Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

pboae

Nomad25 wrote: »

Does this apply to existing policies? Or just new ones. I though they had to notify in writing of changes once a policy had been issued.

The changes come in when you renew, so the new policy document will inform you of the changes then. I've listed all the major T&C changes here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=621179

I am soooo angry about this, this is not the policy I signed up for, but as far as I can see I have no option but to just put up with it, if I want to retain insurance cover. How can this be right?

Miroslav

Hi owtfornowt

Thanks for the detailed post - that's cleared alot up for me.

None of my cats have (or have had) any health problems so far in life, so hopefully not any soon!

As my cats are all 13, I may just as well pay the higher premiums with no/little excess - it's just I have 5 to insure!

I shall take a look at petplan and see what I come up with - I may have to cut down on 1 shopping trip per week, but the cats come first!

Thanks again for the help, it is much appreciated.

foreign_correspondent

halifax works out good value for my dog, at just a fiver a month for up to £1000 worth of treatment per year, but there is a £50 excess.
I have put aside the £50, so it is in the bank at all times, so it is there if I need it, I would rather do that than pay out more to the insurance company!
Dont know how it compares for cats?

Bagpuss741

I've just done a dummy quote to see roughly how much my renewal will be and it came in at £296.28:eek: :eek: I hope this is not her real renewal price I only paid £143 last time. Guess I will have to wait until april. I can't change as my dog has a pre-existing condition.

eira

Have been with Pet plan for years-but not happy with them now-endless arguments re delay in claims (one of over 3 months).No answer to queries-won't use them again. Have our moggie insured with M and S who do a no excess option and life cover. If you do a trawl of these forums and Which , I believe M and S come out the best. Once upon a time I would have recommended Petplan but not anymore.

eira

Just checked through forums and there are quite a few complaints re M and S insurance that I wasn't aware of. Down to changes in policy conditions

sundancer101

Miroslav wrote: »

Hi owtfornowt

As my cats are all 13, I may just as well pay the higher premiums with no/little excess - it's just I have 5 to insure!

.

I'm afraid you will have very little chance of getting any insurance on cats that old. Most insurers will not take on new business once the animal is 8 years old, some go to 10 but not heard of any at 13 - and if they did the premiums are likely to be prohibitive. You are probably far better off putting money aside in a savings account, particularly as they are house cats and therefore do not run the usual risks of out door cats (getting run over, picking up diseases from other animals).

ednotdave

I've just insured our new pup with Halifax. I wanted continuous cover and got several quotes of £200-£300 :eek: Halifax quoted £96-odd for their "extra" cover and the only slight draw-back, as far as I can see, is that the £50 excess is payable each year the condition is claimed for. That said, it seems much better value than most - please let me know what you think:

Benefit table

Cover: Halifax Pet Insurance eXtra

Vets Fees: £6,000 per year

Excess: £50 per condition per year

Alternative/Complementary treatment:

Behavioural Problems: £200

Cremation/burial costs: £100

Third Party Liability (dogs only): £1m

Death of your Pet: £1,000

Advertising and Reward: £1,000

Theft and/or Straying: £1,000

Accidental Damage: £500

Kennel/Cattery Fees: £1,000

Holiday Cancellation: £2,000

Pay Vet Direct:

Cover Abroad*: 12 Months

Helplines:

Find-a-Vet:

Bereavement Counselling:

Pet Legal:

Pet Minders:

* Subject to full compliance with the PETS Travel Scheme.

System

I have just come off the phone to arrange pet insurance with M&S. I already have a premiere policy with them for my 2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which costs me £13.58 a month. Ive just been told that my pup (another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) is going to cost me £21.84 for the same cover which will include the 5% discount on insuring a second pet with them:eek: . My other option was to downgrade their plan to a standard plan but even that would cost more than i am paying for my oldest Cav.

I think that next year i am going to have to put MrJudi on the market.:rotfl:

ednotdave

Judi wrote: »

I have just come off the phone to arrange pet insurance with M&S. I already have a premiere policy with them for my 2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which costs me £13.58 a month. Ive just been told that my pup (another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) is going to cost me £21.84 for the same cover which will include the 5% discount on insuring a second pet with them:eek: . My other option was to downgrade their plan to a standard plan but even that would cost more than i am paying for my oldest Cav.

I think that next year i am going to have to put MrJudi on the market.:rotfl:

Judi - what does the M&S policy offer that the Halifax doesn't?
ed