Did you know that one in three pets will need emergency medical treatment in their lifetime? Trips to the emergency vet can easily cost thousands of dollars. For peace of mind, we recommend getting pet insurance. Of course, we hope your cat won’t need it, but with pet health care costs on the rise, every owner should consider pet insurance for financial protection against unexpected vet bills.
With hundreds of different plans out there, we’ve reviewed the biggest contenders to take out the guesswork. Keep reading for our top recommendations for the best pet insurance for cats, and if you’re reading this in preparation for a new addition, be sure to check out our new kitten checklist, too! Before we get to the list, let’s take a closer look at pet insurance and its benefits.
Tailored coverage for your pet, ensuring you pay only for the health plan you need. Enjoy hassle-free, digital claims resolution designed by vet experts and pet-focused parents. As a public benefit corporation, Lemonade donates to a social cause after covering claims and costs. Rated 4.9 stars on the App Store and Google Play.
Embrace cat insurance offers customizable coverage for accidents, illnesses, diagnostic exam fees, treatments, and ongoing care. It includes dental work, unlimited reimbursement, and claims processed in 10-15 days. Embrace also provides a variety of add-ons and programs to supplement your cat insurance coverage and help you save money.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers extensive protection for your cat's unexpected accidents and illnesses, starting at just $8/month. It covers diagnostics, procedures, hospitalization, prescription medication, accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and behavioral issues like destructive scratching. Customizable plans are available to fit any budget.
The Fetch plan includes comprehensive coverage that other providers charge extra for or don’t cover at all. Complete sick visits and exam fees are included, saving you around $50-$250 per visit. Fetch covers injury and disease in every adult tooth, not just canines, and addresses breed-specific and hereditary conditions. You can use any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada and get reimbursed quickly.
Trupanion offers convenient and comprehensive coverage with unlimited payouts and direct payments to vets at checkout. There is no limit on coverage or payouts, ensuring no waiting, hassle, or worries. Rates do not increase as your cat gets older, making Trupanion the world’s first and only pet insurance provider to offer direct payment at checkout.
Pumpkin insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage without sneaky add-on fees, including exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, prescription food, alternative therapies, and microchip implantation. Enjoy 90% cash back on covered vet bills with no breed or upper age restrictions. There are no preventive care requirements or 6-month waiting periods, and discounts are available for multiple pets.
Routine wellness care is critical for your pet's health. Mint Wellness ensures keeping your pet healthy is effortless and affordable. Enroll pets of any age and with any diagnosed health conditions, including those considered pre-existing by traditional pet insurance. All types of pets are eligible for coverage. Visit any veterinarian, submit your invoice online, and enjoy immediate plan coverage.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance allows policyholders to pay providers a monthly fee in return for covering the cost of vet bills in the event of pet sickness or injury. Different companies provide different levels of coverage for different pets & prices.
The average cost of pet health insurance for cats is currently around $29 per month in the US, but exact costs depend on the provider and the type and length of the policy. Other things that can affect/determine costs include your cat’s size, breed, and age, as well as your location and environment (due to risks, hazards, etc.)
Types of Pet Insurance
Types of coverage can include emergency and non-emergency care for injuries and illnesses, pre-existing/genetic and breed-specific conditions, and routine care. They typically cover examinations, tests, and treatments. Most of them don’t cover things like preventative care, initial care (spaying/neutering), or aftercare, but some do!
Some more comprehensive policies even include things like alternative therapies, behavioral treatments, hospital boarding, lost pet help, nursing/whelping, microchipping, and end-of-life care or perks like nutritional advice. There are also different policy lengths, ranging from 12 months to lifetime cover, and most policies have exclusions, so always check the small print if your cat has a specific issue you’re unsure about.
How Does Pet Insurance Work
You can find the best policies and providers through online reviews and insurance comparison marketplaces, then sign up through the provider’s website, or sometimes, employer benefits.
Once you’re paying into a policy, you can submit claims by providing proof of your vet visit, and you will be reimbursed a percentage of your costs, typically between 70-100%. There are some policies that will pay the vet directly as opposed to reimbursing you, but this means using a vet that’s part of a specific network, rather than choosing your own.
