What is pet insurance for older cats?

Key takeaways

• You can get pet insurance for an older cat, but prices are usually higher and some insurers may set age limits

• Cats over seven had a typical monthly quote of £12.50^{^} , compared with £5.94^{^} for cats under one

• Check the policy type, vet fee limit, excess, age rules and exclusions before you buy cover

Can I get pet insurance for my older cat?

Yes, you can get pet insurance for an older cat. Many providers offer specialised senior policies or have no upper age limits, allowing you to cover cats often considered "senior" - 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 - some may also offer specific policies for older pets. While premiums are often higher and pre-existing conditions are usually excluded, insurance helps manage costly, unexpected illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease common in older felines.

What age is an older cat for insurance?

For insurance, cats over seven are often treated as older pets, but each pet insurance provider can set its own age rules. If your cat is younger than seven years old, you may want to consider standard cat insurance.

It's important to recognise when your cat falls into this category, as it can influence the type of insurance policy you'll need to take out. Cat welfare guidance uses slightly different life stages - Cats Protection says cats are usually considered mature from seven and senior from 11, so “older cat” does not always mean the same thing across vets, charities and insurers.

Is there an age limit for pet insurance?

While there's no official age limit for insuring pets, some insurers may be more cautious about insuring older cats. Some providers do have an upper age limit, but they may offer a separate policy for older pets.

It's really important to read the policy details carefully for any age restrictions and to contact insurers directly if you're unsure about their policies.

How much is pet insurance for older cats?

Older cats can cost more than twice as much to insure as very young cats - MoneySuperMarket data shows that pet insurance for cats over seven can start from £12.50^{^} a month, while the typical monthly quote is £5.68^{^} .

Pedigree cats typically have higher insurance costs due to the risk of inherited diseases, while mixed-breed cats may be slightly less expensive to insure.

If you have more than one pet, a multi-pet policy can help you cover all your pets under one policy - these policies often give you a discount for each additional pet you add to your policy.

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 be more likely to develop conditions that need repeat vet visits, tests, medication or surgery, which can make them a higher risk for insurers.

The price you pay can also depend on:

• Your cat’s breed: Some breeds are more likely to have inherited health issues

• Your cat’s medical history: Previous illnesses or injuries can affect cover and price

• Where you live: Vet costs can vary by area

• The policy type: Lifetime cover usually costs more than accident-only cover

• Your excess: Choosing a higher excess may lower your premium, but claims will cost more

What cover should I consider for an older cat?

For an older cat, illness cover is often more useful than accident-only cover as accident-only policies are usually cheaper, but they will not cover illnesses. This can be a big gap for an older cat, as many age-related problems are illnesses rather than accidents.

You may want to check whether the policy includes:

• Vet fees for illness and injury

• Ongoing condition cover

• Diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or scans

• Prescription medication

• Dental accident cover

• Emergency treatment

• Euthanasia cover

• Advertising or reward costs if your cat goes missing

Always check the vet fee limit, as this is the maximum amount your insurer will pay towards eligible treatment.

What types of pet insurance can I get for my older cat?

There are four types of insurance for older cats: accident-only, time-limited, per-condition, and lifetime insurance. Each type offers different levels of cover and has its own set of pros and cons, depending on your cat's needs:

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, and 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 for that existing condition. Specialist pre-existing condition 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?

Here are a few ways you can try to get a cheaper quote for your older cat's insurance:

• Compare quotes: Prices and age rules can vary by insurer, so it's always worth comparing quotes

• Check the policy type: Lifetime cover is more comprehensive and better suited to older cats, but it can cost more

• Review optional extras: Remove extras you do not need as these can inflate the overall price

• Consider the excess: A higher excess may reduce the premium, but make sure you could afford it when claiming

• Keep your cat’s details up to date: Tell insurers about age, breed, neutering status and medical history accurately

• Avoid gaps in cover: Switching after your cat develops a condition can make that condition harder to insure

MoneySuperMarket works with 37^{^} pet insurers, so you can compare prices, cover levels and excess options in one place

What should I check before buying older cat insurance?

Keep the following in mind when you look for older cat insurance:

• Upper age limits: Some insurers may not offer new policies after a certain age

• Renewal rules: Check whether cover can continue as your cat gets older

• Pre-existing condition exclusions: Standard policies usually exclude conditions your cat already has

• Vet fee limits: Make sure the limit is enough for the level of protection you want

• Co-payments: Some older pet policies may ask you to pay a percentage of each claim

• Waiting periods: You may need to wait before making a claim after buying the policy

• Routine care exclusions: Vaccinations, check-ups, neutering and flea or worm treatment are not usually covered as standard

Read the policy wording before you buy, and if you aren't sure what something means, ask the insurer before taking out cover.

How do I compare senior cat insurance with MoneySuperMarket?

You can compare senior cat insurance by giving a few details about your cat and the cover you want. You’ll usually need to tell insurers:

• Your cat’s age, breed, and medical history

• Whether your cat has been neutered or spayed

• Any pre-existing conditions it has

• Your postcode

• The level of cover you want

MoneySuperMarket can then help you compare quotes from different insurers. This makes it easier to check the price, vet fee limit, excess and cover type side by side.