I know this subject has been discussed to death on here many times, but I have been rather negligent in the past 3 months and have not renewed my Pet insurance.

Having had 2 rather expensive Vet experiences in this time I have finally got around to investigating the various Companies and to say that it's mind boggling, is an understatement.

I don't necessarily want the cheapest quote/policy, but a good value, comprehensive policy that will take into account many things. As these Companies have a habit of being popular and then changing Terms and Conditions at a minutes notice, I would like your opinion on positive experiences and recommendations.......knowing insurance Companies, this is a tall order I know, but I can try :P

Do any of these Companies cover alternative therapies? I have just had several quotes back and not one of them mentions it.

Edited to add: Why do some Companies quote me more for Callia who is 6 1/2 months than Murfee who is nearly 3 and they're the same breed and vice versa? Does anybody know?

Having researched about a dozen of the big name companies I honestly found M&S to be the best value. The cover they offer is as good, and in many cases better, than a lot of the others. It was by far the cheapest although cost was not my main concern. My first dog is insured with a different company (not one of the big names) but I will be changing over to M&S at renewal time too. You can read M&S policy on-line. However, I haven't had to claim yet on either policy so I guess that'll be the real test...

You can view the entire policy document here http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pdf/PetInsPolicy.pdf (sorry, utterly incapable of doing links)

Complementary therapies are covered by M&S but only if directed by your Vet.

HTH

Thankyou :)

I will read the policy in a minute, but having just had another couple of quotes and read their Terms & Conditions, the problem I'm going to have is that I don't vaccinate my dogs anymore, I use Nosodes (long story) and I notice that they don't cover unvaccinated dogs.

I can fully understand why they don't, but is there anybody on here who doesn't vaccinate but still has managed to get a good Pet Policy?

I use and swear by Direct Line.  policies are very cheap, Good Cover, they will pay the vet direct and promptly and have never quibbled anything and I have claimed thousands from them.

Bev

I went for Petplan with lifetime cover. Many only cover a small amount per illness or over a year.
It depends on what you want and peace of mind. Its not cheap but I've friends who have had huge bills that went way above their cover.
I found the cheap ones only cover so much per year or illness, its really down to you what you want.

I have the Direct Line lifetime cover.

Bev

Isn't it just the conditions normally vaccinated against that aren't covered with other illnesses and injuries still able to be claimed for? 

I am sure with mine (Sainsbury) that if they are not vacinated and pick up an illness like parvo they will not then pay for any treatment costs because you could have avoided it but they will pay for any other illness that isn't related to vaccination.

Nikki

I looked at Sainsburys Nikki and it says that you take out their policy on condition that your pets are all up to date on their vaccinations (on the website) wheather I have misunderstood it or not, I don't know, I've read so many policies in the last couple of days, my eyes could be deceiving me! :P

That's what I thought Isabel, so I rang a couple of them.

The first one said, no, we don't cover unvaccinated dogs full stop! And the second said, I don't think we cover unvaccinated animals but you would have to give us full details and then we'll look at it, although the policy may cost you more and not give you standard cover. I asked what she meant by standard cover and she couldn't or wouldn't commit.

I did say to both Companies that obviously I didn't expect cover for result of an illness that could be proved was down to unvaccination. I just want a comprehensive policy that will do "what it says on the tin" ;)

M&S state that they will not cover "...any claims that result from any illness that your pet should be vaccinated against. For dogs, vaccinations should be for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus..." which suggests that all other illnesses/injuries are still covered.

My three are with Sainsbury's and I have no trouble with them at all, I put a claim every two/three months for my nearly thirteen year old with heart and lung problems.  They took on Scampi at the age of 11 years which is unusual for insurance co they normally wont take on a dog over the age of eight. Excellent for £14 per month.

Think I'll give M&S a ring when I get a minute and clarify the situation with them, before I decide to take out a policy. Apart from that one question, it looks a good policy :)

Have just spoken to S'sbury and they state "You must ensure that your pet is vaccinated yearly against, in the case of dogs, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvo" We will not cover any dog unless these T& Cs are adhered to.

I am with M&S, check out their no excess price, I went with it this year for only a few pounds more.

My old boy has'nt been vacinated for about 7 years now, Sainsbury's never asked so I never told them.

It sounds like your cover wouldn't be valid then, Cockerhouse.

Petplan also require the above and a dental check once a year too.

Yes it would be invalid. Under a claim the insurance company may ask information from your vets.

He has'nt been vacinated as the vet did'nt recommend it due to having diabetes. 

Knowing what I do of insurance companies, if their Terms and Conditions are even bent slightly they'll kick up a fuss and refuse to pay out. :(

Best thing Cocker is to phone your company up. Don't tell them who you are just make out you're looking for insurance and ask if under these conditions you would be covered/accepted. If not try looking around but any illness your loved one has now will probably not be covered.

Good idea, Minipeace. It would be terrible to assume you have cover and then find out  they won't pay up when you need it. Better, for peace of mind, to change companies before that happens.

I'm keeping quiet.;-)

I'm keeping quiet. ;-) Sorry pressed it twice Doh

Honesty really is the best policy, excuse the pun :rolleyes:  when it comes to Insurance Companies.

I am paying out money that is not easy to come by and I need to ensure and know that should I ever need to make a claim (god forbid) that I will be covered and have peace of mind. I couldn't sleep at night if I had omitted to tell them something and then they found out and refused my claim.........but that it just me ;)

I notice on their policies they always ask for microchip details, if applicable, but not tattoos. And I still don't see how some Companies can charge me more for my younger dog than my older one and then the next one I get a quote from want to charge £32 more for the older one (he's 2yrs 9 months) than the younger one

I have to agree with you Hairypooch. I can't see the point in shelling out hard earned cash for insurance if there's a chance they won't pay out because I have deliberatley witheld information from them. I'd rather go without insurance and save the money on premiums in that case.

