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Currently valued at $88 million and chalking up growth of at least 45% annually, the pet health insurance market clearly is a diamond in the rough; there are more than 136 million dogs and cats in this country-but less than 1% of them have insurance (versus 14% of dogs and 5% of cats in the U.K.). As Americans discover more about the true nature of cat health insurance and how it can save them time, stress and money, that 1% will grow exponentially. Even now, large employers are beginning to add pet health insurance options on their employee health packages. Cat Health Insurance is a real solution and is here to stay.

photo credit: kreg.steppe

Take for example, if your kid were to break his leg and require emergency hospitalization. Your costs would look something like this:

• Emergency room care $3,500.00
• X-ray bill $ 500.00
• X-ray technician diagnosis $ 950.00
• Doctor’s bill $1500.00
• Bill for your room in ER $7500.00
• Total $13,950.00

Now that’s an intimidating number!
BUT! Thank God, you have insurance coverage, so really your co-pay bill will be about $250. BIG DIFFERENCE!

This very simplistic example can happen, and does happen every single day for cat owners across the United States. The extremely unfortunate truth that you would not like to admit even to yourself is, at that price without insurance to help, would you not consider having to put your cat down rather than suffer through paying such an outrageous vet bill? Tragically, many cat owners do just that. The sense of loss, guilt, helplessness and sadness in that kind of decision is unbearable.

That is why we want you to “go on offense” and take control of your cat’s health. It is that kind of decision that we see as “your opponent.” Stop and think about what you would do if you were faced with that situation. And now decide what you want to do today about preventing it from ever happening.

Here is a more comprehensive breakdown of what can be covered for cats:

Covered:

• Leukemia
• Ear infections
• Infectious diseases
• Respiratory system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Bladder Infections and Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS)
• Nervous system
• Skin rashes
• Gastrointestinal upsets causing diarrhea and/or vomiting
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Hospitalization
• Eye problems
• Cardiovascular system
• Urogenital system
• Endocrine system
• Blood and lymphoid system
• Abscesses
• Abscessed, Diseased or Broken Teeth
• X-rays, diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests to diagnose or treat an injury or illness
• Gastric torsion (bloat)
• Euthanasia of your cat when you and your vet agree it is required for humane reasons, resulting from injury or illness
• Prescriptions drugs for a covered illness or injury

Some of the typical exclusions for cats include:

• Preventative care or routine checkups
• Pre-existing conditions or injury that existed prior to the effective date of the policy
• Costs from breeding, pregnancy or nursing
• Holistic, homeopathic herbal, acupuncture or chiropractic treatments
• Experimental treatments
• Organ transplants
• Special diets or foods
• Behavioral problems and treatments
• Grooming or grooming supplies
• Flea, heartworm or parasitic preventative treatment
• Elective procedures
• Costs for illnesses or injury arising out of organized fighting of your pet
• Intentional injury to your pet
• Health certificates or vaccination tags

Here is a list of the basic information you may need to provide about your pet:

• Name of cat
• Breed (if applicable)
• Pet’s date of birth
• When did you get your cat?
• Where do you live? Usually a zip code will do

Note: If you have an older cat, the pet insurance company may require additional information such as previous medical history and any pre-existing conditions.