Pet care plans

From Vet clinics.

Are they worth it? Has anyone taken one out and found it beneficial?

Re: Pet care plans

I joined a Pet Plan when I first got Amber 6 and a half years ago. I stayed with them for three years and then decided it would be cheaper to save my money and pay for her needs as I go. Thankfully, she has only cost me £93 in that time.

Re: Pet care plans

I think Pet care plans are a good idea for puppies and young dogs because the premiums are low at that time, they rise considerably with age.

I lost Millie at 9 months with a form of kidney disease. The bill for her treatment was over £1,000 10 years ago. I was able to claim that back less the excess and for her purchase price too.

Chloe is still on a pet plan and will soon be aged 10, I may cancel it next year when the premium will rise to over £50 a month.
Chloe is with John Lewis who pay up promptly.
I made one claim this year for having an epulis removed, the excess is £65 so I didn't get a whole lot back.

Millie ..

Re: Pet care plans

if your thinking of getting one of these then do check out what they offer first.
Some will only let you claim once for and illness during the insured year, some have a cut off age when they stop accepting insurance on older dogs. Others won't insure for the first time dogs over a particular age.

Re: Pet care plans

We have had cats for over 25 years and although we have had to pay for various treatments and a few operations, I'm sure it has cost a fraction of what insurance would have cost. We did look into them but fond that the routine stuff was not covered and usually cost less than the minimum amount that can be claimed.

Re: Pet care plans

I have always had insurance on my dogs, but as has been mentioned, it is fine in the early days when they are young, but the fees rise dramatically as they get older. By the time my old Labrador was put to sleep I was paying over £100 a month insurance on her through Sainsbury's. Most vet bills which came in were either slightly under their repayment threshhold, or just over, making claiming not worth the effort.

My current little rescue dog I decided not to insure, but pay when necessary for any treatment. I have now had her over three years and, touch wood, only had one visit to the vet - when she stole some chocolate.

Re: Pet care plans

I had Coco insured under Animal Friends, but have had an argument with them about payment, Coco's last Vet bill was £368.00 with an excess of £99.00. We paid the excess plus £100 towards the bill but they insisted we pay them another £70.00 because Coco is over 8 years old, but they didn't tell us that in the first place. Our plan runs out in December so we will be looking for another one.

Re: Pet care plans

I've got my two little LaChons, Ollie and Flynn, insured with Animal Friends, with a £99 excess. As they are only 18 months old it gives me peace of mind. Obviously, as they age the premiums will no doubt rise, but at least I am okay for a few years yet (God Willing!). The premiums remained the same for renewal this year so that was a relief. The insurance was £5.93 per dog per month but with discount for insuring two pets I paid £128.16 for the year.

Re: Pet care plans

Not sure if Jazzi meant pet insurance companies, or her own vet's care plan which would be bit different?

I believe some vets do a plan (a bit like we can do at our dentists), where you can pay towards things like wormers and vaccinations etc. monthly.

Re: Pet care plans

I didn't even know Vets did Care Plans!! Doh. So we pay for a care plan. They diagnose what ails our pets, and then treat our pets for the same ailment..

Ever the pessimist, at least they cannot claim we are making bogus claims with our pets. But....sorry to be a killjoy, but who is to say they will use the most effective treatment if it is the most expensive and the cost coming from the Vet's own profits?? I guess it's a different kettle of fish if the Vet knows he is going to be paid for expensive treatment by an Insurance Company.

Or am I looking at it unfairly?