Pet Insurance guide discussion area

Bromley86

This is just reiterating what's been said by others, but to me it's the most important thing about pet insurance. Copied from another thread:

The pet insurance market is defined by (a) no cover of pre-existing conditions and (b) no requirement for an insurer to remain in the insurance market. Sure, if your insurers are still offering insurance they have to offer a renewal to you as well, but as you've seen they can withdraw from the pet insurance market, potentially leaving you with an uncoverable pre-existing condition.

So you need to pick someone who is not going to withdraw; basically someone who underwrites their own. Petplan is likely the best choice, but pricey. AXA should be a safe bet, as should NFU. There may be others, but do bear in mind that both Halifax and HSBC withdrew from the pet insurance market recently, so a big name is effectively worthless as an indicator of stability.

This is even more important than cover levels, as having £10k of annually renewing lifetime cover isn't worth anything if the company withdraws from the market 5 years into your insurance.

wolves44

as an1 hd of ea1 pet insueance

zeuszara

Hi evry1
Could any1 please advise as to the practice of raising pet insurance premiums?
I have just had my renewal with Animal Friends Insurance (for our dog) and because of last years claims they have increased the monthly premiums by 50%, this was never explained or even refered to when I chose AFI and now as we have claimed we are in effect being held to ransom as AFI know that we can not get cover for our dog for existing conditions. Having just lost my job this is an additional expense that is most unwelcome, and what happens next year if they increase it by another 50% or more?

lcparkinson

I've just done a comparison for my brand new German Wirehaired Pointer pup for lifetime cover.

I'm going to go with John Lewis. It is the cheapest with decent cover (I opted for £7k), and I trust the company. Petplan was £11/month more expensive for the same thing. Tesco much cheaper, but I think JL will provide better service.

I think I will ring JL and ask them to quote me for an increased excess as well as I'm willing to pay more like £200 rather than the online option of max £50, which may bring down even further the current price of just under £23/month.

They also charge the same price whether you pay up front or in installments.

Jonny_doe

Hello , I've got a 4 year old British Bulldog , and I'm currently insured with Petplan , but over the last 3 year the insurance has gone up from £44 a month , to now £62 a month , this is for life cover ..
Does anyone know of any other good, 4 Life cover pet insurers ??

Hillbilly1

What level of cover is that for? I know people with puppy bulldogs in London paying £85 per month each for life cover!

Not sure if you'll get less and please think about what your dog has been seen for even if not claimed - it will be classed as pre-existing.

Jonny_doe

he was a rescue dog (from a dogs home , been Castrated ), i had him from 11 mouths old , he's 4 now , and I've never claimed a penny , just a little annoyed how the cover keeps going up ...

hampshirebabe

How is a normal pet owner supposed to know what to get, or who to get it from? I followed all the advice I thought I needed and came up with Animal friends, but now they dont sound too good.
Anyone know a vet I can borrow for some advice?
What do I need to look out for, both in amounts they pay out and the small print? What companies are likely good bets, how about the supermarkets? Several people I know recommended Tesco, are they able to pull out at any time?
Ps, I'm looking to insure 2 kittens, 3 months and 9 months old.

gettingready

My friend just reaslised that she got caught with Animal Friends - she thought her 30k policy was to be used at any time, did not realise the limit was 4k per condition per yeat. Dog is at the vets now having Xrays (350) and likely to need hip replaement (5500) and she will have to pay the difference...

dacouch

Jonny_doe wrote: »

Hello , I've got a 4 year old British Bulldog , and I'm currently insured with Petplan , but over the last 3 year the insurance has gone up from £44 a month , to now £62 a month , this is for life cover ..
Does anyone know of any other good, 4 Life cover pet insurers ??

British Bulldogs are expensive to Insure due to the hereditary and congenital health problems.

Pet Plan include cover for hereditary and congenital, whereas a lot of other Insurers do not. If you do look at other Insurers make sure they do not exclude these as the claims can be very expensive