Cat insurance covers some of your eligible vet bills when your feline friend needs medical care. After paying a vet bill, you simply need to make a claim and wait for your reimbursement (with SPCA Pet Insurance, this takes no more than a couple of days once claim is approved). Although cats are masters at landing on their feet, they’re also incredibly daring animals that never back down from a climb or leap. If that sounds like your companion, then cat insurance might be worth looking into.
Almost 85% of Kiwis say their cat makes them happy1, but unfortunately only 10% have taken out insurance to protect their feline companions2. This is because many cat owners don’t realise the value of pet insurance. However, data shows that more than half of all cats in the country need to visit the vet at least once a year (sometimes more). Without pet insurance, many owners are paying these costs out-of-pocket while missing out on the great benefits and savings they could be enjoying.
Get a free information pack about SPCA Pet Insurance.
SPCA Pet Insurance offers three different options for cat owners to avoid expensive vet bills.
Every SPCA Pet Insurance policy covers your cat for both injuries and illnesses, including things like:
Some cats might go a lifetime (or nine) without any health issues, but it’s typical to expect your cat to get sick or injured occasionally. Some of the most common conditions in cats are4.
The table below shows the health concerns that cat owners in New Zealand are most concerned about. You may be able to claim on some of these costs if you have pet insurance, but always remember to read the policy documents first.
| Concern | Percentage of cat owners5 |
|---|---|
| Desexing | 94.5% |
| Worming treatment | 94.2% |
| Flea treatment | 92.7% |
| Vaccinations | 86.8% |
| Microchipping | 85.4% |
| Regular health checks | 80.8% |
| Weight concerns as indicated by the appearance of hips, spine, and ribs | 70.2% |
With SPCA Pet Insurance, you can make a claim on your cat’s vet bills anytime using our online claims page.
Pay your vet bill as usual when your cat receives treatment
To make a claim, you’ll need to provide a copy of the itemised invoice from the vet
We’ll pay your eligible claim within 1-2 business days once approved
The amount you receive after making a claim will depend on the level of cover you have as well as any waiting periods or exclusions that might apply.
Here are some examples of how claims are calculated depending on your level of cover and how your out-of-pocket costs can be reduced with pet insurance.
| Features | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cost of vet bill | $5,000 |
| Amount you can claim (90%) | $4,500 |
| Excess payable | $1,000 |
| Your out-of-pocket expense | $1,500 |
| Features | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cost of vet bill | $300 |
| Amount you can claim (70%) | $210 |
| Your out-of-pocket expense | $90 |
| Features | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cost of vet bill | $850 |
| Amount you can claim (80%) | $680 |
| Your out-of-pocket expense | $170 |
On top of vet bills for your cat, you’ll also need to consider other common expenses like cat food, accessories, and toys. These can add up especially if you’re dealing with expensive vet bills at the same time. Managing these ongoing expenses is an important part of every cat owner’s responsibility.
Yes, you can still apply if your cat has pre-existing health conditions, however if your cat has existing conditions that require medical treatment or ongoing medication and you take out a new policy, these will generally be considered pre-existing conditions and may be permanently excluded from cover. You can apply to have a pre-existing condition exclusion reviewed by downloading a copy of the pre-existing condition review form.
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