Cat insurance
- Protect your cat for less than £6.27 per month[1]
- Get covered for unexpected costs. On average, an X-ray can cost between £150 and £350. An MRI scan could cost around £2,500
- Enjoy a year of rewards, on us*
[1] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £6.27 per month in December 2024 for their cat insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.
What is cat insurance?
Cat insurance is designed to help cover the cost of vet bills if your cat gets sick or is injured unexpectedly.
Since a trip to the vet could easily set you back hundreds of pounds, pet insurance for cats could help you avoid an eye-watering pay-out.
Cat insurance typically won’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. So, if your feline friend suffers from a long-term illness, you may need to compare cat insurance quotes from specialist providers.
What our expert says...
"Your cat is an important part of your family, so it makes sense to ensure their health is properly covered. Almost all cats can be insured, regardless of age or pre-existing conditions – although these won’t be included in the cover. So, research your options and compare with us to find cat insurance for your fur baby."
- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert
Do I need cat insurance?
Cat insurance could give you vital protection from hefty vet bills. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), there were 1.8 million claims made in 2023, totalling £1.2 billion. That’s a leap of 32% on the previous year.
It’s upsetting enough if your cat or kitten gets ill or is injured. If you don’t have cat pet insurance in place, you’ll might also have the stress of paying for its treatment. And that can be extremely expensive.
For example, treating a cat for patella luxation (a common knee problem) can cost between £2,000 and £4,000 to treat according to the ABI. And the cost of treating diabetes in a cat typically comes in at £1,300.
How much is cat insurance?
The cost of cat insurance varies. But with Compare the Market, you could insure your moggy for as little as £76 a year[2] when you compare pet insurance for cats.
How much you pay for your cat insurance in the UK will depend on the type of policy and level of cover you choose. Other factors that may affect your cat insurance quote include:
Where you live
The cost of vet treatment varies across the UK. If you live in an area where rent is high, such as London, you’ll probably have to pay more for your cat’s pet insurance.
Your cat’s age
Older cats are more likely to develop illnesses and health problems. So, the older your cat, the higher your premium.
Your cat’s breed
Pedigree cats are usually more expensive to insure. Some breeds are also prone to certain health conditions.
For example, Bengal cats are known to suffer with eye problems and digestive disorders. Persians, on the other hand, can struggle with breathing issues.
Your cat’s overall health
If your cat’s fit and healthy, you’ll typically get a cheaper cat insurance quote. For felines with underlying health conditions, you may need specialist cat insurance.
[2] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £75.24 for their cat insurance in December 2024.
Which is the best pet insurance for cats?
When you compare pet insurance for cats, there are four main types to choose from. All cat insurance policies have limits on how much they’ll pay out per condition and/or an annual limit. This is the maximum they’ll pay in a year.
Your policy will also have an excess. This is the amount you need to pay towards any treatment.
You can choose between these types of cat insurance:
Accident only
This is usually the cheapest pet insurance for cats, but it only covers treatment or operations if your cat is involved in an accident. It won’t cover you if your pet gets ill.
Time limited
This cat insurance covers illnesses as well as accidents, but only for a limited time period. This is typically 12 months from the onset of the condition. You can also only claim once per illness or condition.
If you reach your limit within 12 months, or the condition returns once the 12 months are up, you won’t be covered.
Maximum benefit
This covers illnesses and accidents up to a maximum amount per condition. However, there’s no time limit on when you can claim. So, it’s useful if your cat develops a chronic illness.
Lifetime
This is the most comprehensive type of cat pet insurance, and it's usually the most expensive). It covers your cat for accidents, illnesses or conditions throughout the policy lifetime. The limit is refreshed each year.
If your cat develops a chronic condition and you want it to be covered going forward, you’ll need to renew your policy. Or you could get a cat insurance quote that covers pre-existing conditions.
What should I consider when choosing cat insurance?
Here’s what to look out for when deciding which is the best pet insurance for cats:
- The excess – how much you’ll pay when you make a claim on your insurance. Always check this before taking out a policy. Some insurance providers ask for a percentage-based excess as well as a one-off payment. This could make it more expensive when you come to claim.
- Cover – the amount of cover you’d like for your cat.
- Multiple cat cover – could be cheaper if you have more than one cat.
- How you pay – spreading the cost of your cat’s pet insurance into monthly payments can help you budget. But it’s likely to be more expensive as you’ll be charged interest. Making a one-off annual payment usually works out cheaper.
What does cat insurance cover?
As well as covering your vet bills, some pet insurance for cats will pay out if:
Your cat is stolen or goes missing
Your cat insurance could cover the cost of advertising or a reward. You could also receive a one-off payment if your cat isn’t found.
