Compare Cat Pet Insurance

How much is cat insurance?

Cat ownership is incredibly popular in the UK, with more than 12.5 million cats living their best lives here. Owning a cat in the UK can bring a lot of joy to your life, but it also comes with its responsibilities – such as ensuring that your furry friend has adequate insurance coverage. Cat insurance can help manage veterinary costs and ensure your pet gets the best care possible if they get sick or injured.

The cost of pet insurance in the UK can vary widely depending on several factors, making it important for cat owners to understand what influences premiums and how they can potentially reduce costs. A few of the main factors that guide the price of your cat insurance includes:

• Type of coverage: Basic plans such as ‘Accident Only’ are less expensive than more comprehensive options like ‘Lifetime Coverage’. The broader the coverage, the higher the premium.
• Cat’s age: Generally, the older the cat, the higher the insurance costs. This is because older cats are more likely to develop health issues and require more medical care.
• Breed: Some cat breeds are predisposed to specific health conditions and may cost more to insure. For example, breeds like Persians or Bengals might have higher premiums due to their genetic health risks.
• Location: Veterinary costs vary across the UK, which is why insurance premiums can be higher in areas where veterinary services are more expensive, such as major cities.
• Excess: Policies with higher excesses usually have lower monthly premiums. However, there will be a risk of paying more due to a high excess if you ever need to use the policy.

Average costs of cat insurance

The average cost of cat insurance will vary based on the factors outlined above. For example, the average cost to insure a British Shorthair was £224 per year in 2024. In comparison, a Maine Coon costs in excess of £300 per year to insure on average.

The type of coverage that you choose and the age of your cat are two other big factors that will impact the overall price of your policy. So, keep these factors in mind when reviewing insurance costs as they will have an impact.

Tips for reducing cat insurance costs

Although you can’t change the type of cat you have or their age, there are still a few things you can do to help keep your insurance premiums low. So make sure that you compare different insurers using a reputable platform such as Forces Compare. This will allow you to get a deal that suits your needs by assessing the quotes from a wide variety of providers. You can also opt to pay your insurance as an annual lump sum instead of monthly, which helps save you on interest.

Beyond this, you can maintain your cat’s health to ensure that they won’t develop expensive chronic conditions such as diabetes. By attending regular check-ups with your cat, you can catch issues before they develop into costly medical issues.

What does cat insurance cover?

Cat insurance in the UK is designed to alleviate the financial strain of unexpected veterinary costs. However, the specifics of what each policy covers can vary significantly between insurers and plans. Here’s a breakdown of typical coverage options available:

Standard coverage

Standard policies will typically include coverage for accidents and injuries endured by your cat. This might include the cost of treating injuries that stem from accidents, like fractures, cuts and burns. Similarly, this coverage can be used to help diagnose and treat illnesses ranging from cat flu to cancer. In extreme cases, your insurance will also cover surgical procedures, hospital stays and associated medical care.

Additional coverage

Beyond the standard coverage, you can typically get additional coverage for a number of treatments and services. These include:

• Dental care: Some insurers offer coverage for dental treatment, either as part of a comprehensive plan or as an optional add-on. This typically covers dental accidents and sometimes extends to routine care.
• Chronic conditions: Provided primarily under lifetime policies, this covers ongoing conditions that require treatment across multiple years, such as arthritis or kidney disease.
• Alternative therapies: Coverage might include treatments like acupuncture, physiotherapy, or chiropractic care if prescribed by a vet.
• Behavioural issues: Treatment for behavioural problems that are diagnosed by a vet, which could include consultations and therapy.
• Prescription medications: Medications prescribed by a vet that are necessary for the treatment of covered accidents or illnesses.
• Euthanasia: If medically necessary, some policies will cover the cost of euthanasia to prevent the cat from suffering.
• Overseas travel cover: For those who travel, some policies extend their coverage to include vet treatment abroad, typically within the EU.

