Pet Insurance Renewal

dexterlivi

Just had my renewal for pet insurance with Healthy Pets.

Previously paid 37 quid pcm for 2 dogs and 2 cats.

One dog is 8 years old, the second is almost 5.One cat is 7 years old and the second went missing almost 7 months ago but kept insurance going.

Renewal came through at almost 62 quid a month which was equal to £741 per year. By the way this cover does not provide lifetime treatment.

Anyway, took time to search on line and found similar level of cover as before but with lifetime cover included.New cost albeit does not include one cat is 22 quid per lunar month, would have been 26 with second cat.Overall though I have saved just over 400 quid per year.New company are Pet-insurance.co.uk, I think part of the E & L group. By the way I am not a saleman for the company and make no money recommending them.

Not sure about quality of cover or service but on paper like for like against old premium.

Yet again proves that you need to take a few minutes to look elsewhere.Too many people happily just renew.

Fire_Fox

Please DO NOT go with E&L before reading around the boards and the net in general. This is the worst insurer by a country mile, they don't pay out, and don't think E&L are lifetime either. The reason most people renew instead of shopping around is that any thing you have seen the vet for will be excluded from the new policy, it's not like car or home insurance at all. The best lifetime insurers are AXA and Petplan, AXA tending to be cheaper (just £7.50 per month for my three year old cat).

dexterlivi

Thanks for comments. I have booked with Pet Insurance.co.uk. I have got 14 days to change my mind so I will look at policy docs with fine tooth comb when they arrive.

That said just looked at AXA and got a reasonable quote, however they have also excluded any previously treated condition/illness.

Fire_Fox

All new pet insurers will exclude previous conditions, that's why you can't shop around you need to start with a reputable insurer and stick with them. It's not so much the policy that is the problem, E&L simply don't pay out when you make a claim.

thebuff1

Don't quote me on this but we stuck with Pet Plan as they were the only company that would continue to cover existing conditions and the first year when we had a puppy it ended up costing over £3000 for a couple of cruisick ligament repairs and we had no hassles in claiming.
That said, I'm sure as the dog ages, the cost will increase but what can you do, we have only ever experienced good service from Pet Plan. Hope this helps.

snowman2_2

I can't officially (legally) comment on different insurance companies other than Pet Plan but put it this way - under no circumstances will we accept a direct claim paid to us from E&L. Even if the bill comes to £4000 we expect payment in full at the time and you can claim back from E&L. Average time for payment is approx 6 months. We have had Pet Plan accept a claim in under 6 hours

Bromley86

Don't quote me on this but we stuck with Pet Plan as they were the only company that would continue to cover existing conditions

Depending how it is read, this may be incorrect. (And sorry for quoting you ).

As you were with PetPlan, in your case they were the only company that would cover the preexisting condition on renewal because you were insured with them when that condition was diagnosed.

However, had you been with any other insurer that did not have a 12m claims limit (i.e. any of the good ones and most of the bad ones), that would also have been the case.

hethmar

Clearly it would be madness for any insurer to take on a policy for an animal with an ongoing existing condition - it just wouldnt happen.

hethmar

dexter, E and L has the very worse reputation of any pet insurer. Just have a google for them and you will find cart loads of complaints. My friend hasnt received payment after a year for a claim. Dont do it!

chris_n_tj

hethmar wrote: »

dexter, E and L has the very worse reputation of any pet insurer. Just have a google for them and you will find cart loads of complaints. My friend hasnt received payment after a year for a claim. Dont do it!

All OP has to do is search these boards for the horror stories about E&L, and there are plenty to go at. Just remember you have been warned.

lowis

i am going to echo everyone else, and hopefully you will switch your insurance to AXA, who are great. E&L are to be avoided at all costs - terrible company, they will just cause you to stress out at a time when you least need it! do not go there!