Cat Insurance Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms that determine whether your policy actually pays out. Deductible structure, reimbursement terms, and the exclusions most buyers miss.
Policy Structure
Annual Deductible
An annual deductible in cat insurance is the amount you pay out of pocket each policy year before your insurer starts reimbursing claims. It resets every year, unlike a per-condition or lifetime deductible.
Reimbursement Percentage
The reimbursement percentage is the share of eligible vet costs your insurer pays after you've met your deductible. 90% means the insurer pays 90 cents of every eligible dollar above your deductible.
Waiting Period
A waiting period is the time between when your policy starts and when coverage becomes active. Most carriers have a 14-day illness waiting period and a 48-hour to 2-day accident waiting period.
Coverage Terms
Bilateral Condition
A bilateral condition is one that can affect both sides of the body — both hips, both eyes, both kidneys. If a cat is diagnosed with a bilateral condition on one side before enrollment, some insurers exclude the same condition on the other side as pre-existing.
Pre-Existing Condition
A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or symptom that existed or showed signs before your policy's coverage start date or within the waiting period. Almost no carriers cover pre-existing conditions.