Would you insure a lab puppy?

[TartanRug]

We have a lab puppy whose insurance from the breeder is due to run out. We are unsure whether to reinsure or put money aside every month to cover any costs (we wouldn't touch this money). Also if you do insure, do you recommend for life policy or an annual policy? Have also posted in chat before I realised I should prob have posted here! Thanks in advance.

I had to stop all my dogs' insurance a few years back, because the premiums had become so high and our circumstances had changed to mean we couldn't afford to be paying out that much every month.

We were just planning on re-insuring them when one was diagnosed with bone cancer and the other had some bladder related issues that didn't respond to treatment. Within a couple of months we'd payed out almost £3,000 in vet fees. Then when we got our new rescue pup, he turned out to be ill and again - several hundred pounds worth of vet's fees within a couple of weeks. Since April this year we have spent almost £4,000 on vet fees and are now looking at a very lean Christmas as a result.

Needless to say, both dogs are now fully insured. I looked at every policy I could find in detail and decided to go with PetPlan. The prices were competitive and there were no clauses that might catch me out further down the line, (worth checking the small print as there are often restrictions on the amount they'll pay out for cruciate repair among other things) plus they cover dental work as long as an annual dental check is carried out and that's very important for the breed I have.

On top of that, they were one of the few insurers that agreed that my Lurcher could be registered as a crossbreed, as both parents were Lurchers meaning he has at least 4 breeds in his mix. Other insurers claimed Lurcher as a specific breed and loaded his premiums. I have used them before in the past and they always paid out with no problems as well.

Yes absolutely.

Our lab has had a few health problems and we have saves £1000's over the years through insurance.

Definitely. They get lots of horrible tummy upsets, they eat things they shouldn't, they fearlessly jump and crash into things. (It gets better)