Confused about the insurance any recommendations?

[Flacidunicorn]

Is there any recommendations about cat insurance?
I've been looking into them and my heads spinning a bit due to all the figures and limits and 'will cover new condition to a total of £2500 during cover period' iyswim?

I just want a "£10 a month no worries, everything is covered" type deal.

If it matters my kitten is a tabby from a rescue not a pedigree.

[orangebird69]

Cover period is the year of the insurance ie

Insurance starts 1st March 2016, ends 28th Feb 2017. If your cat develops a condition which needs treating, you will only be able claim up to £2500 within that cover period. So if you've claimed £2500 by August 2016 for that condition, you're on your own until you policy renews in March 2017. Does that make it a bit clearer?

[RubbishMantra]

Personally, I'd go for life cover, whichever insure you choose.. Which means if your cat develops an ongoing condition, the insurer will carry on paying out year after year, instead of writing it up as a pre-existing condition when it comes to renewal. Animal Friends seem very reasonable, and well reviewed on here.

I'm with PetPlan, expensive , but on research, I found they are reliable. In fact I may give Animal Friends a call myself for a quote. (currently paying just under £40 p/m for my 2, one of which is a pedigree.)

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I agree with Rubbish, definitely go for life cover. Also, check whether the £2,500 is per year or per condition each year.

I'm with Petplan and although they are expensive they have been great and paid out without any problems. My vet will also deal with them directly.

Regarding Animal Friends, I seem to recall one of the vets on here saying that they don't rate them (it might have been Lone) and I've heard a few stories about them not paying claims.

Also, beware of any companies underwritten by RSA. If your cat had to be referred to a specialist they have a (very limited) list of vets you can see. If you choose not to use one of those there is an extra £200 fee, on top of the excess.

[Vinorosso74]

I second what Pink has said above. Petplan aren't necessarily the cheapest but they are reliable. Definitely go for lifetime cover in case of ongoing conditions.
Go for a decent level of cover as vet bills soon add up.

[Flacidunicorn]

Pet plan is £26.56 for the top 'comprehensive' life cover.
Animal friends is £9 a month for their 'pestige' cover.

Holy monkey's , that's a massive difference isn't it?

I think closer look into why each offer is in order.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/2315727-Lifetime-pet-insurance-Pet-Plan-v-Argos-v-Animal-Friends

I found this from last year. I also remember Animal Friends being on Watchdog either last year or earlier this year.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Well the big obvious difference is the covers animal friends gives you 6K cover, where pet plan give you 12K veterinary fees plus 2K complementary ( hydrotherapy etc) cover.

[Flacidunicorn]

I had no idea there was so many insurers out there, even the Post office do pet insurance and their top cover looks OK for around £10 a month.

Is animal friends a big no no then? If so I'll ignore their results.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I haven't heard anything good about them, but others may well have done. I've been with various insurers over the years but have only claimed from Petplan. Like all insurances, unfortunately you don't know whether the company is any good until you claim!

[TroysMammy]

I was with Petplan for Troy. He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in January, he died on 10 May aged 5. I paid about £15 per month and they paid out no problem, totalled around £3,600. I also had a part premium refund and a lovely letter hoping that I was beginning to recover from his loss and able to remember happy memories of him.

If, but most probably when, I get a new kitty, I will be using Petplan again.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm with tesco and very happy with them. £14 to insure both my five year old Persians with their top level cover. Paid up really quickly when I claimed.

[NeedACleverNN]

I use Argos

It's £9.10 a month

I get up to £7000 a year in treatments
Fees for accidents,death,missing,cremation, catteries

And I have a £65 excess. It's a lifetime policy

[RubbishMantra]

Have you made a claim with Argos yet Need?

AnotherEmma, have you made a claim with More Th>n yet?

So really, you are of the opinion that PetPlan have a good reputation for paying out Lone?

(Sorry for barrage of questions)

I know what I'll be doing tomorrow anyway - giving my policy a thorough read, and trawling the pet insurance sites :/

[Flacidunicorn]

I had a chat with my mum, our family pet expert, she says not too bother..
She's had cats for 40 years and never needed insurance. She says I should register with PDSA who'll treat my cat for a donation. According to her we qualify because we claim housing benefit. It seems a bit dodgy to me though, yes we do claim housing but why should a charity have to pay for my pet?

[orangebird69]

Your mum has been lucky. Yes it is dodgy - especially if you can afford the insurance yourself. Tg

[orangebird69]

Oops. That kind of attitude pisses me off severely.

[Flacidunicorn]

I know right? She even has pedigree cats and dogs. Her situation is different to ours mind, she's on sickness benefits and things as she can't work. Still feels like he's taking advantage of a charity though, if you can't afford pets, don't have em... though I'd never say it to her....

[stareatthetvscreen]

pet plan or more than

both have paid out no probs for both cat and dogs ongoing long term health issues

no insurance is crazy

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The PDSA will offer limited treatment options and they often do not provide care for long term medical conditions.
If you want to be able choose all the options if your pet is sick then insurance is a must.
Pet Plan are excellent I would be cautious about anyone underwritten by RSA, stay well clear of E&L and I am cautious of animal friends.

[orangebird69]

I'm also with pet plan. They even paid out for some dental work on one of my cats.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

They did the same with mine orange. He broke his jaw but, as it was weakened by a dental infection, the vet warned they might not pay for the treatment. Thankfully they did as it was over £2500! Because of his age we've got £115 excess and have to pay 20% of treatment costs but it was so much better than having to find the full amount (which obviously we would have done somehow).

[NeedACleverNN]

No I haven't claimed yet. Toots is 13 weeks old and hasn't needed any treatment yet.

Why?

[StopLaughingDrRoss]

I'm with Help U Cover, online provider. I have claimed LOADS and still only pay about £11 a month for my moggy boy who is coming up to 8...

IMO insurance is an absolute must as you just never know what might happen and I would never want money to be the deciding factor in treating my boy!

[RubbishMantra]

I only asked you Need (if you were responding to me), because I wondered at how efficiently they paid out.

I've never used anyone but Petplan (luckily never had to make a claim) but the Argos ins. sounds like a good deal. Will research, and find out who they're underwritten by.

Will take a look at Help U Cover as well.

[DesolateWaist]

I'm with more than and have had to claim twice.
We've got the highest level of cover.
What I like is that once I have claimed then I don't need to pay the excess again for another year. Great if you have a problem that means ongoing treatment.

The downside is that I have to pay the vet up front and claim back. I'm fortunate in that I can afford to do that but I can see how it could be a problem for many.