Pet insurance

RE: Pet insurance

Pip R — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:17:29 GMT

We've never taken out insurance for any of our animals. When our hopelessly overbred whippet died a couple of years ago, we did some sums &, despite being ridiculously high-maintenance, I think we still ended up better off without insurance. He had an undescended testicle, mast cell tumour, knackered tendon, severed artery, suspected Cushings, serious attack by another dog which led to necrosis, some kind of post-traumatic stress disorder :-) & finally a bloody great tumour which finished him off.

I think our premiums for him would've been sky high &, having read many policies' small print, I doubt anything would've been claimable. Although at times my credit card's taken a hell of a battering, we'd do the same again.

RE: Pet insurance

nikki — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:25:06 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="Iain Richards"]

"She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone. "

What about the un-united anconeal process? I keep looking and thiking - are you limping?

[/quote]

I think you know a half decent orthopod

I still find it odd that vets insure their own dogs. Even employed vets you'd think could 'fix' their own dogs in their own time using practice premises etc. Quite how evil are some of the practice owners these days? I was always refused when I offered to contribute to my dogs treatments, spay etc. I sometimes think I may work out the figure, but I'm guessing well under 1% of undifferentiated presentations at our practice get referred.

nikki it is kind of your own fault for having a boxer (boxers!). ;)

[/quote]

We did good on the old boy. £6000 of treatment at the RVC when he was 10yrs old. It took them 6hours to remove a 15cm diameter kidney tumour adhered to his pancreas and CVC. Many might have just PTS at that age but insurance paid up and we've still got him 4.5yrs later. Yes, a 14.5yr old Boxer - they occasionally do live that long! I wouldn't have wanted to attempt that kind of surgery on him and we only get 10% off anyway! We cancelled the insurance asap post op as wouldn't have done anything else major to him.

Boxer before that - 2 TPLO's with resultant post op infections, plate removals etc. I don't do that surgery and neither does anyone else in the practice and with Boxers being a cruciate waiting to happen its worth having the insurance as new one proved by needing one aged 3. She chose to follow it up with renal failure for good measure.

I know I know - Boxers are destined to be trouble. Not surprising they command high premiums but I still reckon they're worth it. (Although if I ever get my own dog just for myself rather than sharing with the parents it will be a rufty tufty Border!)

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:19:24 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]

[quote user="Clare Tapsfield-Wright"] ....but my son was used to a lab and she is an unofficial support dog and companion for him. He doesnt easily make friends with humans and Labradors are your friend whether you like it or not[/quote]

This might interest you

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1104300219610814&id=783591498348356

[/quote]Thank you ,that's very interesting. It is fascinating how quickly my pup has picked up that Guy doesn't like her being over exuberant compared to the rest of the family. She approaches him really calmly and sits at his feet leaning on him until he strokes her Pretty good for four months old. Wonderful to hear him laugh when she has a crazy five minutes too.

RE: Pet insurance

J G Wray — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:09:44 GMT

This might interest you

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1104300219610814&id=783591498348356

RE: Pet insurance

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:20:53 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]I still find it odd that vets insure their own dogs. Even employed vets you'd think could 'fix' their own dogs in their own time using practice premises etc. Quite how evil are some of the practice owners these days?[/quote]

I think it is becoming more common, particularly in the corporate practices, for this not to be an option. If you want treatment for your own pet then you pay full cost for it. Very sad, and I'm glad I'm not in that position.

RE: Pet insurance

Iain Richards — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:48:40 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]

Why not get a Border Terrier, strong and versatile, faithful and easy going, so few things to go wrong and small piles to pick up? Insurance premiums reflect this of course .

[/quote]

Gosh. I never through I'd write these words: JW, I completely agree. (Even though I don't have one!)

Martin - agree with the cat philosophy, but they don't stay still in the car, or at the surgery; or come for a walk in the rain, or retrieve game for me

Clare - know what you mean about the dyson (no, he's an outy) hoover. However, with livestock poo, she's more of a mop. At times I have a green lab rather than a fox red

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 08:32:08 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]

Why not get a Border Terrier, strong and versatile, faithful and easy going, so few things to go wrong and small piles to pick up? Insurance premiums reflect this of course .

[/quote]i do like Borders but my son was used to a lab and she is an unofficial support dog and companion for him. He doesnt easily make friends with humans and Labradors are your friend whether you like it or not.

RE: Pet insurance

J G Wray — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:30:44 GMT

Why not get a Border Terrier, strong and versatile, faithful and easy going, so few things to go wrong and small piles to pick up? Insurance premiums reflect this of course .

