How worrying - I hope Paddy continues to recover
On the insurance front, I registered for the six weeks free insurance but took out my own insurance with Direct Line at the same time. There's a fourteen day delay from taking out the insurance before you can claim so that's why I registered for the six weeks free.
Go careful if you plan to do this - if you do have to claim while you have two insurance policies in place, then you may end up in the middle of a fight between the companies, as they tend to have clauses that relate to other policies
In the mean time, you are waiting for your payout
Obviously, if your pup/dog hasn't been treated during any period of insurance then there is no risk when you change - but if they have had anything other than routine treatment (even if you haven't claimed on the policy) - think very carefully before changing the policy - it may have implications in years to come