Compare Cat Insurance

Most pet insurance policies typically have a benefit percentage, which is the percentage of the bill your insurer will pay for. This typically ranges between 70% and 90%, although it can be more or less depending on your policy and insurance provider. In most instances, you’ll need to pay the vet’s invoice upfront and then claim some of your eligible costs back from your insurer.

Most pet insurance policies also have an annual benefit limit – a cap on how much your insurer will pay in claims each year. Also, there may be sub-limits for specific conditions. For example, your policy may have an annual benefit limit of $10,000 but a $500 sub-limit for cruciate ligament conditions.

You’ll normally have to pay an excess when claiming on your pet insurance. Some insurers will apply the policy excess before the benefit percentage, while others will deduct it after. Paying a higher excess can reduce your policy premiums, and vice versa.

Pet insurance for a cat can cost between $25 and $50 per month¹, although premiums will vary depending on your cat’s age and health status, level of cover, and insurer. Cat breeds don’t impact pet insurance like dog breeds. Cats are also cheaper to insure because of their smaller size and reduced likelihood of injuries.

Pet insurance exclusions can typically include pre-existing conditions, diseases with a known vaccine, breeding and obstetrics, elective procedures, alternative therapies and dental illness (unless included as an optional cover). Check your pet insurance Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) for more information.

You can only claim on your pet insurance once you’ve served your policy’s applicable waiting period. There are typically no waiting periods for accidents, but most insurance providers have a 30-day waiting period for illnesses. Check your policy terms for full details.

You can insure your cat for life by taking out cover before they turn nine, and if there’s no break or lapse of that cover. Most new policies won’t cover older cats once they reach a certain age, except for accident-only policies which don’t typically have age limits.