We have had quite a traumatic month. Last week we had to have one of our dogs PTS after a month of her slowly going downhill the vet suspects luekemia (still waiting for results).  After with all this happening we thought we really ought to be taking out some sort of pet insurance as we realised how costly it can be. Our other dog appeared to pull a muscle in his hind back leg 3 weeks ago and seemed to get better.  We applied for M & S Pet Insurance we applied online and have still not had any confirmation back from this but in the mean time while this is still being processed I had to take the dog to the vets yesterday as he started limping again and they seem to think it could be early arthiritis or could be hip displasia but will only be able to tell by x-rays. Ive been sent home with pain killers and his to have rest.  I cant believe this has happened especially has I have read that pre-existing conditions are not covered on policies.  I really do not know what to do about this policy now as to whether or not cancel it as i doubt I would be able to insure him now because of this with M & S let alone any other companies.  Any advice would be much appreciated at this terrible time.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. 

I signed up with M&S on-line for insurance to start "the next day" which was 21/5/05.  I only received the paperwork on 1st June.  I telephoned them to see where it was and was told that it takes about 10 days for paperwork to come through.

If you signed up online to start insurance straight away, then you are insured already......hold fire for the paperwork, or call them on 0800 072 0119 for clarification or if you need to make a claim.

HTH
Vicki

I know exactly how you feel, my SBT developed colitis just as we were about to insure him.  Unfortunately as the vets had seen him with symptoms before we took out the policy so he is not covered for this condition.  He also had to have his spleen removed a couple of years ago too! We did not however have a problem insuring him and have successfully claimed for other conditons on our policy.  We are with Sainsbury's.  I would give M & S a ring and make sure of the date the policy started before cancelling, you never know you may be in luck.

Julie (& Fagin)

Hi

So sorry you're having such troubles.

I applied on line for M&S insurance on 11th May 2005. I wanted cover to start from 20th May as that was they day we were due to pick up our puppy. I didn't hear anything from them either so gave them a call to confirm that the policy had been accepted. They confirmed that it had and documentation had been sent. I still hadn't heard anyting by 1st June so I rang again and they agreed to re-send the paperwork. I have now received 2 lots of paperwork! My policy shows that cover started on the day that I first applied, not 20th as requested.

Not sure that you needed all this detail but I think I'm basically reiterating what has been previously said (much more concisely than I am doing). Give M&S a call as soon as possible (0800 072 0119) and check the start date of the policy. As long as the date of first diagnosis of the problem is after the start date, you should be covered.

Hope it all turns for the best and your boy is ok.

I think I would call them.. whether you do it on line or call to book it you should have received a policy number which you would keep for reference. Or that is how it should be. the other thing to remember is even if the policy did take affect you have a 14 day " incubation" period where you are not covered.