Getting insurance for a rescue dog.

hardpressed

Looking for insurance for a rescue dog, a couple of problems, I don't know his exact age, the rescue said about he's about a year old, all the insurance companies ask for a date of birth. Also I don't know his past medical history, so how to I get round that one? Anyone been in the same position? Do I just guess his date of birth and say no previous illnesses? What did you do. I'm thinking of going with AXA have seen good reports on here.

Kimberley

hardpressed wrote: »

Looking for insurance for a rescue dog, a couple of problems, I don't know his exact age, the rescue said about he's about a year old, all the insurance companies ask for a date of birth. Also I don't know his past medical history, so how to I get round that one? Anyone been in the same position? Do I just guess his date of birth and say no previous illnesses? What did you do. I'm thinking of going with AXA have seen good reports on here.

I would go with Axa but thats your choice. Just give them the age of 1 year if that is what the rescue has said, you don't really need to give an exact birthday.

As for any previous illnesses you need to phone them up and tell them it's a rescue dog, i'm not sure how they get around that, maybe ask the rescue where you got the dog from if they know about his/her history.

sumonerf

Hi, where did you get the rescue dog from? When I adopted our cat, the SPCA had a deal with an insurance co. (think it was AXA - sorry -it was Alliaz Direct). So, there was a discount in price. Plus, if the animal's microchipped, then you should also qualify for a discount.

Check with the rescue centre (I think a lot carry out the microchipping), or else see about having it done. It's worth it! (plus the peace of mind it gives!)

foreign_correspondent

I was in a similar situation so I rang them and I asked about this; I told the insurers that the rescue had said Badger was 6 or 7, whilst the vet said 3 0r 4 - they said they always go with the vets opinion, so decided to put 4, and invented a rough birthdate.

I believe it is any known medical problems - as you do not know that is the est information you can give

sumonerf

I agree - ask the vet. Allianz (PetPlan) insure from 8 weeks - 8 years.

bulchy

We've managed to get all our rescued pets insured no problems. The oldest dog was about 2 years old when we got him. We use M&S, got insurance sorted out over the phone, told them as much as I could but obviously no history on previous illness were known, its always been fine, one of the people I spoke to even helped me work out a date of birth so we could celebrate the dogs birthday :rotfl:
Sue

lowis

i just insured a 14yo rescue cat with Axa - they had no issue with there be no medical records - but they informed me that anything that showed up in the first 14 days of insurance (to include 'clinical conditions') would not be included in the future.

very straightforward and easy to deal with.

Barneysmom

When I got my second rescue dog I didn't know her exact birthday, so I gave her the same date as my first dog. That way they get their birthdays together, May 19th, and it's a treat day for them.
You could give your dog the same birthday as yourself and cook a nice piece of meat or chicken for a treat for both of you.
Good luck xxx

simontheiceman

If all else fails and you seem stuck - you could always ask to see if the vet will do an "insurance check" - we do these for free and then sign clients on to PetPlan as part of the "deal". Yes it limits your choice but at least you have a start on the insurance ladder.

dora37

Our rescue dog is insured with RSPCA insurance - when I rang to query how we would know medical history, I was told they can only go on what we know at the time.

HTH

moomin5

when i rehomed my greyhounds they had free petplan insurance for 6 weeks then i just got pet insurance of my choice. They had a health check with the rehoming centre so any health problems would of probably come to light then. As i wasn't informed or aware of any issues i didn't declare any.