Top 5 Essential Considerations for Choosing the Best Pet Insurance

Guest blog from our friends at Waggel

Introduction

As a cat owner, your priority is protecting your pet. One of the best ways you can do this is by purchasing a cat insurance policy. With a pet insurance policy in place, your cat can remain protected against accidents, illnesses and ongoing health conditions.

At Waggel, we want to help your cat live their healthiest and happiest life. Our Lifetime pet insurance policies mean that your cat is covered against accidents and illnesses throughout their entire life. With a pet insurance policy in place, you can rest easy knowing both your cat and your finances are protected should any surprise veterinary incidents arise. 

To help enrich your cat’s life, we’ve partnered with Tippaws. Our joint commitment to cat health and well-being is what sets us apart from the rest. 

Understanding the coverage of pet insurance

What does pet insurance typically cover?

 If you’re a first-time kitten owner, knowing what pet insurance entails can be a bit difficult to get your head around. With many providers in the UK offering different things, it’s enough to make your head spin.

In the UK, pet insurance usually covers a range of areas to help with veterinary costs. This includes accidents, illnesses, injuries, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications to manage chronic and hereditary conditions and sometimes alternative therapies. It's important to review policy details carefully to understand coverage, exclusions and any limitations. Comparing policies from different providers can help find the best fit for your pet's needs.

Fortunately, at Waggel, we make things simple by offering just one type of insurance policy, Lifetime, and easy-to-understand coverage. Our policies include coverage for treatments up to £15,000 per year for accidents and ongoing illnesses including treatment for dental, cancer and other costly health conditions.

The importance of dental care in pet insurance

Many pet owners fail to recognise the importance of dental health in their cats. Maintaining good dental health is vital in cats and helps to prevent issues like plaque buildup, gum disease and tooth decay, which can cause pain and discomfort. 

Untreated dental problems can lead to more severe health issues like kidney disease and heart problems. Regular dental care and veterinary check-ups are essential for maintaining your cat's oral health and well-being.

Many pet insurers shy away from including dental care but this isn’t the case with Waggel. All we ask is that your pet’s oral health is deemed satisfactory by your vet and noted down in their medical history. This means that should your cat face any dental issues in the future, you’ll be able to easily claim back treatment costs of up to £1,500.

The cost of pet insurance: what to expect

Average costs of pet insurance

The cost of cat insurance can vary depending on factors such as the age of the pet, the breed and their health status. A comprehensive cat insurance policy typically ranges from around £10 to £30 per month and covers a wider range of veterinary expenses compared to that offered by an accident-only policy (which we’ll touch upon below). Other factors that can influence your monthly premium include your location and the access to veterinary care in your area.

Keep in mind that the above numbers are just average estimates and actual costs can vary based on individual factors such as the insurance provider, specific policy details and any discounts available. It's essential to compare quotes from different insurers to find the best coverage at a reasonable price for your cat's needs.

We believe Waggel stands out from the crowd for many reasons, one being our clear pricing structure to help owners get their pets insured quickly and simply. With Waggel, you can secure a free quote with zero obligation so before committing to a policy you can gather a clear estimate for your monthly payments. This means no personal details are gathered before you’re ready to commit to purchasing. 

Balancing cost and coverage

Committing to paying your pet insurance premiums can seem costly if you haven’t shopped around. This is why it’s so important to find a balance between affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage.

To strike a balance between affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage for your cat, assess your cat's needs and compare policies from different providers. 

Take a close look at coverage options and deductibles, considering how much you can afford to contribute to veterinary care. Reading customer reviews can help give you a clear insight into coverage and customer service. Carefully review policy exclusions and ask questions if anything is unclear. By thoroughly evaluating options and considering your budget and your cat's healthcare needs, you can find a suitable insurance policy that offers both affordability and comprehensive coverage.

Choosing the right policy type for your cat

Different types of pet insurance policy

When it comes to selecting a pet insurance policy, it’s good to be knowledgeable about the different types available and what would suit your cat best. To help you decide, we’ve provided a breakdown below.

Time-limited: A time-limited pet insurance policy provides coverage for a specific period, typically 12 months, for each condition or illness. Once the policy term expires or the financial limit is reached, coverage for that condition ends and any further treatment for that condition becomes your financial responsibility, as the owner. Time-limited policies often offer lower premiums but may not provide lifelong coverage for chronic or recurring conditions.

