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Best Pet Insurance for Cats for March 2024

Updated
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
By: David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®

Our Insurance Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Approximately 45.3 million American households have at least one cat. Since 1998, pet ownership overall in this country has increased by 25%. With more people owning pets, the number getting pet health insurance has also increased, growing at an average annual rate of 23.4% over the past five years. The right pet insurance for your cat can save you thousands of dollars as well as give you peace of mind. Our expert review will help you find the best pet insurance for cats.

ASPCA

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Best for cats with hereditary and health conditionsASPCA
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Bottom Line

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans have coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions and cover cats regardless of health conditions. Many pet insurance companies exclude pets with hereditary and congenital conditions or have age requirements for cats to qualify. ASPCA also has no age limits for illness coverage enrollment and does not require an exam before pet owners get reimbursed for claims. ASPCA has a 14-day illness and accident waiting period. Pet owners can choose reimbursement from 70% to 90% of covered vet costs. ASPCA's plans have an annual deductible and an optional add-on for preventative care with no waiting period. ASPCA also offers a 10% multiple pet discount for each additional pet. ASPCA has been providing pet health insurance since 1997.

Embrace

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Best for diminishing deductibles and short waiting periodEmbrace
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Bottom Line

Embrace has a feature called the "Healthy Pet Deductible." For every year a cat owner doesn't receive a claim reimbursement, the deductible is reduced the next year by $50. This means if you have a $200 deductible and do not have a claim for four years, then your deductible will be $0. Once you submit a claim, the Healthy Pet Deductible resets. Waiting periods for Embrace are just two days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses, compared to 14 to 30 days for others. Many insurers also do not cover the cost of a cat's exam fee, but Embrace covers the exam fee for all covered accidents and illnesses. With Embrace, cat owners can choose reimbursement from 70% to 90% of covered vet costs. Its plans have an annual deductible and an optional add-on for preventive care. Embrace also offers a 10% multiple pet discount for each additional pet and a 5% military discount. Embrace has been providing pet health insurance since 2003.

Lemonade

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Best for fast claims processingLemonade
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Bottom Line

Lemonade is a pet insurance company that uses AI to process claims quickly through its digital app. Lemonade can cover cat owners in seconds and states that claims will be approved in minutes. The insurer also offers renters, homeowners, and car insurance. Pet owners can receive a 10% bundle discount if they use Lemonade's other services and a 5% multi-pet discount. Lemonade is a public benefit corporation, a corporation created to generate social and public good. Its goal is to operate in a responsible manner while making a positive impact. Lemonade donates a portion of profits to meaningful causes customers choose, including animal welfare organizations.

Spot

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Best for customizable coverage choicesSpot
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Bottom Line

Spot Pet Insurance offers customizable options for cat owners. Many pet insurance companies offer a limited selection of coverage options, but Spot allows cat owners to choose tailored policies, the reimbursement percentage they want, the annual limit, as well as the annual deductible. Spot offers an unlimited annual limit and there is no cap on the annual claim limit after the deductible is met. Spot is one of the few pet insurance companies that offer a 100% coverage option. It also offers low deductibles and a variety of preventive pet insurance options. Spot plans include coverage options for alternative therapy, behavioral training, vitamins, and supplements. Spot has a 14-day illness and accident waiting period and an optional add-on for preventative care with no waiting period. Spot also offers a 10% multiple pet discount for each additional pet. United States Fire Insurance Company underwrites all Spot Pet Insurance plans and has been providing pet insurance since 2006.

Figo

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Best for unlimited annual benefits and access to 24/7 live vetFigo
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Bottom Line

Figo has no lifetime maximum for care. There is also no per-incident cap, meaning there is no maximum for claim payments by condition type. While no plan covers pre-existing conditions, Figo may cover pre-existing conditions considered curable if your cat shows no signs or symptoms within 12 months of the last treatment. Figo also offers the Figo Pet Cloud app. Cat owners can use the app to connect with other pet owners, find pet parks, pet daycare centers and more. Through the app, Figo offers free 24/7 access to a licensed veterinarian to help during emergencies. Figo has a 14-day illness and one-day accident waiting period. Cat owners can choose reimbursement from 70% to 100% of covered vet costs. Figo's plans have an annual deductible and Figo offers a 10% multiple pet discount for each additional pet. Figo has been providing pet health insurance since 2015.

