Why you need pet insurance for your cat

Cat insurance is a vital part of your moggy’s care. We say cats have nine lives, but cats and kittens are just as prone to illness and accidents as we are.

Unlike humans, cats aren’t covered by free medical care or ACC when they get sick or injured. Insurance for your cat or kitten helps you cover the bill if the unexpected happens.

Cats hold a special place in the family. They’re the household mischief-makers, the adventurers, the sun-seekers. We’d do anything for our fur babies. But if your kitten misjudges a jump or your cat develops a health issue, veterinary care can cost thousands of dollars.

At Southern Cross Pet Insurance, we paid out more than $28 million in claims in the past year (1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023).

Health care for your cat can get expensive. Cat insurance is important because it helps you cover the bill when the unexpected happens.

Baxter the Burmese cat has a thing for Nerf gun pellets. He’s snuck over to a neighbour’s garden to nibble on the popular children’s toy gun pellets not once, but twice!

These days, Baxter’s an indoor cat. He’s back to his usual attention-seeking self, throwing tantrums and loudly meowing every time he enters a room.

Pet insurance for kittens

No matter how careful and responsible we are, accidents and illnesses still happen to our furry friends. Did you know you’re more likely to claim on your pet insurance than your car or home policy?

From misjudging a jump to eating something they shouldn’t, kittens are curious and mischievous by nature. Having pet insurance from the early days of your kitten’s life with you means you have peace of mind if the unexpected does happen. It also means you can be more confident you’ll have some help with vet bills if your cat develops an illness later in life.

Pet insurance for older cats

Pet insurance is still an important investment if your cat is no longer a kitten, even if they’re not showing any signs of health concerns. If you sign your cat up to a PetCare plan before they are 7 years old, you will be covered for eligible accidents and illnesses that start to arise as your cat gets older, so long as they aren’t pre-existing conditions at the time that you take out the cover (see policy document for full terms, conditions and exclusions). A cat’s body begins to experience age-related biological changes at around 7 – 10 years old but can live to be as old as 20. As cats get older, they’re more likely to get sick or suffer from diseases like joint disease.

The best cat health insurance plan for you and your pet depends on your situation and what you want to be covered for. We’ve got simple plans to suit all budgets and offer discounts for multiple pets.