Whether your Mr. Whiskers is a Maine coon, a Russian blue, or a stunning domestic shorthair, you want the best for your cat. But when a medical emergency pops up, the veterinary bills can be substantial.
A basic viral infection can rack up hundreds, a broken leg can cost $2,000 or more, and more serious issues, like feline cancer treatments, can be $5,000 or more.
Luckily, pet insurance tends to be cheaper for cats than for dogs, so you can get accident and illness protection for $35 per month on average.1 These policies can alleviate some of the cost so you can get your cat the medical treatment it needs without racking up credit card debt or depleting your savings.
Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance for cats and how to find the best coverage.
Best pet insurance for cats
The best pet insurance for your cat will depend on your cat’s age, breed, health history, and your budget. But some pet insurance companies truly stand out as excellent options for cat owners due to their customer service, easy claims processes, and short reimbursement times.
Here are some great pet insurance companies for your cat.
Figo: Best for reimbursement
Average monthly quote: $31
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.
Embrace: Best for multiple pets
Average monthly quote: $28
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.
Trupanion: Best for no payout limits
Average monthly quote: $30
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.
Pets Best: Best for direct vet payments
Average monthly quote: $19
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.
Spot: Best for senior cats
Average monthly quote: $20
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.
How cat insurance works
Pet insurance works differently from other forms of coverage. When you shop for a policy, you can choose a coverage limit, reimbursement level, and deductible amount. Here’s how these options work together:2
Coverage limits: When you purchase coverage, you can choose an annual or lifetime limit. This is the maximum amount your insurer will reimburse you for your cat’s treatment for a covered condition. Limits can range from $2,500 to $10,000 or more.
Reimbursement percentages: Insurance companies usually cover a percentage of your cat’s care. For example, if your cat needs orthopedic surgery costing $5,000, your insurer may cover anywhere from 70% to 90% of the cost. The higher the percentage, the more your premiums will be.
Deductible: The deductible is how much you pay before your insurer starts covering your cat’s treatment. The higher your deductible, the lower your pet insurance premiums.
For example, say you have a Maine coon. These cats are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that causes the muscle walls in the heart to thicken. It can cost thousands in tests for your veterinarian to diagnose this condition, and ongoing treatments can be quite expensive, too.
For the sake of this example, say the total of X-rays, blood tests, and medication is $2,000. Here’s how much you’d get reimbursed based on two different insurance plans:
Insurance Plan A: This plan may be a good choice for someone looking to balance coverage with affordability. It has a $500 deductible and will cover up to 70% of your covered expenses. Deduct $500 from the $2,000 total, and your insurer will cover 70% of the remaining $1,500, reimbursing you $1,050.
Insurance Plan B: This plan’s premiums are nearly three times the cost of Plan A, but it could be useful for people who want more coverage when an emergency occurs. This plan has a $100 deductible and will cover 90% of your covered expenses. Deduct $100 from the $2,000 total, and your insurer will cover 90% of the remaining $1,900, reimbursing you $1,710.
Types of pet insurance coverage for cats
As a cat owner, you likely have different coverage needs than a dog owner. Cats tend to need fewer veterinary visits, and they have different health risks. Based on your cat’s habits and your budget, you may need the following coverage:
The table below shows common conditions and procedures cats may have and what each type of pet insurance covers:
How to compare pet insurance quotes for cats
It’s important to consider your priorities when comparing quotes to help you secure the best one. When shopping for coverage, consider the following factors:
Coverage: When comparing your options, make sure you’re looking at pricing for similar coverage levels, meaning the same annual limits, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles.
Covered treatments and procedures: Covered procedures vary by company. For example, not all companies cover the cost of an emergency vet exam fee, and some insurers exclude holistic or complementary therapies like acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Customer satisfaction: Looking up reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau can give you an idea of how well a company handles claims and customer issues.
Exclusions: Some insurers exclude treatments for certain conditions, such as hip dysplasia. And, if your cat has a condition like feline leukemia virus (FeLV), it may not be eligible for coverage at all.
Waiting periods: Most pet insurance companies have waiting periods. If your cat develops an injury or illness within that waiting period — typically ranging from two weeks to six months from enrollment — any treatments will be excluded from coverage. Companies with shorter waiting periods tend to be better options since you’re more likely to be covered for issues that may pop up.
How much does pet insurance for cats cost?
In general, pet insurance for cats costs less than $35 per month for an accident and illness policy.3 But your premiums may vary based on your pet’s age, breed, and location.
The table below shows average premiums based on pet age:
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.
How to file a pet insurance claim for your cat
Whether your cat ate something it shouldn’t have or fractured its leg jumping from the bookshelf, here’s how to file a claim:
Visit a veterinarian. Companies usually require you to visit a vet, pay for treatment up front, and submit a claim for reimbursement. So the first step is to get your cat treatment from a licensed veterinarian.
Collect information. When you submit a claim, the insurance company will ask for documents like an invoice from the veterinarian, a copy of your payment receipt, and past medical records for your cat.
File a claim. Depending on the company, you may be able to file a claim online or over the phone. The insurance company will ask about what happened to your cat, which veterinarian you took it to, and the date of the medical treatment.
Wait for reimbursement. The insurance company will review your claim. If it approves it, you’ll either get a check for reimbursement or money via electronic transfer.
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