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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog Insurance

30 replies

OldEnglishSheepDog · 07/02/2018 19:23

Getting a new puppy shortly - what do people think about the different types of insurance? Is it worth getting the lifetime one and if so is there a particular insurer that you recommend?

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 07/02/2018 20:00

I use petplan and have a life cover. Within the first year they have paid out around £2.5k. On their website they say that the premiums will go up dependant on age but not on claims.

I totally recommend a life policy and to look at all the T&Cs to make sure it suits you. I have had no issues with petplan but there are other companies but cannot comment on them as I have no experience. A life policy though is essential because without it we would now have so many exclusions that not much would be insured.

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 07/02/2018 20:34

I just looked at Petplan and they're four times more expensive than the cheapest life time quote on Compare the Market. Is it worth it?

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 07/02/2018 20:39

Is it worth it? It's hard to compare as I have only claimed from them. However, I have only had to fill in a few details, the form is handed to my vet and within a few weeks the money minus my excess was paid into my account. At one time we have an ongoing serious illness and they paid out everytime I put in a claim so I cant fault them. My premium went up £15 for the year when I renewed it.

Redisthemagicolour · 07/02/2018 21:03

We had petplan for our pup for a few years then changed to an internet one offering the same cover for half the price. The price did go up quite a lot the 2nd year. When our dog was 4 he was diagnosed with epilepsy. He has cost around £3k in vets bills this first year - almost all of which has been covered by insurance. He's on lifelong meds and will need regular blood tests (monthly med bill currently £160+ without any emergencies or bloods). Our insurance co is slow to pay out and I'm wondering what the renewal will be but it's certainly worth getting lifelong cover for a reasonable amount! We didn't even know dogs could get epilepsy and he could live for years yet so the bills will be endless.

tigerlily1405 · 07/02/2018 21:03

I would always recommend a lifetime policy, however always check the terms of the policy being offered before choosing an insurer. My dog is insured with petplan and we've had no issues, and he is epileptic so on meds for life.

All insurance companies will have decent policies and rubbish ones, it's worth checking the insurance limit (per year or per condition) and any conditions they exclude from the policy. Also some will add a contribution excess earlier than others.

joystir59 · 08/02/2018 17:06

We are with Tesco on a life plan. We haven't claimed yet but they are cheaper than PetPlan with good reviews

Olliver27 · 08/02/2018 17:40

We've gone with Argos for a lifetime plan, Pet Plan is probably ideal as they'll deal directly with the vets afaik, but just so expensive.

Definitely go for the lifetime plan though, and read your policy details well so you don't get any unpleasant surprises.

teaiseverything · 08/02/2018 17:44

Please please get a lifetime one. We have PetPlan with 7k of cover annually. My best little bud monster got cancer and we didn't have to worry about a think. She used her full cover in 2015 and again in 2016 and our premium has only gone up by £10. We started paying £25ish a month and now pay £36. They're also very good at pre-authorising so you're not left out of pocket at all.

teaiseverything · 08/02/2018 17:49

A thing not a think. Blush

WetsTheVet · 08/02/2018 17:50

Always always always get lifetime. The others are pointless. Don't go with E&L or any of their subsidiaries (e.g. insurance emporium)

VioletCharlotte · 08/02/2018 18:09

Please, please get a life time policy. It's worth every penny. My dog was diagnosed with a lifetime condition 2 years ago which means he has to have medication every month. The cost of this is 3x what I pay for the insurance.

InMemoryOfSleep · 08/02/2018 18:13

Totally agree with other poster in getting lifetime cover, and you may also find that with the cheaper policies you have to pay a percentage of the vet fees (usually 10-20%) on top of the excess (usually around £100) which can end up being very expensive! We worked it out as we recently renewed and PetPlan was the better deal.

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 08/02/2018 18:13

Yes I think I'm decided on the lifetime policy - thank you for the tips on that. Petplan is SO expensive in comparison to others but they sound very reliable... I'm off to have a look at Tesco, DH has a credit card with them, I wonder if they do a deal?

