Insurance

[LokeyCokey]

Hi, can I get recommendations for insurance companies, about to adopt some kittens. Previous cats were insured with Purely Pets who were good for me but will shop around now I’ve got the chance! Would be a lifetime policy with a high vet limit (£7000+). Want to balance sensible monthly payments with a company that will pay out reliably…

Tesco.

I have to say after recent experience, £7,000 isn't the High Limit it once was.

My cat had 4 days of treatment and no overnight stays and it still came to £2,100. Had we persevered with treatment the vet advised we were looking at about £11K.

I was staggered how quickly the costs racked up.

@PestoHoliday agree and will go higher, I just didn’t want recommendations for companies that only do small limits. A few years back I had £3000 and quickly upped it after my old cat blew through that in one night!!!

PetPlan. By far the best but not cheap. I went cheaper for my girls and both had calici virus as kittens (rescues). They have lost multiple teeth as a result and have cost me about £1200 for extractions. PetPlan would have paid.

Pet Plan aren't the cheapest, but have always been good with me - vet will bill them directly, and never any quibbling.

£7k is peanuts today I'm afraid. We estimated that an intestinal examination type operation plus 2 nights stay at the RVA hospital would be in the region of £4-5k - this was after already spending nearly £3k on various tests & an ultrasound scan. No further treatment included in those estimates. Bearing in mind that Tobias is FIV positive so a) operations are contraindicated, b) can't have vaccinations as they are also contraindicated, and c) has pretty bad PTSD from his years on the streets & is terrified of strangers, we decided not to go ahead. Especially as chances are there would be very little they could do bar recommend a change of diet!

Petplan. I've made loads of claims (had several cats over the years) and PP have always paid. Even when I chose the most expensive route for one of my cats, they still paid up.

According to Which, Agria is the best provider; however, Agria is more expensive than Petplan.

We use petplan. Vet relative said they can’t officially recommend any particular brand then passed me over a petplan leaflet. They’re definitely not the cheapest but they are reliable and don’t quibble reasonal invoices. Some insurers try and quibble over specific wording used and cause clients and vets alike huge amount of stress.

We use ManyPets

We use Tesco and pay for 10k of annual cover.

Those recommending PetPlan… do their prices hike much each year?

Petplan. Pricey but excellent. I would choose a higher limit as we racked up 1500 in 2 weeks for my sick puss who sadly didn't make it. No quibbles paying for whatever our vet told us to do. The premiums do rise though, ours went up 8% this year and be ready for the large increase / percentage bases excess once pet gets to 10 years old.

Our latest Tesco quote was £172 for female (from £136) and £293 for male (from £231)

So not only is his quote higher but his increase was twice her increase .

Bro/Sis plain as you can get moggies . Chipped and neutered .
7yo so not elderly either

We are looking for new Insurers ,.

Exactly this.
But I once worked out when I added up the premiums and deducted the cost of treatments/procedures, that over 14 years it worked out at about £7.50 pcm cost to me.

They paid out £1500 1.5" tail amputation, £2500 after what we think was the poisoning, £1500 when he chewed some lillies, and probably about £1250 for his meds for arthritis in the last two/three years.

But yes, a massive hike at 10 years and you pay the first 20%. I think at the end I was paying £80/90.

The girls cost about £45 with Many Pets. They are three. It will go up as they get older.

PetPlan have always been good for us, we have two elderly cats and they've never quibbled anything. Our vets can just do the paperwork and send it off without us doing anything except sign, which is a huge benefit.

It is hugely expensive for older cats though. We used to pay about £10 per month for the kittens 17 years ago, now it's more like £90.

PetPlan.

They charge more "as male cats get into more fights" - I had this from about 6 companies when I first went round getting quotes years ago. I pointed out that a) as my cats were indoor only cats Boycat wouldn't be getting into fights with others and b) as indoor only, shouldn't I be getting a lower premium as they would be much much less accident prone, much less likely to get lost etc. Nope, just pay extra for boys.

My renewal for my five year old has just come though and it’s £400 more than last year. Which is a bit excessive, even considering the claims we had!

@AllergictoironingMagic was indoor and she got into a fight. Resulting in a punctured eyeball. Everyone who knew her was amazed she’d have done it.

Toddler your cats are Persians aren't they?

So they'd levy your premiums.
Mine are ex garden cats so goodness knows what is in there though our boy pretends that his beautiful hare like head comes from breeding , direct descendant from Bastet herself

I've been with pet plan for years was 3 cats, now 2.
One has never had any treatment so no claims fingers crossed.

My 2nd one lovely Meme only had 2 lots of tablets and a scan but then died in january, pet plan paid out no issue.

My 3rd Kiki has been on treatment for 18 months, pet plan always pays out for blood, prescriptions cost and meds etc. If over 8 i think it is you pay 20% of bills

They have been extremly good, they do say it doesn't go up if you make a claim But Every year it does go up even if no claims are made.

Just today I have notice of renewal for Kiki in few weeks time and it has gone up more than usual, in fact its is £150 more than last year !

So i will call them this week to discuss and see if it will be benifical if I pay about bit more excess and lower monthly / annual price but will stay with them regardless as its for life and they do pay out in my experiance, and she is 10 with pre exsisting condition.

I think, if you have money, and could meet unexpected vet bills, and a multi cat household, it is probably, after the first three to five cost years, worth putting money aside.

I am presently paying just under £50 for my two three year olds and have put £100 into a cat account since getting them. I'll cancel the insurance when they are five and increase the amount put away to £200pcm. That will.go towards cost of care and I caveat by saying I have funds.

Pragmatically, I would not put a ten year old plus cat through significant treatment/procedures, however loved.