Cat insurance
What You Need to Know About Cat Insurance
Cats didn't become the Internet's de facto mascot for nothing. Along with dogs, cats are probably one of the world's most fascinating and entertaining creatures, constantly amusing us humans with their antics and funny mannerisms.
But as much as we would like to think that our pesky felines have nine lives or that they would always land on their feet, the fact remains that one out of three domesticated cats will have to make an unexpected veterinary trip per year.
Why Getting A Cat Insurance Policy Matters?
A pet insurance policy for your cat doesn't only ensure the health of your feline when something inevitable and unwanted happens, it also ensures your peace of mind. Veterinary fees do not come cheap, and emergency treatments can make a huge dent on the wallet especially if there is no insurance to cover most of the costs. People who own cats that come from a valuable pedigree might also want to insure their pets against death and theft.
Four Main Types of Insurance Policies for Cats
Policies differ from one insurance provider to another. Some policies would provide for rewards and advertising (flyers, newspaper ads, and such) should a cat get lost; while others would allow options for foreign travel (in case the cat should travel overseas with its owners), and insurance against accidental damage that the cat might cause. Some insurance policies might lack these options and simply cover the cost of fees during routine veterinarian visits.
1. Accident-only insurance - Accident-only insurance is usually cheap since it has very limited coverage. It covers only treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise from accidents (like getting struck by a car).
2. 12-month time-limited policy - Another insurance policy that offers a little more coverage than accident-only policies, yet are bounded by both a maximum per condition and a certain time limit (usually one year from the date of enrollment of a pet into the plan). Once the maximum is used up or the time limit has been reached, the coverage stops.
3. Maximum benefit policy - There is a maximum amount of vet fees that can be covered per condition, but without the time limit. Once the maximum has been reached though, the condition reverts to a pre-existing condition and cannot be included in future claims.
4. Lifetime insurance - A lifetime insurance policy offers the most coverage and, if it is renewed every year and the pet owner is consistent with the payment of premiums, isn't constricted with any time limits. The amount that the policy covers per condition is also topped up every year and isn't excluded from future coverage claims.
What Can Influence Cat Insurance Costs?
Like health insurance for humans, the cost for cat insurance also varies from one cat to another. This can be due to a number of factors.
1. Breed and pedigree - Unpedigreed or mixed breed cats (moggies) are usually hardier and more resistant to diseases than pedigreed cats. Some breeds are also more prone to certain diseases.
2. Place of residence / location - Cats living in highly urbanized areas are more prone to accidents. Also, vet fees in these communities are usually higher compared to those in rural areas.
3. Age - Just like with humans, older cats might have a hard time finding a cheap insurance policy that can cover their health needs. Some insurance companies also prevent cats that are older than 8 or 10 years from enrolling into any of their plans.
4. Sex and neutering status - The amount of claims also varies according to the sex of the cat, and whether or not it has been neutered.
Things That a Cat Owner Should Know Before Enrolling a Pet into an Insurance Policy
Don't choose an insurance plan based on price alone. The cheapest, and the most expensive plan, isn't always the best. For example, should you go for an expensive plan that also has coverage for a cat's traveling fees if you're not much of a traveler?
Enroll your pet as soon as you can. Some insurance companies already accept cats that are around eight weeks old. Remember, the older your cat gets, the higher price you have to pay for its insurance coverage.
Make sure to read the fine print. There might be certain details that the insurance company isn't publishing on flyers or on their website.
Cats didn't become the Internet's de facto mascot for nothing. Along with dogs, cats are probably one of the world's most fascinating and entertaining creatures, constantly amusing us humans with their antics and funny mannerisms.
But as much as we would like to think that our pesky felines have nine lives or that they would always land on their feet, the fact remains that one out of three domesticated cats will have to make an unexpected veterinary trip per year.
Why Getting A Cat Insurance Policy Matters?
A pet insurance policy for your cat doesn't only ensure the health of your feline when something inevitable and unwanted happens, it also ensures your peace of mind. Veterinary fees do not come cheap, and emergency treatments can make a huge dent on the wallet especially if there is no insurance to cover most of the costs. People who own cats that come from a valuable pedigree might also want to insure their pets against death and theft.
Four Main Types of Insurance Policies for Cats
Policies differ from one insurance provider to another. Some policies would provide for rewards and advertising (flyers, newspaper ads, and such) should a cat get lost; while others would allow options for foreign travel (in case the cat should travel overseas with its owners), and insurance against accidental damage that the cat might cause. Some insurance policies might lack these options and simply cover the cost of fees during routine veterinarian visits.
1. Accident-only insurance - Accident-only insurance is usually cheap since it has very limited coverage. It covers only treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise from accidents (like getting struck by a car).
2. 12-month time-limited policy - Another insurance policy that offers a little more coverage than accident-only policies, yet are bounded by both a maximum per condition and a certain time limit (usually one year from the date of enrollment of a pet into the plan). Once the maximum is used up or the time limit has been reached, the coverage stops.
3. Maximum benefit policy - There is a maximum amount of vet fees that can be covered per condition, but without the time limit. Once the maximum has been reached though, the condition reverts to a pre-existing condition and cannot be included in future claims.
4. Lifetime insurance - A lifetime insurance policy offers the most coverage and, if it is renewed every year and the pet owner is consistent with the payment of premiums, isn't constricted with any time limits. The amount that the policy covers per condition is also topped up every year and isn't excluded from future coverage claims.
What Can Influence Cat Insurance Costs?
Like health insurance for humans, the cost for cat insurance also varies from one cat to another. This can be due to a number of factors.
1. Breed and pedigree - Unpedigreed or mixed breed cats (moggies) are usually hardier and more resistant to diseases than pedigreed cats. Some breeds are also more prone to certain diseases.
2. Place of residence / location - Cats living in highly urbanized areas are more prone to accidents. Also, vet fees in these communities are usually higher compared to those in rural areas.
3. Age - Just like with humans, older cats might have a hard time finding a cheap insurance policy that can cover their health needs. Some insurance companies also prevent cats that are older than 8 or 10 years from enrolling into any of their plans.
4. Sex and neutering status - The amount of claims also varies according to the sex of the cat, and whether or not it has been neutered.
Things That a Cat Owner Should Know Before Enrolling a Pet into an Insurance Policy
Don't choose an insurance plan based on price alone. The cheapest, and the most expensive plan, isn't always the best. For example, should you go for an expensive plan that also has coverage for a cat's traveling fees if you're not much of a traveler?
Enroll your pet as soon as you can. Some insurance companies already accept cats that are around eight weeks old. Remember, the older your cat gets, the higher price you have to pay for its insurance coverage.
Make sure to read the fine print. There might be certain details that the insurance company isn't publishing on flyers or on their website.