Pet Insurance Rec`s

Paulie-W · 29-08-2006, 7:16 AM

Hi peeps. Being that we`ve just got a new kitten, i wondered if any of you pet lovers out there could rec a decent insurance company, as there seems to be rather a lot now days.

Thanks in advance

Drd · 29-08-2006, 8:31 AM

Hi Paulie
It's been a while since I organised pet insurance (whisper it quietly or the mutt will get upset,she's almost 10yrs old).At that time there seemed to be two kinds of insurance,one aimed at mutts and the other aimed at high cost pedigree pets.Ours is a very large Italian Spinone and we chose Tesco's as they allowed us to increase the excess which cut down the payments to around £10 a month.We've only used it once and had no problems claiming about £500.

mjn · 29-08-2006, 8:38 AM

More Than, and got a lifetime plan for around £500, which just about covers everything.

Also, get your cat chipped and chopped, only costs about £70, but will prevent her giving you kittens as presents, and if she gets lost/found, can easily be re-united with you.

Paulie-W · 29-08-2006, 9:16 AM

Thanks guys.
She got chipped at Battersea, and the chop will come in a couple of months as the vet said she`s a bit too small at the moment. I did take a quick look at more than, and it looks pretty good. Works out at £8.49 a month.

Crewdy · 29-08-2006, 9:23 AM

My wife is a veterinary nurse and her practice deals with Pet Plan which she says is very good (no probs paying out). Just be careful that you know what you are covered for, some polices are for life (these are the best ones - they cover conditions for LIFE) and others are 12 month policies i.e. they only pay out on a single condition for 12 months and then exclude it!

Paulie-W · 29-08-2006, 9:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crewdy

My wife is a veterinary nurse and her practice deals with Pet Plan which she says is very good (no probs paying out). Just be careful that you know what you are covered for, some polices are for life (these are the best ones - they cover conditions for LIFE) and others are 12 month policies i.e. they only pay out on a single condition for 12 months and then exclude it!

Thanks, i`ll have to look into this "life" thingy

DJT75 · 29-08-2006, 9:59 AM

Like every insurance policy the excess is the one thing to look at - especially for cat insurance because the average pay out is less than your excess.

I believe Marks & Spencer are the only ones that offer Zero excess with a very slight increase in premium. My vets after shelling out £600 on one of my kittens suggested them (although they weren't supposed to). However - i've decided to take it into my own hands - I pay £15 a month into a savings account specifically for vets bills - I've had loads in the last 12 months & this way I'm not losing money unless I'm going to the vets - could save £180 a year rather than give it to an insurance compnay you may never use.

Mep · 29-08-2006, 10:06 AM

have always used PetPlan. Not sure how competitive they are but they have never quibbled over a claim and always pay quickly.

**Garrett** · 29-08-2006, 10:06 AM

I did a bit of research before I took out a pet plan for my dog and found the Marks & Spencer’s was the best value for money. And unlike some stop there polices at an age when the pet is going to have more bills they will continue.

Sainsbury's have one very similar and a bit cheaper I think but the benefits are not as good.

M&S is covered by an insurance firm that charges more if you go to them direct.

Urien Rheged · 29-08-2006, 12:18 PM

I also did a lot of research and found Marks & Spencers was the best. They also have no excess. I breed British Blues and always use them

Paulie-W · 29-08-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urien Rheged

I also did a lot of research and found Marks & Spencers was the best. They also have no excess. I breed British Blues and always use them

Thanks, ill take a look at M&S. Makes a change from underwear i guess

Paulie-W · 29-08-2006, 2:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett

I did a bit of research before I took out a pet plan for my dog and found the Marks & Spencer’s was the best value for money. And unlike some stop there polices at an age when the pet is going to have more bills they will continue.

Sainsbury's have one very similar and a bit cheaper I think but the benefits are not as good.

M&S is covered by an insurance firm that charges more if you go to them direct.

Thanks also to Garret. After these two rec`s i have decided to go with M&S also.

gus607 · 29-08-2006, 8:24 PM

Our cats have their own savings account. Well we put the cash in for them ! Works well too, always enough cash in there to cover vet's bills.

**Garrett** · 29-08-2006, 10:15 PM

The insurance companies will always be on the right side or they would not be in business. But we had to have major surgery to my last dog without insurance and it was more than the cost of the insurance we would have saved putting it away each month.
The money was nothing but the dog was, and as it was he died 2 days after the op.

tomson · 30-08-2006, 10:08 AM

We use Pet Plan - they're far from being the cheapest but the service is excellent. Have claimed a couple of times and both times it all went without a hitch.

One thing to be aware of is that a lot of companies won't cover a previously treated ailment - so if your cat has been treated once for, say something common like gingivitis, then you change insurers - chances are you'll have to foot the bill if it reoccurs.

Mr_Wistles · 30-08-2006, 10:13 AM

Both my labs are with Pet Plan, £92 a month