The Most Common Pet Health Issues and How Much They'll Cost You
Oct. 14, 2024
How To Choose The Right Insurance For Your Pet
Aug. 15, 2024
5 Tips for Reducing Your Pet Insurance Costs
Sep. 18, 2024
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Your feline friend deserves the best health care. Compare these top cat health insurance companies and keep your cat purring for all nine lives.
Lemonade
467 pet-parentsvisited this site today
Spot Pet Insurance
Embrace
Pets Best
WagWalking.com
Fetch
got a quote via this site in the past week
Lemonade
467 pet-parentsvisited this site today
Cat insurance is a health insurance policy designed specifically for cats. Policies vary and may include accident-only plans, accident and illness coverage, wellness add-ons, and lifetime plans. Each plan has its advantages and limitations, so it’s crucial to consider your cat's age, breed, health history, and your budget when selecting coverage. The best pet insurance for cats allows policyholders to customize coverage options, including annual limits, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles, ensuring the plan suits your cat’s unique needs.
When selecting cat insurance, look for providers that offer plans suited to feline-specific needs. Some companies provide comprehensive options for all pets, while others specialize in pet insurance for cats.
Wendy Hauser, DVM and veterinary advisor at ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, says: “I recommend pet owners understand different choices for percentage reimbursement, deductible levels, if there are any waiting periods, and if there are any annual or per-incident maximums.
"Additionally," she notes, "pet owners should review sample policies on the website to understand what is covered and what is excluded. Comparison tools help to highlight how provider coverage differs.”
To find the best pet insurance for cats, match your cat’s needs with the plan type. For kittens, wellness services and vaccinations may be essential, while older cats often require accident and illness coverage. Ask yourself:
What are my monthly premiums?
Will my premium increase each year? How is the increase determined?
Is pet wellness or dental coverage included? Is there an extra fee?
Can I file a claim using my smartphone?
How are pre-existing conditions defined?
What is/isn’t covered?
Are there waiting periods?
Are there plan discounts, including multi-pet discounts?
For pet parents dealing with chronic illnesses or injuries, pet insurance for cats with pre-existing conditions can provide peace of mind, though coverage terms vary. Always confirm what’s included in the plan and ensure it meets your cat’s current and future health requirements.
A high deductible policy will cost less, but you'll have higher expenses the first time you use your policy. If your budget allows, consider a lower deductible.
Most cat insurance providers impose waiting periods before the policy becomes active. For accidents and illnesses, this period is typically 14 days or less. However, specific conditions, such as ligament injuries, may have longer waiting periods, sometimes up to six months.
Check for multi-pet, military, spay/neuter, annual payment, and bundling discounts.
Get a quote from multiple carriers for the same amount of coverage and deductible, then compare. You may find one cheaper than another, but look at the fine print to make sure you know precisely what you're purchasing.
The cost of pet insurance depends on the dog's age, medical history, and coverage type. On average, expect to pay between $40 and $70 a month.
The best pet insurance companies understand that no two pets’ needs are the same. Here are some of the criteria used to calculate costs:
Pet insurance costs are primarily determined by three things:
Annual maximum coverage: The higher the maximum, the higher the premium.
Reimbursement Level: Options typically range from 70% to 90% but can go lower and higher.
Deductible: Normally anywhere from $50 to $1,000. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium.
Pet insurance for a puppy or kitten will likely cost less. Over time, your monthly premium may increase as your pet ages and becomes more likely to have health issues.
In addition to your pet’s age and weight, the insurer may also look at its breed to calculate your premium. Some breeds are more prone to hereditary and congenital health problems and present more risk to the insurer.
When it comes to cats, these breeds will cost more to insure:
Sphynx
Himalayan
Persian
British Shorthair
Maine Coon
Sometimes one gender of animal is more likely to develop certain illnesses or diseases, or even engage in riskier behavior that might cause accidents and injury.
Because veterinarian costs vary depending on location, so can your pet insurance premium. Areas where vets charge more may have higher pet insurance rates to cover those costs.
Coverage varies by company but generally includes accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, dental illnesses, hospitalization, cancer, prescriptions, hip dysplasia, and, in some cases, alternative treatments.
Most carriers don't cover pre-existing conditions, spaying/neutering, flea and heartworm prevention, dental cleaning, grooming, wellness visits, or prescription food. Some policies cover euthanasia, funeral costs, and behavioral treatments, but most do not. Elective procedures like tail docking and declawing are usually excluded.
Pet insurance usually works on a reimbursement basis. This means you pay the vet upfront, then file a claim to get reimbursed for eligible expenses. Some companies partner with vets to pay them directly, so you only cover the costs that aren't eligible.
There may be exclusions for age or breed, and many won't cover pre-existing conditions.
Even the best companies have waiting periods for accidents and illness, usually up to two weeks. For cruciate ligaments, it may be six months, though some insurers waive this with a vet’s note.
When shopping for the best pet insurance, see if your preferred vet is one you can visit with your policy.
It depends on your pet's needs and your budget. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and access to better care, but costs and coverage details must be evaluated carefully.
When you buy a pet insurance policy, you'll pick an annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. These choices help determine your premium and the maximum amount you can get back yearly.
The past five years have seen significant changes in the pet health industry. According to a recent study, nearly a quarter of pet owners reported increased pet care costs in the past year, driven by inflation, higher veterinary staff wages, and the high cost of new medications. Additionally, over a third of pet owners said it would be financially challenging to pay for a minor operation for their pet.
These factors have led to increased demand for pet insurance and higher premiums, up to 20% in the last year. It's crucial for pet owners to research, compare policies, and consider the costs of pet insurance so that they're not taken advantage of.
It's worth bearing in mind that a 2022 MarketWatch Guides Team study found that 99.5% of pet owners who bought pet insurance did not regret it.
Pet insurance can provide financial support should your pet need costly exams or treatments. If you decide that pet insurance is right for you, know that not all pet insurance companies are identical, nor are policies identical. Know what you and your pet need in a policy and then compare providers to find the best policy.
Su Guillory is a freelance business writer and expat coach. She’s written several business books and has been published on sites including Forbes, Nav, SoFi, and AllBusiness. She writes about business and personal credit, insurance, loans, and credit cards.