CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Insurance => Topic started by: Alpha on April 03, 2007, 10:06:49 AM
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I have just activated Lillys free insurance but when I was at the vets yesterday the receptionist asked who I was thinking of using,
she said that she uses M&S and has had to claim 3 times and they have always been helpful and paid in full. On the net it says that Argos is the cheapest but I was thinking of petplan or buddies. I also have 2 cats and wondered if there is anyone out there who will give didcount for 3 pets?
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Hi.. my cat is with Petplan... not the cheapest but good cover, handle claims vary quickly and directly with the vet surgery and will give a discount for multiple animals (of the same species)
Baxter is with Healthy Pets... seem good value but not had to make a claim yet so can't comment on that side of things (touch wood I don't have to make a claim ever!)
Whilst I was looking for Baxer... 'More Than' insurance seemed to look very favourable too.
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I'm with Argos but haven't needed to claim so don't know how good they are in that dept.
M&S have changed their prices considerably and some of their T&C's have changed too ;)
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Pet Insurance for the uninitiated is a total minefield ::)
There are so many different policies and terms and conditions that it's probably best to decide what type of cover you want first, and then look for a policy that offers it - rather than go by price alone ;)
The cheaper policies often only cover each condition for 12 months - so if your dog is diagnosed with a long-term illness or injury (diabetes, or a torn ligament, for instance), then once the 12 months is up, then you have to pay the rest of the bills yourself :-\
Even policies that cover a condition "for life"; often have a maximum value for each claim - which can also leave you picking up the tab if you dog is diagnoses with a long-term illness that requires expensive ongoing treatment :(
Then there are the different things that policies will and won't pay for - some provide more comprehensive cover than others. Common exclusions include prescription diets, dental treatment and alternative/behavioural interventions :-\
It is well worth reading the cover offered very carefully, and deciding whether you are happy with the restrictions/limitations of each, and only then compare the prices ;)
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I changed to Healthy Pets (Gold option) a few months ago after being with Tesco for about ten years. It was actually cheaper than Tesco who only offered cover for the first twelve months of any one condition. I only fully realised the implications of that when my springer was diagnosed with a chronic illness :'(.
I've had one small claim already with Healthy Pets and they paid up within about two weeks :D
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I've just had my renewal from M&S which has increased by 65% :o
Which thanks to previous threads on here I was prepared for. I called them anyway to enquire why & they said that AXA have realised that dogs as opposed to bitches seem to have more claims & certain breeds too! >:(
Looking at the policy wording it also looked like the excess had increased from zero to £50 but was assured that the last paragraph overwrites all previous & it is still zero excess.
On comparing M&S to Healthy Pets for Max the M&S is £62 per year (£5 month) dearer but Healthy Pets quote £100 excess.
Good luck in your search.
I think it's worse than looking for car insurance ::)
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All four of our dogs are insured with M & S, we had lots of claims for three of our dogs last year and they paid each and every one without any problems, including hydrotherapy for our pyrenees. We have the no-excess option and I can really recommend it.
Vera
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both my dogs are with M & S and although it has increased alot from last year, i still like the peace of mind knowing they cover any illness for life. I know someone who had to claim 7k for her lab last year and they paid up no problem :)
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I know someone who had to claim 7k for her lab last year and they paid up no problem :)
I think that is the maximum that M & S will pay for vets fees in any one year ;) Petplan do offer a policy that is totally uncapped, though ;)
Alpha - if Lilly receives any veterinary treatment during the 6 week period of free insurance (even if you don't claim), then you will need to check out what exclusions any other company will place on the policy before you change - it can work out very expensive if you switch ph34r
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I use Healthy Pets too. We claimed only a few wekks after activating the policy for Pepsi's lip fold op and they paid up really quickly. I was unsure if they being as we'd only had the policy a short time. They do discounts for more than one pet too.
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This helps answer some of the questions about pet insurance and the pitfalls.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1130761827,56015,
There is also a site where you can compare costs and benefits of many of them, but I can't find it at the mo >:( . Will have another look and add it here if I can.
