Insurance, any recommendations?

[bonnymiffy]

I know we need to do something about this, but wondered which providers anyone might recommend, ie best cover, and reasonably timed pay-outs if necessary. Poor dog met with an accident on Monday (although I've been advised that it wouldn't most likely have been covered anyway) but it is serving as a timely (and pricy!) reminder. He's a ex-racing greyhound, aged 8 and a half, if that makes a difference... trusting to the wisdom of MN, please don't let me down!! Thanks.

Sorry to hear your dog had an accident.

The age may well be an issue.

I used to work in the business and I think 8 was the cut off for some companies not to give insurance to new customers with dogs that age.

They do vary considerably in price, but of course, the more you pay the more cover you get etc etc. And remember that although there are loads of "brands" of pet insurance (all the supermarkets, M&S and loads of others do it) the actual insurance company behind all these is often the same.. Just with different fronts on them. So the service you get for say, M&S and Sainsburys pet insurance is all from the same centres with the same processes.

I have only had to use my policy once and I must say, it was handled quickly. I am insured direct with AXA, who back a load of the famous name pet insurance schemes.

Not a big claim, though, so they just settled up. Larger claims will attract a lot of scrutiny and in those cases the good and bad payers will become more evident!

Can your vet recommend who they like/get the money from quickest? They may have a relationship with a particular insurer (but beware that this isn't also particularly more expensive)

I think you can have good and bad experiences with any insurer, it's a bit of a lottery TBH.

I have claimed 13.5k with M+S over the past two years. They have paid out, inc paying the vets directly. I am leaving them now tho as my premium has understandably shot up- to £80 a month eek!

This means that the problem with his back- he has had three sets of surgery- wouldn' be covered, but if i stay with m+s i only have £500 left for that issue, plus i wouldn't put him thru any more surgery.

Churchill. They don't enforce a deferment period and you can design your insurance to meet your needs exactly (whether to add 3rd party, travel, etc).
In each period of cover (12 months) they will pay £3000 PER injury or illness (many policies have a set amount per year, rather than per incident). For under £8 per month, our dog has good life cover.

They do a cheaper option still to cover singular accidents per year alone. I think they're third recommended on 'Moneyexpert' for pet insurance. I checked out the top two but found I'd be paying for elements I didn't need or they had deferment periods for payments and set policy amounts (i.e. £4000) per year rather than incident, etc.