Why Should I Take Out Cat Insurance?

Is cat insurance really necessary?

Owning a cat can be a rewarding and joyful experience but do they really have nine lives? Whilst many cats are perceived as hardy and independent, their inquisitive nature can lead them into the occasional scrape, especially when they are young kittens. Cats of any age are also notorious for their bold behaviour, especially on the roadside which is why taking out cat insurance is essential to protect you from unexpected vet bills. It's better to be safe in the knowledge that your cat is protected now rather than suffer any undue expense or, worse, heartache later on.

What is cat insurance?

Many vets believe owners underestimate the cost of treatment for their cat. So it's not surprising 9 out of 10 vets promote Petplan cat insurance to their clients (Headcount 2010).

Pet insurance has traditionally been viewed as a requirement for dogs rather than cats with some owners believing that their cats are more adept at overcoming the occasional illness or injury. However, the cost of veterinary treatment is almost equally as expensive for cats as it is for dogs. Vets use a variety of different procedures when diagnosing an illness or injury which can be very expensive. Cat insurance provides financial protection against the cost of veterinary treatment if your cat becomes ill or injured. As well as cover for veterinary fees, it can also cover costs associated with complimentary treatments such as acupuncture and homeopathy; loss of your cat by theft or straying, including a contribution towards advertising and reward; holiday cancellation and boarding fees.

What type of cat insurance policy does Petplan offer?

Choosing the right cat insurance cover can be confusing. With over 30 years experience in pet insurance, Petplan fully understands the needs of cat owners and our policies are designed to meet these needs. Petplan offers two types of policy cover, Covered for Life and a 12-month time-limited insurance policy.

Which cat insurance is right for you?

Covered For Life - One of the most important considerations when choosing cat insurance depends on whether you are looking for lifetime cover for your cat to provide cover for long-term and recurring conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. Petplan's Covered for Life policies provide protection for ongoing conditions for the rest of your cat's life provided the policy is renewed each year without a break in cover. The vet fees benefit offered under our Covered for Life cat insurance policies ranges from £4,000 with Petplan Classic to £12,000 with Petplan Ultimate, our most comprehensive cat insurance plan. Other policy benefits include complementary treatment and advertising and reward.

12-month restricted cover– Petplan Essential is our 12-month time-limited cat insurance policy. The policy is designed for cat owners who want valuable protection against the high cost of veterinary treatment for a limited period after an illness or injury. It provides vet fees cover up to £3,000 per illness and injury for a maximum of 12 months from when the condition is first noticed. Petplan Essential has no upper age limit at policy inception so is ideal for cat owners considering insurance for an older cat and those who are concerned about conditions their cat may be prone to during old age.

Terms, conditions and excess apply and may be varied at renewal

Interesting cat statistics

In March 2011, Petplan commissioned the UK's largest ever pet survey - the Petplan Pet Census. Over 10,000 pet owners were questioned about a number of topics with some interesting findings about our cat owners! Here is a selection below:

1. Did you know there are an estimated 8 million cats in the UK?
2. Cat owners are a caring bunch with 72% more likely to take in a stray than dog owners (66%)
3. Whilst the majority of cats are allowed outside, 26% of those surveyed said their cats are 'house cats' and kept indoors.

For further interesting statistics and facts please visit www.petplan.co.uk/petcensus.

Top 5 most common cat insurance claims

Claims statistics show 4 out of 5 claims received are for illnesses rather than injuries which is why Petplan cat insurance is now more important than ever. Without cat insurance, the cost of treating common conditions can run into hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of pounds.

Here is a selection of conditions Petplan cat insurance customers claimed for in 2010:

• Heart disorders (heart murmur or heart failure) - £533
• Hormone disorders (diabetes or an overactive thyroid) - £3258
• Gastro-Intestinal/digestive system disorders (vomiting and diarrhoea) - £1983
• Leg/Hip/Shoulder disorders (arthritis or hip dislocation) - £1306
• Accidents and injuries (road traffic accidents or fractures) - £1637

*Amounts show examples of actual claims paid on Petplan Covered for Life policies in 2010

Below is a case study from Mrs Edmondson with her cat Tigger. Petplan has paid £3,258 towards Tigger's diabetes mellitus since June 2009.

'I have owned Tigger 3rd most of his life, he is a stunning and adorable cat who's a pleasure to own. In 2009, Tigger seemed unwell and wasn't eating or drinking. Tests at the vets confirmed he was suffering from Diabetes Mellitus, a condition that he will have for the rest of his life. Tigger had to stay at the vets for 3 days which was an extremely worrying time for us, with him being so poorly on admittance. However, he made a good recovery and now lives quite happily on 2 insulin injections a day.'

'Petplan has been brilliant throughout, it's very reassuring knowing that he will be covered for the diabetes for as long as I keep his policy running and that I can trust Petplan to pay our claims. You just don't know what's going to happen so this cover is vital.'

Case study reproduced with kind permission from Mrs Edmondson in January 2011.

For more information and a full list of policy plans and benefits, visit the cat insurance section here www.petplan.co.uk