The types of benefits and what’s covered by pet insurance can vary from insurer to insurer. Here are some policy details to look for when you’re shopping for the best pet insurance for cats and kittens:
Exam Fees
When you take your cat to the vet, you’ll be charged an exam fee. Not all pet insurance companies cover this fee. For example, Spot pet insurance includes exam fees in its coverage but Healthy Paws does not.
Some insurers offer exam fee coverage for an additional price. For example, Lemonade pet insurance offers a vet visit fee add-on to cover the exam fee for accidents and illnesses.
Waiting Periods
The waiting period is the amount of time before your coverage kicks in. For example, it’s common for pet insurance companies to have a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses. Some insurers have longer waiting periods for orthopedic conditions, such as six to 12 months.
Pet insurance waiting periods vary depending on the company and you can find short waiting periods. For example, Figo has a 1-day waiting period for accidents and ASPCA pet insurance has no waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
Cat Insurance Discounts
The most common type of cat insurance discount is a multi-pet insurance discount for insuring more than one pet. These discounts typically range between 5% to 10% and can apply to cats and dogs. Not all insurers offer multi-pet discounts.
Other types of pet insurance discounts include annual pay discounts. You might also save if the cat insurance is part of your employer’s benefits or if you’re in the military.
Extra Perks
Don’t overlook extra perks when you’re shopping for cat insurance. Access to a 24/7 pet telehealth line could be crucial if your cat is seriously ill in the middle of the night. But not all insurers offer this benefit. If this feature is important to you, make sure you choose a company that offers it. You’ll also want to look for companies that offer the option to add a wellness plan if you want coverage for your cat’s routine wellness expenses.
Pet insurers may offer other types of perks that might be worth a look. For example, Nationwide pet insurance has a PetRxExpress program that gives preferred pricing on pet prescriptions and the option to have your prescriptions filled at the counter at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies.
Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
Once you’ve identified a few pet insurance companies, the best way to find a good price is to compare pet insurance quotes. Make sure you’re comparing policies with similar coverage so you’re comparing in an apples-to-apples way. You can get free pet insurance quotes from a company’s website, by using a price comparison site or by contacting an independent insurance agent.
