Search & Rescue Dogs

Who do you use to insure your dogs for SAR work?

It is something that I have been having major problems with. Some of our members have been told by More Than that they are covered, however yesterday I spoke to a Team Leader within the Pet division of More Than who said that they would not be covered and were quite dismisive of the whole thing.

I have emailed lots and lots of pet insurance companies on the internet and asked the question whether they would cover our dogs for Search & Rescue work even though we don't receive payment of any kind.

So far I have received a few replies and I will add the rest as and when they come back to me. If anyone else can think of anyone to try or have had a response then please add to the list as then people will have a few companies that they can try.

I have not yet asked for any quotes so cannot advise as to who is cheaper etc. But I hope that this helps those who are looking to get their dogs insured and I hope it saves you time trawling through all those companies who say no. There has been some discrepancies in this so whoever you chose then I would advise that you ask for something in writing or added to the policy to state that they are aware that your dog is used for SAR and WILL be covered.

Companies that won't insure the dogs for SAR work.

Pet-Insurance.co.uk
Stoneways Insurance
Healthy Pets Insurance
Insure Pet Insurance
Pet Pals Direct
More Than - their operators say that they WILL cover for SAR but when asked for it in writing one of our members was passed to the underwriters who stated categorically that they WILL NOT and promptly cancelled their policy ther and then!

Companies that will insure for SAR work

Petguard http://www.petguard.co.uk But DO NOT cover for breeding/guarding or racing
Animal Friends Insurance http://www.animalfriends.co.uk BUT would have to exclude Public Liability
Esure http://www.esure.com DO NOT cover guarding/security or racing
Greenbee Pet Insurance http://www.greenbee.com DO NOT cover guarding/security/racing
Marks & Spencer http://www.marksandspencer.com as long as the dog lives with the owner and the policy is set up for that address. Also as long as there is no payment received. HOWEVER, this is a little strange as they appear to be linked to More Than whose underwriters DO NOT cover. I would suggest double checking and asking for it in writing!!!
Tesco http://www.tesco.com if you set up online for the discount then phone them they will add a note to the policy stating that the dog is used for SAR and WILL be covered.
Sainsbury http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk

I have updated the lists above. Unfortunately I don't appear to have received as many replies and requests sent!

Moral of insurance seems to be get the cover for SAR work confirmed in writing from the underwriters. That way if you ever run into trouble you have something for the Insurance Ombudsman to beat them with.

I agree with Darren, don't rely on what the telesales rep tells you, ask them to get confirmation from the underwriters.

To add to the list, I sent an e-mail enquiry to Sainsburys to check if they will cover Bella for SAR work and they phoned me back after a couple of days to confirm that they will. (I've actually signed up with Tescos in the meantime).

MIke O

wrinklypear wrote:To add to the list, I sent an e-mail enquiry to Sainsburys to check if they will cover Bella for SAR work and they phoned me back after a couple of days to confirm that they will. (I've actually signed up with Tescos in the meantime).

MIke O

You beat me to it!! I just had the same phone call with Sainsbury's.

Time to drag up an old thread!

It appears that things have changed with SAR Insurance and that people are now not insuring dogs! It also appears that many of the comapnies that we believed covered volunteer SAR Dogs, do not!

This news has now stopped two SAR Dog units from offering services to locate lost or missing vulnerable people!!

Please can you all confirm with your insurance company that you are covered, and please post below the names of those that will and will not.

We are currently checking our insurance provider for the team as it is one of the companies that has been suggested that will not cover us. We are looking into a new company, however we need a lot of individual information to gain a quote.

Join our facebook page on the subject here - http://www.facebook.com/pages/K9-SAR-Insurance/129306403805957

I never insured pets in the past and thankfully had few reasons to use a vet other than a torn claw.
Can you just confirm that it is not compulsory for team dog to be individually insured.

Its not compulsory for you to have individual insurance, however the unit is not liable for vet fees for your dog. Please remember that insurance does not normally only include vet bills, but also public liability cover too.......