New Jersey (NJ) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance? Why is it useful in New Jersey?

To protect your cat to the fullest with insurance, you’ll need to register with the company of your choice and pay the monthly premium to keep the policy active. Should your feline friend become sick or get in an accident, you will have to cover the veterinary costs at the time of service. Once you have done so, you can submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. Keep in mind that pet insurance providers tend to exclude pre-existing conditions, which means they will not be eligible for claims. We suggest getting cat insurance when your cat is still a kitten (8-weeks or older).

Emergency veterinary care in New Jersey is costly, especially when it comes to things such as cancer treatments that can exceed $4,000. Uninsured pet owners often have to euthanize their cats because they cannot afford the necessary care and procedures. Insurance eliminates this unfortunate possibility.

How old does my kitten need to be get insured?

Pet insurance companies request that your cat be at least 8-weeks-old to get kitten insurance. That said, there is typically no age limit for getting your little friend insured. Younger animals tend to be cheaper to insure, which is why we recommend getting a policy in place for your cat before its first birthday.

Is getting cat insurance worth it in NJ?

As noted earlier, vet bills mount quickly when those inevitable emergencies crop up in your cat’s life. Many cat owners can spend upwards of $2,000 for such visits to the vet. The biggest decision you need to make is whether paying the monthly insurance premiums offsets any potential expensive out-of-pocket costs in the future. New Jersey vets have higher rates than those in many other parts of the country, which is another reason to purchase cat insurance.

What does cat insurance include and exclude?

Coverage for your cat will differ based on the provider you choose. A general rule of thumb is that if there is a “sudden and catastrophic” health event or accident, your policy will cover it unless explicitly stated as an exclusion. Some such incidents may include broken bones, allergies, urinary blockages, or lacerations. Your insurance company would not cover if your cat has kidney disease when (or before) you apply for insurance. In this case, your cat’s kidney disease would be listed as a pre-existing condition, and therefore not eligible for claims. When signing up for cat insurance, keep in mind that many providers have “wellness” packages that you can add to your policy. Such packages cover things such as vaccinations, physical exams, dental care, and more.

How does reimbursement work?

Let’s imagine that your cat needs a $5,000 emergency surgery, and your policy has a $250 deductible, a 90% reimbursement amount, and a $20,000 annual maximum benefit. Your insurance provider would reimburse you $4,500 minus your $250 deductible. Therefore, you would only pay $750 out-of-pocket instead of the original $5,000 total. If the idea of covering costs upfront and waiting for reimbursement stresses you out, consider getting a policy through Trupanion as they pay vets in their network directly, so you don’t have to.

Which is better: a higher or lower deductible?

It’s really a matter of preference and financial circumstance. Lower deductibles result in higher monthly payments but less out-of-pocket costs in an emergency. A higher deductible will get you the opposite: lower monthly payments but higher out-of-pocket costs in a catastrophe. You need to determine what works best for your financial situation. The majority of cat insurance providers have calculators on their websites you can use when requesting a quote. Our research shows most people prefer either a $250 or $500 deductible.

Are there restricted breeds for homeowners insurance in New Jersey?

Unlike dogs, most states do not have restricted cat breeds when it comes to homeowners insurance. Nevertheless, it is always good to check in with your home insurance provider to determine your policy’s restrictions and if you may need a specific liability rider.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Cat Safe & Healthy in New Jersey

There is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your cat and keeping it healthy in New Jersey.

1. Protect your cat from predators

While New Jersey may be densely populated and have a lot of suburban and urban areas, there are plenty of creatures out there that pose some trouble to your kitty. Some such creatures include black bears, timber rattlesnakes, northern copperhead snakes, coyotes, wolf-hybrids, bobcats, skunks, and more. Aside from snakes, most of these creatures are nocturnal, which means if you keep your cat indoors from before dusk until after sunrise, your little friend will be well protected.

2. Avoid letting your cat eat human food

Unless, of course, it is unseasoned meat, fish, poultry, or seafood! Aside the aforementioned, no other foods are essential or even important to a cat’s health. In fact, many foods, including grains and milk products, can be detrimental. New Jersey has heaps of locally owned pet stores where you can find grain-free and other healthy food options for your little friend.

3. Treat your cat for ticks and fleas

There are a number of tick species in New Jersey, some of which transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. You can get your cat a spot-on treatment or a collar. This is also true for fleas. Protecting your cat from fleas is extremely important in preventing skin irritations and infections. Like tick treatments, flea medicine comes in both spot-on and collar forms. Spot-on treatments for both fleas and ticks tend to be more effective than their ringed counterparts.

4. Keep your cat hydrated

New Jersey has hot summers, but the humidity makes them feel hotter than they actually are. As a result, your cat will need to stay well hydrated. It is always wise to have a bowl of freshwater available. It is worth mentioning that cats are not natural water drinkers. You can compensate for this by mixing a bit of water in with your cat’s food, regardless of whether it is canned, dry, cooked, or raw. The water enhances flavor and makes the moisture more easily absorbed by your kitty’s body. Keeping your cat fully hydrated can help prevent life-threatening urinary blockages, especially during New Jersey’s hotter months.

5. Keep your cat’s litter box clean

To maintain good urinary health and hygiene, empty your cat’s litter box at least twice a day. You will also need to fully empty and wash the box out once every couple of weeks. Once you are done, refill with fresh litter. Doing so helps prevent infections and the spread of germs and bacteria. It is worth noting that the heat and humidity New Jersey experiences each summer accelerates the breakdown of most clumping litters, thereby diminishing the clumping ability. If you notice this happening, you’ll have to empty, wash down, and refill your cat’s box more frequently during such weather.

Conclusion

Ultimately, selecting the best cat insurance in New Jersey is much more straightforward than it may seem. We suggest getting cat insurance as soon as your kitten is 8-weeks or older. The sooner, the better, though, as you will get the best prices and fewer exclusions when it comes to pre-existing conditions. That said, getting cat insurance at any time is always better than never. It will prove useful in a catastrophic event and also support your cat’s general wellbeing.

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 New Jersey (NJ) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old New Jersey (NJ) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 07305 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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