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What TYPE of pet insurance is "best value"

Unsure what implications of each are so wondered what folk choose (and why!)
Friendly greeting!

What TYPE of pet insurance is "best value" 6 votes

Lifetime
100%
SlinkySpendlessripplyuksherambertacpot12VyEu 6 votes
Time Limited
0%
Max Benefit
0%
Accident only
0%
«1

Comments

  • danthemoneysavingman
    danthemoneysavingman Posts: 1,403 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Car Insurance Carver!
    edited 20 August 2024 at 9:30AM
    Please leave a comment about your choice, if you have a moment :)

    I assume you may choose a different type dependent on your pet's age, e.g. Time Limited when they are younger, Lifetime when getting older. Thoughts on this also encouraged!
    Friendly greeting!
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 18,847 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    You missed out do not have any.

    We have a set aside fund in case.
    Life in the slow lane
  • You missed out do not have any.

    We have a set aside fund in case.
    May be a smart choice! Save the "premium" instead of giving it away :)
    Friendly greeting!
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,039 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 20 August 2024 at 9:33AM
    You missed out do not have any.

    We have a set aside fund in case.
    How big is your fund, just asking as my dog had a claim near £15K and that was not long after taking the policy out.
    Self insurance is a valid option but people have to be aware of what the costs could be (which I know you are).
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,832 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 20 August 2024 at 9:57AM
    Lifetime
    The best value one is the one that pays out when you need it without any problems. Our cat had a £9.5K bill when struck down with lung cancer. Lifetime with Petplan is the ONLY thing I would go for with pet insurance. They continued to cover her for the same condition even after policy renewal. Unfortunately for us the cancer returned and we took the ghastly decision to have to have her put to sleep, although another operation would have been covered by PetPlan. I was surprised to find that they covered the cost of the euthanasia.

    Most insurance won't cover existing conditions if you change company, so attempts to save money while the animal is younger could backfire on you. Beware the companies that won't give ongoing cover after policy year end either.
    Make £2025 in 2025
    Prolific £229.82, Octopoints £4.27, Topcashback £290.85, Tesco Clubcard challenges £60, Misc Sales £321, Airtime £10.
    Total £915.94/£2025 45.2%

    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Intt £59.97, Chase roundup int £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44
    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%



  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,039 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 20 August 2024 at 11:23AM
    I went with Petsure (not petplan) on a lifetime plan covering a pre-existing condition which could be expensive.
    We had a large claim shortly after inception and it was paid without issue, also hydrotherapy, physio etc. no expense spared.
    It was great for our dog to have everything without us having to worry about the cost.
    I just wish I'd taken the travel cover as I had to cancel a holiday. I was not aware that pets could get treatment very quickly i.e. same/next day, as humans would be on a wait list.
  • lisyloo said:
    You missed out do not have any.

    We have a set aside fund in case.
    How big is your fund, just asking as my dog had a claim near £15K and that was not long after taking the policy out.
    Self insurance is a valid option but people have to be aware of what the costs could be (which I know you are).
    Yes, before one claims you have no idea quite how big the bill would be! Thanks for this info

    Friendly greeting!
  • Slinky said:
    The best value one is the one that pays out when you need it without any problems. Our cat had a £9.5K bill when struck down with lung cancer. Lifetime with Petplan is the ONLY thing I would go for with pet insurance. They continued to cover her for the same condition even after policy renewal. Unfortunately for us the cancer returned and we took the ghastly decision to have to have her put to sleep, although another operation would have been covered by PetPlan. I was surprised to find that they covered the cost of the euthanasia.

    Most insurance won't cover existing conditions if you change company, so attempts to save money while the animal is younger could backfire on you. Beware the companies that won't give ongoing cover after policy year end either.
    Agree, insurance is only as good as the claims experience, so this is a very useful comment, appreciated.

    Anyone else had good OR bad experience when claiming? Name and praise/shame! please.

    Friendly greeting!
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,039 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    lisyloo said:
    You missed out do not have any.

    We have a set aside fund in case.
    How big is your fund, just asking as my dog had a claim near £15K and that was not long after taking the policy out.
    Self insurance is a valid option but people have to be aware of what the costs could be (which I know you are).
    Yes, before one claims you have no idea quite how big the bill would be! Thanks for this info

    Well you do know the max on the policy. Tends to be quite small for pet insurance (relative to personal liability or your house burning down), but it still could still be 5 figures.
    I'm a fan of self insurance in certain situation, you just have to be prepared.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,290 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 21 August 2024 at 9:13PM
    Lifetime with petplan.
    Never had any problems with them paying out. With my previous dog who had a lot of ongoing smaller health issues I got more back than I’ve paid in over the years. If I have had any sort of time limited cover, it wouldn’t have paid out after the first year.

    Current dog has been healthier until the last 12 months  and Its like any insurance - you pay for the “what if’s. It cost me the best part of a grand a few years ago for a weekend overnight stay with tests but no treatment in our of hours very expensive hospital. I would rather pay the premium, than have a bill of thousands in an emergency. 

    Little point getting lifetime later on in life because any pre-existing conditions will be excluded. 
    I tend to stop the cover at the point where if they get seriously ill I’m not going  put them through any major treatment due to their age. 


    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
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