How do I choose pet insurance for a microchipped cat?

Four things decide it: what the plan covers, what it leaves out, how much of each vet bill you pay yourself, and the annual limit. Today the lowest price on this page is S$159.99, from MSIG, for a microchipped cat with no known conditions. Those are the example's prices, not what you will pay.

The rest of this guide shows how to weigh those four things, and where the answer depends on your cat.

What does pet insurance for a cat actually cover?

It mainly pays vet bills when your cat has an accident or falls ill, including surgery. That is the part most owners buy it for.

The plans on this site also include a few extras. These are:

• Third-party liability, if your cat hurts someone or damages property
• Cremation or burial costs
• Boarding fees, if you are in hospital and cannot look after your cat

Not every plan treats these extras the same way. One plan may include all three. Another may include only some, or set lower limits on them. So read the cover list for each plan, not just the headline.

What does it leave out?

It leaves out anything your cat already had before cover started. This is the most common surprise at claim time, so it matters more than the price.

The usual exclusions are:

• Conditions your cat had before the policy began
• Routine care such as vaccinations, grooming and neutering
• Breeding, pregnancy and birth
• Restricted breeds, such as Akitas and Pit Bull types (these are dog breeds, so they rarely affect a cat owner)

If your cat has had a health problem, the answer depends on what it was and when. The prices on this page assume no known conditions. If that is not true for your cat, tell the insurer honestly when you apply. A claim can be refused if something was left out.

Does microchipping matter when I pick a plan?

It is one of the example's assumptions, so the prices here are for a microchipped cat. The example also assumes a cat aged 8 weeks to 9 years with no known conditions.

If your cat does not match those three points, the price you see may be different. Enter your cat's real details before you decide anything. Microchipping also helps you in plain ways, because a lost cat with a chip can be traced back to you.

Why do prices differ so much between plans?

Plans that look alike on price are often not alike on cover. Today five insurers price this example. The range runs from S$159.99 to S$1,177.20.

A gap that wide usually comes from a few things:

• A higher or lower yearly limit on vet bills
• A larger or smaller share of each bill that you pay yourself
• Whether the extras (liability, cremation, boarding) are included
• How each insurer prices cats of different ages

A low premium can suit you if your cat is young and healthy and you want a safety net for a big accident. A higher premium can make sense if you want more of each bill paid. It depends on how much risk you would carry yourself.

What should I compare besides the premium?

Compare the amount the plan pays against a realistic vet bill, because the premium alone tells you little. A cheap plan that pays out very little is poor value on the day you need it.

Put these questions to each plan:

1. What is the most it pays in a year for vet bills?
2. How much of each bill do I pay first?
3. Does it cover both accidents and illness?
4. Does it include surgery?
5. Are liability, cremation and boarding included?
6. Is there a waiting period before I can claim?
7. How do I make a claim, and what do I need to send?

The last point is easy to skip. Our claims page explains how claiming works, so you know the steps before you ever need them.

How do I use the price page to narrow it down?

Start on the price page for this example. It lists the plans priced for a microchipped cat, and you can rank them by premium or by a value score.

Ranking by premium shows you the lowest price first. The value score weighs more than price alone. Try both and see whether the same plans stay near the top. If they do, that is a useful signal.

The price is confirmed when you press Buy Now. You buy through Shenton, and the insurer takes payment and issues the policy. For a wider look at pet plans, see the pet insurance page or compare pet plans side by side.

What do I do next?

Work through these steps in order:

1. Write down your cat's age, and whether there is any past health problem.
2. Decide how much of a vet bill you could pay yourself without stress.
3. Shortlist two or three plans from the price page.
4. Compare their limits, the share you pay, and the extras.
5. Ask about the waiting period and how claims work.

If you cannot decide between two plans, pick the one whose exclusions you understand best. A plan you understand is easier to claim on.

Frequently asked questions

Is pet insurance worth it for an indoor cat?

It depends on how you would handle a large, unexpected vet bill. Indoor cats still get ill, and accidents like falls from a window do happen. Insurance helps most when the bill would hurt your savings.

Will pet insurance pay for vaccinations or neutering?

No. Routine care such as vaccinations, grooming and neutering is not covered. The cover is for accidents, illness and surgery, plus the extras listed on the plan.

Is the lowest price today what I will pay?

Not necessarily. Today the lowest price on this page is S$159.99, from MSIG, but that is the example's price for a microchipped cat with no known conditions. Your own price is confirmed when you press Buy Now.

What if my cat already has a health condition?

Conditions your cat had before cover started are not covered. Your cat may still be able to get a plan, but that condition would be left out. Be honest about your cat's history when you apply.

Compare pet insurance for cat, microchipped today

The prices on this page update daily. See every plan priced for cat, microchipped, ranked by premium, with what the example assumes, or get a quote with your own details through Shenton Brokers.