Cats are a wonderful source of fun and become the best companions very quickly. However, just like us humans, they may face health issues and can have accidents. There is no national health service for pets. So, pet owners don’t have exact information regarding costs of treatment if they visit a vet. Cat insurance could provide help to cat owners for unexpected veterinary fees, that’s why owners always prefer to insure their cats which is also critically important in the current economic situation.
Insurance policies also cover a range of other cat-related issues. For example, help to find a stray cat, compensation in case of cat’s death or loss, provide homecare if the owner is ill, and many other. So, it’s wise to insure your cat to have peace of mind. Here are the tips to help you in finding the best insurance policy for your cat.
Tip 1: Compare cat insurance providers
When you decide to enroll your cat in an insurance policy, first compare insurance providers that are under consideration. A detailed comparison will provide you the difference in deductibles, premiums, plan details, co-pays, and sample reimbursements. It’s always good to look at multiple insurance providers side-by-side to choose the best for your cat and friendly to your pocket.
Tip 2: Checking of insurance provider’s track record
Check out the cat insurance provider’s track record so you can opt for the company with proven recommendations, stability, and experience. Check out for, for how long has the insurance provider been in business? How many in-force policies do they have? Are they a reliable insurance service? Do they have vets on staff to help in developing policies covering cats’ needs?
Tip 3: Research factors that may affect coverage
Every cat insurance policy has its own plans. For example, some policies have exclusions for pre-existing conditions, hereditary diseases, or breeding-related issues and they apply restrictions on your coverage during filing a claim. So make sure that you understand all possible factors that might affect coverage before you get enrolled. Put your queries up about why and how often your premium can increase or what is the effect of the amount of claim on the premium? Thoroughly read and understand the policy, if policy language is not understandable to you then seek help from insurance providers ‘customer care.
Tip 4: Select the coverage that works for you
Before selecting coverage, have a detailed discussion with your vet about common health conditions that your cat might face, breed-related issues. So, you can opt for coverage that is suitable for you and your cat. Check out if you want coverage for wellness (vaccinations, heartworm prevention), sudden medical care including hospitalization and surgeries, lab tests or you want coverage with complete medical care along with breeding and hereditary conditions? Take a good decision at this time in choosing coverage. So, you can find the best medical treatment once your cat begins to age.
Tip 5: Choose the insurance reimbursement that suits you
Cat insurance providers calculate reimbursement from a percentage of invoice or annual schedule of allowances. An invoice is a bill that your veterinarian gives you after treating your cat. If you want to enroll your cat by a percentage of the invoice plan then you’ll be reimbursed a portion of fees (usually 90%) that you have paid your vet.
An annual schedule of allowances covers everything that is included in your policy plan with a fixed amount for reimbursements that are renewed annually. Your reimbursement amount could also vary depending on the deductible that you have chosen either per-condition deductible or annual deductible.
Tip 6: Review cost and value
Don’t buy a cat insurance policy that is cheap but unable to cover your cats’ needs. Your premium and reimbursement amount vary depending on the type of coverage and the deductible that you choose.
Companies offer two types of deductibles: per-condition deductible and an annual deductible. A per-condition deductible is applied to each separate condition diagnosed like you will pay for a cat’s injury and allergy separately. On the other hand, the annual deductible is paid once a year for all conditions collectively and it seems cheap.
Tip 7: Enroll young and healthy cats
It is wise to enroll young and healthy cats to avoid limited coverage due to pre-existing problems. This will lower the cost of your policy.
Tip 8: Ask about discounts
Insurance companies offer a discount on your monthly premium, offer a 5% discount to owners with 2-3 cats, and a 10% discount to those who have 4 or more pets. Check the company package to find the discounts or your eligibility for discounts.
Tip 9: Age limit
Most insurance policies have a maximum age limit above which you cannot get the policy. So, it’s good and affordable to enroll before the maximum age limit. As you insure your cat, most policies will offer you to renew the coverage annually for the rest of your cat’s life.
