Pet Insurance, Old Dog - £130 PCM

Startfreshstart

Hi all 
Can I ask, I have Tesco pet insurance for my dog who is now 13. I pay £130 PCM 
Last time he went to the vet 2 years ago, they said they would not risk doing and surgery or treatments as he was too old. 
He does have big health issues which we managed at home. 
Am I wasting my money paying this? Thanks 

[Deleted User]

Only you know the answer. Would you insist on treatment if something happens? 

tacpot12

I would say you are wasting your money. Once the premiums reach that sort of level, self-insuring seems to make more sense. This is from someone who is paying £115 pcm for pet insurance on two cats and two dogs!

sheramber

 
Once my dogs reached an age when  I would not give them   serious  treatment I stopped the insurance.
I was happy to cover any straightforward treatment myself.
The age I did it varied with each dog. 
e.g. One dog was  'old' at 10 but another was still 'young and lively' and 12.
Remember you do not  just have your annual premium to pay, you also have the excess. How much treatment could the dog  have for that amount.

Vegastare

If you were to put £100 away each month that would be a help to vet fees.   My boy is nearly 13 and have only made one claim in all that time....by the time the age percentage excess was worked in - the pay out think I got around 60% of the claim.  After the operation last year and the sedation risk we felt as he got older the choice would be too difficult, also I was waiting to see if the premiums went up too high we would cancel....but they went up just £5 a month so we have stayed with them.
If you can put some thing away each month - why got go down that path.

KxMx

I had a 3k diagnostic bill for my 13yo cat, I didn't persue treatment.

Big bills don't always come from treatment. 

Startfreshstart

Thanks for the ideas all. 

I once had a rescue dog that got cancer and long story short she had her leg off and died 12 months later, we claimed 3 k insurance and had to pay the rest as the final treatment came after the 12 months max claim period. Now I’m absolutely paranoid about insurance. 

At the moment I need to reduce expenses and I do think if anything serious happened we would not treat. In fact he isn’t having vaccinations as the vet said there wasn’t much point. He doesn’t walk very well and I carry him up and down steps etc. 

I’m just really nervous, as I’d hate to feel I could not help him. 

Sandtree

You really need to consider what you would do if they became ill or were injured in an accident. Your vet seems to be suggesting only pain management or potentially the final sleep but would you be accepting of this or be pushing for diagnostics? If you accept his time is near then insurance doesnt seem cost effective.

sheramber

What cover do you have?
Can you reduce the amount.?
for example, for one elderly  dog I took out a £3000 cover  for 12 months cover.  For treatment over that amount I would have been seriously considering whether to go ahead or not.
 His only previous conditions were one off's or under the excess amount so  the    previous condition exclusion was not a problem.

I have refused diagnostic tests as I had no intention of proceeding with any treatment( which would have been invasive and dangerous, if even  possible) if the suspected condition was confirmed. My vet agreed with my decision as he said he would have  been unwilling to proceed with the treatment as well. 
My dog was happy and not in pain or distress.   He lived for several  years afterwards quite happily.

Startfreshstart

Well I’ve got Tesco insurance with a 12 month limit, I’ve always hated it because of that. How we could not change it because he had a skin condition and later has had growths and lumps, which were checked and found to be nothing. That said he now has huge growths and lumps which are quite bad but he seems fine, his legs aren’t so good and he can walk but prefers to sit and be cattier because I hate to see him try to walk stairs. I don’t think the vet would treat him for anything and I don’t think we can even get an X-ray because he cannot tolerate it. He did have some Pain meds but we are now managing with less activity and taking it day by day Tbf. 

Oh I’m never having animals again 😂 we have two smaller dogs now also and I’ve insured them under a lifetime policy after learning a her lesson with the dog that died. 

Still undecided, keep changing my mind.

mr_stripey

If he's 13 and develops something nasty, then the best course of action may be to put him to sleep anyway.
My friend had a pup which got cancer at a year old. They consumed all their insurance payout and then some and the dog didn't survive anyway. 
13 is a good old age. I'd spend the money you would be spending on insurance on some nice food and treats for him and enjoy the time you have together. Just my opinion but I don't think it is worth spending thousands on treating a dog of that age regardless of who is funding it.