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Anna Said:

Pet Insurance - which one?

We Answered:

I considered insurance some years ago but I thought they were very expensive and considered how many times I would take my pet to the vet for the amount of money I was paying
I voted against it

Fred Said:

pet insurance HELP for my dog x?

We Answered:

Hi, i'm a vet from wales. Insurance is a fantastic idea especially for a dog this size! just a weeks course of antibiotics will go over your excess! £14 seems very cheap!
the key thing wwith insurance is the length of the cover. make sure it is lifetime cover. with 6 monthly or 12 monthly insurance you can only claim for each condition for that amount of time.
if you're dog breaks its leg that fine web can fix it in that amount of time. if he develops diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy or anything that needs life long treatment they'll pay for the first 6-12 months and after that they wouldn't pay. If he has skin problems in his first year of life and you dont claim then gets them again when hes 4 they'll refuse the claim aswell! 12 monthly policies aren't worth the paper they are written on!
the lifetime cover might be a little more expensive but will pay out for all of the above so really is worth it.
also bear in mind that if you opt for 12 monthly cover now and decide to upgrade it to lifetime cover in a few years you won't be covered for anything that has happened before you upgraded.
you can't wait until he is ill as the other poster said because you won't be covered for that problem!
Pet insurance is a nightmare and they'll get out of paying whatever they can so make sure you take out lifetime cover and read all the small print thoroughly

Velma Said:

pet insurance? lifetime cover...?

We Answered:

Presume you are US. Pretty sure you are.


I would also warn against these insurance covers, and I myself got burned in the same way, and it cost me thousands that I had to pay out after the year was up.

I now have "lifetime cover".

Check out your particular choice, and you will find that a lot of them do like a bronze, silver & gold and sometimes platinum which cover different things. such as more money per claim ie £6000.

I think most companies (UK) do offer all levels of cover. Can't speak for US.

Cathy Said:

Has anyone got Marks and Spencer's dog insurance?

We Answered:

Step with caution!
When my dog insurance was up for renewal with Pet Plan the premium was even more expensive than what was already an expensive policy! Like you I wanted to see if i could get "similar" cover but at a lower cost. I don't mind paying, but want value for money and want to know I am not paying over the odds.

I rang someone called the pet insurance doctor. They deal with all types of pet insurance and act like a broker, only they are totally independent.

I explained what policy I already had, told them what the renewal cost was then asked if anyone else provided "similar" cover for less.

They recommended I go for the gold cover with Pet Wise. Its £10 per month LESS than the Pet Plan, the cover isn't quite the same. It DOES cover for "life time" BUT there is an upper maximum limit to what they will pay out for that illness over the life of the dog. It means they would say pay for on going medication for diabetes year in year out, UNTIL the maximum limit was reached. I can't remember all the specific details but its a very high ceiling limit so its not likely to be a problem. With the Pet Plan they have an upper limit PER YEAR on any ONE particular disease / illness.

Its all so confusing and it can be difficult to understand what you are and aren't covered for.

I suggest you look at Pet Wise. It seems like a wiser choice, great cover, without paying over the odds.


Web link - http://www.petwise-insurance.co.uk/

Or get in touch with the Pet Insurance Doctor. They are totally independent. If you wanted to you could ring and ask them about the M&S policy you are thinking of taking out. They would be able to explain the wording and point out the small print / clauses etc.

Their number is -
0845 601 8575
9-9 weekdays.

(He has an advice column in "Dogs Today" magazine)

Shane Said:

Which pet insurance policy for a service dog?

We Answered:

Choose the one your own vet recommends. An insurance plan does you little good if your vet won't accept it, and not all vets accept all plans. Your vet is also in the best position to know 1) what your dog is most likely to need 2) which companies actually pay back or are hard to deal with.

Some policies require you to pay for the services up front, then reimburse you. That's something to consider too.

Also look into IAADP membership. http://iaadp.org