Don’t be left out of pocket if your family cat gets sick or is injured. Read our guide to see what your options are for cat insurance and discover ways you could save money to cover your cat.
Why do I need cat insurance?
Your pet cat is unlikely to cost you much to keep and they’re also known for being fiercely independent. But what do you do if your feline friend is injured in an accident or develops an illness? Despite your cat being small in size, veterinary bills can still be very expensive, especially if you have to make lots of visits. Cat insurance could offer you peace of mind should something go wrong. It can also financially protect you against a number of risks that you could face as a pet owner.
How does pet insurance for cats work?
There are two main types of pet insurance for cats. These include:
Lifetime cover. These policies will cover your cat for the whole of its lifetime and are generally renewed every year. Limits may apply on how much can be claimed each year. These policies may be more appealing to owners of cats that have recurring injuries or illnesses.
Annual cover. These policies last 12 months and will cover a cat for that period only. After that time, any injury or illness that occurred during the policy term would then be classed as a pre-existing medical condition on a future policy, even from the same pet insurer. There are likely to be limits on how much can be claimed.
What does pet insurance for cats cover?
Cover benefits will vary between each insurance provider but most policies will typically cover veterinary bills for most non-routine visits, tests or treatment of injuries.
Beyond this, an insurer may also offer optional extras that can be added to enhance cover. These can include:
Theft or straying cover
Public liability cover
Advertising cover if a cat is lost or stolen
Cattery cover if an owner is temporarily unable to look after their cat
Overseas cover
Death
What won’t my cat be covered for?
Just as you’d expect from any type of insurance policy, pet insurance for cats usually comes with a range of exclusions. The following exclusions might typically be applied to cat insurance:
Routine check ups, treatment or vaccinations
Spaying or neutering
Breeding or pregnancy
Pre-existing medical conditions
Treatments to prevent illnesses or conditions
Behavioural issues
Age restrictions and limits
What affects my cat insurance premium?
A number of factors can influence the cost of your cat insurance premiums, including your cat’s age, breed and health as well as your location. The type of cover you choose will also impact your premium as lifetime insurance is likely to be more expensive than an annual policy. It’s always worth shopping around and comparing deals to find the best policy for your needs.
How can I get cheaper insurance quotes for my cat?
Choose a cover type that suits you. Don’t assume that the most expensive pet insurance cover is the best for your pet. Consider your options carefully against you and your older pet’s requirements to find the best pet insurance.
Increase excess. Deciding to pay a higher excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a pet claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if you need to claim.
Limit optional extras if you don’t need them. Think carefully about which, if any, optional extras you really want as adding extra protection to your pet policy will generally push the price up too.
Consider neutering or spaying your pet. Having your pet spayed or neutered could lower the risk of your pet having certain conditions, which could in turn lower premiums.
Maintain your pet’s health. Look after your pet by ensuring they are properly vaccinated and regularly wormed, enjoy a good diet with plenty of exercise.
Can your pet have free treatment? If you’re on means-tested benefits, your pet may be entitled to emergency free treatments so it’s always worth checking if this applies to you.
Multi-pet discounts. If your home is full of pets, consider insuring them under one policy as you may benefit from discounts.
Shop around. Don’t simply choose to renew your pet insurance when it’s up for renewal as you could end up paying more than you need. Shop around and compare your options to find the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best policy so check the cover details carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can but it’s wise to shop around for the right kind of cover as pedigree cats are more at risk of developing certain conditions.
Yes, some insurers will offer you a discount if you insure more than one pet under one policy. The discounts available from the insurers that offer multi-pet discounts will vary so be sure to do your research to find the best deal you can.
Yes, there may be age limits with certain insurers. Some might not cover cats under six months old or if they are more than eight years old. Insuring kittens may be possible under a kitten insurance policy, or older cats under a senior cat policy. It’s always worth considering your options against the needs of your pet.
Unfortunately not. The procedure of neutering or spaying a pet is usually not covered by insurance policies and will be excluded.
If a claim needs to be made, co-insurance means that the owner of a cat pays the excess and a portion of the veterinary bill while the pet insurer pays the remaining amount. This can make it financially beneficial for owners of older cats, where illnesses or accidents may become more frequent. There’s little worry of footing the whole bill as the amount is shared between the policyholder and the insurer.
*Price per month for accident only cover based on a moggie, aged 2, no known medical conditions, neutured, up to date with vaccinations, microchipped and based in the CS24 3HT postcode region. Prices correct on 30/01/2020 on Confused.com
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Esther Wolffowitz was a publisher at finder.com specialising in insurance. Esther holds an MSc in Media and Communication Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). See full bio
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