What is cat insurance?
Cat insurance offers cover against unexpected veterinary bills. It typically covers your pet against accidents, illnesses and injuries.
Cat insurance policies may seem expensive, but they can protect you from the shock of a large, unexpected bill. But as treatment costs for cats can be expensive, insurance is too.
What are the main types of cat insurance?
Here’s an overview of the different levels of cat insurance on the market:
Why is cat insurance important?
Caring for your cat can be costly. Cats rack up higher vet bills than any other regular house pet apart from dogs. This makes it important to find the best cat insurance policy to cover the needs of you and your furry friend.
Remember that the best cat insurance is not always the cheapest. Cheaper cat insurance means accepting a lower level of cover. While this may be tempting, any pet insurance policy that doesn’t provide an adequate level of cover is likely to be a waste of money.
Make sure your prospective policy covers what your cat needs, and only then look for the cheapest price.
Cat insurance for pedigrees
If you own a pedigree cat, you may need to consider purchasing a higher level of cover. Lifetime cat insurance is usually considered the best option for pure breeds because these pets often suffer from hereditary diseases that can become particularly severe in old age. Lifetime or maximum benefit insurance could potentially save you a significant sum compared to paying vet fees directly in the long run.
As pedigree cats can be very valuable, it’s also important to have the right cover if your pet is stolen or gets lost. UK providers usually offer a range of add-ons and extras to cover your cat if the provision you need is not included in a standard policy.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions and older cats?
Some policies exclude cover for older cats, while others only cover healthy pets and not cats that already suffer with one or more pre-existing medical conditions. Standard pet insurance may also not cover cats used for breeding.
If your pet falls into one of the above categories, you could still insure them through a specialist pet plan.
Here’s more information on how to claim on your cat insurance, including all the common exclusions to look out for.
How much is cat insurance?
The cost of cat insurance depends on various factors. Potential insurers might look at your cat’s breed, its age and how much cover you want.
Performing a pet insurance comparison will give you a wide range of quotes and policies to help you find the best cat insurance at the best price.
What level of cat insurance policy should I get?
The best policy for your cat depends on your life circumstances, plus the breed and general health of your pet.
Here’s an example of the levels of cover that might be available and their claim limits:
