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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To insure my dog today and claim this week?

171 replies

Swerab · 10/01/2017 11:05

My dog has hurt his paw Sad. I can't see anything immediately wrong with it but its clearly hurting him.

He's not insured. If I take out insurance today can I claim straight away?

OP posts:
Original poster
Swerab · 10/01/2017 15:04

My equine vet says pet plan or nfu please!

I would never ever pit a dog through chemo. Pts every time

OP posts:
C8H10N4O2 · 10/01/2017 15:08

Bishop interesting - have heard this tale about PetPlan from several buyers who took up this kind of breeder offer. We have only ever had Heinz dogs and cats so not come across it personally.

Regarding 3rd party liability for dogs - I was surprised some years ago to find it was part of my house insurance and it wasn't necessary to take out additional. Cats not covered but cats are 'wild' and not liable in the normal run.

I've also had the experience of two different prices from vets (insured and non insured). I assumed that is why a lot of insurance is so expensive. I'm profoundly greatful to the lovely vet many years ago when our twin tabbies both developed cancer within a few months of each other. He looked me in the eye and said 'your insurance will cover extensive investigations and surgery but honestly the kindest thing is palliative and let them go'. This is how I generally feel about seriously sick animals but at the point of letting go I might well have succumbed to a more money minded vet.

BishopBrennansArse · 10/01/2017 15:20

No. Cancelled and went with Tesco (R&SA)

RubbishMantra · 10/01/2017 15:51

Not meaning to derail, but a question for @PersianCatLady.

From your NN, I take it you have pedigree Persians? Did your kitten come with the standard 1 month free ins. (PetPlan) from the breeder, then you carried on the ins.? And you've claimed problem free? The breeder took out Little M's ins. in my name on the day I brought him home, and I received all the documentation in the post. He's been with them for 2.6 years.

I only ask, because I'm also with PetPlan, and have concerns they might mess me about if I ever needed to claim. Just seeking reassurance...

Original poster
Swerab · 10/01/2017 16:31

It's his nail. I think he's torn the claw. Have wrapped it all up and will take to vet tomorrow. Thanks all.

OP posts:
Lelloteddy · 10/01/2017 16:38

Am confused OP. You are indignant at the suggestion that you are irresponsible for not having insurance. Several posters have argued that it's ok NOT to have pet insurance if you can readily afford vet bills. Which you seem to agree with?
So why did you post asking if it was possible to take out an insurance policy solely to cover this injury? Can you or can you not afford vets bills?

PersianCatLady · 10/01/2017 17:04

I take it you have pedigree Persians?
I do have a pedigree Persian who is now 9 and she did come with the standard month's free insurance from Petplan.

I then changed insurance companies for her and I have never needed to claim anything for her as she is mainly an indoor cat.

The one time she needed to visit the vet to get eye drops the cost was £63 so it wasn't worth claiming to save £3. This was a few years ago.

I do also help an older lady who lives next door care for her dog which is insured with Petplan and I have found the service to be truly amazing.

The dog had a suspected mast cell tumour and it needed to be removed. Whilst the tumour was being removed the vet found another suspected tumour and took a sample of it.

Five days later that tumour had to be removed as well. Also both tumours had to be sent away for testing.

Anyway as the dog's owner is unwell herself I got the job of dealing with Petplan as by the middle of the treatment the bill was already up to £1900.

I got the claim form from the vet and filled it in best I could thinking that the owner would have to pay out the money and then get reimbursed.

However the vet just took the excess of £115 and the claim form and continued to add further things to the bill.

Anyway the bill now stands at £2500 and Petplan have paid it in full (except the excess) no quibble, no question and if there is any further cost because of this specific condition this insurance year then it will be added as part of the same claim.

I know that this isn't exactly what you asked but I hope that it is helpful.

Just out of interest, have you got the "12 months essential" or the "covered for life" policy??

RubbishMantra · 10/01/2017 18:03

Thanks for the reply, Persian, that's really helpful, and eased the mind somewhat. Smile

I've got the covered for life policy. Just had a bit of a wibbley wobble because MCats' policy is up for renewal shortly.

RubbishMantra · 10/01/2017 18:08

*...and I hope your friends' poor dog makes a good recovery.

CherrySkull · 10/01/2017 18:12

petplan doesn't even cost £5 for a healthy fucking cat, the fuck does it cost that for a dog!

They were skelping my mum for £45 a month for her King Charles, who was only 3 and perfectly healthy!

I got her to switch to Tesco who did like for like for £25.

Petplan are a bunch of robbing fucking charlatans. They were trying to screw me for a 2yo healthy cat for £17. Piss off! Tesco cover her for £6

SnatchedPencil · 10/01/2017 18:17

It's highly unusual for any insurance to cover things that are already wrong - things that you were already aware of, or should have already been aware of.

What you are proposing would be considered fraud by the terms of any policy I've ever heard of. Maybe one exists that would help you, but I can't imagine that the insurer has been in business for very long - and certainly won't be in it much longer!

PersianCatLady · 10/01/2017 18:22

I've got the covered for life policy. Just had a bit of a wibbley wobble because MCats' policy is up for renewal shortly
The covered for life policies are great.