Fetch

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Best for comprehensive coverageFetch
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Bottom Line

Fetch offers one comprehensive plan that includes what other pet insurance companies charge extra for or don't cover at all. The plan includes comprehensive dental, breed-specific conditions, and holistic care. Fetch's holistic coverage includes physical therapy, acupuncture, homeopathic, hydrotherapy, and chiropractic care all at no extra charge. Even supplements are covered as long as the pet's vet recommends them for a covered condition. Since Fetch has only one comprehensive plan that covers many services, the monthly premium might be higher than other pet insurers. It doesn't have a cheaper coverage option for accidents and illnesses only, and it also doesn't cover routine and preventive care. Fetch offers a patent-pending technology that provides tailored insights and recommendations on your cat's future health. It also sends a topical, monthly newsletter designed to help cat owners take action and improve their pet's health and happiness. Waiting periods vary state to state but they are no longer than 15 days. Fetch offers discounts up to 10% for members of the military, AARP members, support pets, and vets and their employees.

Trupanion

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Best for direct payments to veterinariansTrupanion
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Bottom Line

Most pet insurance companies are on a reimbursement basis. Cat owners have to pay the vet bill out of pocket and wait to get reimbursed from the pet insurance company. Trupanion pays the veterinarian directly, which means cat owners pay less out of pocket. Trupanion's software technology allows the veterinarian to file the claim in-office. Cat owners do not have to submit claims themselves and wait for approval and disbursement. They just need to pay their portion of the vet bill and Trupanion deals directly with the vet. Trupanion states that it can work with every hospital across North America. Trupanion has no payout caps or limits, and unlike many other pet insurers, it does not automatically increase premiums every year due to the aging of your cat. Trupanion also has flexible deductibles and hundreds of pricing options, including a $0 deductible. As opposed to annual deductibles that pet owners have to pay every year with most pet insurers, Trupanion's deductible is a condition-based, lifetime deductible that pet owners pay only once per medical issue and all its complications. Trupanion has a five-day waiting period for injuries and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses. Trupanion reimburses 90% of covered veterinary costs that arise from a pet getting sick or injured. The insurer has been providing pet health insurance since 1998.

Healthy Paws

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Best for no maximum limit on claims payoutHealthy Paws
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Bottom Line

Healthy Paws offers a single pet insurance plan that covers new accidents and illnesses, including injuries, cancer, genetic conditions, alternative, and emergency care. Healthy Paws provides coverage with no maximum limits on claim payouts as well as no per-incident, annual, or lifetime caps. If your pet needs treatment for a new accident or illness, and it's not a pre-existing condition or otherwise excluded under the policy, your pet's veterinary bills will be eligible for coverage. Healthy Paws doesn't require claim forms. Cat owners just need to take a photo of their vet bill and submit it through the mobile app or the online Healthy Paws customer center. Healthy Paws pet insurance plan includes coverage for alternative medicine like acupuncture, hydrotherapy, herbal, massage, laser therapy, chiropractic, and homeopathy. Healthy Paws has a 15-day illness and accident waiting period. For cats enrolled before the age of 6, there is a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia. Cat owners can be reimbursed up to 90% of their vet bills. Healthy Paws has been providing pet health insurance since 2009.


What is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is a type of pet insurance policy that helps cover veterinary costs for accidents and illnesses to your cat. Pet insurance pays the policyholder back for the cost of veterinary bills when the insured cat gets sick or injured. The right pet insurance policy can help you pay for the best course of treatment for your cat while giving you peace of mind that your cat is taken care of.

How does pet insurance for cats work?

Pet insurance helps reduce the financial burden of caring for your cat's medical needs. Insurers generally require you to bring your cat in for a check-up before they agree to provide coverage. This is to ensure your cat isn't already sick or has pre-existing conditions. Once your policy kicks in, there is usually a waiting period before you are eligible to start receiving coverage.

You pay the pet insurance company a monthly premium. The premium is based on the type of plan you choose, breed of your cat, your cat's age, where you live, and much more. Most pet insurance companies use a reimbursement-based model. If your cat needs to go to the vet, you pay the vet out of pocket and then submit a claim online, through an app, or email, fax, or mail.

If the claim is approved, your insurance company will reimburse you for the covered services minus any deductible. Like car insurance, most pet insurance plans have a deductible, annual or per-incident maximum, reimbursement percentage or copay, and waiting periods. Based on the plan you choose, your reimbursement amount can range from 60% to 100% of your covered veterinary charges.

What is and isn't covered by cat insurance?

Different pet insurance companies offer different pet coverage options for cats, so you may have to do a bit of research to find the best pet health insurance for your cat. Pet insurance policies may cover:

  • New and unexpected illnesses and injuries
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions
  • Cancer treatments
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Surgeries
  • Hospital stays
  • Prescription medications
  • Veterinary supplements
  • Prosthetic devices and mobility carts

What is not covered?

