CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Insurance => Topic started by: rubyduby on June 03, 2019, 01:34:17 PM

Title: Insurance chaos
Post by: rubyduby on June 03, 2019, 01:34:17 PM
For the first time in 40 yrs I am considering getting my latest pup insured, I have looked at quite a few and it really is a minefield, with so many 'get out clauses' restrictions etc.What really annoys me is all the extras thrown on a policy you will never need, like overseas cover, cremation, kennelling, etc etc....IS there any company on this earth that will allow you to select exactly what cover you want and pay accordingly. I just looked at one from Legal and General which looks okay, but there is  string of about 10 items you are covered for, but only one I really need ie vet treatment. I resent insurance not because I hate my dog but because I know that it is insurance that is allowing vets to ramp up the prices to a ridiculous level, therefore pushing do owners into insuring aneat vicious circle where the only sucker is the dog owner
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: Barry H on June 04, 2019, 08:34:07 AM
...
I resent insurance not because I hate my dog but because I know that it is insurance that is allowing vets to ramp up the prices to a ridiculous level, therefore pushing do owners into insuring aneat vicious circle where the only sucker is the dog owner
I'm sure we all share your pain, though not sure that it's insurance companies 'allowing' vets to increase prices. Vets can charge what they bloody well like, so it's the other way round most likely.  Also, lots more people are claiming which also pushes premiums up.  The fact of the matter is that we all love a good rant but while there may be some haggle room, premiums are what they are, so we all have to bend over...

FWIW, I have had Jack insured with More Than since bringing him home as a pup, thankfully without having to claim.  For the past 3 years I've had a £12K lifetime cover option but had to reduce that to £4K this year to keep the premium at the same level.

I know there are some who choose not to insure, but put a fixed amount per month into a bank account instead to cover vets fees.  Might be worth considering, but an insurance policy will also have other cover benefits including third party liabilities.  Anyhoo, the standard advice is to choose the cover and premium that, while not exactly being 'happy' with, at least gives you peace of mind should you have to make a claim.  Remember that the cheapest is not necessarily the best.  Lifetime cover is better than annual limits so go for that if you can afford it.  And allowing a decent excess will also lower the premium.  Comparison sites can also be useful.
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: its.sme on June 04, 2019, 08:46:04 AM
Insurance prices can be ridiculous but I for one are very glad that I had cover for two reasons,

Bea has a rare condition which needed specialist's to diagnose,  with her insurance I didn't have the added financial as well as the emotional worry, its true that with insurance Vets will in essence throw everything at a problem to hopefully solve it, the alternative is to slowly but mathodicly go through one test at a time to see where that leads.

The other point is that Vet treatment has come a very long way, possibly due to the amount of money going into the service via Insurance, Bea for one would probably not be here without it.

I'm no fan of insurance companies but at times I have been very great fall for them.

Its painfall but research is so important to get the right cover for you.
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: Jaysmumagain on June 04, 2019, 12:16:26 PM
While Ollie is over 11 and only one claim in April with Animal Friends, by the time we had finished they took the 25% for age and the excess, so his resent claim was a drop in the ocean with the fees I have paid AF since he was 7mth old.  Would I recommend them - don't think so, have read dreadful things about them, yet in the early days went with them due to there giving back to pet charities etc, but basically I think they have diluted there principles for £ signs.
Have you looked at Bought by Many read good things about them on here.
As for the option of putting money away each month....so many folk do this.
But finding a good insurance company is a mine field.  I was told that Bought by Many even cover dental work for a small addition(check this) not a bad thing Ollie groomer told me one of her clients had been quoted over £750 for teeth removal and clean
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: Pearly on June 04, 2019, 02:07:17 PM
Have a look at Agria Direct.  Very good value compared to the Kennel Club insurance and they are both underwritten by the same two firms!

I’ve been impressed with their service and non nonsense approach to Vet fees.  All 5 of ours are insured through Agria.

Jayne
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: PaulJ on June 04, 2019, 03:07:14 PM
We ummed and ahhhed over formal insurance vs self insuring. We chose formal lifetime cover for  peace of mind in the event of a serious and ongoing condition. As others have said cheapest is rarely the best. It’s insurance so there are winners and losers and there is no way of knowing which until something happens...or not.

If pup lives a happy healthy life and we have no need to claim then great. If we need to claim we have peace of mind financially. I consider it a running cost...if that makes sense.
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: Jaysmumagain on June 05, 2019, 10:39:11 AM
Have a look at Agria Direct.  Very good value compared to the Kennel Club insurance and they are both underwritten by the same two firms!

I’ve been impressed with their service and non nonsense approach to Vet fees.  All 5 of ours are insured through Agria.

Jayne

My old vet mentioned them to me and said good
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: rubyduby on June 05, 2019, 12:11:01 PM
Thankyou for the replies and I will look into the mentioned companies, our last dog that died last May cost us over £5,000 in treatment as she had a long running kidney condition which with Pancreatitis sadly took her in the end, although we had the money and still have, I got so sick and tired of my OH complaining about the vets and making a rumpus every time I took her for vets etc(mainly because he knew they were a waste of money , but I had to go for the meds), I decided if we are shelling' out on a smaller basis regularly he wont moan as much as he will consider getting HIS moneys worth. Sadly in the time I had my girl treated the vets were basicly useless, I had to do the research and tell them what was wrong and what she needed and that's been the pattern throughout my 40 yrs of dog ownership. I went thro 8 vets before I came up with one I could actually talk to and get any sense, so far from veterinary treatment improving in those years it has markedly got worse, the equipment might be better but their training certainly isn't. I realised the issue with the  insurance when one of my dogs had to have a mandiblectomy they quoted a price (at the time) of £2,500, then when I said I had no insurance it was reduced to £1700. We are being ripped off by both vets and insurances I am afraid.
Title: Re: Insurance chaos
Post by: Emilyoliver on June 05, 2019, 12:59:21 PM
I think the insurance costs have escalated for two reasons: 1) People claim for every tiny thing rather than major episodes; and 2) when you take your pet in for just about anything you are offered a load of blood tests, scans, x-rays and anything else they can think of - regardless of the symptoms, and prior to the most basic checks being carried out.  It's got a bit silly IMO.