Argos Pet Insurance Premium hike

GoldenShadow

I feel your pain. Argos hit me hard this year. Westies are prone to skin issues (my golden has them too) and its a killer on insurance. Mine went from £600 a year to £1152..! Very worried about next year

I moved my other dog over to Pet Plan because they supposedly never make such steep increases.

Peter333

Yep sounds about right for pet insurance. And it ain't just Argos either!

Far better (if you have the discipline) to put money away in a separate account for your vet fees. Insurance companies charge extortionate rates -esp when the pet hits a 'certain age' usually about 8.

Thing is as well, that even though certain insurance companies will tell you they will pay for ongoing, long-term conditions; even then, there will be a cap, and they will only pay for so long.

Also, there are many things they don't cover too, like my friend's cat wasn't covered for some dental treatment FGS!

Just put whatever you would pay for insurance plus say another 25% of top, into a separate bank account, and use that for vet fees. I mean let's face it, there is a high chance the insurance company won't cough up for most things anyway!

Rip off merchants most of them!

gettingready

Peter333 wrote: »

Yep sounds about right for pet insurance. And it ain't just Argos either!

(1)Far better (if you have the discipline) to put money away in a separate account for your vet fees. Insurance companies charge extortionate rates -esp when the pet hits a 'certain age' usually about 8.

(2)Thing is as well, that even though certain insurance companies will tell you they will pay for ongoing, long-term conditions; even then, there will be a cap, and they will only pay for so long.

Also, (3)there are many things they don't cover too, like my friend's cat wasn't covered for some dental treatment FGS! 2 of my 4 cats had dental last year. Total of over £1500. Paid for by PetPlan.

Just put whatever you would pay for insurance plus say another 25% of top, into a separate bank account, and use that for vet fees. (4)I mean let's face it, there is a high chance the insurance company won't cough up for most things anyway!

Rip off merchants most of them!

(1) Zara's hip replacement was 14k (and a bit) paid by insurance when she was around 6 yo. How would you manage to save up that amount by just putting away what you pay for insurance?

(2) One needs to research Policies and pick the right one. Also read the small print. Too many people take up the cheapest premium from the cheapest insurer and then blame everyone else when things go wrong.

(3) Only PetPlan covers dental for cats. That is why my cats are insured with PetPlan - one needs to research Policies before taking up one.

(4) All my vet bills have been paid by insurance promptly and in full (minus my excess).

Johnny_Dangerously

I self insure my 4 animals and have posted the cost comparison in previous posts. It's definitely not as simple as saying put the same amount aside and you'll be ok. So far we are in the black, but as gettingready has shown, one condition could blow us out of the water.

I chose to self insure after petplan bumped my premiums after year 1 and changed my conditions. I don't like leaving the fate of my dogs in the hands of a 3rd party so I went alone.

But, whether you insure or not is very dependent on your personal circumstances. If you have the means and appetite for covering potentially large expenses, then it's not critical. If you don't, then it's a sensible choice.

sallyj17

Peter333 wrote: »

I mean let's face it, there is a high chance the insurance company won't cough up for most things anyway!

Rip off merchants most of them!

Really??? I did an independent survey at the end of last year about people's experiences when claiming from pet insurance companies (for my website Pet Insurance Surveys - 450+ responses from people who had claimed in the previous 12 months). 85% of people were either happy or very happy with their experience! Now personally I don't think 85% is good enough... but it certainly does not support the claim that there is a high chance they won't pay up - particularly as most of the remaining 15% were complaining about poor customer service, delays etc. rather that not being paid.


I have also done an analysis today of pet insurance review comments on other sites. And by far the biggest reason given for not paying claims is the small print. So always read the small print before buying a policy.. and if you are not happy with it.. don't buy the policy!

rising_from_the_ashes

I personally feel once you run into the multiples of pets, it becomes harder to have full insurance for them all due to the issues (increases, excesses etc)

Also, once they get to 'a certain age' all insurers will ask for a contribution of costs - 10%, 15%, 20%, I even saw one that was 35% not that long ago

If you had say 4 pets that cost £120 / month in insurance - that's £1,440 / year .... multiple by say 12 years and you're looking at over £17,000 :eek:

Add on the excesses ..... and the % of costs which will add a substantial sum to the above and - I think you'd be very, very unlucky for them to need that much between them

I guess you could say where would I find the money - but if you put it aside (set up a direct debit to an account at a different bank from you usually use & pretend it's going to the insurer so you can't be tempted to spend it) .... but tbh I think you'd be cheaper taking out a loan or paying back a c/card for a couple of years than spending £17k!

You can also get accident & injury insurance (about £4-£4.50 for a cat and £6 for a dog) which should fix most issues that result from an accident and should provide a lot of peace of mind

There will be the odd exception but generally most pets may need the odd thing fixed / help with stuff when they get older

Many meds are available online for a fraction of the price with a prescription from your vet so there are alternatives.

KxMx

Thanks for the comments re dental & PP.

I think very unlikely it will be covered though- which is fine.

Still waiting on policy documents/exclusions, shouldn't be long.

I've declared it as pre existing prior to taking out the policy, plus i've known about 3 years now it'll need to be done.

Vet didn't feel it was bad enough to do at first sign- he's been happy just to keep an eye with a view to doing it in the future. With myself of course keeping a careful watch at home how she is with stroking (sides of her face is the most popular fuss spot) and eating/drinking.

(I lost my last cat to liver failure at age 5, cause unknown, Lily has to put up with a high level of scrutiny and poking lol!)

Last year the verdict was "still doesn't need doing, but if she comes in for anything else in the next 6 months, we'll look again".

The year before was " doesn't need doing this year"

She didn't need to go in for anything so I am expecting at this years annual check to be told it's the year- eeek!

sheramber

An owner on another thread has been covered by Petplan to the tune of £48,000 over 5 years.

She pays the same premium for this dog as she pays for her other dog of the same age and breed with no claims.

I don't think she feels ripped off.

rising_from_the_ashes

sheramber wrote: »

An owner on another thread has been covered by Petplan to the tune of £48,000 over 5 years.

I'm sorry but to me that surely has to raise quality of life and what is really fair on an animal

To have one or two major ops and then a recovery period and then several years of pain free life - brilliant

To need obviously substantial treatment year after year after year ... nope sorry that's not morally right in my eyes

It's also part of the reason why premiums keep going up and up and up and many people are now being priced out of having cover

KxMx

Pet Plan documents came through today, with gastro-intestinal & digestive problems excluded, nearly had a heart attack lol.

Sorted with a phone call it was a mistake, should have been mouth or oral, as expected.

Told as I was here they will consider dental cover again in the future, with probably a longer exclusion period in my case as I've know about the teeth cleaning over 12 months, subject to 12 monthly checks and vet certification. Etc.

Just 6 days now until takes fully discovered then I can cancel the Argos.