Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

UKTigerlily

fullstop wrote: »

Think might have to have a look at M&S then through Quidco. suppose it's like most things now days you get a decent rate the first year and then the following years the premium increases more than inflation , even if no treatment is needed.

lol yup, try Axa too, they were the best for my Cat & M&S do a % + excess when kitty is old (So IF you claim & can't change insurers it's something to think about)

I paid £107.59 for my almost 11yr old with £7,000 for life cover & a £50 fixed excess, you might get a good quote from them & they underwrite tons of other companies like Sainsbury etc (Sainsbury might also be worth a look, they weren't any use for me but I think it might be due to her age, can't remember!) def try Axa tho!

hethmar

fullstop, the post office doesnt cover a condition for life - nor is sainsburys

lowis

a vet can cream through £5k pretty quickly (especially a London vet!)...i claimed £12k over 18 months for treating my cat for feline lymphoma (cancer)...please try to get true for-life cover.

jolenejolene

Thanks for the replies. I'll read them again (it takes a while to sink in with me!) and then recheck the quotes! Thanks for helping.

jolenejolene

hethmar wrote: »

Im surprised AXA didnt come out lower as AXA underwrites Halifax and HSBC. As Lily said, check the various policies, I cant remember those now, but some of the companies have "economy" ones as well as the for life ones. Also check if the excess goes up - usually a set amount plus a percentage - as the dog gets older.

Hi again!
Where will it tell me if the excess goes up? I can't seem to see it?

hethmar

You have to read the policy details - usually you can download them. If you cant see it, give them a ring and ask them outright.

chrissyk_2

I've just signed up my cats to Animal Friends Insurance. All profits from the business got to animal charities. They do not exclude older animals from insurance (but to be fair you have to pay a % of the cost of treatments for elderly pets). They seem pretty ethical and helpful and its gratifying to know the profits go to animal charities rather than lining some Fat Cat's pockets. Haven't needed to claim yet though so I can't say want they're like when it comes to claiming. I searched around and their prices seem pretty competitive, they also offer life cover for illnesses with several options as to how much each illness is covered for per year. My cats are covered for £2000 per illness a year for life, for just under £9 per month each. Cover does not include yearly injections/check ups/worming etc.

I got my cats from the RsPCA who also recommended their own insurance and warned against "cheap" insurance (e.g like one of the uk's biggest Supermarket's insurance) because they will be a lot of small print excluding cover for your beloved pet on lots of conditions/circumstance etc.

hethmar

I think the RSPCAs policy isnt for life cover either. Id hope they would have made sure it was.

Animal friends offer real life cover but only on their Gold and Platinum policies.

lowis

animal friends offer a great policy and the premiums are low...i almost went with them for my adopted elderly siamese, but then noticed that i would be liable for 35% of vet fees. having in the recent past claimed £12,000 in 18 months, for treating cat with lymphoma, i realised just how high vets fees can get, and 35% would be unaffordable for me! so i decided to go with AXA instead as their excess is just a flat £75, with no percentage. the premiums are higher, but on balance, probably worth it in the long run.

signman_2

Can anyone suggest a cheap but quality insurance scheme for 2 dogs, most of the compare sites only list comparisons for one dog and I have to get a sutable quote before the old one expires..

Thanks