Birman cats are prone to some health issues that could be costly to pay. Pet insurance can help with expensive vet visits when your pet gets sick or injured. We’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.
Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.
Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.
What we like
Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.
Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.
What we like
Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
Claims are reimbursed in minutes
Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.
With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.
What we like
Monthly premiums as low as $24
Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors
What we don't
Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
Does not offer wellness coverage
Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year
Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.
What we like
Older cats and dogs are covered
Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
If you love your pet, you probably want to do everything you can to take care of her. You give her lots of love and attention, feed her high-quality food and make sure she gets plenty of exercise. But have you considered protecting her with pet health insurance?
Pet health insurance is designed to help protect pet parents from the costs of veterinary care. It has a variety of benefits, including:
Peace of mind. With pet insurance, you don’t have to worry about having the money for your pet’s care should she get sick or injured. That means you can focus on what’s important — helping your pet get better.
Freedom of choice. Pet health insurance gives you the freedom to choose the right vet for your pet without worrying about the cost. With pet insurance in place, it doesn’t matter if your favorite vet is an expensive specialist or a general practice; you can take your pet wherever she needs to go for treatment.
Protection against financial hardship. You may not be able to predict if or when your pet will need expensive care, but you can be ready if it happens, thanks to pet insurance. If the worst should happen and your pet develops a severe illness or gets pet insurance can come in and cater for the medical expenses.
Common health conditions for a Birman
Birmans are generally healthy cats. However, as with all breeds, some health issues are to look out for. Some of the possible health concerns include:
Panleukopenia: is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease caused by a virus. The virus is found in the faeces, urine, saliva and nasal secretions of infected cats and their blood.
Rhinotracheitis: is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory infection that causes inflammation in the nose, throat and sinus cavities. It can also cause conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eyelids) in one or both eyes.
Calicivirus: This is another highly contagious and potentially fatal disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract of cats. It can also damage the kidneys and liver.
Rabies: This is a viral infection that can affect warm-blooded pets. It attacks the central nervous system and causes brain damage. Rabies is transmitted through a bite from another infected pet. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
What does pet insurance cover for a Birman?
Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Here are some of the most common things covered:
Accidents: Cats are playful and curious, so that they can be at risk for injuries such as broken bones, cuts or burns. Accident insurance covers these situations.
Illness: Pets can be susceptible to specific health issues like heart disease and kidney disease. If you have pet insurance that covers illness, these conditions would be covered.
Routine care includes things like vaccinations and flea medication, which aren’t accidents or illnesses, but still have to be done for your pet’s health. Routine care is usually optional, but it’s often worth adding to your policy because it covers preventive care.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Birman?
One of the most critical aspects of pet insurance is the cost. Some factors are taken into consideration when determining how much you pay for your cat’s coverage:
Location: Where you live can impact your monthly premiums, especially if you live in a place where there’s more likely to be a pet health issue. For example, if you live in a state with Lyme disease problems, then your premium will be higher than someone who lives in a form that doesn’t. This might not seem fair, but it makes sense because pets in those areas will have to get treated for Lyme, and the insurance company needs to cover that.
Age: Cats have better health than kittens, and senior cats tend to develop more health issues as they get older. Because of this, kittens have lower premiums than older cats because they are less likely to need medical treatment.
Deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance kicks in and helps pay for your cat’s medical treatment. If you choose a high deductible, you will have lower premium payments each month, but if something happens, all of those expenses come out of pocket until you reach the deductible amount.
Gender: The gender of your pet may affect your premium payments. For example, male cats tend to live longer than female ones, and they are also prone to certain health conditions, which increases their premium.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Birman
Pet insurance is a way to help offset the costs of veterinary care. But when you start comparing different methods, it can be challenging to figure out which one makes the most sense for your cat. To find the right plan, consider these four factors:
Check out the company’s reputation: Research the company that’s offering the policy you’re interested in. Look up its rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and check online reviews. Find out how long they’ve been in business and if they have any complaints against them. If possible, try to speak with others who have purchased a policy from that company.
Consider your budget: You get what you pay for when it comes to pet insurance. Higher premiums result in more coverage and lower deductibles, while lower premiums may mean less or higher deductibles. To decide on acceptable premium payment, consider what you can afford each month and how much money you could potentially pay out-of-pocket for an emergency procedure, which is your deductible.
Consider pre-existing conditions: If your pet is already sick or injured, it will likely be excluded from coverage. Look out for breed-specific issues: Some breeds have medical problems specific to that breed. If your Birman has any of these issues, it’s essential to find a plan that covers them.
Define your needs: Pet insurance plans come in all shapes and sizes. If you want to ensure that your cat gets the same level of care as you do, look at plans with higher coverage limits, so you’re not responsible for much of the cost of treatment.
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