Insurance disaster

CatLove4 · 2023-02-28T11:57:34+00:00

I just wanted to ask around to see if I’m missing anything that could help (but I doubt it) we have been with Petplan with a 4k limit. Unfortunately the fluffy one has had a nightmare the last few months and it’s maxed out. my understanding is that it renews in April. unfortunately the cat has cost me a further 2k in vets bills in one week 😳😳😳😳 obviously I want to increase the insurance but I can’t do that until April. is there anything I can do to support me financially for the cat between now and April? Or am I really on my own ?

ChinoiserieNerd · 28/02/2023 15:00

I have zero experience with pet insurance myself, so this could be rubbish advice, but could you possibly take out a second pet insurance policy with a different company (ideally without a waiting period) and claim through them? A quick google tells me this is perfectly legal, but you need to check the terms of each insurer carefully as many apparently state that if they discover you have multiple policies, they’ll refuse to pay your claim. One way around this might be to transfer ownership of the cat to a family member and take out a new policy through them?

Toddlerteaplease · 28/02/2023 15:05

Phone them and see what they say. But I think they would be unlikely to meet the claim for the extra 2k.

ChinoiserieNerd · 28/02/2023 15:17

Sorry, I thought you were expecting to have more vet fees between now and April for a chronically ill cat. If this is about the 2k that you have already paid, I don't think there's anything you can do.

MaoamAddict · 28/02/2023 15:28

If you've reached the policy limit, then that's that. Nothing the insurer will do and your renewal is likely to be £££

queensonia · 28/02/2023 15:32

Pet plan are shit. Just found out they won’t cover me for the £500 it has cost me to have 2 cats teeth scaled and polished because they have had this done once before - more than a year ago! I’m going to cancel the policy and put the £30 premiums I pay each month into a bank account for the cats

setfire · 28/02/2023 15:37

@ChinoiserieNerd I doubt that would work as almost all pet insurance policies will have a clause stating they don't cover pre-existing conditions so they wouldn't pay out

Op, some animal charities have funds available to help owners, speak to your vet. They'll know of any funds you may be able to access. But to be honest it's not likely there's anything you can do. Our cat was hit by a car a few years ago and it cost us £4k over the insurance limit.

Overthebow · 28/02/2023 15:39

Sorry I don’t think there’s anything that insurers will do. If you’re on a low income you may be able to get help through PDSA, but I’m not sure about the money you’ve already paid.

ClarasZoo · 28/02/2023 15:49

In case anyone else reads this and it is of help. We also got very near the £4,000 limit and I regretted "only" taking out £4,000. Now I have more - I don't think £4,000 is enough for cats. I also contemplated using a bank account but I think that when you do this you then think of it as your money so it's still hard to part with if/when they are ill. If you have insurance you can take the attitude off - throw what you want at it, after the excess is exceeded. OP - have you asked your vet for a credit arrangement where you pay it off by instalments? Most will agree to that sort of thing...

Toddlerteaplease · 28/02/2023 17:29

queensonia · 28/02/2023 15:32

Pet plan are shit. Just found out they won’t cover me for the £500 it has cost me to have 2 cats teeth scaled and polished because they have had this done once before - more than a year ago! I’m going to cancel the policy and put the £30 premiums I pay each month into a bank account for the cats

I didn't think scale and polishes were ever covered. Mine have not been.

Floralnomad · 28/02/2023 17:37

queensonia · 28/02/2023 15:32

Pet plan are shit. Just found out they won’t cover me for the £500 it has cost me to have 2 cats teeth scaled and polished because they have had this done once before - more than a year ago! I’m going to cancel the policy and put the £30 premiums I pay each month into a bank account for the cats

PetPlan are not shit , they pay out quickly and are very pleasant to deal with - it’s not shit just because what you have had done isn’t covered . The OP has apparently spent £6000 in a year , so saving £30 per month is a drop in the ocean - the cat will be dead before you’ve saved a reasonable amount .

WingingItEveryDay7 · 28/02/2023 17:53

OP what type of policy have you got? Hopefully you have a lifetime policy as their standard one will cover you for the first year but the condition then becomes pre-existing at renewal and no longer covered.

You won't be able to take out another policy as you will need to advise them of any conditions which will then be excluded. Even if they cover them they won't pay out for anything you've had to pay before the policy has started, only from the date they were on cover for (subject to terms usually stating nothing is covered in the first 30 days etc).

The only way to save money going forwards is to get a prescription for any medication and order online as vets charge a fortune!!

