Virginia (VA) Cat Insurance FAQs

In Virginia, how much will cat insurance cost me?

Your average monthly payment will be around $17 for a kitten and $20 for an adult for an average domestic shorthair cat’s basic insurance plan. For a large cat’s basic insurance plan, like the larger breed Maine Coon, the average will be around $20 for a kitten and $25 for an adult.

By location, Richmond, VA seems to have higher monthly rates on average for pet insurance than areas like Virginia Beach and Norfolk.

As a Virginia cat owner, is it worth insuring my cat?

When we take on the responsibilities of owning and caring for a pet, we also take on the responsibility of paying for expensive vet bills that result from some unexpected feline, or canine, emergency. Though not mandatory, purchasing pet insurance can reduce these emergencies’ financial and mental stress.

What does cat insurance cover?

Most pet insurance plans typically cover veterinary expenses related to emergency situations, ranging from broken bones and surgeries to infections and allergic reactions. However, your cat insurance will likely not cover standard procedures like wellness exams, vaccinations, and spay/neuter operations. Additionally, if your pet has a pre-existing health condition, your pet insurance likely will not cover it.

How does pet insurance work?

Normally, you use your pet insurance by paying the vet yourself and then submitting a claim to your pet insurance company. Later, your insurance will reimburse you for a certain percentage of that cost. After you pay your deductible, you will typically receive an 80% reimbursement rate, depending on your particular insurance company’s policy.

Which is better, a high or low deductible?

Whether you should purchase a pet insurance plan with a high or low deductible depends on your current financial situation and what will be most affordable for you. A lower deductible on your insurance plan usually means that you will pay more per month but less in the actual incident of an unexpected and expensive veterinary emergency. Your insurance may provide a convenient and easy-to-use quote calculator to help you decide between high and low deductibles.

How old does my cat need to be for me to get them insurance?

Most pet insurances will require that your kitten be 8 months old before you can get them covered, whereas puppies only have to be between 6 and 8 weeks old. While you will have to pay for any expenses before that 8 month-mark directly out of pocket, purchasing insurance for a kitten is still cheaper than an adult cat. Accordingly, we recommend getting your kitten covered before their first birthday.

How do I know which vet will take my pet insurance?

Unlike our human health insurance, which limits our choices in doctors, pet insurance allows you complete freedom in picking a vet for your precious kitty. This is possible because you pay your vet and then your insurance later reimburses you, meaning that there is no direct exchange between your insurance and your vet.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Cat Safe & Healthy in Virginia

We live life with our pets, which means we have to look out for their health in the day-to-day routines, not just in the case of emergencies. Below we have listed 5 strategies for maintaining your cat’s safety and health in Virginia:

1. Watch for Snakes

Virginian farmers can tell you the dangers of you or your pet being bit by the semi-common copperhead snake, so keep an eye out for these venomous snakes.

2. Tag, Collar and Chip your Cat

Animal shelters in Virginia take great care to spread the word when pets in their communities go missing, so make sure your cat is wearing a collar with updated tags and consider having them microchipped even if they are an only-indoor cat, just in case they get lost.

3. Never leave Pets in Hot Cars

Never leave your cat or other pets unattended in your car, as summers in Virginia have been known to surpass 95 degrees.

4. Keep Cleaners Locked Away

It’s cute to watch our kittens and cats engage their playful nature by climbing and leaping, but that playfulness will mean that you need to keep all household cleaners and food safely out of reach and locked away.

5. Watch for Spiders

Though not commonly seen in the average household, Virginia has its share of the deadly Black Widow spider, so steer clear if you suspect any are wandering around near you or your pet!

Conclusion

Purchasing insurance for your cat is important and, as such, can feel like a scary task to take on. While it may add to your monthly expenses, pet insurance can protect you and your darling pet in the case of a costly emergency–particularly, it can save you from having to choose a painful, needless euthanization for your cat because you otherwise would have been unable to pay for their veterinary treatment.

If you adopt a kitten, we recommend going ahead and getting them covered by pet insurance when they reach the 8-month age requirement. However, even if your cat is an adult, we still suggest purchasing pet insurance as a beneficial decision that can both protect your finances and your feline’s 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 Virginia (VA) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Virginia (VA) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 23221 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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