A lot of owners spend a long time wondering whether Maine Coon pet insurance is a good idea. On the one hand, it can provide security in case an accident or sudden illness should occur, but on the other hand, it can be expensive.
Pet insurance is a popular route for Maine Coon owners who want to ensure they can afford their cat’s veterinary care should the unthinkable happen. While Maine Coons are hardy cats, they can still become ill or injured, so pet insurance is recommended. However, it’s ultimately up to you whether or not you insure your pet.
It can be difficult to decide whether or not you want to pay for pet insurance, especially since pet insurance plans can vary so much based on individual cases.
Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of pet insurance, as well as find out whether pet insurance is right for you.
Maine Coon Pet Insurance
The Maine Coon is a rugged cat breed that originally developed in the state of Maine.
These cats are considered a hardy breed, and they don’t have as many potential health problems as many other cat breeds.
Still, there are many reasons why you might want to consider pet insurance for your Maine Coon:
- Maine Coons Are Expensive: While we all love our cats, no matter how much they cost, it’s important to keep in mind that Maine Coon Cats are expensive. It’s not a particularly wise financial decision to purchase an expensive cat, then forgo insuring it.
- It Could Save Your Pet’s Life: While we all imagine we’d pay as much as it takes to save our pet’s life, real life is a bit more complicated than that. Some injuries and illnesses require thousands of dollars to save your pet’s life, and not all of us can afford that. Unfortunately, many owners without pet insurance often have to make a tough decision between financial stability or your pet’s life. With pet insurance, however, you don’t have to choose.
- It Often Helps Save Money: While pet insurance does cost money most of the time, it could help you save thousands of dollars should your pet need an expensive surgery or more aggressive care.
- It Can Cover Everyday Expenses: Even if your cat doesn’t develop a devastating illness or suddenly get hurt in a terrible accident, pet insurance can still help you out a lot. Prescription medications, including eye drops, special food, and antibiotics can really add up over time, but your insurance will cover even the little expenses that are part of caring for a pet.
- It’s More Lenient Than Human Insurance: Health insurance for humans is often quite rigid, but pet insurance gives you more choice in your pet’s care. For example, you’re allowed to choose your own veterinarian, which isn’t the case for human health insurance.
Pet insurance does seem like a good idea for most people, but keep in mind that insurance plans can vary wildly based on your cat’s demographic.
What Affects The Cost Of Maine Coon Pet Insurance?
Here are some of the factors that can have an impact on the cost of a Maine Coon pet insurance plan (sources 1,2,3,4):
| Factor |
|---|
| Gender |
| Age |
| Indoor Vs Outdoor |
| Pre-Existing Conditions |
| Location |
| Purebred Vs Mixed Breed |
| Various Discounts |
Learn more about each of the factors impacting the cost of Maine Coon pet insurance in our detailed assessment below:
- Gender: Surprisingly, the gender of your cat will have an impact on your insurance. While the cost usually isn’t significant, it’s worth noting that, since male Maine Coons are more likely to develop health conditions than females, they cost a bit more to insure.
- Age: Senior cats are significantly more expensive to insure, and most insurance plans will go up in price as your cat gets older. This is, of course, because older cats are much more likely to contract illness and health conditions. Thankfully, some insurance companies offer special treatment to senior cats.
- Indoor Vs Outdoor: Indoor cats are cheaper to insure than outdoor cats. This is because outdoor cats are much more likely to need veterinary care. Outdoor cats can face a wide array of dangers, including cars, wild animals, and other cats.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Unfortunately, cats with pre-existing conditions, such as congenital conditions, are more expensive to insure. Furthermore, most pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.
- Location: Where you live can also determine the cost of your pet insurance. This is because certain areas, such as California or New York, tend to have much higher vet bills than other locations.
