Best Pet Insurance for Cats (2024)
Cat insurance can save you money on vet care, especially when it’s unexpected. Figo and Pets Best are two of Insurify’s top picks for best insurance for cats.
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Written bySarah Archambault
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Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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Edited byAshley Cox
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated August 15, 2024
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Table of contents
Cats are the second-most common pet in the country, with one or more living in 28.2 million United States households.[1] The ASPCA estimates that cat owners pay $160 for routine medical costs and $140 for preventative medication each year.[2] The cost of caring for your cat can add up, and you might not have the funds to cover an emergency vet visit without pet insurance.
The good news is that pet insurance can help ease the financial burden of unexpected medical care for your cat. Pet insurance for cats can help pay for your cat’s accidents and illnesses. Some policies might also cover routine care if you want to pay for extra coverage. Pet insurance policies have specific deductibles, monthly premiums, and reimbursement rates.[3]
Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance for cats and how to find the best cat insurance.
Quick Facts
Figo, Pets Best, and Trupanion are three of the top insurers for cats.
The average cost of accident and illness cat insurance in 2023 was around $383 annually.
Cat insurance companies offer a wide range of reimbursement options — up to 100% depending on the insurer.
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Best pet insurance companies for cats
You have several quality pet insurance options to choose from when buying the best coverage for your cat. Learn more about some of the best pet insurance companies below.
Figo: Best for reimbursement
Average monthly quote: $11.48
Figo offers an affordable cat insurance plan with coverage that includes holistic and alternative care, like acupuncture and chiropractic care. Cat parents can either design a custom plan or choose between three comprehensive plans that vary in annual and maximum lifetime benefits. Figo also provides optional vet exam fees and wellness coverages.
Figo offers reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%, and you’ll only have to wait one day for coverage to kick in for injuries caused by an accident.
Pros
Option for 100% reimbursement
Multi-pet discount of 5%
Chiropractic care and acupuncture included
Cons
Doesn’t cover most parasites
Doesn’t cover prescription food
Six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
Embrace: Best for multiple pets
Average monthly quote: $27.77
Embrace’s accident and illness plan includes coverage for cancer and congenital and genetic conditions. The cat health insurance plan covers prescriptions, dental diseases, diagnostic testing, and more. Embrace also lets pet owners add a wellness plan for routine care, like spaying or neutering, annual checkups, and routine blood tests.
The insurer offers a 10% discount for policyholders with multiple pets. You can buy coverage for kittens as young as 6 weeks old. The accident and illness plan can cover cats until they turn 15, while the accident plan covers cats 15 and older.
Pros
Multi-pet discount of 10%
Covers alternative therapies
Deductible can range from $100 to $1,000
Cons
Pets ages 15 and older only eligible for accident coverage
Prescription food not covered under accident and illness plan
Limit of $650 for wellness care through the wellness plan
Trupanion: Best for no payout limits
Average monthly quote: $29.96
Trupanion offers a pet insurance policy with a $0 deductible option, but you can select a deductible of up to $1,000. The payout limit is uncapped.
Trupanion’s coverage includes hereditary and congenital conditions, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, advanced dentistry, and unexpected injuries. But you won’t find coverage for pre-existing conditions, exam visits, or wellness care.
Pros
Option for $0 deductible
Pays your vet directly
No limits on payouts
Cons
No coverage for vet exam fees
Doesn’t offer routine care options
One-time administration fee to set up policy
Pets Best: Best for direct vet payments
Average monthly quote: $21.61
Pets Best offers accident and illness plans that cover congenital, hereditary, and chronic conditions. The company also offers accident-only plans. Pets Best also includes coverage for prescriptions and dental diseases, which other companies may not. Add-on wellness plans are available and cover routine care like vaccinations, deworming, and FeLV screenings.
Pros
Deductible ranges between $50 and $1,000
Coverage for congenital, hereditary, and chronic conditions
Company can pay vet directly if vet allows it
Cons
No parasite testing or treatment coverage
May be eligible only for an accident-only policy if your pet has severe pre-existing chronic conditions
No 100% reimbursement option
Spot: Best for senior cats
Average monthly quote: $24.26
If you have a senior cat, Spot’s plans can reimburse you for 90% of eligible veterinary expenses. Spot plans also have no upper age limit for enrolling your cat, though the older your pet, the more you’ll likely pay for pet insurance coverage.
Spot offers a wide range of options for different deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement rates, including unlimited coverage for your cat’s insurance plan. Pet parents can choose the best plan for their cat and make adjustments to these features to lock in a plan that suits their monthly budget. Coverage options include accident-only and accident and illness plans as well as an optional preventative care plan.
