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Seniors Pet Insurance

Is your pet getting on in age? Compare insurance options for your senior pet with Savvy.

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, updated on October 6th, 2023       

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Compare pet insurance

Looking into pet insurance for your beloved furry friend? Whether you have a playful pup or a curious cat, you can compare pet insurance options from a range of providers and find the perfect coverage that suits your pet's unique needs and your budget. 

site-logos Fetch Care Plan

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$30,000 $100 80%, 90% or 100% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

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site-logos Petsy Most Popular 80% Cover $150 Excess

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$25,000 $150 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

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site-logos Fetch Premium Plan

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Covers illness?

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$30,000 $0 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

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site-logos Knose Pet Insurance

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$7,500, $12,500 or $25,000 $0 / $100 / $200 70%, 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Multi-award winning pet insurance designed with the help of vets.

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site-logos Petsy Value Cover 80% Cover $500 Excess

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% Benefits reimbursement rate

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Covers accidental injuries?

$10,000 $500 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

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site-logos Petsy Top Cover

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$25,000 $0 / $150 / $500 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

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Savvy earns a commission each time a customer buys a pet insurance policy through our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via the individual pet insurance companies.

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As your pet ages, the likelihood of costly veterinary bills or unexpected expenses increases. As a result, finding suitable pet insurance for older animals can be challenging. Nevertheless, there are coverage options out there for senior pets. If you want to ensure your aging pet receives the care they deserve, you can compare seniors pet insurance options with Savvy today.

What is seniors pet insurance?

Seniors pet insurance is a pet insurance product geared towards older cats and dogs that are beyond a certain age – usually eight or nine years old. For some breeds such as pugs and greyhounds, which commonly experience health issues due to their unique physical traits, this age cut off can be even earlier. At this stage in a pet’s life, the risk of illness becomes higher, as does the potential cost of treating any issues. For this reason, many pet insurance companies will limit pet insurance for old dogs and cats.   

In many cases, new senior pet policies are restricted to basic, accident-only coverage and will not cover pre-existing conditions or illnesses. You may also face higher premiums and a lower benefit percentage than on a regular policy, meaning you may have to pay a larger portion of your pet’s vet bills. However, if you take out pet insurance when your pet is younger and maintain continuous coverage, your pet will remain covered on this policy as it ages.

How does seniors pet insurance work?

Restrictions aside, seniors pet insurance works in much the same way as regular pet insurance:

  • Choose your seniors pet insurance policy: when you take out your policy, you will need to disclose any previous or current ailments your pet has suffered from.
  • Pay your premium: premiums are generally paid monthly for pet insurance, but this depends on your insurance provider.
  • Waiting period: you will generally have to wait a certain amount of time before you can make any claims on your pet insurance.
  • Make a claim: if your pet encounters an issue covered by your policy, you should be able to claim reimbursement for a fixed percentage of the cost of treatment. For example, your dog breaks a bone, which costs $1,200. However, because you have insurance with a 65% benefit percentage, you can claim this from your insurer and be reimbursed 65% of the vet bill, or $780.

What types of pet insurance can I get for my older dog or cat?

There are generally three main types of pet insurance: accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive. The table below outlines what these policy types do and do not cover. Please note that certain treatments and procedures are not included in any policy, such as grooming, elective procedures, day-to-day care, breeding-related costs and unnecessary medications.  

Policy type Covers Best for
Accident-only
  • Accidental injuries caused by your animal or by others.
  • Value for money.
Accident and illness
  • Accidental injuries caused by your animal or by others.
  • New illnesses or conditions.
  • Tick paralysis.
  • Mid-range budgets.
  • Animals that do not need much routine care.
Comprehensive
  • Accidental injuries caused by your animal or by others.
  • New illnesses or conditions.
  • Tick paralysis.
  • General check-ups.
  • Regular treatment.
  • Premium budgets.
  • Overall protection and care.

If you are taking out a new policy for a cat or dog over nine years old, you might find that your options are limited to accident-only policies or those with limited illness cover. This means that while you will be covered for accidents, you will have to cover the cost of any illnesses not listed on your policy.   

If you would like comprehensive cover, you will generally need to take out a policy before your cat or dog turns nine. If you take out a comprehensive policy before this point and maintain this cover, your pet will remain protected even as they get older. It’s therefore worthwhile thinking ahead when you get a pet to ensure they have the cover they need throughout their life.   

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Why compare pet insurance with Savvy?

Top tips for reducing your seniors pet insurance premiums

Your pet’s breed

Depending on your pet's breed, you might be able to save money on your pet insurance even as your animal ages. Certain breeds such as Pugs and Greyhounds are considered more susceptible to illness and therefore demand higher premiums for insurance coverage, but choosing a breed that is not considered ‘high risk’ may save you money.   

Higher excess

Check whether your current or prospective insurer allows you to opt for a higher excess payment in the event of a claim, in exchange for lower monthly premiums.

Lifetime policies

Insuring your pet from a young age and maintaining that cover can save you money down the line. Taking out new policies on aging animals can be expensive and you might not get the cover you need.

Practise care and caution

Prevention is the best cure. By attending to the primary needs of your pet such as ensuring that it maintains a good diet and that health issues are addressed early, you can potentially reduce the costs of claims over time, and therefore enjoy lower premiums.

Frequently asked seniors pet insurance questions

What’s the difference between seniors pet insurance and standard pet insurance?

Seniors pet insurance is for pets above a certain age, while standard pet insurance covers a much wider age range and may offer a broader choice of coverage options. Seniors pet insurance does not generally offer as wide a scope of coverage, with potential restrictions and limitations on what pets are insured for, and often incurs a higher premium paired with lower reimbursements in the event of a claim.

Is it worth getting insurance for a senior dog or cat?

Insuring your senior dog or cat can protect you against the high costs you might otherwise face when dealing with their health issues in old age. Conditions like arthritis and joint problems can significantly impact older pets, and insurance can help cover the treatment expenses and provide much-needed support. With insurance in place, you can reduce vet bills and get greater peace of mind.

What is the best pet insurance for old dogs and cats?

The best pet insurance policy for your pet depends on its individual requirements. However, taking out a lifetime insurance policy when your pet is young and healthy can ensure it is protected into old age and receives the care it needs.

Are there any pet insurance plans that do not get more expensive with age?

All pet insurance premiums tend to increase as your pet ages. As pets get older, they are more likely to develop health issues or require medical treatment. As a result, the potential for claims also increases, leading insurers to adjust their premiums to cover the higher risk. Additionally, rising veterinary costs can contribute to the overall increase in insurance premiums. 

Is routine care cover available for senior pets?

Routine care is often only available as an optional extra on comprehensive plans. If you already have comprehensive cover with routine care for your pet, this can be extended as your pet ages. However, if you are taking out a new policy for a senior pet, this option may not be available.    

How do I compare seniors pet insurance?

When comparing seniors pet insurance policies, it’s important to consider a range of factors to find the best coverage for your older pet’s specific needs. These include:

  • Age limit
  • Waiting periods
  • Exclusions
  • Premiums
  • Benefit limits
  • Benefit percentage

 

If you are looking for insurance for your senior pet, you can compare policies in moments using Savvy’s 100% free online comparison tool.