insurance for a pedigree puppy... where from and what type
Discussion
am going to see a 5 month old mini dachshund (male) next weekend. he is from a reputable breeder and is full pedigree with KC registration and clear dna.
assuming all goes well, i will need to sort out insurance. he will come with 4 weeks insurance, but after that, i need to arrange something.
i have looked at the KC insurance policies which i assume are comprehensive if perhaps a little expensive (works out at circa £22 per month.
any words of wisdom on what to look out for?
(am new to dog ownership)
assuming all goes well, i will need to sort out insurance. he will come with 4 weeks insurance, but after that, i need to arrange something.
i have looked at the KC insurance policies which i assume are comprehensive if perhaps a little expensive (works out at circa £22 per month.
any words of wisdom on what to look out for?
(am new to dog ownership)
Only words of wisdom I have is: Read the small print!
I have my two insured with Animal Friends, on their highest package and lifetime cover (this means they will be covered for life for any ongoing illness as opposed to just a certain amount of money) I pay about £45 for the two.
I've never had to claim for boris, but I did for beau when she had her entropian surgery and they paid out within 14 days. Very good service!
I have my two insured with Animal Friends, on their highest package and lifetime cover (this means they will be covered for life for any ongoing illness as opposed to just a certain amount of money) I pay about £45 for the two.
I've never had to claim for boris, but I did for beau when she had her entropian surgery and they paid out within 14 days. Very good service!
Two things to look out for
1) will it pay vet directly .
2)Will it cover pet for all it's life ,or pull out when it is ,say seven /eight .
I'd consider looking around for vet ,an take their advice .Most will readily reccommend a policy that they're happy to honour ,and gives pet LIFELONG cover .
1) will it pay vet directly .
2)Will it cover pet for all it's life ,or pull out when it is ,say seven /eight .
I'd consider looking around for vet ,an take their advice .Most will readily reccommend a policy that they're happy to honour ,and gives pet LIFELONG cover .
Have a look at Sainsburys pet insurance, our lab pup is with them on the higher cover plan (option one?) approx £17/month, cover all seems very good, lifetime cover etc.
Off topic but any particular reason why the breeder has this 5 month old pup 'left over' as it were? Would make me look into things very carefully - was he taken and brought back for some reason? Did the breeder keep him hoping to breed from him but has changed their mind? Also you miss out on the cutest stage IMO
(2-4 months) and the chance to socialise them how you want and to the things that are most important to you.
Off topic but any particular reason why the breeder has this 5 month old pup 'left over' as it were? Would make me look into things very carefully - was he taken and brought back for some reason? Did the breeder keep him hoping to breed from him but has changed their mind? Also you miss out on the cutest stage IMO
(2-4 months) and the chance to socialise them how you want and to the things that are most important to you.Go for Petplan mate.
If you can go for their lifetime policy, will pay out £12k per year for life with a £90 excess.
We are currently 12 months into our first policy and have already claimed £3500 back.
This years renewal came through last week and its gone up £1! £39.95 per month.
They don't argue and have paid out very fast.
My parents have used them for years with no issues.
If you can go for their lifetime policy, will pay out £12k per year for life with a £90 excess.
We are currently 12 months into our first policy and have already claimed £3500 back.
This years renewal came through last week and its gone up £1! £39.95 per month.
They don't argue and have paid out very fast.
My parents have used them for years with no issues.
66comanche said:
Have a look at Sainsburys pet insurance, our lab pup is with them on the higher cover plan (option one?) approx £17/month, cover all seems very good, lifetime cover etc.
Off topic but any particular reason why the breeder has this 5 month old pup 'left over' as it were? Would make me look into things very carefully - was he taken and brought back for some reason? Did the breeder keep him hoping to breed from him but has changed their mind? Also you miss out on the cutest stage IMO (2-4 months) and the chance to socialise them how you want and to the things that are most important to you.
he kept him back as the 'best in the litter' to show, but has subsequently changed his mind (having grown a bit, he has realised that he is not going to win) and is prepared to let him go.Off topic but any particular reason why the breeder has this 5 month old pup 'left over' as it were? Would make me look into things very carefully - was he taken and brought back for some reason? Did the breeder keep him hoping to breed from him but has changed their mind? Also you miss out on the cutest stage IMO
(2-4 months) and the chance to socialise them how you want and to the things that are most important to you.Read the small print. Read the small print. Read the small print. Far too many people only check their policies when they actually need to make a claim, when it's all a bit too late. A couple of years ago there was a policy advertised as having a limit of £3000 for vets fees per year, which seems quite good. Except that's the total limit, each individual condition was limited to £500, which isn't quite as good.
