Buddies Pet Insurance

We got the 4 weeks free insurance from the breeder for our GSD pup and then purchased the silver package once that had expired. Unfortunately, just after bringing him home our pup began to have seizures and was later diagnosed with hydrocephalus, having to be put to sleep at 13wk old.

During this time, we'd had an MRI done. The vets rang buddies to pre approve the claim before this commenced as there is no way we could have afforded it otherwise. Once the investigations and treatments had been completed and we were given a copy of the bill that buddies had been sent (in excess of £3000), buddies refused the claim, stating that because the pup became unwell in the first two weeks of the 4 week free insurance, we weren't covered.

There is nowhere in the puppy policy that states the first 2 weeks are exempt and it's advertised as 4 weeks free insurance, not two. After a very stressful and upsetting time (having had our pup pts), we threatened legal action against buddies as they had no grounds to refuse the claim. Eventually we were told that they'd pay out, but they should never have refused it in the first place.

Breeders avoid at all costs!

the system is always down so you can never login. Appalling customer service given by rude incompetent staff. The 4 weeks free puppy insurance isn't 4 weeks it's only two and they refuse to pay out without making the correct enquiries.

will never use again and have warned the breeding community of our experiences.

V tWe paid 4.5yeats of premiums, and when we asked for cost of blood tests to check for allergy we were told they would not pay

Typical insurance company. Try to wriggle out of paying

We insured our 10 week old puppy with Buddies as we just continued the breeders free 1 month insurance - worst mistake ever.

When it came to making a claim Buddies took 4 months to write to us (after I made several chaser phone calls to them) to then tell us that they would not be honouring our claim as it was a pre-existing condition. They said that the puppy had been at the vet for a 6 week checkup with the breeder and had a "watery eye" at this checkup. They used this for the basis to refuse to pay out on a bloodshot eye when she was six months old.

Avoid at all costs! I've now heard multiple stories that Buddies are terrible for paying out and will try to find any reason possible not to pay out.

Great customer service and claim paid out immediately HOWEVER monthly premium has increased to nearly £60. If I go elsewhere I won't be covered for previous condition so I feel trapped. Thank goodness car insurance doesn't work in the same way!!

Customer service is the only plus point always polite and helpful I had a month free insurance with my puppy and decided to continue with buddies as I thought they must be good if used by breeder.However despite submitting details from my vet regarding a claim on my pup, we have been rejected twice for different reasons for the same claim. My vet is astonished by their reluctance to pay out for the condition my pup had ,saying they classed it as prexisting even though we did not know about it until diagnosis a month later! AVOID

We took out a policy with buddies for my German Shepherd puppy as we got 1 month free with the breeder - it was £43.12 per month for the silver cover which allowed us to claim £4000 per renewal year. Unfortunately as My dog turned one he became ill - he had lots of tests run and eventually a stay at an animal hospital. Buddies paid out for all of this - no complaints there! When renewal came around we know we weould see the monthly price go up but I was shocked to see it had gone up to £84.08 a month. They almost doubled my monthly payments, put my excess up to £90 and have forced me to start paying 10% contribution to all vet bills. My dogs illness is something that needs daily medication for the rest of his life - if we cancel our policy then this illness is no longer covered with any other insurer - Don't make my mistake, go with another insurer.

An insurance company ,that does not like to pay out but happy to take your monies and keep putting it up, there are a lot of cheaper good companies out there , they have not the experience to run a company

Bronze, silver or gold no matter, once your pet reaches nine you are paying huge amounts. If your pet needs expensive medication you won't be able to afford it with this company. Wait ages for the small amount they eventually pay out because they charge a 20% charge on top of your premiums.

Stay well away.

I had insurance with Buddies for my 4 and a half year old dacshund from as soon as we got her. The price originally started out about £13.00 per month and then increased each year up until last year £21.00 a month. When taking out insurance I compared several policies and found for the money that this represented the most comprehensive around. It was the gold cover and covered £6500 per condition which was reinstated at every renewal of the policy (looking through various insurances they either have a 12mnth limit or do not renew after you reach the maximum).Unfortunately late last year we had to claim on the policy as our little dax blew a spinal disc and needed immediate surgery (£3500 worth) even worse 6 days later she developed complications that were to be fatal and we had to have her put to sleep. We got all the monies we were due from the policy (including the death benefit)The only disappointment with the company was that they sent no confirmation they had received our claim which meant I had to keep chasing the claim up by phone calls which was quite upsetting under the circumsatnces, but in the end they delivered everything they promised. I do believe you get what you pay for with regard to insurance.