Pet Insurance Recommendations

clearchalk

Insurance is due this week and have done all the comparison websites. Renewal is £650 from argos (up £200), but have found quite a few that are under of just about 50% of this with comparable cover.

After feedback on experiences with Animal Friends, Direct Line and Vetsmedicover.

Read the reviews on the web and each one seems to have good and bad points.

*Scarlett

Mine is with Argos also - I took this as a first time pet insurance purchaser for our puppy as it seemed to offer the best cover and price.

And in fact we did have to make a claim when daft pup sliced his paw open which involved anaesthetic, stitches, 2 rounds of anibiotics, and visits to the vet to change the dressing about twice a week for about 6 weeks.

The claim was handled without any query or hassle but I can see why you would want to find a better price.

Have a look at this site to get comparisons of the cover and independent star rating for the policy.

http://www.defaqto.com/insurance/pet-insurance

You can compare all the features of each policy.

It doesn't give you info on claims handling but at least you will be able be find the best cover for your budget and I would bear in mind that internet reviews normally only highlight the worst in a company - few people who have had good service generally go to the bother to post online.

teachergirl

O.K. really sorry but I don't have time to go into all the reasons but do not touch animal friends with a barge pole. I have two policies with them and two dogs who need daily medication for the rest of their lives. They used to be fabulous but now getting the money can be like getting blood out of a stone. Amazingly enough, only since I have complained to the financial ombudsman have they started paying promptly. I also have another claim in with the ombudsman which I don't want to give too much detail because they could then identify me however I fully expect to be found in the right with regards to this matter as well. If it was not for the fact that my dogs now have pre existing conditions and are elderly I would move like a shot, however it would now be impossible to get cover elsewhere but sometimes I still wonder if all the hazzle is worth it. Hope this helps.

elsien

I don't know the specifics of the policies, all I would say is make sure that you have for life cover, so that any ongoing illnesses aren't excluded after a year.
If you look at the pet forum there's a pet insurance thread as a sticky where you may be able to find a bit more information about the providers you are considering.