Insuring a older dog

Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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Who insures their dogs over 10?

Our lab has always been insured and we’ve only just claimed £400 this year for UTI which is now clear. Her renewal is over £1,200 and she isn’t insured for her hips, which is the medication she is on daily.

We were going to cancel at renewal (before tomorrow) but can’t believe the vet practice has just told me we are stupid to cancel as she’ll need to be insured at this age because she’s bound to start wracking a bill up.

We have 4 dogs, the other 3 are insured as they’re typical nutty spaniels.

Thoughts appreciated.
 
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My answer will vary dog to dog.

My lurcher is 9 this year. Never needed a vet. Still active, will run an agility course and does not act her age. She is what I would consider to be a young nine year old. She will continue to be insured as she is fit and healthy enough that I would consider surgery etc.

On contrast, my late Lab x collie stopped being insured at 10. She had some arthritis and was a big, stocky dog. Despite her breeding, she somehow ended up being a 40kg odd chunk! Being a bigger dog who was showing her age, we stopped insuring her as realistically, I don't think I would have considered her a candidate for surgery etc.

No chance would I be paying £1200 a year though! That's absurd!
 
Tiddlypom said:
Um, we've never insured a dog or cat, or regretted that decision.
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Only dog I’m so glad I insured with lifetime from 8 weeks is my working cocker. It’s made me worried about not having insurance for the other spaniels!

He went hopping lame at 6 months old and had X-rays, nothing was found.

He is now 6 and has an impressive CV. Has had 2 thorns out of his eyes in emergency surgery, a tooth removed under GA due to cracking it down to the root running into a wall.. CT scan of his front end due to tearing his rotators cuff ligament, X-rays of his knees (1-0 patella, not had a problem since) and X-rays of his back as well as orthopaedic surgeon input (£300 per appointment) because he suddenly started to yelp in pain (turned out to be a prostate infection!) as well as all the allergy testing.. which turned out to be chicken and he’s been fine for several years since being raw fed.

His claim history is over £12,000 and I’m thankful his insurance is still under £70 a month. One crazy dog 😰
 
It's a difficult one, isn't it. Mine is 10 now and insured until August, renewal at 9 shot up so I moved to a different company but I know it'll go up again this year. I've been glad to have him insured as he's had a couple of lumps (slow but low grade cancerous) removed over the years and a tooth extraction due to trauma, all of which have been expensive.

I know if he did something catastrophic like broke a limb or lost control of his back end I wouldn't put him through anything invasive anyway, being a big heavy boy that hates being at the vets/would hate being crate-rested. So I'm also conflicted about whether to renew this year.
 
Nope stopped insuring the malamutes at 7 as the price jump was too high, they did obvious have more things go wrong in the final few years so I guess it comes down to what potentially expensive things would you put them through and what alternative funding do you have. My pets have always had their own credit cards lol
 
I always used to be firmly in the not insure club but took out a recycling policy when our dog was 9. I'm so glad I did as she had no health issue at the time and it cost me hardly anything per year when I firs took it out. At the moment I pay £65 a month for a 14 year old dog and they cover her recurrent medication which could cost easily £100 a month if she had a bad month where she needed full doses of her medications and I've unfortunately not had a year where she hasn't had vet fees that wouldn't have cost more than her premiums.

I insure with animal friends who have a £99 excess and 20% co payment. For me the copayment was a really good compromise because it keeps the premiums down and if you don't claim then it doesn't impact you. Also couldn't recommend Animal Friends enough, they've always paid out no questions asked and often have received the payment within a day or two of the claim being submitted.
 
I insure for 3rd party and injury only as the beagle x lab has had cruciate surgery, so all legs seem to be not insured anyway. Don't think I would go completely uninsured as I like the 3rd party cover.
 
10 is the age where you may start to run into more old age health issues and they are often chronic health issues at that stage. Cushings disease being one big expensive one, Different cancers. Liver disease etc the work up to diagnosis can be pricey.

It depends on A..how far are you going to go in a medical work up on that particular dog. I have one I know I'd lose the house over(shes insured) others I can be more practical about and self insure😅

B. What are your options for referral and costs in the local area for vet care ooh and in house. Would self insuring be easy for you or put you in financial stress if you had a few big bills.

They do get more expensive for a reason at this age is the tricky thing.
 
I claimed £4000 in the last couple of months before losing my 13 year old, and claimed more than the monthly premium just in arthritis meds (even with significant staff discount) for some time before that. I would not have considered heroic surgeries beyond about 10 but was still quids in just on routine and diagnostic costs.
 
It all depends on what you would be willing to investigate or treat, which applies at any age, but as our pets age, the likelihood of an underlying disease process is increased.
I’ve had situations where owners cancelled insurance in an older dog but regretted it when they decided they did want some initial investigations to find out what may be an issue. I’ve had insured owners of an older pet not want to perform any diagnostics and select simple treatment trials or euthanasia.

Even simple things can run into several hundred. I’m going to put a few general prices because that might help you decide to continue insuring and what you could self insure for:
Inducing vomiting for eating naughty items circa 110 per 10kg of dog plus consult fee plus possible OOH fee because they always do it OOH!
Blood tests for a basic profile circa 185-220 depending on in house so quicker (for the acutely unwell) or sent off (cheaper, longer for results). Basic poo sample circa 160. Ultra sound scan circa 290 with 220 sedation if needed (costs increase with size of pet). X rays circa 370, will need sedation added but often need GA at circa 340.
Librela for arthritis can be circa 100 a month, would actually treat other joints and her hips so may be included in your insurance if evidence of arthritis in her elbows for example
Investigations for increased drinking/urination/changes in appetite etc can run in to thousands these days (cushings for example, addisons is another. Need to rule a lot out before you can reach a definitive diagnosis)

There are always options of less costly care but they do come with compromises of treating without diagnostics, trialling things, accepting certain risks, and that’s very personal to each owner, each pet, and each situation.
 
Thank you all.. very very helpful.

I think we may cancel the current policy, and take a new one out for £10,000 lifetime for half the price and accept a couple of things won’t be covered but diseases and any new illnesses will be.
 
nagblagger said:
I insure for 3rd party and injury only as the beagle x lab has had cruciate surgery, so all legs seem to be not insured anyway. Don't think I would go completely uninsured as I like the 3rd party cover.
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Can you please tell me who that is with?
 
Using a comparison site we have gone with Co-op lifetime £10,000 with £150 and 20% excess for £50 a month. Half the price of her renewal.
 
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