Not new to Ciao at all now. Still enjoy reading and writing ops.
Not new to Ciao at all now. Still enjoy reading and writing ops.
Member since:05.12.2000
Reviews:107
Members who trust:94
Everyone has insurance of some sort, be it for their homes, their cars,or even their life, but how many people bother to insure their pets.
It is easy to presume when cuddling your new puppy or kitten (or parrot or budgie if you are so inclined) that they are perfectly healthy and will not require veterinary intervention for many years, but what happens if this is not the case?
Puppies, especially pedigrees, often inherit specific problems. Cocker Spaniels are known to be prone to ear conditions, Pekinese can be chesty and Alsatians can have rear limb problems and these conditions can present themselves very early in the animal's life. Your docile puppy or kitten may, within a short timescale, develop personality and aggression disorders, so what are you left to do. Do you take the animal to the vet once or twice, but then decide you can no longer afford the upkeep.Do you just ignore the problem,or in the worst possible scenario,do you select to have it put to sleep?
Let me tell you about
my own particular circumstances. Having owned two previous dogs and umpteen budgerigars who had all reached old age without requiring major outlay in vet fees, I purchased a small Jack Russell feeling sure that with adequate care this would again be the case. I told myself that as I hadn't required pet insurance in the past, I wouldn't require it now. However, I heard of Direct Line's Pet Insurance Scheme from a friend and decided to make some enquiries ....just in case...
I telephoned the Company, more out of idle curiousity than anything else, but when I was quoted only £5 per month,I decided that just over £1 per week was a small price to pay for peace of mind and therefore took out a policy.
Within weeks, the healthy puppy I had purchased developed problems. She now in addition to having a bowel and stomach disorder,is neurotic as well. The slightest sound reduces her to earthquake-like shudders and she becomes very distressed. Each passing day saw a deterioration of her condition and naturally veterinary treatment proved necessary, but luckily (very very luckily) I had already paid one month's pet insurance fees.
In the last few months therefore, Molly (my dog) has accumulated £1,500 worth of veterinary treatment. This has all been provided at a cost to myself of just £5 per month to Direct Line Insurance ! !
In addition to vet fees, pet insurance also covers legal fees in the event of the animal attacking somebody or causing an accident either in the home or outside. Some, but not all, home policies also provide this protection, so this should be borne in mind when considering the pros and cons of the matter. The Policy does not, however, cover the expense of special diets, yearly vaccinations, booster vaccinations and spaying, although it does cover medication and callout charges should this prove to be absolutely necessary. Also of note is the fact that yearly fees for pet insurance increases as the animal ages, although if it has been insured since an early age some deduction is made to account for this.
I have to say that my own particular vet is not overly impressed with Direct Line as an insurer. I'm not sure however if this is because he would gain some commission where I to change to an insurer he recommends. He tells me however that Direct Line are slow to pay his bills (not my worry I'm afraid).
The only downside I have personally experienced with Direct Line is that it is necessary to complete additional claim forms periodically if a condition is ongoing which is irritating and time consuming,given that the information has already been provided initially when the animal became unwell. Additionally, after l2 months you can no longer claim for an ongoing condition. I certainly wish I had studied the policy more closely when I first took it out and I may, for this reason, look to another insurer when no longer able to claim under the present policy, although of course I will have to pay a greater outlay then.
I also have to say that obtaining a follow up claim form from Direct Line took considerable time and effort. I had to telephone on at least three occasions and had to wait several minutes before being connected to the necessary person who could help me and whilst waiting I was left with the usual Direct Line music......agh....yuk! ***!!
In summary therefore, although I am of course glad I took out the insurance and would certainly recommend other pet owners to take such action, there are some disadvantages. There is naturally always the point of view that £60 per year may be paid out for some considerable time whereas intervention never be required, but that has to be outweighed against the astronomical costs of vet fees and the welfare of the animal concerned in the event of some future disaster.
Personally I would have no hesitation in recommending Direct Line as long as the adverse points I have set out above are taken into consideration.
I will update this opinion regularly to let other readers know what happens as time progresses with Molly's claim.
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I do hope Molly's doing well now.
I've been looking into Direct Line and seems that they do now offer an 'Advanced' policy which will cover treatment for more than 12 months. It's more expensive but not by a huge amount, and might turn out to be worth if for a pet who develops a chronic condition.
xalala 19.06.2003 20:00
Very useful - although I think Direct Line will only insure cats and dogs, and not after a certain age? Am hoping for a kitten soon (if the Other Half agrees), so I'll bear them in mind. Xalala.
offy 09.03.2001 19:10
Well written opinion, giving both sides of the story. I cna recommend Pet Plan Insurance as they have 'cover for life' and not just one year for illnesses.
Advantages: Cover for emergencies or illness which could be very expensive otherwise Disadvantages: Cover only limited to a certain amount and a certain time frame on my policy
wendybull 12.08.2006 (12.08.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Direct Line Pet Insurance
Advantages: Good price, covers the basic and there are other options Disadvantages: It only rstricts to 12 months of treatmentand you've got to wait for 14 days for the policy to take effect.
Feb 8th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
