Pet Insurance advice

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by Donna811, Nov 22, 2017.

  1. Donna811

    Donna811 Registered Users

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2017
    Messages:
    58
    Hi, I currently have 5 weeks free pet insurance for my puppy with The Kennel Club Insurance. I was just wondering if many people on here insure with the kennel club and what you think of them. It’s all a bit of a minefield with Insurance so I just wondered if anyone had some advice and what sort of monthly price you pay.

    Thank you.
     
  2. Shaz82

    Shaz82 Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Messages:
    341
    Location:
    Essex, UK
    Hi Donna, I was in exactly the same position as you and extended the Kennel Club Insurance as it was easier - when you have a new pup you are not really in the mood for sorting out these things. Normally I am always after the best deal but later I discovered how expensive it is compared to other insurers, probably double. So check if you really need everything they offer and have a look round.

    In my own experience of having Maisy for 7 months now I have not needed it but you must have insurance as there are so many things that can happen, especially 3rd party in case pup decides to run into some old lady and knock her over or into the road and cause a pile up, etc. etc. And inevitably another dog will dislike your pup and it may get bitten which could be a hefty vet bill (Maisy was bitten but the other dog owners paid).

    Best of luck.
     
  3. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2015
    Messages:
    8,126
    Location:
    leicestershire uk
    I always go for a life policy they are more expensive but can be a lifesaver if you dog has a chronic condition accident or hereditary problem
     
    blackandwhitedog likes this.
  4. blackandwhitedog

    blackandwhitedog Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2016
    Messages:
    306
    Pet Plan seem to have the best reputation. I'm with LV, who were cheaper, but also bumped the premiums up considerably after the first year despite not having any claims etc. I'm still considering moving to petplan.
     
  5. blackandwhitedog

    blackandwhitedog Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2016
    Messages:
    306
    you asked for monthly price - mine is now somewhere between £23-25 but Jess isn't pedigreed/KC regd so that's probably cheaper than average.
     
  6. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2014
    Messages:
    8,416
    Tatze is four years old and KC registered pedigree - I pay £36 a month with John Lewis - lifetime cover. They were excellent at paying up for Tatze’s recent operation, and paid it straight to the Vet.

    Always get lifetime cover or any new condition isn’t covered the following year.

    Make sure you phone them if they bump premiums up. JL put Tatze’s up to £58, I phoned them and they tweaked the excess (to £140) and brought it right down to £36. Always worth a phone call :)


    .
     
  7. Samantha Jones

    Samantha Jones Registered Users

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2016
    Messages:
    1,053
    Location:
    Northampton
    We are with Petplan and pay around £50 per month with whole of life cover. I've not had to claim with them at all as of yet, but they are the company that are linked to my vets so should there be a claim we pay the excess and leave the rest to the vet. My sister is with the Kennel Club and has been for her previous two dogs and has never had an issue with any claim, but she has to pay for the treatment and then claim it back from the company.
     
  8. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2015
    Messages:
    8,126
    Location:
    leicestershire uk
    A lot if vets don't accept direct claims any more or if they do only from certain insurance companies . I use pet plan and pay about £40 for Rory and £85 for Moo . I use pet plan as recommended by a vet friend they usually pay up.
     
  9. Christina2807

    Christina2807 Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2019
    Messages:
    389
    Luna is nearly 9 months and we chose Pet Plan. We had to make a claim early on as she broke a canine but they were so quick to pay the claim and had no issues.

    We are £27 a month for lifetime cover.
     
  10. Jo Laurens

    Jo Laurens Registered Users

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2018
    Messages:
    1,603
    Location:
    Jersey, Channel Islands
    PetPlan has an excellent reputation and will pay out and has good coverage - but is very pricey. Especially as your dog ages.

    I find Direct Line about equally as good, I've claimed so many times from them (once for about £6K for spinal surgery and MRIs) and they have paid out, no quibbles. I use their Advanced policy for the first 2 years of a dog's life, and then switch to their Essential policy. I accept it's not a for-life policy but insurance is a gambling racket.

    I think what I'd probably recommend is getting an Advanced/for life policy for the first 2 years and also putting aside a monthly amount into a bank account. When you stop the insurance when the dog is 2yo, you'll then have a handsome stash on one side and can continue adding to it. After all, insurance companies wouldn't exist if they didn't make money...
     
  11. J.D

    J.D Registered Users

    Joined:
    May 9, 2019
    Messages:
    920
    Location:
    Hampshire UK
    I know this is an old thread that has been restarted by a debt management company but thought I would add my experience.

    After the initial free Petplan six weeks I took out a lifetime policy with The Insurance Emporium.
    It covered what I thought was £6000 per annum with an excess of £100pa and 5% of each claim. Premiums were £26 per month.
    When it came to claiming for Toby’s cancer I thought I was going to be about £6000 short(surgery/scans chemo etc all very expensive at a specialist vets)
    It turns out the policy renews every month and as the treatment was spread over several months everything has been covered! There are a few little bits they don’t like such as excessive specialist fees but I have paid a few hundred pounds rather than thousands.
    The dreaded renewal has just come through and it is £34!
    Having chosen their Lifetime silver he is also covered for cancer treatment going forward not just for 12 months.
    I couldn’t be happier with them.
     

Share This Page