Cancel pet insurance?

tbourner

OK I'm looking into this again as it's due for renewal.

Main concerns are that the insurance we're looking at is either £2k or £4k cover, which as mentioned above doesn't allow for much anyway.

Also again we don't vaccinate our pets, so most of the insurances say things like "Dogs must be vaccinated/boosted in the last 12 months", does this just mean they won't cover if the dog gets parvo, but will cover him being run over (for example)? Or does it invalidate the whole thing?

Opinions on those points?

rising_from_the_ashes

tbourner wrote: »

One problem is we don't vaccinate, we haven't for about 2 years. We don't believe in it. So is the insurance just invalid for vaccinated conditions?

tbourner wrote: »

Also again we don't vaccinate our pets, so most of the insurances say things like "Dogs must be vaccinated/boosted in the last 12 months", does this just mean they won't cover if the dog gets parvo, but will cover him being run over (for example)? Or does it invalidate the whole thing?

Each individual insurer is different so you'd need to check the T&Cs - I have just switched my pets (2 cats & 1 dog) insurer ...... current (haven't cancelled it yet) - states that if an animal isn't vaccinated & needs treatment for something that is preventable then it won't be covered - fair enough.

Just got the policy docs through for new insurer & it states "you must ensure that your pet is vaccinated each year against ....."

Cats do get vaccinated each year - well every 15 months which my vets says is fine (they go out & I'm conscious that feline leukaemia is a real risk.... and in an emergency they might have to go to the cattery)

The dog - I really don't think they need done every 12 months on the dot - as don't the British Small Animal Veterinary Association http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicyStatements/CanineandFelineVaccinationProtocols/tabid/1325/Default.aspx .... so if they don't why should the insurers?

In a dilemma with the dog - do I have to give in and get her vaccinated each year when it's not necessary ...... or cancel the new insurance and go back to the much more expensive one?


Anyway, have you tried doing some quotes to see if you can get cheaper?

Fire_Fox

You need to speak with the insurers, not us because they will all have different policies or rules. Some other insurers are known to wriggle out of everything on a technicality like E&L or Animal Friends. Would you be willing to get annual blood tests to prove they don't need the vaccinations? Have you got quotes from AXA?

rising_from_the_ashes

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have you got quotes from AXA?

That's who I've just moved to - and are a "you must vaccinate every year" according to the T&Cs.

Going to ring them tomorrow and double check as I'm positive that they used to just exclude any illnesses.

Also must check current insurer as they have moved underwriters this year (so will change to the new t&cs at renewal) and if they say you've got to as well .... I guess it really doesn't matter and I'll have to have them done

Fire_Fox

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

That's who I've just moved to - and are a "you must vaccinate every year" according to the T&Cs.

Going to ring them tomorrow and double check as I'm positive that they used to just exclude any illnesses.

Also must check current insurer as they have moved underwriters this year (so will change to the new t&cs at renewal) and if they say you've got to as well .... I guess it really doesn't matter and I'll have to have them done

Do contact AXA, they were absolutely fine about Noah not being vaccinated, just said anything related to non-vaccination would not be covered they would not exclude everything. Obviously I took the full name of the person I spoke to and asked for a note to be added to the account!!

Lulu is vaccinated for the cattery so it's a non issue for me at present. I don't take holidays as such but have had unavoidable close family/ friend events to attend and she cannot be trusted home alone. :rotfl:

rising_from_the_ashes

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do contact AXA, they were absolutely fine about Noah not being vaccinated, just said anything related to non-vaccination would not be covered they would not exclude everything. Obviously I took the full name of the person I spoke to and asked for a note to be added to the account!!

Brilliant:) - that's what I was / am hoping will be the outcome.

Must get that sorted tomorrow as exclusion period is just up so I can cancel the old one as don't want to do this until I know the outcome (& currently paying for 2 policies)!

She will be having her booster when it's due (adult dog & only had primary vaccinations x 2 when I got her, so I would always get the 1st booster - as I'd do for a pup) but it's more in case she develops something & I then won't be able to change insurer*

* Well I could but it would mean another excluded condition - she already has one unfortunately as she fell ill - wait for it 3 days before the exclusion period was up when I insured her when I got her. (Typical!)

Jaynne

For insurance to work there are winners and losers and you don't know which one you are going to be beforehand.

Two things you can be sure of - firstly the insurance company wins more often than it loses and secondly don't gamble with what you aren't willing to lose.

Katiehound

Well I have read all the posts and I am going to buck the trend. My two dogs are not insured- my old boy will be 14 next month and all I have spent on him over the years have been routine vet things like teeth extractions etc. Any insurance company would have been quids in! My girlie is 5, hopefully she is a fit healthy trailhound with many years ahead if her.
I reckon I have sufficient money put aside if I have a large vet bill, but, I think that we now have the expertise to do many things which in fact may not improve the quality of life of our animals. Some people will do almost anything to keep their pets alive- at what cost financially & physically? sadly inbreeding or bad breeding causes major problems. Sometimes I think it would be far kinder to let a pet be pts. I guess I am in the minority here.
Saying that my dogs have been 10,16, 12, & 9 years old (sadly lymphoma) when they were pts
Once pets reach a certain age insurance companies won't insure them anyway.
I hasten to add I have 3rd party insurance through Dogs Trust- but that is a different matter.

Fire_Fox

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Brilliant:) - that's what I was / am hoping will be the outcome.

Must get that sorted tomorrow as exclusion period is just up so I can cancel the old one as don't want to do this until I know the outcome (& currently paying for 2 policies)!

She will be having her booster when it's due (adult dog & only had primary vaccinations x 2 when I got her, so I would always get the 1st booster - as I'd do for a pup) but it's more in case she develops something & I then won't be able to change insurer*

* Well I could but it would mean another excluded condition - she already has one unfortunately as she fell ill - wait for it 3 days before the exclusion period was up when I insured her when I got her. (Typical!)

Fingers crossed, please let us know what AXA say because myone experience is pretty limited! Burger on the excluded condition, I guess at least it reminds you that illness can happen at any time and that you were right to get insured.

rising_from_the_ashes

Katiehound wrote: »

Some people will do almost anything to keep their pets alive- at what cost financially & physically? sadly inbreeding or bad breeding causes major problems. Sometimes I think it would be far kinder to let a pet be pts. I guess I am in the minority here.

I'm with you - I am a firm believer that you need to know your pet & what they can / can't cope with and how they would tolerate treatment and whether it's fair on them.

The cats have always been insured - I always think they've got much more chance of being run over or getting themselves into trouble (tights etc) so that's why.

I would certainly not put an old dog through very difficult / hard to recover from surgery (although know others do and .... sorry but it's not always fair to them) or things like chemo to maybe get an extra couple of months ......

Once any of them get to the age where I feel aggressive treatment wouldn't be in their best interest, I will stop and self-insure* - they will get any treatment they need to make the rest of their lives happy and comfortable.

* I did this with Ben - his arthritis meds cost £15 / month and he was on them for a good 3+ years. His insurance had gone up to £70 / month + £150 excess (bear in mind this was over 7 years ago as well) and he had got to the age where surgery wouldn't have been in his best option.