Cats bring us a lot of enjoyment, but there are also times when they can make us worry, especially when they get ill. Pet insurance can bring real peace of mind - and a great help when it comes to the unforeseen expenses of treatment.  Even so, you should be careful to choose the right company and the right policy for your pet.

What to look for in an insurance company

• Insurance cover should be as comprehensive as required.
• The policy should have a minimum number of restrictions (normally found in the small print).
• It should all be provided at the lowest possible premium.
• The company should have a good track record in terms of claims history, type of claims, frequency of claims etc. This sort of information can usually be checked on their websites or in FAQ's.
• Simple, straightforward processes and good service, e.g. the opening times of a careline.

What to look for from pet insurance

• Does the cover include all the costs of treating your pet? Check that hospital stays, medicines, anaesthetics, operations, X-rays and laboratory charges will all be taken care of. Also enquire if the treatment of behavioural disorders and complementary medicines are covered.
• Will your cover include the cost, or a contribution towards, special prescriptive diets?
• Is an allowance made for associated costs such as cattery boarding fees?
• Will there be a lump sum if your cat is lost, stolen or strays? Will the policy contribute to the cost of making missing notices and offering a reward?
• Is the premium affected by your postcode or your cat's age?
• Is there an excess to be paid for pre-existing conditions? With most pet insurance policies you will be expected to pay the first part of each and every claim. This excess payment, around £35, will be specified in your policy.
• Are there any restrictions in terms of the number of visits to the vet every year?
• Are there pensioner or multi-pet discounts?
• Does cover include 3rd party costs if your cat causes an accident? You should also check your house and contents insurance, as some policies cover legal liability for injury or damage caused by cats.
• Will there be payment for holiday cancellation due to emergency pet surgery? Or boarding fees should you need to go to hospital?
• Are pedigrees excluded from certain cover because of the value of the animal? Or do they require an excess payment? Are treatments for certain hereditary conditions excluded?