Cat owners love their furry felines more than anything — and that shouldn’t mean breaking the bank for vet care. Fortunately, there are many pet insurance providers with affordable policies that reimburse you for eligible veterinary costs — helping to put the leash back on your wallet.
When shopping for cat health insurance, it’s important to compare coverage options and pricing. The type of policy, breed and age of your pet all affect the premium, as do the number of coverage options you select. You’ll want to make sure the policy covers your expected expenses, such as annual deductibles, reimbursement percentages and payout limits per accident or year.
Most pet insurance companies offer both accidental and illness coverage. In general, accidents cover broken bones, cuts and other physical injuries while illnesses can include respiratory diseases, viral infections, intestinal parasites and dental disease. Some insurers also offer optional hereditary and congenital conditions coverage as part of an accident & illness plan.
Depending on the provider, some plans may exclude pre-existing conditions, or will only cover them after a waiting period has passed and if symptoms have not returned. This is especially true of older pets. For example, Healthy Paws requires a 12-month waiting period for hereditary and congenital conditions coverage on its policies.
MetLife stands out among pet insurance providers for its broad coverage, which includes hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative treatments, prescription food and dental diseases. This company also has a few unique features, including a quick turnaround on claims and no lifetime limits on its coverage plans.
Another pet insurance option, Trupanion, is known for its direct payment to vets and the fact that it covers a variety of hereditary and congenital conditions. Its coverage also includes ear mites, herpesvirus, hepatitis, skin allergies and dental disease. However, this company’s premium is among the highest in the industry and it only offers a single, high-quality coverage plan.
Pet parents often overlook a key component of a pet insurance policy: wellness coverage. This helps to offset routine vet visits, such as annual checkups and vaccinations, that are not included in most pet insurance policies. This can save you money over the long run because these visits tend to be more expensive than the yearly deductible required by most pet insurance plans.
While the insurance industry is highly regulated, companies do sometimes go out of business unexpectedly. This is why it’s wise to have a backup plan in place if you decide to enroll your pet with one of the following providers and they close down.
Trusted Pals, Bivvy and Otto all stopped taking new enrollments recently, redirecting potential customers to Spot pet insurance — the company’s sign-up button on its website now directs people to the alternative. Spot offers affordable accident & illness insurance with multiple deductible and maximum annual limits, as well as wellness coverage. It also has a free veterinary helpline to answer questions. Get a free quote. cat insurance
