Confused by different types of dog insurance... please help...

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Help please...

I consider myself a reasonably intelligent human being but dog insurance has baffled me...
Which is best (and why?), a x amount per condition for life policy or a x amount per condition per year policy? Have looked at so many insurers, received so many quotes but am still completely baffled...

Our rescue lurcher Sam came with one month's insurance from the Trust we adopted him from but now it is nearly time for us to insure him and I am so confused

Advise, words of wisdom, please?

[thewizenedone]

I am no expert but think cover for condition for life is best, in case of things like epilepsy or diabetes which obviously will be ongoing. Dont forget also that most companies I think except Pet Plan you have to pay up front then reclaim fees. We are still waiting for our last bill to be paid from mid July just under £2000 including pts

[Lizcat]

Cover for life is the best. Thewizenedone one is not quite right each practice can set who they are prepared to take direct claims from for themselves some practices accept no direct claim others just have a few excluded companies.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Thanks guys

Cover for life, how does that work if you may only stay with a particular insurance co for a year because the following year you can get a better deal? Or do you have to stay with the same insurance co for the life of the dog to benefit from cover for life?

[beautifulgirls]

You stay with the same insurer with cover for life, unless you haven't had any illness/accidents at all in the pets life (even if you didn't make a claim). If you change companies then they will almost certainly exclude any problems that the pet has had.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Ok, that makes sense. Any recommendations for a cover for life policy? Who are you with?

[louisarmstrong]

For life and for a biggish amount £7000 with individual conditions not capped at much smaller amounts.

Lurchers could, for example break a leg, need lots or surgery and follow up with on going issues. A real nasty like bone cancer could need an amputation and chemotherapy (£000s) or heart problems can need expensive scans in addition to the drugs.

Sorry the examples are from my experiences... Pet plan are best but dear, AXA seem ok but a bit tardy, cheapies like e&l are bastard slug suckers.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Thanks. What about Sainsbury or Tesco? Best avoided?

[louisarmstrong]

Don't know, seem to remember m and s are ok but really not sure about others. Am sure someone else will know.

Think there is an online review of most of them somewhere if you can find it that might help.

[silentcatastrophe]

I've insured with Tescos now for over 10 years. they have been pretty good and pretty quick. Apart from health, the most important thing is some kind of 3rd party insurance. That's usually the cheapest part. Insurance is a tiny bit cheaper if your dog is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. The bigger the excess the cheaper the insurance as well. It can be very difficult to get insurance for the first time for a dog over 8 yrs.

[VeraCanSignChocolateAndWine]

I went with tescos platinum, (I think, off hand, without checking) went for one that covered illness for the life of the dog. Rather than have them stop after a year.
I have a lab, so would hate him to get a typical lab problem and then not be covered for longer than a year.

[LostInTransmogrification]

I'm on a Petplan cover for life plan for my lab. It's pricey, about £36 a month but worth it just in case. Think M&S get a good write up too, check Which if you have membership. It's worth checking if your policy will cover any hereditary conditions for your breed. A friend took out cheap insurance through Homebase (£13per month) and it didn't cover his labs hip dysplasia which was a £2000 operation