It’s so hard to watch our cats age and develop health issues like arthritis and cancer. Many pet parents are turning to pet insurance as a way to ensure they can pay for the care their fur baby needs without draining their savings account. But what should you look for when choosing a pet insurance plan for your senior cat?
It’s important to mention that, in general, the earlier you can enroll your cat into a plan the better. The younger your cat, the less health issues she is going to experience. This is key because most insurance providers won’t cover pre-existing conditions. So even though your fur baby may be 7 years old, if she’s healthy and hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, enroll her ASAP.
How to Select the Right Senior Cat Pet Insurance Plan
The following are some considerations when choosing a plan:
Look for Flexible Coverage
The best senior cat pet insurance will offer flexible coverage so you can be certain your monthly premium fits your budget. Look for a provider with a range of deductibles and reimbursement percentages. Generally, the lower your monthly premium, the higher your deductible but lower your reimbursement rate.
For instance, you may select a cat insurance plan with a low monthly premium of just $30. Your deductible might be $300 while your reimbursement percentage is 70%. This means after you pay your deductible, the insurance company will pay 70% of the vet bill.
If you choose a monthly premium of $40, your deductible may only be $100 and your reimbursement may be as high as 90% – 100%. (these are just examples)
The bottom line is, go with a company that has a lot of flexibility when it comes to cost and coverage.
Avoid Plans with Age Limits
Some providers have age limits for the cats they insure. This means even if your sweet Mr. Fluffs is in perfect health at the ripe old age of 10, not all providers will insure him. (how dare they!) Make sure the plan you purchase has no upper age limits.
Opt for Unlimited Coverage
Some providers will continue to pay your vet bills no matter what happens. Others have a set limit for the amount they will pay out each year. You want peace of mind knowing your senior cat will be covered no matter what, so look for a pet insurance policy with unlimited coverage.
Look for Discounts
Senior cat pet insurance plans will be a bit more expensive because older cats have more vet needs. There are ways you can offset this additional cost. Some providers will offer a discount, usually around 15%, for those individuals who don’t file a claim in 1 year. Some also reduce your annual deductible by $50 for each year you do not file a claim. If you have a relatively healthy senior cat, this can really help you save over time.
How Much Does Senior Cat Pet Insurance Cost?
Costs to insure an older cat are based on a few different factors. The biggest factor is definitely age. The older the cat, the higher the premiums. But again, there are discounts out there for you to take advantage of.
The good news is, cats, even older cats, are usually less expensive to insure than dogs. And according to recent data, Bombay, Siberian and Domestic Shorthairs are the least expensive breeds to insure, while Abyssinian, Persian and Ragdoll are more expensive to insure.
Another thing that impacts the cost of insuring a senior cat is your zip code. If you and Mr. Fluffs live in a small town in Ohio, you’ll typically pay less than if you live in sanky Beverly Hills.
The bottom line is, senior cat pet insurance will help you to pay for the costs of taking great care of your fur baby. And the providers on this list all offer excellent coverage with flexible plans.
