It's a good idea for new cat owners to research health insurance while their pet is still healthy and young. There are several points to consider when choosing insurance and several ways to save money on pet insurance.
Timing
Getting pet insurance at the right time can save you a lot of money. Insurance companies offer lower rates for cats with no pre-existing conditions and those that are young.
Consider Your Cat's Future Lifestyle
Each insurance plan caters to a different type of feline lifestyle. If your cat will be going outdoors, you might want to consider a plan that has greater coverage for emergenices involving injuries such as being hit by a car or getting another outdoor related injury.
Consider Your Monthly Budget
Feline health insurance can save you money later if you can spend the money now. Considering some of the more expensive plans might save you more money in the event of your cat getting ill or injured. It's also good to research how much basic health supplies will cost for your cat. It's always a good idea to start your cat on a monthly flea regimine. A tick regimine is especially good if your cat goes outside. If the right product for you will cost $35 a month but an insurance plan that is only $15.00 more a month covers that medicine, it's wise to go with the more expensive insurance plan.
Consider the Current and Potential Health of Your Cat
You can pick the best plan and save money if you have any health information about your pet. If you've adopted a kitten, get as much information as you can about the kitten's breed and potential health problems associated with that breed. You can also ask a vet to see if he sees any health indicators in an initial exam. You can thus pick a plan that may offer the best coverage given those potentialities. The best health information, however, is current. If you know that your cat is suffering from or is prone to a certain illness or problem, pick the plan that will give you the best coverage for your cat.
Basic Terms Related to Insurance
There are several terms that are common to insurance plans. The better you understand them, the more able you'll be to spend your money wisely.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount you have to pay before the insurance kicks in. Some pet insurance plans have an overall deductible, others have a deductible per incident. If it's per incident, it means that each time you visit a vet, the deductible starts over. A larger deductible usually means a cheaper monthly fee for the insurance but you may not get any coverage during an illness or incident.
Pre-existing Condition
This refers to any illness or syndrome that your cat has gotten treatment for before you enroll in the insurance. This can include any symptom that's related to a disease. For instance, let's say you took your cat to the vet for blood in the urine one year ago but the vet didn't give a specific diagnosis. You buy insurance a few months later. If a year later, your vet diagnoses your cat with a urinary tract infection, the insurance company may not give you coverage because a year earlier a symptom that often indicates such an infection was treated.