AdminYou’d do anything for your cat—but that shouldn’t include breaking the bank. Pet insurance helps offset the cost of unexpected illnesses or injuries by reimbursing you for eligible vet bills. These policies can cover everything from ear mites to kidney disease, allowing you to focus your energy on bringing home a healthy and happy cat.
Most pet insurance companies offer a variety of maximum annual limits, reimbursement choices and deductibles. Some also offer wellness plans to help cover routine care costs, such as annual veterinary exams and teeth cleanings. It’s important to compare prices and coverage options before choosing a plan.
In addition to covering accidents and illnesses, some policies also include alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy and acupuncture. This allows pets to recover faster, reducing stress and pain. While these therapies are often available at a higher price, many pet insurers offer them as part of comprehensive coverage plans or as an add-on.
The cost of a policy depends on several factors, including the type of coverage you choose and your ZIP code. You can get quotes from almost every pet insurer, and it’s a good idea to compare the reimbursement levels, deductibles and annual payout limits of each one to ensure you’re getting a fair comparison.
While some pet owners prefer a single plan that covers both accidents and illnesses, others prefer to split the coverage. Accident-only policies typically have lower premiums, but they won’t reimburse you if your cat is hit by a car or swallows a toy. Illness-only policies, on the other hand, tend to have higher premiums, but they can help you save money if your pet develops an illness like diabetes or cancer.
Some plans allow you to pay your vet directly rather than submitting a claim for reimbursement. This can save time, as you won’t have to wait for your insurer to process the claim and send you a check. Some companies also offer a variety of mobile apps, which can make filing claims even easier.
A few of the top pet insurance companies allow you to cancel your policy for a full refund within 30 days, assuming you haven’t filed any claims. Others, however, will require a period of time before you can cancel your policy, and they may raise your premiums afterward.
Figo is one of the only pet insurance providers to offer a no-cancelation fee, which gives you peace of mind that you can always cancel your policy. Its mobile app makes submitting claims simple, and the company’s quick claim processing timeline helps ease financial stress.
A few of the top pet insurance companies offer a variety of reimbursement methods, including direct payments to your vet, which can be especially helpful if you have limited funds. Pets Best, for example, offers a streamlined online and mobile claim submission system that requires only a few questions and a photo of your paid invoice. Its claims are processed in as little as two days and can be direct deposited or mailed within five to seven days. cat insurance