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Best British Shorthair Pet Insurance of 2024

Lisa Scott

As a cat owner, you want to ensure your furry friend is receiving the most exceptional care. Our pets can be our closest companions and we want to be able to provide consistent medical care. By investing in quality pet insurance coverage, you can minimize your concern about financial risk but still be able to keep your cat healthy. We’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.

Super-extensive accident & illness coverage

$20,000

Coverage Up To

90%

Reimbursement

Overview

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
  • No exclusion on breeds or older pets
  • Offers a Fur Family Discount on multiple pets
  • Healthcare coverage in Canada and the US

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Pumpkin only covers dogs and cats

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.

Multiple options for wellness plans

$100,000

Coverage Up To

90% - 100%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Wagmo began by providing stand-alone pet wellness coverages. Today, it has expanded its portfolio to include customizable pet insurance coverage.

What we like

  • Customizable policies
  • Variety of wellness plans
  • Fast reimbursements
  • High incident limits
  • Visit a vet of your choice

What we don't

  • 15 day waiting period on accident policy

Affordable prices with a fast reimbursement process

$100,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

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
  • Pay deductible once per year and not per incident

What we don't

  • Lemonade is only available in 33 states
  • Certain hybrid breeds may be denied

Short waiting periods on accidental coverage

$25,000

Coverage Up To

50% - 100%

Reimbursement

Overview

MetLife Insurance offers pet insurance for cats and dogs and is known for the shortest waiting periods in the industry.

What we like

  • No restriction on breeds and pet age
  • Customizable annual benefit limits
  • Short waiting periods accidental coverage
  • Flexible deductibles from $50 to $2,000
  • No incident limits

What we don't

  • Wellness treatment not included (optional add-on)
  • Pay first out of pocket and reimbursed later

Quick claims process

$10,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Spot will insure older animals and provides a multi-pet discount when you insure two or more pets

What we like

  • Multi-pet discount
  • No upper age limit
  • Quick claims process
  • Fast and simple filing of claims
  • Optional no lifetime limits or caps on payouts

What we don't

  • Customer service limited to weekdays
  • 14 day waiting period

Pre-existing conditions and 6 pets covered for $24/m

$3,000

Coverage Up To

100%

Reimbursement

Overview

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

Provides holistic therapy coverage

$15,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Fetch covers various conditions and offers holistic therapy coverage.

What we like

  • Covers examination fee during vet visits
  • Holistic therapy coverage
  • Comprehensive dental coverage
  • No penalty for multiple claims
  • No upper age limit for the pets

What we don't

  • Offers a single plan
  • No preventive care plans
  • No multi-pet discount

No age limit on pets - older dogs and cats are covered

Unlimited

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

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
  • 10% multiple pets discount

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Wellness add-ons can get expensive

Is pet insurance worth it for a British Shorthair?

When your British Shorthair is young and healthy, it’s hard to imagine they will ever need medical treatment or develop a recurring illness. But the fact is, most cats will experience some kind of health issues during their lifetime.

When your cat requires medical attention, you want to be certain they can get treated as soon as possible. An issue that commonly occurs is having to pay for medical treatments out of pocket. This can make it difficult to treat your British Shorthair if you cannot afford to make the payments in an emergency situation.

To help ease your financial burden, consider investing in pet insurance as soon as you get your British Shorthair. Pet insurance will alleviate the costs of medical treatments, vaccinations, veterinary check-ups, and more.

Common conditions for a British Shorthair

British Shorthairs, like all cat breeds, are susceptible to certain kinds of illnesses and medical issues. Some of the more common issues British Shorthairs may experience include:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: this is a form of heart disease that causes the heart walls to stiffen, making it more difficult to pump blood. Overtime, it can also lead to a heart attack.
  • Hemophilia: this blood issue causes uncontrollable bleeding in cats following an injury. Diagnostic tests help to diagnose this issue before your cat receives medical treatment.
  • Cataracts: these develop in cats overtime, and eventually causes them to go blind. Surgery is often required to help treat cataracts.

What does pet insurance cover for a British Shorthair?

Depending on the type of pet insurance plan you have, your British Shorthair will be eligible for a range of coverage options. Some of the most common include:

  • Vaccinations: all cats need vaccinations when they are young to help them avoid serious illnesses. Additionally, young cats are eligible to be spayed or neutered. These procedures are covered by pet insurance.
  • Surgery: should your British Shorthair need surgery, you can expect your pet insurance to cover the costs associated. If they need to stay in the hospital before or following surgery, these costs will be covered by insurance too.
  • Medications: after your British Shorthair has been seen by their veterinarian, they will likely need medication to help them heal. The costs of medicine prescribed to your cat will be covered by your pet insurance.

Most pet insurance providers offer plan options that cover either illness-only, injury-only, or a combination of injury and illness procedures. Depending on the type of plan you have, you will be covered for the relevant treatments. 

While pet insurance covers a range of medical procedures, it will not cover treatments related to pre-existing conditions. You will want to get pet insurance coverage as soon as possible for your cat to ensure they are eligible for the treatments they may need throughout their life.

How are pet insurance premiums determined for a British Shorthair?

Insurance premiums depend on a number of details related to your cat and the type of plan you choose. Some of the most important factors that influence the cost of your insurance premium include:

  • Age: generally the older a cat is, the higher their insurance premium will be. Older cats are more likely to develop a serious medical condition, and may require repeated treatment. 
  • Medical history: British Shorthairs that have a history of illness are likely to have a higher monthly premium compared to those that do not.
  • Location: where you are located will influence your insurance premium. If you are located in an area that has less veterinary care available, you are likely to have a higher premium.

Additionally, your plan details will affect your insurance policy. If your plan has a higher coverage capacity, higher reimbursement percentage, or a lower deductible than average, you can expect to pay a bit more per month.

How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a British Shorthair

Choosing the right plan for your British Shorthair doesn’t have to be difficult. To help you make the best choice for your cat, be sure to keep these key things in mind:

  • Consider your cat’s needs: if your British Shorthair has specific medical needs, you will want to confirm your future pet insurance plan covers any treatments they may need.
  • Budget: you will want to determine a budget you are comfortable with for your monthly insurance premium. This will help you narrow down your options and determine which one is the best for your cat.
  • Customer reviews: read what current customers of your insurance provider have to say about their coverage before moving forward. This will help you understand what to expect from your coverage and their claims process.

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