Lifetime policies cost more than 12 month policies, but obviously give more peace of mind. A 12 month policy is better than nothing, and will at least cover the costs of diagnosis if not ongoing treatment.
Make sure you're happy with the claim limits on the policy - if its £2500 you need to be prepared to pay more yourself as many conditions can exceed that amount. If it's £7000+ you'd struggle to exceed the limit.
Lifetime policies cost more than 12 month policies, but obviously give more peace of mind. A 12 month policy is better than nothing, and will at least cover the costs of diagnosis if not ongoing treatment.
Make sure you're happy with the claim limits on the policy - if its £2500 you need to be prepared to pay more yourself as many conditions can exceed that amount. If it's £7000+ you'd struggle to exceed the limit.
Who me said:
Two things to look out for
1) will it pay vet directly .
Doesn't really matter, its the vet practice's choice if they're happy to do a direct claim. Most will with reputable companies. If you'll need to do direct claims, do not go with E&L (or any company underwritten/adminstered by them). No vet will do a direct claim with that company.1) will it pay vet directly .
Edited by gd49 on Monday 21st November 22:53
Secon item -was o they do life time cover - minewas eight year old and not eligible . But he's eligible for PDSA COVER - like all insurance ,the inurance companies only want those they can profit from .Mine ,has seen vets for my shortfalls - flea allergy / eye allergy ,possily from the flea problem .I've gotten early with Frontline and over the past year have ha no problems . My ten year ol pup is now in anger of catching squirels
Has anyone had any experience of lifelong dog cover from VetsMediCover? The reviews on reviewcentre.com are quite promising (almost too good) but as they are mainly written by "guests" which makes me suspicious.
http://www.vetsmedicover.co.uk/home/
I gather there is some faffing around before hand as the vet has to call and get authorization and a Ref' number too.
Should I just play safe and go Petplan? Im just trying to save a few pennies but hoping there's similar, no quibble alternatives out there.
http://www.vetsmedicover.co.uk/home/
I gather there is some faffing around before hand as the vet has to call and get authorization and a Ref' number too.
Should I just play safe and go Petplan? Im just trying to save a few pennies but hoping there's similar, no quibble alternatives out there.
Another consideration is that taking out lifetime cover is good as there will not be any exclusions as long as the condition developed after the cover was taken out. HOWEVER, I know some people who took out lifetime cover with a company who then stopped doing pet cover at all 
Halifax I think was one and another was something like Animal Friends???
With a specialist insurer such as PetPlan you can be pretty sure they will still be around and covering pets for a while yet
Halifax I think was one and another was something like Animal Friends???With a specialist insurer such as PetPlan you can be pretty sure they will still be around and covering pets for a while yet
Daggerpie said:
Has anyone had any experience of lifelong dog cover from VetsMediCover? The reviews on reviewcentre.com are quite promising (almost too good) but as they are mainly written by "guests" which makes me suspicious.
http://www.vetsmedicover.co.uk/home/
I gather there is some faffing around before hand as the vet has to call and get authorization and a Ref' number too.
Should I just play safe and go Petplan? Im just trying to save a few pennies but hoping there's similar, no quibble alternatives out there.
I've not heard of them, which is probably a good thing - the only insurance companies which become well known in the veterinary world tend to be the bad ones.http://www.vetsmedicover.co.uk/home/
I gather there is some faffing around before hand as the vet has to call and get authorization and a Ref' number too.
Should I just play safe and go Petplan? Im just trying to save a few pennies but hoping there's similar, no quibble alternatives out there.
I'm interested by their pricing strategy - there's a massive variation in veterinary fees across the country, especially in London where consult fees can be more than double elsewhere in the country. Suprised their business model allows them to charge the same premium regardless of location.
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