Top Picks
- Best Overall – Lemonade
- Best Discount – Embrace
- Most Convenient – ASPCA
- Best Comprehensive Coverage – Fetch
- Most Flexible – Trupanion
- Best For Senior Cats – Pumpkin
- Best Insurance Alternative – Pet Assure
Quick disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review, but if you decide to purchase one of these products, we would love you to use our referral links within the article.
Best Overall: Lemonade
Lemonade is not only our top pick, it’s America’s top-rated insurance service. They provide all kinds of insurance, including car and home insurance. Their pet insurance is our top pick for its easy sign-up and super quick payouts, which can be navigated via their app. It’s an award-winning service powered by AI, with a 4.9-star rating in the App Store. It’s also a great pick for kitten insurance, as their coverage includes initial care.
Key features:
- Insurance for cats & dogs
- Companion app
- Initial care; spaying & neutering, microchipping, etc
- Covers emergencies & non-emergencies
- Diagnostics, procedures, and medication
- Multiple tests & preventatives
- Dental work
- Quick, easy, hassle-free service
- Powered by AI
- Payouts in minutes
- Discounts for multiple pets & annual payments
- 4.9-star rating in App Store
- Charity contributions
What we like: They cover diagnostics, procedures, and medication for emergencies & non-emergencies, including dental work, wellness exams, blood work, and more. They even cover preventatives like vaccinations and initial care for pups and kittens, such as microchipping, spaying, and neutering.
Another standout feature is the online chats for expert medical advice available to customers, plus their discounts for annual payments and multiple pets. They also contribute to different charities and organizations as a Certified B Corp & Public Benefit Corporation.
What to consider: The technical side of the service may not suit every owner.
Tailored for Your Best Friend...Protection just right for your pet (and your pocket). Pay for the health plan your pet really needs, and not what you don’t want. Hassle-free, digital claims resolution let you spend less time on paperwork. Designed by vet experts and pet-obsessed parents. We’re a public benefit corporation. After covering claims and costs, Lemonade donates to a social cause you choose — including animal welfare organizations. 4.9 stars in the App store and on Google Play.
Best Discounts: Embrace
Embrace offers customized cat and dog insurance that can be used with any vet, with a variety of add-ons and programs to supplement their insurance and help you save money.
Key features:
- Insurance & wellness plans for dogs & cats
- Use with any vet
- Covers accidents & illnesses including preventable, genetic & chronic conditions
- Dental coverage
- Covers examination fees, medication, & on-going care
- Unlimited reimbursements
- Claims processed in 10-15 days
- 24/7 helpline
What we like: Their cat insurance covers accidents and illnesses, including chronic, breed-specific, congenital & genetic conditions, as well as cancer, orthopedic conditions, preventable conditions like parvo, and dental issues. It also covers diagnostic exam fees, treatments, and ongoing care, with a 24/7 helpline.
They make claims fast and easy, with unlimited reimbursements paid within 10-15 days. They also offer wellness plans, dental insurance, and more for great value. In fact, their website has a full section dedicated to comparing their plans with competitors, as well as a bunch of helpful resources for owners.
What to consider: Other providers pay out claims faster.
Embrace cat insurance is customizable and covers accidents, illnesses, and more conditions, plus diagnostic exam fees, treatments, and ongoing care. Includes dental work, unlimited reimbursement, claims processed in 10-15 days. Embrace offers a variety of add-ons and programs that can supplement your cat insurance coverage and help you save money. $5,000 to unlimited annual reimbursement limits; deductibles starting at $100; optional exam fee & prescription drug coverage.
Most Convenient: ASPCA
Beloved national animal welfare organization ASPCA also provides pet insurance for cats & dogs, and they’re our top pick for all-around convenience.
Key features:
- Dogs & cats
- 14-day wait time
- Multiple coverage options
- 9-day reimbursements
- Discounts for vets, annual payments & multi-pets
- Low deductions
- Long claim windows
- No limits
- Website or app options
- Covers new illnesses & injuries
- Alternative therapies & nutrition
- Microchipping & end-of-life care
- Money-back guarantee if no claims are filed
What we like: There are multiple coverage options for different budgets, low deductions, no lifetime payout limits, and a long window for claim submissions, plus a money-back guarantee if no claims are filed. You can start claiming after just 14 days of signing up and claims can be filed through their website or accompanying app, so there are options for everyone. They offer quick 9-day reimbursements with no price increase for claims and 10% discounts for multiple pets and veterinary staff, as well as annual savings with yearly payments.
