Pet (cat) insurance advice

So I've finally decided to get a cat for some company in the dark winter nights and beyond!
As I live in a flat I'll be adopting a house cat, the RSPCA in Manchester/Salford have been very helpful and told me about a tabby and white cat who needs to be a house cat as he is FIV positive, now this doesn't bother me at all, I'm an experienced owner and have read up fully on the condition.
My only issue as the title suggests is the insurance, obviously with a cat who could need vetenary care at the drop of a hat due to a weakened immune system I know I need some good cover however I so far haven't found any who will cover him with a pre-existing condition, which of course means I could be stumped with giant bills. There must be a way around this as surely most cats with FIV will be newly adopted due to them previously being a stary as this cat was.

Does anyone know anyone who would cover him or know anyway I can get around it?

Good on you Lizz for wanting to take on a FIV+ kitty .
Can the RSPCA offer you any discounted routes to a reasonable policy? FWIW I've had numerous policies with Petplan over the last 19 years with no complaints (and they covered my beloved Blueboy for his chronic ailments until he went to cat heaven in August at the age of 17+). None of the policies I've had (still got) were cheap, but the cover was/is fantastic and cost of treatment (for anything) was never an issue for them.
It might be worth contacing your local vet too for their advice on insurance.
Keep us posted .
DL

Lizz - my two dogs have Pet Plan, it is at the more expensive end of the scale but they are very reliable and that's the #1 thing I want from an insurer.

Best advise I can give is this - ask your vet what they will process for you in terms of submitting claims. Many will only process Pet Plan claims because vets also know they are reliable. The alternative is that you pay all the vets fees and claim what you can yourself with another policy - but having a vet complete the form is a big plus!

Hi Liz, it's great that you want to look after this cat. I have always used Pet Plan as well but in each case the policy was taken out very early and therefore there were no pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies are a business and are only able to stay in business by correctly assessing risk in their favour and pre-existing conditions are usually removed from the policy for this reason. I think your RSPCA or local vet would be a good place to start for advice. Good luck.

Thought I had got the wrong forum for a minute.

For what its worth Pet Plan seem to be very good.

Petplan again, however had since pup. The "old dear" (9 year old Golden Retriever) is getting her money back now with constant arthritis medication, all covered.
RSPCA would be a good bet for suggested best routes, especially if pre-existing..

Would you take a freebie insurance cover via a bank...for such things..???

Don't most of them only cover for a certain amount for any one condition, even if they're offering cover for FIV already existing? One of my cats had a dental problem - no more serious than needing a couple of teeth removed - but the policy then wouldn't cover him for ANY dental work for the rest of his life.

I also thought I'd come to the wrong forum, but well done Liz, for taken on a rescue cat. It also made me realise againhow much I miss having cats around - used to have 3, but it seemed wise not to have anymore after we lost our last one, as we're out so much...

Heck, I do miss them, though....

Use Petplan as well.

Which was a godsend, one of our cats is now nickednamed the "6 million dollar cat" because she had over £6,000 of medical bills to her name when she busted her knee joint. Just had to pay 75 pounds in excess and charges.

I know it's very off topic but I thought I'd be able to get some good advice from you lot, and I was right!

I emailed petplan yesterday (don't like phoning insurance companies) but have not yet had a reply. AXA won't do it as most other cheaper ones I assume won't either. I'm not too sure though as to whether they'd cover him and then go on a vets diagnosis on whether to cover medical costs, this is the only way round it I've so far come across.
I'm nipping to the vets later though to see if they know of a way as I'm sure they've seen this problem before.

On a happier note, I'm going to see him tomorrow and if all goes well he can come home with me after the RSPCA have filled out all their paperwork and checked to see if my flat is suitable. I've already bought things for him because I'm so excited

Excellent stuff Lizz .Does puss have a name yet/already?
DL

Angel, my jet balck half persian hopes that you have your new friend very soon.

R-P

Well, I just phoned petplan (in India it seems) and they said they will insure him for everything other than FIV then anything to do with FIV the 'underwriters'? Will, I don't know, figure something out I think he said. Still it gives me peace of mind that he can be insured, noone else seemed to have a clue, RSPCA, vets, noone!
I'm going to go with petplan though, more pricey but I want him to have the best, I'll also try and put some money away each month in case something happens they won't cover I'm not stuck with no money.

I'm going to be calling him Fudge, his name at the cattery is currently Harold which I think just makes him sound old!!
I'm off to meet him later, so all going well I'll get the adoption ball rolling today

Just another quick update, went to see him before, even though I had to wait a while as he was at the vets and in that time I fell in love with every other cat there! Still I've reserved him and the RSPCA just need to pop round now then he's mine

He's a lovely boy, needs a bit of a diet but very fussable, I'm really excited!

Thanks for all the advice guys, much appriciated!

He's a lovely boy, needs a bit of a diet but very fussable, I'm really excited!

Sounds more like a man to me !