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 08/02/2018 18:15

Have you looked on any of the comparison sites? Argos are v good and I've been told legal and general are too.

BiteyShark · 08/02/2018 18:20

Petplan does seem expensive but if you are unlucky enough to need to claim then at least you know the premiums will only rise with the dogs age and not the number of claims you have made. This also means I claim for anything over my excess amount.

MinisWin · 08/02/2018 18:25

Have a look at Bought By Many, who also seem to provide really excellent cover, no personal experience yet but about to take out a policy with them having done a lot of comparisons and research. Also better value.

BiteyShark · 08/02/2018 18:28

MinisWin isn't the big difference with bought by many in that it had a max limit for each condition which is over the lifetime whereas other policies tend to have a limit which resets every year?

Danniotley · 08/02/2018 18:28

We were with more than on a lifetime plan. Our dog developed diabetes and subsequently went blind with cataracts. More than have been brilliant. They pay quickly and the excess is only 10%. We exhausted his £7000 cover but over 4 years. The premiums did not raise too much when we started to claim like I expected. I would highly recommend them and would definitely recommend life time cover.

bulldogmum · 08/02/2018 18:30

Tesco get great reviews, also good with dogs where the insurance tends to be higher based on breed eg. Bulldogs.
We are with Vets Medi Cover on a lifetime policy and they have been great. We are stuck with them now as my boy has had a few illnesses including epilepsy which needs lifetime meds so if we moved all would be excluded. The premium has now gone up quite a lot but still a lot less than his monthly medicine and blood test costs. They have paid out over £9k in the last year and a bit without quibble.
We were with Petplan for his first year but they refused to pay on something they should have and our vets argued on our behalf. They then tried to put premiums up to £110 per month too from £45.

tigerlily1405 · 08/02/2018 18:32

Tesco is underwritten by the same company as John Lewis & more than, all do good policies but am unsure of monthly payments. All insurance companies should do direct claims with vet practices, it's up to your vet practice whether they are happy to claim directly for you (worth checking - some also charge for this service). They may have a list of insurers they will not claim directly from if they are slow to pay claims.

tisaromo · 08/02/2018 18:38

Another Pet Plan user here. As everyone else has said, life cover is essential and you should check all the terms of the policy. Yes, PP is more expensive but we've never had a problem with them and they have always paid out without delay. When I lost my middle girl, I received a lovely card from the lady I spoke to when I rang to cancel that policy following her death. Perhaps that was more of a personal touch from the staff member rather than the company, but I found it very touching.

Hope your new little one will bring you many years of healthy, happy companionship and joy.

MinisWin · 09/02/2018 09:17

Bitey - only on their value policy. Their regular, complete and money back policies are lifetime policies with a £7000 limit per condition per year. They also offer a pre-existing condition policy with a £500 limit which increases for every year you don't claim for the condition back up to £7000 after 3 years.

GooodMythicalMorning · 09/02/2018 09:19

We had a petplan and life insurance for him. That way we know premiums aren't going to go up. Ours is with tesco

BiteyShark · 09/02/2018 09:31

MinisWin I didn't see the other policies so that's worth knowing. I can't move now given all our claims but it's worth knowing what's out there if I ever get another dog.

SwimmingInTheBlueLagoon · 09/02/2018 09:42

Warning re petplan

They have a fantastic reputation and are well known for not increasing premiums much as the dog ages, meaning that although they are most expensive in the first place they work out good value in the long run. Also known for being good to pay out. However

Both mine and my brother's dog were with them.

They have changed! My renewal premium was 25% increase - on a 1yr old dog. I rang to question this, thinking it must be a catastrophic error and was told that they "have had to change things". I cancelled. My brother who had been with them for years and who's premiums had only risen by a few pounds in that time, was also hit with a huge price increase on his latest renewal (over 40% hike in premium). It seems they have vastly increased prices on renewal (but not on the first year quotes if you go online - they have actually decreased).

So op whilst I would always say have a lifetime policy, you need to be very careful about company and be warned petplan have changed.