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Ahh. Found it! :D
http://www.aboutyourmoney.co.uk/pet-insurance/dog-insurance.htm
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Maisy insured with the gold option with Healthy Pets as well, not needed to use it yet!
Barbara
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Snoopy and Rocky are both with Healthy Pets gold cover and I would strongly recommend them as an insurer. When Snoopy had his abscess and was very poorly last year they sorted everything so quickly and were really helpful and explained everything in English, even when the vet lost the claim form twice ph34r. When I put Rocky onto the same plan with them they discounted the costs, which is fantastic.
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Hi,
had allsorts of quotes as I want to insure my 2 Bengals as well (Lots of insurer won't insure them) and have gone with Direct Line for ALL 3 Advanced cover it was only £36 per month compared to nearly £70 which was the next cheapest. Seems to cover most eventualities, lets just hope it is a) never needed and b) good as they say it is.
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I started with Direct Line, as they were really good - check the small print when you get your renewal next year, as they seem to add the exclusions then >:(
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After reading some recommendations on a previous thread we went with M&S but when I re-checked the KC Healthcare plan that provided the 6 weeks free cover when I got Harley - they were cheaper than M&S and their benefits were better. M&S covered up to £7,000 per illness or accident per year and the KC one was £10,000, and as KC were cheaper I cancelled the M&S one and went with the KC, they were quite happy to insure Harley, even though there had been a break in the cover - and still at the original price quoted when I activated the 6 weeks free cover.
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I know people have had wonderful experiences with M&S but I found them rude and slow. If Petplan will accept Kali this year then I will change over. :-\
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Healthy Pets were excellent for Lucys 3 claims pity we cant say the same for the vets accountant who apparently claims that maths is not her strong point >:(
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I know people have had wonderful experiences with M&S but I found them rude and slow.
I know how you feel Sheryl - everyone here seems to be singing the praises of Healthy Pets but my experience of them was the opposite - I found them a complete and utter nightmare to deal with. I only put in one claim and it wasn't for very much but they quibbled over every last penny. It took a year to sort out and even then they only coughed up because I chose to give in and settle for less than I was due, rather than having to endure the pain of dealing with them any longer. Seems I was the unlucky one but just reading their name still makes me seethe. >:( :lol:
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I know people have had wonderful experiences with M&S but I found them rude and slow.
I know how you feel Sheryl - everyone here seems to be singing the praises of Healthy Pets but my experience of them was the opposite - I found them a complete and utter nightmare to deal with. I only put in one claim and it wasn't for very much but they quibbled over every last penny. It took a year to sort out and even then they only coughed up because I chose to give in and settle for less than I was due, rather than having to endure the pain of dealing with them any longer. Seems I was the unlucky one but just reading their name still makes me seethe. >:( :lol:
I don't think you are alone Colin - I have heard similar stories from people who have dogs and other animals insured through them ;)
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I know people have had wonderful experiences with M&S but I found them rude and slow.
I know how you feel Sheryl - everyone here seems to be singing the praises of Healthy Pets but my experience of them was the opposite - I found them a complete and utter nightmare to deal with. I only put in one claim and it wasn't for very much but they quibbled over every last penny. It took a year to sort out and even then they only coughed up because I chose to give in and settle for less than I was due, rather than having to endure the pain of dealing with them any longer. Seems I was the unlucky one but just reading their name still makes me seethe. >:( :lol:
I've heard similar horror stories from E & L; I know several people who have insured with them & when it came to the crunch they managed to wriggle out of the insurance payout. Years ago I was with PetPlan - they were quite good but expensive; at the moment the dogs are with Direct Line; I've only claimed once for Domino when he was a small pup but they paid up without quibbling so I speak as I find!! ;)
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We have 3 pets insured with M&S and almost all our claims have been settled quickly and in full :D
Only exception is SaffiWestie's allergy's. It seems she was seen by a vet for chewing her paws before she was insured with them (before she was 1 yr old) and when we tried to claim for the allergy tests and vaccines etc they excluded all skin conditions......we should have insured her earlier (she was almost 3 when we decided to insure her ph34r
Costs are growing with her allergy tests and she is having a vaccine specially formulated for her....she is allergic to almost all grasses and trees but especially birch and oak :-\
Janey
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We used m&s the first year, second year premiums went through the roof, we also found them very unhelpful and rude, even though we never made a claim. I am with the Halifax now, the underwriters are the same as m&s, that is axa and the cover is similar, never made a claim so don't know if I can reccomend them yet. will have to wait and see if they double the premiums when they become due.
