Pet Insurance Discussion Area

lnjk

Thanks Bossyboots, I appreciate your advice

xlt_hunter

A bit of a newbie in the Pet Insurance area, but some advice please.

I am in the process of rehoming 2 kittens (British Short Hair Black) from the local RSPCA center in about a months time when they are about 12/14 weeks old. This is give me time to adjust my home for the new arrival and getting stuff in for the everyday needs of the 2 moggies

My question is:

I want to taken out Pet Insurance as like motor insurace want to be on the safe side. Does £10 per month from MoreThan sound about right for 2 cats and does it cover all vet costs or just some with excess? If things happen (touch wood it won't) that the cat(s) need treatment, do I just take the policy down to the Vets and leave it as that or does it work differently? To me its a big minefield and don't know really whats best. Mum suggested putting £10 away every month, but I am not so sure as if things happen I don't want to find myself trying to pass the hugh bills onto a Credit/Debt card

Thanks

Mike

crossleydd42

The premium seems reasonable for such a policy. Here are the conditions, which appear to be better than competitors, but they would say that, wouldn't they?

http://www.morethan.com/bin/bladerunner?30REQEVENT=&REQAUTH=0&URL=28834REQEVENT&PRODUCT=PET&EMPCODE=P6&REQUESTER=MORETHAN&ESHOW=

xlt_hunter

As I see with Morethan, if my kitten has a longterm problem you must really stay with morethan to continue the treatment though the insurance untill its better. So you are stuck with one company if something happens and can't shop around. Morethan does offer 2 months free if insurance 2 or more pets - but I am going to speak to them about discount as I do have car insurance though them for the last 3 years.

TheDink

That price does seem reasonable.

However, things to check out:
1. How much is the maximum they will pay out for each condition?
2. Is this maximum "renewable" each year (so if your cat gets an ongoing condition, you can continue treatment even if it does mean staying with the same insurer)?

I chose NFU Mutual for my pet insurance because the limits per condition were higher than provided by many of the other insurers. I do pay a bit more for it though (nearly £10 per month for a 9 year old cat).

I have always thought that pet insurance is worth it. Although I've had a couple of years without needing to claim, I have received far more back in payouts than I had paid in premiums. A consultation with a vet is going to cost you £20, blood tests etc cost around £50+. My cat is currently having treatment for an upset stomach - total cost so far £140 (I pay an excess of £40, plus my £90 annual premium so I'm £10 up already).

You can't claim for everything (e.g. not vaccinations, special diets for weight control) and you do have to pay an excess. Shop around, read the terms and conditions, and hope that the kittens stay healthy!

TheDink

In terms of claiming, you will probably need to pay the vet yourself, fill in a claim form, get the vet to fill in their bit of the form and then you send it off to your insurer to get the total (less excess and unclaimable items) paid back to you.

Things used to be easier when the vet could get their fees directly from the insurance company but the new insurance regulations have stopped this. Your vet will be able to advise you if the need arises.

Woods8

Who offers the best deals on pet insurance - looking to insure a dog?

jaffa30

Hi Try this site

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/Petinsurance/PetInsuranceResults.asp?PetEnqID=159314&PetNumber=1&PetType=Dog&Filter=1

Jaffa

hethmar

I have just applied for a Sainsburys policy online. It will be about £9.50 a month for my Parson Russell Terrier. Now this little pup is 12 weeks old tomorrow. I wasnt going to have any more pets after I lost my dear little Lucy 3 months ago at the age of 16 but this pup was offered to me as his mum had chewed his back paws during delivery and infact one paw has now been amputated - so it was me or pts.

Anyway, the breeder covered his first 3 months with a Petplan policy but when I checked how much it would cost after this (and yes, that excludes any probs with back paws!) it would be about £24 per month.

HOWEVER, recently a friend had her Westie aged 11 months diagnosed with a skin condition which will cost her £120 per month (yes, I double checked, thats the right amount). Her E and L policy will not pay her after 1 year for this condition which the vet says will be life long.

I askedSainsburys what they would pay and they said each condition is covered for £6,500 - i.e. they would pay out for 5.5 years at £120 per month on the Westie. BUT the £24 per month Petplan would pay an unlimited amount for life on him.

SO I am not sure what is best - £6500 per condition seems an awful lot - I have to say on my last three dogs I never got a penny out of insurance premiums as the excess was £50 and each vet bill was never more than that.

Its a real dilemma

Kimberley

I took out a policy with Marks and Spencers, it was £14.39 per month for my Jack Russell dog, and no access option too..