Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

scrabblers

Hi
I'm looking for new insurance for my cats after the Halifax debacle. One of the 'small print' things for which I wanted to watch out was the requirement to pay a contribution of vets' fees once they are a certain age ... I've not been able to find ANY insurer who doesn't now require this.
Any ideas much appreciated?
Thanks

phebe3

further to my last post re m&s insurance..have been looking at renewing (and why does no insurance company include the cost of replacing vacuum cleaners cos you have to hoover up SO MUCH dog hair yours doesn't last as long as other peoples?!) ...and have been comparing prices and benefits and marks and spencer still come out best for us, better than Churchill. However, am going for standard cover this time, but still a very good deal. Our dog is around 5 1/2, he was free to us (!) and is a lab/greyhound mix, chipped and ofcourse kept up to date with innoculations etc. Also fed on very good organic pet food (would like a discount for feeding on expensive good quality food but no one offers that!) Have had to claim on insurance over past year once, and M&S very quick to pay up. Also acces to help lines, discount on worming etc. Worth a look perhaps. (and no, I don't, and no one I know, works for M&S!)

hampshirebabe

Hi, what sort of cover would you get for a 6 month old kitten? Theres so many options I'm a bit lost, I understand what each thing means, I'm just not sure which to go for. I dont mind paying a slightly higher excess, but how much cover is it worth getting? Could I get a basic insurance now while he's little and then hope nothing goes wrong and up it when he gets to say 3 or 4, or even older?
Do you get pet health plans too, or is that a whole other thread?

Edited to add, I've got a couple of quotes, how does this sound? £6.35 a month lifetime cover from Animal friends. £99 excess, £2,000 per condition per year, £20,000 on-going condition limit, no annual policy limit, £750 each for boarding fee's, death by accident or illness and lost or stolen.
Anything else I should look for, or anything I dont need?

TheRumTumTugger

I originally posted this elsewhere, then found this Pet care section, so I'll copy it here:

I'm looking for a new insurer for my two black and white moggies aged 2 and 5. Started with PDSA who were a pain in the proverbial when one of the two original cats went missing and they took ages to pay out for the Animal Search fees. Changed to Internet Pets who were great and paid up promptly when our new cat,George, was the victim of an RTA. Unfortunately their underwriter dropped out so I had to change again. I went to Green Insurance Co but am not impressed by their competence so looking for a new provider. It's not proving to be easy. I was considering E&L and Animal Friends but both appear to be reluctant to pay out. The actual cost per month is not as important as their willingness to cough up if something goes wrong. I want full life cover for the boys so expect to pay for it but if the insurer won't pay out it's a total waste. I'd like to hear your views and recommendations, please.

Bromley86

@RTT.

Unfortunately their underwriter dropped out so I had to change again.

This is the important thing. The pet insurance market is defined by (a) no cover of pre-existing conditions and (b) no requirement for an insurer to remain in the insurance market. Sure, if your insurers are still offering insurance they have to offer a renewal to you as well, but as you've seen they can withdraw from the pet insurance market, potentially leaving you with an uncoverable pre-existing condition.

So you need to pick someone who is not going to withdraw; basically someone who underwrites their own. Petplan is likely the best choice, but pricey. AXA should be a safe bet, as should NFU. There may be others, but do bear in mind that both Halifax and HSBC withdrew from the pet insurance market recently, so a big name is effectively worthless as an indicator of stability.

Bromley86

@Scrabblers. I wouldn't fixate on that (finding an insurer that doesn't require you to pay X% of vets fees after you animal is Y years old). All insurers can (and will) change their terms over the life of your pet, so just because they don't charge it now doesn't mean they won't charge it next year. Far better to pick an insurer that will still be offering insurance in 5 years time.

janec

hi thanks all for the advice.i've just had my quote in for my 2 year border terrier from nfu.it has gone up from £24.26 to £31.05.yipes! so i looked around and have gone for axa after seeing your recomendations .their quote is £17.55 .bit of a difference and for what i can see ,much the same cover.the only one similar with a good price was pdsa.hth

kimbyanne

What is the overall opinion of Animal Friends pet Insurance?

I am currently with Petplan for my two cats but it is costing me nearly£25 a month. I am also looking at getting two kittens so have decided to try and look for a cheaper provided / one offering multicat insurance.

cathodetube

Kimbyanne,
You should look back on the thread to see what the opinion is of Animal Friends. Have you done that? Pet insurance seems to change on a daily basis. I have said before on here, many times, I wouldn't insure any future cats I get. I don't think it is worth it. If you keep your cats in at night and neuter them they will be a lot healthier unless you are really unlucky.

steveproxy

According to me Marks and Spencer's but we have to pay the vet first & then re-claim it . You can check weather your vet will accept payment direct from the insurer as ours doesn't.