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I am with the Halifax now, the underwriters are the same as m&s, that is axa and the cover is similar, never made a claim so don't know if I can reccomend them yet. will have to wait and see if they double the premiums when they become due.
I'm not sure I would call the Halifax policy similar to the M & S policy - it has a £50 excess, it only covers £1000/£6000 a year in fees compared with £7000 under M & S, Halifax excludes all dental treatment (unlike M & S) and M & S offers fantastic Accidental Damage cover for YOUR OWN property, whereas most of the others, including Halifax, specifically exclude damage to the property of householders ;)
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I use M&S pet insurance for Alfie and they have been really good. I can't remember the exact amount we pay each month but we pay an extra £1 a month to have no excess. Robbie is with Petplan and since we have claimed we can't move him because that condition won't be covered if we try to claim again.
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I don't insure.
Although I have spent over £1000 on vet fees this year so far for different dogs, insurance would not have been cost effective.
I view the costs over my life time, rather than an individual dog's life, as I will always have dogs.
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I don't insure.
Although I have spent over £1000 on vet fees this year so far for different dogs, insurance would not have been cost effective.
I view the costs over my life time, rather than an individual dog's life, as I will always have dogs.
For me, the vets fees are only one part of the cover I seek - third party liability cover is up to £2 million with the policy I have.....and although I hope to would never happen, I consider it the responsible thing to do, in the same way as having third party car insurance ;)
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I don't insure.
Although I have spent over £1000 on vet fees this year so far for different dogs, insurance would not have been cost effective.
I view the costs over my life time, rather than an individual dog's life, as I will always have dogs.
For me, the vets fees are only one part of the cover I seek - third party liability cover is up to £2 million with the policy I have.....and although I hope to would never happen, I consider it the responsible thing to do, in the same way as having third party car insurance ;)
I have 3rd party cover as part of my house insurance. but - the Dogs Trust gives 3rd party insurance when you join and pay a tennar
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the Dogs Trust gives 3rd party insurance when you join and pay a tennar
Really? how does that work then? Is it only for dogs adopted from DT ? :huh:
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No, it's anyone who signs up as a sponsor for the Dogs Trust and pays the joining fee.
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No, it's anyone who signs up as a sponsor for the Dogs Trust and pays the joining fee.
I had no idea - I thought the money went to support the dogs in the DT care, not to pay an insurance premium for my own dog :-\
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All my pets are insured and without it I wouldn't be able to have Wilf treated by a fantastic vet in Swansea (cost is about 85 a week since the middle of December and the rest!). I'm with Petplan and while it is expensive I can't move because of previous claims but then am glad I at least have something especially since I lost over half my income last year (something I didn't envisage) and wouldn't be able to pay any long term/large vet bills
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I have Louie insured but I would anyone to have 3rd party (at least).
A few years ago, an Old English Sheepdog ran into the road and my dad hit it whilst driving (Iwas with him there was now way he could have stopped). The dog walked away without any injuries, but he wrote off my dad's car. :o
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Something I would advise people taking out insurance for the very first time is choose carefully, it may not be easy to change insurers if your dog visits the vet for anything other than routine vaccinations even if you haven't made a claim.
I looked into moving Max. He had been to the vets for a bout of sickness and diarrhea that cleared up quickly with treatment. I didn't make a claim, but other insurance companies wouldn't then cover him for ANY sickness and diarrhea.
Three are with Direct Line, and whilst they've paid up without any quibbles they are slow at paying out. I was told when I claimed for Sapphi's accident last October that they had a backlog due to short staff but this would be rectified in a few weeks. When I sent in Barney's claim a month ago I was told exactly the same thing. It took 8 weeks for Sapphi's to be settled and Barney's still isn't.
Morgan I have insured with M&S. I would have like to moved the others but now there are too many things that they won't cover so I can't.