Is Pet Insurance Worth It for an Indoor Cat?

Sponsored by Figo Pet Insurance

There are many different species of cats, all ranging in size, color, and markings. Just as there are different species of cats, there are different kinds of cats. These can be classified in the following three categories: indoor cats, indoor-outdoor cats, and outdoor cats.

Indoor cats live in homes and spend all their time inside. Indoor-outdoor cats live in the house but may roam the streets as well. Finally, there are outdoor cats, who live in nature and don’t have much interaction — if any at all — with humans. If you have an indoor cat, you undoubtedly love your little feline friend and have concern for their safety, so you might come to ask yourself, “Is pet insurance worth it for an indoor cat, and, if so, what does it cost?”

Health Risks for Indoor Cats

Some health risks can occur for any cat, regardless of if they are indoor, outdoor, or a little bit of both. Every pet has health risks that you, as an owner, must try and avoid if you want them to live a long, happy, and healthy life. This is one of the challenges of being a pet owner. The health risks of indoor cats include boredom, stress, obesity, feline urinary problems, anxiety, and exposure to toxins.

Stress

To start, lack of exercise and boredom can lead to physical and emotional stress for your cat or kitten. Cats can show signs of illness when they’re stressed.

Stress in a cat is a matter that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Even when it comes to something simple like a common inflammatory disease, they will usually become healthier once their stress levels are reduced.

It’s important to recreate a similar environment within your home that a kitty would typically encounter when in the wild. This will allow them to feel at ease, stress-free, and happy. This includes offering high places to hide, climbing towers, window perches, and scratching posts.

Obesity

Obesity and diabetes are also common reasons that indoor cats begin to see a decline in their health. Lack of exercise can result in weight gain very easily, and once weight is gained, it becomes very hard to shed, especially as your pet ages.

Making sure that your kitty stays active and has plenty of toys to play with is important. Limiting the amount of time that they’re inactive is crucial to their health. Unlike outdoor cats, indoor cats have much less room to run around, play, and hunt, thus expending less energy.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Another big health risk in indoor cats is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Feline lower urinary tract disease is the result of many conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. Symptoms of this disease include difficulty and pain when urinating, an increase in the number of times they urinate, as well as a presence of blood in their urine. They also tend to excessively lick themselves and can be found urinating outside their litter box on cooler, smoother surfaces.

While the disease can occur at any age, it mostly occurs in middle-aged, overweight cats that get limited exercise, have zero to little outdoor access, and eat a dry diet. A urinary tract blockage caused by a urethral obstruction is a life-threatening condition and affected pets must receive immediate treatment.

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is another factor that can affect indoor cats. As we all know, felines are usually the pet of choice for busier people, but they can become very attached to their owners and will suffer separation anxiety when they’re left alone. These cats are typically described as needy when you are around, and then when you’re not, they can cause complete chaos around the house until you return.

Household Hazards

Along with the health risks stated above, cats are also subject to indoor hazards. Always make sure to keep your home clear of potential hazards if you have a cat that spends a lot of time home alone. Houseplants, such as lilies, are toxic, so it’s important to be aware of what you can and cannot have around the house if you plan to leave your furry friend to their own devices.

A good practice is to avoid using dangerous products or pesticides in your cat’s common areas. Doing some research on hazardous products can go a long way.

It is also important to never use or give any medication to a feline that is meant for a human or canine. Some medications are extremely toxic to cats, even in small doses. Toxin ingestion can occur at any age but can be more common in young, curious kittens.

Diagnosis and treatment of the various feline health conditions noted above can range in costs from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the condition and response to treatment. These kinds of medical bills can really start to add up.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Maybe you just got a cat and are intrigued by the concept of pet insurance, but you’re not sure what costs would be covered if your cat were to get sick or hurt. So, you’re stuck wondering if pet insurance for cats is worth it, which really depends on a few different factors.

Typically, cat insurance provides reimbursement for eligible veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick unexpectedly or if they were to get into an accident. Unlike health insurance for humans, cat pet insurance does not cover costs for routine care, such as checkups and standard shots, without specific policy add-ons (at an additional cost). Pre-existing conditions are also not commonly covered by pet insurance.

There are four different kinds of pet insurance plans available, which are accident-only plans, accident and illness plans, insurance with embedded wellness, and endorsements.

• Accident only insurance plans may cover incidents and various types of injury, such as the ingestion of foreign objects, poisoning, bite wounds, or if your pet gets hit by a car.
• Accident and Illness insurance plans are the most common type of plan. They may cover accidents, illnesses, and conditions like digestive issues, infections, urinary problems, allergies, and cancer.
• Insurance with embedded wellness is a type of plan that covers both accidents and illnesses, as well as wellness coverage at an additional cost. Wellness plans cover things such as flea and tick control products, spay and neuter surgeries, annual wellness examinations, heartworm prevention, vaccinations, dietary consultations, and/or dental products and dental cleanings. Some plans also cover alternative therapies (like acupuncture), cremation, and burial.
• Insurance endorsements refer to cancer or exam add-ons. These plans are usually added to an existing plan at an additional cost.

