Maine (ME) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance, and why is it helpful in Maine?

If you want to protect your cat to the fullest, you need to obtain a policy from an insurance company and pay a monthly premium to keep it active. If your feline friend gets ill or has an accident, you’ll have to cover the costs up-front. Then, after you submit a claim to your insurance company, they’ll reimburse you. An important thing to note is that insurance companies tend to exclude pre-existing conditions, which is why we suggest putting an insurance policy in place while your pet is still a kitten (after 8 weeks).

Cat insurance is helpful in Maine since vet bills, especially for treating serious illnesses, can run high into the thousands of dollars. Uninsured pet owners often have to put their cats down because they can’t afford the necessary treatments. Cat insurance takes this element of stress away.

How old does my cat need to be to get insured?

The majority of insurance companies will cover kittens from 6-to-8 weeks old. That said, most insurance providers do not place an age limit for when you can get cat insurance. A common rule of thumb is to insure your cat before it is 9 years old. This will give them coverage for their lifetime regarding illnesses and accidents. Keep in mind, the younger the cat, the cheaper they will be to insure, so we suggest getting coverage for your furry friend as soon as possible.

Is it worth getting cat insurance in ME?

As noted above, accidents and illnesses are inevitable throughout a cat’s lifetime, and as a result, vet bills quickly mount. Many cat owners end up facing vet bills upwards of $2,000 for emergency treatments. It’s up to you to decide whether the benefits of paying monthly cat insurance premiums can assuage the headaches of potentially high out-of-pocket costs you might otherwise face in the future. Maine vets, especially in the Portland area, tend to be pricey. Another reason to get cat insurance.

What is covered and excluded with cat insurance?

While coverage differs from one insurance provider to another, they generally cover illnesses or accidents unless listed as exclusions in your cat’s policy. Cat insurance companies cover “sudden and catastrophic” events, such as the onset of urinary tract issues, infections, broken bones, or allergies. However, they tend to exclude pre-existing conditions. For example, if your cat already has feline leukemia when you apply for the policy, that condition will not be covered by your policy. Another thing to keep in mind is that dental work unless associated with an accident or injury, is typically not covered by many insurance providers. The same is true for elective procedures, preventative care, and behavioral issues. Many insurance providers now offer “wellness” packages. These are usually add-ons to a regular cat insurance policy that will cover annual examinations, vaccinations, etc.

How is reimbursement calculated?

If you have, for example, cat insurance with a 90% reimbursement amount, a $250 deductible, and $15,000 annual maximum benefit, and your cat needs emergency surgery for $5000, the insurance company would reimburse you $4,500 less your $250 deductible. Therefore, the insurance coverage would be $4,250, and your out-of-pocket expenses $750 instead of $5,000. That said, Healthy Paws and Trupanion are two pet insurance providers that pay vets within their network directly.

Is it better to have a higher or lower deductible?

This depends on your financial situation and preference. You’ll have higher monthly premium payments if you want a lower deductible. The benefit of this is you’ll have to pay less out of pocket in the event of an emergency. Many cat insurance companies offer calculators when requesting a quote. The most commonly chosen deductibles tend to be $250 or $500.

Are there any restricted cat breeds for homeowners insurance in Maine?

Unlike dogs, where most homeowners insurance companies have restricted dog breeds, this is not the case for cats in Maine. That said, it is always wise to double-check with your specific insurance provider to determine what your policy excludes cats of particular breeds. If so, you may need a specific liability rider.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Cat Safe & Health in Maine

1. Keep your cat hydrated

While it is always wise to have fresh water readily available for your cat, cats are not natural water drinkers. Adding water to your cat’s food can improve hydration, whether canned or dry. The water enhances the flavors and helps keep your cat hydrated. Proper hydration helps to prevent life-threatening urinary blockages.

2. Avoid feeding your cat human food

Cats, as a species, are pure carnivores. Anything other than meat, poultry, or fish is not part of their natural diet. Contrary to popular belief, milk–other than their mother’s!–is not suitable for them.

3. Keep your cat’s litter box clean

Emptying it at least twice a day and wiping down the box itself once every two weeks will help promote urinary tract health.

4. Treat your cat for ticks

Maine has one of the worst tick problems in the entire country. And ticks mean Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that causes joint inflammation, aches, fever, decreased appetite, and more. If your cat spends time outdoors, be sure to protect your cat against ticks. There are many natural and conventional tick (and flea) spot-on treatments as well as collars. Ask your vet for recommendations.

5. Protect your cat from predators

Coyotes and foxes, even found in urban areas of Maine, are known to prey on cats. To minimize risk, make sure your cat is indoors before sunset, which is when such predators tend to come out.

Conclusion

Ultimately, selecting the best cat insurance in Maine for your kitten or fully-grown cat is easy. It’s best to insure your kitten as soon as it’s 8 weeks old. When it comes to getting your cat insured, sooner is always better than later. Doing so guarantees you the best prices. Of course, getting your cat insured at any stage of your furry friend’s life will prove helpful in promoting wellness and getting the necessary treatments for catastrophic events.

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

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Maine (ME) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Maine (ME) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 04108 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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