Insurance quotes and types are overwhelming!

[NewMaltese]

Getting my first ever pup on Friday, and trying to sort insurance before collecting her.

Could any of you give me any feedback on your own experiences esp when making claims?
For example -

• were there any situations a claim was refused?
• any companies who really make it all as stress-free as possible?
• Is it better to have a policy where we claim the costs back, or where they pay the vet directly?
• are any policies as all-encompassing as they actually claim to be?
• if a claim is made, does it significantly increase premiums the following year?

Thanks!

https://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/pet-insurance/pet-insurer-reviews/best-and-worst-pet-insurance-adlAD3Y24cYN - John Lewis and Pet Plan consistently rank about the best.

I am with Sainsbury's for my dogs. Fastest claim was paid in five working days - claimed on Monday, had the money by Friday. They've been great so far, but I try not to claim from the insurance that much if I can avoid it I don't use John Lewis because I don't like them as a company 😃

It does increase premiums if you claim. But insurance is 100% needed - particularly (if I am guessing right) you're going with a Maltese as they can have some pretty hefty vets bills (back issues, collapsed trachea, dysplasia).

Remember you don't need to claim for everything if you can afford to foot the bill (which sometimes is actually the smart thing to do). I've never claimed for my cocker and she's 10, had two operations on her eyes and jaw, and is mildly arthritic. Her insurance is only £60 a month - £15K worth of cover.

I keep the insurance for those absolute emergencies (cancer, hit by a car, attacked by another dog) where the bills would cost £1000s and just swallow up the cost of the smaller bills. Not everyone can do that, I know, but if you can it is worth considering.

Kennel Club insurance is also very good - but expensive. I think the quote for my Golden was £70 a month from 12 weeks, whereas Sainsburys (same cover) was £30.

We're with ManyPets (previously BoughtByMany) and I do rate them. We have the most expensive cover with the 15k lifetime. I really recommend getting lifetime as if your dog needs a lifetime medication or treatment it'll cover it. ManyPets cover my dogs teeth cleanings under sedation, most insurers don't cover teeth and that's £250 every 6 months. They also pay for ones prescription which is £70 a month, and we've spent about 2k on a behaviourist for one too which was fully covered.

Were there any situations a claim was refused?
No. They've paid everything no issue, from behaviourists, to dental.

Any companies who really make it all as stress-free as possible?
I've only heard good things about ManyPets, and PetPlan (but they were much more expensive)

Is it better to have a policy where we claim the costs back, or where they pay the vet directly?
It's dependant on the vet too- current vets claim anything over 1k directly from the insurer, up to 1k we pay and they pay us back. Previous vets before we moved you paid everything yourself and claimed back from insurance.

are any policies as all-encompassing as they actually claim to be?
Check carefully. There are very cheap insurers but read the small print.

if a claim is made, does it significantly increase premiums the following year?
Maybe. I started off paying £30 a month when I got one, it went up to £50 last time (he's 4 now) and we've claimed around 5k of things since we got him, so I don't think that's too bad at all.

I'm with Pet Plan and Kennel Club insurance. Life time cover on all policies
I do claim for everything as these companies do not put up the premium on previous claims. I am not going to pay for insurance and then not use it!

• were there any situations a claim was refused? no all claims have been paid. Pet Plan paid within 6 hours of emergence surgery

• any companies who really make it all as stress-free as possible?

Very stress free fill in claim online and dealt with really quickly with Pet Plan

• Is it better to have a policy where we claim the costs back, or where they pay the vet directly? We pay and then claim although many vets will be happy to claim direct from Pet Plan and Kennel Club

• are any policies as all-encompassing as they actually claim to be? Yep we have had no issues.

• if a claim is made, does it significantly increase premiums the following year? Pet plan does not increase premiums based on claims made

Whether you can get them to pay the vet directly or you pay and claim it back is up to the vet - most vets IME will do it with petplan and very few others.

I've just had to claim for a broken foot with Napo. I pay £40 ish a month (which I'm sure will now go up!) for £16000 lifetime cover. The vet claimed directly through them which means I didn't have to pay upfront, there's no way I could have afforded that as to fuse it back together was £5800. I think the vets put the claim in on Monday & it was approved today.
Napo seems to do it all online, with a chat service who were excellent & kept me updated all the way through. Photo of the idiot snooozing this afternoon away.......

Oh & I've not claimed for the smaller silly things he's done as it wasn't worth it for the £100 excess. So when he ate raisins & had to have a jab to throw up, that came to about the same price as the excess so I didn't bother. & the occasional visit when he pulls a shoulder & I'm not sure how long to leave it, that's £60 but cheaper than paying an excess, especially if it's just a check up & no treatment needed. I'd never not have insurance though as I can't afford to treat. As it was he was just running in the park & broke his foot 🙄

Oh the poor soul 😢

Thanks for the info. I've gone with Pet Plan, the 7k lifetime cover. They don't increase premium as a result of a claim, but obv the price will go up annually anyway. 🥲