Pet Insurance - which company would you choose?

Cuilean

Thanks to everyone who's posted helpful info - lots of stuff I had not considered at all. We've been very lucky and (touch wood) never experienced any bill more than a few hundred pounds, but I can see where you're all coming from when you point out that money doesn't go very far when it comes to treatment, and it would only take a freak incident for £500 to be used up.

Johnny_Dangerously

sorry to pimp again, but if it's any help, here is my full cost breakdown for my animals:

How much does it cost to own a dog?

rising_from_the_ashes

Johnny_Dangerously wrote: »

sorry to pimp again, but if it's any help, here is my full cost breakdown for my animals:

How much does it cost to own a dog?

Very interesting:) will have a proper read later (about to go out)

One thing that jumped out for a big saving is flea treatment

You can buy 24 outer packs of Clearspot spot on for about £42 (available for both cats and dogs) which would be a big saving

Works out at £3.50 / treatment

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/flea-treatments-clearspot-flea-treatments-c-3_2032

It has the same active ingredient as Advocate & Advantage which is a plus too (many are finding frontline doesnt work as well anymore)

corf999

petplan paid out 4 figures for me very easily when my cat was in a fight and needed an operation on his mouth.

gettingready

One more thing that I do not think was mentioned here.

Personally I never heard of the company you were insured with but when looking for new insurance keep in mind to go with one that is recognised by vets.

My vet accepts direct claims (where I only pay excess and they claim the rest directly from the insurers) from both PetPlan and Argos (I got 4 cats with PetPlan and dog with Argos Platinum) if the bill is over £350.00. I am in London so easily done, all bills are high.. sighhh.

Talk to your vet to find out what is their policy on that.

Some vets do not accept direct claims at all so you have to pay yourself and then you claim on your insurance, some accept direct claims but only from certain insurers and only over certain amount.

Zara had a hip replacement and each hip was over 7k - this went on to direct claim which made my life much easier.

Her ongoing claims for tablets are on direct claim too.

With Zara's age (she is 9 now) her insurance started at £29.00 per month and currently is £108.00 per month but with the amount that insurance paid for her over the years, still much cheaper options then not having one or having one with inadequate cover.

gettingready

Johnny_Dangerously wrote: »

sorry to pimp again, but if it's any help, here is my full cost breakdown for my animals:

How much does it cost to own a dog?

Perhaps factor in the cost of dog walker - some of us have to use one. Maybe grooming too

tibbers

£500 is nothing.
Just to give you an idea on how quick vet bills can mount up,.

Our 1 year old cat got run over by a car last Friday, emergency out of hours cost us £550 for consultation and overnight treatment.
On to our vets Saturday morning, and that was £287ish, then back to emergency vets for overnight stay, which was another £280. He then came home late Saturday night otherwise the bill would've been more as he was due to stay until Monday.
Then the medication he has now he is at home £54 and check ups costing £23 each time...
Were waiting for the all clear, then we will get insurance on him. Luckily, nothing broken, just severe muscle damage and bruising...

rising_from_the_ashes

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

You can buy 24 outer packs of Clearspot spot on for about £42 (available for both cats and dogs) which would be a big saving

Works out at £3.50 / treatment

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/flea-treatments-clearspot-flea-treatments-c-3_2032

Just noticed i missed the important bit - £3.50 per treatment for both dogs

I pack of 24 would do you a year for both dogs = £42 compared to the £128 you're currently paying - and for (imho) a superior product

Johnny_Dangerously

I'm all for saving money!

Slinky

tibbers wrote: »

£500 is nothing.
Just to give you an idea on how quick vet bills can mount up,.

Our 1 year old cat got run over by a car last Friday, emergency out of hours cost us £550 for consultation and overnight treatment.
On to our vets Saturday morning, and that was £287ish, then back to emergency vets for overnight stay, which was another £280. He then came home late Saturday night otherwise the bill would've been more as he was due to stay until Monday.
Then the medication he has now he is at home £54 and check ups costing £23 each time...
Were waiting for the all clear, then we will get insurance on him. Luckily, nothing broken, just severe muscle damage and bruising...

Poor cat, I hope he's on the mend. Must have been very frightening for you.