Your cat may have quick reflexes, but accidents and injuries happen, and so do illnesses. Cats can be quite inquisitive which makes them very prone to accidents that can end up being quite pricey at the vet if you don't have pet insurance.
According to Association of British Insurers (ABI), a fractured femur for a pedigree cat can cost over £8,000.
While you are not legally required to get cat or kitten insurance in the UK, small monthly payments can save pet owners hundreds (sometimes thousands) after one unfortunate event.
Compare insurance for cats of all ages
It's great to get your insurance in place as early as possible to give you peace of mind and protect yourself and your cat further down the line. Even if you have an old cat, the vet can still send you hefty bills when they get sick or injured – that’s when your insurance saves you.
Kitten insurance
It is important to insure your kitten while they are young before they develop any medical issues. This means your insurance will usually be cheaper than insuring an older cat and if your cat does develop any issues, they will be covered from the start.
Older cats
You are still able to insure your old cat. Having an older cat can often mean higher vet bills and often more health issues, which is when your insurance will cover you. However, your premiums are likely to be slightly higher because of the greater likelihood of health issues.
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Different types of cat insurance policies
When it comes to cat insurance cover, there are several levels of cover you can choose from. What you decide to go for depends entirely on your circumstances and what works for you and your pet. We’ve listed the different types of cover below:
Time limited
A time-limited pet insurance policy covers your cat for a specific time, usually 12 months. Ideal if you want to cover a condition short term for a year, and then pay the rest yourself.
Accident only
Accident only vet bills (for things like MRI scans and operations for injuries.) This won’t cover your pet for veterinary treatment due to illness or disease
Per condition
Per condition cover, also known as maximum benefit pet cover, allocates a fixed sum of money to treat each illness or injury
Lifetime
A lifetime policy is more expensive than others and can cover any chronic or recurring condition throughout your cat's life
What is covered by cat insurance?
Treating a cat can be expensive and while your insurance can cover a lot of those expenses, it's important to know what is covered with your pet insurance and what exclusions are applied to your policy:
Covered
Vet fees - If your cat has had an accident or needs a diagnostic appointment for an illness, your insurance policy should cover those costs
Advertising and recovery costs - If your pet gets lost or stolen, your insurance policy will usually cover the costs of recovering your pet
Cattery and kennel fees - In certain emergencies mentioned in your policy, your policy can cover kennel fees up to a specified amount
Third-party liability - If your pet injures someone or damages someone else’s property your policy can cover any compensation you may be liable to pay
Not covered
Routine check-ups - Routine check-ups including dental care are often not covered in a standard policy paid to your vet directly from your own pocket
Preventative treatments - This includes neutering, flea treatments, worming and vaccinations
Behavioural problems - Any issues that arise due to existing behavioural problems (e.g. aggression) can result in a claim being invalidated
Pregnancies - Pregnancies and breeding complications are not covered under a standard policy
How much is cat insurance?
The average premium for a cat insurance policy through MoneySuperMarket is £8.11[6]Based on the 51 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £8.11 per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of January 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and the pet didnt have pre-existing medical conditionsper month. However, there are a few factors that will affect the price for you including:
Your location
The age of your cat
The breed of your cat
Your cat's medical history and pet's health
The type of policy you choose
Breed
Average Monthly premium
Ragdoll
£6.01
British shorthair
£6.74
Bengal
£7.80
Maine coon
£8.09
Siamese
£7.15
Average monthly premiums by cat breed according to MoneySuperMarket data from May 2023
3Average monthly premiums by cat breed according to MoneySuperMarket data from February 2023.
Example quote when comparing cat insurance
Animal Friends
Monthly Cost
£4.79
Third Party Liability Cover
£2m
Vet Fee Limit
Up to a total limit of £1,000 for all conditions each year
This is for illustrative purposes only. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. Learn more about our full methodology here.
How can I make my Cat insurance cheaper?
There are a few considerations before applying for your cat insurance policy that could help make your cat insurance policy cheaper. These include:
The type of pet insurance you choose will impact the price of your policy. Accident-only policies are usually the cheapest however they also provide the least amount of cover.
If you have any other pets you want to insure at the same time, a multi-pet policy can be cheaper than individual policies.
This is the amount of money you pay before the insurance covers the rest. The higher the excess, the lower your premiums can be. Be sure you can pay the excess amount you choose.
Optional extras can vary from paying for marketing and rewards should your cat go missing, to covering the cost of dental treatments however they do come with extra costs.
Using our price comparison tool can help you compare quotes from a range of the UK's leading providers to help you find the best policy for a price that suits you.
Spaying, neutering and keeping on top of your cat's vaccinations can help keep your cat healthy as well as lower your premiums.
