Insurance might be the last thing on your mind when you bring your new kitten home, but it’s one of the most important ways you can provide the best care for your new pet. Knowing they’re covered in the case of an illness or injury gives you the ultimate peace of mind – and we’re here to help.
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to add a kitten to your family, it’s time to start thinking about the logistics. If you’re unsure about exactly how cat insurance works, we’re here to answer all your questions.
How does kitten insurance work?
If your kitten becomes sick and requires vet treatment, those bills can soon add up. Deciding to insure your kitten means you know you can provide the best for your furry new family member, without worrying about how you’re going to pay a large bill. Insuring your kitten means you can claim to cover some or all of those bills.
Routine vet care isn’t covered by insurance – so you’ll still need to pay for things like vaccinations and medications like worming and flea treatments but these are not generally too expensive.
Once you purchase kitten insurance, you’ll pay a monthly or annual premium to your insurance provider. The amount you pay will depend on the type of cover you choose and your kitten’s health history. When your kitten needs to see the vet, contact us to make a claim or ask your vet if they can submit a claim on your behalf.
Bear in mind that cheap cat insurance is often not the bargain it seems. Make sure to read the Terms and Conditions carefully, as often there will be a lot of exclusions, or the price of your policy will increase when you make a claim.
Will my kitten be insured when I pick it up from the breeder?
Petplan works with kitten breeders all across the UK, so if you’re buying a kitten from a Petplan Breeder, your new kitten will come with 4 weeks of free insurance. This is completely free of charge and allows you to enjoy those first few weeks with your new kitten, knowing you can access the best veterinary care if you need it.
If you have bought your kitten from a Petplan Breeder, we’ll give you an extra month free if you contact us to extend your policy before your initial 4 week period is over, in addition to including continuous illness and injury cover.
I’m adopting my cat – how will insurance help me?
Whether you buy or adopt your cat, insurance will help give you peace of mind that their vet’s bills are covered in case of an accident or illness. We work with a range of different animal charities all across the UK and provide 4 weeks free Covered For Life® insurance for their rehomed kittens and cats.
Knowing your new cat is covered leaves you more time to enjoy getting to know them as they settle into their new home. Contact us before your trial is over to extend your policy and get an extra month free, providing you have adopted your cat or kitten through a Petplan Charity.
What does my insurance cover?
We offer two different types of cat insurance: 12 Month Cover, or Covered For Life®.
Our cat insurance policies are more extensive than many other companies. As standard, we cover:
- Physical and online consultations
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription medicine
- Surgery and specialised care
- Physiotherapy and recovery therapies
- Hereditary conditions
- Behavioural conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Dental illness and injury
- Cancer treatments
We work with Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, who put together a list of questions you should ask when deciding which insurance policy will suit your kitten best.
What do I need to do when I go to the vet?
If your cat needs to visit the vet for a non-routine issue, make an appointment as normal. Some vets will then make a claim on your behalf, and we can pay them directly. Others will request payment upfront and you can then make a claim through us. We pay out 90% of claims within 5 working days. You may need to cover an excess charge, depending on your policy.
It’s always worth having a conversation with your vet ahead of time, so you know what their standard practice is.
Am I in safe hands with Petplan?
Absolutely. As the UK’s biggest pet insurer, we have 40 years’ experience keeping the nation’s pets happy and healthy. We pay out over £5 million every week, to help pets get the treatment that they need, when they need it. Unlike many insurance companies, we won’t increase your premium after you make a claim to ensure you can always access the best care for your pet.
Sign up to Petplan insurance to ensure you’ve got the best care in place for your new cat, whatever the future brings.