Insurance costs increase

[a reader of books]

I got an email about Sophie's insurance renewal. They said that since vet costs have gone up, my yearly payment has needed to go up, too. I thought, well, it goes up every year by about €5-10, so that's fine. It's...definitely not fine. Last year I paid €156.26. For this coming year I need to pay €289.35! That's almost double what I normally pay.

Petplan's now called Figo Pet here for some reason, but they assured me it's just a name change and that everything else will be the same. Well! Doesn't look like it.

Have anyone else's bunny insurance costs gone up dramatically?

 

[Pets mum]

Gosh that's a big increase Reader ! Is that just Sophie or Casper too ? Maybe give them a call and double check ? Georgie cat is about £80 a month now

 

[Shimmer]

My house insurance has just doubled as well.

 

[a reader of books]

Gosh that's a big increase Reader ! Is that just Sophie or Casper too ? Maybe give them a call and double check ? Georgie cat is about £80 a month now

It's just Sophie, as I've never been able to insure Casper because of health issues. That's a good idea to double check, though. I think I'll send them an email. Gosh, George's insurance is a lot. I thought you said 'a year' at first, but £80 a month!

My house insurance has just doubled as well.

Oh, gosh, that's awful.

 

[Bunny Buddy]

I have tended to find that there is some age point regardless of breed or health where it shoots up. I have found with Agria it goes up steadily, as you described with PetPlan but when they get to 5 years old it goes up a lot steeper, something like an extra 50% on previous year. I think in Agria's case they know no one else will take on bunnies over the age of 5 so that have got you!

It does take some deciding whether it is worth it once you factor in the excesses.

 

[bumblicious]

I don't know but I work in home insurance and it's definitely increased more than usual. A lot, in some cases. I wonder if it's the same for all types?

 

[joey&boo]

ouch - that is a steep jump. Its a bit cheeky to say the least. Boo's is £17 a month, last year it was £15 so we've not a big price rise yet - maybe in Autumn when it renews

 

[Orenoko]

I was looking at Rupert's the other day when I was sorting my claim out, when we first got him in 2019, it was £11 per month, when he passed two weeks ago it was £30. I have claimed loads on his though to be fair. Lilac's is £37 per month and I couldn't even tell you when I last claimed for her!

 

[Babsie]

Gosh that's a big increase Reader ! Is that just Sophie or Casper too ? Maybe give them a call and double check ? Georgie cat is about £80 a month now

Yes, I gave up with insuring Bella and she now has her own bank account. A bit like the bank of mum and dad ...

 

[a reader of books]

I have tended to find that there is some age point regardless of breed or health where it shoots up. I have found with Agria it goes up steadily, as you described with PetPlan but when they get to 5 years old it goes up a lot steeper, something like an extra 50% on previous year. I think in Agria's case they know no one else will take on bunnies over the age of 5 so that have got you!

It does take some deciding whether it is worth it once you factor in the excesses.

Ah, I see. That's clever, since they know you can't go to anyone else with a 5 year old rabbit. Maybe 13 is the magic age when Petplan gets a lot more expensive.

I don't know but I work in home insurance and it's definitely increased more than usual. A lot, in some cases. I wonder if it's the same for all types?

Ah, so it's not just bunny insurance...

ouch - that is a steep jump. Its a bit cheeky to say the least. Boo's is £17 a month, last year it was £15 so we've not a big price rise yet - maybe in Autumn when it renews

Ooh, I'm glad you haven't had a big price rise yet. I hope you won't get one in autumn, either.

I was looking at Rupert's the other day when I was sorting my claim out, when we first got him in 2019, it was £11 per month, when he passed two weeks ago it was £30. I have claimed loads on his though to be fair. Lilac's is £37 per month and I couldn't even tell you when I last claimed for her!

Gosh, his insurance had gotten quite a lot higher since 2019. £30 and £37 per month, though... Looks like I've been lucky I've only had to pay €100-150 a year all these years. Although I do have the cheapest type that only covers 50% of vet costs, so maybe that's why.

