This has probably been covered a million times, but I need someone to explain to me. I want to insure my puppy with M&S but have been given 6 weeks free insurance through the Kennel Club from my breeder. I think M&S provide an equal service, but at a lower rate, and I would prefer to pay less to M&S for basically a similar policy. What exactly is meant by a policy excess though?  I know it means you agree to pay, for example, £60 / £70 / £80 towards vets fees etc before the insurance will pay out, but what are the benefits of paying apolicy excess over paying a no excess policy? I have never had insurance before (only just got my home content insurance after moving from my student house into my present home!) so I am a real dunce on this issue...

Hi NannyOgg,

I can't see any benefit in paying an excess!   Some insurance policies if you accept the excess your premium is lower - but usually by the equivalent amount of the excess ;)  I'm with M&S and pay literally pennies a month more to have no excess so I prefer that and have found the other benefits of their policy to compare very favourably and often much better than some others.  HTH, Teri :)

Me too! We are with M&S and also pay a little extra so dont ever have to pay towards the vets bill! I havent found another policy that does this...

with this no excess not paying any bills do they pay the vet direct???
And if they do you take the claim form to the vets with you when your dog is ill so you can fill it out there and then and the vet to sign
Do the vets accept this???
I expect vets except the payment later for operations but do they except for minor conditions eye,ear infections tummy upset etc the payment later from m&s
Ad if you claim for minor conditions does the payments go up??? if so alot

sorry about all the questions

Is M & S Marks and Spencers or am I missing the plot somewhere??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes it is marks and spencers

I was with Pet Plan before and my vet would still want payment from me and then I had to send the claim form in. I guess becuase it can take a few weeks to get paid out by insurance companies they they want their money, after all, its still a business. My excess with them, started at £60 when my X breed was 4 years old and ended up at £100 plus 20% when he died at 12.

With the puppy I have also gone with M+S with no excess and although I am still going to have to pay the vet, at least I don't have that £60 deducted. Think it costs me an extra £1 a month or something silly like that, its well worth it.

It is very rare to have any insurance policy that does not have an excess provision..........whether that be for house, contents, car, dog, life etc etc........

You have the option of paying a little bit more and having no access.

I think paying more for no access would be a little excessive............ ;)

You take a gamble, I think it cost me under a fiver for the no excess policy.  You only have to visit the vets once in a year to get it back. ;)

Is that under a fiver a month?  I can't help wondering if paying more to have no excess would end up being more expensive long term.  The only way I can see that anyone would benefit from that is by having lots of claims for different conditions. And perhaps at least one claim per year?

Is M & S the one that adds 15% to the excess if the dog is 8 year old and above?  What happens to no excess policies then, is it just the 15% excess?  Just interested. :-)