Cat insurance

Cat insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. Many pet owners choose insurance to help manage the cost of unexpected vet bills.

Vets can do more for cats than ever before, and costs can quickly add up. Illnesses and injuries can happen at any age. 94% of the claims Petplan receives are for illnesses like diabetes or skin conditions that often need ongoing care. Without insurance, you may have to make difficult decisions about your cat's treatment based on cost rather than what's best for them. Insurance helps you budget for the unexpected and focus on getting your cat the care they need.

Cat insurance can cover dental treatment for injuries and illnesses, but routine care like a scale and polish isn't usually included.

Dental problems in cats, like tooth resorption, gum disease, or mouth injuries, can need costly treatment including extractions and surgery. These costs can be covered, as long as your cat has had their teeth checked by a vet within the 12 months before symptoms appeared, and any recommended treatment from that check was carried out within 6 months.

Routine or preventative check-ups, like a scale and polish, usually aren't covered. Only dental treatment needed for an illness or injury.

Petplan covers dental treatment for illnesses and injuries as standard across our plans at no extra cost. As long as your cat has had an annual dental check and any recommended treatment has been followed up, you can claim for dental conditions just like any other illness or injury.

Cat insurance helps cover the cost of unexpected vet bills when your cat becomes ill or is injured. You pay a monthly or annual premium, and when your cat needs treatment, you make a claim to get eligible costs back.

The process is straightforward:

• Choose a policy: Select the type of cover and vet fee limit that suits your cat and budget. Cover runs for 12 months and is renewed each year.
• Visit the vet: If your cat becomes unwell or is injured, take them to the vet as normal.
• Make a claim: The vet can submit a claim electronically to your insurer, or you can submit it yourself online.
• Receive a payout: If approved, the insurer pays the vet bill minus any excess (the fixed amount you contribute towards each claim).

It's worth knowing that most insurers apply a waiting period at the start of your policy before illness cover kicks in, so not all conditions will be covered straight away. Pre-existing conditions — any injury or illness that showed symptoms before cover started — are typically not covered by most insurers.

With Petplan, you can pay monthly or annually with no interest applied. Injuries are covered from day one, and we can also consider pre-existing conditions on a case-by-case basis, which many insurers won't do. We can pay your vet directly so you don't have to find the money upfront, and our speedy digital claims process means your vet can submit claims electronically on your behalf. With our Covered For Life® plan, your vet fee limit refreshes every 12 months when you renew, so you can claim year after year for the same condition.

Cat insurance is designed to help cover the cost of unexpected vet treatment when your cat becomes ill or is injured. This may include:

• Examinations, consultations, and diagnostic tests
• Surgery and nursing
• Prescribed medication
• Dental treatment for illness or injury
• Behavioural treatment, when referred by your vet
• Complementary therapies, including physiotherapy, when recommended by your vet
• Cover if your cat goes missing or is stolen

Petplan covers all of the above as standard on our Covered For Life® plans — including dental and behavioural conditions at no extra cost. We also offer:

• 24/7 Pet Expert Chat — free video chat service for health, behaviour and nutrition advice
• Pet Bereavement Helpline — support if you need it after the sad loss of your pet
• Pet Care Offers — savings on pet products

What is covered can vary between providers, so it's important to review your policy documents carefully to understand any limits, exclusions, or conditions that apply.

Cat insurance doesn't usually cover routine or preventative care. What isn't covered can vary between providers, so it's important to review your policy documents carefully to understand any limits, exclusions, or conditions that apply.

Things that are typically excluded:

• Pre-existing conditions (conditions your cat had before your policy started)
• Routine and preventative care, like vaccinations, microchipping, neutering, flea and worming treatments
• General health checks
• Routine dental care, like a scale and polish in preventative circumstances

While these exclusions are standard across the industry, Petplan makes it clear upfront which conditions are excluded, so you know exactly where you stand. If your cat develops a new illness or suffers an injury after your policy begins, our Covered For Life® plans are designed to help and you can claim year after year for the same condition.

Making a claim is straightforward. Here's how it works:

1. Ask your vet to submit a claim electronically — this is the quickest option.
2. If not, log in online and fill out the claim form — your details will already be filled in to save time.
3. Once submitted, your insurer may contact your vet for any clinical notes needed.
4. If approved, payment is made — either to you or directly to your vet.

Most insurers require claims to be submitted within a set timeframe after treatment, so it's best not to delay. If treatment is ongoing, submit claims regularly to keep your insurer up to date.Petplan makes claiming as quick and easy as possible. Your vet can submit claims electronically, or you can use My Petplan to submit yours online. We can pay your vet directly so you don't have to find the money upfront, and we pay 97% of claims we receive.