- Purebred Vs Mixed Breed: A lot of owners wonder, are purebred Maine Coons more expensive to insure than Maine Coon mixes? Even though Maine Coons are considered a hardy breed with limited health problems, purebred cats are still inherently more likely to suffer from various health problems. As a result, mixed breed Maine Coons are cheaper to insure than purebreds.
- Various Discounts: Some insurance companies will offer discounts for cats who have been microchipped, neutered, or who work as service animals. It’s also possible to get a discount if you’re insuring multiple pets.
What Are The Different Types Of Pet Insurance?
When considering pet insurance, you’ll be pleased to find out that there are actually a variety of coverages, so you can choose a plan that is best suited to your needs.
Here are the three main types of pet insurance:
| Insurance Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Accident Only | Covers medical care for accidental injuries |
| Time-Limited | Covers illness, but only for a certain amount of time. |
| Lifetime Cover | Insurance covers all injuries and illnesses |
Let’s take a closer look into each of these Maine Coon cat insurance options:
1. Accident Only
Accident-only insurance is the cheapest kind. This is because, as the name suggests, it only covers medical care for accidental injuries.
This kind of insurance does not cover illnesses, but it does give many pet owners some peace of mind for a more affordable price.
If you can’t afford lifetime insurance, but still want to feel like you have some kind of coverage, then accident-only insurance might be a good choice for you and your cat.
2. Time Limited
Time-limited insurance also covers illness, but only for a certain amount of time.
The amount of time covered varies from plan to plan.
This means that, if your cat were to develop a chronic illness, it would be covered by insurance for a certain period of time (say, one year), before the insurance plan would classify it as a “pre-existing condition,” and it would no longer be covered by insurance.
This is helpful for serious illnesses that can be treated within a short time period but would not be helpful if your cat were to develop a chronic illness that would require comprehensive care for the rest of its life.
3. Lifetime Cover
Lifetime cover insurance is the most comprehensive form of insurance, but it is also the most expensive. It covers any injuries and illnesses contracted from the moment you get your insurance plan until the end of your pet’s life.
Best Pet Insurance For Maine Coon
The best pet insurance for a Maine Coon Cat depends largely on your personal preference and living situation.
The most comprehensive form of pet insurance is lifetime insurance, which will cover both injury and illness for the rest of your pet’s life. However, you may want to choose a more affordable accident only or time-limited insurance, instead.
a. Maine Coon Kittens
When it comes to pet insurance, the best thing you can do for your cat is to get it insured as soon as possible, preferably in kittenhood.
Cats can develop congenital or chronic conditions at any stage in life, but your insurance will only cover these conditions if they develop after you’ve enrolled.
By getting your cat insured at a young age, you’ll sleep well knowing your insurance will cover your cat’s veterinary bills no matter what happens!
b. Senior Maine Coon Cats
When it comes to senior cats, however, insurance is quite different.
The best insurance for older cats is a pet insurance company that offers senior cat insurance. These insurance plans cover common ailments for senior cats and are tailored more to your cat’s needs.
Finding pet insurance for older cats with pre-existing conditions, however, can be more of a challenge.
Unfortunately, pet insurance companies simply don’t cover pre-existing conditions. This is because cats have naturally short lifespans, and if insurance companies were to cover pre-existing conditions, they would end up actually losing money.
Still, getting pet insurance for a cat with pre-existing conditions can help you save money in the long run. Even if your insurance plan won’t cover whatever chronic illness or injury your cat had prior to enrolling in insurance, you can still find coverage for any health problems that may crop up in the future.
Cost Of Pet Insurance For Maine Coon Cat
Pet insurance can vary a lot based on location.
Here is the average cost of pet insurance for Maine Coon cats in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada (correct as of August 2021).
Keep in mind, however, that the costs will change a lot depending on a lot of factors, including your cat’s gender, age, and the kind of coverage you choose (source 1,2,3,4).
