Wisconsin (WI) Cat Insurance FAQs

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

To protect your cat to the fullest with insurance, you will first need to apply for coverage with an insurance company and pay the monthly premiums to keep the policy active. Should your furry friend get sick or be involved in an accident, you will have to cover the expenses upfront. After which, you can submit a claim to your provider for reimbursement. It is worth noting that pre-existing conditions usually are excluded from coverage. This is one of the primary reasons we encourage cat owners to get insurance while their animals are still in the kitten phase (after 8-weeks).

Cat insurance is beneficial in Wisconsin because when emergencies strike, vet bills go through the roof for things such as cancer treatments that can exceed $5,000. Uninsured pet owners often have to put their cats down because they cannot afford the necessary therapies or procedures. Cat insurance makes certain this doesn’t happen to you.

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

Pet insurance companies tend to require that all kittens be at least 8-weeks-old before you can insure them. The upshot is that most providers do not place an age limit for getting your cat insured. That said, the younger the cat, the cheaper it is to insure. This is an added reason to get your cat insurance before its first birthday.

Is it worth it to get cat insurance in WI?

Accidents and emergencies happen to cats regardless of where they live in the country they live–Wisconsin is no exception. And in such instances, vet bills mount quickly. Cat owners can spend more than $1,500 just for an urgent visit to the vet. You need to decide whether paying monthly insurance premiums will offset the potential, high out-of-pocket costs that you will incur in the future.

What does cat insurance include and exclude?

Coverage varies from one cat insurance provider to the next. However, a good rule of thumb is that any health event considered “sudden and catastrophic” will be covered. Examples may include urinary blockages, eye infections, skin issues, and lacerations. Now, if your cat has a health condition before or when applying for cat insurance, it will be deemed a pre-existing condition and not eligible for reimbursement via the claim process. Check with your provider to see if they offer “wellness” packages, which you can add to your basic policy. These packages cover routine care such as physical exams, vaccinations, and more.

How does reimbursement work?

For our purposes, let’s say your cat needs an urgent surgery that costs $5,000. If your insurance policy has a $250 deductible, a 90% reimbursement amount, and a $15,000 annual maximum benefit, it will cover $4,500 minus the $250 deductible. This leaves you to pay only $750 instead of the original $5,000. If the idea of having to foot the total $5,000 bill upfront and wait for reimbursement sounds nerve-racking, you might want to look into Trupanion as they pay vets in their network directly. Providers usually have easy-to-use calculators on their websites to assist you in requesting a quote.

Which is better: a higher or lower deductible?

You choose the sort of deductible depending on your financial circumstances and personal preference. In an emergency, a lower deductible will give you higher monthly payments but lower out-of-pocket costs. In contrast, the reverse is true for a higher deductible, which results in lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs in catastrophic situations. We have noticed that most cat owners prefer either a $250 or $500 deductible.

Are there any restricted breeds for homeowners insurance in Wisconsin?

Most states have restricted dog breeds for homeowners insurance, but there are no restrictions particular to cats in Wisconsin. Regardless, we always recommend you reach out to your insurance provider to verify what your policy includes and excludes and whether you’ll need a specific liability rider.

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

With Wisconsin’s extreme seasons and varied wildlife, there is a lot to consider when it comes to keeping your cat safe and healthy.

1. Groom your cat regularly

While it is essential to brush your cat daily, or at the very least a few times each week, it is even more necessary in a place like Wisconsin, where the shift in seasons is dramatic. Frequently brushing your cat will help keep its coat soft and allow it to thicken and thin appropriately throughout the year. Doing so will also reduce the potential for hairballs forming or becoming impacted in the intestines. Nail trimming is also vital to your cat’s health but before attempting this, be sure to consult your vet for a how-to demonstration. Improperly cutting your cat’s nails can harm its health.

2. Keep your cat hydrated

Even though Wisconsin does not have scorching hot summers, it is still critical to make sure your cat is properly hydrated. Hydration is one of the primary keys to a cat’s health. The first and most obvious approach to this is keeping a fresh bowl of water available for your cat at all times. However, mixing a bit of water in with their food will give your cat the extra boost it needs. This works well with canned, dry, homecooked, or raw food as long as you do not drown it. The amount you put in should be easily mixed into the “wet” food or soaked up by the dry food. Moisture served with food is much easier for your cat’s body to absorb.

3. Get your cat vaccinated for rabies

Skunks, bats, foxes, and raccoons are the primary rabies carriers in Wisconsin, all of which cats might come into contact if they roam around outdoors. It is worth noting that a rabies vaccination needs approximately one month to take effect.

4. Protect your cat from dangerous animals

Wisconsin has some dangerous critters, but none as much as the timber rattlesnake, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and black bear. That said, you will also find foxes, coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. Most of the four-legged animals are nocturnal, so if you keep your cat indoors from before dusk and until after dawn, you will reduce the chances of it getting into danger.

5. Treat your cat for fleas and ticks

Like many other states, Wisconsin has a rampant deer tick problem, a major Lyme disease carrier. And like everywhere else, fleas are abundant once the land thaws from its deep winter freeze. You can treat your cat for both fleas and ticks with spot-on treatments, chewable, or collars. Be sure to consult your vet to determine what might work best for your cat.

Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing the right cat insurance policy in Wisconsin is far easier than it may have seemed at first. We suggest getting cat insurance once your kitten is 8-weeks-old. The earlier in your cat’s life you get insurance, the better the prices you will receive, along with fewer restrictions regarding pre-existing conditions. Nevertheless, getting cat insurance at any point in your little pal’s life will prove essential in emergencies and support overall well-being.

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 Wisconsin (WI) Cats

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

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Wisconsin (WI) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 53225 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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