SO I think I need to get Midnight insurance. Just in case.
What does everyone think about it?
What does everyone think about it?
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Cat Insurance
- Thread starter soopermouse
- Start Date
I opted for insurance right away after adopting my first cat ever, Ritz. I like the security of knowing that most ordinarily illnesses Ritz have will cost me only $100--the deductible. The annual premium is around $400; the first year I had the insurance, the amount I was reimbursed exceeded the premium. (Ritz had a series of UTIs.)
By ordinary, I mean things like UTIs and upset stomachs from 'bad meat'.
The insurane company expects you to be able to plan for the expected vet visits like wellness checks and vaccinations.
I believe there is a copay for special treatments, like accupuncture.
I note you live in the U.K., so I have NO idea what kind of insurance plans are offered, or if there is any governmental regulation of animal (versus human) insurance. But the caveats are the same regardless where you live: read the fine print carefully. Pay particular attention to whether they will cover pre-existing illnesses (some insurance companies will, some won't); and whether they will cover illnesses/conditions through the life of the animal (come illnesses are chronic, like diabetes--will they cover the cost of treatment indefinitely). Is there a maximum per year they will pay, regardless of how many illnesses your pet has?
If you decline to get your cat vaccinated against FVRCP, will they cover the cost if your cat developes a URI (mine won't)?
Some breeds of cats are genetically pre-disposed to certain conditions; will the insurance cover those conditions?
Check into discounts of all sorts; for example, a year or two after I first bought insurance, I decided to get Ritz microchipped (she is strictly indoors, but I was afraid one day she'd break through the screen in an effort to catch Charlie the Chipmunk, and get lost). I received a discount more than the actual cost of microchipping and annual renewal.
Finally, be aware that the insurance company may require records of all vet visits within the past X amount of months. This is due, in part, to determine if there are any preexisting illnesses.
By ordinary, I mean things like UTIs and upset stomachs from 'bad meat'.
The insurane company expects you to be able to plan for the expected vet visits like wellness checks and vaccinations.
I believe there is a copay for special treatments, like accupuncture.
I note you live in the U.K., so I have NO idea what kind of insurance plans are offered, or if there is any governmental regulation of animal (versus human) insurance. But the caveats are the same regardless where you live: read the fine print carefully. Pay particular attention to whether they will cover pre-existing illnesses (some insurance companies will, some won't); and whether they will cover illnesses/conditions through the life of the animal (come illnesses are chronic, like diabetes--will they cover the cost of treatment indefinitely). Is there a maximum per year they will pay, regardless of how many illnesses your pet has?
If you decline to get your cat vaccinated against FVRCP, will they cover the cost if your cat developes a URI (mine won't)?
Some breeds of cats are genetically pre-disposed to certain conditions; will the insurance cover those conditions?
Check into discounts of all sorts; for example, a year or two after I first bought insurance, I decided to get Ritz microchipped (she is strictly indoors, but I was afraid one day she'd break through the screen in an effort to catch Charlie the Chipmunk, and get lost). I received a discount more than the actual cost of microchipping and annual renewal.
Finally, be aware that the insurance company may require records of all vet visits within the past X amount of months. This is due, in part, to determine if there are any preexisting illnesses.
I thought about getting insurance, but no plan will cover Chowder for anything except accidents because he's FIV+. A lot of people I know that opt not to have insurance set up a little bank account and deposit a set amount of money into it every month, so if something happens you have money saved. Kind of like having your own insurance.
However, if your cat doesn't have any pre-existing conditions, I'd go for it. It's always good to be cautious.
However, if your cat doesn't have any pre-existing conditions, I'd go for it. It's always good to be cautious.
My current cat was covered from birth so should be covered for any accidents or conditions he develops within the terms of our policy.
I insured my previous 2 but not from birth and they both had some health conditions that weren't covered as a result. One of them wasn't vaccinated but as my vet signed to say it was contraindicated for her the insurers still covered her: she was lucky though and was still running about and you'd never have known she was sick until 2 days before I lost her, and by then there was nothing to be done. A lot of money down the drain. Her sister however made good use of her policy and for the later 8 or so years of her life I claimed back at least what I paid out. I used to call it my enforced savings policy as I had to pay the monthly premiums plus the vet bills and claim back once a year!
I claimed back for Mouse in my first year of having him due to gingivitis and stomatitis, and as he now has a diagnosis of FHV1 and recurring runny eyes I expect to be claiming fairly regularly. One 2 week prescription of Famciclovir cost more than his annual policy and that's before any of the vet fees and other prescriptions he's had for the FHV.
Beware, a lot of policies will try to get out of everything, and you will have to claim and pay an excess on each different condition you claim for in each year, but it can still be worth it. I think some of the newer pet insurance policies are less reliable than the original one/s, and if you go for a small company's cover there's more of a risk of them going under and you loosing any lifetime cover you might have been paying for when you have to move to a new company. I know a few people that's happened to.
I insured my previous 2 but not from birth and they both had some health conditions that weren't covered as a result. One of them wasn't vaccinated but as my vet signed to say it was contraindicated for her the insurers still covered her: she was lucky though and was still running about and you'd never have known she was sick until 2 days before I lost her, and by then there was nothing to be done. A lot of money down the drain. Her sister however made good use of her policy and for the later 8 or so years of her life I claimed back at least what I paid out. I used to call it my enforced savings policy as I had to pay the monthly premiums plus the vet bills and claim back once a year!
I claimed back for Mouse in my first year of having him due to gingivitis and stomatitis, and as he now has a diagnosis of FHV1 and recurring runny eyes I expect to be claiming fairly regularly. One 2 week prescription of Famciclovir cost more than his annual policy and that's before any of the vet fees and other prescriptions he's had for the FHV.
Beware, a lot of policies will try to get out of everything, and you will have to claim and pay an excess on each different condition you claim for in each year, but it can still be worth it. I think some of the newer pet insurance policies are less reliable than the original one/s, and if you go for a small company's cover there's more of a risk of them going under and you loosing any lifetime cover you might have been paying for when you have to move to a new company. I know a few people that's happened to.
MServant's comment about gingivitis reminded me of something my policy excludes: dental procedures unless it is due to some type of disease, like reassorption or (presumably) some type of accident. Dental cleanings due to gingivitis are excluded, as I learned the hard way.
As are other any other preventative measures considered to be reasonable, general pet care - like toothpaste even if you have to use it to keep your cat healthy and do it more regularly than general pet care e.g. me having to clean Mouse's teeth 2 x daily.
I don't know any average pet mom/dad that cleans their cat's teeth twice a day! Most don't even do it daily. Short sighted insurers I think (and have told them). If I couldn't afford the toothpaste he'd be much more likely to end up costing them a fortune in teeth extractions, additional vet consultations, and prescription medications.
Someone I know's dog recently had an accident with a stick and ended up with a nasty facial gash plus needing a couple of teeth extracted. Their insurance (one of the supermarket ones) would only cover the facial injury which cost less than their excess payment, but wouldn't touch the dental work which was a few hundred. Like Ritz says - read the fine print carefully.
