Best UK Insurance Company For Piggies?

[Laaaauren]

I’m looking to insure my piggies after a recent spate of very expensive vet bills. I’ve been warned in the past about pet insurance and how they often claim to cover bills up to a certain amount, only to not pay out when the time comes for it. It’s also a pain that most pet insurance companies in the UK seem to only cover cats and dogs.
I was hoping some on here might have positive experiences and/or know which is the best company to go with for insuring piggies. I have had a look myself but any recommendations would be great.
Thanks in advance!

P.s apologies if there’s already an existing thread regarding this topic, I couldn’t find anything so thought I’d post anyway.

 

[Claire W]

The only insurance company to insure guinea pigs in the UK is Exotics direct. I think it’s about £20-£30 per piggy per month although I could be wrong. Sorry, I have no experience as I just put money aside in a ‘vet fund’ for my 3 girls x

 

[Piggies&buns]

There is only one company who insure guinea pigs in the UK - Exotic Direct.
For that reason as well as the excesses and restrictions, a lot of us do not have insurance and instead save into a vet fund each month.
Plus any issues which your piggies have already had, will be unlikely to be insured in future.

A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

 

[Laaaauren]

There is only one company who insure guinea pigs in the UK - Exotic Direct.
For that reason as well as the excesses and restrictions, a lot of us do not have insurance and instead save into a vet fund each month.
Plus any issues which your piggies have already had, will be unlikely to be insured in future.

A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

Yeah we had a big chunk taken out of our vet savings. Thankfully we caught the issue with our piggy in time so she’s doing better now, but it’s most likely going to be an ongoing thing unfortunately.
The insurance would be for our other piggy who doesn’t have any current problems, but just in case of any future issues that might occur. Exotic Direct are one that we found, along with another so I wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations.

 

[piggieminder]

What other company did you find that insures them? I've only heard of Exotic Direct.

 

[Laaaauren]

What other company did you find that insures them? I've only heard of Exotic Direct.

The other UK one I found is called British Pet Insurance. I can’t speak on them as a company as I’ve never insured a pet with them. However, they have an exotics policy for everything from small mammals, to lizards, to birds of prey.

 

[Merab]

I find it’s easier to save money for vet bills then it’s there when I need it with no restrictions

 

[piggieminder]

I find it’s easier to save money for vet bills then it’s there when I need it with no restrictions

I always have but the last few years my vet bills have been far more than I could save and I've had to hit the retirement fund. The oldies wouldn't be covered but I think it may be worth insuring any youngsters that come here before they get anything that would be discounted. With xrays now being £500 and scans over £1,000 before we start any treatment the retirement fund isn't going to last long.

 

[Laaaauren]

I always have but the last few years my vet bills have been far more than I could save and I've had to hit the retirement fund. The oldies wouldn't be covered but I think it may be worth insuring any youngsters that come here before they get anything that would be discounted. With xrays now being £500 and scans over £1,000 before we start any treatment the retirement fund isn't going to last long.

I know what you mean. We were quoted £2,000 for a CT scan, plus £200 on top for a consultation. Even with our savings that is astronomically high and something we could never afford. Vet bills seem to be increasing all the time and it’s sadly becoming difficult for most people to afford decent healthcare for their pets.

 

[Merab]

I was discussing soaring vet costs with my vets and commented that people would think twice in future about what they could afford, even with savings.
It’s sad and emotionally difficult for dedicated pet owners.

 

[Claire W]

I too have been discussing increasing vet costs with my vet. Not the same thing but he told me that a thyroidectomy on a cat is now sadly over £700 when it was £550 when we had it done on one of my cats who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in November last year. My cats are insured but as Harrison is on a timed policy, the insurance won’t pay out for an existing condition twice so I’m really hoping he won’t need another thyroidectomy on the thyroid gland that wasn’t removed as we just can’t afford it Luckily our other two cats are on a lifetime policy but all insurance has restrictions

 

[eileen]

I agree vet costs have gone up.my cat is on a lifetime policy .my guinea pigs bills have been high.i have to think long and hard before I give permission for scans,xrays etc.if it's not going to give better qaulity of life I make an informed decision.
I will not be getting anymore guinea pigs due to the costs.i will want 3 and 4 piggies due to rising costs.

 

[S97]

The other UK one I found is called British Pet Insurance. I can’t speak on them as a company as I’ve never insured a pet with them. However, they have an exotics policy for everything from small mammals, to lizards, to birds of prey.

Sorry for bumping a months old thread but has anyone had any experience with British Pet Insurance?

 

[Bill & Ted]

I know what you mean. We were quoted £2,000 for a CT scan, plus £200 on top for a consultation. Even with our savings that is astronomically high and something we could never afford. Vet bills seem to be increasing all the time and it’s sadly becoming difficult for most people to afford decent healthcare for their pets.

I agree vet bills have gone up astronomically lately. I would shop around if you can. We have found a good exotics vets in Falmouth but I shudder to think of the costs for X-rays, scans etc It’s all very high tech and beauty but my main consideration is experience with guinea pigs which on the whole seems to be sadly lacking down in Cornwall in general

I tend to travel to Northampton and see Simon Maddock for operations, he really knows about guinea pigs and he is a fab surgeon