Georgia (GA) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance?

On a basic level, insurance for cats is similar to human health insurance. Plans may insure a cat against getting sick, mishaps, possibly even wellness visits. Cat insurance policies are offered in three main groups – accident only, illness and accident, and a few providers offer a supplemental preventative “maintenance” plan. Accident policies cover things like broken bones, swallowed objects and diagnostic tests. Insurance plans that also cover illnesses might reimburse for prescription medications, heart conditions, and cancer treatment. Dental damage could be covered if it was a result of an accident or illness but dental cleanings would not be unless you purchased some type of wellness plan.

How does insurance work?

Once you purchase a cat insurance policy, there is a monthly premium (fee) that you are responsible for as well as a deductible that must be met before coverage begins. After you meet the deductible, you can be reimbursed for claims. Some insurance providers will allow you to set up the plan how it works best for you in terms of deductible amount, percentage of claims that will be reimbursed (usually 70, 80 and 90%), and maximum amount that you can be reimbursed per year, known as the annual limit. Purchasing policies for multiple pets will usually get you a discount with most insurance providers.

Here’s how it works: if your deductible is $500, you are responsible for all costs up to that amount. Once you meet the deductible, then you can start submitting claims to be reimbursed. If you chose to be repaid at a rate of 80%, and your vet bill is $1,000, you will be reimbursed for $800. The higher the reimbursement rate, the more you will pay for a monthly premium. You can lower costs by choosing a higher deductible amount, which lowers the monthly fee.

Are there different coverage options? Any exclusions?

Yes, there is different coverage, and how much you pay per month will depend on what type of insurance policy, i.e., the reimbursement rate, annual limit and deductible, as well as how old your pet is, what breed they are, what area you live in, and even their gender. Younger cats are less expensive because they have fewer health issues. Most policies required a kitten to be at least 8 weeks old, but a few allowed as young as 6 weeks. A couple of insurance companies would not give quotes for a cat over 14 years old, and if they did, it was not customizable at all with very high premiums.

No cat insurance policy will cover pre-existing conditions. Those are conditions that exist prior to beginning the policy or a medical issue that comes up during the waiting period. All cat insurance has a waiting period of 2-15 days between when you start the policy and when the coverage actually begins for most accidents and illnesses.

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy and Safe in Georgia

1. Don’t Declaw

If you’ve decided to let your cat roam outside, take precautions to keep them safe. Never declaw your cat as that is a way for them to defend themselves and gives them the ability to climb away and escape. Also, if they are going to be outside, they should have a collar or microchip in case they get lost.

2. Mind the Weather

Keep in mind that three of the four seasons in Georgia are summer which means it’s hot more often than not. Outdoor cats need access to fresh, cool, clean water and some type of a shelter to get out of the scorching sun. Not all cats like to drink water so feeding them some wet food from time to time will help with hydration.

3. Schedule Regular Vet Visits

Just like dogs in Georgia, cats need regular veterinary visits, too. You can search for vets that specialize in feline care. The checkups allow veterinarians a chance to assess their weight, dental condition, look for early signs of disease and give vaccines.

4. Don’t Give your Cat Milk

Many people know that Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, GA. While we sure love our Coke, it tops the list of foods that pets should not consume because it contains caffeine. Other items include chocolate, avocado, onion, grapes, alcohol, nuts (another Georgian staple), garlic and milk. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not have the ability to break down milk in their system due to a missing enzyme.

5. Plants can be Toxic

Cats love to chew on plants but some can be mildly poisonous to very toxic. Here are a few plants to avoid in Georgia: azaleas, birch trees, foxglove, larkspur, mistletoe, water hemlock, lily of the valley, philodendron and many others so check your local poison control.

Conclusion

Whether you just adopted your first kitten or are in your 15th year of cat companionship, buying an insurance plan is a good action to take. The sooner you have a cat insurance plan in place the better as your cat will have fewer pre-existing conditions to be concerned about. Getting a policy at any age for your cat can save you money, though, to cover unexpected accidents or illnesses over the life of your favorite feline.

Ready to get started? After countless hours of research, we’ve found that Lemonade pet insurance consistently performs the best with the lowest monthly premiums.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Georgia (GA) Cats

We ranked the best pet insurance policies for Georgia (GA) Cats based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Georgia (GA) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 30331 zip code (Please note: prices will vary greatly based on your location)
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews

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