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MNHQ

Mumsnet users share what they think of pet insurance providers

299 replies

EllieMumsnet · 23/08/2018 08:48

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We want to know what you think of all things pet insurance as well as pet insurance providers. Have you found the perfect plan for you? Is there something you wish providers would do more of? Perhaps you can share how you found the pet insurer you are currently with?

Whatever your thoughts and feelings are about pet insurance and the providers, please share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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Mumsnet users share what they think of pet insurance providers
OP posts:
MrRichTea · 03/09/2018 11:59

We're with PETPLAN as the vets can deal with them direct, saves alot of time & hassle trying to claim back etc, bit pricey, but worth it in long run!

cinabar · 03/09/2018 22:09

I think it gives piece of mind. A friend's dog was ill and she ended up putting the emergency surgery on her credit card. I would however just look for the cheapest pet insurance and hope I never have to use it.

Blankspace4 · 04/09/2018 00:23

I have two cats and frustratingly find I have to switch my policy to a new provider every year (even though I have made one minor claim in ten years!). The renewal premiums frequently go up by over 100% which appears like the business is being chased away.

When I did make a claim, I was ensured with Tesco pet insurance and the claims process was straightforward.

As my cats are now over the age of 8 I’m finding more and more restrictions apply to the policies. I do wonder whether I’d be better off putting the money into savings as considering the premiums, excess and exclusions I’m unsure whether the insurance is worth it. The ‘fear factor’ and guilt keeps me paying though!

katieskatie82 · 04/09/2018 00:28

i've never hat pet insurance. I know a few people who have paid a lot into pet insurance and when needed to make a claim they wouldnt pay out. so im sticking with not having insurance x

allibaby · 04/09/2018 10:58

My experience hasn't been good.
I've found that most pet insurers are too expensive and tend to try and wriggle out of paying up with silly excuses.

Doodygirl2009 · 04/09/2018 11:21

I’m in a petplan with my vets, they have been good so far

MummyBtothree · 04/09/2018 12:47

We haven't got insurance for our beloved dog but as he's getting older I think that we really should have done.

mynellie · 04/09/2018 13:22

con artists is what i think of pet insurers they take your money then quibble what they pay for and i swear they are in cahoots with vets and why the prices have shot through the roof in the last decade or so i now put money aside each month to cover the vet bills and any problems at least then i know that i will have the money to cover fees and won't be left with another company letting us down

littlemonkeyz · 04/09/2018 13:27

I have not purchased pet insurance before but we had to pay massive amounts of vets bills when my cat became ill so it is definitely something that I would consider in the future

MothershipG · 04/09/2018 13:46

I would be interested to know how profitable pet insurance is as I have now been priced out of the game.

My dogs had been insured all their lives but now they are older it is just not affordable at getting on for £100 per month each with a £500 excess and 20% not covered.

I have now set up an ISA to save for when/if they need it.

shelikesemwithamoustache · 04/09/2018 14:39

I have always stopped pet insurance when it becomes too expensive due the age of the cat or dog. It always begin fairly reasonably and then spirals out of control. In all cases, once my cat/dog has got beyond a certain age, they are very likely to get ill and at that point a decision has to be made on whether putting a very elderly cat through chemotherapy for instance to extend their life for six months is worth it for the animal or the human involved.

I feel that vets also charge different prices for insured and non insured animals. When my elderly cat for example (17) had stomach cancer two years ago, he was no longer insured and my vet was pragmatic and recommended palliative care only despite him mentioning that he could have an operation and daily chemo (!!) that may extend his life by a few months, he wouldn't recommend it. My cat had a number of appointments *(at least 4) and scans/ultrasounds and sadly died a few months later, the total cost for all treatment was about £200. Last year, my 1 year old cat, had a cut to his body and less appointments, and a small number of stitches that totalled nearly £700 (he is insured). Vets have whether the animal is insured on their system and prices tend to be elevated or extras added for those insurance claims - or maybe I'm just cynical...

