Best Pet Insurance for Older Cats UK 2025 – Compare Top Policies

Why Senior Cats Need Special Cover

As cats grow older, their likelihood of developing chronic conditions increases significantly. Kidney disease, arthritis, dental disease and thyroid problems are all common in senior cats. For owners, this often means higher and more frequent vet bills. Without insurance, treatment costs can run into thousands of pounds, especially for ongoing care.

Pet insurance can help, but policies for older cats come with specific rules: premiums rise every year, exclusions are more common, and some providers even set age limits on new policies. Choosing wisely is key to ensuring your cat gets the care it needs without breaking the bank.

This guide compares the best pet insurance for older cats UK 2025, explaining the main policy types, factors to look for, and providing mini-reviews of the leading insurers.

Policy Options for Older Cats

When insuring an older cat, you’ll usually be choosing from four policy types:

• Lifetime Cover – The most comprehensive, covering conditions year after year as long as you renew. Providers such as Petplan and Agria specialise in this.
• Maximum Benefit Cover – Provides a set pot of money per condition. Once used up, the condition is excluded permanently. As noted by Which?, this can be risky for long-term illnesses.
• Time-Limited Cover – Pays out for up to 12 months per condition. Usually the cheapest, but unsuitable for cats with chronic or recurring issues.
• Accident-Only Cover – The lowest-cost option, but only covers injuries. Not recommended for senior cats, as most claims at this stage are illness-related.

Factors That Matter Most

When comparing older cat policies, consider the following:

• Upper Age Limits – Some providers won’t cover cats over 10 years for new policies. Specialists like Agria and Petplan don’t set strict limits.
• Pre-Existing Conditions – Most insurers exclude them, but ManyPets offers some cover.
• Dental Treatment – Gum and dental disease are common in older cats. Check whether dental illness and accidents are included.
• Premium Increases – According to MoneyHelper, premiums nearly always rise with age and claims history.
• Added Benefits – Extras like bereavement cover, 24/7 vet helplines, and overseas travel can make policies more valuable.

Best Providers for Older Cats in 2025

Petplan

Petplan is often seen as the gold standard for lifetime cover. They accept new cats of any age and are well-reviewed for claims handling. Their Covered For Life® policy resets limits each year, meaning ongoing conditions like diabetes or kidney failure remain covered.

Pros:

• No upper age limit for new cats
• Strong record of paying claims
• Dental and complementary therapies often included

Cons:

• Premiums among the highest
• No multi-pet discounts

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Agria

Agria focuses solely on lifetime policies and is popular among breeders and vet professionals. They offer add-ons for preventive care and include some dental illness cover as standard.

Pros:

• Cat-specialist policies, tailored for pedigree breeds
• Lifetime cover across all options
• Optional routine care cover

Cons:

• Premiums rise sharply with age
• Policies can be stricter on certain hereditary conditions

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ManyPets

ManyPets stands out because it covers some pre-existing conditions — a rare offering in the market. This makes it a strong option for older cats with existing medical histories. Their policies also include digital claims and vet video calls.

Pros:

• Pre-existing condition cover available
• Competitive pricing compared to Petplan
• Easy claims and vet video consultations

Cons:

• Premium rises at renewal can be steep
• Limited cover levels compared to lifetime specialists

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Animal Friends

Animal Friends is known for affordable monthly costs and donating a share of profits to animal charities. They offer a wide range of policy types, including accident-only, time-limited, and lifetime.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly premiums
• Supports animal charities
• Wide choice of policy types

Cons:

• Inconsistent customer service feedback
• Lifetime cover not as broad as Petplan or Agria

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Tesco Bank

Tesco offers both lifetime and time-limited cover, with discounts for Clubcard holders. Policies are fairly flexible, but dental and complementary treatments may require higher-tier plans.

Pros:

• Clubcard discounts available
• Multiple cover options, including lifetime
• Easy online portal for claims

Cons:

• Call wait times can be long
• Dental cover not always included

Pros & Cons of Insuring Older Cats

Pros

• Protection against expensive conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism
• Peace of mind knowing treatment options remain open
• Access to advanced diagnostics and therapies

Cons

• Premiums increase significantly each year
• More exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Some policies restrict annual or condition-based payouts

Related Reading

• Cheap Cat Insurance UK 2025 – Low-Cost Policies
• Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions UK 2025
• Best Lifetime Pet Insurance UK 2025 – Comparison Guide

FAQs – Best Pet Insurance for Older Cats UK 2025

Conclusion

Finding the best pet insurance for older cats UK 2025 requires balancing cost against cover quality. Lifetime policies from Petplan and Agria provide the strongest protection, while ManyPets appeals to owners whose cats already have health histories. Animal Friends and Tesco offer more budget-friendly options, though with trade-offs.

The key is to compare carefully, check the small print, and anticipate rising costs. With the right policy, you can ensure your cat enjoys a safe and healthy old age without the stress of unmanageable vet bills.