Even the best pet insurance companies have exclusions, which are things not included in your cat's coverage. Coverage can vary from insurer to insurer, so it's best to research and compare options. This will help you avoid any surprises. No pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions, but some insurers distinguish between curable and incurable conditions. Here are the most common pet insurance exclusions for cats:

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Cosmetic surgeries
  • Breeding, pregnancy, or giving birth
  • Experimental procedures

Cat insurance is for the unexpected, so most accident and illness policies don't cover preventive or routine care costs. Many pet insurance companies offer wellness and preventive care plans as an optional add-on.

What does cat insurance cost?

The cost for pet health insurance for your cat is based on a number of pet-based and policy-based factors. Pet-based factors include your cat's breed, sex, age, and even where you live. Policy-based factors include the type of policy you get, your deductible, and reimbursement percentage. You can personalize elements of your policy to get the best plan for your cat's needs and your budget.

Pet insurance companies typically offer three types of coverage options:

  • Accident & Illness (A&I) Coverage: A&I policies cover accidents and illnesses such as cancer, infection, and digestive problems. A&I policies cost more since they are comprehensive policies.
  • Accident-Only (AO) Coverage: AO policies only cover accidents such as car accidents, foreign body ingestion, lacerations, poisoning, and ligament tears.
  • Wellness Coverage: Covers routine and preventive care, such as annual check-ups, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning. These policies tend to be riders to A&I policies.

Here are the average costs for each type of policy.

Accident and Illness average premiums

  • Annual: $342.84
  • Monthly $28.57

Accident-Only average premiums

  • Annual: $130.24
  • Monthly $10.85

Wellness coverage policies typically cost $20-$25 per month. They may be rolled up into comprehensive coverage policies. The cost of a wellness policy for your cat is what you would pay out of pocket anyway, so it may not be worth getting a standalone wellness plan.

Where you live also makes a difference in your monthly premium. Average monthly premiums can be as high as $31.97 in California and as low as $19.35 in Wyoming. Certain breeds like Siamese cats are more expensive since they tend to suffer from various types of illnesses.

Many pet insurance companies offer different plan options, along with customizable reimbursement percentages and deductible amounts. The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your pet insurance payment will be. Many also offer discounts such as multi-pet and military discounts.

Cats vs. kittens

Pet insurance costs also are based on the age of your cat. Premiums for younger cats are lower since older cats are more likely to need expensive veterinary care. Older cats are also at higher risk and cost more to insure since they are more susceptible to injuries and illnesses. Here are the average premiums based on the age of a cat:

  • Average premium for 6-month-old kitten: $23.69
  • Average premium for 18-month-old cat: $23.68
  • Average premium for 5.5-year-old cat: $27.98

Average premiums for a 5.5-year-old cat can be as high as $35.80 in California and as low as $21.60 in Wyoming.

Regardless of the age and overall health of your cat, it's highly likely that one of the best pet insurance companies for cats on our list will provide the right coverage to fit your needs.

The Picks
Offer Best For Next Steps
Graphic of ASPCA
ASPCA
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for cats with hereditary and health conditions
Graphic of Embrace
Embrace
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for diminishing deductibles and short waiting period
Graphic of Lemonade
Lemonade
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for fast claims processing
Graphic of Spot
Spot
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for customizable coverage choices
Graphic of Figo
Figo
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for unlimited annual benefits and access to 24/7 live vet
Graphic of Fetch
Fetch
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for comprehensive coverage
Graphic of Trupanion
Trupanion
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for direct payments to veterinarians
Graphic of Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for no maximum limit on claims payout

FAQs

  • If your pet develops chronic illnesses later in life, then a pet insurance policy can be well worth the cost. Hospitalizations for pets can cost $800 to $1,500 per night. One trip to the emergency room for a cat can be well worth the $360 average annual premium. Pet insurance can save you thousands of dollars a year on emergency treatment and prescription medications.

  • The average premium for cat insurance policies range from $11 to $50 per month, depending on a number of pet-based and policy-based factors. Pet-based factors include your cat's breed, sex, age, and even where you live. Policy-based factors include the type of policy you get, your deductible, and reimbursement percentage.

  • Premiums are typically lower for younger cats and kittens since they tend to be healthier.

    Older cats are at higher risk and cost more to insure since they are more susceptible to injuries and illnesses.

Our Insurance Expert