Does My Cat Need Health Insurance?

Will your cat ever get sick?  Will it ever need any emergency services?  Though I wish the answer to these questions was always NO, that’s usually not the case.  Most cats (and any other pet for that matter) will get sick at some point in their lives. Many will have chronic conditions that can be costly to manage.  Any unexpected or emergency situation can really hit your bank account where it hurts.  Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to offset these costs?

Guess what?  There is a way -Pet Insurance!  Every pet owner should investigate pet insurance to find out if it’s a good fit for them, their pet and their wallet.  Often times, insurance can seem like a dirty word.  In the human health care field the inner workings of insurance is often a mystery.  Thankfully, things are still fairly simple in the veterinary field.  Let’s break it down to the basics of how pet insurance works.

The best time to get pet insurance is when your pet is young and healthy.  Once you’ve chosen a company, you pick your deductible and reimbursement percentage.  Once you find the combination that works best for you, you can typically choose to pay in monthly installments or for a year at a time.  The two simplest forms of pet insurance are illness/injury coverage and preventive coverage.  Illness/injury insurance will cover most unexpected costs and follow up care. Preventive insurance will cover regular wellness exams and other preventive services.

When the time comes, you can go to any veterinarian you choose, and you pay all costs up front.  You can provide a claim form to the veterinary team to fill out services and costs and then submit the form.  Once submitted and approved, you get a check in the mail for whatever percentage of coverage you chose, minus the deductible!  It’s truly a wonderful service which can really help when the unexpected happens.

Of course, there are rules to follow.  An initial exam is typically required to begin coverage to make sure there are no pre-existing conditions, as these are usually not covered.  Some breeds will cost more than others, and insuring an older kitty will generally cost more than a younger one.  Sometimes the reimbursement rate for specialists is slightly lower than for your primary care veterinarian. Some plans include coverage for dental cleanings, but require that all veterinary recommendations regarding dental care are followed in a timely manner.

The best thing to do is investigate the various companies and find a plan that works best for you.  NOVA Cat Clinic recommends both Pet Plan and Trupanion pet insurance.  These companies both cover illness or injury, not preventive care.  They both have easy to understand rules and simple reimbursement plans.  Even though pet insurance can’t ensure your kitty will never get sick or hurt, it can make the pain of unexpected veterinary bills easier to bear.