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Want a high-end pet cat - but not the vet bills to match? Pet insurance may offer you savings down the track.
Cat insurance providers and coverage
There's no reason to pussyfoot around when it comes to insuring your purebred cat - it's fairly straightforward. Firstly, do some research online and make a few phone calls to work out whether you need it, and if so, which provider is right for you and your feline. It would also be a good idea to chat to your family vet about such insurance, as they would surely have some insight.
Just as there is at least 40 exotic cat breeds to choose from, there seems to be as many pet insurers providing cover these days. Some include AFS Pet-Med, Petplan, Petcover and Insuranceline.
The popularity of such insurance has soared of late, largely due to advances in veterinary science. Vets can now offer treatments and procedures, such as radiation therapy and transplants never heard of before - with a pricetag, of course.
Brochures and application forms for pet insurance can usually be downloaded online or phoned through for. Generally, insurers will require such information as your cat's age, breed type and what type of identification you have for it (microchipping and pet tags can help to reduce premiums, so are wise investments).
Pet health policies are similar to those for humans, with annual premiums and deductibles. Policy costs vary widely, depending on the different packages available.
Some policies are comprehensive, covering annual check-ups and vaccinations, death benefits and even reimbursement for offering a reward for a lost feline. Other plans cover only accidents and illness.
Insuring your cat: requirements and premiums
Cat owners should also know that there are age limits on insuring, so if they're within a whisker of the restrictions they may not be able to be insured. Kittens are usually considered riskier before they are eight weeks old, as are cats that are nine years-plus, so they generally won't be insured then. This is because they are more prone to illness, injury or death at these ages.
Some providers may also charge extra for pedigrees or exotic crossbreeds, which have not been bred with the Aussie climate in mind. In-breeding makes these pets more susceptible to certain illnesses. Plus, pet owners with pedigrees are more likely to make claims, according to Sainsbury's Bank in the UK. Hence, such premiums may increase by about 11 percent. Still, cats are generally cheaper to insure than pooches, as they are considered better behaved, and thus, less of an insurance risk.
