Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

emlou2009

My first two are insured with argos platinum at around £7 a month, but my new kitten is coming up at £8.41. I did a quote with aviva and they come up at £5.01 a month. I originally went with argos due to recommendations but i've not heard anything either way about aviva? Its still a platinum policy i'm looking at. Does anyone have any experiences?

cinderellacomplex

I saved a lot of money by going to AXA, you could try getting a quote from them and they came well recommended when I switched

thistledome

We use Direct Line. Their call centres have always been helpful when I've had a query and they paid out on our 2 claims very quickly and with no quibbling BUT the premiums are now getting a bit scary. Started out at £23 a month (in 2002) and is now £42.80 a month with an £85 pound excess. Didn't go up by much every year until we claimed then it's been progressively steep rises ever since. I like their customer service but am worried about how high these premiums are going to get.

Shop around but don't just get the cheapest without googling for some reviews. Some of the cheap policies aren't much good when or if you put in a claim. Also, ALWAYS read the small print - most companies have a sample policy available online and although it's boring it is essential IMO to know exactly what's covered and what isn't.

meerkat2007

I was with AXA, but when I received the renewal the other week, the excess had gone from £50 to £75, and the premium had risen by 89%, from around £40 per dog per month to around £74-£79 per dog per month. I shoudl add that my dogs are both 14 years old now.

I have just switched to Greenbee, which is part of John Lewis and is, believe it or not, underwritten by AXA - the monthly premiums are just under £32 per dog, and the cover is marginally better, in that if one of the dogs were to get diabetes (as an example of a long-term condition), I would have to pay the first £75, but that would be it - I would not have to pay the excess again when the policy was renewed. The vets' fees are £7,000 per policy year, and that gets renewed each year.

madforsavings

Hi I'm with, or rather my dog is, More Than and she was insured from about 3 months old at that time it was £13.99 (I think it could have been even cheaper) over the years it has gone up and is now around the £50 mark with a £70 excess.
I'm not terribly impressed with More Than but each to their own

foreign_correspondent

Im with Halifax - only needed to use them a couple of times, but they have been fine.

kerri_gt

Hi, I have a catlet rather than a doglet but I use Healthy Pets http://www.healthy-pets.co.uk/

I used M&S to begin with as we took on an older cat whom a lot of insurers wouldn't open a new policy for, then their cover took a dive..and the price a hike and I moved to Healthy Pets on recommendation of others. I had both our cats insured with them for about £23 a month on their gold cover (cover for one cat started when he was about 16 and the other who was about 2). Sadly our older boy (Guinness) had to be PTS last year but I made several claims on his insurance (he was diagnosed with feline CRF a year before he passed) and they were always really quick to pay with no hassle. Whenever I have had to call them their customer service has been really good as well.

I still have our other kitty (who is now 5) insured with them, costs me just under £7 a month. Personally I would never be without pet insurance as vets can be soooo expensive.

I wasn't sure what to expect with Healthy Pets to begin with (as I'd never heard of them before the recommendation) but really cannot fault them.

cyberbob

Yje best cover I have found has been M&S for my Cats and my Hound. It's not the cheapest but has the bhest cover for my situation.

AlfieBlue

Many thanks everyone for your helpful advice. Much appreciated. xx

thriftytracey

Just had my annual renewal from Animal Friends for our two cats aged 6 years and although I had lifetime condition cover I was shocked to see it was only £2,000 and excess has gone up by 50% to £75. Reading this forum I see Petplan is recommended. Went on to their website and got a quote for "Covered for Life - Budget" which was reasonable and read the terms and conditions document. There were so many exclusions and conditions.

1. cats had to be vaccinated for Feline Leukaemia and Enteritis (don't know what Enteritis is but our vacc certificate states Feline Panleuropenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus). We don't vaccinate against Leukaemia as I believe it is rare and vaccination is expensive.

2. Does not cover the cost of putting your pet to sleep as a result of illness after 8th birthday.

3. Cat must have an annual dental examination to qualify for dental claims - is this covered in the annual "checkup" the cats have when they have their Vaccs?

I called and spoke to man I could hardly understand who kept calling me "Maam" and after three attempts at clarification he said that after 8 years of age you only pay the excess and not a % of vet fees as I have seen on other policy quotes. I hope this is correct!

Thanks in advance on any comments on the above.