Do you have questions on pet insurance? Ask PDSA vet Claire Roberts - £200 voucher to be won

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Created for PDSA

Do you have questions on how pet insurance works, the different types of policy available and why it’s important to protect your pet? PDSA expert Claire Roberts will be on hand to answer your questions.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw.
• One lucky user will win a £200 voucher provided by Mumsnet.

About PDSA vet Claire Roberts:
“ Claire Roberts is a vet working for the UK’s leading veterinary charity PDSA, which provides free and low-cost veterinary care to the pets of owners in need. She has worked in mixed and small animal practice as well as in academia and currently provides veterinary advice for PDSA’s communication team. Claire lives in Bristol with her two rescue cats, Indiana Jones and Jon Snow.”

Here’s what PDSA has to say:
“With so many different policy-types on the market, choosing the right pet insurance policy to meet your pet’s needs and your budget can be complicated. PDSA Vet, Clare Roberts is here to help by answering any questions you have about protecting your pet; from the key cover to look out for, to jargon-busting those technical terms!”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

My 3 year old cat has gum disease, we got him as a rescue kitten. I just took out the cheapest policy at the time, which of course didn't include dental treatment. What would happen if I were now to change to a policy that does include dental? Would that be classed as pre existing conditions and so not covered anyway?

How much cover do you really need for a common or garden moggy?

Our runaway cat has returned home after 3 years and there are 2 new cats in the home. She is a bruiser If they have an almighty fight, is the repair job covered by insurance?

we have two rescue cats aged about 5 - we have never bothered with pet insurance and just been lucky - however after a recent scare it has made me seriously reconsider - would i be better putting some money away each month to use in case or is it better to get insurance?

What are the logistics of insuring semi-feral cats in need of a family and a home? Presuming they are much more likely to have underlying health issues when 'adopted' and therefore possibly very high insurance premiums or even uninsurable?

It would be pre existing if its on the vets records yes.
Mine doesn't cover dental either. I have to pay for that.

Ahhhhhhh. I thought I was writing a question 😳😳😳😳😳

I found getting pet insurance quite confusing to be honest, and can't even remember the type of cover we got (it's with sainsburys). Can you explain about the lifetime cover - do you have to be with the same insurer and will you then get screwed on the renewal costs? I worry about a longer term health issue and how this will be insured if you move insurer to try and better your deal...

Should I shop around for pet insurance every year, or stay as a loyal customer?

Is it still worth having pet insurance as they get older - or does so much stuff get excluded that actually it's no longer viable?

My spaniel/bichon frequently shakes her head. What can i use on her ears and how do I use it, please? I know her litter sister has her ears regularly cleaned and it seems to help her

The treatment is not covered by insurance

Do I need to advise my insurer of my dog having a biopsy that turned out to be a cyst and no further health concern, if I'm not claiming for the cost of the biopsy?

Hi. I just need some advice. I have a 2 year old son, and I’ve been separated from his dad since he was 5 months old, due to domestic abuse. Social services are involved, have no concerns over me but as my ex is very unpredictable, they have stayed around.
Ive been with my new partner over a year, and he’s amazing and treats my son as his own. Ive just found out I’m pregnant, and I want it so badly. My only concern is my ex finding out, which is swaying me towards having an abortion. When I look at the bigger picture I think to myself wow, how is he still able to control me and my decisions? On the other hand I’m scared of what he might do…. Any advice?

It's more frustration than a question but I would still welcome your views. My dog was diagnosed with arthritis a few years back but did well with natural supplements. Now he's getting worse and needs medical intervention - and I have realised that arthritis was taken off his policy by his insurers on diagnosis. If he had needed medication then they would still be paying out!

@Elliemay1767 - I think this is the wrong thread for you.

My brother is one of the (many ) people who does not insure his cat. To be fair, it has never needed vet treatment since its vaccinations/ neutering and he is very comfortably off so I'm sure he could afford treatment. But if you go down this route of earmarking savings rather than buying insurance, what sort of sum should you have that could be a "rainy day" fund for a cat?

Hi Claire,

does a dog need a vet/ health check before the policy can start?

Hi Claire.
I have an odd question. Are certain colours of cats or dogs cheaper to insure than others? Are black cats more prone to rta’s than white or ginger cats that are more easily seen by motorists in the dark or bad weather?

If I chose not to insure my cat. What sum of money is advisable to keep to one side for treatments factoring in extensive diagnostics such as MRI or on going conditions such as diabetes.

Thanks

When you have life cover in place are you guaranteed renewal every year?

Is it possible to insure a cat with FIV?

@TofuCat

Sorry to butt in. Yes my FIV cat is insured by Many Pets. A lot of insurers exclude medical conditions they might develop though. Many Pets have paid out though. I insured him soon after adoption and he was well at the time.

My dog is 11 years and very heallthy. However, we are considering insuring him and wondered whether any insurance companies would consider him at his age?