Louisiana (LA) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance and why is it important in Louisiana?

Just like how you likely have health insurance for yourself, cat insurance is a health insurance policy for our furry friends. It allows them to get healthcare from a veterinarian without draining their wallet. It’s valuable because vet costs are frequently unreachable for many cat owners when emergencies happen. Because of this, too many cats are euthanized when they could have otherwise survived. Insurance saves you from a heartbreaking outcome.

How can I obtain cat insurance?

If you’re in the market for cat insurance, you’ll want to apply with a dedicated pet insurance company. You will then pay monthly fees called “premiums” to keep your policy active.

In the event of an emergency, you will submit your veterinary bill as normal and subsequently submit a claim for reimbursement from your insurance provider. Something that is useful to, is that insurance providers are known for excluding pre-existing conditions from coverage. For instance, if your cat has cancer, treatment may not be eligible for cat insurance. If you can, you should get insurance while your cat is still young, preferably before their first birthday.

How old should my kitten be for insurance?

You saw above that it’s best to get insurance before your cat’s first birthday, but there is also a minimum age. Cats need to be at least eight weeks old for insurance before being eligible for coverage. After that, there is no age limit. Cats of all ages can get covered. The reason we recommend it before their first birthday is because you’ll receive the lowest rates and fewer restrictions.

Is cat insurance worth it in LA?

Think you can guess how much vet care costs? Think again. Emergency visits and even routine visits can cost more than you think. The fact is, life is unpredictable and you should be there in your cat’s time of need. Although a monthly insurance premium may seem like a hassle, trust me when I say it’s much better than a four or even five-figure bill.

What’s covered and excluded with cat insurance?

Your coverage will be different based on your company and policy. Thankfully, most sudden illnesses and injuries are covered. Discovered a new allergy your cat has? Feline got into a fight with a neighborhood friend? Broke a bone? Your insurance should cover these situations in most cases.

On the other hand, pre-existing conditions such as ance even allergies you already knew about may not be covered and therefore ineligible for reimbursement.

The good news is that you’ll find several insurance providers that offer packages that include shots, routine visits, and other care to help manage costs.

How can I get reimbursed?

We’ve done the math for you to make it easy. Here’s how reimbursement works:

In this scenario, you have a reimbursement amount of 90%, a $200 deductible and your yearly max benefit are $10,000. Say your cat is rushed to the vet in an emergency and the bill ends up costing a pricey $5,000. Because you have a 90% reimbursement, your insurance provider will reimburse you with $4,500 and keep your $200 deductible. So, instead of paying the full $5,000, you will owe just $700. Quite a difference, right?

$5,000 (bill) – $4,500 (90% of 5,000) + $200 (deductible) = $700

One slightly different insurance provider is Trupanion, which pays veterinarians in their network without you having to pay first.

Low or high deductible? Which is better?

We’ve seen mostly cat owners pick a deductible of $250 or $500, however, there is no “best” option. Lower and higher deductibles are great options for different people.

A lower deductible means higher premiums, while a higher deductible means lower premiums. While you’re getting a quote, it may be helpful to use a calculator to find what deductible amount will work best for you.

Does Louisiana restrict cat breeds?

Thankfully, you shouldn’t face cat breed restrictions in homeowners insurance. These companies do not consider your typical domestic cat a risk. Please always consult with your provider for the most up-to-date information.

5 Health & Safety Tips for Cats in Louisiana

1. Get Seasoned for Hurricane Season

Louisiana sits right in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, and right in the path of numerous hurricanes and tropical storms every year. Almost every long-time Louisiana resident is aware of the risks, but are you and your pets prepared?

• Make an evacuation plan. Take note of cat-friendly boarding facilities, shelters, hotels, and family member’s homes.
• Keep your cat’s ID tags up-to-date. Get your cat microchipped as well for extra identification.
• Keep your cat’s documents handy. Registration information, medical records, vaccination documents, and adoption papers are all useful to have.
• Do not leave your cat behind in the event of evacuation!

2. Floods Are Not Your Bud

One natural disaster that often accompanies or quickly follows after a hurricane, is a flood. Those living near the Louisiana coast should be specially prepared for flooding to occur:

• Find high land or shelter, if possible. Again, take note of all cat-friendly boarding facilities, shelters, hotels, and family member’s homes.
• Don’t leave any of your cat’s belongings behind that are susceptible to water damage.
• Do not leave your cat behind in the event of an evacuation.
• After returning home, do not allow your cat outdoors until it is safe to do so. Floodwater can disguise dangerous debris and contaminants, not to mention it can still sweep your cat away!

3. Bring the Thunder (And Safety)

Once again tied to Louisiana’s powerful tropical storms, thunderstorms can be a booming occasion, bringing heavy rain and lightning. Be prepared:

• Take shelter at the first sign of an oncoming storm and bring your cat inside. Stay away from open areas outdoors that are vulnerable to lightning.
• If you are nowhere near a shelter, take shelter inside a vehicle.
• If you are nowhere near a vehicle, minimize your height without lying flat. Shield your cat and stay away from trees, wire fences, or other electrical conductors.

4. Avoid the Attack of the Alligators

Louisiana is home to thousands of alligators, practically a symbol of the southern U.S. Although these reptiles are iconic, they’re also incredibly dangerous in the wrong situation. Avoid a potentially fatal encounter by practicing the following:

• Be cautious around bodies of water. Although your cat probably isn’t spending much time around water anyway, sometimes their curiosity will get the better of them. Make sure you’re always supervising them outdoors.
• Don’t walk pets along the edges of lakes, ponds, or wetlands.
• Alligators are the most active at night, just like many cats. Don’t let your nocturnal cat roam alone in the dark.
• Don’t feed alligators. First, it’s illegal. Second, it causes alligators to associate people (and their pets) with food.

5. Summer of Safety

Ever complained about summer feeling swampy? Welcome to Louisiana, home to actual swamps! Summers here are long, hot, and humid, but are also full of outdoor opportunities. Have a fun, safe summer by practicing some basic cautions:

• Cats should always have adequate shade and access to cold, clean water.
• Yes, you’re probably not taking your cat on many car rides, but if you do, please don’t leave them alone and unattended. Car temperatures rise quickly to dangerous heights.
• Even if your cat loves the outdoors, the heat can be dangerous. Avoid letting them out during the hottest parts of the day. Kittens, seniors, and cats with health issues should spend most of their time indoors when it’s excessively hot.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion, including panting, drooling, salivating, excessive pacing, bright red or pale gums, quick heart rate, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, lethargy, etc.

Conclusion

Now you know what you need to find the right cat insurance in Louisiana. In conclusion, you should sign up for insurance while your cat is a young kitten, before their first birthday and after they’re eight weeks old. This will get you the best rates and the fewest restrictions. Whatever stage of life your cat is in, insurance is a valuable asset to give them a longer, better life.

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

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Louisiana (LA) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Louisiana (LA) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 70112 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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