Is cat insurance worthwhile? Let us find out. When you get home, your cat is vomiting and drowsy. You rush her to the vet, only to discover that she has swallowed one of your bones and requires emergency surgery, which will cost you several thousand pounds. Can you afford to pay that bill? If not, pet insurance may be something to consider.
Cat insurance helps to cover the cost of your cat’s medical care. It can cover expenses such as cancer treatment, emergency care, prescription medications, and surgery.
In some extreme cases, pet insurance may save the life of an animal that would otherwise be euthanized if its owner was unable to afford costly treatment.
However, if your pet is rarely ill, you may end up paying thousands of dollars in premiums without receiving much in return.
Is pet insurance worthwhile? Here is some information to assist you in making your decision.
What does cat insurance do?
These are policies that help you pay for veterinary care and medical expenses if your pet is injured or becomes ill.
The policies available can vary significantly in cost, what they cover and what they don’t include.
The more comprehensive policies cover:
- dental costs
- loss of a pet through theft and third-party liability – where a pet has caused damage or harm to property or a person.
Do I need cat insurance?
If you’re unsure whether cat insurance is worthwhile, consider how you’d handle an unexpected bill.
Costs vary depending on the treatment and location, but they can run into the hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.
You must weigh this against the cost of your premiums and the likelihood of filing a claim.
Whether or not pet insurance is worthwhile depends on a variety of factors, which are as follows:
- How old is your cat?
- Can you self insure?
- How risky your cat is
- The years of your pet?
How old is your cat?
Older animals can be more expensive to insure, but they are also more likely to require medical attention.
Can you self insure?
This is a viable option, but it takes a lot of self-control to ensure that money is always available, especially if you’re covering expensive, ongoing care.
How risky your cat is
Cats are predisposed to congenital diseases and hereditary conditions.
They are also more prone to theft. Similarly, certain breeds are more prone to specific problems.
The years of your cat?
The years of your cat are also a determining factor that affects your cat insurance. The older the more difficult it becomes to insure your cat.
What Does Cat Insurance Cover?
You’ll want to know what pet insurance covers now that you’ve taken a crash course in the cost of caring for a pet. The amount that the insurance company will pay for medical expenses is specified in the policy.
Accident and illness plans typically cover:
- Broken bones
- Toxic ingestion
- Dental illnesses like gingivitis
- Chronic conditions like diabetes
- Breed-specific conditions like hip dysplasia
- Emergency care
- Surgery
- Disnitic testing
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Prescription medications
An accident-only cat insurance policy will cover veterinary expenses incurred as a result of an accident, such as a torn ligament or a pet ingesting something poisonous. However, an accident-only policy will not cover veterinary costs associated with an illness, such as ear infections or cancer.
Some pet insurance policies allow you to add wellness or routine care coverage. This supplement covers routine check-ups, microchipping, vaccinations, and flea/tick prevention.
What Does cat Insurance Cost?
Based on £5,000 in annual coverage, a 250 deductible, and a reimbursement level of 90%, our analysis found that the average yearly cost for dogs is around $684 and $336 for cats. However, your expenses will vary depending on factors such as:
- Cat’s breed. Some cats are more susceptible to certain conditions than others. For this reason, it may cost more to insure certain pets. For example, larger dogs usually cost more to insure.
- Cat’s age. As cats age, they are more susceptible to accidents and illnesses.
- Cat’s gender. Female cats may be considered a lower risk, which can result in lower pet insurance premiums.
- Location. Vet costs vary by location. If the vet costs are higher in your area, you may pay more for coverage.
Types of cat insurance (pet insurance) cover
There are four main types of pet insurance – Lifetime, Annual (or time-limited), Accident only and Maximum benefit.
Lifetime
This is the most comprehensive type of coverage available.
You pay premiums every year for the life of your pet, and the insurer is required to keep you covered – regardless of age or any existing conditions (subject to conditions). Your premiums are likely to rise as your pet ages.
Annual (or time-limited)
On a rolling basis, you pay for 12 months of coverage. This gives you the option of switching to a less expensive policy each year.
This type of policy is less expensive, but it may provide less comprehensive coverage and will generally not cover pre-existing conditions. As your cat ages, it will be more difficult to find insurance.
Accident only
The most basic and least expensive level of coverage available. It covers accidents but not illnesses (for example, your dog being hit by a car).
Maximum benefit
This coverage, also known as ‘per condition,’ provides a fixed sum to treat each illness or injury for the duration of the policy.
How to buy cat insurance
Because cat insurance can be costly, it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. A good place to start is with comparison websites. However, they do not all cover the entire market. So shop around to ensure you don’t miss out on any good deals.
Cat insurance is available from a variety of retailers, as well as directly from insurers.
Petplan and Healthy Pets are two specialists in this market. Under a deal that many breeders now offer, you may be able to get the first four or five weeks of insurance for free. A broker may be able to assist you if you are having difficulty finding insurance for an exotic pet.
FAQs about cat insurance
Are cat insurance worth it?
Cat insurance can protect you from the costs of treating your pet if they suffer from an illness – or are injured in an accident – and need treatment from a vet. It could save you from an unexpected – and potentially high – bill.
Is cat insurance expensive?
Cat insurance can be relatively expensive, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. Comparison websites are a good place to start. But they don’t all cover the whole market. So use a few different sites to make sure you don’t miss any good deals.
What does cat insurance cover uk?
Cat insurance policies, like other types of pet insurance, can vary greatly. The coverage available is divided into costs associated with vet bills and items included in addition to those.
