Cats are the most common pet in Germany, with around 16 million living in German homes. For their owners they are often indispensable companions. When a beloved cat falls ill or is injured, owners want the best possible medical care without losing track of the costs. Cat health insurance (Katzenkrankenversicherung) provides exactly that financial protection, so medical decisions can be made in the animal's interest.
Veterinary medicine has made enormous progress in recent decades. Modern diagnosis and treatment can cure cats of diseases once thought incurable. But this progress has a price. Ultrasound, blood tests, X-rays, MRI, chemotherapy and complex surgery are all possible for cats today, and costly too. A single course of treatment can quickly cost several thousand euros and become a real burden without insurance.
Common illnesses in cats that can lead to high treatment costs include kidney problems, diabetes, heart disease, dental problems, tumours and cancer. Many of these need lifelong treatment with regular vet visits and medication. Over a cat's lifetime the total cost can be considerable. Without insurance, owners face a hard trade-off between the animal's welfare and their own finances, a situation no pet owner wants to be in.
Cat health insurance is for all cat owners who want to be prepared for the worst. It is especially recommended for owners of pedigree cats, which are often more prone to certain hereditary diseases, and for outdoor cats, which face a higher risk of injury. Even indoor cats can develop an unexpected illness with high costs. Then a good policy is worth its weight in gold.
When taking out cat health insurance, owners should check closely the scope of cover, waiting periods, the treatment of pre-existing conditions, the annual sum insured and the deductible. Some insurers also include preventive care such as vaccinations or worming treatments, which raises the overall value of the contract considerably.
We are happy to help you compare offers and find the best policy for your cat, so that you can be there for your companion when it counts.
Cat health insurance: benefits
Allianz cat health insurance covers the following areas:
Outpatient treatment: Medically necessary treatment without surgery, such as examinations, diagnostics (blood count, X-ray, ultrasound), therapies, wound care and bandages, and treatment of acute and chronic illness. Medication and consumables are reimbursed when prescribed by the vet.
Inpatient treatment and operations: Insured costs for clinic stays and surgery are covered, including diagnostics on the last examination day before the operation, the operation itself, and outpatient and inpatient aftercare within the agreed period.
Diagnostics, medication and prevention: Simple and specialised diagnostic procedures such as laboratory tests, X-ray, ultrasound and, where medically necessary, MRI or CT. Under basic preventive care, preventive services can be covered: vaccinations, worming, flea and tick prevention.
Dental treatment: Dental treatment, surgical treatment of the mouth cavity, orthodontics and dental prophylaxis under anaesthesia are covered, such as tooth extraction, root canal treatment, fillings and tartar removal.
Other benefits: Telemedicine (online consultations, video advice), imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT), prostheses and implants, orthoses and aids, physiotherapy by vets, cover abroad (12 months worldwide), emergency service fees for medical emergencies, cost of euthanasia for incurable illness, direct billing with the vet, and a switch option as an add-on.
Waiting periods: None for young animals under 6 months. None for accidents. None for basic preventive care. A 3-month waiting period applies to illness and developmental disorders. A 3-month waiting period also applies to surgical neutering/sterilisation and emergency caesarean section.