Pros
Multi-pet discount of 10%
Annual coverage limits range from $2,500 to unlimited
Covers microchip costs
Cons
Waiting period of 14 days
Company won’t pay vet directly
No 100% reimbursement rate option
Types of pet insurance for cats
Cat parents can often choose between two types of cat insurance: accident only and accident and illness. Some pet insurance companies also offer wellness coverage. Here’s a closer look at the types of pet insurance for cats and what’s covered.
Accident-only plan: An accident-only plan is the most basic type of pet insurance and covers medical expenses from an accident, including diagnostic services and treatments. This type of plan doesn’t cover illnesses and routine vet care.
Accident and illness plan: This type of plan offers comprehensive coverage and is the most popular for U.S. pet owners. It typically covers eligible accidental injuries, plus diseases and associated treatments. Plans and exclusions vary widely between insurers, and you’ll typically have a waiting period before coverage begins.
Wellness plan: Pet wellness coverage provides reimbursement for preventive and routine care, like vaccinations, physical exams, and flea and heartworm prevention. You can often add a wellness coverage product to a pet insurance plan for an additional cost. Exclusions vary by insurer, so read the fine print.
Cost of pet insurance for cats
The cost of pet insurance for cats varies widely depending on the type of plan you choose and the insurer. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) estimates the average annual premium for an accident and illness plan to be around $383 for cats, while an accident-only plan will set you back about $116 per year.[4]
Insurers base your premium on multiple factors, including your cat’s age, its breed, where you live, and the type of plan you choose. For instance, if you have a kitten, you’ll likely pay less than you would for a senior cat. And you’ll pay more for an accident and illness plan since it offers more coverage than an accident-only plan.
Some companies let you choose your reimbursement rate or deductible, which could help you save. And many companies offer multi-pet discounts.
Factors that affect the cost of cat insurance
Pet insurance premiums for your cat depend on a wide range of factors, from your cat’s breed to where you live and how much coverage you want. Here’s a closer look at what affects the cost of cat insurance.
Species: Cats are usually cheaper to insure than dogs since their vet costs are typically less.
Breed: If you have a rare breed of cat or it comes from a champion bloodline, like a Bengal cat, it may cost more to insure than a more common breed.
Gender: Pet owners file fewer claims for female pets, so this could affect your rate.
Location: The cost of cat insurance often relates to the average veterinary costs in your area, which can vary a lot by city and state.
Age: Older cats tend to have more health concerns and a higher risk for accidents, so your monthly premiums are often higher than if you’re insuring a kitten.
Health: Cats with pre-existing conditions or a history of injuries may cost more to insure than cats with clean bills of health, and your policy will typically exclude any of these pre-existing health conditions.
Coverage type: The type of pet insurance you choose affects your rate. Basic accident-only plans cost less than comprehensive accidental and illness plans. Pet insurance companies often offer wellness plans as an add-on for an extra fee.
Annual deductible: Some pet insurance companies let you choose your deductible amount, which can range anywhere from $0 to $1,000. A higher deductible often means you’ll pay a lower rate.
How cat insurance works
Pet health insurance for your cat is similar to human medical insurance: You pay a set monthly fee for financial protection in the event of unexpected or emergency care.
Learning more about the following few key pet insurance terms will help you understand how cat insurance works:
Deductible
Your policy deductible is the amount you must pay for veterinary care before the policy reimburses you for any costs.
Premium
This refers to the amount you’ll pay each month for coverage. Premium costs will vary based on your pet’s age, breed, and more.
Reimbursement
Most pet insurance policies follow a reimbursement system. You’ll pay for treatment out of pocket, and the insurance company will reimburse you after you file a claim. You can choose the amount of reimbursement. For example, if you choose an 80% reimbursement, you’d still have to pay for 20% after you meet your deductible.
Payout limit
Many pet insurance policies have a maximum annual or per-incident payout. You’ll have to pay for covered vet bills beyond this limit.
Keep in Mind
When you have a policy in place, you’ll often pay for your vet visit like normal. After the visit, you can submit a claim to the insurance company. The company will reimburse you the appropriate percentage of the invoice for covered visits.
Why do you need cat insurance?
Though many cats have independent streaks, felines aren’t immune to emergency care needs and vet visits. If your cat ends up at the vet for an emergency, care can get expensive quickly. The average emergency vet visit ranges from $800 to $1,500, according to a MetLife survey of pet parents. But costs can sometimes climb to as much as $5,000 or more.[5]
If you have cat insurance, the financial implications of an emergency room visit are less daunting. You can focus on getting your pet the best care, knowing that you have a pet insurance policy to help you cover costs.
What pet insurance for cats covers
Pet insurance plans for cats usually include three different coverage options: accident and illness, accident only, and wellness coverage.
