Maryland (MD) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is a health care policy for your cat that reimburses you for a myriad of medical expenses. In the unfortunate event of a surprise accident or illness, having a cat insurance plan helps to protect your finances against extremely expensive but necessary vet medical care. Cat owners pay a monthly premium or fee for this service, with costs varying based on age and breed, what medical costs are covered under the policy, what annual or per-procedure deductible the policy includes, and what percentage of treatment the customer will be reimbursed for by the company. There are generally 3 styles of plans—good, better, best. Typically, the more you spend, the more comprehensive the plan.

How much does cat insurance cost?

It depends. Cat insurance costs vary widely and depend on many factors, including:

• Breed
• Age
• Health
• Deductible
• Annual limit
• Reimbursement level
• Coverage level
• Where you live

Can I choose any vet?

Yes. All Maryland veterinary clinics & animal hospitals accept cat insurance. You can keep your vet or, for many policies, visit any licensed vet in the world. But don’t say we, as well as the Maryland Department of Commerce, didn’t warn you (see question below about insurance fraud). If you choose to purchase cat health insurance for your cat, read the terms and conditions of your policy. No two cat insurance policies are the same. The coverage can vary greatly from one policy to the next. Take the time to examine the co-pays, deductibles, limits, and exclusions, and double-check the amount of coverage shown in your insurance policy.

Is there a waiting period for cat insurance?

Yes. All cat insurance companies have waiting periods. Just like with any insurance plan, waiting periods vary by state and insurer.

What can you tell me about cat insurance and its usefulness?

1 in 3 cats will experience an unexpected illness or injury. Every six seconds a cat owner is faced with a veterinary bill of over $1,000. And every year 1 in 3 cats will suffer from an unexpected accident or illness that will require veterinary care. An unexpected illness or injury that requires diagnostic tests, surgeries, overnight hospitalization, and mediCation can cost more than many cat owners can afford. If your cat is healthy all its life and has no accidents, then it doesn’t pay to buy it. But are you willing to risk the life and health of your cat on a wager like that? It’s smart to invest in a plan that covers these unintended consequences and costs and prevents a situation in which you are forced to euthanize your cat because you can’t afford treatment. This is the number one reason why cat owners invest in cat insurance.

Because cat owners are paying less out of pocket for their cat’s health care, they’re also more likely to bring their cat to the vet instead of hesitating or attempting to provide homemade cat care. Cats whose care isn’t delayed usually recover more quickly and don’t get as sick as cats who are forced to wait for proper care.

So how does it work when I need to use my cat insurance?

First, is the sign-up process where you provide information on the provider’s website about the breed, age, and basic medical history of your cat. You will then get a quote. This quote can change as you readjust your deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual limit, and coverage plan.

Second, call your cat insurance provider and get pre-approval for any medical procedure your cat is undergoing to make sure the provider covers it under the policy. Some providers will pay the vet directly, while other providers will reimburse you after you pay the vet. The amount of time it will take to get reimbursed varies, however some providers.

Third, in the unfortunate event that your cat has an accident or gets sick, you may pay out-of-pocket at the veterinarian’s office for treatment.

Fourth, you will then make a claim for reimbursement with your cat insurance provider. The amount you are reimbursed depends on your policy; it ranges between 70% and 90% of the costs after you pay your deductible. Most policies have annual payout limits and a waiting period of 14 days.

How much do veterinarians charge?

Veterinary treatment in Maryland can be very expensive. Here is a sampling of common health conditions and the average costs associated with treatment.

According to the 2018 AVMA Report on The Market For Veterinary Services,

Tests, Examinations, and Initial Vet Costs:

• Routine checkups: $50 to $250
• Spay/neuter: $160 to $220
• Vaccines per shot: $15 to $28
• Physical exams: $45 to $55
• Fecal exam: $25 to $45
• Heartworm test: $45 to $50
• Dental cleaning: $70 to $400
• Allergy testing: $195 to $300
• Geriatric screening: $85 to $110

Surgeries and Unexpected Vet Costs*:

• Bloodwork: $80 to $200
• X-rays: $150 to $250
• Ultrasounds: $300 to $600
• Short hospitalizations: $600 to $1,700
• Long hospitalizations: $1,500 to $3,500
• Wound treatment: $800 to $2,500
• Emergency surgery: $1,500 to $5000
• Oxygen therapy: $500 to $3000

Long term illnesses will really take a toll on your expenses:

• Addison’s Disease – $2,400 per year
• Cancer – $5,000 to $20,000
• Cataracts – $2,000 to $3,000 per eye
• Disc Disease – $3,000 to $9,000
• Heart Disease – $5,000 to $20,000
• Patellar Luxation – $1,500 to $3,000

Investing in cat insurance is more important now than ever. Veterinary fees increased 85% between January 2000 and December 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics. Over the same time, the overall consumer price index (CPI) rose just 31%. At this rate, veterinary fees will double every 13 years. Cat insurance is your backstop against potential financial Catastrophe.

How does reimbursement work?

Say your insurance has a 90% reimbursement amount, a $250 deductible, and $20,000 annual max benefit. Then imagine something happens that requires a $10,000 emergency vet surgery. In this scenario, your insurance company would reimburse you $9,000 minus your $250 deductible meaning that you would be out of pocket $1,250 instead of $10,000.