Maine Coon Insurance US
In the United States, the average monthly cost of insurance for a Maine Coon Cat is:
| Cat Insurance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $17 – $30 |
| Yearly | $200 – $360 |
Maine Coon Insurance Canada
In Canada, most cat owners pay about:
| Cat Insurance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $29 |
| Yearly | $350 |
Maine Coon Insurance UK
In the UK the average monthly cost of Maine Coon cat insurance is:
| Cat Insurance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | £14 |
| Yearly | £170 |
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance coverage can vary from plan to plan, so you’ll want to find a company that provides the best coverage for your pet.
Here are the main things you’ll want your pet insurance to cover.
- General Maintenance: General maintenance includes things like vaccines, checkups, and common medications. While it is possible to find a company that covers general maintenance, they usually add an extra yearly fee for this kind of coverage.
- Routine and Emergency Surgeries: You’ll want your pet insurance to cover both routine and emergency surgeries. The only kind of surgeries pet insurance won’t cover are cosmetic surgeries or elective surgeries, such as spaying or neutering, cosmetic dentistry, or even tummy tucks.
- Hereditary Conditions: Hereditary or congenital conditions, like eye problems, hip dysplasia, or heart conditions are covered by most pet insurance companies, so long as they are discovered and diagnosed after you enroll in your insurance (otherwise they count as pre-existing conditions).
- Chronic Health Conditions: Chronic health conditions include things like cancer or diabetes. Time-limited insurance will only cover chronic conditions for so long, however, so you’ll likely want to get lifetime insurance.
- Prescription Medication: Good pet insurance companies cover prescription medication, which even extends to prescribed foods if your pet has any special dietary needs.
Pet Insurance Exclusions
While pet insurance does cover a wide array of scenarios, you might be wondering, what does pet insurance not cover?
The table below shows the key things that most pet insurance companies will not cover:
| Pet Insurance Exclusions |
|---|
| Spraying |
| Neutering |
| Deworming |
| Fleas |
| Checkups |
| Vaccinations |
| Dental Care |
| Grooming |
| Cosmetic Surgeries |
| Pre-Existing Conditions |
Keep reading to discover more about each of these Maine Coon pet insurance exclusions, so that you are prepared for inevitable future costs:
Spraying Or Neutering
Spaying and neutering are seen as elective surgery, and pet insurance companies won’t cover it.
Thankfully, this is an inexpensive surgery, and many breeders will already spay or neuter kittens before selling them to their forever home.
If you are thinking of neutering your Maine Coon kitten, this is the best time to do it.
Deworming, Fleas
Pet insurance won’t cover care for deworming, fleas, or other common parasitic problems.
If your cat is suffering from fleas, read my fact-filled guide on ‘How To Treat Maine Coon Fleas‘.
Regular Maintenance
Most insurance plans don’t cover regular maintenance, which includes vet checkups and vaccinations.
Thankfully, some insurance companies offer the option to pay an extra annual fee to cover regular maintenance.
Dental Care
Most dental care is not covered under pet insurance, although it will typically cover non-cosmetic dental surgeries.
It’s vital that owners look after their Maine Coon cats oral hygiene. Learn more about this in my article ‘Maine Coon Teeth‘.
Grooming
Nail trimming, haircuts, and any other forms of grooming are not covered in pet insurance.
Cosmetic Surgeries
Some cat owners opt to have cosmetic surgeries for their cat, including nose jobs, tummy tucks, and many more frivolous surgeries.
Unless surgery is needed for health reasons, it will not be covered by your insurance.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions are defined as any kind of illness or injury obtained before enrolling in pet insurance.
There are two categories of pre-existing conditions:
- Curable
- Incurable
Since it’s not possible to get pre-existing conditions covered under pet insurance, it’s vital that you get your cat insured as quickly as possible.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It For A Cat?
Pet insurance is a relatively new phenomenon, and a lot of owners are skeptical about getting it.
Deciding whether or not pet insurance is “worth it” to you, however, depends on your own personal living situation. If you can’t afford the annual cost of insurance, then it just isn’t worth it.
