Should I get insurance for two new kittens???

[raelgrin]

HI there,
I have been looking into getting insurance for my two new kittens (I get them on 13th of October). The thing I have noticed is the insurance doesnt cover jabs, check-ups, spaying etc... Will the insurance pay out for anything likely to happen to the kittens other than something as big as cancer??
So.... Should I get insurance for them??
Cheers,
Rachel

[ummmm]

My sister got hers insured after one of them got hit by a car. The treatment cost quite a lot of money.

Jabs are only £20.

[karenmac60]

My vet recommended opening a bank account and putting in the same amount you would pay insurers every month. That way there is money there should you need it for them and if you don't, you haven't given all that cash to some big business.

[boxtops]

I've always insured my cats, but you are right, it's a bit like car insurance, they don't cover maintenance items. However, they pay out for medication, consultations, and (god forbid) surgery and long term conditions if you pick the right one. As they are so little they shouldn't cost much in premiums (although it goes up as they get older). What I pay in premiums if I'd saved it doesn't cover the cost of Rover's medication now he needs tablets in old age - and surgery and treatment can be very expensive.
However the policies vary a lot, so do shop around - my three are with PetPlan and I am pleased with them.

[raelgrin]

Thank you everyone...
The cheapest I have found is £11.70 for the pair from Tesco but the Vets that I have been recommended suggests Petplan... They will charge £25.30 for the pair...
BOXTOPS - What makes Petplan better than Tesco cnsidering that price difference??
Thanks :) x

[anneasquith]

petplan are very expensive in my experience, shop around, i got a good deal from AA, heard tesco were good.

[boxtops]

You need to look closely at the policy wording (and small print!). I'm not sure what Tesco wording is these days but certainly some policies will only pay out for a year for a medical condition - which is why I have stayed with PetPlan, they will pay out for life if your cat develops an illness. My Rover has kidney problems and they have paid out for all his medication and treatment for the last two years so far (less the excess of course). Check also how much the excess is on the Tesco policy - it's a bit like car insurance, some people save on the premiums by taking a much bigger excess. I'm pleased with PetPlan, in any insurance you want to know that claims will be settled quickly. Someone said earlier that PetPlan is the only company where your vet can send his bills direct to them, so you only have to pay the excess - I've not done it that way myself but if the cats had a big procedure, eg an operation, it would certainly be a bonus. You need to be sure that Tesco cover is EXACTLY the same as PetPlan before you can be sure that you are getting a bargain!

[redcrx]

With a quote of £1800 for an MRI on one of our cats, I would say insurance is the way to go. The bills can mount up.
Things like vaccinations, spaying etc are just costs you have to bear as a pet owner.