Pet insurance for an old stray dog

katrobin

Hello,

We have recently adopted an old crossed whippet dog that we found in the motorway. We would like to insure him and we were wondering if anyone knows of an insurance company that would be likely to accept an old chap!

Any help would be very much welcome!

Many thanks, Katrobin

WhiteDog

I do have an insurance with PetPlan, I am quite happy with them, didn't make any problems with my claims, apparently they insure older dogs (mine was young, so can't tell for 100%). But everything depends on the individual dog and his/her health, breed (life expectancy of each breed) etc. If I were you I would contact every insurer and ask for a quote (and check what they cover), they seem to differ a lot.

Btw, that's so great you adopted him! Such a lucky chap! Whippets are gorgeous.

WhiteDog

Ah, and they weren't too investigative with my dog's previous conditions. She was also found stray at approx. 10 months of age and after a car accident. I just told them what she had broken and what surgery she had, at first they wanted vet reports but when I said it was abroad so they can get a report in a foreign language, they gave up and just took what I told them.

emmell

Would it be worth contacting someone like the Dogs Trust as they rehome older dogs so must be able to give advice to owners.
ML.

hethmar

How old do you think he is? Have you checked that he hasnt been reported lost, just in case?

Meanwhile, most insurers will take your word on a rescue dog Probably AXA - the life long premium policy - is about your best bet. Try for a quote.

I hope you have a long and happy life together x

devildog

I would really shop around. I had my dog covered with Pet Plan from a puppy and initially it was costing approx £8 per month (reasonable in my opinion) never had a claim but each year the premium rose and two years ago it was approx £45 per month(she was 9 then!) I then switched to one of the supermarkets who actually covered me for more than pet plan and only charged me £9 per month, alas it wasn't to last and last year their premium rose quite sharply(again with no claims) so I took the decision not to have her covered any longer. I based this decision on the fact that I would be able to cover any vets bills, she is quite healthy and if she were to get something like cancer she is not the sort of dog that would trot off happily to some veterinary hospital for appropriate treatment.
I think if I was to do it again I would simply squirrel some money a way each month for any possible vet costs.
One final thought-some house/contents insurance policies will add vet cover onto the policy for a small premium(less than a tenner I believe) This may not cover the full range that a stand alone dog insurance policy would but it would certainly cover a lot.

oscardog

My dog has been with Petplan for years (he is now 14) and is still around £30 per month.

They may want to know the age so when you take the dog to the Vet for jabs etc ask him or her to estimate the age so you can tell the insurer.

devildog

Oscardog. How come your premium so cheap compared to mine the other year? Is your dog a heinz 57?

Mine a GSD and has never had any health issues, attacked the postman or the such like.
I know that there are quite a few breeds that are 'high risk' and have limitations on their cover but GSD wasn't one of them

oscardog

devildog wrote: »

Oscardog. How come your premium so cheap compared to mine the other year? Is your dog a heinz 57?

Mine a GSD and has never had any health issues, attacked the postman or the such like.
I know that there are quite a few breeds that are 'high risk' and have limitations on their cover but GSD wasn't one of them

He is a "mixed bag" !!

I also have a cheeky excess of £100 plus 20%.

To be honest the insurance is for 3rd party reasons not for his health any more - if he gets ill it may just be a one way trip

Plus where I work it is a legal requirement to have insurance with a dog in the workplace.