Cats are like humans. They get sick, they have accidents, they can die. So, like humans, they will need insurance. And nowhere in the world is there universal pet insurance. Therefore, you will need to shop around for insurance, just like you would for your car, house, or yourself. A pedigreed kitten may already come with insurance, but when it comes time to renew, be sure you do your homework and review the policy and compare it with others.
Veterinary care is already expensive and emergency care is much more so. Having a good insurance policy will give you peace of mind. You can find information on pet insurance on the internet, at your vet’s office, in the supermarket, in the papers. In short, everywhere. It has become very routine to have pet insurance if you own a pet.
As with any insurance policy, be sure to read the fine print. Some policies may have a pre-existing condition clause, for which they will not pay for cover of a condition within a specified amount of time. Kittens will usually not have any pre-existing conditions, but older cats may. Therefore, check for this. Also, some policies only cover the cat up to an age limit, rather than life cover. Some policies may only cover traditional veterinary care, but others may expand this to include complementary therapies, such as behavioural counselling, homeopathy or acupuncture. Also, some may not cover the cost of treatment obtained outside of your local area.
In addition to the standard insurance cover, you may get insurance to cover the cost of advertising to recover a lost cat or to offer a reward for its safe return. It is also a good idea to get coverage for accidents and third part liability.
With all these things to consider, be wary of the cost of the policy. You will be expected to pay an excess, or deductible, regardless of what is included. Make sure you have a clear understanding of this excess. Some companies will state a percentage of the final bill rather than a set amount. The percentage can mean a large excess if the bill is very high.
Make a table and compare different policies with regards to what and how much is covered, the amount of excess, any age limits, coverage for alternative therapies, any exclusion periods, and monthly premiums. This will give you an idea of what is available. Then you can decide which policy is best for your circumstances and your cat’s conditions.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
