Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

lostinrates

We took the decision not to insure our cats when we moved to 'mainland europe' and wantd to maintain their cover but couldn't. Having thought about it a lot we decided that as we have a house deposit and a good income we are prepared, while we have good funds, not insure either our cats or our (later arrival) dog. We also have horses who are insured, mainly because they are older but also because they didn't leave UK for anytime. Horse bills also mount up VERY quickly and easily so it seemed a reasonable test of our attitude to risk.

When our house deposit gets used on a house we will maintain a separate holding for the pets which we will add to monthly. If we were likely to be unable to get our hands on less than a 'few thousand' we would certanly continue to insure until this had a very sizable reserve. I think it is also relevant that both my husband and I ar devoted to the animals, and there is no risk of one of us viewing their health care as something of 'poor return/value' and if this were not the case I certainly would feel more comfortable insured.

Savvy_Sue

hethmar wrote: »

There is another thread running on pet insurance.

There is, and the OP has posted in it, but nevertheless I'm going to merge this into that.

pboae

pboae wrote: »

:-(

My premium this year has gone up from £230 to £670

I spoke to M&S and they basically just said tough, that's the price now. I asked if it was likely that there would be a similar increase next year and she said it wasn't likely, but she couldn't guarantee it. Which is what they said last year when they increased it by nearly 100%.

She also said they have had to 'revise' a lot of their premiums like this, so other people could be facing huge rises as well.

As far as I can see they are perfectly entitled to do this, and there is nothing I can do about it.

suki1964

orlao wrote: »

I am a member of the BHS so have public liability cover as IMHO that is essential...I hadn't thought about that for the dogs....does anyone have any idea where you could get that as a standalone policy for dogs?

Have a look at your house insurance, some cover your dogs for liability already if not give them a ring and ask

biggar_2

Do any pet insurances cover the death of a puppy? I'm afraid that if mine runs into the road and is killed I would have to buy another one. Would insurance cover that? Mind you, she isn't allowed out on her own and we live in the country so it's not likely to happen but I'm a pessimist.

hethmar

Well, I think most of them cover for death.

Its something Ive personally never been interested in or claimed for.

Mabinogion

Hi
Sorry if I'm in the wrong place but my message has been moved and I find this site very confusing as to know where to ask about pet insurance ~ so
not sure if I'm on the right section but would like to say I had my renewal papers today for my pet dog insurance with Pinnacle Health Care and it will be £17.20 per month starting from January from £15.00 that's more than I pay for my house insurance and also they had increased the excess to a minimum of £70 and we would have to pay 15% of vets fees as well ~ I have looked around and have decided to go with Halifax at £12.39 for an ongoing policy which seems to be the one I want for £6000 per year which will be continuous and ongoing to cover any illnesses etc and would renew the £6000 each year and only £60 excess also they don't penalise for the age of the dog ~ so any advice please on this?
Please forgive me if I have butted in but just looking for some advice.
Thanks

[EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com?subject=Reporting post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=16835225"][/EMAIL]

Savvy_Sue

Hi Mabinogion, the site can be confusing, but you have already had some answers from the previous occasions when you posted this question. Look at posts 1412 onwards.

If you see that a post has been moved, you can still click on its title to be taken to its new location. And if you click on User CP at the top of each page of the Forum you can see which threads you've subscribed to. Hope that might help.

Mabinogion

Hi Sue
Thanks for hte advice but I really got confused as I couldn't see where it said to post but didn't realise there were post numbers either on the messages ~ anyway I have had a good read at everyone's comments on Insurance and will feel a lot happier at having insurance and £12.39 is a lot cheaper the £17.20 so will stick with Halifax I think although I still have a 14 day cooling off period if I want to change my mind.
Thanks again and sorry for having to move me ...:o

Bromley86

Mab. We're with Halifax on the same eXtra policy that you've signed up for. We've had no problems claiming from them and the only claim that they didn't pay in under two weeks was the operation that the specialist claimed directly from them. Presumably they wanted to check that one in detail because it was so large. They've even paid for hydro that they technically could have wriggled out of. Likewise, they've not quibbled about paying claims that I've submitted late.

The premium did increase at our renewal from £12.50 to £15, but at that stage we'd already claimed £2k and they knew they were looking at a long-term condition, so that seemed fair. Although apparently they don't increase premiums directly because you've claimed, but that's another discussion.

As someone no doubt mentioned, the key is that any pre-existing conditions would not be covered.