Hi
My insurance renewal from Petwise has just come through for my 14yr old male.  He's very healthy, no pre-exisiting conditions.  The monthly premium has almost doubled to £70pm.  Spoken to them and they say their hands are tied, they can't negotiate on premiums (like with car ins).  So, I'm looking around and have found similar cover cheaper elsewhere.
Animal Friends seems to be coming in around £45 for the same cover (Maximum Benefit, no time limit, per condition) but am I better off staying where I am and sucking it up as the cheap 1st year with another supplier is inevitably going to increase next year.
Pet Plan is a similar price but for their 12 month cover plan.
I haven't changed insurers for so long.  And before anyone suggest saving the money monthly instead, thank you, but I'd prefer for him to be insured.
Any suggestions or advice regarding insurers from a dog of 14 years old?
Thanks.

am I better off staying where I am and sucking it up as the cheap 1st year with another supplier is inevitably going to increase next year.

Remember that Petwise (or any other policy)  will undoubtedly go up next year as well.
Another thing to check is the excess you pay and how much you have to 'self cover'. The renewal qoute ( about £1200) for last GSD then aged over 10 would have been £150 more on excess plus something like 30% self cover! so I stopped insuring. Also I felt that at over 11 I wouldn't put him through the same procedure that I would have done at 5 or 6. Lost him at 13 yrs 7 mths :-(

Thanks tatty-ead,
Sorry about the loss of your boy.
Yes, in fact I've just double checked the current policy against the cheapest one I've found and my policy is a lower XS and lower % contribution to vet fees, plus I get more allowance per condition.  So, in the event of a claim I'd be better off.  Plus, as mentioned, any new policy will go up next year.
I might just end up staying with my current insurer.  I'm not comfortable with no insurance at all.

Have a look at Napo, they’re getting good reviews recently for good cover for older dogs.

Just had a look at them slightly cheaper than my current petplan policy including excess but trying to make out if the really do cover preexisting conditions.
If they do it might be worth the risk as u pay a lot for her dermatology treatment not currently covered

Check Agria.  They do an old dog amnesty in Oct/Nov usually, cheaper policies.

When we had numbers, insurance wasn't remotely possible.  I was usually lucky with my vet who should we hit a bad patch, let us 'stage pay', knowing we'd clear any outstanding bill before anything else.

When down to two, I took quotes and gave up ..... I wanted insurance, not to buy the companies!!  It's the excess that finishes me - this is based on the average vet bill, so you tend to end up paying the vet bill + the monthly premium.   What's the point of that!

Up to now, I've had savings to cover vet costs, but since interest has been down to stupid figures, my savings have taken quite a hit in recent years.  Thank goodness (in a way!) I no longer have Frankie to fund.   Sadly Teazel has started to cost me at the vet but then she will be 14 on the 12th, and over the years, her vet bills have been minimal, so I suppose she deserves her recent costs!

My late brother in law used to use More Than (think that's right) and he did lots of research.

> trying to make out if the really do cover preexisting conditions.

Most won't cover pre-existing (ie something that's ever been mentioned on an animal's medical history at any time) conditions under a new policy, but those that do all seem to require the animal to have been free from it for the previous 2 years. So anything that she's being treated for now won't be covered until after October 2024.

Agree jeangenie but this one isn't clear. It doesn't ask about anything on the application nor does it come in the what we don't cover section
However as I am of a suspicious mind I won't be jumping just yet if at all . In theory the premium is £50 cheaper than current policy for same sum insured

Wonder what the amnesty means.  Brooke has regular vet checks and treatment for her ears .costing around £ 200 every couple of months .none of which is insured
Just checked and they won't cover preexisting.  Think we are stuck with her ears being an exclusion

Just checked Agria, they came out £100 a month more than my enormous renewal quote!

Nope, Napo were more expensive too.