Their cat insurance covers accident and illness care, including poisoning consultations, examinations, dental disease, cancer treatments, breed-specific conditions, and orthopedic conditions, but they also include alternative therapies, therapeutic diets, microchipping, and even euthanasia, cremation, & burial. There’s an option to add on routine care, too, with basic and prime options that include deworming, vaccines, and more.
What to consider: They do not cover pre-existing or bilateral conditions.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers extensive protection for your cat's unexpected accidents and illnesses. Starts as low as $8/month. Covers diagnostics, procedures, hospitalization, prescription medication, accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions and behavioral issues like destructive scratching. Customizable plans available to fit an budget.
Best Comprehensive Coverage: Fetch
Known as the most comprehensive pet insurance service, Fetch is our top pick for those who love to have it all in one place.
Key features:
- Covers cats & dogs
- Use any vet in the US or Canada
- Covers up to 90% of unexpected vet bills
- A wide range of conditions covered
- Covers emergency & non-emergency vet visits
- Hospital stays & specialists
- Physical therapies & surgeries
- Alternative therapies & behavioral treatments
- Medications & supplements
- Exams & tests
- Health advice
- Submit claims in minutes
- 2-day payments
What we like: Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, Fetch covers up to 90% of unexpected vet bills and can be used with any vet in the US & Canada. Claims are super easy to submit and payments take as little as two days!
Coverage includes emergency & non-emergency vet visits, hospital stays, specialists, surgeries, and more, like physical therapies, alternative therapies, and behavioral treatments, as well as examinations and tests like X-rays & CT scans and prescription medications & supplements. Specific conditions covered include allergies, diabetes, cancer, swallowed objects, hereditary issues, and every tooth in your cat’s mouth!
They also offer expert health advice and have a section on their website called “The Dig”, which posts insightful info on all things pet care-related.
The Fetch plan includes what other providers charge extra for or don’t cover at all. Complete sick visits covered. Exam fees are included, which saves you around $50-$250 per sick visit. Fetch covers injury and disease in every adult tooth — not just the canines. Breed-specific issues covered. Not all providers cover hereditary conditions linked to breed but Fetch does. Use any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada. Submit a claim in minutes. Get paid back fast. Average monthly cost for cats is $20.
Most Flexible: Trupanion
Trupanion is the #1 pet insurance provider in America, trusted by vets & pet parents alike. With vet bills paid directly in seconds and unlimited payouts for life, they’re the world’s only provider to pay vet bills in real time and offer a truly flexible service to suit everyone. Their website also has a pet parenting section which is regularly updated with helpful ownership tips.
Key features:
- Dog & cat coverage
- Vet bills paid in real time
- Unlimited payouts for life
- Covers injuries & long-term conditions
- Unidentified issues included
- Diagnostics & hospital stays
- Meditations, supplements & prescription food
- Advanced dentistry
- Herbal therapies
What we like: Their cat insurance covers a wide range of issues, including hereditary conditions, allergies, injuries, breed-specific conditions, and advanced dentistry. They also cover diagnostics, hospital stays, medications, supplements, and prescription foods. They even include herbal therapies for owners who like to utilize holistic health care and cover unidentified issues if you’re struggling with something you’ve yet to diagnose.
What to consider: Fees can fluctuate and are pricier than average, which is to be expected with such a slick service.
Trupanion provides convenient and comprehensive coverage — plus unlimited payouts and vets paid directly at feline speed. Never a limit the amount of coverage or how much we pay out. The world’s first (and only!) pet insurance provider to offer direct payment at checkout. No waiting. No hassle. No worries. No increase in rates just because your cat gets older.
Best For Senior Cats: Pumpkin
Pumpkin offers insurance policies & preventative care for dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, but it’s our top pick for seniors as they will never reduce or decline your coverage as your pet ages. It’s also a good pick for multi-pet homes, with a 10% discount for every pet added to your policy!
