Pet Insurance - best one?

louisaloves

I need to get some pet insurance to protect against future vets fees and I am looking for recommendations. I have heard from many people that the policies they have are not worth what they pay as many things are not covered.

Any good experiences to share?

chris_n_tj

Pet Plan every time for us. Yes it might seen a bit more expensive to start with compared to others but when the others start increasing after the first year Pet Plan only goes up pennies.
The pet board is a good place for your questions x

sheramber

I too would recommend Petplan as the most reliable. Speak to your vet surgery if direct payment is important as sometimes vets will not make a direct claim to some companies.

Remember any pre existing conditions and anything that can be connected to them will be excluded in any policy. Petplan do sometimes cover a pre exsisitng condition after two years without any further recurrence. You need to talk to the underwriter- not the call centre operator- to agree this.

Noble_Viking

I would also recommend PetPlan, used them for must be 25 years now!

colesy

Another vote for Pet Plan. My cats have a horrendous claims history and I can't fault Pet Plan for the way they've dealt with things.

stator

PetPlan offer the best coverage for the lifetime of your pet. They are the most likely to still be around in 10 years time.
They will keep paying out for recurring conditions (within the annual claim cap) as long as you take out a lifetime policy with them and renew it every year.
If you want the safest option go with PetPlan. Read the policy, they pay out for most things if you look after your pet (vaccinations, regular dental checks etc)
They aren't the cheapest though.

RockChick81

I'm with Animal Friends, and they've been fantastic. I am so pleased that I bought lifetime insurance for my cat. At the moment I'm paying £8.50 per month, and it's the best money I've ever spent.

We took Toots to Aylesbury Companion Care, which is the local Vets 4 Pets, for a 2nd opinion when she was overgrooming so much that she made herself sore (old vet basically said they didn't know what was causing it and gave us some expensive cream that did nothing). They diagnosed a skin allergy (we think to dust mites, but not sure) and gave us a prescription. As by the 2nd visit, we'd already paid more than the excess, we put in a claim. The new vet had apparently just signed up to a portal with Animal Friends, so we just had to sign a form at the vets and they did the rest. We put the claim in on a Monday at noon, and they paid the claim by 10:00am the next day! The allergy is ongoing, and Toots has needed an ultrasound scan (steroid treatment made her gain 200 grams in 5 days!), blood tests and an expensive medication. As we asked for the insurers to pay the vet directly we haven't had to lay out a single penny since the first visit. Since she'll probably need treatment for many years, I'm very thankful that we got lifetime insurance.

Good luck!

dacouch

Pet Plan is undoubtedly the best.

If you buy cover with them, you will get a great policy, which most vets recommend and most vets will bill Pet Plan directly so you don't have to pay (They won't do this with many other Insurers).

Be aware if you buy a Pet Plan Policy, it is for life and the premiums can go up to reflect the dogs age. Look on it as buying the best type of Health Insurance for your dog eg BUPA, it's a long term investment in the best treatment.

Like most things that are the best, you will pay more for having a top policy.

If you're buying a Pet Insurance Policy, please take the time to read the cover so you understand what is covered and what isn't covered.

louisaloves

Wow it looks like PetPlan is a winner here then - thanks for all the replies!