If you were (legitimately) eligible for PDSA vet services due to circumstance, would you have pet insurance?

[lougle]

We are eligible for PDSA vet services. We always pay as much as possible towards costs (e.g. if we just go for a consult, we donate their advertised 'cost' of these services, if we need further treatment, we donate as much as we can towards the cost).

I am wondering though, about insurance. We always used to have insurance. My concern is that if a pet needs treatment, then you insure, that treatment is excluded as a pre-existing condition. Which means that if our circumstances improved and we were no longer eligible for PDSA services, we would be left with some conditions that were excluded.

Yes, I would, insurance for me is for the big bills - with minor stuff by the time you've paid the excess you're not claiming very much.

But it's the things that you'd want referral to a specialist for that insurance is good for, that's expensive, sometimes hugely expensive.

PDSA provide a limited service in particular for long term medical conditions such as Hypothyroidism, Cushings and diabetes. This maybe worth considering.

Yes, Lonecat. I'm absolutely grateful for all that PDSA do for animals and they are so very kind, but I think that we would feel more comfortable with insurance.

How often does a dog need over £7k of treatment in one year? The premium for the dog (GSDX) would go from £22.37 for £7k, to £39.07 for £12k.

Depends on the dog and what's wrong with it.

Mine is insured for £7500 - he went over that last year by about £500.

Long term heart meds, diabetes or even arthritis in a GSD can start hitting these levels I'm afraid.