Does anyone have an alternative to taking out insurance?

[black taz]

Just on the public liability item - some house insurance policies cover pet public liability - but you would have to check your individual premium.

[smartietopdog]

I was with Greenbee last year (now John Lewis) and only paid £10.80 ish a month. It came up for renewal and because of the changeover company name etc, they never sent me a renewal notice. I checked the bank, and it had gone up to £25. Soon cancelled that one!!
Have just gone to Sainsbury for £8.85, for the same cover as Greenbee  
Seems you have to keep changing every year, as after the first, the price shoots up, regarless of claims.
Oh, I forgot to add, I get the last 3 months of the year free too, with Sainsbury!

[JaspersMum]

I have all 4 of mine with Sainsburys and each one has been a reduced sum to cover. They have paid out on the couple of occasions I've claimed and health cover is for life (although as with them all - there is a ceiling what they'll pay). Naturally pre-existing claimes won't be covered but I'm happy with them so far hence why they are all covered there now, and the car and the house 

Whilst I could save quite a bit a month not paying insurance, I couldn't save enough to cover a major illness, especially if it were something that was "caught" by the others.  PLUS I wouldn't want to be without public liability in case, heaven forbid, they should cause an accident ever 

When husband was made redundant their insurance was on the list to consider doing without if it came to it but thankfully many things would have gone before we got to that stage.

[aliceandlouis]

Just on the public liability item - some house insurance policies cover pet public liability - but you would have to check your individual premium.

Excellent point 

Animal insurance is one of those things we re-visit every so often on the basis of 'do we really need it', but given the rate at which bills can mount up I honestly think it is really important to carry it - not sure we could find £££££'s up front to cover anything serious