Ask before you insure: 7 questions every cat owner should ask

Cat parents ask a lot of questions every day. Why won't you eat this today when you demolished it yesterday? How did you get up there? What exactly happened at 1am that required that much running? Choosing pet insurance comes with its own set of questions, and they're worth asking properly. Get the answers before you sign, and you'll know exactly what you're covered for when it actually matters. Skip them, and you might find out the hard way, at the vet, with a bill in your hand. Here's what's worth asking.

What's actually covered?

Start here. With so many policies on the market, it's easy to assume they're all roughly the same. They're not. The first thing to check is whether a policy covers both accidents and illnesses, or just one. A policy that only covers accidents can look cheaper upfront, but if your cat develops an illness rather than has an accident, that saving disappears fast. It's also worth asking what isn't included as standard. Vaccinations, tick and flea prevention, and routine check-ups usually sit outside general cover unless a policy specifically adds them back in, so don't assume they're there unless it's spelled out.

How much will the policy actually pay out?

Ask about the annual limit, and ask what it applies to. This matters more than it sounds. Some pet insurance policies apply separate, lower limits to specific conditions, which is worth checking closely — with petinsurance.com.au's Best in Show Cover, there are no sub-limits on any tier, so your full annual limit is available for any eligible condition, dental cover through Booster Care included. You'll also choose from three annual limits — $7,500, $20,000 or $35,000 — so it's worth matching that choice to the kind of vet costs you'd want covered if something serious came up. Ask what happens at renewal, too. Cover and premiums can shift over time, and it's better to know that going in than to be surprised by it later.

How does the money actually work?

This is where a lot of pet parents get a little lost, so it's worth asking your insurer to walk you through it properly. You choose a benefit percentage — with Best in Show Cover, that's up to 90% back on eligible vet costs — and that percentage is applied to the vet bill first. Whatever excess applies to your policy is then taken off that amount, not off the original bill. It's a small distinction, but it changes what actually lands in your account. GapOnly® changes this experience at participating vets: instead of paying the full bill and waiting to be reimbursed, you pay only the gap between the invoice and your benefit, right there at the clinic, with claims typically assessed in around five minutes. Ask whether a policy includes it, and check which vets near you participate.

What happens with conditions my cat already has?

Be upfront here, and expect your insurer to be upfront back. Most pet insurance won't cover conditions that showed up before your policy started, known as pre-existing conditions, and how each insurer defines that can vary. It's worth asking whether there's any path back to cover for conditions that were temporary rather than ongoing. Some insurers, including PetSure, allow a vet to assess whether a pre-existing condition was chronic or temporary, and a temporary one may be reconsidered for cover after a symptom-free period. (I don't have the current confirmed length of that symptom-free window — the earlier draft cited 18 months, which I can't verify against current terms, so please confirm this with the product team before it's published.)

Does this policy actually suit my cat?

Every cat is different, and a policy that suits your neighbour's cat might not suit yours. Look for an insurer that lets you genuinely tailor cover, rather than offering one-size-fits-all. If you've got a senior cat, ask directly whether age affects premiums or what's available to you. If your cat's a breed known for particular health issues, ask whether that changes your options too. Better to know now than to find out at claim time.

What optional extras are actually on offer?

Once you know what's included as standard, ask what else you can add. This is where dental cover tends to trip people up: standard illness cover generally doesn't include dental disease, so if that matters to you, ask specifically about an add-on like Booster Care, which can help toward eligible dental conditions and specialised therapies, up to $2,000, after a six-month waiting period. (Routine Care is also worth asking about as a separate, non-insurance benefit for things like vaccinations and check-ups — I don't have the confirmed benefit limit for this yet, so I've left the specific dollar figure out rather than guess.)

Am I actually making the right call?

By this point you should have real answers, not just a premium to compare. Before you sign anything, it's worth running back through what you've learned:

Does it cover both accidents and illnesses?
Is the annual limit enough for a genuinely serious claim, and does it apply without sub-limits?
Do you understand how the benefit percentage and excess actually work together?
Are pre-existing conditions clearly defined, and is there any path back to cover?
Does the policy suit your cat's age, breed and lifestyle?
Have you asked about optional extras like Booster Care?
Have you read the PDS, so nothing in the fine print surprises you later?

None of this needs to feel overwhelming. It just needs fifteen honest minutes before you commit, so the policy you end up with is the one that's actually right for your cat.

FAQs

What should I look for when comparing cat insurance policies?

When comparing cat insurance policies, consider whether they cover both accidents and illnesses, the annual benefit limit, excess amounts, reimbursement percentages, waiting periods and any exclusions that may apply.

Does cat insurance cover both accidents and illnesses?

Not always. Some policies cover accidents only, while others include both accidents and illnesses. Understanding the level of cover is important when comparing policies.

What is an excess in pet insurance?

An excess is the amount you contribute towards the cost of eligible claims. The amount you pay can affect your premium and your out-of-pocket expenses when making a claim.

What are pre-existing conditions in pet insurance?

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses, injuries or symptoms that existed before a policy started or during applicable waiting periods. Most pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions from cover.

Can temporary pre-existing conditions ever be covered?

Some insurers may reassess certain temporary pre-existing conditions after a specified symptom-free period. Eligibility and assessment processes vary between insurers and policies.

What is an annual benefit limit?

An annual benefit limit is the maximum amount an insurer may pay towards eligible claims during a policy year. Some policies may also include sub-limits for specific conditions or treatments.

Does my cat's breed affect pet insurance?

Yes. Certain breeds may be predisposed to particular health conditions, which can influence premiums, policy options and coverage considerations.

Does my cat's age affect pet insurance?

Age can affect premiums, available cover options and the likelihood of developing health conditions. Many pet owners choose to insure their cats while they are younger and healthier.

What optional extras can I add to cat insurance?

Depending on the insurer, optional extras may include dental cover, behavioural therapy, routine care benefits, boarding fees and other additional services.

How do I know if a pet insurance policy is right for my cat?

The right policy should suit your cat's age, breed, lifestyle, health needs and your budget. Comparing features, exclusions, benefit limits and claims processes can help you make an informed decision.

Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time prior to 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s Authorised Representative (AR) Pet Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 38 607 160 930, AR 1234944 (PIPL) and PIPL’s authorised distribution partners. Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time on or after 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, PIPL and PIPL’s authorised distribution partners. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at staging.petinsurance.com.au. ^>GapOnly® is available at participating Vets with an eligible pet insurance policy. Meet our partners at gaponly.com.au. Any advice is general and may not be right for you.