Key takeaways
Cat health insurance can help reimburse eligible vet bills, minus your deductible
Unexpected vet bills can put pressure on your budget, but cat insurance may help with eligible expenses
What does cat insurance cover?
Pet insurance may help cover common health conditions in kittens and adult cats, depending on the terms of your policy and excluding any pre-existing conditions.
Comprehensive accident and illness plans for cats typically cover injuries, illnesses, and emergency care. They may also cover hereditary and congenital conditions as long as symptoms develop after your policy's start date. Covered vet expenses may include:
| Coverage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Accidents | ExamplesSwallowed objects, broken bones, and accidental injuries |
| Illnesses | ExamplesSkin infections, upper respiratory infections, digestive issues, and more |
| Emergency care | ExamplesHospital stays and emergency surgeries like urinary blockages |
| Diagnostics | ExamplesX-rays, specialist visits, and more |
| Chronic conditions | ExamplesDiabetes, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, allergies, and more |
| Hereditary conditions | ExamplesKidney disease, cancer, heart disease, and more |
| Prescription medications | ExamplesMedications prescribed to treat covered conditions |
Some insurers offer optional wellness plans that you can add to your policy. These typically provide coverage for:
- Routine care and annual exams
- Vaccinations
- Teeth cleanings
- Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives
- Heartworm, blood, fecal, and urine testing
Accident-only plans offer coverage for accidental injuries only, like broken bones, bite wounds, swallowing foreign objects, and other common unexpected injuries. This type of plan may not be available through all insurers.
Learn more about how pet insurance works and get a pet insurance quote for your cat.
What does cat insurance not cover?
Cat insurance isn't designed to cover everything. Most pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions if your pet develops symptoms before the policy starts or during the mandatory waiting period. Coverage varies by policy, but cat health insurance plans generally don't cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cat pregnancies
- Spaying and neutering
- Grooming
- Cosmetic surgeries
- Boarding
- Other non-vet-related costs
How much is cat insurance?
According to a report from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), the average monthly cost in 2025 was about $36 for an accident and illness plan for cats, while the average monthly cost was $9.33 for an accident-only plan for cats.
Generally, pet insurance costs vary based on breed, location, age, selected coverage level, deductible amount, and reimbursement rate.
According to Market Watch, the average monthly cat insurance premium by age ranges from $23 to $40.
| Cat Age | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Average Monthly Premium$25 |
| 1 year | Average Monthly Premium$23 |
| 2 years | Average Monthly Premium$24 |
| 5 years | Average Monthly Premium$29 |
| 8 years | Average Monthly Premium$40 |
The cost of common feline illnesses can add up, especially if your cat is at an increased risk. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, purebred cats are more likely than mixed-breed cats to develop diseases that may require costly or ongoing care compared to mixed breed cats.
Is cat insurance worth it?
Yes, you may want to consider cat insurance if you think you might need help with the financial costs of unexpected vet bills. If your cat has an accident or needs urgent medical care for an illness, vet costs can add up quickly for diagnostic testing, overnight hospitalization, emergency procedures, and ongoing care.
Here are average costs, according to Catster, for some common procedures and specialized/ongoing treatments for cats:
| Condition or Procedure | Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment | Specialized or Ongoing Treatment Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection | Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment$295 | Specialized or Ongoing Treatment Costs$1,053 |
| Kidney failure/disease | Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment$485 | Specialized or Ongoing Treatment Costs$1,318 |
| Arthritis | Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment$255 | Specialized or Ongoing Treatment Costs$1,200 to $2,500 (FHO surgery) |
| Eye infection | Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment$115 | Specialized or Ongoing Treatment Costs$220 to $320 |
Cat insurance may not always pay off during the years your cat only needs minor care. It can become worth it if your cat needs major emergency surgery from an accidental injury or develops a long-term illness that requires expensive treatment over time.
