Pet Insurance for a Dog

Hardcore_2

Hi All,

Looking for some advice regarding Pet Insurance. I've had some good quotes from Argos, Pets At Home & John Lewis with regards to life long premium cover for a dog and wondered what peoples experiences were with these 3 companies. I know all about life time cover etc but haven't dealt with these companies directly for pet insurance so would be good to hear peoples thoughts and experiences.

Thanks for your help

huckster

Not commenting about these companies. My advice is to use the Insurance that you local vet offers. It may be more expensive, but having a vet do the paperwork for any claim, can save a lot of hassle. Also they work closely with the Insurers regarding any condition that your pet may suffer from.

BJV

I had a beautiful black lab for 16 years and never had pet insurance. But !!! my sister thank god had pet insurance through her vets and her 8 month old Newfoundland as just been diagnosed with a major back problem.

Thank fully the insurance is covering everything as it has already cost thousands. I agree with huckster I would go and talk to your vet one or two pounds a year more now is nothing in comparison to cover which will perform and pay out.

If I got another dog ( not planning too just yet ) I would 100% get some form of insurance and would not commit to anything until I spoke to my vet.

dacouch

Pet Plan are very good but in return are very expensive, they are normally recommended by most vets and most vets will bill them directly.

Avoid any policy underwritten by E&L or Entertainment and Leisure, you may need to check the summary of cover or policy wording as they are sometimes relabelled.

*Scarlett

I took out pet insurance through Argos approx 18 months ago. It was I think "Platinum Cover" or in any case the highest one that they offer.

Around 4 months into the policy I needed to make a claim for a badly cut paw which required stitches, antibiotics, painkillers, and several return visits to the vet for redressing etc.

Argos paid the claim with no issue, minus the excess of course which I think was £60.

When the renewal came through it had gone up in price from about £10 p/m to about £16.

When I spoke to them I was able to take out a new policy online for approx £10 p/m but it did exclude existing conditions (n/a as the paw is healed now) and anything that happens in the 1st 14 days.

Maybe have a look at

http://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/reviews-ns/pet-insurance/

and

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

Matt_Nixon

Having had a chocolate Labrador insured from a puppy until we had to have him pts last October, I wouldn’t touch the lifelong insurance, he was insured with Kennel Club insurance who got bought out by Pet Protect, anyway my dog had hip dysplasia and had to have both hips replaced.

Pet Protect subsequently increased the premiums to around £1500 / year + 40% of any future vet fees.

Insurance is fine, until you claim!