RE: Pet insurance

Robert FalconerTaylor — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 05:58:39 GMT

Mine is with direct line. £36 / month for 2 young Springer Spaniels, £80 excess and a £6,000 ceiling each per year. They paid out £4,500 for referral of one a couple of years ago for a complicated suprapharyngeal abscess.

RE: Pet insurance

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 23:58:09 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]

"She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone. "

What about the un-united anconeal process? I keep looking and thiking - are you limping?

[/quote]

I think you know a half decent orthopod

nikki it is kind of your own fault for having a boxer (boxers!). ;)

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:05:48 GMT

Yes there's some serious red starring going on , if overused it loses impact. I'm a tough old bird Martin, I may not agree with what you say but I respect your right to say it , as you say it wasn't personal

RE: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:47:04 GMT

[quote user="Clare Tapsfield-Wright"]No offence taken. [/quote]Obviously was by red-star man though!

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:43:50 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Clare Tapsfield-Wright"] I had also forgotten how much fun a puppy is , every remain voter should have one. [/quote]What to cheer themselves up or just reinforce their knowledge that something with little brain will follow its pack-leader everywhere even if it is on the road to hell. Sorry couldn't resist it, nothing personal you understand.

[/quote] sociable , loyal , loves everyone without discrimination, optimistic, inclusive, uncompetitive and really appreciates me . From where I'm sitting Martin she's a winner . No offence taken.

RE: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:59:01 GMT

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:37:22 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]

"She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone. "

What about the un-united anconeal process? I keep looking and thiking - are you limping?

[/quote] The FB risk is greater , should have called her Dyson , was never quite so aware how much sheep , horse and rabbit shit there is on the moors. I had also forgotten how much fun a puppy is , every remain voter should have one.

RE: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:17:15 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]

"She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone. "

What about the un-united anconeal process? I keep looking and thiking - are you limping?

[/quote]Stick to cats folks, much fewer in-breeding problems and easier and cheaper to fix if they go wrong. Plus they don't need to be exercised twice a day, don't do stupid tricks to get a treat unless it suits them and cock a snook to the world if they don't like it.

RE: Pet insurance

Iain Richards — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:34:26 GMT

"She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone. "

What about the un-united anconeal process? I keep looking and thiking - are you limping?

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 22:48:00 GMT

Oh Nikki ! What a shame for such a young dog, poor lass and poor you. I feel I've got a bargain now !

RE: Pet insurance

nikki — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:18:33 GMT

I pay £50 a month with Petplan for my 4yr old Boxer and that's with the vets discount. Considering she's already worked her way through a MCT and a TPLO followed by going into renal failure I'm not really surprised. I'm still quids in so far! I think I deserve a much bigger discount though. This dog is addicted to antibiotics - infections left, right and centre. If I was a member of the public who owned her I'd be making a claim every month!

RE: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:20:57 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]No idea of its reliability but I was under the impression it is closer to 20% for pet insurance. [/quote]Wikipedia states that in the USA medical insurers on average accepted a 19% gain. Maybe pet insurance is nearer to that. As all insurers are underwritten by companies that have fingers in multiple pies there is probably some cross subsidising going on but who knows which way?

RE: Pet insurance

Anthony Todd — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:13:42 GMT

[quote user="Clare Tapsfield-Wright"]starting a pooch fund for her.[/quote]

That's what I always advised unless it was a giant breed.

Now an ISA or some other sort of investment would be my advice; I'll bet you'll be quids in.

RE: Pet insurance

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:39:08 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]

What's the premium like? You'll be paying a lot more of those than excesses! Petplan do do a vet's discount, if you're still in practice, but you have to ask for it.

[/quote] my premium is £32 and they have given me the vets discount which is good of them since I'm not in practice. I think I will carry on for a couple of years and see how accident prone she is. She's from gun dog stock and quite light not a Crufts chunky type so I'm optimistic about her cruciates. Thanks everyone.

RE: Pet insurance

Bob Russell — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:34:40 GMT

No idea of its reliability but I was under the impression it is closer to 20% for pet insurance. Would be nice to know the real figure!

RE: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:14:47 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]We still need the profession to come up with a suitable "premium to pay-out ratio" comparator[/quote]The generally accepted loss ratio for insurance policies is 60% i.e. they will accept 40% profit. I doubt it is very much different for pet insurance but medical insurance may accept a higher loss ratio.

RE: Pet insurance

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:08:43 GMT

My labrador is insure with Pet Plan, and we pay £26 a month (with the vet discount). I suspect we'll be using it at some point, he is an idiot.