Help with vet bills
Insurance can help cover eligible vet bills if your older cat becomes ill or is injured.
Senior cat insurance
Compare pet insurance for older cats.
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Can I get pet insurance for my older cat?
Yes, you can get pet insurance for an older cat. Many providers offer policies for senior pets or have no upper age limit, although your options may be more limited than they would be for a younger cat.
Older cats are more likely to need vet treatment, so insurers may charge more, apply extra terms or set an upper age limit for new policies. Pre-existing conditions are also usually excluded from standard cover.
What age is a cat considered senior?
For insurance, cats over seven are often treated as older pets, but each insurer can set its own age rules.
Definitions of a senior cat can also vary. Cats Protection considers cats mature from seven and senior from 11, so "older cat" and "senior cat" do not always mean exactly the same thing to insurers, vets and charities.
Pet insurance offers for September
📣 Sainsbury's Bank: EXCLUSIVE prices for MoneySuperMarket customers. Defaqto Pet Insurer of the Year 25/26. Sainsbury's can pay your vet directly and 98% of claims paid in 5 working Days[3]
Scratch & Patch: Enjoy a 20%[4]discount when you insure two or more pets on the same policy.
Co-op: Price includes a 5% discount for Co-op members[3]
Is there an age limit for pet insurance?
There is no single age limit for pet insurance - some insurers set an upper age limit for new policies, while others may insure cats of any age or offer separate cover for older pets. Check your policy details for age restrictions and whether cover can continue as your cat gets older.
💡Top tip: Don't assume your cat is too old to insure. Insurers have different age limits, so compare quotes using your cat's actual age to see which policies are available.
Why is insurance more expensive for older cats?
Older cat insurance usually costs more because older cats are more likely to need treatment - as cats age, they may develop conditions that require repeat vet visits, tests, medication or surgery. The price you pay can also depend on:
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Breed
Some breeds are more likely to develop inherited health conditions.
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Medical history
Previous illnesses or injuries can affect your cover and price.
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Where you live
Vet costs can vary depending on where you live.
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Policy type
More comprehensive policies will usually cost more.
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Your excess
A higher excess may lower your premium but means paying more when you claim.
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Optional extras
Adding optional extras or benefits can increase the price of your policy.
What types of pet insurance can I get for my older cat?
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Accident-only
Covers eligible treatment if your cat is injured in an accident, but not if they become ill.
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Time-limited
Covers eligible conditions for a set period, usually 12 months, subject to a claim limit.
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Maximum benefit
Provides a fixed amount of cover for each condition, with no time limit on claiming.
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Lifetime
Renews your vet fee limit each year and can cover ongoing conditions while the policy remains active.
What cover should I consider for an older cat?
Illness cover can be particularly important for an older cat because many age-related health problems are illnesses rather than accidents.
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Vet fees for illness and injury
Check the maximum amount the insurer will pay towards treatment.
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Ongoing condition cover
This can be important if your cat develops a long-term condition after the policy begins.
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Tests and scans
Check whether diagnostic tests such as blood tests, X-rays and scans are included.
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Surgery
Some conditions may need surgery, so check whether operations are covered.
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Prescription medication
Check whether prescribed medication is included and whether any limits apply.
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Dental accidents
Some policies may cover treatment if your cat’s teeth are damaged in an accident.
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Emergency treatment
Look at how your policy covers eligible emergency veterinary treatment.
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Euthanasia
Some policies may contribute towards euthanasia in eligible circumstances.
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Missing cat cover
Some policies may help with advertising costs or a reward if your cat goes missing.
What might pet insurance for an older cat not cover?
Pet insurance does not cover every cost, and exclusions vary between insurers and policies - so check for the following:
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Pre-existing conditions
Standard pet insurance usually excludes illnesses, injuries or symptoms your cat had before the policy started.
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Routine care
Routine care may be excluded, so check which everyday or preventative treatments you will need to pay for yourself.
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Waiting periods
Policies can have waiting periods before some cover begins, so check what happens if your cat needs treatment during this time.
What health problems are common in older cats?
Older cats can be more likely to develop health problems - these are some of the most commonly diagnosed conditions based on a 2026 UK study.
Condition | Cats diagnosed |
|---|---|
Hyperthyroidism | 19.2% |
Chronic kidney disease | 11.4% |
High blood pressure | 7.1% |
Severe dental disease | 6.1% |
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overactive thyroid and mainly affects older cats. Signs can include weight loss despite an increased appetite, drinking or urinating more, restlessness and vomiting.
Treatment and monitoring may continue long term, depending on your cat and the treatment recommended by your vet.
Kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease becomes more common as cats get older. Signs can include drinking and urinating more, losing weight, eating less or vomiting.
