Pedigree and purebred cat insurance

Finding the right cat insurance is often more important if you have a pedigree breed because purebred and pedigree cats are not only more expensive to buy but also more prone to developing conditions passed down from their parents. Insurance will be more expensive due to this but it could prove worthwhile.

Contents of this guide

• What is a pedigree cat?
• What can pedigree cat insurance cover?
• Types of pedigree cat insurance?
• Cost of pedigree cat insurance
• Common hereditary conditions in cats

What is a pedigree cat?

Like with most things, there are different definitions of what a pedigree cat is. whilst some define a cat’s parents are both from the same breed then the cat is classed as a pedigree too. Whilst other have a stricter definition which needs the cat to have a documented family tree and document signed to confirm its pedigree status.

The UK’s most popular pedigree cats in the country are:

• British Shorthair
• Bengal
• Siamese
• Maine Coon
• Persian
• Ragdoll
• Russian Blue
• Scottish Fold
• Savannah cat
• Sphynx cat

When taking out pet insurance be sure to understand your chosen provider’s definition of pedigree so you can make sure you answer the questions accurately.

Pedigree cats are defined as: “Parents are of the same breed”

Crossbreeds are defined as: “Parents of two different breeds”

Mixed breed are: “Parents of three or more different breeds”

What can pedigree cat insurance cover?

Standard cat insurance policies cover you against costs of vet treatment for your pedigree cat. They also come with a number of elements to the cover that might be particularly useful for pedigree cat owners.

• Farewell cover provides a pay out in the event that your cat dies from an accident or illness.
• Lost and found cover is there to help you in the event that your cat strays, gets lost or is stolen. It provides support with advertising and rewards to recover your pet.
• Dental treatment cover can help cover costs for accidents, injuries and in some cases illnesses that affect your cat’s teeth and gums.
• Boarding fees help in the event that you become ill meaning you are unable to care for your cat.
• Holiday cancellation cover supports you with compensation in the event of needing to cancel your holiday or cut it short because of an illness with your cat. Pedigree cats are more likely to suffer with illnesses than the typical moggie.
• Overseas travel cover can help if you take your pet abroad and then requires emergency treatment. It can also support you if you lose your pet passport or even if you require repatriation.

Types of pedigree cat insurance

Pet insurance can be categorised into 5 categories listed below from typically least to most comprehensive:

• Accident only – provides cover against fees arising from accidents.
• Time limited – provides cover for a specific time period, usually 12 months, against accidents and illnesses.
• Maximum benefit – providing cover for accidents and illnesses up to a specific cover amount.
• Lifetime insurance – offers cover for accidents and illnesses up to a cover limit which is then reset at each renewal.
• Pre-existing conditions pet insurance – provides cover for accidents, illnesses and pre-existing conditions, usually these limits are reset or raised at each renewal.

Due to the cost of pedigree cats as well as them being a much loved member of the family, lifetime cat insurance is usually the preferred option for the comprehensiveness of the cover which protects against congenital and hereditary conditions should they arise.

If those hereditary conditions have already affected your cat, and you wish to protect those, then pre-existing conditions cover could provide the cover you need.

How much is pedigree cat insurance?

Insurance for pedigree cats will be more expensive than it is for moggies, due to those congenital conditions that often affect pedigree breeds.

Our latest price check (20/05/2021) has shown the following cost of cover.*

*Cover based on £4,000 cover limit for a 42 month old male Siamese cat living in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

What affects your premium?

Aside from the pedigree breed you have other major things that impact the price you receive are:

• Where you live – living in a built up urban area will typically mean you’ll receive a higher price than if you live in a rural location. This is because of the cost of vet treatment and the risk of accidents.
• Age of your pet – The older your pedigree cat the more expensive it will be to insure them. This is because, like humans, the older they get, the more likely they are to become ill.

Common heredity conditions in pedigrees

Nearly all pedigree cats will in some way be susceptible to hereditary conditions. We’ve taken a look at the top 10 pedigree breeds mentioned above and looked at their most common hereditary conditions:

• British Shorthair: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Bengal: cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Siamese: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Maine Coon: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy
• Persian: haircoat disorders, dental disease, overgrown nails and eye discharge
• Ragdoll: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Russian Blue: diabetes, arterial thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy, renal failure
• Scottish Fold: Scottish Fold disease (osteochondrodysplasia) – issue affecting cartilage and bone development leading to arthritis.
• Savannah cat: Arterial thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy, renal failure
• Sphynx cat: muscle weakness