How does pet insurance work for long term conditions?

Leard91

My dog has itchy skin. We have been recommended apoquel to help, but I'm concerned about the costs. I worked out that if he's on it long term, then it would cost about £60 a month if get the prescription from the vets and buy from Pet Drugs Online.

How would this work if we decided to claim on the insurance we have, which is lifetime insurance with Waggel. I got it mainly for in case he needs a big operation costing thousands. Is it possible to claim long term/potentially life treatments? Like, how do they pay you for it and how does it work when it comes to renewing? Surely other insurers won't take you on if there's a guarenteed cost for them?

Is it even worth bothering when accounting for excess (or claim contribution as they call it) of £250?

unforeseen

Our dog is on long term monthly injections. They each cost £140. We didn't bother using the insurance for it. 

DullGreyGuy

Leard91 said:

My dog has itchy skin. We have been recommended apoquel to help, but I'm concerned about the costs. I worked out that if he's on it long term, then it would cost about £60 a month if get the prescription from the vets and buy from Pet Drugs Online.

How would this work if we decided to claim on the insurance we have, which is lifetime insurance with Waggel. I got it mainly for in case he needs a big operation costing thousands. Is it possible to claim long term/potentially life treatments? Like, how do they pay you for it and how does it work when it comes to renewing? Surely other insurers won't take you on if there's a guarenteed cost for them?

Is it even worth bothering when accounting for excess (or claim contribution as they call it) of £250?

You need to read your policy book as to how the excess/contribution is applied... with my own it's an annual excess so in your example you'd claim £720 and have £250 deducted. Not all insurances work the same way though.

When it comes to renewals, they'll quote you and you decide if to insurer or not for that price. If you were to claim each year that would mean another claim is taken into consider at each renewal when working out the price unless you are with PetPlan who dont take claims history into account for pricing. 

If it's a one off claim or a chronic condition with reoccurring claims then almost certainly all other insurers will exclude that condition or related were you to try and shop around. 

35har1old

DullGreyGuy said:

Leard91 said:

My dog has itchy skin. We have been recommended apoquel to help, but I'm concerned about the costs. I worked out that if he's on it long term, then it would cost about £60 a month if get the prescription from the vets and buy from Pet Drugs Online.

How would this work if we decided to claim on the insurance we have, which is lifetime insurance with Waggel. I got it mainly for in case he needs a big operation costing thousands. Is it possible to claim long term/potentially life treatments? Like, how do they pay you for it and how does it work when it comes to renewing? Surely other insurers won't take you on if there's a guarenteed cost for them?

Is it even worth bothering when accounting for excess (or claim contribution as they call it) of £250?

You need to read your policy book as to how the excess/contribution is applied... with my own it's an annual excess so in your example you'd claim £720 and have £250 deducted. Not all insurances work the same way though.

When it comes to renewals, they'll quote you and you decide if to insurer or not for that price. If you were to claim each year that would mean another claim is taken into consider at each renewal when working out the price unless you are with PetPlan who dont take claims history into account for pricing. 

If it's a one off claim or a chronic condition with reoccurring claims then almost certainly all other insurers will exclude that condition or related were you to try and shop around. 

Basically when you make a claim for a recurring condition you are tied to the company 

35har1old

unforeseen said:

Our dog is on long term monthly injections. They each cost £140. We didn't bother using the insurance for it. 

Why do you have insurance then surely after a month or two the insurance would pay for continuing  the treatment 
PetPlan  and Agria would pay out after £110 and £125 Agria would have nearly 3 times the cover for less cost and have the same renewal policy as petplan
Agria covers the kennel club insurance

sheramber

How long they pay depends on whether type of policy you have.

Could 12 months, maximum amount per condition so once you have claimed that amount there is more cover for that condition. Other conditions woul still have their cover.

A lifetime policy will pay out for the life of the dog as long as they renew the policy and you keep paying the premiums. 

Your policy document will explain what cover you have.

Leard91

35har1old said:

unforeseen said:

Our dog is on long term monthly injections. They each cost £140. We didn't bother using the insurance for it. 

Why do you have insurance then surely after a month or two the insurance would pay for continuing  the treatment 
PetPlan  and Agria would pay out after £110 and £125 Agria would have nearly 3 times the cover for less cost and have the same renewal policy as petplan
Agria covers the kennel club insurance

I mean I did say "I got it mainly for in case he needs a big operation costing thousands."

ian16527

We are with Ageas. Excess is £80 - our lab has an heart murmur which needs an echocardiogram every year to 18 months. I have just had the second one done. These are £500 a time. I thought that the excess was covered but it resets every year so another £80 plus as she is 6 now, 20% co pay.

The premium went from £15 /month 2022-23 to £30/month 2023-24.  

But if it gets worse she will need meds as well which come in at £130/month if I remember so it will still be cost effective.