Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

lowis

cathodetube wrote: »

Really pet insurance has only become prevalent in the last ten years. The power of advertising!

...and also a recognition that veterinary medicine has come on leaps and bounds and pets can now benefit from treatments and diagnostic methods not even considered possible 10-15 years ago - but at a cost.

Tillydot

Hello
I have just insured my 6 dogs with Direct Line. I have gone for the advanced premium. I know its not for life and for each condition up to £6000. Someone told me yesterday that they were with Direct Line and that they were terrible when it came to paying a claim. Then when they tried to cancel they wouldnt let them out of the agreement. I am a bit worried I have picked the wrong company. Does anyone else have any good or bad thoughts on this company?
Thank you.

Nomad25

I have my 5 cats insured through Healthy Pets. In spite of a premium bump [gender + age loaded] this year, it is far more cost effective than other providers. Recently made my first ever claim. They were quick to respond and prompt to pay. No complaints so far.

La_Diva

This must be a fairly new one: vetmedicover.co.uk
Anyone heard or had dealings with them? They seem very reasonable.

cathodetube

Nomad25 wrote: »

I have my 5 cats insured through Healthy Pets. In spite of a premium bump [gender + age loaded] this year, it is far more cost effective than other providers. Recently made my first ever claim. They were quick to respond and prompt to pay. No complaints so far.

Obtained a quote from them and it was a lot more than AXA or NFU. Asked whether or not dog had been to the vet in the last year and I answered no. Dog is 6 years old. The top cover was about 43.00 a month.

debbiefletcher

I have 2 kittens to insure. Any advice?

I also have an older cat and dog insured with Animal friends but have just noticed that I now have to pay 35% of vets fees for each claim as well as excess of £69 or £99.

I want a lifetime insurance or should I self insure. Is this too risky?

catlou

I have now calmed down.....after my rant about NFU on this post!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=32039205&postcount=2298

Which in a nutshell was....I went with NFU last year for my dogs first ever insurance which cost me £152, this year they sent me a renewal for £274 :mad: for an 18 month old small crossbreed dog who is vaccinated, neutered and microchipped with no health problems and I hadn't even claimed!!

After reading through through about the last 20+ pages of this thread I got quotes from AXA which was £142 I also got quotes from Pet Plan, Argos Platinum, HSBC, Halifax all of these were more expensive I did get a cheaper quote from M&S which on face value seems good but after all the things I have read about them I definitely would not go with them.

So AXA it is! I have rang their customer service a couple of times to ask various things and they do seem helpful. My policy is now up and running and I have passed the initial 2 weeks where you can't claim! Hopefully I will not need to use it but it's good to know it's there if needed.

I happily told NFU where to stick their renewal!! :rotfl::rotfl:They wouldn't budge on price - unbelievable they were trying to tell me what a great policy it was,and although it was good cover it was nearly TWICE the price of last year for the same cover! :eek:

twinklie

I have a Dogue De Bordeaux so can't go with AXA. Can someone recommend a good insurance? Petplan is super expensive...I'll go with it if I can't find a better one though. I'm not risking not having my little girl insured. Is it likely to drop any once she gets passed the puppy stage. I realise it will increase as she gets older though.

cathodetube

Catlou, sounds like NFU is one not to bother with anymore. Wonder if anyone else has had that problem. I remember when I talked to them they stressed that they would 'guarantee' a price for 3 or 5 years which I found hard to believe. From what I remember their cover is not as good as AXA - ie 4000k per condition per year versus AXA 7000k.

cathodetube

Twinklie, I don't know if pet insurance drops past the puppy stage. I first insured my dog when she was 2 years. Is your dog's breed a generally difficult one to insure? Her size? Someone else on here posted about a Bernese being difficult to find insurance for.