'My pet cover now costs ?285 per month'

[super jumbe]

As pet insurance premiums soar, many are left wondering is it worth paying for medical treatment yourself?

Pet insurance seems the answer to all animal lovers' fears. You pay a monthly premium, and if your cat, dog or other pet needs medical treatment then at least the money should not be a problem.

Or that is the theory. In reality, rising veterinary costs and the growing range of new and expensive treatments is having a knock on effect for insurers. Some have pulled out of the business altogether. Others are trying to pass on rising costs to pet owners, which explains the surge in premiums that many policyholders have encountered.

When the insurance with M&S was first taken out, it cost Greg around ?13 a month. Now he pays ?200 but he has just been told that Busby's premium from next month will be ?285. Over a year the premiums will add up to ?3,420.

Greg says he is struggling to afford the payments, and cannot move insurer because most will not cover animals with "pre-existing" conditions. "I feel M&S is pricing out its customers, as they no longer wish to cover pets at a time when the cover is required the most."

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/pet-cover-now-costs-285-093051447.html

[gc1966]

you should rename the post "my mate greg's dog is getting no pet insurance this year"

[maca]

?285 a month **** that buy a new dog instead

[nara]

Pay the premiums or get rid of the dog. Simples.

I can't be arsed with this sort of moaning in the media.

[gopher7]

I'd be an ex pet owner after that.

[super jumbe]

There are some people said we can not afford mortgage payments now I know why, I can see its the pet insurance taking part of that peace of cake, on the other hand I thought animal are also protected by NHS.

[nara]

... on the other hand I thought animal are also protected by NHS.

Of course you did.

[GastonJ]

Time it was an ex pet. If you can't afford something then the choice is simple, don't get it.

[darrenhyland]

I've got a st Bernard, two rotties, a Dalmatian, a golden lab and three horses........my pet insurance is about 40 quid for the month for all of them...............what a load of horse shit to pay 285 quid for one mutt......the way I see it he's a gobshite if he pays that much for pet insurance for a month.

[ifred]

I go with the spend half of the ?285 a month buying a new mutt every month
It makes sense you save money and the mutts always a new model

[Meat-Head]

I've got a st Bernard, two rotties, a Dalmatian, a golden lab and three horses........my pet insurance is about 40 quid for the month for all of them...............what a load of horse shit to pay 285 quid for one mutt......the way I see it he's a gobshite if he pays that much for pet insurance for a month.

Yeah but bet it costs you ?285/month to get rid of the shit they make every day.

If the dawg has no serial number, can't re-name it and reinsure?