Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

hethmar

All those are genuine policies. NFU you have to phone to take out the policy. Cant remember the limit but I think its something like £4k per condition per year. Which means you could have several conditions (god forbid) on the go up to £4k every year. NFU is the oldest animal insurer in this country (obviously ) and they assured me that the excess never increases - unlike some of the other companies. But its really up to you to decide on the best one for you.

Benny130

I know it is not allowed to give specific advice but what insurance should I go for for my new kitten?

Bromley86

Sorry Benny, but you're really going to have to do test quotes for a number of insurers to see what's cheapest for you. It doesn't take long though.

Have a look back over the most recent pages to see the current recommendations, but it's probably something like AXA, NFU (phone only) & PetPlan.

Benny130

Right cheapest seem to be HSBC at 9.46 per month. Details here:

• Lifetime cover, providing you renew your policy each year.
• Vet nurses on call 24 hours a day. Veterinary and Pet Minder helplines to answer concerns you may have over your pet
• Claiming is easy. Most eligible claims are paid within 5 days of receipt of a completed claim form, and you can claim up to your full policy value each year
• Up to £7,500 per year for veterinary fees
• Up to £2,000 for the death of your pet due to an accident or an illness
• Up to £2,000 for the loss or theft of your pet
• Up to £1,000 for advertising costs, should your pet go missing
• Up to £750 for emergency kennel or cattery fees
• Up to £2,500 should you have to cancel your holiday because of your pet
• Up to £1 million third party liability cover
• Get a 5% discount when you insure two or more pets
• £75 Excess

Am I missing Anything??

hethmar

Nope, its genuine I think they are still underwritten by AXA. The only thing we have brought up before about this is that as they are not providing the insurance themselves its possible that they could change underwriter and the premiums increase (as happened with M and S which caught a lot of us out).

Go through quidco.com - I think they still do cashback on that company.

Hm, Petplan, M and S and Halifax all on there between £20-£25 off, but cant see HSBC's pet plan insurance covered?

lowis

you might also want to check what happens to the excess once your pet reaches what the insurance company determine as old age. i think it ranges between 8 and 10 years old for cats across the various providers. i.e. Petplan's excess changes dramatically, in that you suddenly become liable for 20% of all vet bills after your cat reaches 10, plus the standard excess. AXA does not add a percentage excess based on vet feesfor older pets, it sticks to the standard excess amount.

Westielife

Hi,

I'm new to this forum but given the huge hike in my insurance premium this year I thought I'd post and see what other dog owners thought.

I have 2 Westies, they have just turned 11. I have been with Petplan since their birth but each year the premiums (and the excess) have gone up a lot and I think I've had enough. Last year the premium for the 2 dogs was £65/mnth, with a £105 excess. Now they are over 10 years old, the premium has shot up to £83/mnth, the excess is now £120 +20% of total cost of claim. This is serious money. I want to ditch Petplan but I feel handcuffed to them now, how can I change insurers after 11 years? I'm also worried what the premium might be next year - another big hike?

The dogs have been in very good health for their age, I've not claimed for over 2 years and this is what happens to my premium! I wonder what it would be if I had claimed....?

If I had my time again, I'd not bother with insurance and just stick my money in a savings plan/ISA. Should I still do this now? Does anyone know of any alternatives?

lowis

claim or not, Petplan always increase their premiums each year. in my case though it was only by a couple of quid per cat (and i had claimed almost £7000 in one year for one cat, and nothing at all for the other).

you can easily change insureres but be aware that if you switch policies now that any condition or ailment previously claimed for or reported to your vet (and mentioned on your pets medical records) will be excluded from your new policy.

melbury

I did an online quote with Marks & Spencer today and for their standard policy it was quite reasonable.

The only bit I didn't understand was it said £4,000 per annum for vet fees, then underneath it said £1,000 per condition. Does this mean then that if my dog was quite ill and the vet's bill came to say £3,000, they would only pay out £1,000.

Sorry to sound thick, am I missing something? Would be grateful if anybody actually understands what they mean

Thanks.

hethmar

Not looked on there for a long time but it appears they now have two levels of policy. The standard one which you are talking about is a basic cover, not for life - and yes you are right the amount for each condition is limited to only £1k. Shall have to remember they have these two tiers as we all thought there was just the one they had originally which is genuine for life but which has increased dramatically in cost.

And they are asking £90 plus 20% excess for dogs over 9 years old on the new "standard" cover.

Id have a look at AXA and NFU if I were you.