Cat Insurance

[Gill1941]

I have, finally, got my two rescued cats and was wondering if anyone on here insures their cats.
In the past I have not done so but vet's fees are so high now and wondered if I should.
Can anyone recommend an insurer?

[Tilly2]

Just to compare, Gill, we have insurance for Tilly, who is now fourteen years old and it's £112 per month. That's with Direct Line. The price has gone up and up every year.

[furrypusscat]

Mine are insured with LV, both rescue cats, got them when 18 months and 2 years old now 6 and 61/2 years old. Both have had claims for operations including dental. LV paid without any question.
My previous cat was also insured with LV. His last year he had to undergo cancer surgery and heart medication. Again they paid all his bills.
I know it is dead money if no claims ever need to be made. The only other way would be to put aside money equal to premiums for vets bills. It is a risk as vets treatments are very expensive.

[Rockrose]

Ooo just a thought - check with your vets and see if they do a pet club, normally for a small payment per month you get vaccinations, worming fleaing and some form of insurance.

[ladybirder]

Furry I am a great fan of LV, got my home, contents, and car insured with them.

[ladybirder]

Good idea RR. I have friends who've four cats and that's what they do. Good scheme.

[Rockrose]

I am swapping to it - when I need to renew, I do it for my dog too

[Gill1941]

That's a lot, Tilly. I had one dog insured years ago and that was about £400 then. I know vet's are very expensive so will insure them with someone.
What annoys me with insurers is they put the price up annually regardless of whether there have been claims or not.
I did get a month free with Petplan as I said that the quote was far too much. Also in the past have got reductions on house insurance from existing insurer just by ringing and saying I'm going elsewhere.
They all try it on.
Thanks, furrypusscat. Am going to get a couple of quotes online this pm. LV and Tesco, I think. No harm in looking even if I decide to stay with Petplan.

[Gill1941]

Yes, RR. My vets do a Pet Club but only for vaccinations etc not anything more.
I need to get in the garden while the sun is out. Changing weather this week, I think.

[furrypusscat]

Re annual increases, some insurance companies work on post codes so if there have been a lot of claims within an area then premiums will go up accordingly whether you have made a claim or not.
When I get renewals on any of my insurance, car, home etc. I always challenge the company and usually get a better deal.

[Smowball]

I’ve never ever had cat insurance. Not saying that’s right but just the situation. And apart from being spayed my cats have never ever needed the vet.

[nicebloke1]

Pet insurance as gone through the roof because most vets are rip off merchants. The first thing they ask you is, have you got pet insurance, so they know if their able inflate the bill. And in my view responsible for many of the strays dogs/ cats on the streets because people can't afford to have them treated, so they dump them.

While I respect that vets have spent a long time training, it don't give them the right to print money. My cat had constipation, I had to treat by mouth with a common liquid that's used on humans too so it was nothing special, cant think of the name just now but they were charging me £4 for a 10 mil bottle, until I found out from a friend of mine that I could by the same product from the chemist at £5 for a 50mil bottle. Total rip off.

[pixie374]

I never have done since I was ripped off by Petplan for a genuine claim. Recently, I have signed the dogs, but not cats, up to Animal Friends for basic insurance, which is £7.99 a month each

[nicebloke1]

Its simple really, the vet rips the insurance company off, so the insurance company will rip you off to get the money back, plus a profit. Much about the same with any insurance, the garage will rip the insurance company off for repairs, and it will be passed on down to you and me.

[lankeela]

Best way if you know you could find the money for a big bill by credit card or borrowing from friends/family/payday loan is to put something away each month in a separate account. If you don't ever need it then you are quids in and if you do get a bill there is a nest egg to dip into.