Insurance

[Janspack]

I've just had to cancel YoYo's vet fees insurance with the company HelpUCover) he's been with since he was a puppy  His premium went up last year to over £80 per month and then this year, they put it up again to £103 a month.  They have told me it's nothing to do with his ongoing conditions but because he has been listed as a "Rare Breed" What??  Why has this only happened in the past two year? It doesn't make any sense.

Just thought others might be interested in my solution.  I found an insurance called Animal Friends who will take on a dog of any age, excluding pre-existing conditions of course. YoYo is 12 yrs old now.  I worked out that their premium of £28 a month for a fairly basic cover of £2000 per year per illness plus the cost of his Addison's and Thyroid medication will still leave me only paying about half  premium with the old company.  At his age, I doubt I would put him through any major costly surgeries etc so I'm hoping this will be enough for his needs. 

It's a fairly basic insurance and doesn't cover things like boarding fees but then I'm not planning of spending any more time in hospital (LOL) but if that happened, I'm sure I could find someone to have him for a short period of time. 

I thought perhaps others of you might be interested if you have an older dog that isn't insured or has similar circumstances to this.

[Jo CIMDA]

Thanks for the info Jan.  It's useful to know these things.

Jo

[DW]

I wasinterested to read about this Insurance Company too, as I have a sneaky suspicion that my own cover will rocket next month and I'm hoping I can afford it.

However, I found this website about Animal Friends and though it might just be one person and you have to take things in perspective, have a read and it may be worth ensuring that all the info is totally correct.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?319590-Anyone-else-having-trouble-with-Animal-Friends-Insurance

[annee]

I've insured Ocean with Animal Friends.....very good and I like that a percentage of your money goes to various animal charities.

[Janspack]

Hi Annee,

That's good to know.  I guess there are always some people who will have a bad experience with pretty well any company (specially Insurance cos. ) so it's nice to find someone who has a good impression.  The charity side was one of my reasons for taking it out as well.

It doesn't have cover for boarding fees or some of the frills other companies have but that is why they can keep the premiums down I'm sure.  I hope YoYo doesn't get anything else serious at his age but if I didn''t insure him, you can bet your life he will.

[samsmum]

I have been with Animal Friends for years, sadly lost a pet in June this year but would have lost her much sooner without the support (financial) of this company. I have recently taken a rescue to live with us and have now insured her with A.F. I have never had a problem with them.

[Janspack]

That's very reassuring thank you.  Particularly as YoYo was diagnosed with the early stages of Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) last week.

[samsmum]

I think that with any insurance company problems arise because people either don't read the policy or don't understand it. If you have (as I have) a £2000 per year per condition clause, then they are not going to pay over that in any one year. If breeding, neutering, dental etc. is exempt on the policy then they will not pay on it. A.F. always pay my vet directly and usually (in the past) pay very quickly. Fortunately I have not had to claim for my current bitch as although she has had a lot of treatment in the past couple of weeks it was connected with having her spayed so I couldn't claim. Best wishes to YoYo and to you with her treatment.