Do any of you have specialist breeder's insurance or do you use the standard pet policies? I have just enquired with Petplan, who have a "show breeder policy", which covers some whelping problems, up to £500 I think (haven't got all the details). Just wondering what others do?

I think the monthly fee for the above policy from Petplan is about £35 or £40! Plus it can only be claimed on after the bitch has been insured for over 6 months. I used Scottish Pet Insurance for about 4 years, which was about £24 per month. When I made a claim for a C section, they told me that the policy had changed 8 weeks previously and no longer included c secs! I think the best idea is to open a high intrest savings account and put the money you would have used for the insurance into that!!

the standard pet policies

These cover absolutely nothing to do with or any problems connected from breeding, pre, during or even weeks after, so no good whatsoever if a bitch were to have any sort of problem.

Breeders insurances are expensive and as already said you need to be covered at least 6 months before. Make sure that you read them through though to see what they cover. I always used to use them, and then one year I decided they were a waste of money and opted out to end up with a £1,000 vets bill. So I would recommend having one, just in case, or as Setters4me has suggested put some savings away or have a credit card ready for use just in case. ;-)

The Petplan quote was £41.11 a month, so not cheap by any means, and vet fees relating to whelping problems only cover charges up to £500 with £110 excess, so doesn't cover much at all really. I think the savings account or credit card would be a better option to be honest, I just wanted to see what others do.