Changing pet insurance provider when cat has pre-existing condition

missityflissity

Hi all,

I have a bit of a complicated one - my cat had a v bad UTI last September and wracked up 3000 quid worth of vet fees. Now it's coming to policy renewal day (in 10 days) and the insurance has jumped 80% to 20 a month.

I know it's nothing extortionate, and I tried to haggle (with my current provider Tesco Insurance) but to no avail. I follwed the tips for cheaper insurance - lifetime policy, cheapish excess etc - and found some good deals for half the price.

However, with a preexisting condition, will my cat be covered for it (gd forbid) if it develops again?

An added complication to the story is that I'm giving him up for rehoming in two months (sob!) as I'm emigrating. I don't want the new owners to have to pay through the nose, and in case he did get stressed again, for them to be unable to cover it.

thanks so much! (reassurance about the rehoming process also welcome and encouraged)

rising_from_the_ashes

Hi, unfortunately any new policy would exclude anything to do with UTIs and any related conditions (which could include things like kidney disease which many cats can sadly go on to develop in later life)

How old is he?

How are you going about rehoming him - is it to someone you know?

missityflissity

Hi, thanks for replying!

He's 6, I actually rehomed him over a year ago from someone.

I'm currently asking around, as I'd prefer him to be with people I know, or a family, as he gets lonely in the day and when I work long hours.

Failing that, I've spoken to my vet and they've given me 3 numbers for rehoming organisations. Does any of this sound sensible??

I'm really upset to be leaving him. I love him so much. :'(

rising_from_the_ashes

Have you thought about taking him with you?

If he's only 6 then he's years & years & years

Unfortunately rehoming centres are absolutely overflowing just now so I'm afraid I suspect you might have very little joy there - much better to try to find someone you know

gettingready

So you only had him for a year? Wherever he goes it will be his third home?

Sorry, but when you took him on, you had no idea you will be emigrating? Is emigrating a spur of the moment decision or was taking the cat on a spur of the moment decision?

This particular condition will keep on coming back - he needs to be properly insured. That means staying with the current insurance as no new one will cover pre-existing conditions.

Also, any potential new owners need to be aware of the condition.

Any "re homing organisations" will have veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy long waiting list as all are full. They are always full. So if this is the route you are planning to take - you need to get the poor cat on a list for a non-kill one as soon as possible.

Try contacting Animal Lifeline - they MAY be able to help with a shelter space but again it may take long time for the poor cat to be rehomed.

http://www.animal-lifeline.co.uk/



Please do NOT just hand it just to anyone if you leave all too late and have no time to secure a safe, secure place for him.

And if you love him so much as you say here it is really simple - take him with you, regardless of where you are going. People move cats from UK to Australia, US and all over the place. If there is a will, there is a way.