Optional extras

Some policies might offer additional optional extras to cover your cat more comprehensively. Depending on your circumstances, these could be quite useful to include. For example, there may be an option to cover cattery fees if you are unable to care for your cat due to illness or injury. Similarly, some insurers may pay a lump sum if your cat dies or has to be put to sleep due to an illness or injury covered by your policy.

Exclusions

While cat insurance covers a range of potential needs, there are common exclusions that you should keep in mind. Generally speaking, this will include any pre-existing conditions that your cat had before coverage started. Other exclusions may include the costs associated with breeding or pregnancy. Other things, such as preventative and routine treatments, are typically not covered in your insurance.

Understanding exactly what each cat insurance policy covers is key to selecting the right one for your pet. Always read the policy details carefully to ensure it meets your and your cat’s specific needs.

Multi-cat insurance

For households with more than one feline friend, multi-cat insurance can be a convenient and cost-effective option. This type of insurance allows you to cover multiple cats under a single policy, simplifying the management of your pets’ insurance while often providing a discount on premiums.

Benefits of multi-cat insurance

The biggest benefit of multi-car insurance is that you will likely be significantly less with this coverage compared to taking out individual policies for your cats. It also makes it easier to manage the administrative side of the insurance, as you’ll be dealing with a single policy instead of multiple ones. By having a unified form of coverage for your cats, they will all receive the same level of care if the policy is used.

How it works

A multi-cat insurance policy works in the same way as a standard one does, with the difference being that it covers multiple cats at once. So, it should cover all of your cats for accidents, illnesses, surgeries and potentially even optional extras like cattery fees.

It’s worth noting that the policy details will differ between insurers, so make sure you check what’s covered. Certain limits on claims may be put in place, either per cat or shared across all cats. So, take the time to look at the specifics of each policy to find one that meets your needs.

Choosing the right policy

As mentioned above, you should take the time to assess different policies to find the best one for your needs. This should go beyond simply finding the cheapest possible price – it should offer you and your cats a level of coverage that will be useful and effective. To understand your needs, consider the health and age of your cats. Some may need a more comprehensive form of coverage than others, which could influence your decision.

What’s more, not all insurers will offer a multi-cat discount (or even a policy to cover multiple cats) and terms will likely vary. By using Forces Compare, you can effectively compare different policies and find a deal that suits your needs with the most suitable coverage. With that said, it’s always a good idea to double check the terms of the policy to make sure it’s fit for purpose. Some policies may have a maximum claim limit per condition instead of per cat, for example, so be mindful of this.

Considerations for multi-cat insurance

There are a few important things to consider when choosing multi-cat policies to ensure you’re choosing the right one. If your cats have significant age differences, consider how this affects renewals and premium changes as each cat ages.

If any of your cats have pre-existing conditions make sure they are covered. Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered, which might affect newly added cats if they have known health issues. You should also check if the renewal terms change if one cat claims more than the others, as this could affect your premiums and the overall cost-effectiveness of the policy.

Cat insurance for older cats

Insuring an older cat can be a bit more challenging than insuring a younger one. As cats age, they are more likely to develop health issues, which can make finding affordable and comprehensive insurance tricky. However, there are options available specifically designed to cater to the needs of senior felines.

Types of policies for older cats

There are three categories of coverage that you’ll be looking at when it comes to insuring an older cat. These include:

• Lifetime coverage: Lifetime coverage is the most comprehensive option and is recommended for older cats as it covers ongoing conditions throughout the cat’s life, provided the policy is renewed each year.
• Time-limited coverage: More affordable but less comprehensive, this insurance provides coverage for conditions for a certain period, typically 12 months, after which the condition is excluded.
• Accident only: This is a more basic form of coverage that only covers injuries resulting from accidents and does not cover illnesses. It’s usually cheaper and available for cats of any age.