Cats with kidney disease may need ongoing monitoring, medication or dietary changes, depending on the severity of the condition.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can occur on its own or alongside conditions such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.
There may initially be few obvious signs, but untreated hypertension can affect organs including the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain.
Dental disease
Dental disease can cause pain and may become more common as cats age. Signs can include difficulty eating, drooling, weight loss or changes in grooming and behaviour.
Treatment can range from dental checks and cleaning to removing damaged or diseased teeth.
Arthritis and joint problems
Arthritis can affect an older cat's mobility, but cats can be good at hiding pain. You may notice them becoming less willing to jump, having difficulty using the litter tray or grooming themselves less.
Older cats have a higher risk of osteoarthritis than younger cats.
Diabetes
Diabetes can affect older cats and may cause increased thirst and urination, changes in appetite and weight loss.
Cats diagnosed with diabetes may need ongoing treatment and monitoring, so check how a policy handles long-term conditions when comparing cover.
Can I get cover if my older cat has a pre-existing condition?
Yes, but you may need specialist pre-existing condition pet insurance.
A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury or symptom your cat had before the policy started. Standard pet insurance usually excludes these conditions, even if you declare them.
For example, if your cat already has arthritis, diabetes or kidney disease, a standard policy may cover new unrelated problems but not treatment linked to the existing condition.
Specialist cover can be more expensive, so compare the policy limit, waiting period and exclusions carefully.
How can I get cheaper insurance for my older cat?
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Compare quotes
Prices and age limits vary between insurers, so compare your options before buying.
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Check the policy type
Comprehensive cover can cost more, so consider what level of protection you need.
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Review your extras
Removing optional extras you don't need could reduce your premium.
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Consider your excess
A higher excess may reduce costs; just be sure you could afford it when claiming.
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Give accurate details
Make sure information about your cat's age, breed and medical history is correct.
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Avoid gaps in cover
If your cat falls ill while uninsured, the condition could be excluded from future cover.
How do I compare senior cat insurance with MoneySuperMarket?
Tell us a few details about your cat and the cover you're looking for. You'll usually need:
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Your cat’s details
Their age, breed and medical history
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Neutering or spaying
Whether your cat has been neutered or spayed
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Pre-existing conditions
Details of any previous or ongoing health problems
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Your postcode
Where you live can affect the quotes available
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The cover you want
The policy type and level of protection you need
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Compare quotes
Look at price, vet fee limit, excess and type of cover
Can I insure a 17-year-old cat?
You may still be able to find insurance for a 17-year-old cat, but your options could be more limited because insurers set their own age limits.
Enter your cat's actual age when comparing quotes to see which policies are available, and check any age-related excesses, co-payments and restrictions carefully.
Do I have to get pet insurance for my cat?
No, there is no legal requirement to insure your cat. However, without insurance you'll need to pay veterinary costs yourself if your cat becomes ill or is injured.
Should I self-insure my older cat instead?
You could choose to put money aside for future vet bills rather than buying pet insurance.
This gives you control over the money you save, but you'll also have to pay the full cost if your cat needs expensive treatment before you've saved enough. Insurance instead lets you transfer some of that financial risk to an insurer, subject to the policy's limits and exclusions.
What should I check before buying older cat insurance?
Check the insurer's upper age limit and renewal rules first.
You should also compare:
Pre-existing condition exclusions
Vet fee limits
Excesses and co-payments
Waiting periods
Routine care exclusions
Whether ongoing conditions can continue to be covered
Read the policy wording before you buy and ask the insurer if anything is unclear.
Will a previous illness always count as pre-existing?
Not necessarily - insurers can define pre-existing conditions differently, so previous illnesses, injuries or symptoms may affect what a new policy covers.
Declare your cat’s medical history when asked and check how your insurer defines a pre-existing condition.
Can I switch pet insurance for an older cat?
You can switch insurer, but conditions your cat has already developed may be treated as pre-existing under the new policy and excluded.
Compare what you could save with any existing cover you may lose before cancelling your current policy.
Can I insure an older cat with arthritis or kidney disease?
You may still be able to get insurance, but standard policies will usually exclude treatment linked to conditions your cat already has.
Specialist pre-existing-condition insurance may offer different options, so compare the limits and exclusions carefully.
Reviewed on 16 Sep 2026
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
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[2]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
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[3]
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[4]
20% multi-pet discount for any additional cat or dog you choose to insure with Scratch & Patch on the same policy. Additional pets can be added once you have clicked through to the Scratch & Patch website.
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[5]
Based on the 51st percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.
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[6]
Based on the 51st percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and was more than 1 year old.
