Is cat insurance really worth the effort?  Why do you need to take out insurance for your feline family member? This page aims to give you a better understanding of why health insurance for cats is important and why you definitely need it in your life.

The case for cat insurance

As more and more pet owners strive to take better care of their four-legged family members, the cost of veterinary care soon becomes a significant burden. Some vet consultations cost the same as specialists visits to human doctors. When you take into consideration things like repeated vaccinations, emergency care and other medical treatments, the costs are just overwhelming.

 

What exactly is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is medical insurance for cats. While some plans partially cover cats for medical care, others cover the costs of medical treatment in full. Unlike medical aid for people, cat insurance doesn’t have prescribed minimum benefits or tax deductible payments.

 

In essence, pet insurance was designed to help pet owners afford quality care for their animals. Most plans cover maintenance care and emergency treatments in case of accidents. Just like all other types of insurance, cat insurance policies differ from one service provider to the next.

 

How does cat insurance work?

Unlike medical aid for people, cat insurers do not cover costs upfront when it comes to routine care. Once you’ve paid the vet, you’ll have to claim it back from the insurance company. In the case of accidents, most insurers pay fees upfront. Some cat insurance policies provide up to R60,000 per year for routine care and emergency treatments.

 

Although it sounds very inviting, there is one little thing that you should keep in mind when considering to take up an insurance policy for your cat: their age. Most pet policies exclude animals older than eight years of age. Consider this: the average cat lives between 12 and 17 years. This means that your cat only qualifies for insurance for half of their lifespan.

 

What are my options?

After considering the pros and cons of cat insurance (with the positives far outweighing the negatives), you have a few service providers to choose from. These include:

 

Catsure

Best for: Budget-conscious pet owners

Average monthly cost: R198

Annual cover limit: unlimited

Basic excess: R200 or 10%

Vaccination benefit: R600 per cat per year

Key benefits:

• No annual limit
• No sub-limits
• Accepted by all vets across South Africa
• No breed loadings or exclusions
• No microchip required

 

Hollard

Best for: Pet owners with multiple fur-babies

Average monthly cost: R225

Annual cover limit: R40,000

Basic excess: R190 or 15%

Vaccination benefit: none

Key benefits:

• Cover for illnesses and accidents
• Optional add-on option for routine expenses
• No upper age limit for accidents
• Multi-pet discounts apply when you insure more than one pet
• Accepted by all vets, countrywide
• Payment within 14 days or receipt of the claim

 

KidoPet

Best for: Pet owners with older cats as well as breeders

Average monthly cost: R360

Annual cover limit: R30,000

Basic excess: R250 or 15%

Vaccination benefit: none

Key benefits:

• No upper age limits, cats of all ages are covered
• No micro-chip required
• Breeders are covered, unlike most other service providers, Kido Pet covers breeders

 

 

OnePet

Best for: Families considering various pet insurance options and prices

Average monthly cost: R368

Annual cover limit: R44,000

Basic excess:  R500 or 10%

Vaccination benefit: covered under routine care

Key benefits:

• Choose between hospital, classic, and super plan
• Covers vaccinations as part of routine care
• Provides cover for pre-existing conditions

 

Solver

Best for: Budget-conscious families with more than one cat

Average monthly cost: R220

Annual cover limit: R35,000

Basic excess: R345 or 10%

Vaccination benefit: covered under routine care

Key benefits:

• Offers a comprehensive choice of cover
• No upper age limit for accidents
• Multi-pet discounts apply
• Choice on excess amount and % of the benefit

 

Need more help?

Our team of pet lovers is here to lend you the helping hand you need. When it comes to cat insurance, we know the game all too well. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can get your cat insured and taken care of in case of unexpected events!