Update (5 May 2026): Takaful Kucing is no longer open to new sign-ups. Existing certificate holders remain covered until their certificate expires. If your certificate expires on or after 5 July 2026, you can no longer renew into Takaful Kucing, but you can renew into MSIG conventional cat insurance instead. Valid claims are still handled under your existing certificate terms.
Disclaimer: This article is kept for reference and for existing Takaful Kucing certificate holders. It describes how Takaful Kucing worked while it was open. If you are a new customer, the plan to sign up for today is Oyen's conventional cat insurance, underwritten by MSIG. Policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and coverage limits vary, so always review your specific policy wording. For the full exclusions list, visit the exclusions page.
For a while, cat parents on Oyen could choose between two plans: conventional cat insurance and Takaful Kucing. Both covered vet bills and both worked at any licensed clinic. Takaful Kucing has since closed to new sign-ups, but plenty of existing certificate holders still have active cover, so this guide explains what it was and how it worked.
If you are signing up for the first time today, conventional cat insurance underwritten by MSIG is the plan for you, with cover up to RM10,000/year. Check your cat's eligibility here.
Here's what this guide covers, mainly for existing certificate holders and anyone curious about how the two plans compared:
- Conventional vs Takaful: the fundamental difference
- How each plan worked, feature by feature
- How deductibles worked differently in each plan
- Waiting periods and coverage limits
- Cost scenarios showing what you would have paid out of pocket
- What existing certificate holders need to know now
Note: The comparison tables below are kept for reference and for existing certificate holders. Takaful Kucing is no longer available to new customers. New sign-ups apply to conventional cat insurance only.
The Fundamental Difference
Both plans protected you from unexpected vet bills, but they were built on different financial models.
| Feature | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Insurance (risk transfer) | Takaful (mutual assistance, Shariah-compliant) |
| Underwriter | MSIG Malaysia | Zurich General Takaful Malaysia |
| How it worked | You pay premiums. The insurer bears the risk and pays claims from pooled premiums. | You contributed to a shared fund. Participants helped each other. Claims were paid from this mutual pool. |
| Shariah-compliant | No | Yes |
| Covers | Cats and dogs | Cats only |
Conventional insurance is the standard model you are probably familiar with. You pay a premium, and MSIG bears the financial risk. If your pet gets sick, the insurer pays out according to your policy terms.
Takaful worked on the principle of mutual cooperation (ta'awun). Your contribution went into a shared fund managed by Zurich General Takaful. When someone in the pool had a claim, it was paid from this fund. It was Shariah-compliant and avoided elements like gharar (uncertainty) and riba (interest).
Both plans were distributed exclusively through Oyen, with the same claims support, WhatsApp service, and digital experience.
Side-by-Side Comparison (For Reference)
Here is how the two plans stacked up while both were available.
Coverage and Limits
| Feature | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual coverage limit | Up to RM10,000/year (varies by plan tier) | Up to RM8,000/year (per PDS) |
| Plan tiers | Basic, Plus, Champion | Basic, Plus, Champion |
| Reimbursement rate | 50%, 70%, or 90% (you choose) | Deductible-based (see below) |
| Vet clinic restriction | Any licensed vet in Malaysia | Any licensed vet in Malaysia |
| What's covered | 1,000+ illnesses and injuries (anything not on the exclusions list) | 1,000+ illnesses and injuries (same exclusions list applied) |
| Third-party liability | Plus and Champion plans (up to RM50,000) | Included (subject to deductible) |
| Burial benefit | Plus and Champion plans (up to RM1,000) | Included |
Waiting Periods
| Waiting Period | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Illness | 30 days | 14 days |
| Accidents | Immediate (Day 1) | Immediate (Day 1) |
| Hereditary conditions | 1 year (6 conditions, pets under 6 years) | Not covered |
One thing that has not changed for either plan: it is the date your pet first showed symptoms that counts, not the date of treatment. If symptoms appeared during the waiting period, the condition would not be covered even if the vet visit happens after. See waiting period details for more.
How Deductibles Worked: The Biggest Difference
This is where the two plans differed the most. If you are an existing Takaful Kucing certificate holder, this section explains how your cost sharing works.
| Deductible Feature | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| How you share cost | Co-payment: you bear 10%, 30%, or 50% of eligible amount (based on your chosen reimbursement rate) | Deductible: RM100 or 10% of eligible amount, whichever is higher |
| Applied how | Per bill | Per condition |
| Follow-up visits | Co-payment applies to each bill separately | Follow-ups within 60 days for the same condition share one deductible |
| Flexibility | You choose your rate (50/70/90%). Lower rate = lower premium. | Fixed deductible structure |
| Additional deductible | May be introduced by insurer on a case-by-case basis. Always displayed at checkout. | Standard deductible applies to all claims |
For full details on how conventional deductibles work, see the deductible explainer. For takaful deductibles, existing certificate holders can see the takaful deductible guide.
