Hi
I just got my renewal advice for Bayley's insurance from my current pet insurance plan. I was flabbergasted to read that my monthly premium is up from £18 to £30 a month! This coupled with an excess of £50 would mean that it would cost me over £400 a year, if I have to make a claim, before I felt any benefit of fee payment.
Is this happening across the board or is mine an isolated case?
Just as a point of interest I have been with the same insurer for 2 years, since she was 8wks old, (this would have been 3rd) and only had 2 claims, 1 in 1st year for anal gland op and 1 last year for Cystitis, so she's hardly a mega risk!
Nicky

I'm with Asda. I pay £7.00 a month. It may not cover you for all eventualities but would have covered all problems that you have had so far. I have had pet insurance for nearly four years now and 'touch wood' have yet to make a claim. I would have been gutted if I had payed out £1600 for nothing.

Hi Naomi
Sounds like you got a good deal there! :)
I started out in the first year at £16 pr mth with £35 excess, and I didn't mind too much as I expect an increased premium because mine is what they term a *specified* breed, then up to £18 last year was ok, but I won't have them take the mick this year at £30!
My other dog is insured through E&L, as it was just a basic policy I was looking for anyway, and that was £60 for a year. Since then I joined the Dog Breeders Association which gives a 50% reduction in E&L fees so I just called them today and got her on cover for £30 for the year. Obviously the cover isn't quite as extensive as the previous one but she is still insured.
Nicky

Mine keeps going up and up too. But I still think it's better value than paying a big vet's bill :D

TH is still on the credit side after all her elbow probs as a puppy. You're premiums are probably still going straight to my vet :p

Mine only went up £2 this year, I pay £28 a month for 3 dogs. A friend asked me to look at her policy yesterday, I was amazed to see that her excess is £40 or 15% of the claim whichever is higher, and her maximum insured amount for the year is £3,000 all for £19 a month. Mine is £4,000 per condition & I'm considering changing because I've seen a slightly better deal, cost about £5 a year more but better cover. Ingrid

Ours has gone up £2.00 per month.
Made one £650 - £700 claim in the first year (last year).
Insurance is with Petplan, 'covered for life' apparently.
Sally.

Mine costs £30 roughly for five of the dogs and two cats (i'm in Ireland) and provides £2200 for each year in expenses(per dog). We have claimed about £1000 in the last year and the premiums did not increase.
It's petplan too

Theresa

mine went up £9,with petplan,total of £79 a month for 4 dogs, two bitches are coverd for whepling,dog value £450,00 each,£60 excess.and depends how old the dog is,mine are7,6,5,21/2. then gollies with princles which is a lifetime cover and that £12 a month and she only 10 months old

How come insuring pets seems to cost more than most other types of insurance these days - house, contents, even your car in some cases ? I made the decision some time ago ago that I didn't want to be ripped off by these big companies so when we got Teejay six years ago we opened a bank account for him. Fortunately he has never had to make a withdrawal so he now has a fair amount put by. When Buddy joined us three months ago he incurred vets bills of over £200 in the first two weeks ! It's a good job he's got a generous big brother !
Joyce

My Sister In Law felt the same as you after having a dog insured for 10yrs without needing any vet treatment. After that dog died they got a puppy and didn't insure her, instead intending to put money into an account every month just in case she needed treatment.

Unfortunately Molly fell awkwardly at 12wks and had to have extensive surgery on her leg and was at one point threatened with amputation. In the 6mths that she was having treatment the vets bills were in excess of £8000 (had they had her insured under a similar policy to their previous dog then all of this would have been covered). My SIL could easily afford the vets bills but now finds herself in the situation of having a dog that will need extensive vet treatment throughout it's life and no insurance to help them out.

They could afford the vets bills this year, but I'm not sure what'll happen if they have to pay a similar ammount next year.

The really daft thing is that despite having listened to their daughter moaning about the cost of the vets treatment for Molly my in-laws don't want to waste money on insurance for their puppy. Their theory is that as she's not a pedigree dog she won't need any vet treatment as apparantly pedigree dogs suffer from compromised health. :( I tried to tell them that Molly's injuries weren't as a result of her being a pedigree dog (she jumped up at my neice and landed badly) but they won't listen to me, all they're concerened about is reducing their monthly outgoings as much as possible.

Fiona
x x x

I think on balance if your are firm with yourself and set up an account and fund it by a standing order for a similar amount to the Insurance Premiums, you will actually save money, unless your luck is bad. the whole principle of Insurance is based on the fact that they get more money in Premiums (enough to run a business and pay staff) than they pay out. I work on this principle too, having an account for the dogs, which also has an credit facility, so I know I will have enough to cover, even if I then have to pay interest and make up the borrowing.

Hi I would say you still need to think about third party cover vets bills are not the only thing most insurences cover.:D Gillian

Hi All
Thanx for your replys. :)
Quite a mixed bag of costs and increases, I'm at a loss to know quite why mine was going up so much for 1 dog!
Will be interested to read your Argos info Pam.
I think pet insurance has a valuable role to play but do see the point of *a dog account*. Have always dreamed that one day my hobby would become self-sufficient! ;)
Nicky

Why dont you telephone them and ask?

Melody

Hi Melody
I will, Monday am, then I'll post the reply. :D
Nicky

Hi Nicky, Your costs have risen so much because of the breed we have :):) I have Star insured with Tesco, and have been quite pleased so far. Dusty came insured with DBI at about £20 a month, but I may well change this, as I have not had good dealings with them in the past. Perhaphs we should a) change the area where we live and b) get a toy breed :)
Took Dusty to her first ring craft training class on Thursday. She was so good. We just walked the triangle the first time, trotted it the second time, and then she spent the rest of the evening asleep on the floor curled up with a bull terrier pup aww bless. I have just remembered the e mail I promised you. Will do it today ...sorry x

Hi Phil
Thanx for that little gem re Dusty, have been gagging for info on how all is progressing. :D
Have sent you a reminder e only just this morning (sorry I didn't read this reply first then I wouldn't have bothered you!)
Hear from you soon.
Nicky

I was in Argos today and they have started it also. Supposed to be cheaper..

I did pick up the leaflet with you all in mind while in the queue will go did it out of the carrier bag of the new hair dryer for my dog.

Pam

Hi all,

The Argos one is £8.33 it says it is the same cover as Tesco @ £9.49 , Sainsbury @ £11.50 nad Pet Plan @ £14.40 so may be worth checking out.

They also have a silver cover at £6.25 per month

The number is 0800 085 6633