Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

Fire_Fox

AXA didn't care what pre-existing conditions Noah has when I rang, they worry about that when (if) you claim. There will be more exclusions on an older cat, that's why it's wise to start insuring as soon as you can and stick with the same insurer.

lowis

page3 wrote: »

Hi all,

Read about 75 pages of this thread so head in a bit of a spin!

I'm looking to insure (for the first time) my two cats, who are around 9 years old.

AXA seems like the best option due to the 10 year premium hike on other policies.

However, can anyone clarify the following (I will call them, but help first would be appreciated):

1. No 'discount' for two cats on the same policy?

2. Any past treatment (however trivial) means no cover in the future? Now for a 9 years old cat that would rule out an awful lot? Both cats have had fights in the past that have resulted in infection and therefore anti-biotics required. Will that rule out all future problems due to being attacked, as this is hardly a reoccurring illness? If so, I'm going to need to get a full list of all past vet visits!!

Advice appreciated.

i think injuries from fighting are slightly different from illnesses, and i am not sure an insurer could exclude injuries wholesale from treatment...but i would imagine that any significant injury that caused permanent damage might result in an exclusion about the part of the body that has been damaged. You could ring AXA and ask them. They are very friendly and helpful over the phone.

You could also ask AXA whether you could fax them your cat's medical histories and ask them to identify exclusions before you commence with your policy? not sure they do this, but worth a try. when i insured my 14 year old after i adopted him, i had to provide either a medical history or if that was not available, a letter from the adoption agency stating that no medical history was available but the cat was in good health when inspected by their own vets.

NuclearWinter

Does anyone have experience with owning a "select breed" and pet insurance?

Petplan have quoted a £62 monthly premium and £100 excess for their budget life plan for our 2.5 year old rottweiler (£75 a month for Standard Plan). Add to that, that we will have to pay a percentage of all claims in addition once she reaches 7.

On top of that she was born deaf, so we have been excluded from all Third Party Liability Cover (but of course still have to pay full price on our premiurm).

Has anyone found any better options for similar breeds? I don't want to go cheap, but this just seems somewhat excessive.

thesim

Try planet direct? I think they have a fixed excess. I dont have any details though as I've had no dealings with myself from them, but my wifes sister recently insured her staffie with them and she said it was a good price.

NuclearWinter

Thanks, I don't recall seeing Planet Direct talked about so am a bit wary.

Unfortunately we've just been on the phone to Petplan and been informed that we'll actually have to start paying 20% of fees when she reaches 5! On top of the £100 excess and £62/month premium I'm starting to feel that we'd almost be as well off with no insurance.

I'm strongly considering cancelling and going with AXA, who seem quite well regarded here. Unfortunately our vets only tend to deal direct with Petplan and Pet Protect (who quote us about the same as Petplan) - it would be tough to not have that option.

foreign_correspondent

does anyone know if the insurance premiums depend on the age of the owner?? I just tried getting a few quotes, and it appears that for an older owner the premiums double with halifax... unless I typed in something wrong!?

thesim

It shouldnt matter about your age apart from older customers may get OAP rates, but your age has nothing to do with your pets health or vet fees.

albacookie

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

does anyone know if the insurance premiums depend on the age of the owner?? I just tried getting a few quotes, and it appears that for an older owner the premiums double with halifax... unless I typed in something wrong!?

Don't see why they would other than trying to insure with Saga where obviously you'd have to be >50. If anything I'd expect older = cheaper.

Fire_Fox

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

does anyone know if the insurance premiums depend on the age of the owner?? I just tried getting a few quotes, and it appears that for an older owner the premiums double with halifax... unless I typed in something wrong!?

I've just done a dummy quote with AXA and added thirty years to my age, made zero difference to the price.

foreign_correspondent

Yup - I did it again and it came out the same - I must have made a typo - thanks for checking for me though!

So.. does any one know if any insurers offer a good deal for older dog owners?

Just tried SAGA and was not impressed!