How Much Is Pet Insurance For a Cat

Getting a cat can be an exciting milestone, but as most owners will initially be focused on their new furry friend you may find yourself forgetting about the crucial matter of pet insurance. It’s said that cats have 9 lives but unfortunately even these can be put to the test sometimes. That’s why it’s so important to have the right cover in place for your cat…and at the right price

Why do I need cat insurance?

Like any other pet, cats are susceptible to injury, illness and unfortunately treating these things can cost money. In fact the average cost of surgery on a cat can range anywhere from £500 to over £1000 pounds. For many Brits this price tag is a hard pill to swallow, which is why having an insurance policy can be so beneficial.

The benefits of having cat insurance

The major benefit of having a cat insurance policy is essentially the peace of mind that you won’t be left in a tough financial situation should you need to make a claim. The more comprehensive your policy the more you’ll be able to claim on in the event of an insurable incident. If your cat has an injury or illness you’ll be able to claim for the treatment on your policy after paying your excess. When you weigh up the cost to benefits of having insurance in place, you’ll find that it almost always turns out to be more beneficial to have a policy in place for your cat in the event of an accident. This is because the price of your excess and premiums will rarely exceed the cost of your cat’s treatment, meaning you actually save money in the long run.

How much is cat insurance

How much does cat insurance cost? The price of cat insurance varies depending on several unique factors related to your cat. As a result, no two cat insurance quotes are the same. Insurers consider factors such as your cat’s age, past medical history, and the likelihood of it being involved in an accident that could lead to a claim when calculating your premiums. That’s why it’s essential to compare multiple quotes to ensure you find the best deal for your cat insurance.

The good news is that cat insurance generally costs less than dog insurance. This is because the average veterinary bill for a cat is lower than that of a dog. Cats are also typically smaller pets than dogs, which means they require less food and space, resulting in long-term cost savings for their owners.

Things to consider when taking out a cat insurance policy

When taking out a pet insurance policy for your cat you should way up which policy would be most beneficial for your situation. For example if you are more concerned about your cat being involved in an accident than an accident-only policy is likely to be the best value for your money. If you are interested in insuring your cat for the duration of it’s life then a lifetime insurance policy could be a more appropriate option.

Here are the common types of pet insurance that you can insure your cat with:

• Accident-only cat insurance – Accident-only cover is usually the cheapest pet insurance you can get, as it only covers your animal for the treatment of any injuries it incurs in an accident. With research suggesting that just 30% of veterinary bills are for accidental injury, this type of policy could leave some pet owners with a large hole in their wallet if their cat gets ill or develops a chronic medical condition.
• Lifetime cover – With this type of policy you agree to pay for the insurance each year and are covered until your cat dies. It’s worth noting that your premiums may increase as your cat ages, although those increases may be capped. The lifetime insurance policy will have an annual maximum payout amount, which will reset each year
• Time-limited pet insurance – With this type of policy cat owners are able to claim for new conditions for a 12-month period, up to a maximum pay-out amount. The policy then needs to be renewed each year, but those conditions are now classed as ‘pre-existing conditions’ and so are excluded on the renewed policy. This type of policy is cheaper than lifetime insurance for your cat, but will often cover fewer and fewer ailments as your pet ages.

The prices of these plans will vary depending on the level of coverage, naturally with more coverage you can expect to pay a greater amount on your premiums. However this may be worth it if you can get your cat the cover it needs.

How to find cheaper insurance

Since the cost of cat insurance will vary depending on breed, age and any existing conditions or injuries, when you’re insuring your cat the best thing to do is compare policies from a range of different insurance providers. This will increase the likelihood that you’ll find a cheaper insurance quote:

Get your cat microchipped – Unlike dog owners, you are not legally obliged to have your cat microchipped, but it might be cheaper to insure your cat if you do so.

Purchase lifetime cat insurance when your animal is young and healthy – Lifetime insurance is more expensive than annual insurance, but it can pay for itself when your cat is older if you first take out the policy when the animal is young and healthy.

Consider getting your cat spayed or neutered – While most insurance providers won’t insist that you have your pet spayed or neutered, they may offer cheaper pet insurance if you do so.

Consider a higher excess – If you’re keen to reduce the initial cost of insuring your cat you could consider accepting a higher excess, although this does mean you’ll have more to pay if you need to make a claim.

By following these steps you can effectively reduce the price of your pet insurance premiums.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.