The dog I was talking about above would not get insurance for mast cell tumours from another other insurer now. So if she was on an annual policy at renewal that would be it, no insurance for mast cell tumours.

Whereas Petplan CFL will just reset the amount of treatment she can claim for back to £4,000. Therefore if she gets another tumour next insurance year she is fully covered.

All I would say to you is make sure that you do not let MCat's policy lapse by ensuring that you pay for the renewal in good time or better still set up a recurring DD.

PersianCatLady · 10/01/2017 18:25

*...and I hope your friends' poor dog makes a good recovery
It has already come on leaps and bounds since Christmas.

The saddest thing of all is that without Petplan other people in the same situation might have to let a dog like her get sick from the cancer and then be PTS when they are perfectly able to be treated and have a good few more years.

RubbishMantra · 10/01/2017 18:35

Oh I am glad she's responding to the treatment well. Smile

No fear of lapsing, already pay by DD, they just send out a courtesy letter informing and if you don't reply, the policy just continues. They do seem to put their premiums up a fair bit every year though. Still, can't put a price on peace of mind, eh?

Serialweightwatcher · 10/01/2017 19:09

The Tesco plans are only to cover a certain illness for a year and only up to a certain amount which is quite low considering vets bills, and after that you can't claim the following year for the same illness - the expensive pet plan covers are for an illness year after year so long as you pay the excess each year and then you can keep claiming

BishopBrennansArse · 11/01/2017 06:56

Not true, serial. Mines a lifetime policy (as long as you renew, obvs)

TheoriginalLEM · 11/01/2017 07:07

so you have wrapped it and sealed in all the bacteria? if it was cut it may have needed stitching but now you have left it so that will possibly need debriding so will cost more.

You have a horse but cant ir wont insure your dog? Hmm

and no of course lack of insurance isn't lack of care but not taking an animal to the vet for treatment because you are not insured is Angry

I am a vet nurse and i always find its the ones with money that whinge about the bills. Those who genuinely struggle move hell or high water to get their animals the treatment they need. You learn alot about people in my job.

Magpiemagpie · 11/01/2017 07:49

Get some hibbiscrub and wash the paw with that first
Ive stopped plenty of infections by using this
We dont insure our three dogs 65 a month each in pet plan but we do put the same amount away each month for any vet bills
We have a lovely stash Grin but generally for cuts and grazes we use hibiscrub first to see if it will clear up on it's own if not then it's down to the vets

Magpiemagpie · 11/01/2017 07:53

Mean to say that hibiscrub is for open wounds and to use it straight away( we use a syringe ) using it few days later won't work as if the infection is there and if it close up the wound you will have a serious vet bill as the infection is inside and closed over and needs more expensive treatment

Oneiroi · 11/01/2017 07:58

Claiming for a pre-existing injury that would be excluded under the policy is fraudulent.

Dizzydaisylou · 11/01/2017 07:58

We have pet plan insurance for a 6 year old JRT, never claimed and it's £33 per month Angry

Empress13 · 11/01/2017 07:58

£5 per month for pet plan really ???? Pls show me proof coz that is unbelievable considering I pay £70 per month for my RR (cheapest anywhere and I did my research) must admit I prob pay more because of his breed but £5 ! No don't think so.

Empress13 · 11/01/2017 07:59

Edit to say £70 is for life cover and covers most things which was important for my pup.

TheoriginalLEM · 11/01/2017 08:03

most insurers will only cover after the first week anyway, they are not stupid! they do provide instant cover as puppies providing a vet has said no illness etc.

So you can try but it wont get you anywhere.

i do think insurance is £££££ though. But veterinary treatment is £££££.

cherrytree63 · 11/01/2017 08:40

40 plus years of owning horses and dogs, and only ever had BHS or Riding Club 3rd party insurance for horses. During my years training for my exams and working in various stables, I was taught to dress wounds, poultice and administer I.M. anti biotics.
I see more and more "hobby" riders buying horses who insure to the hilt and then call the vet because they don't trust their judgement and knowledge to sort out minor problems.
I called the bet to my colicky horse once. It was his last day at that practice. He was leaving because he wanted to work in a practice with better diagnostic equipment. He was having a bit of a vent to me as he felt the practice should be investing in better facilities etc.
He said that before he touched any horse, he was instructed to find out if it was insured. If it was, to add at least £100 on the bill.
Then he said he could prescribe me medication for the horse at £36, or I could go to the nearest chemist and buy it for less than £5.
My dog has been seeing the vet recently, bill to date £700. She hasn't cost me anything in 13 years, I keep a 0% CC for emergencies, or dip into my savings.
But when they want to charge me £6 for the piriton that I can buy at Lidl for £2 I wonder what else is bumped up!
Last visit I saw the "2nd" vet (as opposed to practice owner vet). My dog's developed a skin condition. So he suggested Metalab and Piriton. And said if I'd seen Mr P.O. Vet he'd have gone straight down the anti biotic/ steroid route, but he believes that the cheaper option should be tried first.
Sorry OP, I've strayed off your question, hope your dog recovers soon!