Best pet insurance for cat?

Polydactyly

Hi all,

was wondering what insurance plan would best suit my 18 month old moggy?

Have been quoted various plans ranging from £5.06 - £26 permonth. Does anyone know of a reliable insurance company to take out an insurance plan with?

Thanks

elf06

Dont really know the ins and outs of pet insurance but I am with tesco and have been for the past 6-7 years. My premuim is £5.21 per month and so far I havent needed to use them so cant actually tell you what the service is like.
Not really much help was i

dacouch

Pet Plan is without doubt the best by a long long way, but it is the most expensive.

hethmar

Read the thread for pet insurance:) http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=108056

BTW elf, your Tesco policy isnt real for life. If you have never claimed or visited the vet in that time, Id think about swopping now to one that would cover your pets if they do get a long term illness or condition.

Basically Pet Plan, AXA, Halifax, HSBC, NFU and a few others are the ones that most people feel are the best.

elf06

My moggy goes every year for her jabs and an check over but cant claim that on any insurance - I dont think any policy does.
I might be being blonde (really it happens all the time) but what do you mean by 'isnt real for life'? She is covered for long term illness if she develops one but thankfully is fit as a fiddle.

dacouch

Basically you get two different types of policies, basic cheap and cheerful policies that will pay out for a problem say your cat gets cancer. When the policy is due for renewal the Insurers will exclude any future claims for this problem or anything directly connected. They often stop offering cover when the pet reaches a certain age, often aged 8.

The other type is the for life policies which includes the Policies Hethmar listed, these will keep paying for conditions as long as you keep renewing cover. They also generally keep offering cover until your pet dies no matter how old providing you keep renewing (They often increase the premiums and excesses when the pet reaches 8). These policies are a lot more expensive as their cover is wider as well as continually paying claims.

If you try and change Insurers after you have a problem or have claimed on the policy or gone to the vet then any new Insurer will exclude any cover for any medical conditions as a direct result of that condition. Hence why its a good idea to understand what your policy covers you for and more importantly what it is not covering you for so that you can select a policy that is suitable for your own needs.

elf06

Oh really - I hadnt realised any of that. I always thought I checked these things pretty well but I guess not. Oooops. And shes either going to be 7 or 8 this year or maybe its passed....... Really need to get a grip on things :rolleyes:

dacouch

Here is Tesco's explanation of the difference in Pet Insurance http://www.tescofinance.com/personal/finance/insurance/petins/understanding-pet-insurance.html#how

elf06

thanks I will check it out x

hethmar

Just reading that link though, does Tesco now offer 3 levels of insurance? They only used to have the one. IF they do offer the third level they outline, then that would give you for life coverage.

elf06

I think mine is called the standard policy so I might give them a call and see what the difference is to up it to level 3. Although the policy book I have says that if you have some sort of additional cover (doesnt say what level) then it will only cover up to a maximum of £4000