Insurance!

[Mumofyellows]

Just realised my dogs insurance is due for renewal in a couple of days so mad panic looking around before deciding whether to renew or change insurers.
We are currently with Many Pets, top level of cover 15k of lifetime vet fee cover for both our dogs (2 Labs).
Renewal has come back with a small increase up to £117 per month for them both.
Just did a quote with Pet Plan which has come out at £90 for one dog and £99 for the other per month 😱 with only 12k cover.

I have heard that Many Pets Customer Service has gone downhill recently which is why I considered changing. Has anyone got any good recommendations for good cover?

Also has anyone ever insured with Pet Proactive? My vets now recommend this and they work with independent vets and provide cover so that you never have to pay upfront for as they will cover directly as long as you use that particular vet.
Seems like a good idea but also pricey and not very well heard of so have some reservations...
Thanks in advance!

Check out Tesco. They were amazing in covering lots of large claims and lovely staff, ultimately sending me a condolence card separately from my ex as they knew we had split from transferring the paperwork (they called him for my address, definitely above and beyond)

I use Pet Plan - I trust them and they’ve never let me down.

Even if they are more expensive, I wouldn’t take the risk going somewhere cheaper and having them muck about with pay outs

Give tesco a try

I used to use pet plan before we got the new pup but they kept putting the price up and covering the new pup and my 3 year old cross was going to be astonimical plus the cover wasn't as good as i wouldve wanted but they are easy to deal with

Tesco was the best price I found, not sure how easy they are to deal with as only been signed up a few days but I got much better coverage for alot less

Tesco are really good.

However if either of your dogs have any pre-existing conditions, they won’t be covered on a new policy. Just something to be aware of.

Thanks, they don't have any pre existing conditions...I will check out Tesco!

I am now leaning towards going for the one linked to my independent vet as they will handle the whole thing with them and there is guaranteed no need to pay upfront, even if it's an emergency or they refer you for specialist treatment. Seems like a good idea, as I know how quickly vet bills can rack up if the worst happens...

I’ve been with Tesco for both pet and car insurance in the past and they’ve always been really helpful and quick to pay out.

Pre-existing conditions will be anything they've ever seen a vet for (other than routine checkups/vaccs). For example, If they've ever had an ear infection, nothing to do with ears will be covered. Just to be sure 😊

@TillyandFlorence Oh trust me I know, been there with my horse where each leg was eliminated one by one from my policy, then any gastric issues, until it was pretty much pointless insuring! We have been lucky so far and not had any issues, but want to be as covered as we possibly can be just in case for the future!

Oh good! I can only dream of having a dog that doesn't need to go to the vet!

When was this as I was considering switching to Tesco after this thread but the reviews are all 1* saying the are a nightmare to pay out! My dog does have a pre existing condition grade 1 heart murmur but the company I’m with now purely pets have been rubbish too!

We’ve been with Tesco for a year with no claims. The premium they’ve offered has gone up from around £30 per month to around £45. Dog is now 4. We had Waggel for a couple of years with our previous boy (no claims) and their premiums shot up as well, though they’re offering a fairly similar premium to Tesco’s last year for a slightly better offer. Switched to Corinium with our old boy and they paid out quickly with his osteosarcoma. But their premiums have shot up, looking at the comparison sites.

It’s not easy!

We are currently with Napo, made a couple of small claims over the last two years and always paid out within a week or so.

My latest claim was on Wednesday, the claim is over two vets as we’ve moved mid treatment. We have paid for one part today, they are waiting for info from the other vet for the other part of the claim so not them delaying.

@Dueanamechange2025i looked at napu I was happy with their level of cover but it put me off there is no phone number to ring, it’s all chat bots or you email to request a call back.

Yes this is true which I didn’t realise until this week when I had a question, I asked it on the online chat, had the option to click speak to a team member. It too about 30 mins for a reply but they answered my question with a link to what I needed.

@Dueanamechange2025 we went with Napo last year, paid £35/month and got my renewal through last weekend which went to £60/month. No claims. Dog is only 3.
Just switched to Tesco for £24/month. It's £11k of cover as opposed to £12k though. I was shocked with the increase from Napo and not sure how the heck they justified it.

Do bear in mind that if it’s literally a couple of days before your current policy expires, you will have a period in between where you are not fully covered if you switch providers - they will all have a period where lots of claims are not immediately covered (normally 14 days), to prevent people taking out insurance when they know their dog already needs treatment.

Not with Tesco, it says...

Not covered:
Vet fees to treat an illness which occurred or showed symptoms within 14 days of cover starting.
This 14 day exclusion period will not apply if you have switched to Tesco Pet Insurance from another insurer and have had continuous cover for your pet for at least 14 days with your previous insurer before your policy start date.

Ours increased after the first year but he was almost 8 at that point and we made one claim for unspecified spinal pain (frenchies are prone to back ends going) so expected a big increase and couldn’t move due to having claimed. The second year it’s not changed at all.

That is typically only when you haven’t had a policy immediately before switching. To stop people taking insurance when their dog gets ill.