Cat insurance

Cover for your faithful feline

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Concentrate on care, not costs

Cat insurance can help with vet bills, which can run to thousands of pounds

Search for affordable cat cover

10% of our customers were quoted less than £3.26 a month for cat insurance^

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^ 10% of our customers were quoted less than £3.26 per month in June 2026.

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What is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is designed to help cover the cost of vet bills if your cat gets sick or is injured.

A trip to the vet could easily set you back hundreds of pounds, but pet insurance could help you avoid an expensive payout.

Cat insurance typically won’t cover preventative treatments or 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.

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Which is the best pet insurance for cats?

The best pet insurance for cats depends on your cat’s needs and your budget.

When comparing options, there are four main types to choose from.

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Do I need cat insurance?

Although you don’t legally need pet insurance for cats, it could give you vital protection from hefty vet bills.

It’s upsetting enough if your cat or kitten gets ill or is injured, but if you don’t have cat pet insurance in place, you’ll also have the stress of paying for its treatment - and that can be extremely expensive.

For example, according to 2024 data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI):

  • Treating a cat for patella luxation (a common knee problem) can cost between £2,000 and £4,000

  • The cost of treating diabetes in a cat typically comes in at £1,300.

Did you know?

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 1.8 million pet insurance claims were made in 2024, totalling £1.2 billion.

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 £68 a year2 when you compare pet insurance for cats.

How much you pay for your cat insurance will depend on the type of policy and level of cover you choose. Other factors that may affect your cat insurance quote include:

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Where you live

Vet costs vary across the UK. If you live in London or another big city, premiums may be higher than the countryside as vets often charge more due to higher overheads.

City living also means busier roads, which can increase the chance of your cat being involved in an accident.

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Your cat’s age

You’re more likely to get cheap cat insurance if your pet is young. As cats get older, they’re more prone to developing health issues, which can push premiums up.

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Your cat’s breed

Pedigree cats are usually more expensive to insure as they’re prone to certain health conditions.

For example:

  • Bengal cats are known to suffer with eye problems and digestive disorders

  • Persian cats can struggle with breathing issues.

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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.

Amy Rootham

What our expert says...

"Your cat is an important part of your family. Like humans, cats are prone to common conditions such as obesity and diabetes. So, along with taking good care of their health, it’s important to make sure they’re adequately covered if they need vet care down the line.

"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 feline friend."

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

What should I consider when choosing cat insurance?

The excess

  • How much you’ll pay towards a claim on your insurance.  Always check this is affordable before taking out a policy. 

    Some insurance providers ask for a percentage-based co-payment as well as a one-off payment. This could make it more expensive when you make a claim.

Cover

  • The amount of vet fee cover you’d like for your cat.

    Think about whether it feels right for their lifestyle and medical needs as well as your budget.

Multiple cat cover

  • If you have more than one cat, multi-cat insurance could work out cheaper than separate policies.

What does cat insurance cover?

Cat insurance can cover:

Vet bills

The costs of diagnosing and treating unexpected illnesses and injuries

A missing or stolen cat

Your cat insurance could cover the cost of advertising or a reward and may give you 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, while others also cover bereavement counselling

Cattery costs

Some policies will cover the cost of a cattery if you need to go to the hospital for a few days

Common exclusions include:

Routine treatments and vaccinations

Routine treatments include worming or dental check-ups. Cats also need to be vaccinated regularly against diseases but most providers won’t cover these costs

Pregnancy and giving birth

Your cat insurance is unlikely to cover pregnancy-related treatments or procedures

Pre-existing illnesses and injuries

if your cat is diagnosed with a pre-existing condition or illness before you apply for cover, it normally won’t be covered by your policy. Injuries that need regular treatment or flare up from time to time are also likely to be excluded

Dental treatment

Dental treatment is often excluded unless it’s needed because of 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 and breed

  • Details of any pre-existing conditions

  • How much you paid for your cat

You'll also need to confirm that your cat has been chipped.

What other cat insurance add-ons should I consider?

Here are various optional extras you may want to add to your cat insurance:

  • Loss and theft cover – if your cat goes missing or is stolen, you could get compensation and money towards a reward for whoever finds them

  • Cattery/boarding fees – if your cat goes missing or is stolen, you could get compensation and money towards a reward for whoever finds them

  • Travel insurance – extra cover for your cat while you’re both on holiday

  • Holiday cancellation – could help you recover costs if you have to cancel your trip

  • Death – if your cat dies in an accident, you could get compensation

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Explore cat cover options

Browse practical pet insurance information and helpful resources for cat owners

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Find out about neutering benefits, risks and how much you might pay
See all our pet insurance guides

FAQs

Is cat insurance worth it?

Given the cost of vet bills, it can be worthwhile getting cat insurance. Cats can be unpredictable, so you never know when they might get into an accident, injure themselves or fall ill.

Cat insurance can help make sure your cat gets the best care if needed.

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 or more cats and some even offer a discount when you insure them together.

Multi-pet policies work in the same way as insuring a single cat but they can save time and hassle by giving you one policy. That means it’s just one set of paperwork and payments for your cats.

Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t compare multi-pet insurance policies right now.

Do you need to insure an indoor cat?

Yes, you should still think about insuring an indoor cat. 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 rather than injury, but accidents do still happen at home.

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, lifetime cat insurance is the most comprehensive choice. It can be ideal if your cat is still young and hasn’t yet been diagnosed with any chronic conditions.

But keep in mind that:

  • Lifetime cat insurance is more expensive than other types of pet insurance for cats

  • 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 bear in mind that:

  • It’s likely to be more expensive as older cats tend to need more medical care

  • Cover may come with more conditions or restrictions

  • Some policies can have an upper age limit for their lifetime cover

  • 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?

Yes, legally you must microchip your cat. As of 10 June 2024, all cats must be microchipped before they are 20 weeks old.

Microchipping is the best way of identifying your cat and proving that you’re the owner. That way, your 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 is easily prevented by regular vaccinations

  • 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.

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Amy Rootham
Reviewed 09 Jun 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.

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1 Based on Trustpilot ratings (July 2026).

2 51% of our customers were quoted less than £67.39 for their cat insurance in June 2026.