Please review a sample policy of the plan under consideration to understand what would be covered or excluded from coverage.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

The terms “premium,” “deductible,” and “coverage limits” may be confusing for many pet parents seeking an insurance plan. There are over two dozen providers in North America offering pet insurance and each offer something slightly different, which can add to the confusion. Here is how pet insurance for cats works and what you really need to know:

• Premium: This is the amount you pay to the cat insurance provider for your pet’s insurance. This can be paid monthly or annually. There may be a discount with annual payments or auto-pay with some providers.
• Deductible: The deductible amount is the amount of the vet bill you must pay before insurance benefits “kick in.” For example, if you have a $500 or $1000 deductible, you pay $500 or $1000 before the policy starts. It is important to note that some insurance providers have an annual deductible and others have a per-incident deductible. This means that if you have a policy with an annual deductible, once you reach that amount, you are cost-free for the rest of the year. The other option is a per-incident deductible, which means you need to meet that deductible every time you have a health problem with your cat.
• Maximum Coverage Limit: This is how much money an insurance provider will pay out per health issue, per year, or lifetime. Each provider varies slightly with their coverage limits.
• Reimbursement: The reimbursement is the amount of an eligible bill, after the deductible, that will be paid by an insurance provider. There are different options with most providers from 70%, 80%, 90%, to 100%. The very best coverage policy would be a $0 deductible with 100% reimbursement. This means the insurance provider would pay for all of an eligible bill, but also means you will have the highest premium. Another example of a plan is one with a $500 deductible and 90% reimbursement. With this plan, you would need to pay the first $500, then the pet insurance coverage would kick in. After that, they will pay 90% of the veterinary bill.

The deductible and reimbursement variables that you choose are the primary factors that influence the cost of your pet insurance policy. Other factors that impact the cost of your coverage are the age and breed of your pet, as well as your location in the country.

Pet Insurance FAQs

There are several things to consider when choosing a cat insurance provider.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

• At what age can I purchase cat pet insurance? You can obtain insurance for kittens, young, and middle-aged cats from most providers after 8 weeks of age. Not all providers will insure senior cats. Premiums are the least expensive for younger cats and become more costly (higher premiums) as pets age.
• What happens when we visit the vet? Most pet insurance policies can be used at any licensed vet clinic nationwide, including veterinary emergency and specialty hospitals. Generally, what happens after services are completed is that you pay your vet and then submit the claim (receipts) to the pet insurance provider. The insurance provider then reviews the claim and pays you directly.
• Does the insurance provider dictate care? You choose the diagnostic and treatment plan that works best for your situation. Pet insurance providers do not determine which tests your veterinarian will conduct, which conditions they will treat (unless there is a pre-existing condition), or which treatment your cat will receive. That is up to you and your vet.
• How do I submit a claim? Claims are typically submitted by mail, fax, or online, and are reviewed within a couple of weeks.
• Are hereditary conditions covered? Hereditary or genetic conditions are covered with some policies, but not all. If you have a concern about a particular condition, ask before you sign up for a policy.
• What is the easiest way to get a quote? Getting pet insurance quotes is easy. You can get a quote by calling a pet insurance provider directly or going to their website. Most pet insurance provider websites allow you to choose the coverage variables that work for you and provide an immediate quote.
• Once I have a pet insurance policy, when does it start? Once you have a pet insurance policy, it becomes active depending on the type of coverage and the provider. Many plans will immediately cover wellness and accidents, while illnesses and genetic issues may have a waiting period of days to weeks.
• Is wellness coverage included in my policy? Wellness may be included with your pet insurance plan but it is more often an add-on service that comes at an additional cost.
• What is the best thing about pet insurance? The best thing about pet insurance is the peace of mind it can provide. It may help with costs related to unexpected accidents or illnesses.
• Is pet insurance worth it for an indoor cat? This depends on your financial situation, budget, and desire to provide your cat with the best possible care. You will never be able to predict an accident or illness. Pet insurance is a good way to protect your budget from high veterinary bills, while allowing you to give your cat the best possible care.

How to Find the Right Pet Insurance for Your Cat

It’s always best to research a pet insurance provider’s credibility. You will want to be sure that they’re reputable, offer what you’re looking for, and have good customer feedback.

After doing so, you’ll want to consider how much coverage you need. If your pet has pre-existing conditions, find out what is covered and what is not. Adding additional insurance coverage may be worth it, depending on your cat’s activity levels and proneness to getting hurt or injured.

Make sure to always read the fine print when signing up for a plan. An incident you thought might be covered, may not be.

Click here to learn more about cat insurance, assess your options, and select the best possible coverage for your cat.

The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.