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What Does Cat Insurance Cover?
When your pet becomes ill or injured, unexpected vet bills can pile up quickly. That's where pet insurance comes into play - providing peace of mind on unexpected vet expenses.
Pet insurance policies offer you financial coverage for a variety of veterinary costs, from routine checkups and preventative care to major medical treatments. But just like human health insurance, pet policies also have restrictions and exclusions.
Congenital and Hereditary Conditions
Congenital conditions refer to physical or mental disabilities present at birth that may be hereditary, caused by an action or exposure during pregnancy or at delivery, or a combination of both.
Hereditary conditions, such as heart disease, eye disorders, and hip dysplasia, can be passed down from generation to generation. These can have serious repercussions later in life so it's essential that you find a pet insurance policy that covers hereditary and congenital ailments.
Many congenital conditions can be avoided through a healthy diet, excellent medical care before and during pregnancy, and screening tests. Unfortunately, they can also occur due to environmental factors like medications taken by pregnant women during their pregnancies, toxic chemicals present in the food supply, alcohol consumption or smoking during pregnancy, as well as diabetes.
Alternative Therapies
Pets can benefit from a range of alternative treatments, such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustment. These are designed to reduce pain and swelling, promote physical recovery, reduce stress levels, and promote overall health and well-being.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that utilizes fine needles to stimulate specific points in the body. It has many uses, from back pain to anxiety.
Herbal therapies are another popular form of alternative medicine for pets. Vets often prescribe specific herbal combinations to address digestive issues, bladder or kidney issues, and arthritis in pets.
Herbal supplements can be found in many online pharmacies and can be a beneficial addition to your pet's medical care. It's best to get advice from your veterinarian regarding which herbs might be safe for them to consume and which ones they should avoid.
Behavioral Issues
Pet insurance can cover a range of behavioral issues. These may include aggression, excessive chewing, and licking, as well as separation anxiety.
Depending on your plan, behavioral issue coverage can be included as part of basic insurance or be an extra charge. Furthermore, some plans pay a percentage of vet bills for therapy services.
Behavior issues are considered serious if they require the assistance of a licensed animal behaviorist (the pet equivalent of a psychologist). They can collaborate with both you and your veterinarian to identify which behaviors are causing your pet distress.
Compulsive behaviors are highly repetitive and can be caused by anxiety, pain, or stress. Common examples include wool or fabric suctioning or eating, over-grooming, licking the lower limbs, and feline hyperesthesia.
Veterinarian behaviorists can assist you in diagnosing and treating your pet's behavior issues through counterconditioning, desensitization, or response substitution. This could be done through group classes or private sessions.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Preexisting Conditions refer to any illness or injury your pet had before you started your policy. For instance, if your pup was suffering from an upper respiratory infection (URI) when enrolled in pet insurance, that condition would not be covered.
Many insurers define a pre-existing condition differently, so it's essential to review your policy documentation for any ambiguities. In general, any illness that began prior to enrolling in cat insurance will not be covered.
Important to be aware is that most insurers will not cover your pet's bilateral condition - any injuries on both sides of their body. On the contrary, if there is only one existing injury on one side of their body, then they would likely be covered.
Embrace is an example of a company that takes this distinction seriously and provides a list of conditions it will or won't cover. Furthermore, they clarify that curable conditions won't be considered preexisting conditions, meaning they will be covered when the policy commences.
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