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8.1
Insurance assessment
cat insurance

Cat insurance

Calculate the premium of your cat insurance directly!

Finish online
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14-day cooling-off period
14-day cooling-off period
8.1
Insurance assessment

When you buy a cat or get one from the shelter, you have a friend for life. Often, a cat is really part of the family. A cat is therefore the perfect companion. Always around for a stroke, to give you a head on your legs or to crawl on your lap. At the same time, they can easily be alone and need little care. Nevertheless, cats do need to be seen by the vet from time to time. For a routine check-up or the annual vaccination, but sometimes also when the cat gets sick or injured. You can take out cat insurance so that you do not have to pay the full amount for medical treatment yourself.

Cat insurance

Cats are sweet, but also very stubborn. They do not readily show when something is wrong with them. That is why you sometimes find out late that your cat is sick or injured. For example, because they have eaten something wrong, fought with another cat or just do not feel well. In the most serious case the cat needs immediate surgery, which unfortunately is not cheap. That is why a cat insurance can offer a solution.

What cat insurances are there?

With most insurers, cat insurance consists of the basic package, and you can decide for yourself whether you want to take out additional insurances. You can, for example, insure physiotherapy, behavioural therapy, radiotherapy and dental costs. With some insurers you can also insure the sterilisation or castration of your animal and sometimes even the necessary vaccinations. Travel cover or cremation cover is also an option. So you can compile your pet insurance exactly as you want it. Do you want to know at which providers you can take out cat insurance? Calculate the premium and see which providers meet your needs.

Frequently asked questions about cat insurance

Which cat breeds can I insure?

In principle, you can insure all cat breeds. There are, however, a number of breeds that are not, or are no longer, healthy. Some insurers therefore charge a higher premium for insuring these breeds, as there are more risks involved. It is also possible that certain conditions are excluded from coverage when insuring a certain cat breed. You can find this in the policy conditions.

What are the differences between the packages?

Basic package

  • Reimbursement up to €3000 per year.
  • For an accessible premium, the certainty of good coverage in case of unexpectedly high costs
  • Including: consultation, diagnostics, special treatments (physiotherapy, behavioural therapy, hips & elbows), operations (including anaesthesia), placing identification chip, medicines (including chronic/long-term treatments) and euthanasia
  • Your personal contribution is always 20%. For consultations, diagnostics and special treatments you pay 50% co-payment.

Plus package

  • Reimbursement up to € 4,000 per year.
  • Comprehensive package with a good price-quality ratio. For those who want to be insured for specialist care such as an MRI scan or dental treatment.
  • Contains all reimbursements from the Basic Package.
  • Also includes: dental care (such as tartar removal, tooth extraction), intensive care (such as MRI, CT scan and aids), and extra care (such as Animal ambulance, European medical expenses, care of pet when owner stays in hospital, admission and nursing for more than 7 days).
  • Your personal contribution is always 20%. For consultation, diagnostics and special treatments, you pay a 25% personal contribution. For medication of alternative care, dental care, intensive care and extra care, you pay 50% personal contribution.

Total package

  • Reimbursement up to €5,000 per year.
  • Enjoyment without worries. The most complete package with the highest compensation.
  • Contains all reimbursements from the Basic and Plus Packages.
  • Your own contribution is always 20%.

Accident package

  • Compensation up to €2,000 per year
  • The entry-level package with reimbursement for care required after an accident.
  • This package only provides cover for a verifiable accident, i.e. road traffic accident, bone fracture, ingestion of a foreign object, toxic gases, poisoned food, bite wounds, fire or flood.
  • The insurer will reimburse 80% of the above costs. In addition, you will receive an advertising budget of EUR 250. The waiting period is 48 hours for accidents.
How is cat insurance structured?

You can choose from 4 packages:

  • Basic package
  • Plus package
  • Total package
  • Accident package

The Accident package has a more limited cover than the other three packages. In this package, health costs are only covered in case of a demonstrable accident: a traffic accident, bone fracture, ingestion of a foreign object, toxic gases, poisoned food, bite wounds, fire or flood.

In addition to the four main packages, you can choose from 4 optional additional insurances:

  • Sterilisation/Castration
  • Chemo- and radiotherapy (cancer treatment)
  • Cremation of a deceased pet
  • Continuous Travel Insurance World Coverage

The supplementary insurances can be taken out in combination with one of the 3 main packages (Basic, Plus or Total Package). The Sterilisation/Castration insurance can only be taken out in combination with a Plus or Total package.

Is an identification chip necessary?

Yes, identification and registration of insured pets is mandatory. Most insurers only accept claims that include a chip number. The costs of placing the chip are reimbursed by the insurer.

Will the costs be reimbursed if my cat does not have an identification chip?

No, the insurer will not reimburse the costs if your cat is not microchipped. Only declarations that are provided with a chip number are accepted. Please make sure that your cat has been microchipped before you submit your first claims and that the insurer knows the chip number.

Can I insure my cat if it does not have a chip yet?

Yes, you can insure your pet even if it does not have a chip. You must, however, ensure that the animal is microchipped before submitting a claim.

What happens to my insurance if my cat dies?

We can imagine that during the emotional time of your cat's death, you do not immediately think about the insurance. Fortunately, it is possible to stop the insurance with retroactive effect. What is the procedure?

  • Not later than 30 days after the death of your animal, notify the insurer of the request for termination.
  • Include a death certificate from the veterinarian.
  • After this notification and receipt of the death certificate, the insurer shall terminate the insurance one day after the death of the pet.
  • Any premium paid in excess will of course be refunded.
Up to what age can I insure my cat?

You can take out cat insurance for cats up to 11 years old. The age of the animal is taken into account when purchasing or renewing insurance. The older the animal, the higher the insurance premium because the risk of diseases and accidents increases.

