As a cat owner, you know how important your cat’s health is. To reduce the financial burden of unexpected veterinary costs, cat health insurance can be a sensible investment. But what types of insurance are there and what should you consider when choosing?
cat health insurance
cat health insurance are designed to cover the costs of general veterinary care. This includes:
- Regular examinations : health checks, vaccinations and preventive examinations.
- Treatments : diagnoses, therapies and medications for diseases.
- Emergency care : Acute illnesses and injuries.
These insurance policies can help you manage the financial burden of unexpected illness or injury and give you peace of mind that your cat is receiving the best possible care.
cat surgery insurance
While a general cat health insurance covers many health costs, the cat surgery insurance specifically on the costs of surgical procedures. This insurance is particularly useful if:
- Planned operations are pending, such as castrations or tumor removals.
- Emergency operations may be required, for example after an accident or in acute illnesses that require immediate surgical intervention.
This insurance allows you to concentrate more on your treatment without having to worry about the financial aspects of the surgery.
Which insurance makes sense for cats?
Medical and surgical insurance are the two most important types of insurance that no cat owner should be without. They offer comprehensive protection against high veterinary costs and ensure that your cat receives the best care if it becomes ill. By carefully examining the different options, you can find the insurance that best suits you and your cat. This way, you can rest assured that your cat is in good hands and you are financially secure. There are other cat insurance policies that reimburse the owner if something goes wrong.
Liability insurance for cats protects cat owners from the financial consequences if their cat causes damage to third parties or their property. While liability insurance for dogs is widespread and even required by law in some regions, special liability insurance for cats is less common, but still useful in certain situations:
Cats that are regularly outside are at a higher risk of causing damage. For example, they could enter other people’s gardens and cause damage there or even cause a traffic accident. Indoor cats can also cause damage, for example in rented apartments. Damage to the home furnishings or even to neighbors’ property are possible scenarios. It offers financial protection and legal protection if your cat causes damage to third parties or their property.
How much does cat health insurance cost per month?
The monthly premiums for cat health insurance vary depending on the provider, the scope of insurance and the health of your cat. In general, the Costs of cat insurance between 15 and 50 euros per month. Factors that influence the amount of the contributions are:
- Coverage amount : Higher coverage usually costs more.
- Deductible : A higher deductible can lower your monthly costs, but it can also increase your costs in the event of a claim.
- Age and health of the cat : Younger, healthy cats usually cost less to insure than older or healthier animals.
How do you find the best cat insurance?
Choosing the best cat insurance can be challenging as there are many providers and rates available. Here are the key points to consider when comparing:
- Benefits and rates : Compare which medical treatments, operations and preventive measures are covered. Also look out for additional benefits such as overseas protection or cover for chronic diseases.
- Coverage : Check whether the insurance covers necessary treatments, routine check-ups, vaccinations, emergency treatments and surgical procedures. The coverage varies depending on the provider.
- Deductible and cost coverage : Find out how much you have to pay as a deductible and how much your insurance will cover. A higher cost coverage can reduce your financial burden.
- Waiting period : Many insurance companies have a waiting time, which indicates how long after the contract is signed the insurance cover takes effect. Compare these times to make sure your cat is covered quickly.
- Coverage for outdoor or indoor cats : Consider whether your cat is an outdoor or indoor cat. Outdoor cats have different risks and may need more comprehensive insurance coverage than indoor cats.
- Costs : Monthly fees vary widely. Make sure the costs are within your budget and the quality of the services does not suffer. Cheap does not always mean good.
- Customer service : Reliable customer service is important. Find out about availability, response times and other customers’ experiences to ensure you will be well looked after when you need it.
If necessary, use tests from consumer organizations such as Stiftung Warentest to determine the best insurance policies based on price-performance ratio. This way you can find the right insurance for your cat and ensure comprehensive protection.
Which health insurance is right for your cat?
Choosing the right insurance depends on several factors:
- Your cat’s health : If your cat has existing health problems, look for insurance policies that cover pre-existing conditions.
- Your cat’s lifestyle : Indoor cats and outdoor cats have different risks. Insurance rates for outdoor cats are usually more expensive but offer more comprehensive protection.
