Washington (WA) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance? How is it useful in Washington?

Cat insurance is there to protect your little pal in case of emergencies. To do so to the fullest with insurance, you will need to apply for coverage and pay the monthly premiums to your insurance company to keep the policy active. Should your cat become sick or involved in an accident, you will have to pay the vet bills up front and then submit a claim to your provider for reimbursement. Be aware that pre-existing conditions are generally excluded, which is why we recommend getting cat insurance before your little pal turns one year old.

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

The good news is that there is no age limit for getting your cat insured. However, cat insurance companies require that your cat be at least 8 weeks of age before a policy can be put into place. Keep in mind that younger animals tend to be cheaper to insure, which is why it is always best to get your cat insurance while they are still in the kitten phase.

Is it worth it to get cat insurance in WA?

As mentioned earlier, urgent veterinary care can be costly in Washington. Most cat owners find themselves spending upwards of $2,000 for an emergency trip to the vet at some point in their little friends’ lives. The critical decision you need to make is whether paying monthly premiums mitigates the potential, high out-of-pocket costs at some point in the future. Veterinary services in Washington are often more costly than those in other states, yet another reason to choose cat insurance.

What does cat insurance include and exclude?

Insurance coverage varies from one provider to the next, but a good rule of thumb is that accidents or illnesses considered “sudden and catastrophic” will be covered. Examples include broken bones, tapeworms, eye infections, and urinary blockages. However, if your cat has, or has had, a health condition prior to applying for insurance, it will be deemed a pre-existing condition and not eligible for claims. In addition to your basic policy, you can add on a “wellness package,” which generally covers routine care such as annual physical exams, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and more.

How does reimbursement work?

For our purposes, let’s imagine your cat needs a $5,000 emergency operation, and your cat insurance policy has a $250 deductible, a 90% reimbursement amount, and a $15,000 annual maximum benefit. In this situation, your insurance provider would reimburse you $4,500 minus your $250 deductible. Therefore, your out-of-pocket cost would only be $750, as opposed to the original $5,000. If the idea of footing the bill up front and waiting for reimbursement feels stressful, you might want to consider Trupanion since they pay vets in their network directly.

Which is better: a higher or lower deductible?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to deductibles. What you choose will be based on financial circumstances and personal preference. In general, with a lower deductible, you will have higher monthly payments but lower out-of-pocket costs in an emergency. The reverse is true for higher deductibles, which get you cheaper monthly premium payments but higher out-of-pocket costs for a catastrophe. You need to determine what suits your needs best. Most providers have calculators on their websites for prospective clients to use when requesting a quote. We’ve found that cat owners tend to prefer either $250 or $500 deductibles.

Are there any restricted breeds for homeowners insurance in Washington?

Most states have restricted dog breeds for homeowners insurance, but usually none for cats. That said, we encourage you to contact your home insurance company to double-check what your policy includes and excludes and if you will need a specific liability rider.

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

Between Washington’s natural disasters, varied climate, and diverse wildlife, there is a lot to consider when it comes to keeping your cat safe and healthy in Washington.

1. Keep your cat hydrated

Even though Washington’s climate is temperate, keeping your cat properly hydrated is still essential. While it is good practice to keep a clean bowl of water out for your little pal, adding a bit of water to its food is even more important. This works well with canned, dry, homecooked, or raw food. Consumed with food, your cat’s body has an easier time absorbing the moisture. The key is to only add as much water as easily mixes in or is absorbed (dry food) without drowning it. If it’s too soggy, your cat may turn its nose up at the meal.

2. Treat your cat for fleas and ticks

Washington is no different than the rest of the continental US in that fleas and ticks are a problem–unless, of course, you live at high elevations. You can purchase spot-on treatments, collars, or chewables, though spot-ons tend to be most effective. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for further guidance.

3. Protect your cat against predators

Washington’s majestic natural landscape is home to innumerable dangerous animals and other critters, including the Western rattlesnake, bears, mountain lions, spiders, bees and wasps, porcupines, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. To reduce your cat’s risk of encountering these creatures, make sure your furry friend is indoors before dusk and stays in until after dawn, as most of the aforementioned four-legged animals are nocturnal.

4. Register your cat

Washington requires all dogs and cats eight weeks or older to be licensed. To do so, visit your local town or city office. Registering your pet is particularly beneficial if it gets lost, as it helps in the identification process.

5. Prepare an emergency bag

Washington is no stranger to natural disasters. It’s prudent to have a ” go ” bag prepared for your cat between massive wildfires, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, and the potential for tsunamis or volcanic eruptions, it’s prudent to have a “go” bag prepared for your cat. The bag should include two bowls, water, food, and medicine. You will also need to keep your cat’s carrier easily accessible and lined with a thick blanket or cushion to help soothe your cat in a stressful time. Lastly, you will want a small litter box and a bag of litter to take with you.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing the best cat insurance in Washington is much more straightforward than you may have thought. We suggest getting cat insurance once your kitten is at least 8 weeks old. The earlier you do, the better, as you will get fewer restrictions on pre-existing conditions and the best prices. Nevertheless, getting cat insurance at any point in your feline friend’s life is always beneficial, especially for catastrophic events and routine 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 Washington (WA) Cats

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

• The average monthly price for a 2-year-old Washington (WA) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 98108 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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