Pet insurance

[avocadosrus]

I'm shopping around for insurance for our lovely new rescue dog that we are getting on Thursday, I know that Petplan are very good but Everypaw seem to be on a par, does anybody have any experience of them or can you recommend any alternatives?TIA

[BiteyShark]

I have no experience of them but looking at their website I would be wary of the life covers that stipulate a reasonable yearly vet fee cover but with a much lower per condition cover (they all seem to have that except the 6k per year one).

It's pointless having £4000 per year cover when you have a £1000 per condition cap per year. A lot of my claims have been over £1000.

[avocadosrus]

thank you @biteyshark I had seen that it was capped but wasn't sure of the impact that would have but as you said if your claims are over £1000k this can be huge!

[BiteyShark]

A case of severe D&V requiring admissions, tests and treatment came to around £2000 (and I know from friends that our vets are relatively cheap).

I know someone whose single condition claim for the year which was over £10,000.

My dog had an accident a few months back and whilst he recovered with just rest if it had required an operation we would have been facing a bill of over £5000.

This is why I would avoid any policy with a condition cap. It just isn't worth it.

[avocadosrus]

@biteyshark ok great advice v glad I asked the question. Can I ask who you insure with?

[dementedpixie]

I'm with Bought by Many for my 2 cats.

[PeoniesarePink]

I've had a wide range of cover with mine but after so much hassle trying to claim and all the get out clauses, we've gone onto Pet Plan.

[BiteyShark]

I insure with petplan. They have paid out quickly with no quibbles (in total I have claimed around £5000 not including excesses and my dog isn't even three yet).

They are not cheap but I haven't had any problems and neither has my friend with the £10,000+ claim.

My only regret is that I choose the £4000 per year life cover. Having seen how quickly costs mount up when something bad happens I really wish I had choosen the £7k or £12k per year life one.

There are a few threads if you search back of other experiences people have had with different companies. I have only ever used petplan so I can't comment on how good or bad the others are.

[PeoniesarePink]

I'd have a scout around online about breed specific issues to know what to insure for OP - or try some breed specific forums.

I've got 2 spaniels, and they're prone to ripping dew claws, getting grass seeds in varying parts of their bodies and damage to their tails. So most of these result in emergency sedations, and come in under £100 each time so I rarely claim anyway. But we had a lab before who tore a cruciate ligament, and having read that spaniels are also prone to this, I've gone with decent insurance.

[avocadosrus]

It sounds like Petplan is well worth the slightly extra monthly sum, he's a Heinz 57 @peoniesarepink so although that would have been a great idea who knows what he's could be prone to :-) I've had springers in the past though and I agree with you about their injuries!

[dementedpixie]

Bought by Many paid out with no issues recently for one of my cats

[Scattyhattie]

Petplan start more expensive but your not penalized for making claims like with some insurers can mean you end up paying higher excess/premiums for rest of lifetime. My oldie's 13 petplan policy is still reasonable cost where I know quite a few decide to cancel as simply becomes unaffordable. Claims are settled quickly so vets happy to direct claim, my only complaint is there a bit stingy for hydrotherapy.

Its hard as you have to pick thinking to the future. Unfortunately anything on vet records whether claimed or not becomes preexisting if you want to change insurers & they can group so a case of dire rear can be all bowel conditions.

[monsieurmarius]

Petplan have been excellent fro us. They paid out for things that our previous insurer refused to. They're worth it

[Olliver27]

I'm with Argos for my Chihuahua mix. Sadly had to make use of my policy last year when another of my dogs who was insured with them was pts, and I can't recommend them enough. They paid out quickly and were so lovely at a very difficult time.

I've also heard good things about PetPlan and Agria.