insurance

[Valiantsteam]

I expect this subject has been covered in here before but lets resurrect it *it is Good Friday after all *
Our new Spaniel Bertie is having his injections next week which then means we can take him into the big wide world etc. and see what he thinks of it.
Luckily with all our previous Spaniels visits' to the veterinary were not to often and no whopping great bills.
But we are considering an insurance just in case .
I have Google up pet insurance and talk about a minefield ,they all offer this that and all promise to do this that and the other ,but in reality what have people in here found to be a decent insurance ,that does cover most things that do pay out without quibbling for months on end and above all that does not mean selling the house to pay the premium .
All answers assuming there will be some will be appreciated .

[bollibop]

hi

I use Petplan and have done since 1978 - not the cheapest by any stretch of the imagination but have never had a problem with them. they even paid out for dental work last year which was a bonus as I didn't think I would be covered.

Recently I phoned the BASC insurance for quote and they were only a couple of pounds cheaper so not worth changing.

good luck in your search.

ruth

xx

[Stihl 090]

We have always insured, and with our lab having epilepsy we continued his insurance up to three Years ago.however the premium's escalated to over £50 a month!!
The boys aren't insured either, but we put to one side monthly amounts for all dogs so we have a doggy pot should it be needed. With four dogs we where looking at £1600 a year out of pocket, but that's now kept in our pockets rather than the insurers!!

Basic when looked a while ago seemed OK, though check who the underwriters are. Allianz are notorious I believe, ask my wife regarding her van!!!!

[Stacia]

Pet Plan for me as well, have been insuring with them since 1984. Don't forget your dog will not be insured for the first two weeks when you join, so best to insure quickly, also any existing problem will not be insured, another good reason to get on with it! My Lab broke his elbow at 16 weeks and we were just covered!

[vicky payne]

1) Check the company will insure working dogs
2) Use a company with a good reputation that's been around a while. Google will help with this.
3) Decide on a suitable level and type of cover for your needs. There are three main types; Yearly Renewal (only cover each condition for up to 12months), Life Cover- Financial Limit (Cover each condition for life up to a set monetary level e.g. £5000 per condition), Life Cover- Unlimited (Cover all conditions for life with a monetary budget each year e.g. £10,000 per year which could cover four things up to £2500 each EVERY year). Remember CT and MRI scans can eat up your insurance quickly, as can orthopaedic surgery.
4) READ THE SMALL PRINT! Make sure you understand any exclusions and excesses (once per claim or annual, fixed cost or % of claim).

Consider other options such as a savings account or credit card but remember the pot will be very small if your dog breaks a leg in the first few months of savings and don't spend money you can't pay back on a credit card.

[kent]

I think frankly insurance for a working dog that offers good worthwhile levels of protection has become too expensive. There are various reasons for this just one of which is owners and vets doing too much "because its insured" , dogs live only in the present and by nature do not tend to show weakness or pain easy.