Done the searching. The problem is that you're rarely even close to comparing "like with like". The Healthy Pets plan looks good, but the vet fees cover only goes up to £5k, whereas M&S is £7k per annum. Other policies running at £6k and £6.5k had these levels "per condition" - so once you've spent that much on a long term illness in total, you're on your own.
On the "More Than" site - cover was £7k vets fees, per annum - but all the other things you might reasonably want were covered only to a third of the level set by M&S (e.g. £500 theft -v- £1500 theft and straying). Nearly went for the More Than cover, but checked the excess - it was £75 (fine with me) OR 15% of the vets' fees, whichever is the higher. So on a serious £3500 illness (and I know some of you have had bills of this size), I'd be picking up £525 as the excess. Ouch. I don't know if this was standard or because I put colitis down as a pre-existing condition (and therefore an excluded one).
What I'd really like to find is just a broker who could get me a tailored one-off quote. In reality - it's the vets' fees I'm most concerned about and I'd happily waive some of the "bells and whistles" cover which M&S provides. Might give them a ring and see if it can be tailored down a bit....
Denise