Pet health insurance is a wise investment for any cat owner. It is particularly important to consider purchasing health insurance for your pet kitten, as they tend to have more frequent trips to the veterinarian. Additionally, kittens have not yet had time to develop preexisting conditions that may preclude them from health insurance plans later on in life. Read on for an overview of pet health insurance for kittens.
How Does Feline Health Insurance Work?
Pet health insurance is not set up to recoup all financial loss associated with medical care for your animal. These insurance programs are designed to protect you against high-cost procedures and unexpected, large expenses. They are available through a number of different insurance companies and generally cost between about $15 and $30 per animal per month.
There are two different types of feline health insurance. The first and most basic of these is a high-expense coverage plan. In these cases, you'll pay out of pocket for every trip to the vet's office and other medical expenses. You can then go and file a claim for the larger expenses with the insurance company. They will reimburse a portion of these expenses after the fact. General checkups, vaccines and other procedures are typically not covered by this type of pet health insurance.
The second type of health insurance for cats is a wellness care plan. These programs are more expensive but also cover a wider range of services. In these cases, you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for the costs associated with any veterinary procedure. Whichever type of insurance you purchase, don't expect to receive a complete return on your investment.
Purchasing Feline Health Insurance
If you are interested in purchasing health insurance for your kitten, do so as soon as possible. You will have to have registered your pet with the vet's office and acquired appropriate identification for him. The veterinarian himself can help to recommend health insurance companies, and pet stores may have further contact information for the leading companies. If your vet doesn't have experience working with pet health insurance companies, consider consulting with a larger veterinary medical center for further advice.
When making your selection between companies, consider each service's reputation among feline care providers, as well as the long term stability of the company. Most health insurance plans themselves will be comparable in price, and the cheapest option is not necessarily the best one for your cat. You will be required to have your pet undergo a physical examination before the health insurance can be set up completely.
Feline health insurance is a good way of ensuring that you will be able to earn back a portion of your expenses for your cat's veterinary needs. It's not entirely necessary and may not be the best decision for each cat owner, though it is generally best to purchase pet insurance when your cat is young and free of any health conditions.