South Dakota (SD) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is like a medical protection plan for your pet. You can purchase plans to cover accidents, and illnesses along with accidents, and some companies even offer wellness plans. A policy covering accidents might help with toxic ingestion or poisoning, sprains or broken bones, x-rays or MRIs, surgery, and hospitalization. Policies for illnesses could be for allergies, vomiting, heart disease, bloodwork, chemotherapy, skin conditions and prescription medication. Some insurance companies have a supplemental wellness plan to add on to one of these other plans for routine medical care like annual exams, vaccines, and dental cleanings.

Does cat insurance cover everything?

Unfortunately, your whole visit to the vet may not be covered; it depends on what services were performed. If it was for something like nail trims, spay/neuter procedures, pregnancy/birth care, or prescription food, it probably will not be covered unless you get a wellness plan, and even then it may not so be sure to check the fine print. The other area where things will not be covered is for pre-existing conditions. These are illnesses, injuries, or symptoms that occurred prior to you purchasing an insurance policy. Most plans will also have a waiting period of 2-15 days after you purchase the policy before you can start getting its benefits.

How does cat insurance work?

The good news is pet insurance can be used at any licensed veterinarian and does not typically have a required network. The bad news is you must pay all fees up front at the vet office and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Many insurance providers have an app or online portal to submit an invoice of the office visit by taking a picture with your phone or scanning it to a computer.

You pay a monthly premium for the insurance and must meet a deductible before you can begin to get reimbursed. Deductibles are an out-of-pocket amount often between $250-700 and most providers will let you choose the amount that works best for you. The lower you keep the deductible, the more you can expect to pay for a monthly premium. The claims are reimbursed at a rate of either 70, 80 or 90%. If you are trying to keep the insurance affordable, you can lower the reimbursement rate. There is a maximum limit to how much the company will reimburse you annually. The lower that number is, the cheaper your monthly fee will be; likewise, you can expect to pay quite a high premium if you want an unlimited annual reimbursement amount.

Why do the prices for policies vary?

Insurance policies are based on several factors such as type of pet, gender, breed, city where you live, the pet’s age and what is (or is not) included in the coverage.

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Safe & Healthy in South Dakota

1. Mind the Weather for Outdoor Cats

Because parts of South Dakota can experience harsh winter conditions, it’s important to keep your cat in mind if they live or roam outdoors. Always have a 3-sided shelter with a roof so your cat can get out of the wind and elements. They should have water available but not in a metal bowl and preferably a way to keep the water from freezing. Remove ice and snow from their paws before they come inside. Cats are curious so watch out for spilled antifreeze on the garage floor which is very toxic. Kittens and cats will nap on a warm car engine so check under the hood before you start the car.

2. Chip and Collar your Cats

For those of you who have wandering cats, it is a good to have them wear a collar with contact information on a tag. Microchipping your cat is easy to do at the vet’s office and will save time if your pet becomes lost. These measures will also help in the case of an emergency. Check local ordinances about having your cat registered and if any laws prohibit your house pet from roaming the neighborhood. Cats love to explore outside but you can mimic the outdoors by having perches by the windows or building an enclosed patio (a “catio”) while keeping them safe inside.

3. Be Aware of Toxic or Poisonous Plants

Part of bringing that outdoors in is having plants in your household. Some plants pose a risk to your feline friends as even a small amount can be toxic or even fatal. Common plants to avoid include poinsettias, lilies, mistletoe and holly, baby’s breath, tulips, hydrangeas, and amaryllises. This is not an exhaustive list and it’s always best to check before you pick up some greens. There are varieties that are safe such as spider plants, parlor palms, certain succulents and Boston fern, to name a few. If your cat likes to munch on things, try growing some cat grass, mint or lemongrass.

4. Don’t Give your Cats Human Food

There are human foods that your cats should avoid. Cats aren’t known to beg for food as much as dogs but they are counter-surfers and have more access to food and beverages. Never feed your cat any of the following. Avoid grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, chocolate, nuts, coffee, alcohol or foods containing the sugar substitute xylitol. Contrary to popular belief, cats should not be served milk; it is tough for them to digest as many are lactose intolerant. Some of these food and drinks may only cause vomiting and diarrhea but that is a stressor to a cat’s system and a few of these items are fatal so it is best to avoid altogether.

5. Be Sure Vaccinations Are Up to Date

South Dakota is a state that requires a current rabies vaccination for cats older than three months. You must have documentation with a listed expiration date. Rabies isn’t the only vaccine your cat should get though. There are a series of vaccines to prevent diseases that are designed for kittens whose immunity from their mothers will wear off. Depending on your geographic location and your cat’s lifestyle, your veterinarian can recommend vaccines based on their exposure to other cats or environmental hazards.

Conclusion

Whether your new kitten came to you from a shelter or you’ve watched your senior cat grow over the years, experiencing companionship with a pet is very worthwhile. Taking care of your cat includes good food, regular check-ups at the vet, and purchasing cat insurance that will give you peace of mind while extending their quality of life.

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

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for South Dakota (SD) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old South Dakota (SD) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 57108 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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