Also, like most insurance, my new kittens were £12pcm for both with Direct Line initially. The renewal came through at £17pcm. I did a new quote on their website and it was £9pcm for both. So I cancelled the old policy and started a new one (obviously wouldn't work with any ongoing conditions) with the same company as they wouldn't match their own quote. So it's definitely worth playing the quote game with younger animals.

MillyVanilli222 · 04/09/2018 15:14

We found that Petplan offered the best value for us - they explained everything really well, and are quick to respond to any questions. Haven't had to claim yet but I feel pretty confident with them!

otter099008 · 04/09/2018 20:28

I stopped bothering with insurance for my rescue dogs. I was with Petplan on the covered for life policy, and it was costing me £120 a month for my dogs which were all under the age of 3! I've never made a claim - anything that has gone wrong with the dogs cost roughly the same amount as my policy excess so there really wasn't much point in putting in a claim.
I now have a separate savings accounts for my dogs and I put the £120 a month into that instead to use on vet bills. I also have a credit card which is reserved purely for vet bills and I would use this in an emergency.

Mummyinlove1987 · 04/09/2018 20:52

We use Animal friends and have done for the past few years, to insure our two cats.We have never had to make a claim, but we have never had a problem.Renewals run smoothly and I feel the price is reasonable

HelenPlant · 04/09/2018 21:10

They're good if you have an older cat or one with health problems, but for younger, healthy cats, sometimes it's not worth it.

suewilly · 04/09/2018 22:11

I don't currently have any pets but if I did I would certainly take out insurance because vets bills can be costly! I would probably check out comparison sites because I want to get the cheapest possible deal. I'm very wary of pet insurance providers because I've had a couple of friends who tried to claim when they needed operations for their dogs and both were refused on different grounds. So I'd want to check out reviews from real customers before I purchased

rocketriffs · 05/09/2018 15:37

I went with Petplan and am happy with what they provide. They are pricey, but vet bills are hefty so its good to know I'm covered.

cooljammer37 · 05/09/2018 18:05

I find the older my dogs are becoming, the more the insurance premium is and I have never claimed however when I did a search they (Petplan) are cheaper than elsewhere. Worrying how much more it is going to go up....

andreaca · 05/09/2018 19:17

I looked for a lifetime policy that can pay the vet directly if you want, I did go on a comparison site, but still went for a platinum and an insurer that would include some dental (most dont), I used it last year, and of course it went up this year but not by much, I wouldnt pay over the odds, but I wouldnt be without it, I just couldnt afford not to be, vet bills are so expensive.

IKnowWhenThatHotlineBling · 05/09/2018 20:00

I dont bother with pet insurance. Rightly or wrongly, i just pay in full when something occurs. I prefer this way rather than bunging out money every month to a company that probably wont pay out anyway, should a serious and very expensive illness happen! xx

Beach11 · 05/09/2018 20:07

Think definitely need to shop around each year fir best deal so don’t get ripped off. It’s still expensive but needed

sofieellis · 05/09/2018 20:10

I don't have pet insurance for my dog. We did look at it when we first got her, but there were so many disclaimers about what they wouldn't pay out for, we didn't think it was worth it.

We just put a bit away each month and hope it will cover any eventualities.

eandoauntie · 05/09/2018 20:59

We don't have a pet but I think it's a marvellous idea - some vets bills can be horrendous and insurance makes sure people can always take care of their pets.

Mariobug25 · 05/09/2018 21:20

I personally think some plans can be very ambiguous about what they can cover. I feel it could be made clearer so people know what they are paying for. Overall I think pet insurance is well worth having, as vet bills can be so expensive. However I do think people need to be cautious and query any ambiguous terms.

anji2000 · 05/09/2018 23:22

I've never had pet insurance in the past. I think if I got a pedigree dog I probably would.