Conventional: Co-Payment Per Bill
With conventional plans, you choose your reimbursement rate when you sign up: 50%, 70%, or 90%. The percentage you don't get reimbursed is your co-payment.
If you chose 90% reimbursement and your eligible vet bill is RM1,000, you get RM900 back. The RM100 (10%) is your co-payment. This applies to every bill individually.
Choosing a lower reimbursement rate (like 50%) means lower premiums but a bigger share of each bill. It's a trade-off you control.
Takaful: Deductible Per Condition
Takaful worked differently. Instead of a percentage co-payment, there was a fixed deductible: RM100 or 10% of the eligible amount, whichever is higher. After the deductible, you got the rest back.
The key feature: this deductible was per condition, not per bill. If your cat needed three vet visits for the same kidney infection within 60 days, the deductible only applied once (on the first visit). Follow-up visits for the same condition were fully reimbursed after that.
Cost Scenarios (For Reference)
Numbers make this clearer. Here is what you would have paid out of pocket under each plan for common vet bills, while both were available.
Scenario 1: Single Vet Visit (RM1,000 Eligible Bill)
| Plan | Your Cost | You Get Back |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional (90%) | RM100 (10% co-payment) | RM900 |
| Conventional (70%) | RM300 (30% co-payment) | RM700 |
| Takaful (existing holders) | RM100 (deductible: higher of RM100 or 10%) | RM900 |
Scenario 2: Condition With Follow-Up Visits (3 Visits Over 45 Days)
Your cat has a urinary tract infection. First visit costs RM800, second visit RM400, third visit RM300. All for the same condition within 60 days.
| Visit | Eligible Bill | Conventional (90%): You Pay | Takaful (existing holders): You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit 1 | RM800 | RM80 (10%) | RM100 (deductible) |
| Visit 2 | RM400 | RM40 (10%) | RM0 (same condition, within 60 days) |
| Visit 3 | RM300 | RM30 (10%) | RM0 (same condition, within 60 days) |
| Total you pay | RM1,500 | RM150 | RM100 |
| Total reimbursed | RM1,350 | RM1,400 |
For conditions that need multiple visits, the takaful per-condition deductible could work out cheaper than conventional's per-bill co-payment. The more follow-up visits, the bigger the difference.
Scenario 3: Small Bill (RM300 Eligible)
| Plan | Your Cost | You Get Back |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional (90%) | RM30 (10%) | RM270 |
| Conventional (70%) | RM90 (30%) | RM210 |
| Takaful (existing holders) | RM100 (minimum deductible) | RM200 |
For smaller bills, conventional at 90% gives you more back. The takaful RM100 minimum deductible took a bigger bite from smaller claims.
Worried about unexpected vet bills? 🐾
With Oyen conventional cat insurance, you can claim up to 90% of vet bills at any licensed clinic in Malaysia, from as low as RM30.60/month.
Policy terms and conditions apply.
Pricing and Payment
| Feature | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Variable (based on pet type, breed, age, reimbursement rate) | Fixed contributions (as listed in the PDS) |
| Payment options | Monthly or annual | Monthly or annual |
| SST | 8% applies | 8% Service Tax applies |
| Multi-pet discount | Check at sign-up | 10% discount for additional cats in the same certificate |
| RM1,000 threshold (monthly plans) | Yes. Settle remaining premium when approved claims hit RM1,000 cumulative. | Yes. Same rule applied. |
Conventional pricing depends on your pet's age, breed (for dogs), and the reimbursement rate you choose. Choosing 50% instead of 90% reimbursement significantly reduces your premium, making it accessible for all budgets. The fastest way to see your price is to check your pet's eligibility for an instant quote.
No Claim Discount (NCD)
Both conventional and takaful reward staying claim-free.
| Claim-Free Years | Discount |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 5% |
| 2 years | 10% |
| 3+ years | 15% |
NCD applies to conventional annual plans, and applied to takaful annual plans for existing certificate holders. The longer you stay insured without a claim, the less you pay at renewal.
