Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

nona85

pboae wrote: »

I've asked on the suggestions board on this site if Martin could look into Pet Insurance again as the current article is out of date, and the behaviour of M&S is really bothering me. :-\

nona85, are you aware that if you change insurer any further respiratory problems will be excluded with the new insurer? Even with the recent hikes M&S are still competitive for many people, though for me I would be better off with PetPlan, but I can't change now due to past claims.

I'm already expecting M&S to drop my 'no excess' option, but I'm worried I will get another big price hike for this year too. :-(

I am very worried about changing, my eldest dog has never really got shot of the respiratory thing and I'm worried it'd develop into something else later in life

They really know how to trap you don't they?!

To be honest, I would put up with M&S if I knew they wouldn't hike up my premium again next year, but I don't know what they'll pull out of the hat next. It seems some people have had far worse of an increase than me and it scares me a little.

I had a look about and Healthy Pets looks quite good....they quoted me just over 13 pounds a month for both of my dogs. There's an excess, but everything else seemed good for the money. They're underwritten by AXA though...

I'm really lost as to what to do! I'd like to change and feel more secure elsewhere, but there are the risks. Are there really no insurance companies that would be a bit more compassionate re. previous illnesses?

nona85

MSE_Martin

Im taking a quick look at the article at the moment - more a quick catch-up that rewrite but you're right to pick out the problems!

martin

pboae

Thank you Martin


Nona85 only you can judge the risk. There is no guarantee that other insurers won't hike their prices too in the future, and whatever other faults M&S have, at least you can be fairly confident that they will pay out when you need them.

Maybe a good start would be to contact healthy pets and ask for written confirmation of the exactly what they will exclude. Work out what her respiratory illness has cost so far (your vet should be able to tell you, if you don't have receipts). That will give you an idea of how much you need to save by changing compared with what the exclusion could cost you.

Phirefly

I've looked at the smallprint on a few policies and its really unclear whether the policy covers fees for having a dog speyed. Does anyone know if they grenerally do or don't?

Many thanks

JennyW_2

speying and castration are not covered :cool:

Phirefly

Excellent, thanks for your speedy and concise reply. I'm new to this pet insurance lark, we just used to wing it but with vest fees so astronomical these days, its got to be a consideration.

jonchill

I'm currently looking at pet insurance and found http://www.animalfriends.org.uk/ they are a charity so any profit goes to other charities and they do lifetime insurance, there's no quote system everyone pays the same wherever they live and i've had a look through the policy details and can't find anything wrong with it.

Anyone else got a policy with these guys?

Thanks

Jon

JennyW_2

yes always good to have insurance. I've always had insurance and never had a problem claiming. whenever I've checked for best insurance over the internet, the main things that spring up are that injections and speying/castration are not covered.

I will definitely get insurance though. For the sake of £12/15/20 per month (whatever cover you have), it's certainly peace of mind. I'm currently claiming for medication/tablets for my dog's arthritis, probably cost around £800 so far; i've only paid £60 excess so definitely worth it!

pollyanna24

Look into rescue centres though, they might do spaying slightly cheaper than your vet would as the way they see it is if you spay your pet, you are helping not bring more unwanted animals into the world.

We got our staff done for free down in London because there are so many of them floating about that they are doing all they can to stop them multiplying!

pboae

Animal Friends are underwritten by E&L. Type 'review E&L' or something similar into Google and see if you still want to use them. :-)