New York (NY) Cat Insurance FAQs

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

To protect your cat to the fullest with insurance, be sure to register with an insurance company and pay the monthly premiums to keep the policy active. Should your feline friend become sick or get involved in an accident, you will need to pay the bill upfront. Afterward, you can submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement. It is worth mentioning that insurance companies typically exclude pre-existing conditions, which is why we suggest getting your cat insured before its first birthday (after it turns 8-weeks-old).

Cat insurance is helpful in New York because emergency vet bills go through the roof for things such as cancer treatments, which can run upwards of $5,000. Uninsured pet owners often face the brutal reality of euthanizing their cats because they can’t afford the necessary therapies or procedures. Insurance keeps you from ever having to make such a heart-wrenching choice.

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

Cat insurance companies require that all insured kitties be at least 8 weeks of age. That said, most providers do not have an age limit for getting a policy in place. Keep in mind, that the younger the animal, the cheaper it usually is to insure. This is all the more reason to get your cat insured while it is still a kitten.

Is cat insurance worth it in NY?

As noted above, vet bills mount quickly when accidents or sudden illnesses occur in your cat’s life. Cat owners may spend $2,000 or more on an emergency trip to the vet at some point in their little pal’s life. The decision you need to make is whether paying monthly premiums offsets any potential, expensive bills in the future. New York vets are some of the most costly in the country, yet another reason to get cat insurance.

What does cat insurance include and exclude?

Coverage varies from one provider to the next. However, a good rule of thumb is that any health event deemed “sudden or catastrophic” will be covered unless specifically listed as an exclusion on your policy. Examples of insurance-covered events are urinary blockages, eye infections, broken bones, and skin disorders. However, if your cat has a condition prior to or when applying for insurance, it will be considered a pre-existing condition. These are not eligible for claims. Providers are now offering “wellness” packages which you can tack on to your basic policy. Such packages cover routine care, including physical exams, vaccinations, and more.

How does reimbursement work?

For our purposes, let’s imagine your insurance policy has a $250 deductible, a 90% reimbursement amount, and a $15,000 annual maximum benefit. If your cat were to need a $5,000 surgery, your insurance company would reimburse you $4,500 minus the $250 deductible. As a result, you would only have to pay $750 instead of the original $5,000 total. Many people find waiting for reimbursement to be stressful and financially challenging. If this is also the case for you, consider getting your cat insurance through Trupanion since they pay veterinarians in their network directly. Such an arrangement can help alleviate that financial stress.

Is it better to have a higher or lower deductible?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Which deductible you choose is dependent upon your personal preferences and financial circumstances. If you opt for a lower deductible, you will have higher monthly payments but lower out-of-pocket costs in an emergency. The opposite is true for higher deductibles, in which you will pay lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs in urgent situations. We’ve noticed that most people choose a $250 or $500 deductible.

Are there any restricted breeds for homeowners insurance in New York?

While there are restricted dog breeds for homeowners insurance in New York, there is none concerning cats. That said, we always urge cat owners to verify with their home insurance providers what their policy includes and excludes and whether a specific liability rider is needed.

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

With four dramatic and distinct seasons and a diverse landscape, there is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your cat safe and healthy in New York.

1. Treat your cat for fleas and ticks

As in most states, fleas and ticks are a nuisance to pets in New York. The most common forms of treatment come as spot-ons and collars, but there are some chewable options. Check with your vet to see what would be appropriate and most effective for your cat.

2. Groom your cat regularly

Brushing your cat daily or at least multiple times each week will help keep your cat’s coat soft and healthy, especially as it changes significantly with New York’s seasons. Doing so also reduces the potential for hairballs to form or impaction of cat hair in the intestines to form. The latter can be potentially fatal. Brushing is also a great way to deepen your bond with your feline friend. Another critical part of grooming is clipping your cat’s claws. Be sure to consult your vet on the proper nail-trimming techniques. This will help keep your cat’s nails from curling under, which can lead to severe health and behavioral problems.

3. Keep your cat well-hydrated

Proper hydration is one of the keys to excellent cat health. While this is important at all times of the year, it is especially so during New York’s hot and humid summers. Aside from keeping a clean, fresh bowl of water available, try adding a small amount of water to your cat’s food. This trick works well with all types of food–canned, dry, homecooked, or raw–and the moisture consumed with food is much easier for your cat’s body to absorb. Doing this enhances the food’s flavor, but just be sure not to drown the food. It should mix in easily.

4. Protect your cat against dangerous critters

New York abounds with creatures that could injure or even kill your furry friend. Examples of such animals are snapping turtles, the timber rattlesnake, multiple other snakes, bats, foxes, skunks, the Northern Goshawk, Eurasian boars, coyotes, black bears, and more. Most of the four-legged mammals are nocturnal, so you’ll be able to reduce significantly the danger your cat may encounter by keeping it indoors from before dusk until after sunrise.

5. Get your cat vaccinated against rabies

New York typically has some of the highest numbers of rabid animals in the country, which makes getting your cat vaccinated against rabies that much more critical. The most common carriers in New York are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Remember that the rabies vaccine needs approximately one month to take hold fully, so be careful about letting your cat roam freely beforehand.

Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing the best insurance in New York for your cat is far more straightforward than it may have seemed initially. We suggest applying for cat insurance once your kitten is 8 weeks or older. The earlier in your cat’s life, the better because you get fewer restrictions and the most affordable rates. Nevertheless, getting cat insurance for your feline friend at any age will prove beneficial in catastrophic events and for wellness-related care.

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 York (NY) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old New York (NY) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 10022 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

See dog insurance prices in your state

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming