Regardless of how well you care for them, one in every three kittens will have an accident or sickness that necessitates veterinary attention each year. Many pet owners prefer to purchase pet insurance policies in order to cover these unexpected costs.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), approximately 4.3 million pets in the United Kingdom were insured in 2018. In the same year, pet insurers paid out £785 million in claims, with the average claim amounting to roughly £800.
What is Kitten Insurance?
Kitten insurance is a sort of pet insurance or cat insurance. Once your kitten is four weeks old, you can usually purchase insurance for him or her. It’s a good idea to get insurance while your pet is young and then renew it every year. This is due to the fact that most kitten or cat insurance policies do not cover ‘pre-existing conditions’. Therefore, you should provide coverage before your pet develops any medical issues.
Types of Kitten Insurance
Kitten insurance is classified into four types:
- Lifetime
- Time-Limited.
- Maximum Benefit
- Accident-only
#1. Lifetime
While it is not always the cheapest option, getting pet insurance when your pet is young is easier because older pets are viewed as a higher risk, especially if they have any pre-existing medical concerns. This sort of policy covers your pet for the rest of its life, as long as you renew it each year.
#2. Time-limited pet insurance
Time-limited policies can cover your kitten for any new sickness up to a certain cost and within a specific time span (usually 12 months).
#3. Maximum benefit pet insurance
This policy will cover your kitten for any new conditions up to a certain cost limit. There is no time limit on filing a claim as long as the insurance policy is still in effect. However, if the cost limit has been exhausted, you are no longer covered for the condition, even if you renew your policy.
#4. Accident-only
If your kitten thinks of itself as a bit of a top cat and knows no fear, you may go for this type of policy. However, keep in mind that it only covers the costs of treatment following an accident, not the costs of illness.
Is it Necessary for me to Purchase Kitten Insurance?
Kitten insurance provides peace of mind in knowing that if your kitten has an accident, illness, or disease, at least a portion of the cost of veterinary care will be covered. Many policies also feature additional advantages. These could include:
#1. Death as a result of an unintentional injury or illness
If your kitten dies, you may be able to recoup the amount you paid for him or her, up to a specific maximum. When it comes to paying out if a pet dies due to disease, most policies have a maximum age limit.
#2. Promotion and incentive
If your kitten is stolen or lost, insurance will cover the cost of advertising up to a particular amount in order to assist you in recovering your kitten. Some policies will also contain a monetary incentive that can be given to anyone who finds your missing kitten.
#3. Fees for boarding
If you are admitted to the hospital for several days, your insurance will cover some of the costs of having your pet cared for by a cattery or professional pet-minding service.
#4. Cover for holiday cancellations
If you have to postpone or shorten your vacation because your kitten goes missing or requires life-saving treatment, insurance will cover you up to a certain amount.
What does kitten insurance not cover?
All insurance policies include exclusions,” or items that are not covered. A kitten insurance policy may have the following exclusions:
- Vaccinations, neutering, and dental check-ups
- Pre-existing conditions that you were diagnosed with prior to purchasing the policy
- animals that are under or over a specific age
- everything having to do with breeding or pregnancy
- The surplus on the policy
- euthanasia
- behavioural issues or characteristics
- Any illness that occurs within the first 14 days of coverage
- Claims arising from any commercial work performed by your kitten
How Much Does Kitten Insurance Cost?
Several things will influence the cost of your kitten insurance. These are some examples:
- the breed and age of your kitten
- where you reside
- The type of policy you select
- how much coverage is provided by the policy?
- The provider of pet insurance
The average cost of kitten insurance in a low-risk UK area is around £150 per year, according to figures from the government’s Money Advice Service. However, the finest kitten insurance policies, which provide lifetime coverage, will cost more than this. Keep in mind that, with practically any sort of insurance policy, paying annually rather than monthly is almost always cheaper.
Is it possible to insure more than one kitten?
Multiple kittens can normally be covered under a single policy. Some policies allow you to insure up to five cats on the same policy. If you have more than one kitten on the same pet insurance policy, you may be eligible for a discount.
What Does Kitten Insurance Typically Cover?
You should always double-check your coverage specifics because policies of the same type can vary depending on the insurance provider. If you know you need insurance for something specific, such as vacation or dental care, double-check the fine print.
Also, confirm whether vet bills are covered by your policy and whether your insurance company pays your vet directly or if you must pay first and then get the money back.
Policies may include the following:
- Advertising coverage — if your kitten goes missing, you may be able to recoup the cost of putting up posters and perhaps paying a reward.
- Cattery expenses — If you needed to travel to the hospital and couldn’t locate a cat sitter to care for your kitten, your insurance may cover the cost of a cattery.
- Death by accident or sickness is not something you want to think about when you have a kitten, but some policies may reimburse you for the amount you bought for your kitten if the worst happens.
- Euthanasia, cremation, and burial – while fortunately a long way off, you may be able to get some assistance with the associated costs.
Is it necessary for my kitten to be microchipped in order to qualify?
A microchip is a small radio chip with a unique number that can be used to help identify a pet. If he or she is lost or stolen, rescue organizations and veterinarians can look up your information and contact you.
Microchipping a dog is a legal requirement, but there is no requirement to microchip your kitten, even for insurance purposes.
Having said that, it may be an excellent idea. Kittens are daring, so having them microchipped might help you find them if they get away.
From the age of five weeks, your cat can be microchipped — it’s simple and can be done at the vet. Before letting your kitten outside for the first time, you should consider microchipping them.
What is the Best Place to get Kitten Insurance?
Kitten insurance is available from a variety of insurance firms. Make sure to shop around and compare premiums and policies to get the finest kitten insurance at the greatest price.
How to Get Cheaper Kitten Insurance
First and foremost, cat owners should compare car insurance rates from several insurance providers before picking which one to use. That way, customers can be confident they’re getting the proper policy for their cat at the right price for their budget.
Second, choosing a life insurance policy can save you money on insurance in the long run, even if it is more expensive at first.
Aside from the insurance policy itself, there are a few additional things you can do to boost your chances of finding affordable kitten insurance:
- Because your cat will be easier to find if it is ever lost or stolen, having your kitten microchipped may result in lower insurance premiums.
- Allowing your cat to live indoors can often lower your insurance costs because indoor cats are less likely to be hurt or lost than outdoor cats.
- Having your cat spayed or neutered can occasionally lower the cost of your cat insurance.
- Choosing a higher excess will reduce the initial cost of your pet insurance, but it will cost you more if you need to make a claim.
- Purchasing multi-pet insurance can be less expensive than insuring each pet individually.
Considerations for Kitten Insurance
It is critical to shop around for kitten insurance policies. You may be on the same policy for a long time, so you should make sure you’re happy with the coverage and the price.
Switching pet insurance companies can be difficult, especially if your pet develops a pre-existing ailment or you need to file a claim. That’s because, in order to keep that condition covered, you’d have to keep renewing your policy with the same insurer. Even so, unless you buy a lifetime policy, there will be a time limit on how long you may keep claiming for that ailment, whether it’s financial or time-based.
Pre-existing medical issues are typically not covered by pet insurance. There are, however, specialised policies available if your kitten already has one. You can also exclude your pet from coverage. Your kitten is probably fighting fit, so if you believe you need a lifetime policy, getting one while your cat is young and healthy is a good option. That way, you’ll be prepared for anything that may arise in the future.
What are the Alternatives to Pet Insurance?
Cat owners are frequently tempted to forego pet insurance, especially if they have previously owned a cat, paid to cover it, and never needed to make a substantial claim. The alternative frequently takes the form of either paying for treatment for accidents and diseases as they occur, using savings, credit cards, or borrowing, or putting money aside each month into a designated “emergency fund” for use if the cat requires veterinary care.
Either of these options can work if the owner has enough money on hand in case something goes wrong and if the cat is fortunate enough to be healthy and accident-free for the majority of its life.
When kittens fall out of bedroom windows before their owner has saved enough money in their account for expert orthopaedic surgery to mend fractured bones, this strategy does not work so well. As a regular element of cat ownership, pet insurance should be considered. It is an expenditure, much like feeding your kitten and purchasing toys and bedding for them, but if you purchase the correct policy for your needs, it should provide you with peace of mind should the unexpected occur.
Kitten Insurance FAQ’s
What age can you insure a kitten?
In general, kittens between the ages of six and eight weeks can be insured.
Can I take out pet insurance after diagnosis?
You can, but most typical plans will not cover you if you have a pre-existing medical condition. If you want coverage for your pet’s medical concerns, you’ll need to find a specialised insurer. You can still purchase pet insurance from standard pet insurers.
How long do pet insurance claims take?
Processing a pet insurance claim is normally simple, and the payout should take between 10 and 20 working days.
