Deciphering insurance

Cats are notorious for their nine lives, but if your cat finds himself in trouble, it’s wise to have insurance to protect him and your wallet.

Taking out an insurance policy for your kitten is a clever move in case he should need extensive and expensive veterinary care. But, with so many policies to choose from, and confusing jargon to wade through, it can be a minefield trying to choose the right cover.

Around one in three pets requires an unexpected trip to the vet’s every year for illnesses or accidents, so it makes sense to have an insurance policy in place to protect your new kitten.

When it comes to choosing the correct policy, don’t just use a price comparison website to find the cheapest deal, as many insurers don’t appear in these searches.

Make sure you compare excesses and benefit levels as well as price, and find out if the premiums will increase if you have to

make a claim.

When you bring your kitten home, the breeder or rescue centre may have provided up to a month’s free insurance to give you time to find the right provider. If your kitten is GCCF-registered, and came with a month’s free insurance, there is often the option to continue this policy.

Choose a reputable insurer and, importantly, make sure the policy will cover your cat for his lifetime. If your policy expires, and you have to take out another with a different company, many insurance companies don’t insure against preexisting conditions. Also, make sure you check the policy to make sure your cat is covered for everything you’d require.

Most importantly, read all the small print, as this can be where a lot of people get caught out.