I have no idea why they want to charge to much extra for Callia...I haven't encountered this problem yet...I guess I might when I try to switch the big lad onto the same policy as the pup in September. If you find out the reasoning behind it, I'd be really interested to know.

Well they have paid up for the last 13 years.

Cockerhouse, lets hope that they don't need a detailed report from your Vet and they manage to ascertain that your dog isn't vaccinated (regardless of the reasons why) because knowing Insurance Companies as I do, they will have the ideal excuse not to pay for any further treatment. Especially as they state on their policy that they wont cover unvaccinated dogs in any circumstances.

Good luck, If it was me, I would look around for another Company when renewing, that do cover dogs in these circumstances rather than taking the risk ;)

I use Direct Line; they cover complimentary treatments but only on the vet's recommendation.  Excess is £45.00.  We claimed £3500.00 6 months ago with no problem at all.  Vaccination is not a condition of the insurance; but conditions such as parvo, distemper, etc is exempt if the dog is not vaccinated.  I pay £30.00 per month for the advanced policy for 2 GSD's.  The excess doesn't change as the dog gets older and they insure for life. 

Just out of interest, M&S's t and c's state:

>Significant and unusual exclusions and limitations:
>Pets who are a Sharpei, Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, Dog Argentinos, Japanese Tosa, or a dog crossed with these breeds, wolves or wolf hybrid and any animal registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and The Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) order 1991 or any subsequent amendments.

I can understand all of the other exclusions, but why won't they insure a Sherpei? Does the breed have significant health problems?

Quite a few of the policies I checked out named the Sharpei as specifically being excluded from cover. I believe all that loose skin makes them prone to skin conditions and problems but I could be wrong. Hopefully a Sharpei owner can put me straight if I am.

Goodness I wonder how hard it is for Sherpei owners to get good cover then? It is a shame all that skin can cause problems, they are lovely looking dogs, I don't know much more about them though.

I'm off to find info.... ;) :D

I think they are beautiful too, Natalie. I meet a guy on our walks who owns a beatiful bulldog and in the course of conversation he happened to mentioned that his sister has a Sharpei. I asked what it was like as a pet because I've always admired them. He says it is stubborn, willful, independent and damn near untrainable!! Not altogether sure whether these are breed traits or just this one dog though!

Well I am still looking for a site with info on them.... let down by CD!!! ;) Ah well there is a first time for everything!!

Still can't find anything other than on the KC site, but it doesn't really go into much detail. I have been a bit cheeky and emailed a breeder, see if she can open my eyes a bit! :D

I have two shar-pei now and i am with petplan, plus they cover for life, as not a lot of the insurance companies will in insure them.
Because of the problems they may have. touch wood none so far for me.
Had a laugh at Shaynlola, about the remarks the man made to her about his sisters shar-pei, not far from the truth lol. My bitch is very bossy and aloof with strangers, but she is a sweetheart :) BUT I AM TOP DOG lol
If you type in shar-pei breeders, problems, etc in google you should get quite a few come up.
Thats how i learnt everything about them. Still dont know it all lol.

I tried Google, I must admit, I know a lot of people couldn't live with out it, but I just do not get on with Google at all!

Are they prone to a lot of health problems then? I love the look of all of that skin, they look like the most comfortable pillows money could buy!!! ;) :D

Karen who comes on here has had a few problems, i hope she doesnt mind me saying?
She is a very helpful person.
Her shar-pei are a credit to her.

They are very cuddly, but my new one snores really really loudly lol

I imagined they would all snore, and even when they are awake!!! Do they slobber?

yes slober lol.
but i wouldnt be without them. leaves marks all over your clothes lol.
The shaking it around is the worst lmao.

They are not far from what I have imagined then! :D

no i guess not lol.
henri has just had his first jab and micro chip, so one more jab and a wait then i can take him out.
Been up and down the garden showing him that he has to be a good boy when we first go out lol.
Next door to me thinks i am nuts lol, may be.

LOL we will probably have the same thing with our pup!!!

WE have one dog covered by sainsburys & 2dogs with pinnacle, we havent claimed on the pinnacle one's as of yet .....
But we did put in a claim for vets fee's & also a chiropractor on the sainsburys policy & they paid up the full cost within one week with no questions asked. Not all policies cover alternatives though which i think is very sad.

I found this site :-) and i think there cheap for pet insurance.

http://www.animalfriends.org.uk/

Sherlock says "It's underwritten by E & L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sorry Val :-( i didn't see that

No need to apologise! ;) :)

I think that I have found the right policy for me :) I'm just waiting on confirmation (in writing) that they are aware that my dogs aren't vaccinated but will still cover me for any other condition that is unrelated.

This is only the 2nd time I have sought this type of insurance. The first time, after reading the policy I realised that their was very little I was covered for, so cancelled without penalty. Then I meant to find another policy that was reliable but never did, hence I'm looking now.

Before this, I used to put money aside each month into a high interest savings account and built up quite a tidy sum. I was always of the opinion that this was much better value and I was getting a good interest rate as well ;)

But because of a financial crisis, we dipped into the money and there's not a lot left in the account, so for the time being, I will have to have a pet policy. Just hope I never need to claim on it.........

Can I ask which company you decided on HP?

M&S seem to be the best, not the cheapest but very reasonable and the level of cover, as you know is very good...............Thank you :) :)