Key features:
- Dogs & cats of all ages
- No age-related coverage reductions
- Use with any vet in the US & Canada
- Accidents, emergencies & Illness
- Exams & hospitalizations
- Surgeries & therapies
- Treatments & prescriptions
- Dental treatments & microchipping
- Preventative care options
- 10% discount for every pet
- 90% reimbursement rates
- 14-day wait period
- Free quotes
- No breed exclusions
What we like: They provide super extensive accident & illness coverage, with free quotes, 90% reimbursement rates, and expert help & support. It’s super convenient with a 14-day wait period and their website has a handy comparison tab and advice section. They also offer preventative care packages, which include preventative essentials like vaccines and deworming medications.
Coverage for adult cats includes examination fees for accidents, emergencies, and illnesses, as well as hospitalizations, surgeries, and prescription food & medicine. Plus dental treatments, behavioral treatments, alternative therapies, and microchipping!
What to consider: They lack a 24/7 customer helpline.
Pumpkin insurance plans offer coverage benefits some other insurances exclude, limit, or charge sneaky add-on fees for including, exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, prescription food, alternative therapies, microchip implantation, discounts for multiple pets, etc. Get 90% (not UP TO 90%) cash back on covered vet bills. No sneaky insurance add-on fees, breed or upper age restrictions. No preventive care requirements or 6-month waiting periods.
Best Insurance Alternative: Pet Assure
Pet Assure is a pet insurance alternative that provides discount plans and wellness plans for all members of the animal kingdom, not just cats and dogs, with no restrictions on age or pre-existing conditions. Perfect for multi-pet homes!
Key features:
- Discount plans with routine & emergency care from participating vets
- Wellness plans for routine vet visits anywhere
- All animal-inclusive
- No age limits
- No restrictions on pre-existing conditions
- Easy or no claim submissions
What we like: Their discount plans provide instant veterinary discounts on in-house medical services from thousands of participating providers, including routine and emergency care, with no claim submissions required. Wellness plans, on the other hand, provide money back on vet bills for routine expenses from any vet in the US, using an easy claim submission system.
What to consider: It doesn’t provide the same level of security as insurance, so make sure it’s right for you, especially if your cat is vulnerable.
Routine wellness care is critical for your pet's health. Mint Wellness makes sure that keeping your pet healthy is effortless and affordable...as it should be. Enroll pets of any age and with any diagnosed health conditions including those traditional pet insurance companies deem pre-existing. All types of pets are eligible for coverage; pets of all ages can have a wellness plan; visit any veterinarian; submit your invoice online; Plan coverage effective immediately. Includes a durable ID tag and cloud-based pet profile.
FAQs
Do I need pet insurance?
It’s not a legal requirement in the United States to have pet insurance for cats, but you are unlikely to find a vet who does not recommend it, especially for cats who are susceptible to allergies, are at risk of developing chronic conditions, and more at risk of accident/injury.
What are reimbursement rates, limits, and deductibles in pet insurance?
A reimbursement rate is the percentage of a bill you’ll be reimbursed for under a policy by your provider. They’re typically anywhere between 70-100%. Limits are simply the maximum amount you can claim on vet bills per year, and deductibles are the amount you must pay in order to start claiming on your policy.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Yes! While it is tempting to avoid the monthly costs when pets are young and healthy, you never know what the future holds and it’s better to be safe than sorry. It can also save you thousands as your pet gets older.
Do I need insurance for kittens?
All pets should have pet insurance. Whilst cats are more likely to have health problems in old age, kittens can be accident-prone as they explore their new world and you can usually save on pet insurance by enrolling when your pet is still young.
How to save on pet insurance?
In addition to enrolling pets young, some providers also give discounts on bills when you agree to make annual payments instead of monthly payments, and others offer discounts for multiple pets.
Final Thoughts
Over 2 million dogs and cats have pet insurance in the United States! If you’re considering adding your cat to the list, read through our recommendations with care. When picking out the best pet insurance plan for you, consider your cat’s needs and vulnerabilities and whether they’re a good match with what’s covered – and excluded – by the policy, as well as the costs, convenience, and extra perks for you!
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