Still, pet insurance is a great way to have peace of mind when it comes to your cat’s health. Many owners have been eternally grateful for having enrolled in insurance because it ended up saving their cat’s life!
Pet insurance is usually most helpful if you get it when your cat is very young. That way, it will be sure to cover any illness or injury that may crop up throughout your cat’s lifetime, and you don’t have to worry about anything being classified as a pre-existing condition.
Should I Get Insurance For My Indoor Cat?
Indoor cats are far less likely to suffer injuries than outdoor cats, but is it still worth it to get insurance for your indoor cat? Many cat owners say yes!
This is because indoor cats may not be as likely to suffer from accidents, but can still contract serious illnesses or conditions such as cancer. Unfortunately, you cannot get an insurance plan that only covers illnesses, so you’ll need either time-limited or lifetime coverage insurance.
When Should I Claim On My Pet Insurance?
Many pet owners submit a claim as soon as their pet is injured or diagnosed with an illness.
However, you can wait up to ninety days after paying vet fees to submit your claim. Your insurance company will provide a number you can use to make a claim, and you’ll simply need the name of your cat’s condition, the cost, and any evidence you can provide, such as invoices or receipts.
After calling, you’ll be sent a form, which you’ll need to fill out completely before returning.
If you’ve already paid your vet, then the insurance company will send you a reimbursement. Otherwise, the insurance company will pay your vet directly (source 1).
Can You Cancel Pet Insurance?
A lot of cat owners are interested in pet insurance but want to know, can you cancel pet insurance at any time?
Most, if not all, pet insurance companies allow cancellation at any time.
All you have to do is call, email, fax, or write a letter, although the cancellation method can vary among insurance companies.
Furthermore, the policy will vary among companies, and some pet insurance companies will only let you cancel after you finish paying for that year. This means that canceling pet insurance when a pet dies can be difficult, and you might still be paying for pet insurance for a few months after your pet’s death (source 1).
Do Maine Coon Cats Have A Lot Of Health Problems
Maine Coon Cats are typically considered a very healthy breed, and they aren’t prone to very many health problems. However, there are still a few health problems they are susceptible to.
The table below details the main conditions that Maine Coon cats are most likely to develop during their lifetime:
| Health Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | Rare condition. Cat’s femur misaligned with hip joint |
| Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy | HCM is a genetic heart condition, usually seen in older cats |
| Spinal Muscular Atrophy | An inherited disorder causing muscles around the cat’s spine to atrophy |
| Polycystic Kidney Disease | Inherited disorder. Pockets of fluid form in cat’s kidneys |
Many of these health problems have very daunting names, so I have explained these Maine Coon health problems in greater detail below (sources 1,2):
Hip Dysplasia
Feline Hip dysplasia is a rare yet painful condition that causes the cat’s femur to be misaligned with the hip joint.
The ball-in-socket joint then rubs or grinds painfully, eventually causing the joint to wear down and become loose.
Unfortunately, there is no way to treat this condition, but steps can be taken to keep the hip joint strong and help manage pain.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM, is a genetic heart condition that is usually observed in older cats, but it can take a long time to discover the symptoms of this insidious condition.
This condition causes the walls of a cat’s heart to gradually thicken over time, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and eventually leading to blood clots and, unfortunately, death.
For more information about this painful health problem, read my complete guide to ‘Maine Coon Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy‘.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is an inherited disorder that causes the muscles around a cat’s spine to atrophy.
It starts at a very young age, usually around three to four months.
The first symptoms are trembling and weakness in the hind legs, and by about six months, the kitten will no longer be able to jump properly onto furniture or other high places.
This condition is not fatal, but cats with SMA typically have shorter lifespans and require a lot more care than normal cats.
For a detailed guide to this Maine Coon health problem, read my article ‘Maine Coon Spinal Muscular Atrophy‘.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
This inherited disorder causes pockets of fluid, called cysts, to form in a cat’s kidneys.
