I have bitten the bullet

[kateincornwall]

And cancelled Reubens insurance as they wanted to raise the premium to more than double even though I havent claimed in the past couple of years but paid for his cancer surgery out of a small savings pot . The premium had gone up to 75 pounds a month which I think it astronomical but I have taken out the accident only insurance which is just short of 5 pounds a month . I will continue to save money in our pot but refuse to line the pockets of the insurance companies xxx

 

[Selina27]

Well done!

 

[Stacia]

And cancelled Reubens insurance as they wanted to raise the premium to more than double even though I havent claimed in the past couple of years but paid for his cancer surgery out of a small savings pot . The premium had gone up to 75 pounds a month which I think it astronomical but I have taken out the accident only insurance which is just short of 5 pounds a month . I will continue to save money in our pot but refuse to line the pockets of the insurance companies xxx

I will continue with insurance as even if I saved the monthly outgoing for each year, it would barely cover anything. I don't believe the insurance companies (naive of me!) line their pockets as vets' fees are so astronomical now, I often wonder how they have enough money to pay out. I am with Pet Plan and they say each year the insurance premium will increase with age, but they do not increase the premium for claiming, just age.

PS, I realise that the premiums are dead money, so £75 a month might be better to be saved. Flicka's I premium is £41 a month.

 

[Cath]

Good for you Kate, join our club

 

[kateincornwall]

Good for you Kate, join our club

Thanks to you that I found out about this insurance @Cath xxx

 

[Jacqui-S]

Well done Kate xx

 

[Candy]

Joy's insurance payments went ridiculously high after she had the retrobulbar abscess years ago, so I also have a pot of money that is Joy's emergency fund. I have barely had to touch it for years and there was more than enough to cover the removal of her melanoma earlier in the summer. I dread to think how much I would have paid out by now had I kept on with the insurance payments.

 

[Lab_adore]

We went with the pot right from the beginning with Maxx due to the insane cost of insurance. Touch wood other than his expensive extreme sickness last year he has been healthy. We realise costs will increase with years but I estimate we've saved close to $10k so far

 

[Stacia]

Oh dear, perhaps I should rethink.

 

[Lab_adore]

Oh dear, perhaps I should rethink.

Everyone is in a different circumstance Sonia. It sounds like insurance is much cheaper in the UK so you need to think about what would happen if something dire happened. I've been following Leanne Till on FB and her young GR has had a terrible prognosis with bilateral hip dysplasia and fluid on her spine. She said she would have had to sell her house if it wasn't for insurance

 

[Stacia]

Thanks @Lab_adore, that was what I was afraid of, cost of veterinary being astronomical. I suppose it all depends on how much the premiums are, at the moment Flicka's are not too bad, but what does the future hold!

 

[M.F.]

We have insurance. For the big expenses, it’s been worthwhile. And for the peace of mind that money won’t be a reason if we ever need specific treatment. However, I do wonder whether we accept unnecessary procedures because we know insurance will pay anyway. And I’d love to know what the insurance companies think about this. We left our previous vet when we felt she was just milking us and doing all kinds of unnecessary procedures on Snowie cos a corporate vet took over her practice and I guess she had huge targets.

 

[Stacia]

@M.F. I was with a corporate veterinary practice and one vet did press for unnecessary tests etc as she had to hit targets. So sad, the vets, nurses and reception staff did not gain any benefit in salary.

 

[Selina27]

I was with a corporate veterinary practice and one vet did press for unnecessary tests etc as she had to hit targets. So sad, the vets, nurses and reception staff did not gain any benefit in salary.

Yes, very sad to see. It is undermining professional clinical judgement. And staff numbers are being cut in these practices so that they are being asked to do more with less personnel.

 

[Stacia]

Yes, very sad to see. It is undermining professional clinical judgement. And staff numbers are being cut in these practices so that they are being asked to do more with less personnel.

Yes, my ex boss (veterinary surgeon) voluntary retired to save the salaries of the other vets. Some time back I was at corporate vet and there was a girl there doing 'time and motion' from the company! I have now moved to an independent vet but felt sad leaving the practice as vets and staff were excellent.