Pet Insurance
Basics...
Basics...
Pet Insurance Basics
Pet Insurance works on the same
principle as health insurance. As a cat owner you can select from
various plans with varying coverage and corresponding
deductibles. Coverage plans vary by type, price, etc so depending
on what you select your monthly premium could be as low as $5 /
month up to $80 / month. Here are some things to know.
what is covered? Where can you use
it?
- Some insurance plans cover accidents but do not cover illnesses.
- Some plans cover treatment for cancer, some do not.
- Certain policies cover only accidents
- Most policies cover accidents and illness
- Some comprehensive policies can cover everything from preventive care (check-ups, vaccines, spaying/neutering, drug, dental, cancer treatment) as well as accident and illness.
- Unless it is explicitly stated, you should be able to use any veterinarian you want
- You typically have to pay the vet bill out of pocket and then submit a claim
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered
Things to Think About
Matters to consider include the
following:
- Does the insurance company exclude your cat's breed?
- What is the age limit on enrollment? (ex. some companies require the your cat to be at least 8 weeks old, others do not cover a cat past a certain age.)
- Does the insurance company offer multi-cat / multi-pet discounts?
- Understand deductibles, co-payments, coverage caps so you know what it is you're going to be responsible for.
How to not Spend too much
Like life or car insurance there are
certain things that can lower your costs:
- Keep your cat indoors. This will decrease the risk of car accidents, animal / insect bites, fights or parasitic disease
- Microchip your cat good way to track a lost pet quickly
- Do not smoke. Will do wonders for your cat's lung health...