The cysts are first present at birth, starting out very small, but become larger over time.
Since the size and growth rate of the cysts vary from cat to cat, some cats never have any problems from Polycystic Kidney Disease (also called PKD).
In other cats, however, the cysts can grow large enough to cause kidney failure.
Learn more about this particular health issue, by reading my guide to ‘Maine Coon Polycystic Kidney Disease‘.
Maine Coon Back Leg Problems
If you observe problems in your Maine Coon’s back legs, it could be due to a wide variety of problems.
Injuries and health conditions can, unfortunately, severely limit your cat’s mobility and lead to a lot of pain.
It’s important to diagnose these conditions and injuries early on so you can begin treatment as soon as possible (sources 1,2).
- Leg Injury: A leg injury, such as a sprain or break, can cause your cat to limp. If your cat recently suffered a fall and you notice any limping or painful vocalizations, take it to the vet straight away.
- Spinal Injury: Blunt force trauma to a cat’s spine can also affect your cat’s ability to move its back legs. In extreme cases, it might even cause paralysis. If your cat seems to be dragging its back legs on the ground, this is a serious emergency, and your cat will need to be taken to the vet immediately.
- Arterial Thromboembolism: Arterial thromboembolism, also known as ATE or Saddle Thrombus, is recognized by sudden lameness in a cat’s hind leg. This is caused by a blood clot that puts pressure on your cat’s nerves, causing paralysis. Most cats with ATE will be unable to put weight on the affected leg, and might vocalize in pain. This condition is usually caused by an underlying heart condition. If you notice sudden paralysis or lameness in your cat’s back leg, get it to the vet as soon as possible.
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy: As mentioned earlier, SMA leads to muscular atrophy around a cat’s spine. The first symptoms, however, cause weakness and trembling in a cat’s hind legs, and many owners mistake it for a leg problem at first. This disease starts at a young age and eventually causes a cat to be unable to properly jump. This disease is not fatal, but can lead to a shorter lifespan.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia, which causes the femur joint to grind and become loose against the hip joint, can lead to pain and limping in a cat’s hind legs. Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition, but the pain can be managed.
- Arthritis: Arthritis commonly affects aging cats’ hips, leading to weakness and limping. A cat with arthritis may walk slowly, limp, and have trouble getting up or down from heights. Furthermore, they might flinch or hiss when you pet them near the base of their spine.
- Neurological Problems: Brain damage, brain tumors, or certain neuromuscular diseases can affect a cat’s back legs, as well. Since the brain is responsible for all movement, a damaged or malfunctioning brain can affect your cat’s mobility in its back legs. Look out for signs of muscle weakness or paw dragging, which could indicate an underlying neurological problem.
Conclusion
Deciding to get Maine Coon pet insurance can be a huge step.
Many owners wonder at first whether pet insurance is even worth the money.
In young kittens, pet insurance is almost always worth it. This is because, if you get lifetime coverage, you can rest assured that your cat’s veterinary bill will be covered if it is injured or develops some kind of illness or health condition.
Pet insurance for older cats or cats with pre-existing conditions can be more difficult and expensive, but it is still a good way to make sure you can afford any surprise vet bills that might crop up.
Overall, the Maine Coon is a healthy cat breed that is not susceptible to very many health conditions. Still, it is possible for Maine Coons to suffer from some conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or hip dysplasia. By getting pet insurance, you’ll know that you won’t have to choose between financial stability or saving your pet’s life.
Related Questions
Maine Coon Lifespan Indoors
An indoor Maine Coon can be expected to live longer than an outdoor cat, as they aren’t exposed to as many dangers. Most indoor Maine Coons can be expected to live between 12 and 15 years.
Average Lifespan Of Maine Coon Mix
There’s no way to know for sure what the average lifespan of a Maine Coon mix is, as it depends largely on what kind of cat it was mixed with.