Bloody pet insurance

Ours are with Petplan, forty a month for both. One has had treatment for three injuries caused by hunting at speed through shrubs, surgery each time. There were two years between each incident. One had skin problems. I pay a £75 excess but the insurance has paid each time. One dog is nine years old the other five. I've often considered saving the money in a dog account but when a friend's dog needed treatment after scavenging the bill was £700 and I'm told a broken leg can be £2000 so I've kept paying. Who knows what's best?

When our last dog reached ten his insurance cost went through the ceiling, so I managed to change it to third party only in case he caused an accident, and 'self insured' ie put the old rate of insurance money in a pot. I decided then, that if we had another dog (haven't yet) I'd do this from the outset.

However, my DD2 insures her dog through Protect My Bubble. They've paid out without quibble for several operations now. Up to a set amount within a rolling twelve months. It seems to work well.

I insured our cat with JL, £12 a month when she was 3 and it didn't go up too much. Have never insured a cat before, but was very glad I had when she became ill. She was a feral cat, an Arabian Mau, my son rescued in Dubai and then couldn't take to the next country he worked in, so she was flown home to us. DH was devoted to her and she to him, £800 in tests and treatment later, she died of liver cancer aged only 7 last year. I was so glad I had insured her as it meant she could have all necessary treatment and JL paid up quickly and without quibble.

My dog is 11 and I recently changed from DL to Petplan when they increased the monthly cost from £42 to £58 which I thought was too much when the only treatment he has had is a scale and polish last year which was done at a special price of £125. Petplan are charging me £35 for this year (I expect them to really hike it up to £45 or more next year!) but that excludes any mouth problems he might have because I had to declare this information when asked the question, has your dog seen a vet for anything in the last year?. I worry that he might need surgery at some point and vets fees for surgery are just hugh. We lost our other lovely dog?in 2015 as he had to be put to sleep a few days after major surgery for a gallbladder problem. The cost of surgery and vets fees came to over £5.000.
If I was getting a dog now knowing what I do I would not bother with ins, but just pay up if and when I needed to but because of my dogs age I will continue to pay.

Most likely, but at least cash is there to offset costs when needed. I'd rather do that (which I don't at the moment) than pay out inflated insurance costs.

It does sound like a good idea, Katek but aren't you just subsidising their cash flow if you don't need any treatment?

I've never had pet insurance and have just paid as needed from savings. Think it's a big rip off. Our vet also offers a prepayment plan where you pay in a set amount each month and any treatment is deducted from your balance. It's a very good idea.

Someone without a care in the world!!

Yes nina that's what I should have done but Dunc is 8 next birthday and I assume the risk of needing to spend a lot has risen (hope not) so I don't think that now I would save enough in time

Put the same amount each month under the mattress in an account

I think they all do maw

We are with John Lewis £54 pm. With £100 excess.

Duncan had an infected paw last week. £96 odd then we took him back this week for last check £35

The insurance companies, the vets - well everyone are taking us all to the cleaners!!