Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

cathodetube

I think M&S are now well known now for upping premiums, however how would you have known that 4 or 5 years ago? When did they enter the market as pet insurance providers? 6 years ago?

linni

I receive a letter from HSBC, just after paying my renewal premium, stating their Pet Insurance is being withdrawn and being replaced by Agria Pet Insurance. I'm given the option of cancelling when my policy comes up for renewal, or staying with Agria, which means I will have continuity of cover including ongoing conditions. I'm not sure what to do as I've never heard of Agria and if I don't renew with them I'm concerned that other insurers won't cover my dog's ongoing conditions (ear problems) without hefty premiums. Does anyone have their pets insured by Agria or can anyone give me some advice?

In the terms and conditions, with HSBC I pay the first £75 of any claim up to £7,500 and Agria is the first £50 + 10% of any claim up to £4,000, so the policy doesn't look as good, or would Agria have to keep my policy on the same terms as HSBC? Sorry if these questions seem a bit daft but I thought I'd sorted all this out when I decided to go with HSBC and i'm disappointed that i've got to do it all again.

morg_monster

Hi,
Agria underwrites my argos pet insurance policies. The cover I get is different yet again from both HSBC and Agria (more along the lines ofthe HSBC deal), so I would think that you won't necessarily get the £50+10% deal. Is it just that HSBC are changing underwriters? or is the product being withdrawn entirely? Hopefully what is happening is that they are just changing underwriters and the deal will stay the same. But I think you should give them a call and find out for sure.
Agria is probably no better or worse than any other policy; as well as Argos looks like they also provide "Crufts" and kennel club policies.

linni

I wasn't sure at first, but it says on the HSBC site 'no longer being sold' and the letter says I will hear from Agria when my policy is due for renewal so I think it's being withdrawn completely.. I'll see how much the policy goes up!

graham17_2

Hey all,

We've recently got a kitten and she's just been spayed. She went back in today just for the vet to check her wound, etc. The vet said there was perhaps a bit much swelling for what he would like, so has asked us to bring her back tomorrow for the fluid to be drained. I hope this isn't serious btw? Sounds like it should be straightforward.

So this got us thinking about pet insurance. Is this something you think we should get? she's about 7 months old now and will be getting let outside on her own as soon as the vet gives the go ahead.

Also, if we should get it, just wondering where to do? Had a look at tesco, more than and petplan.

I've seen some people saying go for the standard life cover for petplan. While this sounds like a good idea, it's about twice the monthly price of say a normal year cover from the others. It's coming in at about £10.90 I think. This includes the 10% first time discount, so it'll go up after a year I guess. Is it worth it?

First time I've had to think about pet insurance, so just looking for some advice to be honest.

Thanks in advance,

Graham.

cinderellacomplex

Petplan are good but try AXA as well, I got better cover for a cheaper price with my dog when I switched. You do need to make sure to get a 'for life' policy and both of these offer this.

graham17_2

Hey,

Yep, seen a few people recommending AXA. Does cover actually start straight away, or is AXA one of these you can take it out now, but it doesnt start for a week or so.

Any other thoughts?

Btw, on the whole pre-existing medical condition, what does this include? As I said, she's just been in today and told there's a bit of swelling where the operation to have her spayed was done. I believe he's just going to drain it (fluid maybe?). Now is this going to be a pre-existing condition and she'll be excluded from anything at all that causes swelling (i.e. most injuries, etc.!). Does anyone know for definite?

Thanks,

Graham.

KxMx

Really dissapointed at this news, had planned to stay with HSBC for the foreseeable future. Now I have to shop around all over again!

cinderellacomplex

Most policies won't cover things for the first 7-14 days because people might be temped to take out insurance on an already injured/ill pet and then claim it started after the insurance was bought. It seems fair enough. AXA is 14 days I think but it shouldn't be an issue if you are keeping her indoors anyway.

Pre-existing conditions with AXA means a condition which the pet has had before - I asked when I changed. They don't seem to generalize one pre-existing condition into a category of conditions which they then won't cover which is good. So she would still be covered for things related to swelling, don't worry :P I asked because my dog had had kennel cough and I wanted to know whether this affected anything but they said it didn't mean anything for other respiratory conditions etc. You can phone them and they will explain it all very well but you have to take out the policy online.

graham17_2

Hey,

Thanks for that. Bit of a relief then about the swelling :-)

Regarding the 14 days at first if it's with Axa. Do you suggest keeping her inside for another 2 weeks once we take it out (even if say the vet says she's fine to go out within a week from now)? She clearly seems desperate to go play outside, lol. I guess if we have to keep her inside, then we have to. But just wondering if we need to until the policy really kicks in.

On that note, surely the first 2 weeks should be free, or they shouldn't let you take it out for 2 weeks if they don't cover you! :-)

Cheers,

Graham.