There are four main types of cat insurance to choose from:
Accident only offers a fixed sum for each accidental injury you cat suffers. It's the least comprehensive type of pet insurance and only covers accidents, not illnesses. Some policies also have a time limit on how long after an injury you can claim for treatment.
Time limited gives you a fixed sum of money for each separate illness or injury your pet suffers, but will only cover treatment for a specific period of time. This is typically up to 12 months from the start of the illness or injury. Any treatment your pet needs after this may not be covered.
Maximum benefit gives you a set amount of money to cover each illness or injury you cat may suffer. Once the full amount has been paid out for treatment for that injury, you won't be able to claim for the cost of any further treatment for that specific condition.
Lifetime pet insurance is the most comprehensive cat insurance you can get. It should cover any new illnesses or injuries up to a set limit each year. If the policy is renewed annually, you'll be able to claim for conditions or injuries you've already claimed for, which isn't the case on other policies. This can make it ideal for managing long-term conditions like diabetes.
There are a few things that can affect the cost of your cat insurance, so the prices you're quoted will be tailored to you and your pet.
Things that can affect the cost include:
As an example of how much it can cost, here’s the average cat owner's monthly insurance price based on the age of their cat:
| Cat's age | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
|
0-4
|
£7.99
|
|
5-9
|
£8.76
|
|
10-14
|
£14.01
|
|
15-19
|
£21.90
|
|
20+
|
£20.45
|
Prices based on Confused.com data taken between 01/01/2023 – 31/03/2023. Costs shown are based on the average price paid for cover across all cover types, breeds, and in all locations.
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Usually no. Most policies won't pay out for any preventative procedures like spaying, neutering or vaccination.
There's benefit in paying for these procedures yourself, though, as they'll often bring the cost of your policy down. So the upfront cost can be worth it in the long run.
Cat insurance can be more expensive for older cats, as insurers see them as being at an increased risk of illness. But insuring them can still be worth it.
Even though your premiums are likely to be higher than those for a younger cat, a policy could still be worth it if you're saddled with a big vet bill.
Plus, the peace of mind in knowing that your cat is covered can often justify the cost anyway.
If you have a pedigree cat like a maine coon, Persian or sphynx, it can be a little more expensive to insure than your standard moggie.
This is because some pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain conditions, which can make them seem riskier to insure to your insurer.
Moggies are usually seen as lower risk for hereditary, or genetic conditions, so can be cheaper to insure.
But this isn't always the case, so compare quotes to see what's available.
Pet insurance usually doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. Learn more about finding cover for a pet with a pre-existing condition.
Find out what you need to know about vaccinating your cat or dog.
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