Pets insurance

GhostHunter_3

Hi

Sorry I didnt know where else to post this question.

We (hubby and I) are about to embark of some kind of DMP (just made enquieries with CCCS) and we have 2 dogs (Lurcher & Greyhound) who dont get taken out much but are happy to run around and exercise in back garden. They dont eat special food just 'scraps' mixed with 'Value' complete dog bicuits and the occasional dog chew for a treat. They are in good health and happy.

My question / dilema is do they really need dog insurance? I am with a company who says they dont do discounts for 2 dogs so am paying for 2 policies costing a combined £30 a month! Their food and treats bill comes to an added £20 so in total I am spending £50 a month on 2 dogs!

I have never had dog insurance before these 2 (not seen the need) but am concerned it seems to be necessary these days with vet fees so high and vetinary practices not allowing to pay off bills in installments anymore.

We live too far away from a Blue Cross or other 'free benefit' animal hospital for me to justify making an injured or poorly pet injure a journey. My feelings in the past were if a pet was that ill or badly injured it needed a lot of treatment then it may be wiser to put it down?

All my past pets have started to suffer at the end so have had to be put to sleep anyway so had I have had insurance it would have been useless in my view.

The main reasons I chose dofg insurance for our 2 dogs now is because they are breeds prone to ligament injuries and the fact that the neighbours kids have a tendancy to keep jumping over our back fence to get their ball back :mad: despite several words with them and their parents and warnings about our dogs defending their property (were scared if a kid tries to climb the fence and one or both of our dogs is out we dont know what it might do despite the dogs usual placid nature in such a circumstance it may see it as a threat to its territory ).


Infact it has become such an issue in the summer and other holidays we have had to fit a CCTV camera facing the back garden so we can not only watch the dogs when we cant be out there with them or stand and wait at the back door and so we can record any incidences with the kids footballs. They often come over so hard they land on the conservatery roof. Its come to a point where I chuck the football back over a few days later - deflated by the rough and tumble tackling of the dogs playing with it!


If I were to cancel the insurance I could save £30 a month which I would be able to put towards my DMP. I am in quite a confusion over what to do so thought I would ask advise and see what the general average opinion is.


One last thing - Please dont tell us to get rid of our pets as we cant afford to keep them being 'cos we are in debt its not helpful but hurtful (they are our 'children')

Many thanks

Nomad25

Don't think any of us fellow pet nuts would advise you to 'get rid', here's the cost cutting pet insurance thread link:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=108056&page=78

It's quite lengthy, so I'd make yourself a cuppa, sit down and read it! HTH.

GhostHunter_3

Thanks Nomad, I will. The last bit was just a warning that we are sensitive to what we read especialy when we are feeling vulnerable about being in debt. I think most people wouldnt dream of saying such a thing but there can be some who might comment flippantly,

Thanks

~Beanie~

GhostHunter wrote: »

My feelings in the past were if a pet was that ill or badly injured it needed a lot of treatment then it may be wiser to put it down?

Keep both the dogs and the insurance!

Animals don't need to be badly injured or seriously ill to run up medical bills. We had a dog once that had excema and required tablets monthly which cost a fair bit. Also animals can get diseases such as arthritis and diabetes (amongst other things) which require regular medication to control the symptoms but you wouldn't put them down for something like that!

GhostHunter_3

Hi Beanie no thats true hadnt thought of that one. Which reminds me why I chose the insurance company I did, their policy covers for life from time of diagnosis not just for a limited period but life meaning life as they say and apparantly they are the only pet insurance company who do this . So its a choice of for life or a discount for 2 pets elsewhere but only a limited amount of 'payout should I need to claim the insurance

SuzySu

If you keep dogs then I think insurance is a good thing. Have you shopped around to get the best deal? If one of them needed treatment that could save its life, you would want to be able to say "go ahead" without worrying about the cost. Chances are you would say "go ahead" even if you could not afford it, but you are paying for peace of mind.

louietudor

SuzySu wrote: »

If you keep dogs then I think insurance is a good thing. Have you shopped around to get the best deal? If one of them needed treatment that could save its life, you would want to be able to say "go ahead" without worrying about the cost. Chances are you would say "go ahead" even if you could not afford it, but you are paying for peace of mind.

i have 3 dogs and on a dmp with cccs - my pet insurance cost £45 per month was was allowed no problem

GhostHunter_3

Hi

Yes the CCCS didnt disagree with it when I explained I had 2 dogs but they did suggest I try and lower it to £21 still. I just having a moment where I think its better off spent elsewhere.

Thanks

Mudbath

Hiya
I'd keep the dogs and the insurance if I was you. Out of our last four cats we've had to claim for all of them for diseases rather than accidents (cancer for two, a brain haemorrage and diabetes). Our dog has also had major stomach problems and we've claimed numerous times for her. Mmmm...with our track record I don't think animals will want to come and live with us soon!!! I hope you work things out xx

GhostHunter_3

Thanks Mudbath

I think I will keep the dogs, the the husband and the insurance :rolleyes: :rotfl:

The insurance is due for renewal in a couple of months so I will look around and be ready to switch as was considering it anyway after the tit for tat customer services last year!

Thanks

gibboelli

i've never had pet insurance for all my menagerie but I do think it's a good idea with your dogs, especially as the breed is prone to a certain illness.
As for the neighbours kids, why cant they just knock on the door to ask for the ball back?? Honestly, and people wonder why dogs go for them sometimes