Mumsnet users share what they think of pet insurance providers

[EllieMumsnet]

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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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I think pet insurance is so important and I would never just go with the cheapest. I always check it over to see what level of cover is provided. Our dog needs pills for itching in summer which drives her crazy and the pills are so expensive but luckily the insurance covers them so I know that I have piece of mind that I have a cover which is really comprehensive and if anything else ever happens and she needs treatment I can rest easy that I have an adequate level of cover.

Scoundrels who encourage vets to do every test possible so to increase their revenue and your premiums!

i think smaller animals should be treated as important as acts and dogs, not many places cover animals liek guinea pigs

Well worth researching before getting your pet and comparing prices and plan details. Make sure you know what you're getting for your money, read the terms! The cost should be taken into account when buying your pet, you really need to be able to commit long term to proper care.

Too much small print and exclusions!

Hear in the news / consumer progs that many renege on paying out, some stop cover altogether and huge jump in premiums!

I don't have my own pets but my sister's insurers were fantastic when she cat needed and emergency procedure - they told her exactly what she was covered for and how much extra she would have to pay and were sympathetic and caring.

I have never bothered with pet insurance before and am skeptical about which firms would be trustworthy. I still would avoid it I think if I got a new pet

I hate the way they charge high prices, but then won't pay out for the removal of back teeth from festering gums. Oh no, it has to be an accident!

I really think it is important to insure pets these day's, vets bills have gone through the roof over the years, even simply tablets or cream are expensive now.. I would search around first to find the best policy and price.

I always look into pet insurance. I was with animal friends and so was my friend. She had such an exhausting time with them getting money back for her dog who had to have unsuccessful major surgery. So on top of dealing with the loss of her beloved animal she was fighting to get nearly 5k back. I never renewed with them for my cats and am in the process of finding a new provider

I'm with Petplan. They're expensive and I'm stuck with them as my very elderly cat has health problems and the new premiums asked for by other insurers are extortionate.

Our currrent provider is good, but the last one reneged on treatment cover

We had lifetime cover from NCI insurance for our much loved pug Lola. She developed a neurological disorder days before her 4th birthday. This required her to spend 4 days in a specialist veterinary hospital where she underwent an MRI and spinal tap. The cost of this stay alone was over £5k.

The process of claiming was straightforward, we were kept up to date by text and email and claims were paid quickly and in full. There was one sticking point where they said some medication she was prescribed wouldn't be covered but all it took was a conversation with the vet who prescribed it, who explained why it was being given and they paid out no trouble.

When we sadly lost Lola, they were kind and compassionate in our conversations and correspondence with them. They even refunded part of the premium we had paid for that month. All in all we were very pleased with the service we received. We would not have been able to do what we did for Lola without them.

I think it is a great idea but wish they were more affordable for people who are on a low income so they can afford it too.

We don't have any pets so don't have any experience with pet insurance. However, it is something we would definitely invest in if we were to get a pet.

My experience of pet insurance has been largely negative, I continue to pay into an account to cover any medical needs should they arise, my renewal increases year on year - even though I have never claimed, and should I need to claim for 'one condition' then that condition will no longer be covered. Next year thinking about not renewing and saving the premium instead.

I have a lifetime cover with petplan and we have claimed around £4500 in his first two years. Can't fault petplan as they paid up each time very quickly.

So glad I got the insurance as vet bills quickly mount up. I don't think people realise that vet care is like private health insurance for us humans and can be very costly.

had problems in the past, so its negative from me. legalised robbery

I never got insurance for my cat, i instead just put money aside each month.

I had my Maltese insured from when we got him at 6 weeks old, although the premiums went up year on year, when he had a lump on his tummy, the cost of the operation and aftercare was £3700. As I had all the paperwork, and the vet was happy to help me complete the paperwork, there were no issues in claiming. The premium did not go up after so - happy pet owner and healthy dog - thanks Petplan.

so expensive!!! we have our dog insured for accidental only (only £50 a year) and have to foot the bill for treatment whenever he needs it. Its a risk i know, it could end up really bad and us being out of pocket but the amount of money for insurance i thought was really far too much, and the excess seems inappropriate amounts - most treatments would make it not worth clamining, so really its insurance for the "biggie" treatments. So far we have saved quite a bit of money but are prepared to cough it up should our beloved mutt need it. One point of interest is that we did at one point took him for treatment for a one-off situation and the vet asked if we had insurance or not and i told her we just had accidental and would pay, when I went to pay after treatment they gave us a generous discount (which i suspect probably wouldnt have happened if it was being paid by the insurance).

Never had it, but then Tyrion, the cat, had to have treatment that cost me £500. I now have it.

Some are ridiculously overpriced, Ive left a few companies as there renewal after a year sky rocketed even though ive never made a claim. I have 3 dogs so it gets very pricey, however Id rather pay more and have extra cover.

As a multi-cat household it would be costly for us to ensure each. Instead, we save the equivalent amount in a "pet emergency" fund and use it for any vet bills. Some insurers do offer "multi-pet" insurance but the discount is quite paltry and doesn't make it worth it.

expensive but reassuring that things will be covered .