Accident only dog insurance

[SimpleSimon]

Just wondering if anybody has accident only cover for their pooch, rather than the more comprehensive policies covering illness, etc?
I'm paying just over 20 quid a month for my lab/GWP cross bitch and she's a picture of health not even turned 3 yet. I dread to think what they'll want by the time she's 8 or 10, or what my 5 year old teckel would cost, and neither has ever so much as sneezed. On the other hand, quotes for accident only cover are much, much cheaper. If I'm looking at 40 quid a month to insure both dogs, am I better off switching to accident only cover. I wonder if the cost of future medication, etc would tally up to more than the price of the insurance premiums over the years...

 

[weeman]

That's a big question to have. Come June I'll be stopping my pet insurance for my three teckels and starting an Isa account with what it would be costing me.

 

[McKenzie]

I have in the past reduced the insurance to third party only when one of our dogs got to 12 or 13 & the point had been reached where I wouldn't put her through surgery or expensive treatment any more.

 

[casper]

Have been beating for quite a number of years, and in all that time I can't recall anyone's dog having an accident. But I can remember a few dogs being ill.

 

[SimpleSimon]

That's a big question to have. Come June I'll be stopping my pet insurance for my three teckels and starting an Isa account with what it would be costing me.

I had previously considered going down that route. The only thing that stopped me was that if either dog were to become ill or have an accident tomorrow then I'd only have £20 in the kitty.
But I do have a credit card which would cover my backside for a while until there's a decent amount in the pot...
I suppose a more prudent question would be "what has befallen your dog, and how much did it cost you?"

 

[weeman]

I had previously considered going down that route. The only thing that stopped me was that if either dog were to become ill or have an accident tomorrow then I'd only have £20 in the kitty.
But I do have a credit card which would cover my backside for a while until there's a decent amount in the pot...
I suppose a more prudent question would be "what has befallen your dog, and how much did it cost you?"

Yes it's a gamble, but............. Should one not claim they'll regret having insurance,. Don't get me wrong id move heaven and earth for mine and respect vets but l Iike said it's a gamble, no matter what mine needed vet wise they'd get.

 

[EMcC]

My dog has just turned nine and the premium is almost £400 pa, I dread to think what it will cost as she gets older.
She is not a working dog other than my couple of hours a day when we 'do our thing' without the wife knowing
Up to now and at present she is the picture of health, has her jabs each year, is Spayed, wormed regularly and sleeps indoors.

 

[Buchan]

Another option is that many vets are now offering "in-house" plans. Some cover illness accident as well as being a payment plan for routine treatment.

I have no links to any companies offering this, other than an occasional beer from a friend...

 

[nun_hunter]

if you have numerous dogs then accident only and a savings plan is a good idea as the costs for full cover for a number of dogs it is very expensive. In the last 3 years my dog has cost £3500 for a torn cruciate ligament and surgery, £200 when he got attacked and needed stitches, £300 when he had a stomach bug and was ****ting blood by the bucket load. All in all expensive and unlucky as previous dog went 10 years with never a trip to the vet!

 

[al4x1]

Have been beating for quite a number of years, and in all that time I can't recall anyone's dog having an accident. But I can remember a few dogs being ill.

Mine ran into a blackthorn branch that effectively stabbed her and broke off. Nightmare injury as the vet didn't find the bit. 6 months and 3k later she is over it but a horrible injury that started out not too bad just the fact it never stopped going septic. Petplan paid for 3 operations and she was 8 at the time. Her insurance is £32 a month and that is a year later so gives an idea that it hasn't ramped up hugely with her age or incident. I was expecting not to be able to insure her the year after so was pleasantly surprised.

 

[Shadrach2986]

I was once told by a vet that pet insurance is a con, and you'd be better to put the money into an account than to them each month.

 

[slider]

I was once told by a vet that pet insurance is a con, and you'd be better to put the money into an account than to them each month.

Same with just about any insurance. Question is can you afford to meet a big bill before you have built up your self insurance fund.

That may be more feasible, but still not 100% fool proof, if you pool all the money you put into non compulsory insurances. Pet, house, content, holiday, comprehensive car insurance etc.