Iowa (IA) Cat Insurance FAQs

What does cat insurance cover?

Like most other pet insurance plans, cat insurance covers veterinary expenses because of emergencies like broken bones, infections, allergic reactions, and surprise surgeries.

However, most pet insurance policies will not cover routine vet visits because of wellness exams, spay/neuter operations, and vaccinations. Additionally, pet insurance will not cover any pre-existing health condition your cat or kitten has.

Your cat insurance provider may offer purchasable add-ons to your basic cat insurance plan that could help cover some of those standard expenses.

In Iowa, how much will cat insurance cost me?

Your average monthly payment will be around $20 for a kitten and $25 for an adult for an average domestic shorthair cat’s basic insurance plan. For a large cat’s basic insurance plan, like the larger breed Maine Coon, the average will be around $25 for a kitten and $30 for an adult.

By location, Cedar Rapids, IA seems to have higher monthly rates on average for pet insurance than areas like Davenport and Des Moines.

Is it worth insuring my cat as an Iowa pet owner?

We strongly recommend purchasing pet insurance for your cat or kitten, even if they’ve never gotten sick to this point. It may seem like just another monthly expense, but having pet insurance on hand when an emergency happens can make the difference in the longevity of your pet’s life and the stability of your finances.

How do I use pet insurance?

You typically use pet insurance by going ahead and paying your vet directly when your cat has an emergency, then submitting a claim to your insurance. Later, once you’ve paid your deductible, your insurance company will reimburse you, otherwise known as your “reimbursement rate”, which is typically around 80% of what you paid your vet.

How long after getting cat insurance can I submit a claim?

After purchasing your pet insurance plan, you will typically have to wait for two weeks or more before you can use your insurance by submitting any claims.

Which is better, a high or low deductible?

If you purchase an insurance plan with a high deductible, you will pay less per month but more in the case of a veterinary emergency; on the other hand, if you purchase an insurance plan with a low deductible, you will pay a little more each month to pay less when an emergency does happen.

Whichever plan you choose, we advise that you thoughtfully consider your current financial state and be more sustainable for you in the foreseeable future.

Check out your insurance company’s website to see if they provide an easy-to-use quote calculator that can help you when deciding between a plan with a high or low deductible.

How old does my cat need to be for me to get them insurance?

Even if you have adopted or are preparing to adopt an older cat, we advise getting them covered by pet insurance because of its benefits.

However, if you are looking to get pet insurance for your kitten, you will have to wait until they’ve reached the age requirement set by your pet insurance company. Most insurances will require that your kitten be at least 8 months old before you can get them covered. Any emergency vet visits that occur before you get your kitten covered will likely have to come straight out of pocket. If you can, we suggest purchasing pet insurance for your kitten before their first birthday, because it is cheaper to buy insurance for a kitten than for an adult cat.

Will any vet in Iowa take pet insurance?

Because there is no direct exchange between your veterinarian and your insurance company, you are free to pick whichever vet you’d like.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Cat Safe & Healthy in Iowa

While emergencies can be few and far between, we as pet owners still have to look after our pets daily. Here are 5 helpful strategies for keeping your cat or kitten healthy and safe in Iowa:

1. Beware of Wildlife

Iowa roughly comes in at about the 5th worst state in the US for accidents with deer on the road, so be extra vigilant when you and your kitty go on road trips.

2. Keep an Eye on the Weather

Parts of Iowa fall under the umbrella of the infamous Tornado Alley, so it would be wise to stay brushed up on emergency plans, including who is in charge of your cat if you have to leave your home for whatever reason.

3. Don’t Leave Your Pet Unattended in The Harsh Weather

Iowa summers can exceed 95 degrees, meaning that the inside of your car can reach well beyond 115 degrees in an hour. Avoid leaving your kitten, cat, or any other pet unattended in the car for any length of time, especially in the summertime.

4. Watch for Spider Bites

The two most common household spiders to look out for in other states are also known to appear in Iowa households: the Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders. When left untreated, these bites can have fatal results for both people and pets that have been bitten. Take your kitty to the vet immediately if you suspect either of these dangerous spiders has bitten them.

5. Microchip Your Cat

An extraordinary general safety tip is to have your cat or kitten microchipped in case they were ever to get lost; additionally, animal shelters often recommend keeping updated tags on your pet’s collar.

Conclusion

Pet insurance can be a very important measure in providing your precious kitty with their happiest, healthiest, longest life. When a feline emergency catches you and your family off guard, the right pet insurance plan can provide a buffer between you and those expensive vet bills. Even if you can’t get your kitten covered by pet insurance when they reach the 8-month age minimum, we recommend getting them covered as soon as it is financially attainable to protect both them and your wallet.

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 Iowa (IA) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Iowa (IA) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 50317 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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