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.
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Description: Spot Pet Insurance plans cover accidents and illnesses along with things many providers treat as extras, including exam fees, prescription food, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, and dental illnesses. There’s also a 24/7 pet telehealth line, more than $2,500 in partner perks and discounts, and a 10% multi-pet discount. |
Description: 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. |
Description: 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. |
Spot Pet Insurance plans cover accidents and illnesses along with things many providers treat as extras, including exam fees, prescription food, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, and dental illnesses. There’s also a 24/7 pet telehealth line, more than $2,500 in partner perks and discounts, and a 10% multi-pet discount.
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.
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.
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.
Our Top Picks for the Best Pet Insurance for Cats
- Best for Customizable Coverage– Spot
- Best for Direct Vet Payments– Trupanion
- Best for Flexible Coverage Options– Embrace
- Best for Unlimited Payouts– Healthy Paws
- Best for Comprehensive Coverage– Fetch
- Best for Multi-Pet Families– MetLife
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 for Customizable Coverage- Spot
Spot offers customizable accident and illness insurance for cats and dogs, with flexible deductibles, reimbursement rates and annual coverage limits. You can choose a more comprehensive plan or stick with accident-only coverage, plus add optional preventive care benefits.
Key features:
- Accident-only and accident & illness plans for cats and dogs
- Use with any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
- Covers eligible accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions
- Coverage for chronic conditions and cancer
- Dental illness and injury coverage under eligible plans
- Exam fees, diagnostics, treatments and prescription medications covered for eligible conditions
- Customizable deductibles, reimbursement percentages and annual limits
- Unlimited annual coverage option
- Optional Gold and Platinum preventive care add-ons
- 24/7 pet telehealth access
What we like: Spot gives pet owners plenty of flexibility when choosing coverage. You can adjust your deductible, reimbursement percentage and annual coverage limit to find a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. We especially like that unlimited annual coverage is available, along with accident-only plans for those who want something more basic.
Their accident and illness coverage is fairly extensive, including eligible hereditary conditions, chronic illnesses, cancer, dental diseases and even behavioral issues. Plus, you can add preventive care benefits to help cover routine expenses like vaccinations, wellness exams and dental cleanings. Spot also offers a 24/7 pet telehealth helpline, which is a nice extra.
What to consider: Like most pet insurance companies, Spot doesn’t cover most pre-existing conditions, although certain curable conditions may become eligible after a symptom-free period. You’ll also need to pay your vet upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. And while the flexibility is great, choosing lower annual limits or higher deductibles to reduce your premium means taking on more financial responsibility if your pet needs expensive treatment.
Spot Pet Insurance plans cover accidents and illnesses along with things many providers treat as extras, including exam fees, prescription food, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, and dental illnesses. There’s also a 24/7 pet telehealth line, more than $2,500 in partner perks and discounts, and a 10% multi-pet discount.
Best for Direct Vet Payments– 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 Flexible Coverage Options- 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.
Best for Unlimited Payouts: Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws offers straightforward accident and illness insurance for cats and dogs, with no annual or lifetime payout limits. Rather than offering multiple tiers of coverage or wellness add-ons, Healthy Paws focuses on helping pet owners manage unexpected veterinary expenses, including expensive treatments for serious illnesses and chronic conditions.
Key features:
- Accident and illness insurance for cats and dogs
- Use with any licensed veterinarian
- No annual or lifetime payout limits
- Covers eligible accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions
- Coverage for cancer, chronic conditions and emergency care
- Covers diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization and prescription medications for eligible conditions
- Alternative treatments, including acupuncture and chiropractic care, may be covered
- Customizable deductibles and reimbursement rates, depending on pet age and location
- Online and mobile app claims submission
- Direct vet payment may be available with advance approval
What we like: Healthy Paws keeps things relatively simple by focusing on accident and illness coverage rather than offering a long list of optional extras. We especially like the option for unlimited annual and lifetime payouts, which can make a huge difference when a cat develops a serious illness that requires ongoing treatment. There’s also coverage for eligible hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions, including cancer.
Claims are another strong point. Healthy Paws says most are processed within two business days, and you can submit everything through their mobile app. They also include unlimited 24/7 virtual veterinary consultations through Airvet. One particularly useful feature is the option to arrange direct payment to your veterinarian for eligible claims, although this requires advance coordination and approval.
What to consider: Healthy Paws doesn’t cover routine preventive care or veterinary examination fees, even when the exam is related to a covered illness. There are no wellness add-ons to fill those gaps, either. Coverage options may also be more limited for older pets, and waiting periods vary depending on your state and the condition being treated.
Healthy Paws offers unlimited lifetime benefits with a fast and hassle-free claims process, with direct deposit reimbursement for quicker payouts. Coverage includes hereditary conditions, alternative therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy, and emergency treatments.
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.
Best for Multi-Pet Families: MetLife
MetLife offers affordable, flexible pet insurance plans for cats and dogs, with options that fit a wide range of budgets and medical needs. You can visit any licensed vet, and their plans include useful coverage for everything from routine care to emergency situations.
Key features:
- Insurance plans for cats & dogs
- Use with any licensed vet
- Covers accidents, illnesses & chronic conditions
- Optional preventive care add-ons
- Includes exam fees, diagnostics, surgeries & medications
- 24/7 virtual vet chat
- Quick claim filing via app or online portal
- Discounts for multi-pet households & military members
What we like: MetLife stands out for its flexible plan options, no age or breed exclusions, and fast online claims system. They cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and even some preventive care if you opt into wellness add-ons. Their 24/7 vet chat service is a great bonus for late-night questions.
We also like their generous discounts—especially for families with multiple pets or those in the military. The ability to customize deductibles and reimbursement rates helps keep premiums affordable while still providing solid coverage.
What to consider: While their plans are customizable, wellness coverage is not included by default and must be added separately, which could increase your monthly cost depending on the options you choose.
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.
Comprehensive, budget-friendly pet insurance for cats and dogs with 24/7 vet chat, fast claims, and customizable coverage you can use with any licensed vet.
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
Choosing the right pet insurance for your cat really comes down to what your kitty needs most. If you want flexible coverage that fits your budget, Spot and Embrace give you plenty of options to customize your plan. For comprehensive protection that goes beyond the basics, Fetch is worth a closer look. Worried about expensive treatments and ongoing medical bills? Healthy Paws offers unlimited payout options, while Trupanion stands out for its ability to pay participating vets directly (which can be a huge relief when you’re facing a hefty bill). And if you’re insuring more than one cat, MetLife offers family plans that make managing coverage for multiple pets a little easier.
Bottom line: whether you’re raising a rambunctious kitten or managing a senior cat’s long-term health, there’s a plan on this list built for your exact scenario—and peace of mind is absolutely worth it.
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