Coverage typically includes the following conditions and circumstances:
Injuries from accidents
Illnesses, including ear infections, allergies, diabetes, and cancer
Diagnostic tests
Surgeries
Prescription medication
Hospitalizations
Emergency room treatment
What pet insurance doesn’t cover
Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything, though specifics vary by insurer and chosen coverage. Before signing up for any pet insurance policy, make sure to understand all the exclusions.
Here are some common pet insurance exclusions:
Pre-existing conditions
Grooming
Hereditary conditions
Wellness and preventative care
Any care not outlined in your plan
Common cat insurance claims
Anytime you file a claim for eligible vet bills, your insurer will assess whether your policy covers the care. Insurers will provide reimbursement for covered claims. For cats, these commonly include treatment for urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory issues.
Data from NAPHIA reveals the highest cat claim paid in 2023 came in at $59,470 for a 5-year-old male domestic shorthair in Florida with intervertebral disc disorder.[6]
These were the top 10 most common medical conditions that cat owners filed claims for in 2023:
Urinary tract infection
Diarrhea and vomiting
Respiratory issues
Dental disease
Skin conditions, such as infections, allergies, masses, or dermatitis
Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes
Ear infection
Cardiovascular issues
Eye and vision disorders
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How to buy pet insurance
Pet insurance is an option worth pursuing for many cat owners. If you want to buy coverage, you can often do this easily online. Here are the steps you need to follow to buy pet insurance.
1. Compare pet insurance quotes
When choosing an insurance policy of any kind, it’s a good idea to compare quotes. Each insurance company has a slightly different method of determining rates, which means you might find different insurance prices available by looking into multiple insurance companies.
You can find different quotes for your pet through different pet insurers. As you explore insurer options, make sure you compare costs for policies with the same amount of coverage.
2. Find the best coverage for you
Not all pet insurance policies offer the same types of coverage. Before you sign up for a policy, it’s important to know what the coverage does and doesn’t cover. Some policies include coverage for accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Other policies give you the option to cover routine care for an additional cost.
For example, if you want a plan that covers diabetes or another chronic illness, you should do some research into what companies offer that coverage. You want to make sure the insurance policy you choose covers the health problems you worry about for your cat. Also, spend time thinking about what deductible amount you feel comfortable with.
3. Purchase the policy
When you decide on the best pet insurance policy for your needs, it’s time to finalize the purchase. In general, you can make the purchase directly on the insurance company’s website.
Cat insurance FAQs
The following information should help answer your remaining questions about finding the best coverage for your cat.
Is pet insurance worth it for indoor cats?
Probably. Pet insurance can help cover veterinary costs if your indoor cat has an accident or gets sick. While your kitty may stay inside, indoor cats can still get injured inside your house, accidentally ingest something, or come down with an illness.
How much insurance should you buy for a cat?
It’s important to consider your budget and ability to cover an emergency expense or routine care, plus your cat’s health needs, when deciding how much insurance to buy for your kitty. Plan costs range widely between insurers, and you’ll find many options to compare. Shop around to find the best plan that fits your situation.
What does cat pet insurance cover?
Cat pet insurance typically covers accidents, illnesses, and routine care, depending on the type of plan you buy. You can usually see any vet you choose, and some policies may cover alternative therapies, like acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Does pet insurance cover vet visits?
It depends. A pet insurance plan often covers emergency vet visits. Some insurance companies offer wellness plans, which include routine vet visits. Check the details of your potential cat insurance policy to determine if you have the amount of coverage you want.
At what age should you get your cat pet insurance?
Generally, the younger you can sign up your cat, the better off you’ll be. Many insurance companies have age restrictions or upper age limits for older pets. Many allow you to sign up your kitten for insurance when it’s at least 6–8 weeks old. Since plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions, it can be more difficult to find coverage for older cats.
Methodology
To determine the top pet insurance companies for cat owners, Insurify compared quotes, coverage offerings, and customer reviews of a dozen insurance companies selling pet insurance in the U.S. Insurify determined the average monthly quotes for each insurer by completing the quotes process on each company website. The cat profile used was that of a 2-year-old American shorthair female.
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Sources
- United States Census Bureau. "2021 Househeld Pets."
- ASPCA. "Cutting Pet Care Costs."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts about pet insurance."
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "Average Premiums."
- MetLife. "How Much Pets Cost & How To Save."
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "State of the Industry Report."
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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault enjoys helping people figure out how to manage their finances and credit. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans. Her work has been featured on Credit Karma, Experian, LendingClub, Sound Dollar and USA Today Blueprint. She also writes for national insurers, banks and financial institutions like Aetna, MassMutual, Stripe, and UnitedHealthcare.
Sarah has been a contributor at Insurify since December 2022.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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