Death by illness or injury
Some cat insurance providers cover the cost of putting your cat to sleep. Some even cover bereavement counselling.
What’s not covered by cat insurance?
Most UK cat insurance policies won’t cover routine treatments like worming or dental check-ups. Other common exclusions include:
Vaccinations
Cats need to be vaccinated regularly against diseases such as feline leukaemia and cat flu. Unfortunately, most cat insurance providers won’t cover vaccination costs.
Pregnancy and giving birth
Your cat insurance is unlikely to cover treatments or procedures related to pregnancy.
Pre-existing illnesses and injuries
if your cat is diagnosed with a pre-existing condition or illness before you apply for cover, it will be excluded from your cat insurance coverage.
If your cat has an injury that needs regular treatment or flares up from time to time, this is also likely to be excluded.
Dental treatment
Often pet insurance for cats excludes dental treatment, unless it results from an accident or injury.
What do I need to get a cat insurance quote?
To compare cat insurance quotes, we’ll need to know your cat’s:
- Name
- Gender
- Age
- How much you paid for your cat.
We’ll also need to know your cat’s breed, details of any pre-existing medical conditions and to confirm that they’ve been chipped.
What other cat insurance add-ons should I consider?
There are various optional extras you may want to add to your cat insurance:
- Loss and theft cover – if your cat is lost or is stolen, you could receive compensation, plus money towards a reward for whoever finds them.
- Cattery/boarding fees – if you can’t look after your cat for reasons beyond your control (such as going into hospital), you can cover the cost of their care while you’re away.
- Travel insurance – extra cover for your cat while you’re both away.
- Holiday cancellation – you could recover the cost if you’re forced to cancel your holiday because your cat is suddenly ill or injured.
- Death – if your cat dies in an accident, you could get compensation. Like a life insurance package for your cat.
One of the easiest ways to get a pet insurance policy that covers all your cat’s needs is to compare cat insurance quotes. When you compare pet insurance for cats with Compare the Market, we do the legwork for you.
Why use Compare the Market?
Get a quote in 4 minutes[3]
We compare 42 pet insurance products[3]
[3] Correct as of December 2024.
Our providers
We compare pet insurance for cats from leading providers, including Admiral Group, Sainsbury’s Bank, Animal Friends and more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cover more than one cat on the same policy?
Yes, a range of cat pet insurance providers in the UK offer cover for two cats or more. Some even offer a discount for insuring your pets together.
Multi-pet policies work in the same way as insuring a single cat. But they remove some of the hassle of getting cover for each pet. A multi-pet insurance policy means just one set of paperwork and one set of payments.
Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t compare multi-pet insurance policies right now.
Do you need to insure an indoor cat?
Yes. There’s less risk of indoor moggies getting into fights or being hit by a car, but they could still get sick.
Most vet bills for cats are related to illness, not injury. But accidents do still happen. For example, falling from a balcony or open window is fairly common.
Cat pet insurance could give you peace of mind that your indoor cat is covered.
Should I get lifetime or annual cat insurance?
If you can afford it, it’s almost always better to buy lifetime cat insurance. This is ideal if your cat is still young and has yet to be diagnosed with any chronic conditions.
But lifetime cat insurance is more expensive than other types of pet insurance for cats. And some insurance providers might not offer it if your cat is over a certain age.
Can I get pet insurance for my older cat?
Yes, you can find a pet insurance policy for an older cat. But the premium is likely to be more expensive as older cats tend to need more medical care.
You could find the policy comes with more conditions or restrictions; as we’ve mentioned before some can have an upper age limit for their lifetime cover. Also, be aware that most cat insurance providers won’t cover any pre-existing conditions, so always check before you buy.
Is it a legal requirement to microchip your cat?
As of 10 June 2024, all cats must be microchipped before they are 20 weeks old. There’s no minimum age limit for having your cat chipped.
Microchipping is by far the best way of identifying your cat and proving that you’re the owner. That way, your precious cat can be returned to you as soon as possible if it gets lost.
What are the most common cat health problems?
The most common causes of illness in cats include:
- Cat flu – causes a runny nose, sore eyes and can be fatal. But it’s easily prevented by regular vaccination
- Diabetes – just like humans, overweight cats are more at risk. A healthy diet can prevent diabetes, and insulin injections can manage the illness
- Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) – sadly, FeLV is a fatal disease, but it can be prevented through vaccination
- Feline parvovirus – causes serious illness and can be fatal, but is prevented with a vaccine
- Feline chlamydia – a common illness that causes conjunctivitis in cats and can be treated with eye drops and antibiotics.
