As your cat gets older, they’re more likely to have health and dental issues. Their behaviour can start to change, and they may develop certain health conditions.
Pet insurance can help you cover expensive vet bills and treatment that’s needed if your cat has a mishap. It can also help you take care of your cat’s health and happiness as they settle down into old age.
Finding the right insurance can be tricky. We explain how pet insurance can change for senior cats and what’s included. We'll also cover whether you can get cover for pre-existing conditions.
Can I get insurance for an older cat?
What sort of health conditions might my senior cat develop?
Like humans, cats can slow down as they approach their senior years. You may start to see changes to their dental health, vision and hearing. Also, joint conditions like arthritis could affect their movement.
Older cats can also suffer from various illnesses. These can include dementia, diabetes, cancer, kidney and liver disease, and thyroid problems.
The vet bills for these conditions can be very expensive. The Association of British Insurers1 states that treatment for a soft tissue sarcoma (a malignant tumour) can cost more than £12,200.
Meanwhile, if your cat had an accident and broke their leg, the surgery could have a price tag of nearly £2,000.
The extra medical care needed for older cats can mean higher premiums for pet owners.
What is included in pet insurance for senior cats?
Your cat will be covered for ongoing conditions (as long as they begin 14 days after your policy has begun). They're also covered for one-off mishaps that occur 48 hours after your policy is valid. For full details and exclusions, please see the policy wording.
All John Lewis Pet Insurance cover levels include 24/7 veterinary helpline by Vetfone™ and dental care2. If you're unable to care for your cat due to injury or illness, you get up to £1,500 in cattery fees. Also, you get up to £300 for prescribed food per policy year, in case your furry pal needs to go on a special diet.
Your cat also get an annual online health check, which is available for cats aged over 8 weeks. There’s no upper age limit so all older cats qualify. The service is designed as an add-on to an in-person vet check-up, not a replacement.
You can claim as many times as needed per condition each year, up to your vet fee limit.
If your vet suggests some behavioural training, we could pay up to £300 per policy year. We could also pay up to £300 for treatment foods recommended by a vet, and up to £1,500 for complementary therapies. The cost of these benefits will be deducted from your annual vet fee cover limit.
If your beloved cat ever goes missing, we provide up to £300 to help cover the costs of finding them. This includes creating flyers or taking out an ad in the local paper. If the worst happens and they can’t be found, we can provide the donation or purchase price of your cat, up to £1,500.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
John Lewis Pet Insurance does not provide cover for pre-existing health conditions. A “pre-existing health condition”, is signs or symptoms of undiagnosed injuries or illnesses. It also means diagnosed issues and any physical abnormalities.
That’s why it's important to renew lifetime insurance each year and avoid letting it lapse. That way you’ll know your cat will continue to be covered for any health conditions they may develop.
If your cat has a pre-existing condition, a specialist insurer may be able to help when others can't. However, this could be expensive.
How much does pet insurance for older cats cost?
Pet insurance premiums are determined by a range of factors. They can include the age of the animal, the breed, their health and where you live.
For example, insurance for a pedigree cat like a Siamese may be higher. This is due to their likelihood of having inherited diseases. If you have a moggy, they’re usually cheaper.
Premiums for a senior cat are also likely to be pricier than insuring a kitten. This is due to the heightened possibility of health issues.
John Lewis Pet Insurance customers with pets aged 9 and older pay a 20% co-payment. The co-payment is a percentage of the vet’s treatment costs. This is in addition to the chosen standard excess.
How can I reduce the cost of pet insurance?
You can select an excess for the treatment of an accident or illness in each policy year. The excess amounts are as follows:
£60
£80
£100
£140
£250 (or £500 for vet fee levels of £5,000 and above).
This allows you to choose a level of cover that best meets your needs. By choosing to pay more when you claim, we can bring your premium down.
However, be aware this will increase the amount you pay when you need to make a claim.
Not yet covered by John Lewis Money?
Get a quote for our comprehensive lifetime pet insurance by calling us on 0330 102 2490 or get a quote online.
Calls may be recorded and call charges may vary.
Recommended guides
What is pet insurance excess and why do policies for older animals have a co-payment.
What you can do to prepare your dog for a more solitary life at home.
1As of December 2024, www.abi.org.uk
2For dental care up to your chosen Vet Fee limit.
If your pet has a dental check every 12 months: once it has had its first check and your vet has done any necessary work, should your pet suffer from tooth decay or gum disease before the next 12-month check, or if tooth decay or gum disease are seen at the time of the next check, we pay.
If your pet doesn’t have a check every 12 months, or if the work required is not done, we will only pay;
1) For teeth or gums if they are damaged in an accident,
2) If an underlying illness causes tooth decay or gum disease, or
3) To remove teeth as treatment of an illness which is not gum disease or tooth decay
John Lewis Money, John Lewis Finance and John Lewis Insurance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (Registered company number: 233462).
John Lewis plc is an appointed representative (Financial Conduct Authority number 416011) of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
John Lewis Pet Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd (No: 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No: 202323).
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