Is pet insurance worth it for an Ocicat?
Ocicats are an affectionate and outgoing breed that are generally low maintenance. Still, because they’re so rare and have a reputation for being expensive to care for, it’s understandable that you’d want pet insurance to cover your new pet in case anything goes wrong.
Ocicats are typically healthy cats with few health problems. However, like most purebred cats, Ocicats can develop specific health issues due to the way they’re bred. As an owner, you may face higher vet fees to treat health conditions such as hip dysplasia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for some or all of your eligible vet bills when you make a claim. When choosing a policy, it’s essential to consider what type of coverage you need. For example, only accident and illness insurance is the best option for coverage for unexpected accidents and illnesses, including hereditary conditions. You can also add optional extras such as routine care or preventative treatment to help spread the costs.
Common health conditions for an Ocicat
Knowing what health problems affect your cat breed is a good idea. So read up on the Ocicat cat and the illnesses that are common in this breed:
- Panleukopenia: The symptoms of panleukopenia include fever, lethargy, and vomiting. Infected cats transmit the infection through their feces, urine, or saliva. Kittens are more at risk than adult cats and cats that live outdoors or in multi-cat households. If your kitten is vaccinated against panleukopenia, it should be covered for three years following injections.
- Calicivirus: This is highly contagious and causes ulceration of the mouth and tongue, leading to respiratory tract infection and pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, loss of appetite, depression, and breathing difficulties. Some strains of calicivirus can cause lameness due to inflammation of the joints.
- Rhinotracheitis: This upper respiratory virus commonly affects cats of all breeds. It is highly contagious, including sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye discharge. Rhinotracheitis can be controlled with vaccinations, but it has no cure.
- Rabies: This is a potentially fatal viral disease that attacks the nervous system of mammals. The rabies vaccine is required by law in many areas; ask your veterinarian whether your cat needs it.
What does pet insurance cover for an Ocicat?
Here’s the complete list of what pet insurance covers:
- Accidents: Covered under both Accident Only and Comprehensive policies, accidents are the unexpected events that occur when your cat is hit by a car, falls from a tree, or swallows something it shouldn’t have.
- Illness: Coverage for illness is very similar to coverage for accidents. With most insurance plans, you will need to select a deductible and a reimbursement percentage. The deductible refers to the amount you will be responsible for if your pet becomes ill and needs to see a vet. Most policies offer reimbursement percentages in 10 percent increments up to 90 percent of covered expenses.
- Routine care: This service covers preventative care given to your cat at regular intervals throughout its life. This includes preventive services like vaccinations, check-ups, and flea/tick treatments.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for an Ocicat?
The cost of pet insurance depends on a variety of factors. When calculating your premium, your pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle are considered. So it follows that the price for one cat might be very different from that of another. Each insurer has its methods for working out premiums and will take a slightly different approach. However, certain factors remain constant when calculating your premium:
- Location: Like human health insurance, where costs vary by state and even zip code, pet insurance companies consider your location when setting your premiums. Rates are usually higher in densely populated areas because more pets need treatment and fewer veterinarians to provide treatment.
- Age: The younger your cat is when you get pet insurance, you have a better chance at a lower monthly premium. This is because older cats tend to develop health problems as they age. A pre-existing condition would most likely not be covered under your policy, so it’s essential to get your cat insured before any conditions develop.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums and save you money over time if your cat doesn’t need regular vet visits or medications. A higher deductible means that you’ll have to pay more upfront if something happens to your cat, but it could be worth it in the long run if nothing happens during their lifetime!
- Gender: Insurance companies will often charge more to insure males than females. This is because male cats are more likely to spray and mark their territory than female cats. Male cats have also been more aggressive and cause more accidents.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an Ocicat
Pet insurance can be an excellent way to cover the costs of medical care for your pet, but it’s not always the best choice — or the least expensive one. It’s easy to get confused by all the choices and variables in pet insurance policies. Here are some things to consider before you buy a plan:
- Check out the company’s reputation: Ask your veterinarian or friends who have pets about their insurance provider and experience. Contact your state’s Department of Insurance to find out if there are complaints against a company you’re considering. Find out whether the company is financially stable by contacting independent rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, A.M. Best, Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings.
- Consider your budget: It’s important to know what kind of budget you can afford before you start shopping around so that you don’t buy coverage that’s too expensive or doesn’t cover enough. Consider whether you’d like to pay monthly or annually, as this can affect how much the premiums cost over a year (but not necessarily how much they are). If there are any other pets in your households, such as dogs or birds, you might want them in that coverage.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Some insurance plans won’t cover your pet’s conditions before purchasing the plan. A pre-existing condition might include anything from a past injury to allergies or chronic diseases like asthma or diabetes. If you’re considering a type of insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, be sure you understand exactly what that means for your pet’s coverage.
- Define your needs: Do you need a policy covering accidents, or do you want one covering both accidents and illnesses? If you have a young pet, an accident-only policy might be enough. These policies usually carry lower premiums than comprehensive plans (plans that cover both accidents and illnesses).