The type of pet insurance
Multi-pet policy
Excess
Extra policy features
Compare quotes
Spay and neuter your cats
Our expert says…
Cats always seem to be among the more self-sufficient of our pets, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security.
As with any pet insurance, bringing a new creature into your home is the time to weigh up the potential costs of treatment – which can be surprisingly high – versus the cost of your premiums and making a proactive decision about insuring your kitty. Most people don’t realise that like other kinds of cover, your circumstances will affect the cost, so shopping around is as important as ever.
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
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Pet insurance comparison rated highly by our customers
I looked at various comparison sites but MoneySuperMarket gave me the cover I needed that was better than I'd seen elsewhere
Easy and straightforward, plenty of choices for everyone, quick completion
Easy and quick to set up, piece of mind knowing my puppy is covered
Research and purchase was painless and info clear
Compare pet insurance quotes easily with MoneySuperMarket
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With only 2 steps to get a quote, MoneySuperMarket makes it easy to compare policies from a wide range of the UK's leading insurance providers.
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Save up to £243[7]51% of consumers could save up to £243.72 on Lifetime Pet Insurance with no pre-existing medical conditions. Consumer Intelligence , December 2024. Exc NI, CI, IOM and sort providers by cost and coverage levels to find a deal that suits your budget and needs, saving you money on premiums.
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Click through your chosen provider and get your pet covered as soon as you buy your policy and unlock a year of rewards with SuperSaveClub[8]Learn more here
Getting a valid cat insurance quote with MoneySuperMarket is simple. You need to provide us with some information about you and your pet so we can generate the right policy for you at our most competitive prices. The information we need includes:
Your cat's age and breed
All vaccinations you're up to date with
Whether your cat has been neutered or microchipped
What type of cover you would prefer
Your address and contact details
Compare cat insurance deals with MoneySuperMarket
Our comparison tools are quick and easy to use. In just a few steps you can get accurate quotes for policies tailored to you and your pet.
Tell us about your cat
Give us a few details about your pet and the type of cover you’re looking for
We’ll do the work
We’ll put together a list of providers with appropriate cover for your specific needs
You’re on your way
Pick the policy that is perfect for you and your pet
Where you live can affect the cost your cat insurance, as your premium is calculated by how much vet fees cost in your area.
If you live in the South East of England, your pet insurance may be pricier than if you lived further North. This is because veterinary costs can be more expensive depending on where you live.
Your cat's breed will affect the cost of your cat insurance. This is because pedigree cats are more prone to health conditions than moggies, and your insurer is likely to increase your premium as a result of this.
You can get specialist pet insurance for your cat if they have a pre-existing medical condition. This type of policy is designed for those whose pets already have a medical condition before they take out an insurance policy.
While you'll be able to take our standard pet insurance if your cat has a pre-existing injury or condition, it's unlikely that your insurer will cover veterinary treatment for that particular condition - as there's a risk that the condition may flare up again.
To work out how much cat insurance you need, you'll need to weigh up factors like how old your pet is and if they live with any pre-existing medical conditions, as this may affect how likely it is that you'll need to make a claim.
From there, you'll need to decide what type of policy you need for your cat. A lifetime policy covers vet fees up to a certain amount every year, as long as you renew your policy. This is the most expensive type of cat insurance but does give you peace of mind that no matter how many claims you make, you'll receive the same amount of cover each year.
Alternatively, if you only want to cover bigger vet bills caused by accidents, accident-only cover can be a more affordable option. But do keep in mind accident accident-only policies won't cover treatment for illnesses.
Cat insurance won't cover vaccinations - in fact, it's often a condition of most cat insurance policies that you keep them up-to-date with all their vaccinations.
You can get multi-cat insurance, and it can be an easier way to manage your insurance. If you have more than one cat and choose a multi-pet insurance plan, you only have to correspond with one insurer and will only have one renewal date and one set of documents. Often, insurers offer discounts if you cover more than one pet on your policy. Multi-pet discounts can vary between 5% and 10%, while others give you £12 off your policy a year, for each extra pet you choose to cover.
Yes, it's a good idea to insure your indoor cat.
While indoor cats are generally safer from accidents like being hit by a car, they can still face health issues such as dental issues, illnesses or even indoor accidents that require expensive veterinary care.
Does location affect the cost of cat insurance?
What impact does breed have on cat insurance premiums?
Can I get pet insurance if my cat has pre-existing conditions?
How much cat insurance cover do I need?
Does cat insurance cover vaccinations?
Can I get multi cat insurance?
Do you need to insure an indoor cat?
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Easy and straightforward, plenty of choices for everyone, quick completion
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Easy and quick to set up, piece of mind knowing my puppy is covered
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