Bupa pet insurance

Worst pet insurance. We changed from RSPCA (where they paid 80% of every claim) to Bupa as it was cheaper and we were Bupa health insurance customers. Thinking we would receive the same cover (was only marginally cheaper), we were shocked when after paying 10months of premiums we had 2 claims, both of which were totally rejected (ear infection and vaccine $250, and teeth clean and removal-$1500). What is the point of paying if there’s no cover? Will be cancelling immediately.

As an update on my case, they reviewed the case and agreed some weren’t pre-existing conditions and so agreed to a benefit, BUT then stated there is a $200 excess for every case, so then you get nothing. HOW INSULTING !! So again, you will get NOTHING from this pet insurance. Save your money, put it in the bank and just pay any costs that come up.

The policy was comprehensive and covered most aspects for both of our dogs when we made our first claim after four years. However, due to the rising cost of living, we had to cancel. Since our dogs are now 13 years old and past the 7-year threshold, we weren’t able to downgrade to a more affordable plan. Unfortunately, once a dog turns 8, finding alternative insurance is nearly impossible.

Cancelling was our only choice. It’s disappointing that Bupa couldn’t offer any flexibility, as they’ve now lost $7,000 a year from us. Had they been more accommodating with their premiums, we would have continued with the policy. That said, at least now we can redirect that money elsewhere instead of paying for something without tangible benefits. We also had a 10% discount for having human extras cover, which I’ll likely be cancelling as well.

We did face one issue with a claim that was initially rejected. The vet lodged it before receiving the full histology report, so it was assessed as a simple skin condition when, in reality, it was a cancerous cyst. I appealed, and after reassessment, the claim was approved. Still, I find it baffling that a cancerous tumor could have been misclassified as a skin issue—any layman could have looked it up and understood the difference.

Additionally, the per-condition excess is unreasonable, and their delay in adopting gap-only payments was frustrating. It’s also disappointing that dental care isn’t included in the Ultimate package by default. A top-tier plan should cover this without requiring it as an optional extra. At the very least, they could offer a free dental cleaning every other year for customers who haven’t made a single claim!

Be careful.. once you sign up they continue to take your money year on year, raising premiums without any notification, updates or requirement to renew. Getting access to your account is difficult.

Originally, it was good with claims (only ever claimed back 2 items, $200 in total). Then premiums skyrocketed and I found cheaper cover elsewhere. I cancelled my insurance and they responded with “respond in 5 days and we will give you 2 months free insurance, if we don’t hear from you your insurance will be cancelled as requested”. Several months later, and they’re still deducting premiums from me. I have contacted them and no response whatsoever…

There are caps and limits on everything. We have had BUPA pet insurance for almost 10 years and, given we have a French bulldog, premiums started at around $40 per months and have increased to over $250 per month. Thankfully, we have not had to access the policy much for major trauma, but given our furbaby is ageing, we have had a few minor issues (and not out of the ordinary reasons) to claim this year!. The policy we have has an excess which far exceeds a normal vet consultation fee. So we cannot claim for a consult in most instances – and once we can, there is a limit which is exhausted in 2 claims. We had a cyst removed from her leg (surgery) and they applied the skin condition limit to this which resulted in a $20 rebate (1% of the cost of the surgery). The premiums have been sky-rocketing and you need to be very aware of this. Most of what I would consider to be normal reasons to visit your vet are capped and limited. The premiums we have paid vs the value we get back doesn’t add up. PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE TAKING OUT THE POLICY.

Bupa pet insurance really sucks. Before getting the insurance years ago, I went to the vet because my cat was vomiting, not knowing what it could be. It was really nothing, he is very hairy and was vomiting to get rid of hair balls. After I got the insurance, I went again for a check up, he was again vomiting for a few days, Bupa used the pre-existiting condition to deny payment just because I mentioned the word vomit. For years the cat has been healthy, recently I went to the vet because the cat lost weight, and guess what, I mentioned vomit as another symptom and Bupa used that to deny payment. I had another insurer already and they automatically accepted my claim, no more questions and for 100 dollars less in premium. Bupa is a rip-off, don’t go near it.