Give your cat the best care

Is cat insurance worth it?

They may have nine lives, but cats still need the right care if they get sick or injured. It’s true that cats tend to land on their feet – but that doesn’t mean that they don’t pick up illnesses and injuries too.

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So is pet insurance worth it for cats? In a word, yes. Vet bills can quickly mount up, but pet insurance can help cover these costs and ensure that your cat can receive the best care possible.

However, not all policies are the same. When shopping around, you want to make sure your plan covers everything you might need. From paying out for chronic illnesses and breed-specific conditions, to covering advertising costs if your cat is lost or stolen, a comprehensive plan will help you keep your cat happy and healthy.

infographic showing the top claims Petplan received for cats in 2019

You never know when you might need it

Long-term illnesses and injuries that need extensive treatment can be more costly than you might think. Some insurance policies place restrictive veterinary limits on a condition which means you may find yourself having to pay a lot more towards your pet’s health than you might have budgeted. So it’s vital to look at the policy details when browsing for pet insurance so you know what to expect when it comes to your cat’s health plan.

Our figures show that illnesses account for more than 90% of claims – so whether your cat spends their time indoors or outdoors, having insurance is really important. These surprise trips can be expensive, but Petplan’s cat insurance means you can be protected if your feline companion needs veterinary care.

Long-term conditions means higher bills

If your cat develops a common chronic illness this could require expensive treatment and medication over many years – so it’s sensible to put insurance in place to help cover the cost of veterinary bills.

Because most policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions, you might not be able to get insured for a particular condition after your cat develops it. Insuring your cat as early as possible before any ill health occurs will give you peace of mind that you won’t be hit with an unexpected veterinary bill.

At Petplan, we have two different types of cat insurance so you can decide which one suits you best.

Covered For Life®

Allows you to claim for care year after year, so long as you renew your policy.

Find out more about Covered For Life® for cats

Essential

Gives your pet full protection for the first year, after which the condition is excluded.

Find out more about Essential cover for cats

Self-insurance could leave you high and dry

Some cat owners decide to self-insure – in other words, to put money aside to pay for any veterinary bills without insurance.

But it’s important to remember that younger cats are still prone to injuries or getting ill. If your cat needed treatment in their first few years, you might have to choose between paying a bill you couldn’t afford or compromising your pet’s health. Even if they fall ill once they get older, there is still no guarantee that you would have saved enough to give your cat the best possible care.

Know your breed

Certain cat breeds will experience health problems more frequently. For example, Persian cats are more susceptible to breathing difficulties and chest infections, while Ragdolls have a higher risk of suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.

It’s important that you find out what the common health issues are for your breed and consider all aspects of caring for your feline companion. You should also be aware that your cat’s breed can affect the cost of your insurance policy.

Insurance costs tend to be higher for pedigree cats, but this is because they will more likely need unexpected treatment. If you are considering bringing a pedigree cat home, the right insurance could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Find out what to look out for with our cat breed advice pages below.

Cat breeds

Abyssinian

Bengal

Birman

British Shorthair

Burmese

Devon Rex

Egyptian Mau

Maine Coon

Norwegian Forest

Oriental Shorthair

Persian

Ragamuffin

Ragdoll

Russian Blue

Savannah

Selkirk Rex

Siamese

Siberian

Sphynx

Tonkinese

Your insurance can cover more than vet bills

We also offer a range of other benefits which you may never have thought you could claim for within your cat insurance policy. For example, we can help cover the purchase price of your cat if they get lost or stolen, or the cost of a cattery or someone looking after your pet if you are hospitalised. Pet insurance can help cover you for such instances.

Along with vet fees our policies also cover you for:

Boarding fees for your pet if you are hospitalised.
Certain Pet Therapies, such as hydrotherapy, if recommended by a vet.
Advertising and providing a reward if your cat goes missing or is stolen.
Cover if your cat goes missing or is stolen.

Spread your payments with no extra charges

Insuring your cat allows you to budget monthly for unexpected veterinary bills. Petplan allows you to pay monthly or yearly instalments via direct debit at no additional cost, helping you budget for your pet’s care in a way that works for you.

If you have more than one pet, you’ll be eligible for a yearly discount per pet through our multi-pet insurance cover.

What to look for in a cat insurance policy

When you’re choosing cat insurance, it’s important to pick a policy that’s tailored to your cat’s specific needs. Here are some key considerations to think about:

How much vet bill cover does the policy provide?

There are two things to look at here. The first is the overall vet bill benefit – what type of cover is it and what is the overall limit. For example, a £4,000 Lifetime policy would allow you to claim up to £4,000 every year for as long as you renewed, where as a £4,000 Maximum Benefit policy would allow you to claim up to £4,000 for each condition and once that limit is reached you would need to cover the cost of continuing to treat that condition yourself.

The second thing to look at is whether there are any additional limits within the cover for veterinary care. For example a limit on how much the insurer will pay towards certain diagnostic tools or towards treating specific conditions.

Are any health conditions excluded?

Some policies don’t cover illness at all, only injury, while others may exclude chronic conditions, for example diabetes or epilepsy.

Many insurers won’t cover you for any condition that your pet already has when you take out the policy. It can be difficult to switch insurers if your pet has an existing condition, so make sure you won’t be stuck with skyrocketing costs.

Does it cover dental treatment?

Regular routine dental checks are important for cats, however you should check that cover can be provided for non-routine dental treatment, as well as for dental illnesses.

Will your premium increase if you claim?

Some insurers increase the amount you pay for your insurance if you claim. When shopping around it’s important to ask if you will pay more for claiming so you can consider the long term implications of the policy you choose.

Why choose Petplan cat insurance?

We'll cover vet bills up to £12,000 per year depending on the plan you choose

We can pay your vet directly so you don't have to find the money first

We cover MRI and CT scans as standard

We settle 90% of claims in 5 working days

Get a quote

Frequently asked questions

How much does cat insurance cost?

Pet insurance policies are as unique as pets themselves. At Petplan, we calculate your premium based upon a range of factors such as your cat’s age and breed, and where you live. What you pay will also depend on what policy you choose.

Find out more about cat insurance costs

What age can I insure my cat with Petplan?

You can insure a cat from the time they are 6 weeks old. Insuring your pet from as young as possible will help to ensure any new conditions are covered.

If you want to take out our Covered For Life^® policy, you need to do so before your cat reaches 10 years of age. You can still take out our Petplan Essential policy at any age.

Is there anything not covered by cat insurance?

At Petplan, we like to be transparent. We’re open about what isn’t included in your policy, and if we place any extra exclusions on your cover for any reason, we will clearly state them on your Certificate of Insurance.

Insurance is designed to cover unforeseen incidents which means we don’t cover the general costs of looking after a pet such as vaccinations, spaying/neutering, worming, and flea treatments. Like most pet insurance providers, we do not cover illnesses and injuries your pet had before you took out a policy with us.

Find out more about common exclusions

How do vaccinations affect pet insurance?

You must keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date for the duration of your Petplan insurance. If you choose not to vaccinate, you will not be covered for conditions that your pet should have been vaccinated against.

Cats must be vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis, feline leukaemia and cat flu. Again, this normally starts with a course of two injections at 9 and 12 weeks of age, followed by an annual booster.

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Happy Collie-cross, front paws on a gate, smiling with tongue hanging out

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When should you get pet insurance?

Whether you’ve got a kitten, puppy or baby rabbit, you can start their insurance from 6 weeks old

Why should you get pet insurance?

We know first-hand how complex animal health can be and how pet insurance has helped many owners.

Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638), Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.

Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc. Fitz All Media Limited is an Appointed Representative of Pet Plan Limited.