Challenges of insuring older cats

There are a few unique challenges that you’ll face when trying to insure an older cat. As senior cats are more likely to require medical treatments, insurers charge higher premiums for these types of policies. There is also the issue of pre-existing conditions, which are more common with older cats. These conditions will typically be excluded from the policy, so your cat won’t receive coverage for treatment associated with these pre-existing conditions.

Finally, there is the issue of limited options for older cats. As this type of coverage is more high risk for insurers, less options are available for you to choose from. This can make it more challenging to compare prices.

Tips for choosing insurance for an older cat

There are a few things that you can do to make sure that the policy you choose for an older cat is both cost-effective and suitable for your needs. Below are a few tips to help you on your journey of finding the right insurance for a senior cat:

• Start coverage early: The earlier you insure your cat, the better. This minimises issues related to coverage for pre-existing conditions and ensures that your cat will be fully covered for these issues.
• Compare senior pet insurance plans: Look for plans specifically tailored for older pets. These plans are designed to address the needs and health issues common among senior cats. By using Forces Compare, you can assess different policies to find the best one for your needs.
• Check for age limits: Certain policies will have strict requirements for the age of your cat. Ensure that the insurance policy does not have age limits that would affect your ability to renew the policy as your cat continues to age.

Additional coverage options

Depending on your needs, it might be wise to consider some of the additional coverage options offered by providers. This is especially true for older cats, as some of the add-ons can be really useful. This might include coverage for dental care, as older cats are more prone to dental issues. In some cases, you might want to also look into coverage for alternative treatments like acupuncture or chiropractic care as they can be beneficial for managing chronic conditions common in older cats.

Cat dental insurance

Dental health is significant part of your cats well-being, but dental treatments can be expensive. Cat dental insurance can help manage these costs, ensuring your cat keeps a healthy mouth without breaking your budget.

Understanding dental insurance for cats

Dental insurance for cats typically covers treatments related to dental accidents and illnesses. Coverage can vary widely between policies, so it’s important to understand what is included in each option. It’s a worthwhile form of coverage as cat dental treatments are typically required annually.

What does cat dental insurance cover?

Dental insurance for your cat will cover an extensive range of treatments that focus on dental health. This generally includes:

• Dental accidents: This includes treatment for broken teeth or damage resulting from an accident.
• Dental diseases: Coverage often includes diseases such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, which are common in cats.
• Extractions and surgery: Many dental policies cover necessary extractions and any surgery required to treat dental diseases or injuries.
• Diagnostic tests: This can include X-rays or other diagnostics related to dental health issues.

Choosing the right dental coverage

When it comes to choosing the right dental coverage for your cat, there are a few main considerations. Firstly, you will need to check to see whether or not your existing policy includes dental coverage. Some providers will have it as part of their standard policies, while others offer it as an add-on to your cover.

The other thing to factor in is the financial side of things. Many policies will have an annual maximum benefit limit applied, so make sure that this limit will cover future dental treatments for your cat. Similarly, the excess applied to the policy should be manageable for you. Make sure it isn’t too high otherwise you’ll end up out of pocket when it comes time to claim.

Why consider cat dental insurance?

Dental insurance is a smart move when it comes to covering cats as good dental health is a top priority for felines. By taking care of a cats teeth, their overall quality of life is kept to a high standard, allowing them to live a happy life. Dental insurance will ensure this by providing coverage for regular dental check-ups, which can catch serious dental issues before they develop into real problems.

Dental insurance for cats is also a cost-effective option – especially over the course of a cats life. Dental treatments – especially more complex surgeries such as root canals – can be very expensive. Your insurance policy will cover these costs for you, ensuring that you’ll never have to choose between your cat’s health and your budget.

Cat insurance is a wise investment for cat owners who want to ensure their pets receive the best possible healthcare. Given the high cost of many procedures and their importance for overall health, having good coverage for your cat can provide peace of mind and financial protection.

So, are you ready to find cover that suits your needs at the cheapest price? Let Forces Compare help. Click the Get Quote button to get started.