 

[a reader of books]

I got a reply to the email I sent them, and they just repeated that it's a big increase this year because of vet costs rising. I'm a bit skeptical, though, since vet costs really haven't nearly doubled the way my insurance costs have.

 

[joey&boo]

I was looking at Rupert's the other day when I was sorting my claim out, when we first got him in 2019, it was £11 per month, when he passed two weeks ago it was £30. I have claimed loads on his though to be fair. Lilac's is £37 per month and I couldn't even tell you when I last claimed for her!

gosh, those amounts seem all over the place. Is this petplan or agria?

 

[joey&boo]

I got a reply to the email I sent them, and they just repeated that it's a big increase this year because of vet costs rising. I'm a bit skeptical, though, since vet costs really haven't nearly doubled the way my insurance costs have.

yeah that doesn't seem fair. I'm guessing you don't have much choice but to pay though

 

[Orenoko]

gosh, those amounts seem all over the place. Is this petplan or agria?

Neither, Rupert was always with helpucover, Lilac used to be with them but found it cheaper with 4paws. I'm not sure if either of those companies are owned by Petplan or Agria though. I'll be honest due to age I don't even look around any more, tried it a couple of years ago and none of the companies I tried would insure a new rabbit over 7.

 

[joey&boo]

Neither, Rupert was always with helpucover, Lilac used to be with them but found it cheaper with 4paws. I'm not sure if either of those companies are owned by Petplan or Agria though. I'll be honest due to age I don't even look around any more, tried it a couple of years ago and none of the companies I tried would insure a new rabbit over 7.

that's interesting. I honestly thought there were only 2 options for bunnies in the UK ( PP & Agria)
I went for Agria for Boo on their age amnesty they have in Autumn, although I think they insure at any age at any time but dont advertise it.
Agria have been really good so far- its my first experience of pet insurance though so I've no comparisons.

 

[Orenoko]

that's interesting. I honestly thought there were only 2 options for bunnies in the UK ( PP & Agria)
I went for Agria for Boo on their age amnesty they have in Autumn, although I think they insure at any age at any time but dont advertise it.
Agria have been really good so far- its my first experience of pet insurance though so I've no comparisons.

Yes I've had good experiences with my companies, never had any quibbling over payouts so I can't complain. The monthly cost does seem high but I'm sure if I added up all of Rupert's bills in the last year it would be more than what I've paid for both of them in their lifetimes!

 

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That's a huge jump in your premium! I've noticed a similar trend with pet insurance lately, vet costs are skyrocketing, and it seems like insurers are passing the buck directly to us. I've heard some people suggest shopping around for alternative providers, but that can be tricky depending on your bunny's age or any pre-existing conditions. As for the Petplan-to-Figo switch, while they claim it’s just branding, these kinds of changes sometimes come with tweaks to pricing structures or coverage tiers. It might be worth a call to see if there’s any flexibility or a lower-tier option that still works.

 

[redmal]

We insured our animals until we had a HUGE row with Equine and Livestock about a freak accident with our dog. They paid up in the end but it took months and months. We paid the vet ourselves as it wasn't beyond our means at the time (in the late 1980s). We decided then to have no more to do with insurers if we could help it and instead put the monthly cost in a "dog account". It actually covers the cats, chickens and now the rabbit too. We put a bit more in as prices went up over the years and now we have rich pets! We have been lucky and most of the animals have been pretty healthy and not many vet visits, except annual vaccs, neutering, etc. which also come out of the "dog account". Prices are extortionate now though, and I know many people who struggle with medical treatment for pets.

 

[Bunny Buddy]

I have recently had a renewal for Arthur, my last remaining bun with Pets at Home (PetPlan). He's 8 years old.. last year £245, this year £345!!! I am a bit trapped into needing it as he has regular treatment for bladder sludge and this year had ear surgery. The cover is only £1500, but I managed to get value and maxed it out. I still feel shocked at the renewal though.