How does this sound?

[Ninni]

I am looking for insurance for my 12 week old cocker spaniel Ela. I want a lifetime cover and am considering HelpUcover -  £2,000 per policy year subject to a maximum of £500 per condition per policy year, £13.55 per month.

Any thoughts, anyone has experience of this provider?

Thank you!

[PennyB]

Not sure re provider but £2000 isn't a lot really - I ran this up with my cat really easily recently re blood tests and basic treatment. Some of my insurance that I can't change is £4000 a year maximum for life, which has served me well (Bosley my sprocker who's only 2 had a cataract in one eye - this was treated at a cost for initial op of 3000 then after that we have to pay for followups and meds which run into about £150 each time.

Just before Christmas 2 of my dogs had gastro problems, which was £100 each just for basic treatment alone without blood tests. One dog earlier had similar plus has had to have repeat blood tests, which all adds up

[Ninni]

Ah, thank you. I don't really get the "time limited" deal but don't like the sound of it - "£4,000 per new condition for 12 months from the start of the condition"  - I assume it means it just pays for 12 months, not if it's an on-going condition, is that right?

So ideally I assume I want a life time cover, (at least) £4000 per new condition an not restricted to time?

[LinziS]

£2000 per year cover is not really enough...and the £500 per condition per policy year is definitely not good....that can be used up very quickly. I have just spent over £800 in 6 weeks getting my girl treated for pancreatitis  and it is still ongoing. I would look for something better.

[Ninni]

Thank you for replies, that's very helpful. What do you suggest I need, as a general rule?

[Ninni]

OK, so I have now found a possible insurance in this minefield... Any thoughts?

£4000 vet fees per policy year
£1.5m of third party liability cover
Holiday cancellation up to £1500
Death by accident or illness £1200
Lost £1000
Accidental damage £750
Boarding fees £1000

It's a lifetime policy with excess of £110. Provider is pet-insurance.co.uk

Ela is 3 months old, no pre-excisitng medical conditions.

[Shibbs]

I've just been through this and I found it really hard, lots of comparison between lots of companies. On top of that I found loads of people recommended different companies which made it even harder.
I went with a deal from Argos (Didn't even know they did pet insurance!!) but the cover was good and a sensible price. High values for pretty much everything. Looks pretty similar to the one you found but higher vet fees, I've read that £4000 may not go too far?
Good luck with your choice though.

[Joules]

How much is the premium?

I would say that £4000 is quite low - any major treatment could easily take you over that 

[Jaysmumagain]

I have been with Animal Friends since Ollie was young and he is eight, when he was unwell in Nov last year  my vet asked to look at policy and said he felt it best not to claim has Ollie being eight and the fact that after excess it was about £88 to claim.  So I didn't much to hubby's disgust

My vet said that the amount was low as specialist centre treatment would wipe it out in weeks, he also said that the clause in mine to watch out for is out of hours treatment cover, which must be deemed an emergency - at the time I said that anyone who drives the 9 miles to out of hours cover vet clinic wouldn't do it at 3am unless they felt it was an emergency.  Still it is an insurance policy
My vet mentioned Agria Pet Insurance as there limit is £12,000.  Not looked into it as OH and I decided that the premium would be through the roof with Ollie being eight now.  So sticking where I am.
Just thought it is worth a look at and maybe others have heard of it.

Julie

[PennyB]

I've just been through this and I found it really hard, lots of comparison between lots of companies. On top of that I found loads of people recommended different companies which made it even harder.
I went with a deal from Argos (Didn't even know they did pet insurance!!) but the cover was good and a sensible price. High values for pretty much everything. Looks pretty similar to the one you found but higher vet fees, I've read that £4000 may not go too far?
Good luck with your choice though.

Some of my policies are 'stuck' on £4000 (as I have previous claims so can't move) but I've managed pretty well so far despite my lot trying to turn my hair grey with the stuff they present me with - but as the limit is 4000 is each year so has worked out OK (recently Bosley had a cataract op which used most of the 4 grand but then we started another year so any other treatment has come under that).

I do have Lady on 12,000 with morethan but then their choice for lifetime policies was limited so didn't have any choice (would have preferred less but more than the 4 grand and a cheaper premium) but saying that they do cover some dental treatment as well (and have paid out on it) and am waiting to hear re if they will pay out for her hip problem this week.

[PennyB]

Ah, thank you. I don't really get the "time limited" deal but don't like the sound of it - "£4,000 per new condition for 12 months from the start of the condition"  - I assume it means it just pays for 12 months, not if it's an on-going condition, is that right?

So ideally I assume I want a life time cover, (at least) £4000 per new condition an not restricted to time?

the per condition means if you use that up then that's it but as with mine the insurance amount I can use is renewed each year which I prefer - if I'd had the per condition I'd have used it up by now with one or 2 of my dogs

Its up to you really how you go as none of us can advise other than how we have found our own experiences

[PennyB]

Also you 1st suggest using pet-insurance.co.uk - I checked the underwriters for this and wouldn't touch them with a bargepole as they're actually E&L Insurance who haven't always had a good reputation re paying out

[Joules]

Ninni, I have merged your 2 threads on insurance so you have all the info in one place