Pet Insurance

con1888

I know it's been done loads but just looking for some help and reviews.

When I say reviews I don't mean who is the cheapest I mean who seems to be good at paying out ?

I am wanting the highest possible cover ( ie one that renews every year for every condition).

Kennel Club want £45 a month and I find that a bit steep. Breeders advised me not to go wit E&L as they were with them before and found them terrible and also have been advised not to go for animal friends...

So who TO go with ?

Puppy is a 9 week old GSD, male, microchipped. (currentley has 4 weeks free ins so no GREAT hurry but want it sorted within 3 weeks so we have it sorted)

gettingready

Zara is with Argos Platinum, 7k cover per year, renevable every year (for life not per condition).

Never had issues with payments, Zara;s this year nearly 6k, George last year nearly 5k. Vet takes direct claims too.

BUT - if I was you, would stay with PP.

con1888

Used go compare there and my cheapest quote is £60.84 with animal friends. That's quite steep, thought there would be others there.

Not sure whats normal though as Kia was down as a GSD cross and that's cheaper.

krlyr

I'm with Axa, have recently had to make a couple of claims - first one was quite slow, them claiming not to have received paperwork that my vet says they automatically send (knowing the insurers will want it) but the second claim went through smoothly. Paid out in full, no dispute (and I was a little unsure if they would dispute it as it was initially claimed as separation anxiety but then she was diagnosed hypothyroid so claiming for thyroid medication!)

I found premiums didn't jack up too much last year after no claims - it went up about a fiver per dog, but I couldn't even get a brand new policy any cheaper so it was purely really their change of age or an overal increase rather than money-grabbing. I expect I'll have a steeper rise next year with the claims having been paid out but technically this year is now "free" as they've paid out as much as I will pay in so can't really complain!
Also my vet is happy to claim direct with Axa which helps.

Petplan are considered the creme de la creme of pet insurers but obviously cost a little more. They apparently don't raise premiums too much though, so although they may be the more expensive one in the first couple of years, it probably would even out if you stayed with one of the cheaper insurers, by the time they've increased their premiums. Sainsburys and Direct Line increased their premiums quite a lot so I switched my two in the first couple of years but think I will stick with Axa now.
Another thing to bear in mind with Petplan is that they won't offer lifetime policies to GSDs 5 years or over - a way off yet, but something to consider for the future, you'd have to get him insured with them at 4 or earlier and continue the policy to benefit from lifetime cover.

Might be worth speaking to your vet to see if there are any particular insurers they deal with and any they won't have anything to do with.

con1888

He gets his second jab a week tomorrow so will speak to vet then and see who they say is best, they do deal with some direct but not sure who. I've never needed to use insurance before.

gettingready

con1888 wrote: »

Used go compare there and my cheapest quote is £60.84 with animal friends. That's quite steep, thought there would be others there.

Not sure whats normal though as Kia was down as a GSD cross and that's cheaper.

You kidding?

£60.48 per month?

I am paying £48 per month for Zara now....but we started at some £17.00 or so per year

con1888

gettingready wrote: »

You kidding?

£60.48 per month?

I am paying £48 per month for Zara now....but we started at some £17.00 or so per year

Nope, that was animal friends. It's not bringing up any the supermarket ones or anything for me though, going to try again tomorrow cos also having problems with Argos, its telling me to pick breed from drop down but the box isn't there to pick. Maybe they are having errors cos surely there is one on go compare that is cheaper than 60 odds a month.

gettingready

Con - is the 60.48 quote from Animal Friends per month?
Or is it per year?

Have a good look as they are very cheap and I think this may be per year.

Saying that, not recommended, however cheap they may be.

krlyr

I don't think the comparison sites are the best place to find a good deal with pet insurance, from my experience. It's time consuming but getting quotes direct is the best way forward IMO.

marmitepotato

My puppy is with VetsMediCover. £28 a month lifetime policy for 10k cover a year. I have made one cliam and it was delt with very quickly.

I would stay well away from Animal Friends, google reviews for them.

Bromley86

It's time consuming but getting quotes direct is the best way forward IMO.

This. I've never had any joy with comparison sites for pet insurance. The fact that the KC quote is significantly lower than the lowest comparison site one supports that.

Just ran a test quote with Axa and it came to £27/month, so it's worth your while trying a few. If you only try two (try more!), how about Axa & John Lewis?