Pet Insurance for older cats

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?

Yes, you can get pet insurance for older cats. We offer new policies for cats up until their 10th birthday. Once your cat is insured on a Lifetime policy, cover can continue beyond this upper age limit, provided you renew your policy with no break in cover.

Getting insurance can help you look after your cat if they have an accident or develop health issues. It’ll also help take the financial sting out of any costly vet bills. Having the right cover in place can be more cost-effective, in case your pet will have to undergo treatment for a condition — as long as they are covered by your policy.

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 diabetes around £1,300. The extra medical care needed for older cats can also mean higher premiums for pet owners.

What is included in pet insurance for senior cats?

Once you've taken out a policy, you're not able to claim for vet fees as a result of accidents that happen in the first 3 days or illness within the first 14 days. If you switch to John Lewis Pet Insurance and can show your previous policy runs up to the start date, we can waive the initial exclusion periods for you.

For full details and exclusions, please see the policy wording.

All John Lewis Pet Insurance cover levels include:

• 24/7 veterinary helpline by vetfone™

• Dental care²

• Up to £1,500 in cattery fees if you’re unable to care for your cat due to being hospitalised for more than 48 hours

• 25% off prescribed food for a maximum of 6 months per year and per condition - excludes obesity and weight loss.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

John Lewis Pet Insurance does not provide cover for pre-existing health conditions. A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness including anything that was discussed with a vet or professional about your pet's health or behaviour. It also means diagnosed issues and any physical abnormalities.

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.

The best pet insurance for older cats may be cheaper than having no insurance. Without insurance, you would have to cover vet bills, prescriptions and ongoing treatments.

The level of vet fee cover will also determine the cost of the policy. A lower level will be cheaper than policies with a higher amount of cover. You can choose a level of cover that best suits your budget.  We have six options ranging from £2,000 to £12,000.

How can I reduce the cost of pet insurance?

There are a couple of ways you can reduce the cost of the insurance premiums. One is to select a lower level of vet fee cover and the other is to increase the amount of excess. However, this would mean that in the event of making a claim, you would be paying a higher amount.

John Lewis Pet Insurance has a number of excess options you can choose from to best suit your budget.

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.