Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

laginge

I don't ever bother writing on forums but I have to say a big THANKS for the AXA tip.
I got my renewal quote from Sainsburys and they quoted me over £400 for my nearly 12yr dog with an excess of £125 (111) OR 15% of the vets cost, whatever was more EXPENSIVE. They also quoted me £250 for my other 8yr old dog (both knocking on a bit but healthy mutts). This is a massive increase from last year (about 30%). I've been looking at other insurance policies but they're pretty much all rubbish for the price, with excesses and percentages of vets fees or capped payouts so ridiculous I was wondering what the point was.
I just found this forum and tried AXA. Reasonable vets cover and a flat rate excess of £75 for my dogs, with a quote of £250 and £160. I think that's totally fair and a saving for me of £250 a year.
Cancelled with Sainsburys where they tried to convince me that their policy was the best. Had a healthy debate with them (!) and have voted with my feet and gone to AXA.
Hopefully more pet owners will do the same and insurance companies will realise they can't offer absolute tosh by preying on the sentimental guilt of animal lovers.

lowis

good work laginge...but you are aware that any pre-existing conditions on your pets medical records won't be covered by axa aren't you? hopefully there are none x

Fire_Fox

Can you buy pet insurance online (ideally through a cashback site) with a rescue animal? Looks like you need a date of birth on one site, which I won't have. Thanks!

lowis

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Can you buy pet insurance online (ideally through a cashback site) with a rescue animal? Looks like you need a date of birth on one site, which I won't have. Thanks!

yes you can...i rescued Timmy when he was almost 14, exact d.o.b unknown, so the rescue centre put a guessed d.o.b. on the adoption form. the insurance company only wanted to see proof of adoption and a letter from the rescue centre vet stating that he was in good health at the time of adoption. two months later i made a claim for £800, and the insurance company paid out no problem (axa).

hethmar

I dont usually know the age of my rescue dogs - the insurers seems happy to accept a guesstimate. I normally put the date I adopted them and then work out a year that seems likely. Obviously if a dog is clearly very elderly you cant put he is a 3 year old as your vet would make a rough note of the age.

KayBee

I had my pet insurance renewal from Direct Line which had increased by £5 per month so visited this forum for advice. I've now taken out 2 new policies with AXA which cost £1 less per month in total than I was paying for last year's DL policy. The excess is the same and my pets (1 cat aged 7, 1 dog aged 9) are now covered for higher vet's bills so we are all very happy.
Thank you for your help.

midas1987

Hey everyone,

Wanted to ask as it is hard to run through so many posts so hopefully will catch someones eye; if any one can recommend a bird insurer. The three given on the site are useful but doesn't give me much info on the way they handle customers/claims etc...and what would be suitable for my bird. Should have got him insured earlier as birds are great at causing trouble for themselves.

My bird is a 1 year old Nanday Conure (small/medium sized parrot). He's gonna be with me through the predicted 30 year life span so are there are life-long plans for birds or am I wishful thinking? No pre-existing medical problems, fit and healthy non clipped (don't know if that makes him more of a liability?) etc...

Any info appreciated

Q_Emmsie

I used to have pet insurance but whenever I wanted to claim on it, whatever my claim was for happened to be one of the rare exclusions listed in the policy small print or the excess made claiming pointless. So, I opened up a separate bank account for my 2 cats and instead of paying the insurance premiums, I pay that same amount by direct debit directly into this separate bank account. That way, if one day either of my girls need expensive vet care, I will have enough put aside to cover it. I've managed to save quite a bit so far and all the time my cats are happy and healthy, the money is sat in my account, earning me interest :-)

Ziggy_Stardust

Been looking at AXA the policy says "upto £7k per period of insurance" however when I go to get a quote it says per policy year, which is it? I read per period of insurance as however many years I hold it for, I'm confused.

hethmar

A period of insurance would be a year. The policy has to be renewed yearly.