- Budget : Consider how much you want to spend each month and what services are important to you.
Indoor – our tariff for indoor cats
The Cat Indoor tariff is aimed exclusively at domestic cats and reimburses 90% of veterinary costs in the event of illness, accident and surgery, up to a maximum of €1,800 per year. The annual deductible is €50. Costs resulting from a fall from the window or balcony of the home are also covered. An annual preventive care allowance of €50 is also included. In addition, the plan includes therapeutic food, for which you will be reimbursed up to 20% per invoice and a maximum of €50 per year, provided that it is the main brands of food available in a veterinary clinic.
Certain expenses are excluded from the Cat Indoor tariff:
- Accidents outside the home (e.g. on the sidewalk),
- Fights between the insured domestic cat and other animals outside the residence,
- Viral diseases transmitted by conspecifics (such as IVF, FeLV),
- Viral diseases caused by pathogens of the type H5N1 or H1N1 or similar,
- epidemics or pandemic diseases.
Our offer for outdoor cats
The All-in-One plan offers you comprehensive protection for your cat, regardless of whether it roams around outside or lives with you in your home. The annual reimbursement rate is €5,000, with a reimbursement rate of 85%. This insurance covers illnesses and accidents that occur both at home and outdoors, including treatment and aftercare in the clinic. As with the Cat Indoor plan, insured persons receive a €50.00 bonus for preventive measures such as microchipping, castration, vaccinations, worming or antiparasitics. The plan depends on the breed and age of the cat and can be used from a monthly premium of €26.35.
What do you need to pay attention to when choosing your cat health insurance?
waiting times
When taking out cat health insurance, there is usually a waiting period that applies to certain services. These waiting periods are usually between 14 and 30 days. During this time, certain treatments are not yet covered, for example:
- Illnesses that occur before the insurance is taken out .
- Non-acute medical treatments .
It is important to know the specific waiting periods of the different insurance policies to avoid surprises. The waiting period at Santevet begins when your contract comes into effect and excludes any illness or accident known or reported at that time, as well as their consequences.
The insurance for your pet applies:
- For accidents that occur 48 hours after the contract comes into effect (e.g. broken leg, insect bite).
- For illnesses that occur 45 days after the contract comes into effect (e.g. gastroenteritis, inflammation of the ear canal).
- For operations due to illnesses (e.g. tumors, urinary stones, uterine inflammation) which become necessary 3 months after the contract comes into force, provided that the illness occurred after the 45-day waiting period.
A cruciate ligament tear is covered after 3 months of the contract. Your preventive allowance can be used from the start of your contract.
pre-existing conditions
Many insurance policies do not cover costs for pre-existing illnesses or conditions. If your cat already has health problems, you should choose an insurance policy that also covers pre-existing conditions, even if this is often more expensive. When choosing an insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Which illnesses are covered?
- How much does it cost to treat pre-existing conditions?
Are vaccinations and dental treatments covered?
Typically, vaccinations and regular dental care are not covered by most cat health insurance policies. These services often fall under preventative or routine health care that is not included in the insurance coverage. To cover these costs, you may want to consider additional supplemental insurance or setting up a health fund for your cat.
This is how the tariffs are created – the GOT
The Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) is a legal regulation in Germany that governs the billing of veterinary services. It specifies the fees veterinarians may charge for certain examinations, treatments and operations. This fee schedule is intended to ensure that the costs for veterinary services are transparent and uniform, regardless of which practice carries out the treatment.
The fee schedule for veterinarians provides a fee framework within which veterinarians can set the costs for their services. This includes the single, double and triple rates. In special cases, e.g. emergency services or complicated treatments, higher rates can also be applied. Here are some examples:
| Vaccinations (cat flu and feline distemper (RCP) |
| Single rate : approx. €5.77Double set : approx. 11.54 €Triple set : approx. 17.31 € |
| castration of tomcats |
| Single rate : approx. €57.72Double set : approx. 115.44 €Triple rate : approx. 173.16 € |
| neutering a cat |
| Single rate : approx. 86.58 €Double set : approx. 173.16 €Triple rate : approx. €259.74 |