Original poster

CatLove4 · 02/03/2023 12:09

PetPlan haven’t been shit at all for me, really easy.

I never in a million years thought I’d go over the 4k limit with a fairly still-young cat. I wish I could start again. It is a lifetime policy. Cat was well the whole time, and then her liver started playing up.

the 2k is paid. But cat is back in the vets and it’s not looking great, so I don’t think we’ll see April to be honest.

I would never, ever recommend putting the premium in the bank (unless your cat is literally uninsurable). I have thanked my lucky stars I didn’t do this, I’d considered it when we got the cat

Eg. £30 per month after 5 years of ownership is only £1800.

I’ve learnt a massive lesson here. £4k is very basic for a cat and if fate decides, you’re gonna be fucked.

thank you everyone. I suspected there wasn’t much we could do, and it looks as though there isn’t anything more we can do for the cat either, money is no question when it comes to her, but I think she’s beat us.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 02/03/2023 15:09

I hope your cat has a miracle recovery @CatLove4 , our son has his Siamese insured with PetPlan and has the lifetime 12k per year cover , which is expensive but we’ve already made claims in the first year twice so it’s definitely worth it .

Original poster

CatLove4 · 02/03/2023 16:16

Thank you @Floralnomad
Never felt so much hurt over a pet

OP posts:

WingingItEveryDay7 · 03/03/2023 20:42

CatLove4 · 02/03/2023 12:09

PetPlan haven’t been shit at all for me, really easy.

I never in a million years thought I’d go over the 4k limit with a fairly still-young cat. I wish I could start again. It is a lifetime policy. Cat was well the whole time, and then her liver started playing up.

the 2k is paid. But cat is back in the vets and it’s not looking great, so I don’t think we’ll see April to be honest.

I would never, ever recommend putting the premium in the bank (unless your cat is literally uninsurable). I have thanked my lucky stars I didn’t do this, I’d considered it when we got the cat

Eg. £30 per month after 5 years of ownership is only £1800.

I’ve learnt a massive lesson here. £4k is very basic for a cat and if fate decides, you’re gonna be fucked.

thank you everyone. I suspected there wasn’t much we could do, and it looks as though there isn’t anything more we can do for the cat either, money is no question when it comes to her, but I think she’s beat us.

So sorry to hear your girly is so poorly 😢 How old is she? Agree Petplan are amazing, our 17 year old girl has been poorly this insurance year and they have paid out everything. Would have cost us a fortune otherwise! She's going to be on medication for life now so luckily we also did the lifetime policy! Hoping we have her for a few more years. Hugs to you OP.

Original poster

CatLove4 · 03/03/2023 22:31

Unfortunately we had to let her go. Never felt pain like it

if I was to ever get another cat, I’d make sure I got a much bigger policy from PetPlan. She was a very complicated case.

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 03/03/2023 22:38

I would never, ever recommend putting the premium in the bank (unless your cat is literally uninsurable). I have thanked my lucky stars I didn’t do this, I’d considered it when we got the cat

I was going to do this last September when the premium went up to £167 a month! Fortunately Tesco were fab and we negotiated a deal. Magic's eye has cost £1600 so far. I'd have been stuffed without the insurance.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/03/2023 22:39

Very sorry t see your update.

Floralnomad · 04/03/2023 01:17

sorry for your loss @CatLove4 💐

whirlyhead · 04/03/2023 17:49

With my two youngest I went for the highest level cover petplan do which I have been so glad for, as at the age of 4 they have run up £15k of surgery between them over their short lives. Petplan have been amazing and paid out with no quibbles for all of their surgeries (8 between them so far…)

OP I am so sorry about your cat. I lost one at the age of 2 to feline infectious peritonitis and it was heart breaking losing him so young. It’s miserable.

Helenloveslee4eva · 04/03/2023 17:54

Very sorry to hear about your cat OP 😭

insure your pets as well as you are realistically able .

TroysMammy · 05/03/2023 14:39

Sorry to hear about your cat.

I'm with Petplan and my previous cat Troy, who had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, had a maximum policy of £4,000. We were nearly up to the limit when he died in the May aged 5. The policy renewal was in November.

My new cat, also a moggie, is insured for £7,000 per annum. It costs me £27 a month but it's peace of mind.

Original poster

CatLove4 · 05/03/2023 16:46

@TroysMammy thank you, I did wonder how much roughly it would cost to increase.

we’re all grieving differently in the house, it’s a bit rough right now, but I think we all know we will have another cat at some point

OP posts: