Advice on cat insurance
Discussion
Having a look at cat insurance and it seems a bit of a minefield. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with any companies?
Our cat (Cat Fink named after the cartoon series in the 80's, Bat Fink) is a 5 year old tortoiseshell short hair. Had a very minor heart murmur detected as a kitten. Apart from that he's all good.
Any advice will be much appreciated
Our cat (Cat Fink named after the cartoon series in the 80's, Bat Fink) is a 5 year old tortoiseshell short hair. Had a very minor heart murmur detected as a kitten. Apart from that he's all good.
Any advice will be much appreciated
Just had a pretty big claim with Bought by Many. £15k plus spent with Noel Fitzpatrick. No fuss, no stress they were great. Dealt with the vet nicely too.
Costs £50 a month for 2 Maine Cooones.
ETA. That's a lifetime policy. Really the only way to do it. There are a few options we have a shared responsibility of 20% at that price.
Costs £50 a month for 2 Maine Cooones.
ETA. That's a lifetime policy. Really the only way to do it. There are a few options we have a shared responsibility of 20% at that price.
Edited by Big_Dog on Saturday 3rd December 12:33
Meanwhile, I used Bought By Many for a cat we took on as a rehomer, with a pre-existing condition. Got the Pre-Existing Condition policy and assumed that all was going to be OK. I wasn't claiming for the meds he was on, so presumed (clearly wrong, according to them) that everything else that could happen would be covered.
Cat had an issue linked to the pre-existing condition, and I needed vet intervention. Bought By Many pride themselves on an easy mechanism to claim for costs. I followed it, and was declined. Apparently, a pre-existing condition is covered unless they are getting advice from a vet or treatment for the condition.
My issue was that I had to speak to the vet about the condition when I took the cat on and he was transferred from the previous owners vets to our vets. A meeting of the minds / common understanding if you will. Strike 1.
Then, they said that the tablets I give the cat daily were treatment. I suggested that the tablets clearly weren't treatment as he still had the condition and that they were medication to manage the condition. No treatment involved. Treatment would have been surgery (as discussed with the vet) at several thousand pounds, yet the tablets are just fine. Strike 2.
He had a temporary, but life threatening complication with the condition; stop taking the tablets and he gets bunged up to the point of needing vet intervention. Couple of hundred pounds, not really an issue, but felt it was covered by the Pre-Existing Condition. Insurance felt different based on Strikes 1 and 2.
I paid obviously but felt somewhat aggrieved so appealed, twice, and lost. So, took it all to the Ombudsman complete with letters from my vets that supported my interpretation of my position based on their reading of the case and my Bought By Many policy documentation. Ombudsman took ages to get to and review my case (lockdown), and towards the end was telling me that they were waiting on a response from the insurance co's legal team and then would be determining, but on the face of it, my case made sense and that they'd be getting Bought By Many to 'make good'. I was seeking recompense for the costs to date and a reinstatement of the Policy cover as being declined meant no cover on that condition. I was paying for the more expensive Pre-Existing policy all the way through this, despite having the option of downgrading the policy to a 'standard' policy.
Then Ombudsman called and said they'd heard from insurance co and had changed their mind and were declining my appeal to them. 'Additional information' was provided by the other side, which was the Policy T&Cs (I'd already provided that), and advice that this situation was not covered by the Policy. Ombudsmans decision is final, and it was a no. Not much you can do about that.
I know the basic rule is that you should read the T&Cs and discuss all these sorts of things with the potential provider, but people rarely do. I didn't, and I got stung. I'll keep paying the bills and have moved to another provider. Just don't take things as read with insurance providers. They're very keen to take your money, but can be very difficult to get it back if there's a hint of an opportunity based on the consumers 'misinterpretation' of something buried on page 25 of a small print document. I'm sure there are many more with easy / effective experiences with insurance companies, but they're a commercial business at the end of the day.
Cat had an issue linked to the pre-existing condition, and I needed vet intervention. Bought By Many pride themselves on an easy mechanism to claim for costs. I followed it, and was declined. Apparently, a pre-existing condition is covered unless they are getting advice from a vet or treatment for the condition.
My issue was that I had to speak to the vet about the condition when I took the cat on and he was transferred from the previous owners vets to our vets. A meeting of the minds / common understanding if you will. Strike 1.
Then, they said that the tablets I give the cat daily were treatment. I suggested that the tablets clearly weren't treatment as he still had the condition and that they were medication to manage the condition. No treatment involved. Treatment would have been surgery (as discussed with the vet) at several thousand pounds, yet the tablets are just fine. Strike 2.
He had a temporary, but life threatening complication with the condition; stop taking the tablets and he gets bunged up to the point of needing vet intervention. Couple of hundred pounds, not really an issue, but felt it was covered by the Pre-Existing Condition. Insurance felt different based on Strikes 1 and 2.
I paid obviously but felt somewhat aggrieved so appealed, twice, and lost. So, took it all to the Ombudsman complete with letters from my vets that supported my interpretation of my position based on their reading of the case and my Bought By Many policy documentation. Ombudsman took ages to get to and review my case (lockdown), and towards the end was telling me that they were waiting on a response from the insurance co's legal team and then would be determining, but on the face of it, my case made sense and that they'd be getting Bought By Many to 'make good'. I was seeking recompense for the costs to date and a reinstatement of the Policy cover as being declined meant no cover on that condition. I was paying for the more expensive Pre-Existing policy all the way through this, despite having the option of downgrading the policy to a 'standard' policy.
Then Ombudsman called and said they'd heard from insurance co and had changed their mind and were declining my appeal to them. 'Additional information' was provided by the other side, which was the Policy T&Cs (I'd already provided that), and advice that this situation was not covered by the Policy. Ombudsmans decision is final, and it was a no. Not much you can do about that.
I know the basic rule is that you should read the T&Cs and discuss all these sorts of things with the potential provider, but people rarely do. I didn't, and I got stung. I'll keep paying the bills and have moved to another provider. Just don't take things as read with insurance providers. They're very keen to take your money, but can be very difficult to get it back if there's a hint of an opportunity based on the consumers 'misinterpretation' of something buried on page 25 of a small print document. I'm sure there are many more with easy / effective experiences with insurance companies, but they're a commercial business at the end of the day.
- rantover
We've had several cats and never even thought about insurance. Got a new one about 3yrs ago and went to a differnt vet for initial injections and that included 3mth PetPlan cover, which, unknown to me, wife had just let renew each year.
At just under 3yrs old the cat had heart failure. I couple of scans with a vet cardiologist (who knew there was such a thing?) and some tablets and we got within a fiver of the £4K cover limit.
It just renewed in time for another scan and this time the bill, with some medication, was £1700 which PetPlan apparently (the vet claims direct) cheerfully paid. I noticed a couple of new lines had crept into the estimate we were aksed to agree to - it's like they list a load of random items. "Nurse fee" was a new one.
Only time we have to hand over money is if the meds is less than a certain amount. The vet still sends a claim and we get a cheque (which annoyingly / deiberately is a funny size so can't be paid in via mobile banking app).
Don't want to tempt fate but I'm a bit surprised PetPlan don't query the bills, they seem completely mental to me. One of the tablets he takes is charged at £2 each, you can buy them online for 50p where it says RRP is £1.
Last visit the cardiologist started talking about doing further tests. I wouldn't mind, but the cat isn't even friendly!
At just under 3yrs old the cat had heart failure. I couple of scans with a vet cardiologist (who knew there was such a thing?) and some tablets and we got within a fiver of the £4K cover limit.
It just renewed in time for another scan and this time the bill, with some medication, was £1700 which PetPlan apparently (the vet claims direct) cheerfully paid. I noticed a couple of new lines had crept into the estimate we were aksed to agree to - it's like they list a load of random items. "Nurse fee" was a new one.
Only time we have to hand over money is if the meds is less than a certain amount. The vet still sends a claim and we get a cheque (which annoyingly / deiberately is a funny size so can't be paid in via mobile banking app).
Don't want to tempt fate but I'm a bit surprised PetPlan don't query the bills, they seem completely mental to me. One of the tablets he takes is charged at £2 each, you can buy them online for 50p where it says RRP is £1.
Last visit the cardiologist started talking about doing further tests. I wouldn't mind, but the cat isn't even friendly!
Edited by Sheepshanks on Sunday 4th December 16:01
I’ve always worked on the basis that you only know how good your insurer is once you’ve had a claim.
On that basis I have no hesitation in recommending PetPlan. We had a series of hugely expensive claims over a period of several months, which was all very stressful (we lost three kittens one after the other due to FIP) and the vets dealt directly with PetPlan so we didn’t even have to fill a form in. We paid a £75 excess, and the rest (several thousand) was all dealt with on our behalf. They are one of the few that seem to cover everything with no drama (dental bills can hit at any time and lots of insurers exclude this) so it may not be the cheapest but we wouldn’t go anywhere else now.
On that basis I have no hesitation in recommending PetPlan. We had a series of hugely expensive claims over a period of several months, which was all very stressful (we lost three kittens one after the other due to FIP) and the vets dealt directly with PetPlan so we didn’t even have to fill a form in. We paid a £75 excess, and the rest (several thousand) was all dealt with on our behalf. They are one of the few that seem to cover everything with no drama (dental bills can hit at any time and lots of insurers exclude this) so it may not be the cheapest but we wouldn’t go anywhere else now.
FlyingPanda said:
... PetPlan.
.....
(dental bills can hit at any time and lots of insurers exclude this) so it may not be the cheapest but we wouldn’t go anywhere else now.
Our cats teeth were mentioned in the cardiology report after his last vist and my wife thinks there's something in the Petplan polcy about keeping their teeth maintained......
(dental bills can hit at any time and lots of insurers exclude this) so it may not be the cheapest but we wouldn’t go anywhere else now.
We've used PetPlan, Sainsbury's and Tescos insurance.
All three have had fairly large payouts agreed - PetPlan for about 2.5k for tail amputation. Tescos 6k for a double broken femur, and Sainsburys 7.5k for a broken palate. The last two were the same cat (he's still recovering from his broken leg).
I don't think I've had anything rejected, but I know with all of the 9 cats we've had over the years, we've paid less in the premiums than what they've paid out.
We've got a fixed excess policy with no part payment. Maximum for a single incident is 10k.
All three have had fairly large payouts agreed - PetPlan for about 2.5k for tail amputation. Tescos 6k for a double broken femur, and Sainsburys 7.5k for a broken palate. The last two were the same cat (he's still recovering from his broken leg).
I don't think I've had anything rejected, but I know with all of the 9 cats we've had over the years, we've paid less in the premiums than what they've paid out.
We've got a fixed excess policy with no part payment. Maximum for a single incident is 10k.
I’m paying £12 a month for 2k cover. I thought that was enough.
Wrong
Moggie recently run over. Currently living in a cage after having its pelvis screwed back together! Vets have been excellent.
The treatment about 4.5k
Insurers paid the 2k in the first week
So 2.5k down
Should have had more cover!
After paying they also mailed to say that the cat is no longer covered against accidents as that’s now a pre-existing condition. That doesn’t sound right to me as an accident isn’t a condition!
Will explore that at renewal, if the cat pulls through & goes out again..
Wrong
Moggie recently run over. Currently living in a cage after having its pelvis screwed back together! Vets have been excellent.
The treatment about 4.5k
Insurers paid the 2k in the first week
So 2.5k down
Should have had more cover!
After paying they also mailed to say that the cat is no longer covered against accidents as that’s now a pre-existing condition. That doesn’t sound right to me as an accident isn’t a condition!
Will explore that at renewal, if the cat pulls through & goes out again..
ChocolateFrog said:
Just put the money aside each month. Odds are over your lifetime of pet ownership you'll be up.
Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
I love my cat hugely but have to agree with this from ChoccoFrog; he's just a cat. Insurance companies never go bust so you're just paying someone else's profit margins. Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
some absolute madness on this thread.
10's of thousands to perform surgery on a moggy. FFS!
But then I can only assume you've bought a pedigree cat costing £1500.
I have a cat rescue moggy. Cost £50. My wife pays £5 per month on insurance. We've used it a couple of times when he broke his hip and some for other reason ( that I can't remember). He's 11 years old and chuffing annoying. He's a ragdoll so suffers from a heart murmur. the vet asked us if we wanted to give him medication for it at something like £20 per month. We said 'no thanks'. the vet was quite shocked.
Having said that my wife paid for him to have a tooth removed at £500, which the insurance wouldn't pay for. Cue much nashing and wailing from my wife about the cost, but once we told the vet it was being paid for by us the cost suddenly reduced from the initial £1300. But I agree with the other poster, there were definitely some spurious charges initially.
Our view is that our cat has had a good life. When he dies, or if he gets ill, that's that. We'll get another a few months later.
10's of thousands to perform surgery on a moggy. FFS!
But then I can only assume you've bought a pedigree cat costing £1500.
I have a cat rescue moggy. Cost £50. My wife pays £5 per month on insurance. We've used it a couple of times when he broke his hip and some for other reason ( that I can't remember). He's 11 years old and chuffing annoying. He's a ragdoll so suffers from a heart murmur. the vet asked us if we wanted to give him medication for it at something like £20 per month. We said 'no thanks'. the vet was quite shocked.
Having said that my wife paid for him to have a tooth removed at £500, which the insurance wouldn't pay for. Cue much nashing and wailing from my wife about the cost, but once we told the vet it was being paid for by us the cost suddenly reduced from the initial £1300. But I agree with the other poster, there were definitely some spurious charges initially.
Our view is that our cat has had a good life. When he dies, or if he gets ill, that's that. We'll get another a few months later.
2Btoo said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Just put the money aside each month. Odds are over your lifetime of pet ownership you'll be up.
Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
I love my cat hugely but have to agree with this from ChoccoFrog; he's just a cat. Insurance companies never go bust so you're just paying someone else's profit margins. Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
2. Most don't, and make a profit, but obviously, they make a big loss on certain customers. You could be one of those who claims much more than they pay.
"Just put the money aside each month".....what happens if puss breaks its leg after 2 months?
I don't insure my cat, simply because I'm lucky enough to be able to pay myself for whatever goes wrong. Others don't have that luxury.
PetPlan have been really good for us. Precious had a major ulcer in her anal gland which required surgery and additional care which was covered with no fuss. During the blood tests they discovered she has Hyperthyroidism which was also covered, together with followups and medication for a year. We've had far more out of them than they've had out of us!!.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
2Btoo said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Just put the money aside each month. Odds are over your lifetime of pet ownership you'll be up.
Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
I love my cat hugely but have to agree with this from ChoccoFrog; he's just a cat. Insurance companies never go bust so you're just paying someone else's profit margins. Seems mad to me to insure a cat. You're looking at what? Atleast 6 grand in premiums over the life of a cat, which won't cover most routine costs anyway.
2. Most don't, and make a profit, but obviously, they make a big loss on certain customers. You could be one of those who claims much more than they pay.
"Just put the money aside each month".....what happens if puss breaks its leg after 2 months?
I don't insure my cat, simply because I'm lucky enough to be able to pay myself for whatever goes wrong. Others don't have that luxury.
Had the second hand cat for 18 months
£12 a month insurance , so £216 paid
Insurers just paid 2k towards the cats surgery after being run over.
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