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Homebase pet insurance has recently relaunched its range of products. Not only do they provide full lifetime cover, they have also tailored their policies to adapt for the different needs of cats and dogs, and their owners.
I took out this insurance for my two Lab pups when we got them and within a month one of them tore a strip of skin off when she whizzed passed a sharp branch. She had emergency treatment done at the vet (Pets at Home) and they helped with the forms and I had a cheque within a week of submitting the claim form. The insurance for both dogs was very reasonable and easy to set up online. I did have a query about the DD after I’d set it up and phoned their helpline and the lady there was very pleasant and helpful and took time to explain everything to me. There was cheaper insurance out there but Homebase was obviously a company we had heard of and we had previous insurance through their sister company Argos and had been really satisfied with that. I would definitely highly recommend it.
Possibly the worst pet insurance I have ever taken out. Everything from beginning to end has been a hassle. Firstly, if you have a pet which is not new born ie for which there is any medical history, they want it in hard copy (your vet may charge you for this). The process from beginning to end of the claim is endless and you are lucky if you can get someone on the phone in less than 20 minutes. The person you may need to speak to is always on a break, on holiday or away from his desk. It seems like they really seek out ways not to pay rather than offering a sound policy on which you can rely. It is a zero on every count.
Just Don’t waste your money…..
I have two dogs and unfortunately had to make two claims, the insurance company used every tactic not to pay out for the claim so finally I decided to cut my loses and cancel the policy before wasting any more money. before cancelling I was advised that my forms were being returned to me as the vet hadn’t completed them properly, the forms never arrived after weeks hence the cancellation. Very strangely once I had cancelled the policy the forms were received within a matter of days and the vet had completed them as requested.
Had to give 1 star rating as no other alternative, but they don’t deserve it.
I couldn’t agree more with the 2 reviews above. I have just had a claim refused and again, they have sought out every underhand way not to pay out for what is obviously one of the most common treatments (cat dentistry) and therefore costs them money. The whole process has been long and arduous, not a single one of the letters they say they have sent me has ever arrived and I’ve had to call back some 7 times, each time being told the claim looks fine and is being processed, only to then be told it has been declined at the 7th call – though no one called or wrote to me to tell me that so I’d never have known if I hadn’t called again.
I then cancelled the policy – total waste of money – and the attendant on the phone had the audacity to sigh at me!
Again, I would give 0/5 but 1 is the lowest option available.
I was about to consider homebase for insuring my two new puppies. However having read the awful reviews on here about the problems people have had with them I don’t think I will bother and will look eslwhere.
Thanks for the warning customers and thank god for the internet and a forum for people to warn of unsatisfactory companies.
I picked up a leaflet for pet insurance attracted by the much lower price than I pay but have now read reviews and can see wht mine is a lot dearer