Tesco Pet Insurance > Reviews (17)

Ok I have 2 cats and have a history of owning cats. None of them were ever insured. I used to think that if my parents didn't insure our pets then I don't need to insure mine now I'm older...after all my parents are, I assumed, great with money.

My attitude changed a year ago when friend of mine experienced a tradegy with her cat. Her cat developed a illness, can't for the life of me remember what it was, which had a sudden onset and resulted in death within weeks. What made her loss worse was the vet bills she had. In my naiivety I didn't realise that ir can cost you to have a pet put down at the vets! But then its not something I often think about. Back to my friend, well anyway she hadn't insured her cat and ended up with massive vets bills for a cat that she no longer had. From that day on she made it her mission to get all pet owners on pet insurance.

And so...that is how my story into the world of pet insurance began, I certainly couldn't afford to have a tradegy like that happen and leave me struggling with vets bills. As a result I shopped around on the internet for good quotes, at the time only having one cat. I came across Tesco's pet insurance early on. I put in my cats details and got an amazing quote. I seriously didn't think it was this cheap...£3.60 a month (for one cat (18mths old at the time) this included me offering £80 excess, something I was willing to offer). I couldn't find any cheaper quotes and looking at the policy details was very impressed. I liked the fact that as soon I clicked the confirm button on the website having inputted all my details my cat was covered immediately. Other pet insurances didn't do this, there is a few days, maybe a week wait before your pet is actually covered.

the policy came through the post a few days later giving you written confirmation of cover details. It comes in a nice booklet and inside you can write in your personal details. The cover details are written clearly and without jargon and placed into different sections.
1) Veterinary Fees
2) Accidental Death of pet
3) Theft or Srayinng
4) Hospitalisation of owner
5) holiday cancellation or curtailment
But in addition the policy provides you with extra services such as a veterinary emergency helpline - they'll provide details of a vet close by that you can take your pet to. You also get pet bereavement counselling and a legal advice. So far not had the misfortune to use these latter services and so can not comment on them.

As mentioned on other reviews your pet is only covered for a year per condition and you receive a maximum of £2500 per conditon.

If your pet was to ever stray then you were be reimbursed up to £500 for local advertising expenses. I like this section alot and it gives me piece of mind somewhat.

But to be honest the reason I would recommned Tesco pet insurance is due to my personal experience of having to make a claim. I got a new kitten in June and she is adorable. But one day she jump awkwardly of our sofa and banged her leg on the wall.

She clearly was in pain and appeared to have difficult walking on the leg. I started to panic thinking she'd broken her leg. That morning I had just insured her and I started to panic because I initially thought that she wouldn't be covered immediately. I took Pebbles to the emergency vet and had to pay £120 up front and the took her the next day, she had x-rays and all sorts. The final bill came to £260. I was devasted as I really wasn't sure if I'd be able to get the money back. It turned out that pebbles only sprained a muscle ligament but costs grew due to the x-rays etc. Once home I called Tesco pet insurance and explained the situation. Whoever I spoke to was so helpful and informed me that as soon as I clicked confirm on the website pebbles was insured. A few days later the claims details came through, I handed it to my vet who sorted it all out. About 10 days later I received a cheque.

The speed of service was amazing and I phoned the customer service a few times for other issues and everytime I speak to someone who knows exactly what they are on about and assist me with any query.

Ever since my personal experience of using my pet insurance I have preached to nearly everyone I know to get their pets insured. Like I was some people haven't got round to it. Only recently my friends cat was knocked over and has a damaged jaw. She hadn't insured her pet. The problem with pet insurance though is that if you insure mid treatment for someting the insurers won't pay out. Insure NOW!!!

UPDATED
Just another note...I was reminded about this on a comment made. In my ignorance of pet insurance I thought it would go up if I made a claim. Luckily this was not the case, its stayed the same. So as someone mentioned in the comment section take advantage of low premiums now. Insure your pet young, the montly costs are low. If you have more than one pet insure all together as combined costs are cheaper.

Oh and with it being with TescO you get a clubcard. You get points on it for each month you pay pet insurance, I don't shop witH Tesco and so only get points via pet insurance. Yet this is enough for me to recieve £2.50 voucher every 4 months...a small amount but welcome nonetheless!!