Is it worth insuring an old cat?

Not everyone adopts or buys a cat when it is a kitten. Some people prefer to adopt older animals, so they have a chance to live out the rest of their days in a happy home. For this reason, people might want to get insurance for an older cat, but is it worth it?

If you want to keep your older cat safe and make sure they get the care they need, then insurance is a great option.

However, the problem with insuring an older cat is that insurance companies often see them as a risk. This is because cats often have health problems when they grow old and it will mean more frequent trips to the vets. This could result in the insurance company paying out more, which isn’t always a risk they want to take.

There is good news though. There are some insurance companies that offer certain policies for older animals and even ones that specialise in them. That way you can insure your pet and give them the treatment they need.

Do I need pet insurance for an older cat?

Pet insurance can help people with the financial aspects of looking after a pet. Vet bills can go up into the hundreds and thousands of dollars, depending on what they are being treated for. Not everyone can afford these fees, which is where insurance comes in.

Pet insurance allows people to make a claim and only pay the deductible, or excess fee, which is often far less than the vet bill would have been.

A cat over the age of seven is seen as old and will be at a greater risk of developing illnesses than a young cat. This is why insurance for an older cat is important. However, the premiums will often be more expensive, which is something to be aware of.

If you are worried that your older cat could become ill or injure themselves, it is a good idea to look into pet insurance and see what options are available.

Are there any exclusions?

With insurance policies, there are some exclusions that you need to be on the look out for. Most companies won’t cover any pre-existing conditions, which are more likely to occur in an older cat. Sometimes owners might not even know about a condition until it is adopted, but most are informed straight away.

This means that the owner will have to pay for all the treatment for that condition, unless they find an insurance policy that will cover the costs.

Sometimes there are also age limits on a new policy. However, this depends on the insurance provider. When most owners take out a policy, their cat is below the age limit. As long as they continue paying, the policy will cover their pet. This isn’t always an option for older cats who are over the age limit when owners apply for pet insurance.

What type of insurance should I get for an older cat?

There are a number of insurance options to choose from if you want to insure an older cat. While the following are also available for younger cats, the terms and conditions might be different for an older cat.

Lifetime Pet Coverage

The lifetime pet coverage insurance will cover vet fees up to a certain amount each year. Most people get this option if they are worried about a pet developing a long-term or recurring illness. When the policy is renewed, the premiums might increase a little, but the amount you are allowed will also be reset.

There are different levels of lifetime insurance available and it depends on the insurance provider. For older pets, the premium will be more expensive, and the excess fee is often more too.

Another thing an owner might be expected to pay is a percentage of the vet fees. This could be anywhere between 10 and 25% of the total cost. The percentage that you contribute will depend on the age of the cat, with owners of older cats having to pay more.

In the long run, it is almost always cheaper to get the insurance than it is to pay all the vet bills by yourself.

Time Limited Pet Insurance

Time limited insurance policies usually cover a pet for 12 months and will only cover illnesses or accidents within this time frame. If a condition continues when the cover finishes, it will be classed as a pre-existing condition. This type of insurance might not suit older cats as they are more likely to develop a long -erm condition.

Frequently asked questions about insuring an older cat

Will pet insurance cost more than the treatments?

Insurance quotes for an older cat will be more expensive than some owners are used to. It takes the cat’s breed, age, size and health into consideration, so the older the pet is the more expensive the quote will be.

If you don’t think your pet will be visiting the vet often and has been healthy the last couple of years, the insurance may seem very expensive. However, there is no way of knowing when an illness might strike, or when an accident might happen.

Certain operations and treatment can be very expensive, which is why insurance is needed. Sometimes it is worth speaking to a vet to find out the costs of common treatments to see if you could afford it without insurance.

How do I find the best insurance deal for my older cat?

Going on comparison sites is one of the best ways to find insurance deals. You can input all the information about your older cat and when submitted, the results will show suitable providers. Some may even specialise in offering policies for older animals.

What is classed as a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is usually classified as a condition that a pet has suffered from for the last 5 years. Some insurance providers say it is one that happened in the last 2 or even 6 years. It will not be covered by insurance and you will have to pay the costs yourself.

Insuring an older cat can give peace of mind

Cats can live for many years. While an older cat is classified as one over the age of 7, they can live until their teens. Getting pet insurance for them can help with the cost of vet fees and give peace of mind.