Nicola in the news

[Tom Forman]

Have to admit I didn't spot this but might as well post it here too:

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/newshastings/Video--Dealer-claimed-spiders.4102303.jp

Sry bout your loss Nic, atleast he has been punished.

[Peter Lacey]

well, its refreshing to see the case was persued however there's no punishment to him until the warrant is served. Lets hope they find him.

[jason holland]

hope he gets sorted out. not a nice bloke

[James Box]

i hope they find him too.
sorry for the loss of your spider, Nicola i remember you posting about this ages back!

[Tracy Sherwood-Farnfield]

What an awful thing to happen! Condolences Nicola. I was pleased to see though that the prosecutor acknowledged the emotional loss as well as the monetary one, if nothing else it will help those reading appreciate the place the little critters have in our families, and that the loss of a beloved T is just as harrowing as that of a any other pet.

I hope you eventually recieve full recompense.

It does prompt a Q, however, does anyone insure their spiders? When I see the ads on TV for pet insurance I always wonder how they would respond if I rang and tried to insure my 2 Ts, but thinking more seriously, there is potentially a lot of value in a mature specimen. would be interested on people's views.

My father-in-law is a Hastings bod, I shall get him on the look-out for this unsavoury spider knapper.

[James Box]

pet insurance...that's tempting! i have a rather large collection now lol...

[Colin D Wilson]

I'm sure you'll know you have the whole of the Forum supporting you Nicola.

Good luck

Colin

[Nicola Dolby]

Thanks everyone. I have not had a chance to read the article yet as my phone won't log onto the Hastings Observer website for some reason. The court case is ongoing and the police haven't contacted me back yet as to the verdict, so its best if I say nothing until then. Can I just say that whilst this individual hasn't as far as I'm aware stolen anyone else's pets, she has hurt other tarantula people in other ways, I wish them well however I won't mention their names as they might want anonymity. Just to say I wish you well. At the end of the day its not really about the compensation, though if I get aome it would be appreciated. Its about getting the message through to this creep never to do this to anyone ever again and to send a message to anyone else willing to try - dont. Also thanks to everyone else whose being helpful in this, lets hope Justice will be served.

[mary walters]

I wouldn't like to see an insurance policy for my lot, would have to work every hour god sends to pay it lol.

Seriously though, nice one Nicola, will send out messages that we care about our spids as much as anyone keeping any other animal.

[Andrew Ferguson]

On the subject of insurance, I thought I'd do some browsing of insurance websites to get quotes just for fun. Almost everything I found, including most of the big name companies, would only insure cats and dogs. Even the rspca's insurance only covers cats and dogs. Some would include horses and some would do rabbits. Then I found one called www.exoticdirect.com. Hey presto!! But they only do reptiles. So insurance for tarantulas in a no no. Unless some has the inclination to contact Lloyds of London, I don't think such an insurance policy exists.

[matthew spooner]

as a club, we have insurance for all out animals, including tarantulas, reptiles and bugs but this is a third party insurance for our road shows that we do. so animals are only covered when we are out doing a show

[Richard Groves]

On the subject of insurance, I thought I'd do some browsing of insurance websites to get quotes just for fun. Almost everything I found, including most of the big name companies, would only insure cats and dogs. Even the rspca's insurance only covers cats and dogs. Some would include horses and some would do rabbits. Then I found one called www.exoticdirect.com. Hey presto!! But they only do reptiles. So insurance for tarantulas in a no no. Unless some has the inclination to contact Lloyds of London, I don't think such an insurance policy exists.

I'm actually an Insurance broker and I did look into this and no, a private individual can not insure a Tarantula the same way you would a cat or a dog.

You insure a cat or a dog for veterinary treatment, and there are usually quite severe terms and conditions involved as well as a policy excess. If your tarantula was ill, it's likely that you wouldn't take it to a vet, so no treatment to claim help for. Also, the average cost of a Tarantula £50 - £60? would barely cover the minimum compulsory excess.

Richard Groves Cert CII, qualified member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

[Andrew Ferguson]

Thanks for the follow up Richard. I was going to write in my post that the only really way to insure a loss or your tarantula is to have some savings. I don't know why I didn't write it, as I fully intended to. Could have been because there was an episode of the Simpsons on C4 that I hadn't seen and it was distracting me.
Once again, thanks for the follow up Richard.

[Naython J]

ok i will be the guru here anyone who would like to insure there spider can do so form me lol

it will cost x amount up front with a monthly fee payable by dd lol

your premium will depend on species and cover will be against loss or accidental damage....


proof of claim will be neccassary.


thanks and ill expect my inbox to be full later tonight

[PAUL_JAXON]

I remember reading your original posts about this guy and it made me angry then. I cant believe the courts are 'actually' doing something about it, because in this day and age, no one ever seems to get their come- uppance ?

Im delighted you've got this far and hope you get a reasonable outcome.

Good Luck

Paul