About Cat Insurance
With cat insurance, medical bills won’t creep up and startle you. Instead, you’ll be unfazed.
What is cat insurance?
This coverage offsets the out-of-pocket cost of veterinary care if your cat become ill or injured. By securing Kitty insurance, parents of kittens can spring into action vs. postponing or foregoing medical treatments.
Compare the different types of cat insurance
Insurance is an umbrella term used by industry professionals to describe fiscal protection in times of crisis. However, there are different types of insurance plans available - and subsequently coverage levels. Cat insurance is no different.
Let’s compare the three main types of policies available on the market before signing up:
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Comprehensive kitten insurance - This type of coverage takes care of most, if not all, of your cat’s medical treatment. Think diagnostics, surgeries, well visits, medication, and more.
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Injury-only coverage - This coverage is ideal for pet parents who own a healthy cat and plan for unexpected accidents. Injury-only cat insurance is appealing to parents from all walks of life because it’s more affordable than comprehensive insurance policies.
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Preventative kitten insurance - Did you know that you could add on select coverage types to help with vaccines and wellness checks? Many of our partners provide this beneficial option.
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Owners help prevent or stop common medical issues before these turn into bigger issues.
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Insurance companies benefit from paying less reimbursements on major procedures.
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Common cat insurance terms
If you have a health insurance plan, you may be familiar with the following terms:
Co-pay - Health plans, including cat insurance, pay a larger percentage of non-routine visits, while you pay a small out-of-pocket fee. This fee is called the “co-payment”.
Premium - This is the monthly payment required to keep your plan active.
Deductible - In some cases, you may be required to pay an annual deductible upfront prior to the policy’s activation. This is one of the reasons it’s good to compare cat insurance from different providers to determine which one gives you the best bang for your buck. We recommend getting 3 different quotes.
Benefit limits - Insured pets are generally provided with benefit limits. In a nutshell, this is the maximum amount of times the plan can be used per year, condition, or life. Again, make sure to compare our partner plans in detail to determine outlined limits - and what’s acceptable to you. Plans that offer unlimited benefits are available, but cost more.
Pre-existing conditions - Generally speaking, cat insurance providers do not cover pre-existing ailments. There are some exceptions to the rule, however:
Some carriers may cover the condition, but only if it’s curable. To get a clear answer to this loophole, speak to a field representative from our partners.
Reimbursement - Cat parents need to pay for medical expenses upfront, even when an active cat insurance plan is in place. After submitting a claim, the co-pay amount is deducted and reimbursements are distributed within less than a week, in most cases.
What is the average cost of cat insurance?
Now that you know a thing or two about cat insurance, you may be asking for ballpark figures on monthly or annual premiums.
Luckily, these averages are simple to pinpoint.
Consumer Reports published a resource guide for consumers’ reference. According to the research advocacy agency, average monthly fees for cat insurance ranges from $10-$100.
The amount you pay is dependent on:
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The type of cat insurance you buy - choose from accident-only, preventative, or comprehensive. Comprehensive carries the highest premiums while preventative insurance features the lowest monthly rates.
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The cat’s age - the insurance costs for older cats are higher, given the higher probability for illness.
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The insurance provider - compare rates online to find the most affordable provider for your specific needs. Click HERE to compare providers.
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The deductible - consumers have the freedom to choose the deductible amount upfront, which subsequently influences the monthly payment amount.
These pet insurance providers have been vetted for exceptional quality, customer service, and value.
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Pet First - Find hassle-free cat insurance starting at just $26 per month. Pet First’s policies cover a host of health conditions for kittens, cats, and senior cats. Some examples include health checks and treatments for arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and more.
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Pets Best - Get unlimited annual coverage with Pets Best - with no upper age limits. Whether you want financial protection for unforeseen routine care or exam visits, Pets Best has you covered. Pets Best was founded by a veterinarian who understands the healthcare needs of pets. The company offers a 24/7 hotline and pre-authorization access for potential claims.
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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance - In addition to offering speedy payouts, Healthy Paws offers no caps whatsoever. This includes claims for per-incident, life, or yearly coverage. Moreover, age discrimination isn’t a factor, though rates could go up based on this variable. Catch a big fish with Healthy Paws, which saves you up to 90% on vet bills.
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Embrace Pet Insurance - Embrace Pet Insurance offers co-pays for medical treatments that are typically 10%. Plus a wellness annual allowance is available for most members, to put preventative care within reach.
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Nationwide Pet - Nationwide Pet offers several cat insurance plans with rates starting at just $35 per month. You can get a quote online or even file a paperless claim. Most policyholders get a check in the mail within days of filing.
Compare kitten insurance HERE
Don’t toy with your pet’s health
This article merely scratches the surface on resource guides available for cat parents to review.
At the end of the day, the type of coverage you choose boils down to the amount of risk you’re willing to take.
To make an informed decision, leverage online calculators provided by our kitty insurance partners.
A 10-15 minute time investment is all you need to get a lifetime of peace of mind - knowing you made the right call for your cat.