Not all insurance companies will pay the vet direct - you could have to pay the bill first and then claim it back from the insurance company. With a road accident this could go into thousands. With petplan, they will pay the vet directly if necessary for larger amounts. If you don't have thousands in the bank, it's worth taking this into account. I don't know what all insurance companies do, but I've been quite happy with petplan.

i've been with Pet Plan for years now...they're one of the few that insure rabbits (i have a cat and a rabbit). have claimed quite a few times and no problems, always pay up.

i pay £7-£10 each per month, for the two of them)

would recommend.

__________________
"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."
Martin Buber

Iam with Healthy Pets been great so far, and claimed a few times, last one for £1,072, 2wks ago to diagnose ostioarthritis, settled really quick, only pay the 1st £50, and we pay just under £19.00 for the both of them, for £3.000 cover, they are also the fastest growing pet insurer in the country. You can only recommend on experiences, and they have been brill with me.

you are looking at the payment of the policy, annual (1 off), monthly (12 instalments). Nothing to do with what the other members are suggesting.

life cover, make sure that is mentioned in the paper work, it means it covers for life conditions; example: if your dog/cat has an illness that can reoccur (such as GOD FORBID! cancer) you will need several treatments and are likely to reach the top amount you are entitled to claim for (say £4000), if next year or the year after the (GOD FORBID!) cancer comes back and you need more treatment LIFE COVER means you can claim the expenses back again (up to the maximum you are allowed per annum of course); without life cover they will not cover the new cancer rebut as you have already exhausted your maximum.
In short
LIFE COVER £ XXXX per condition per year
WITHOUT LIFE COVER £ XXXX maximum per condition

Most insurances have different levels of cover. From cheaper to more expensive; the cheapest often doesn't cover conditions for life and once you have reached the max you can claim that's it!


hope didn't confuse you more...

VERY IMPORTANT:
choose your insurance very well and read all SMALL PRINT VvVv IMPORTANT, this is a medical insurance so you can't switch from one to another every year because they never pay for pre-existing conditions.

My opinion PET PLAN is the best, never had a problem, I am now with Animal Friends, but already at war!