Please help! Best Insurance for two pedigree cats?

Fridaycat

Over the years, I've been owned by a number of rescue moggies and currently have three beloved furballs . I have never had insurance for them, and although they have had their ups and downs (broken leg, skin conditions, etc), I am fortunate in that I have always been able to meet any vets' bills.

In August, however, I am going to be the proud owner of two Bengal kittens, one brown spotted and one snow (can't wait ). I have decided that I shall definitely buy insurance for these two, so just wanted to check a few things:

I have done some research and think I will go for "lifetime" policies, so has anyone had very good or very poor experiences with these policies that they would like to share?

What companies would you recommend that I get quotes from?

How much (approx) do you think it will cost per month to have this type of policy for two Bengals?

Any things I need to be especially aware of before I buy?

Thanks for any help given :T

tankgirl1

PetPlan are excellent, although pricey. You do however get what you pay for.

Their policies have changed recently, so read the small print

HTH

Kimberley

Hi

I have two Bengals and they cost me £25 per month for the two. I hope you realise that this breed is very very vocal

rising_from_the_ashes

• 2nd for PetPlan - my old cat was insured with them and he unfortunately had many problems with his kidneys (cystitis, stones & then CRF) - they always paid out without quibble and quickly.:)
• Def go for a lifetime policy
• Read the small print!
• Avoid E&L at all costs
• MSE did an article on pet insurance a few weeks ago - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cut-pet-insurance-costs useful tips in there
• There are few companies that won't come up on comparison sites eg Direct Line so worth having a hunt around as well
• Argos' Platinum one is supposed to be good https://www.argos-pet-insurance.co.uk/pages/cat-cover.html but haven't used it myself
• I also came across this on the Which? site http://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/reviews-ns/pet-insurance/pet-policies/ (my pet insurance is due for renewal soon so having a trawl around)

Wishing you and your "babies" many happy years together:D - the weeks will fly by!

tankgirl1

Forgot to add - most breeders worth their salt will give you 4-6 weeks free insurance, most commonly with PetPlan, so you have a little breathing space. I'm not sure if you would get a discount from PP for following up on breeder policies, but it is worth bearing in mind / looking into.

And yes, avoid E&L or anyone that they underwrite (always check underwriters and small print!)

G51shopaholic

I have a 4yr old bengal - got her last aug.

~I went with Sainsurys Pet insurance as they offered "life" cover per condition. I pay £6.29 per month and get double nectar points for 1st year!

Fridaycat

Thanks all for your help!

Yes, my breeder does include 4 weeks worth of Petplan insurance, tankgirl, so it is true I am not in a rush (just very, very excited!!).

Who are E&L (can't work that one out, forgive my ignorance!).

Kimberley - yes, I realise they are chatty, I've watched sooooooooooooooo many Bengal You Tube videos :rotfl: which insurer are you with BTW?

Thanks for the links, rising from the ashes, I think I have a bit more reading to do

Fridaycat

G51shopaholic wrote: »

I have a 4yr old bengal - got her last aug.

~I went with Sainsurys Pet insurance as they offered "life" cover per condition. I pay £6.29 per month and get double nectar points for 1st year!

Yes, I was looking at Sainsbury's insurance as I noticed the double points thing, though I thought it was for 2 years? Assuming you keep up the policy, of course Seems a fair price, too.

So any thoughts on what Petplan would offer me that Sainsbury's wouldn't?

tankgirl1

Fridaycat wrote: »

Yes, I was looking at Sainsbury's insurance as I noticed the double points thing, though I thought it was for 2 years? Assuming you keep up the policy, of course Seems a fair price, too.

So any thoughts on what Petplan would offer me that Sainsbury's wouldn't?

Quick and reliable payout.
A trusted relationship with the veterinary industry meaning you could do direct claims (ie PP pays the vet - not you).
Assurance that they will not suddenly change underwriters (as M&S has recently done)
No quibbles (that I have come accross in many years of filling in claims forms)

You really can't beat them - if you can afford them in your monthly budget, then use them.

Kimberley

I'm with Petplan. I continued on the Insurance from the 4 week free Insurance when they were kittens.

notisis

I'm looking around at the moment for my two (chatty Selkirk Rex and quieter lilac BSH) and wondering whether to go for lifetime annual or lifetime per condition (I had lifetime annual before). I'm wary as previous insurers (Petguard) can't get an underwriter and are no longer providing cover. Unfortunately I'd claimed for my BSH and therefore anything that can be remotely attributed to the scans he had will not be covered by any new insurer. I really want to stick to a trusted provider like Axa or Petplan but am wondering about the Green Insurance - does anyone have experience of using them?

I won't use M&S because of previous problems with them (albeit a credit card) where I had to involve the ombudsman and am concerned that Argos and others will either switch underwriters or pull out of the pet insurance market and leave me in the same position as now.