Consider these common scenarios:
Example: Breaking even
Imagine that your cat accumulates $840 in eligible vet bills in one year. Without cat insurance, you would pay $840 out of pocket. With cat insurance, you might pay about the same amount after you add your $420 annual premium, $250 deductible, and the 20% of the vet bill you're responsible for after your insurer covers the 80% reimbursement rate. For this example scenario, you could roughly break even with pet insurance.
Example: Emergency surgery
Your kitten swallows a string, and you rush him to the vet. Emergency surgery costs $5,000. Without kitten insurance, you pay the total out of pocket. With kitten insurance, your deductible is $250 and your annual premiums equal $420. Insurance reimburses you 80%, and you pay the remaining $1,250 of the vet bill. In this example scenario, your total yearly cost would be $1,670 with insurance and $5,000 without insurance.
Example: Chronic illness
Your cat develops chronic kidney disease after your policy start date. Treatment costs $2,400 per year for five years. Without cat insurance, you pay the total out of pocket. With cat insurance, your deductible is $250 and your annual premiums equal $420. Your insurer reimburses you 80%, and you pay the remaining $730 of the vet bill. In this example scenario, your total cost over five years of CKD treatment for your cat would be $5,750 with insurance and $12,000 without insurance.
Pet insurance for cats may be especially helpful if your cat develops a chronic condition that you'll manage throughout their lifetime. Other common conditions that may require ongoing costly vet care include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract conditions, and dental disease.
Frequently asked questions about cat insurance
Get answers common questions about cat insurance:
Can I use any veterinarian?
Depending on your plan, you may be able to use any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., including emergency clinics, when your cat needs care.
At what age should I insure my cat?
Consider insuring your cat as early as possible (as a kitten or shortly after adoption). Most pet insurers don't cover pre-existing conditions.
Enrolling before symptoms develop may help your pet get access to helpful coverage, especially if their breed is at an increased risk for hereditary or congenital issues.
According to International Cat Care, cat breeds that may be predisposed to certain health problems include:
- Persians
- Burmese
- Siamese
- Maine Coons
- Manx
Do I need cat insurance if my cat lives indoors?
Indoor cats, like most pets, are susceptible to illnesses, accidents, and eating things they're not supposed to eat. Some may develop chronic or hereditary conditions throughout their lives. Insurance for cats is not required, but it may provide a financial cushion if you're concerned about unexpected and expensive vet bills.
Does cat insurance cover outdoor cats?
Pet insurance plans may cover outdoor cats, depending on the policy and insurer. If you're considering insuring your outdoor feline friend, an accident and illness policy may provide broader coverage, while an optional wellness add-on may help cover preventative and routine care. Be aware that your premiums may be higher than those for indoor cats that generally have a lower risk of accidents and infectious diseases.
Does cat insurance cover hereditary conditions?
Yes, pet insurance companies may offer coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions like kidney disease, hip dysplasia, diabetes, cherry eye, and others — as long as the condition develops after your policy start date and not during the waiting period.
Coverage varies by insurer, so review your policy to understand what's included.
How to choose a cat insurance plan
Choosing the best cat insurance plan for you and your kitten or adult cat depends on their age, your budget, and what type of coverage you need to keep them happy and healthy. While you pick a plan, consider the following factors:
- Breed considerations: Learn about your cat's breed and any health issues they could face, including how expensive certain treatments or surgeries might be.
- Deductibles: This is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket for a covered claim before your insurer pays.
- Reimbursement percentages: This is the percentage of each claim your pet insurer agrees to pay. Typically, it's 70%, 80%, or 90%.
- Annual limits: This is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for covered care after you meet your annual deductible. If your covered expenses go beyond this limit, you'll pay the rest of your vet costs out of pocket.
- Waiting periods: Your pet insurance plan may require a waiting period before coverage begins. It varies by policy and state, but it may take a few days to a few months. You may wait 6 to 12 months for an orthopedic waiting period.
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