Deductibles: Higher or lower, which is better?

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. You can pay lower premiums (monthly bills) upfront, but a higher deductible (the amount you have to pay before the insurance company takes over and pays the rest) in the end, or you can pay a higher premium upfront, but a lower deductible at the end (claim). It’s up to you to just stop to consider your budget and the prices of the premiums and deductibles involved.

What is a Deductible?

A Deductible is an up-front payment that you are required to pay before your insurance provider is obligated to honor a claim or pay their share.

Reimbursement Level

The deductible isn’t the only cost that you will pay out-of-pocket. The insurer does not pay you back 100% of the cost of a covered procedure. It will generally pay you back somewhere between 70%-90% of the cost. If you choose 70%, your monthly premium will be lower, whereas it will be higher if you choose 90%.

Annual Limit

This is the maximum amount that the insurer will pay for treatment in a given year.

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

For most cat policies, your cat has to be a minimum of 8 weeks old before you can apply for cat insurance. Don’t forget there is a small waiting period before the policy kicks in gear. Also, most providers do not have an age limit for when you can get cat insurance.

Is it better to get a cat insurance policy while my cat is young, or should I wait?

Get it after the 8-week minimum while she’s a young healthy cat. Enough said.

What about pre-existing conditions?

If your cat is already injured or ill when you apply for insurance, then it is a preexisting condition, and you are out of luck. To be clear, the condition first occurred or showed clinical signs or symptoms (there doesn’t need to be a diagnosis) before your cat’s coverage started, including waiting periods. The bottom line, you have to buy your policy while your cat is healthy. Insuring your cat early on means they’re less likely to have pre-existing conditions that are excluded from coverage.

NOTE: If your cat is part of a breed that is at greater risk for a particular medical issue, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a provider, that covers breed-specific and genetic conditions. If you have a purebred cat, research the breed to see if there are any conditions you should know about.

What is covered and what’s excluded with cat insurance?

Coverage varies with each cat insurance provider but generally, the items below are covered:

• Emergency & Hospitalization
• Surgeries
• Veterinary Specialists
• Hereditary & Congenital Conditions
• Chronic Conditions (allergies, arthritis) and their mediCations
• Cancer Treatments
• FDA-Approved Prescriptions
• Imaging
• Knee Conditions
• Ear infections
• Diabetes
• Prosthetics & Orthopedics
• Hernias
• Eye disorders
• Dental work needed resulting from an accident
• Any accident or illness (unless specifically excluded)
• Sudden Catastrophic Events (broken bones, eye infection, swallowing objects)

What is not covered?

• Pre-existing conditions
• Routine, wellness, or preventative care
• Spaying or neutering
• Experimental procedures
• Breeding, pregnancy or giving birth
• Cloned cats or cloning procedures
• Cosmetic surgery or elective procedures
• Grooming
• Supplements
• Diet food
• Routine dental care (cleanings, tooth removals)
• Most parasites

Does cat health insurance cover lab fees and diagnostics?

Indeed. Tests and procedures like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, blood tests, and urinalysis are covered.

What about Emergency Care & Hospitalization, is that covered?

Yes.

What about chronic reoccurring conditions?

Yes.

What about Nationwide coverage?

No. Some do and most don’t.

Will cat health insurance cover vet bills after an accident?

Yes. There are exceptions for self-inflicted injury, however, in most cases your cat is covered.

Does cat health insurance cover cancer treatments?

Yes. Standard treatments are covered while experimental treatments are not covered.

Am I covered for my cat’s physical therapy?

Uncertain. Check with your policy.

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Safe & Healthy in Maryland

1. Spay or Neuter

Cats who aren’t fixed are more likely to roam away from home. That raises the chances they’ll get hit by a car or get into a catfight. So early on, make sure your kitty is spayed or neutered.

2. Respect the Outdoors

About 70% of the estimated 95.6 million pet cats in the U.S. live indoors only. But millions of kitties are still allowed outside, where they face more dangers.

Many vets say owners should limit outdoor time as much as possible, or just choose to keep the cat inside. Another option is to let your pet out only in a confined, fenced area while you’re watching.

3. Do Not Declaw

Veterinarians say you should never let a cat outside that doesn’t have claws. A cat’s claws are its primary means of self-defense and taking them away ki like being in a gunfight without a gun. Plus, they cannot climb on trees to escape a threat.

4. Get Vaccines

Let your vet know if your cat goes outdoors so they can make sure they have the proper shots. Outdoor cats will need additional vaccinations.

5. Microchip

Most humane societies recommend microchipping your pet. It’s an excellent way to identify them if they are located after wandering off. When you get one, make sure you keep your contact information up-to-date on the chip. A collar for your cat with a tag that has your phone number is also a good idea.

Conclusion

Before you get your cat, check into several cat insurance policies to see if your cat can be covered. More importantly, check with your local town/city/county government to make sure your cat’s breed is not banned. You do not want to go through the heartache of surrendering your cat if you didn’t check in advance.

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 Maryland (MD) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Maryland (MD) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 21209 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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