm not sure what I would have done if he hadn't been insured. It doesn't have to be expensive, Boss is nearly 9 now and he is about £15 a month (but thats with tescos, should get it changed really, they are a bit rubbish!). FWIW, I think being microchipped and neutered will make a difference to your premium. So glad you're keeping one, can't wait to see how he grows up!
 
We're with m&s and have found them very good. Our dog broke her leg about 8 months after we got her and it cost £2500 to fix. They paid up straight away for each bill as it came in no probs (emergency vets, initial op at specialists and then the follow up x-rays etc). They also do life cover if you go for the more expensive cover.
 
definitely insure, especially if your gut instinct tells you to. My puppy is currently on 6 weeks initial insurance that her breeder set up, with petplan, I just continue it after that. My 6 year old is now up to £45 a month (since turning 6!) but worth it. Get him insured asap if you are going to as any condition that comes up prior to insurance will not be covered. My friend left it a bit late when she got her puppy and she has had fits which started within the 14 days that you are not covered for non accidental issues, investigations alone have cost her into the thousands. All my animals are insured, even the horses, at a cost of about £200 a month. I figure even if it is £2400 a year, one or two illnesses can quickly exceed that, especially with the horses.
 
I have all three of mine insured with Petplan and can only thank God that I did. So far Sage has cost over !000 quid for a shoulder problem. Matty probably around 2500 for a cancer op and arthritis and Dexter a wopping 4500 for both cruciate ligaments. The horse is also insured and at the moment he is the only one they are making any money out of!! (Rushes off to touch wood). These claims have gone in over the last 18 months.
 
I used to have all mine insured on a block policy with Petplan. They started putting premiums up for GSDs and sohaven't had current dogs insured. Buffy had some problems last year which cost me quite a bit but I reckon still less than I would have paid in premiums over the years. However this current problem with her spine makes me wish I had insured her. Evie is insured with NFU just for vets fees, that is only about £5 per month as an add on to my house policy.
 
Due to having 5 large dogs we don't insure them but put money away in a 'dog fund' each month. Touch wood, but we haven't had to dip into our dog fund since we opened it 5 years ago.

If we had one, or even two dogs then I would probably get them insured, but for five it works out better to do what we do.
 
Hmmm, well I have been a die hard 'wouldnt insure dogs' all my life, but I am rapidly changing my mind. Jura cost me £1500 before she was PTS, and Talisker looks like easily surpassing that if he gets referred to Bristol, so I would say yes, do insure, you know it makes sense
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In fact I am going online tonight to get quotes for Islay before she starts getting anything wrong with her
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Both mine are insured. The older dog is with Petplan - they are definitely the best. I highly recommend them, I've claimed many times over the years when my thin skinned whippet needs stiching up again and they've always paid up. Last year, they paid up over £1000 for MRI, X-Ray etc etc after she suffered a disc prolapse plus she is covered for physio and pain killers at any point if I think she is suffering any long term problems. As others have said, they cover conditions for life, not just for 12 months. They aren't cheap though.

My younger dog is currently with Tesco as they are cheaper and she is only 2 and a tough cookie. I will be switching her to petplan when she gets to 5 yrs though.
 
Islay is now insured! Too late for Talisker, but I have realised at last I can't be without insurance
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They would only cover her for £4000 vets fees per year (I am guessing because she is a greyhound) at £20.50 odd per month
 
Both my dogs & 3 of my horses are insured with Petplan, the other horse is insured with NFU.

Blue has just undergone surgery for a crutiate ligament, the surgery alone was £2,800 and that's without all the investigations & referrals beforehand.

Last year we discovered he had elbow dysplasia in both legs & again he had surgery, the bill for that was £2,500. I definately haven't paid that much in.

I don't know how I would have found the money if I had to pay for it myself and I am too scared not to have my animals insured in case something like this happens. The horses are all insured for mainly vet fees, not loss of use or huge public liability, as long as I know they are covered for vet fees, that's all I worry about.

You may be lucky and never have to make a claim and then you could say insurance is a waste of money but having to fork out a couple of grand when you haven't got it - that would be a dilemma, what would you do?

It's peace of mind for me and I would highly recommend Petplan & go for life cover.
 
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