Cat Insurance - M&S or More Than

junkanoo

Hello,

At the moment I am looking for cat insurance for my new kitty. M&S and More Than have quoted very similar prices for their policies. I think M&S works out to be 50p more a month after using quidco. Both policies are for life policies and both are each companies top policy. My question is which to go with? I know M&S is quite popular, but haven't heard much about More Than. At the moment I am leaning towards M&S.

Benny130

I recently had a quote from both but HSBC was much cheaper and is a for life policy. Id get a quote from them aswell.

nanokitten

Be careful here: Didn't think Morethan was really a true for life policy - They cover 7000 per condition and this can run for the life of your pet (as long as you are still insured) - However once the 7000 limit is reached that condition is no longer covered! This means if your pet develops an expensive chronic condition (eg diabetes, arthritis...) or needs expensive surgery / tests you will quickly run out of funds.

M&S is a true for life policy however the risk is that they could change underwriter in the future and the terms might change. If at that point your pet has already developed a condition, you would not be able to cover it anywhere else.

If you are looking for a cheap policy and are willing to assume the risk then you'll have to balance the risks between the two.
Personally, I went with axa as it was the best value true for life policy and had good features such as not having a % excess for older pets (which M&S do).

Hope this helps

P.S. The other true for lifers are Petplan, NFU, I think maybe HSBC.

walwin

I'd definitely get a quote from AXA before you decide.

They're not expensive and it is a 'for life' policy. I switched from M&S who used to be underwritten by AXA, but then they changed to Royal Sun Alliance and the M&S policy definitely isn't as good now.

mrcol1000

My More Than Policy says that its £7k per condition per year.

I would recommend More Than. Although I have a dog not a cat. They were by far the cheapest and they have very friendly UK call staff. Also you get special offers and access to a Vet on the phone 24 hours a day 365 days a week. You just pay National Call Charges (although if you join Dogs Trust club you also get this).

lowis

i just copied this from the More Than site, it is not a true for life policy

MORE TH>N Pet Insurance
Up to £7,000 vets fees cover for each and every new accident and illness. What’s more, your pet is covered for as long as they need the treatment, as long as they remain insured with MORE TH>N – many policies limit cover to just the first 12 months of treatment
And this is from the policy wording:

Veterinary Fees:

Covers treatment by a vet including acupuncture, physiotherapy, homeopathic and herbal medicines for each illness and injury while your pet remains insured with us. You may need to renew your insurance to claim up to the £7,000 limit.

Perhaps MrCol has a different policy to the ones currently being offered.

So it is just a £7000 limit no matter how long your pet lives.

junkanoo

Thanks everyone for your input, I am glad I asked! More than is £7,000 per condition. The guy on the phone was trying to make out it was a for life policy. Thanks for pointing it out!

I checked out AXA and they want £281 and HSBC was £133. Amazing how the cost can vary! Think I will go with the HSBC quote.

Thanks everyone for you help, its greatly appreciated!

ginvzt

I thought I'll check out as well, and HSBC came back at £170, while AXA at £87!!!!! I have 6-year old male, which on adoption papers is put as British shorthair. I think I'll go with AXA!!!!

lowis

no probs. did you try NFU? they are supposed to be very good too x

hethmar

I had a go at More Than a few months back as someone on here really believed they had real for life cover. The guy ummed and erred and then admitted it wasnt "but we are looking into bringing in a for life policy". Very wrong that people can be misled.

mrcol, please recheck your policy, just seen your comment.

nanokitten

Glad to have sorted that one out. Anyone know when Martn is going to bring out his updated pet insurance article as it seems to be urgently needed?