To insure The Kat - or not?

[Ratface]

As above: skint OAP with life-limiting chronic illness. Living alone, other than Kat, in an inhospitable environment (powerful tidal river) with two good-ish pensions heftily eroded by Old Horse and Kat.
Trying to decide whether or not to insure Kat. Old Horse isn't as a) old (29/30) and would be immediately pts if ill/injured. b) only lightly hacked/schooled by me on private land.
Kat is a previously-semi feral chucked-out house cat and arrived with me a year ago today, via a friend who hadn't asked me if I was ready for another cat, three months after the death of my previous cat. Previous cat was 22 years old and was in kidney failure and was pts by her vet.
Kat is registered with this vet, but has not been seen yet. No knowledge of who previous vet was.
Kat is currently pleasant with visitors (aka smarmy git behaviour) but should go for check and inoculations visit.
Registered with previous Vet. It costs £50 just to open the clinic door.
Any advice, opinions or guidance on this matter?

 

[Ratface]

Sorry, just realised that I have already posted on this earlier in the month and received kind and helpful replies.
My only mitigation is that I have ME, which destroys thinking.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Have you heard of the Cinnamon Trust? I have no personal experience with them, but I think that they will put you in touch with a volunteer or two, who will look out for Kev, and will take over his care should things become difficult for you. Doubt if this covers mercy dashes to buy luxury cat food at 4am when he is in full voice, but it may be comforting to know that he won't be abandoned to his fate!

 

[Arzada]

Any advice, opinions or guidance on this matter?

How old is Kat? I've had 3 cats at separate times and none were insured. I haven't worked it out because I have no idea about insurance costs per month but given that all three required very little attention by the vets I am pretty sure that I saved a fortune by not insuring. If I had saved £10 pm I would have had plenty of money for vets fees over the years of ownership. The costs came when the cats were older: thyroid operation, 1 tooth removal, 3 stitches to head wound. From experience the mixed animal practices were the most down to earth and the costs were reasonable. The second cat was PTS at home at no cost by very kind generous vets. The third cat was PTS March this year at the mixed practice vets £46.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would be surprised if an insurance company would take on an elderly cat with no known vet history. We dont insure but don't have cats currently.

 

[EllenJay]

If you are retired you can also use the PDSA for vet visits - a lot cheaper

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If you are retired you can also use the PDSA for vet visits - a lot cheaper

Are you sure? I thought you had to be in receipt of a means tested benefit

 

[EllenJay]

Are you sure? I thought you had to be in receipt of a means tested benefit

No - friends of mine on retirement can used the PDSA (and still moan about the cost)

 

[Tiddlypom]

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/eligibility

'State retired pensioners who are householders in council tax bands A-D'.

 

[Ratface]

Thank you, dear friends, for your helpful replies.
If I predecease His Yooowlness, he is on his way to the Cat's Protection Society, along with a hefty dowry, already donated. Also detailed information about how to handle him. Stickers on barge wheelhouse windows, car windscreen and key fobs. Also In Case of Emergency information at boatyard office. Neighbours know where his food/litter etc are and Kevin is very good at letting the neighbours know that he's staaarved etc. They usually provide a cuddle and a couple of Kat sweets.
Just having M E wobble, because I'm feeling ill and useless.

 

[Ratface]

Just tried to fill in PDSA form. It refused to believe that an address with an English post code in a village in Southern England exists.
In total, about thirty vessels are liveaboards here. We get a regular 6 days out of 7 Post Office delivery.
I give up.
If Kat needs the vet, I'll pay. Somehow.

 

[fiwen30]

Everything in our house is uninsurable now, due to age or pre-existing conditions (humans included!), so we put money aside each month instead, and pray that we get enough months in to cover any costs with cash.

 

[nagblagger]

RF I still think you could make money for potential Kat vet bills by writing - no matter what the topic is i love reading your entertaining responses.
Please write a book so i can be the first to buy it (autographed of course)!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Don't give up on the PDSA yet, you can contact them directly and explain about the postcode issue.

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/contact-us/contact-us

This a screen shot of the drop down to select.