4Paws Pet Insurance

Unfortunately after many years with 4Paws I have been left disappointed with their services. We were happy to pay well over the odds for their cover as it was deemed to be full life and more comprehensive than most others. But in reality they are like most other insurance companies and are looking to decline your claim even when it is clear that you should be covered. Our case is simple. Our dog needed some emergency dental care (which was covered on our insurance) due to a new gum issue (periodontal disease). They refused to pay out due to a comment made by our vets prior to our insurance. This claim was simply that our dogs teeth were well and that they had a small amount of plaque on them. Simply not good enough. The moment we found out that there was an actual health issue we acted on it fully expecting to be covered. And to be met with such a poor excuse for not paying out is simply not good enough. Stay away unless you do not get regular vet check ups as they will use the good care you take of your animals against you.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT TO USE THEM I purchased a 1-year policy with 4Paws in May, paying in full specifically to earn Avios points. Three months later, they falsely claimed I hadn’t clicked the bonus grant correctly - la ridiculous assertion since it’s literally a single button! When I followed up in October, their response was threatening: they said they would cancel my entire policy if they didn’t hear from me within two days. I replied promptly, restating the issue, and three days later they cancelled my full year of insurance without any further communication. This is completely unacceptable customer service. A company that handles claims and loyalty bonuses this poorly cannot be trusted. I would strongly advise looking elsewhere.

In all the years we've had our dog insured by this company we've only claimed twice and each time they have tried it on with us. The first time our dog had a lump removed and they refused to pay point blank. I spoke with the specialist and he wrote a letter saying that they should pay and that their excuses were without merit and they then paid up. Obviously their default position is not to pay and hope the customer doesn't challenge it! Make sure you do. The most recent experience our dog had an eye removal procedure due to a mass under the eye being detected and they tried to wriggle out of paying again saying that a little wart on his eyelid that he'd had for years was the cause. Once again the specialist wrote to them to tell them it was nothing to do with the mass and at first they ignored him,I then threatened to take them to the ombudsman and they relented. My specialist told me that he has never known an insurance company to ignore his guidance and the receptionist said that they were the worst company they had ever dealt with. They then tried to claim that my dog had been aggressive years ago when having a seed removed from his ear so they wouldn't insure me if he was aggressive with the surgeon and he wouldn't be covered in the street. Just before I claimed I'd had a renewal for roughly the same as I was paying,£178pm, which draws gasps from those I tell. They then hiked my premium to over £300pm! We now put away money instead rather than pay these crooks. What really gets me is that I diligently paid over the odds for years for peace of mind should anything happen. My wife and I had the most terrible time, not only worrying about our dog but whether 4paws would pay. So absolutely no peace of mind, only extra worry! Please take my advice and don't use this company but if you insure with them fight them all the way when they inevitably try to avoid paying out.

Can’t complain at all. Have made 2 claims in the past year, both sizeable. We’ve just had our renewal through and the increase is totally reasonable considering the above. Service always easy and quick with claims. Staff are really nice over the phone too and always helpful. Highly recommend.

I would avoid this insurance company at all costs all they are interested in is taking your money I have just left 4 paws after being with them for a number of of years I made 2 claims years apart and would expect a lot better customer service after being a loyal customer for years when you’re pet reaches a certain age all they want to do is hike your policy up and up until you are forced to leave i paid £155 a month last year which was massive increase on the year before this year unbelievable £288 a month which obviously I can no longer afford they hold a gun to your Head because there is no way you can move to another company after your dog is over 8 with pre-existing conditions I have left after falling on deaf ears and listening to the same old pre scripted blurb that they have told to say I am now putting money aside in savings account hopefully to cover future vet bills look elsewhere for a long term pet insurance because 4paws certainly will not look after your pet over a certain age