Maximum benefit: A maximum benefit policy is a type of pet insurance that provides coverage up to a set financial limit for each condition or illness over the lifetime of the policy. Once the maximum benefit amount is reached for a particular condition, coverage for that condition ends, but coverage for other conditions may continue until the overall maximum benefit limit is reached. Unlike time-limited policies, maximum benefit policies do not have a fixed time period for coverage but rather a maximum monetary limit for each condition.

Accident-only: An accident-only policy is a type of pet insurance policy that provides coverage specifically for veterinary expenses resulting from accidental injuries. This type of policy does not cover illnesses or conditions that are not the result of an accident. Accident-only policies are generally more limited in scope compared to comprehensive policies but tend to offer lower premiums as they focus solely on covering unexpected injuries, such as broken bones, cuts or injuries from accidents.

Lifetime: A lifetime policy, also known as lifetime pet insurance, offers continuous coverage for your pet's entire life, as long as you renew the policy each year without a break in coverage. These policies typically provide a set amount of coverage each year for veterinary fees, with the limit resetting annually. Lifetime policies offer coverage for both accidents and illnesses, including ongoing or chronic conditions, providing peace of mind that your pet's healthcare needs will be covered throughout their life.
Premiums for lifetime policies are often higher than other types of pet insurance due to the comprehensive and continuous coverage they offer. They are also the only type of policy offered by Waggel because of the amount of coverage they provide.

Tailoring the policy to your cat’s needs

When selecting a pet insurance policy for your cat based on age, breed or health status it’s important to consider factors such as coverage options, cost per month and policy terms. 

For younger cats, we recommend prioritising coverage for accidents and unexpected illnesses, while older cats may benefit from policies covering chronic conditions. 

Choose a policy with coverage for breed-specific or hereditary conditions if applicable, and evaluate premiums, deductibles and coverage limits across different policies. 

We also advise reviewing the policy terms carefully, including waiting periods and exclusions and considering customer reviews to assess satisfaction with coverage and service. 

The role of pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are health issues or medical conditions that your pet has before the start date of the insurance policy or during any waiting period. Insurance companies typically do not cover pre-existing conditions. This means that if your pet has a pre-existing condition at the time you purchase your insurance policy, any treatment related to that condition will not be covered under the policy. 

The same conditions tend to apply if your pet develops a condition during the waiting period of a new policy. This means it may also be considered pre-existing and not covered. Pre-existing conditions can significantly limit the coverage available to your pet and may require you to seek alternative financial arrangements for their care.

To avoid complications with pre-existing conditions, we encourage you to insure your pet as soon as possible. With Waggel, you can insure your pet from as young as 8 weeks old, meaning that with a policy in place, they’ll be protected against any conditions that develop even in their younger life.

Additional benefits and support from your insurer

Beyond basic coverage: what else to look for

Although an insurance policy is in place to protect your cat, some insurers provide additional perks to help you get the most from your policy even when you’re not claiming. 

At Waggel we’re all for unique offerings. By becoming a policyholder you can gain access to 24/7 online vet care whenever you need it with Joii. You’ll also automatically become a member of our rewards platform where you can secure discounts for your favourite pet brands each month - think deals on pet food, toys and even human products so you and your cat can live a life of luxury.

Customer service and support

One of the most important things to look out for when purchasing a pet insurance policy for your cat is the responsiveness of customer service. Because who wants to submit a claim and wait months for a response?

When it comes to customer service, Waggel goes above and beyond. Whenever you submit a claim, you’ll be assigned a Customer Champion to help you every step of the way. All Customer Champions are UK-based veterinary nurses and are never more than a click away if you’ve got a question relating to your claim and your pet’s care. Best of all, we aim to pay out claims in around 2 to 3 days, and directly to vets, taking away any confusion and added stress.

Conclusion

When selecting pet insurance, it's essential to consider several key points. Firstly, assess your pet's age, breed and health status to determine their specific needs.

Compare coverage options, including accidents, illnesses and coverage for ongoing health conditions. Evaluate costs such as premiums and coverage limits, while also reviewing policy terms, exclusions and customer reviews. 

For a comprehensive and tailored insurance solution, we recommend Waggel Pet Insurance. With customisable coverage options, transparent pricing and an emphasis on customer satisfaction, we offer peace of mind and financial protection for your cat's healthcare needs. Take the next step in ensuring your cat's well-being by exploring Waggel Pet Insurance today!