When a cat gets ill or has an accident, it is common to feel upset and worried. It can also be expensive to help them get better if you don’t have the right insurance. The best cat health insurance is one that offers a wide variety of coverage and has an affordable premium that you pay monthly.
There are many different types of pet insurance on the market that will be suitable for a cat and your budget. But to find the best insurance, you have to know what each type does and how much it will cost.
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The different types of cat insurance
A visit to any comparison site will show that there are dozens of insurance providers who specialise in pet insurance. It can be hard to decide which one to go with and how to tell the difference between the policies available.
Below are the four main types of cat insurance you will find online, including what they will cover.
Accident only
As stated in the name, this insurance policy will only cover accidents that your cat is involved in. This might include if they get hit by a car or break their leg falling off a fence. When a claim is made, the insurance company will cover the cost to treat your cat.
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Average monthly cost for cat insurance average between $20 for kittens and $100 per month for older cats. Remember to always get quotes from more than one provider!
This is the cheapest type of policy available since it is the most basic. As it only covers accidents, it means your cat isn’t protected from illnesses. If your cat gets an infection or disease, then you will have to pay for the vet fees yourself.
Time limited
While this insurance policy covers accidents and illnesses, it will only do so for a limited amount of time. Typically, time-limited insurance policies will last for 12 months and you can only claim once for a certain illness or condition.
The problem with these policies is that once the 12 months are up, you won’t be covered for any medication or treatment for ongoing issues. Whatever your cat is suffering from will be classified as a pre-existing condition and it will be harder to get insurance to cover it.
This type of insurance is only good for healthy cats who might suffer from short-term illnesses that are easy to fix.
Maximum benefit
A maximum benefit insurance policy will cover accidents and illnesses up to a maximum amount per condition. There is no time limit on how long you can claim for, which is great if you don’t want to deal with policy renewals.
This insurance option is great for cats who have chronic or persistent illnesses and will need treatment often. There is no need to worry about the conditions being classified as pre-existing, as the insurance coverage is continuous.
Lifetime
A lifetime policy will cover accidents, conditions and illnesses for the lifetime of the policy. Each year the limit is refreshed when the policy is renewed. There are usually a number of limits to choose from so you can pick one that will suit your cat.
This is a great option if your cat ends up developing an ongoing condition that needs treatment. If you want it to be covered, you can renew the policy after a year. If you don’t, you will have to find an insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions.
Because lifetime policies often have the most comprehensive coverage, they are often the most expensive types of policy. However, if you want to make sure that your cat can receive treatment for any issue, a lifetime poicy will give you peace of mind.
The best cat insurance
Out of the four different types of insurance mentioned above, we believe the lifetime policy is the best cat insurance. The reason for this is that it offers a level of coverage that the others don’t. There are also different levels of coverage to choose from within a lifetime policy.
Lifetime policies can cover up to $4,000, or even $12,000, in vet fees per year, depending on which level you choose. This is more than enough to cover any illnesses and accidents that could possibly happen to your cat.
How much does cat insurance cost?
If you want a basic insurance policy such as the accident-only one, then you can expect to pay as little as $10 a month. On average though, the monthly premium for cat insurance in the US is $30.
However, some insurance policies can charge up to $40 a month, depending on which policy is chosen and how much coverage is offered.
Frequently asked questions about cat insurance
Will my cat’s breed impact the insurance?
A pedigree cat will cost more to insure than the average domestic cat. The reason for this is that pedigrees usually have hereditary health problems due to their breeding. Insurance companies see them as a higher risk, hence the higher monthly premiums.
Insurance companies always ask for your cat’s breed so they can calculate how much of a risk they are to insure.
What isn’t covered by cat insurance?
Most routine appointments such a de-worming and dental check-ups won’t be covered by cat insurance. This is often because they aren’t as expensive as other procedures to treat an illness or injury.
Other common exclusions that aren’t covered by cat insurance include:
- Vaccinations
- Pre-existing illnesses and injuries
- Pregnancy
- Euthanasia
- Burial or cremation
All insurance providers will have details on their policies which state what they do and do not cover with the insurance. It is important to read the fine print, so you are well informed about the cat insurance you are buying.
What do I need to get a cat insurance quote?
When visiting a comparison site or an insurance provider’s website, you will need the following information on hand to get a quote:
- Your cat’s name
- Their gender
- Their age
- Their breed
- Any pre-existing conditions
- If they have been chipped
Lifetime coverage is the best cat health insurance
Your cat is part of the family, so it makes sense to make sure their health is never in danger. A lifetime cat insurance policy ensures they are covered against accidents, illness and conditions that could be short or long term.
