Protect Your Family Feline With Cat Health Insurance
Pet insurance has been around for a while but it is only in recent years, as the price of veterinarian visits and medications have steadily risen, that it is becoming a reality for many pet owners, particularly cats. Cats can live long lives (after all, they have nine of them) but as they get older, they start having more health issues such as cancer, arthritis or even kidney problems. Cat health insurance can ease the burden of treatment costs so that you don't have to make any difficult decisions about whether you can afford it.
Before you purchase cat health insurance for your kitty, there are some factors to consider that might make a difference in not only whether or not you get it but also with which insurance carrier. Each cat health insurance policy is different so you want to make sure that you choose one that has all the coverage your cat needs, as well as the extra bells and whistles that are most desirable.
Does Your Vet Accept Insurance?
One of the first things to check in regards to cat health insurance is whether or not your vet accepts it. If so, is the company you are checking into accepted by your vet's office and if not, which company policies do they accept? If you are pleased with your cat's veterinarian you want to try and choose an insurance carrier that is accepted by them.
Exclusions, Caps And Deductibles
Most cat health insurance policies will have certain clauses that mention that pre-existing conditions are not covered. There may be other exclusions such as heartworm medication, flea control, spay or neutering and vaccinations. Of course, each insurance company is different so some may include these things and some may not.
Each company that you obtain a quote for cat health insurance from will have different rules regarding deductibles or co-pays. Some insurance companies will require a flat deductible while others will request that you pay a percentage of the total fee each time. In regards to caps for cat health insurance, there may be a maximum amount of money the company will pay over a lifetime or for a certain procedure.
Other Thoughts to Ponder
Cat health insurance can also have add-ons called riders that can cover miscellaneous expenses like dental care, preventative health care and even accident coverage. Some companies offer cat health insurance extra benefits like discounts for boarding fees, grooming or even micro-chipping. The bottom line is that you, as the pet owner, have to feel comfortable with the cat health insurance coverage for protecting your family feline as well as the cost to you.