We learnt our lesson the hard way. We never used to have pet insurance, but then a cocker spaniel of ours developed an illness called erythaema multiforme - basically he used to get lesions in all his mucous membranes. He developed this when he was about four years old, and he lived to be 14 - and during that time he was on constant antibiotics and steroids. It was costing us up to about £80.00 a month most months - and I'm going back some years 'cos he passed away almost 8 years ago. Since then, we have always had our animals insured - the peace of mind knowing that whatever happens you're only going to have to fork out about £50 - £70 - depending on your excess - is worth it.

Up to now, touch wood, I've never had a problem with insurance firms paying out. Just by the law of averages, the more animals you have, the higher the likelyhood is that one of them will need expensive treatment at some stage - and you only need it to happen to one animal, once a year for you to benefit.