Jumping the gun a bit here seeing as I haven't even chosen my breeder yet, but does anyone have any recommendations for good dog insurance (and any tips on what I should look out for when choosing a policy)?

Looking for 'pet' insurance only - the dog wont be shown or used for breeding.

Many thanks in advance,
Helen

Petplan, without a shadow of a doubt, very reliable, quick settlement and vets will even invoice them direct as they are so good.

Downside, they are not cheap.

M&S do a slightly better cover then Petplan, quick settlement and are cheaper then Petplan. They also do a no excess option for a few pounds more.

Do a search on insurance on here and you will get lots of advice.

Excellent, will do a search - thanks.
Helen

We are with Marks and Spencer.  We pay just over £10 a month to cover our Pointer and that is with no excess.  The cover is good with illnesses to the value of £7000 covered per year.  The policy will also pay for ongoing treatment (For life if necessary) if your dog develops a condition which requires lifelong medication - this certainly gives us peace of mind.  From what we could see the benefits are pretty similar to other far more expensive plans.  We've only had one small claim so far but they paid up promptly, so we have no complaints .

Flo's with m&s and she's been insured only for 3 months but they are paying out for her treatment- at present paying £140 for initial xrays & consult, later she's going to have an operation- which will cost about £400, then £120 a month for hydrotherapy! so now at least i know they'll pay for her.PHEW!
was doubtful as i was with petplan and i do know they're good, but was too expensive for me, so i changed and was very nervous as to whether i'd done the right thing.
i pay £8.60 per month and no excess.

M & S ...really cheap, good policy and - they have an ENGLISH call centre.... and are based in Brum!

Hi Helen, I have got all three of my dogs insured with Tesco. If you click on this link you can get a free quote online http://www.tescofinance.com/personal/finance/insurance/petins/quote.jsp

Hi
are you aware that Tesco is a 12 month policy.They only cover an illness for 12 months and then cover stops.I used Tesco with my staffy....after 12 months we had to pay for treatment ourselves.With a policy such as M&S the cover is renewed every year and each illness is covered for life.
Archer

Hi there.  M&S insurance here too!  Here's a link that should help with comparing all the main pet insurers though. 

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/comparepet.asp?PetType=Dog

I think one of the most important things to look for is the part about the insurance company continuing cover for a long-term illness if needed as some will only pay up to one policy period (usually one year). 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.....

I think (having looked at the policy wording of M&S vs some of the others) that I will probably go with M&S.  Current quote is £120/year without excess, which is really good.  Petplan were £188, with excess and a £3000/yr lower limit for vet cover.

Now, just got to get that puppy!

The same thing only different - have any of you got an older dog insured with M&S how much are the premiums I always feel they are so reasonable when the dog is young and of course the risk is lower compared with an older dog but that is business!  Thanks really interested in your comments.  Joany

I did the quotes online a few weeks back for M&S and this is what it would cost me to insure our purebred little girl at today's prices:

0-4yrs £11/month
4-8yrs £14/month
8+yrs £22/month (no excess option not available)

I'm currently paying £7/month with PetWise and the age related premium increases aren't anywhere near as great as M&S

Interesting

tried several over many many dogs & years. The only one that keeps paying out no matter how often problem reccurs & keeps paying out without question month after month after month.....is.......petplan I now have 9 hounds insured with them & cannot commend them more highly.