Eligibility and Sign-Up
New sign-ups today apply to conventional cat insurance. The Takaful column below is kept as a record for existing certificate holders.
| Requirement | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Pet type | Cats and dogs | Cats only |
| Age at sign-up | 12 weeks to 10 years | 12 weeks to 10 years |
| Renewable up to | 13 years | 13 years |
| Microchip required | Dogs: yes (can update after signup). Cats: no. | Not required |
| Vaccination required | Recommended but not required (vaccine-preventable diseases excluded from claims) | Recommended but not required |
The Claims Experience
Whether you hold a conventional policy or an existing Takaful Kucing certificate, the claims experience is the same. Oyen handles everything.
| Claims Feature | Conventional | Takaful Kucing (existing holders) |
|---|---|---|
| Submission | Online via Oyen account | Online via Oyen account |
| Processing time | Typically 3 to 4 weeks | Typically 3 to 4 weeks |
| Vet validation | Oyen contacts your vet directly | Oyen contacts your vet directly |
| Updates | Via account dashboard and email | Via account dashboard and email |
| Support | WhatsApp, dedicated claims team | WhatsApp, dedicated claims team |
| Payout | Bank transfer | Bank transfer |
Valid claims for active existing certificates are handled under your existing certificate terms. The same claims team handles your case, follows up with your vet, and keeps you updated throughout. For a full step-by-step guide, see how to submit a claim.
What This Means for You Now
If you are a new customer
Takaful Kucing is no longer open to new sign-ups. The plan to sign up for today is Oyen's conventional cat insurance, underwritten by MSIG. It covers cats and dogs, over 1,000 illnesses and injuries, cover up to RM10,000/year, and lets you choose a 50%, 70%, or 90% reimbursement rate to suit your budget. You can sign up in minutes and claim at any licensed vet clinic in Malaysia.
If you are an existing Takaful Kucing certificate holder
- You remain covered under your certificate until it expires.
- Valid claims are still handled under your existing certificate terms.
- If your certificate expires on or after 5 July 2026, you can no longer renew into Takaful Kucing, but you can renew into MSIG conventional cat insurance instead.
- If you have any questions about your certificate or renewal, message the Oyen team on WhatsApp and we will help you through it.
Common Questions From Existing Certificate Holders
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| "Was Takaful only for Muslims?" | No. Takaful Kucing was open to anyone regardless of religion. It was based on a mutual cooperation model. |
| "Are takaful claims harder to process?" | No. Existing certificate holders use the same Oyen claims team, same submission portal, and same process as conventional. |
| "Does the same exclusions list apply?" | Yes. Both plans use the same exclusions list. |
FAQ
I have a Takaful Kucing certificate. What happens when it expires?
You stay covered until your certificate expires. If it expires on or after 5 July 2026, you cannot renew back into Takaful Kucing, but you can renew into MSIG conventional cat insurance. Message the Oyen team on WhatsApp before your expiry date and we will guide you.
Does the takaful deductible apply to every vet visit?
No. For existing certificate holders, the deductible applies per condition, not per visit. If your cat has follow-up appointments for the same illness within 60 days, the deductible is only charged once (on the first claim). See the takaful deductible guide for examples.
I am a new customer with both cats and dogs. What can I sign up for?
Conventional cat and dog insurance covers both. Takaful Kucing is closed to new sign-ups. Check your pet's eligibility to get started.
Do accidents get covered from Day 1?
Yes. Conventional covers accidents immediately from the first day of your plan, and existing takaful certificates work the same way. There's no waiting period for accident claims.
What's the maximum I can claim per year?
For new conventional sign-ups, up to RM10,000/year on the Champion plan. Existing Takaful Kucing certificates cover up to RM8,000/year on the Champion tier. The exact limit depends on your plan tier (Basic, Plus, or Champion).
Are the exclusions the same for both?
Yes. Both use the same exclusions list. Dental, supplements, pre-existing conditions, vaccine-preventable diseases, and other excluded items apply equally.
Does No Claim Discount still apply to my takaful certificate?
Yes. For existing certificate holders on annual plans, NCD applies: 5% off after 1 claim-free year, 10% after 2, and 15% after 3 or more.
Protecting Your Cat Starts Here
If you are signing up for the first time, conventional cat insurance gives you access to the full Oyen ecosystem: WhatsApp support, a dedicated claims team that follows up with your vet, online submission, and coverage at any licensed clinic in Malaysia, with cover up to RM10,000/year.
The best plan is the one you actually sign up for. Your cat is better off with cover than without it.
Check your cat's eligibility now - it takes less than 2 minutes to see your conventional cat insurance quote.
