Dogs and cats have now become full members of the family. Anyone who wants to avoid risks or bad unexpected events regarding the management of their pet can stipulate acat insurance which offers the health coverage you need and, if you will, many useful extra services.
But what should you know before subscribing to one? What are the benefits? Details in this article.
How to insure a cat?
Cat and dog insurance works like any other insurance policy: by paying a fixed monthly, quarterly or annual fee, it is possible to guarantee health coverage that covers our friend’s veterinary expenses, avoiding unpleasant unexpected events. But that’s not all: even for the animal you can choose a policy against damage caused to third parties.
What you need to know before signing acat insurance?
- Almost all insurance companies (such as those we use for property damage coverage or life insurance) also offer services for pets. You could access it at a discounted price if you are already their customer or are about to become one;
- Some services, such as medical insurance or sterilisation, are usually excluded;
- In some cases the costs can only be incurred at veterinary centers affiliated with the company, in others it is possible to contact your trusted veterinarian.
Cat insurance: veterinary expenses
The veterinary expense coverage of a basic policy typically covers expenses for:
- surgeries,
- specialistic examinations,
- nutritional visits,
- laboratory tests,
- hospitalizations.
Obviously the services offered depend on the company and the type of contract. With regard to coverage for surgical interventions, it is advisable to make sure that drugs, visits and diagnostic tests are also included.
Insurance for damage caused to third parties
The “pet civil liability” guarantee covers cats of all breeds and ages and protects the owner in the event of any compensation requested by third parties. In fact, our pet could unintentionally cause danni to things, people and other animals.
The guarantee of civil liability for pets it is particularly useful in cats when you cannot prevent them, for example, from trespassing on neighbors’ properties or if they show aggressive behaviour.
Do I need a microchip to insure my cat?
Yes. In order to take out cat insurance, our feline must meet these requirements in order to be considered “regular”:
- be duly registered in the registry office,
- be microchipped (or tattooed),
- have received the health card,
- have received the mandatory vaccines.
However it is possible that some insurances also cover compulsory vaccines within the first months of life.
How much does it cost to insure a cat?
Cat insurances range from a share of 5-6 Euros per month for a basic range, up to 20 Euros and more per month for more substantial packages, which also offer legal assistance in the event of damage, or a higher ceiling for veterinary expenses.
However, the price will also depend on the characteristics of your feline, which will in fact be required to obtain a quote.
How to request a quote?
You can request a quote on the companies’ websites or through the platforms that compare prices, by entering a few simple data relating to your pet:
- Age,
- Race,
- What do you want to cover for (veterinary expenses, civil liability or both, additional extras).
By entering this data you will be able to access more detailed information on the prices and services offered and you can easily request a more in-depth free consultation.
What to watch out for?
- Carefully consider i ceilingswhich indicate the maximum coverage that the insurance company provides for that service.
- Another parameter to be evaluated is the franchisesince the costs (or damages) caused below it are still the responsibility of the owner.
- Taking out cat insurance that is annual rather than monthly or quarterly is usually convenient, but watch out for any automatic renewals and any price increases.
What is the best cat insurance?
As we have seen, it is difficult to classify cat insurance since the benefits are strictly dependent on the characteristics of our feline and the needs of the owner.
So if protecting your pet is an excellent investment in your healthit is also important to be able to objectively evaluate what you really need: ask for different estimates so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and those of Micio!