How to Buy Pet Insurance for Your Cat

A few years ago, buying health insurance for a cat was considered a luxury, or just considered crazy. But with advances in veterinary care, more sophisticated testing and treatment options, and the increased life expectancy of cats, it's something more and more pet owners are looking at. One major illness that previously could not have been treated, can now easily turn into a thousand dollar vet bill.

If you're considering buying pet insurance for your cat, this article walks you through steps you can take before purchase to make sure you'll get exactly what you need.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Shop around. Policies and premiums vary, just as they do for insurance for people. Take time to research which best suits your needs based on your pet. Consider if you're insuring a kitten or a young cat which may need declawing, spaying and routine well-cat care early on, or an older cat that is healthy, but visits the vet for yearly well-cat checks. Also, check whether the company offers a discount for insuring multiple cats.

2. Determine how premiums are paid and how long the coverage term lasts. Coverage terms can vary from quarterly to yearly renewals. Find out before you buy pet insurance how and when the premium is increased. Does it increased based on the number of claims filed, or does it increase yearly based on your cat's age?

3. Check into your state's regulations on pet insurers. They should be registered, just as for health insurers for people. Contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints against any company you're considering. Also consider the length of time the company has been in business.

4. Read the policy carefully before purchase, and make sure you understand any exclusions for hereditary conditions, for example, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine Coon cats. Breeds of cats that carry the risk of hereditary conditions typically have higher medical costs over time related to those specific conditions, and many cat insurers will insure the cat, but exclude those conditions or diseases.
   
   Also, read the policy for any age restrictions. Many insurers will not cover cats above the age of nine or ten (depending on the specific insurer).

5. Know your cat's medical history. As with almost any insurance, most cat insurance will not cover any pre-existing conditions. If your cat has a history of feline urinary tract infections, or a diagnosed heart condition, the insurer may not cover that particular disease, while still insuring the cat. Falsifying the enrollment forms will cause the policy to be canceled.

6. Understand the difference between how cat insurance and your own insurance works in regards to payment for services. Unlike human health insurance, which usually reimburses your physician directly, you make the payment for veterinary services directly to your veterinarian at the time of service, and you are then responsible for making the claim to the insurance company. Payment is then made to you by the pet insurance company, minus any deductible.

Tips & Warnings

• There is usually a waiting period of 7 to 14 days before the policy takes effect.
• Prescriptions for covered medical conditions are usually covered. However, if the condition is pre-existing, medications probably will not be covered. Check the policy before purchase.
• As with anything purchased these days, be aware of add-ons, increased coverage or other costs that may not have been disclosed when you received your original quote. "Upgrades" and increased coverage may sound like a good idea when all that's required is checking a box online, but if you've determined you really don't need that extra coverage, don't be swayed by the last minute sales pitch.

Resources

• Hereditary Conditions of Pure-Breed and Domestic Cats

[qtddroo]

on 8/11/2009 Wow! I can't believe there really is pet insurance! huh.. Cool! 5*

[rickmac]

on 7/17/2009 Thanks for putting together good information on cat insurance.

[marielc]

on 7/5/2009 Cats can get insurance?! I had no idea!