I have been insured with Pet Plan for many years and several pets. Last year I made my first claim only to be very disappointed with the "small print caveats" which effectively reduced a claim from approx £700 to £150. Whereas I cannot deny the small print, it is not in what I understood to be the general comfort zone of insurance requirements. My dog needed various surgical procedures due to hip displacement including neutering. This was ON RECOMMENDATION from the vet. Pet plan refused to pay anything towards neutering because they have an exclusion for voluntary neutering. As to wether or not it was voluntary is arguable. I tend to take the advice of a vet rather than an insurance company. Long and short of it is I pay £26.60 per month Which equals £2500 ish before any considerations of saving interest etc for the life so far of my dog Lita. I think that is quite a lot of money to then only receive less than a quater of my claim back.

My question is what is available for 3rd party insurance only i.e. my dog causes a car accident or injury to a person etc. etc. I add she is a really placid retreiver! I am no longer interested in vetinary fees because with hindsight, self indemnifying looks far cheaper and effective unless I am really unlucky with an illness. I have checked my home policy but it is too vague for me to rely on and the insurers do not like answering direct questions of "what if".

Basil 53

Unfortunately I am unaware of any third party pet insurance. However I have two retrievers, both puppies and neither placid, and only pay around £18 pcm for them both. At present I am with Tesco as they offered a 40% discount with a club card member. I agree with you that the small print is ridiculous but all insurances are the same and will try if possible not to pay out.

So try shopping about a bit and you may find adequate cover for less than think.

Hope this helps.

Only issues with changing insurance providers is that any new company will not take on an existing condition, so if you need to claim in the future for something that is connected to what you have just claimed for you will not be covered.

I used to hold pet ins with E & L and my first claim with them they refused to pay, took them to insurance ombudsmen, they then paid out. Changed my insurer, which meant not covered for the ongoing skin complaint just paid by E & L.

Pet insurers have you by the short n curlies!