What is the duration of cat insurance?

You take out insurance for a year. Thereafter, it can be cancelled monthly.

Does the premium change when my cat gets older?

As with humans, the health costs of pets are lower when they are young than when they grow older. Therefore, the premium of a kitten is lower than the premium of a cat of, say, 7 years of age. The exact annual increase depends on (the breed) and the actual age of the animal.

Can I extend the cover in the meantime?

Yes, you can change to a more comprehensive package. You can do this on the annual premium due date (the policy anniversary).

Why is there a 30-day waiting period?

A waiting period applies to cat insurance. Complaints that arise before or during this waiting period will not be reimbursed. Any follow-up costs of an illness, disorder or accident occurring before or during the waiting period will also not be eligible for reimbursement.

How long is the waiting period?

  • For care required after an accident, a waiting period of 48 hours applies.
  • A waiting period of 30 days applies to diseases and disorders.

In all packages, the insertion of the chip is reimbursed in the waiting period.

When does my insurance start?

After acceptance, the cat insurance starts on the day the application is received by the insurer.

After the effective date there is a 14-day trial period. Within these 14 days, the pet insurance may be cancelled in writing without stating any reasons. This does not apply if a claim has already been submitted.

From the starting date onwards, a waiting period of 30 days applies for illness.

Why take out cat insurance?

Cat insurance is not compulsory, but it can save you a lot of worry and financial stress when your cat gets sick. With cat insurance, you can be sure that you will be able to pay the medical costs.

How can I cancel my insurance?

You can terminate your insurance with a notice period of one month. This is possible on a monthly basis once your policy has run for one year or in special cases, for example if your pet has died.

Frequently asked questions about reimbursements and claims

From what moment can I claim care?

The moment from which you can claim depends on the waiting period. From the commencement date of the insurance, a waiting period of 30 days applies for illness.

How can I claim?

You can declare in 2 ways and it is always free of charge: online or by mail. The advantage of online claims is that the insurer receives your claim sooner, so that they can process it faster and you receive your money sooner.

Do I have to provide a regular veterinary clinic?

As of 1 January 2015, it is compulsory to report your regular veterinary clinic or practice to the insurer.

Which vets can I turn to?

You have free choice of veterinarian. So you decide which vet you like. However, before you submit your (first) claim, you are obliged to inform the insurer of your regular vet clinic. Do you subsequently incur costs at another clinic? Then these will in principle also be reimbursed, unless it concerns a second opinion.

What is the voluntary excess?

You can opt for a higher voluntary excess. This means that when you submit a claim to the insurer, the voluntary excess is deducted first. The advantage of this is that you can reduce your monthly premium, and you are covered in case you have to incur high costs for your pet.

You can opt for a voluntary excess of € 100 or € 250 per year. You will then receive a discount of 15% or 25% on your premium.

Please note: if you opt for a voluntary excess, this will apply for one year. Only after one year can you change or terminate it.

How does the personal contribution work?

When you submit a claim, your personal contribution is determined for each treatment. The personal contribution differs per package:

  • Basic package:
    you pay a co-payment of 20%. For consultation, diagnostics and special treatments (such as hip and elbow treatments and physical therapy), you pay a 50% co-payment.
  • Plus package:
    you pay a 20% co-payment. For consultation, diagnostics and special treatments (such as hip and elbow treatments and physical therapy), you pay a 25% co-payment. For medication of alternative care, for dentures and for intensive and extra care, you pay a 50% co-payment.
  • Total package:
    you pay a 20% co-payment.
  • Accident package:
    you pay a 20% co-payment.

The personal contribution will be deducted from your claim.

What does cat insurance cost?

The cost of cat insurance depends on your cat. An insurer looks at the following factors when calculating the premium:

  • Your cat's breed or crossbreed
  • Your cat's weight
  • The age of your cat
  • Will you go for the basic coverage or will you also choose additional coverage?

If your cat is heavier, there is a higher risk of health problems. The age of your cat is also important. The older an animal gets, the higher the risk of disorders. Many insurers therefore recalculate the premium every year, this is also called an ageing surcharge. This means that the premium will increase every year.

What is the best cat insurance?

Every owner wants the best cat insurance for his or her beloved four-legged friend. What the best cat insurance is, differs per person. It depends on your cat and your personal situation. We recommend taking out insurance when your cat is still young, as pet insurance can only be taken out up to a certain age. Furthermore, you know your cat best. Perhaps you would like to include dental costs, as your cat does not clean its teeth easily. You decide which additional covers best suit your personal needs. This way you compose the best cat insurance yourself.

What is the cheapest cat insurance?

For many people, the level of the premium is a decisive factor when choosing insurance. They immediately go for the cheapest cat insurance. Of course, everyone wants to save a bit on insurance, because having a cat is costly enough. However, don't forget to take a good look at the insurance coverage as well. You can do this by making a good comparison. It is also important to take a good look at your financial situation. If you have a buffer to cover unexpected costs, you may not need to be as extensively insured as when you are a bit short on cash. This way you can determine what the best insurance is for you, your cat and your wallet.

Compare cat insurance

Cat insurance comparison? At Alpina.nl we've created an easy online tool for that. All you have to do is fill in a few details about yourself and your cat, and then the comparison can begin. Comparing is important because sometimes there can be big differences between providers. From us you will not only get the premiums, but also the corresponding policy conditions. So you can easily look through these to compare the coverages. Have you found the best cat insurance? Then you can easily take it out online. If you still have questions about cat insurance, you can always ask us. You can reach our insurance specialists by phone from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00 on 088 - 6883700. Of course, you may also always send us a message via chat, WhatsApp or Messenger.

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Last updated: 10-08-2023

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