The average cost of cat insurance in the US is $32(3). However, it can depend on multiple factors. We believe the real question that you have is – Is Cat Insurance Worth it?
Owning a cat is like living with a tiny, unpredictable dictator who demands food at all hours, knocks things off shelves for sport, and somehow always lands on their feet irrespective of the height and the angle — until they don’t.
While cats do sometimes make us believe that they are invincible, they apparently do not have nine lives. And when they get affected by an injury or an illness, the vet bills can hit harder than their judgmental stare when you dare to pet them wrong. This is when insurance comes in handy.
We will cover different aspects of cat insurance so that you can make an informed decision before buying one and justify whether it is worth it. Starting with –
Types of Pet Insurance Coverage
Accident-only – This kind of plan only covers accidental injuries such as bone fractures or external wounds, or emergency treatments resulting from an unexpected accident. It does not cover any type of illness, pre-existing conditions, or routine care.
Accidents and illnesses – This is popularly known as a more comprehensive plan that can cover the costs of injuries arising from an accident and many different kinds of unexpected illnesses. Depending on the provider, it may also cover behavioral problems, dental illnesses, prescription medications, and supplements.
Preventive care – This is more like an add-on option that many insurers offer. Depending on the insurer, it may help cover the cost of routine care services like annual exams, vaccinations, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, dental cleanings, fecal tests, urinalysis, and spay/neuter surgeries.
How Much Does Cat Insurance Cost on Average?
Pet insurance usually costs less for cats than for dogs. Here are the average costs depending on the type of coverage –
Accident only - $10 per month(3)
Accident and illness - $32 per month(3)
The cost can also vary depending on the breed, as some breeds have a predisposition to certain illnesses. Here are some average insurance costs for some popular cat breeds(4) –
Breed | Accident and Illness | Accident, Illness, and Wellness |
|---|---|---|
$27 | $43 | |
$31 | $47 | |
$30 | $46 | |
$28 | $44 | |
$29 | $45 | |
$27 | $43 | |
$29 | $45 | |
$27 | $43 | |
$31 | $47 | |
Mixed-Breed | $24 | $30 |
Now, these are not the most accurate estimates, but they should help give you an idea about how much you might expect to spend on insurance if you have one of these breeds.
Breeds like Exotic, Bombay, Siberian, etc., are usually cheaper to insure. Maine Coons, Persians, Sphynxes, etc. are usually more expensive.
Factors that Influence the Cost of Insurance for Cats
Apart from the already discussed coverage type and the breed, there are some other factors that can affect the cost of insurance for your cat. These include –
Age – The lower their age, the lower is the cost of insurance typically.
Location – The place where you live generally influences the vet costs in that area. Hence, the more premium the area, the higher the insurance premium usually is.
Pre-existing conditions – A cat with a history of medical conditions will be costlier to insure. Most providers will not cover pre-existing conditions. They will likely reject any condition that arises from a pre-existing condition.(This is why it’s usually better to get a cat insured at a young age when they are healthy and less likely to have developed a pre-existing condition.)
Deductible and reimbursement rates – The higher the deductible on a cat insurance policy, the lower the monthly premium usually is. A higher reimbursement rate, on the other hand, typically results in a higher premium.
For those who don’t know:
Deductible - The amount you must satisfy out of pocket, usually annually, before your insurance plan can start to reimburse any covered costs.
Reimbursement Rate - The percentage of covered vet bill costs your insurance plan will pay you back after you've met your deductible.
So, there is a trade-off here between a higher premium and a lower deductible that you must carefully think about before getting a plan.
Now, one of the most important questions that you probably have -
Is Pet Insurance Worth It for Cats?
The answer depends and is theoretically a comparison between the total premium cost and the potential cost of vet bills for your cat. Here are some average vet bill costs for a cat –
Routine vet visits can cost you anywhere between $25 - $186(2), depending on the location and the type of facility you use. If your cat is diagnosed with an illness, the treatment costs can be much higher. Here are some average costs for common illnesses found in cats(2) –
UTI or Urinary tract infection - $295
Ear infection - $1149
Eye infection - $115
Skin infection - $175
Respiratory issues - $219
Stomach upset - $385
Kidney Failure - $485
Diabetes - $276
Since pet insurance also covers unexpected accidents and emergencies, here are some average emergency vet visit costs(1) –
Broken bones - $800 - $1500
X-Rays - $200 - $400
Stomach bloating - $500 - $3000
Toxic substance ingestion - $250 - $5000
Epilepsy or seizures - $500 - $5000
Heatstroke - $1500 - $6000
Electric shock - $500 - $3000
In case your cat needs a big and complex surgery, like a tumor or foreign object removal, the cost can be in the thousands.
You can get up to 90% of these costs reimbursed if you have pet insurance. With a Spot Pet Insurance plan, you can get reimbursed for covered alternative therapies, behavioral issues, diagnostics, and much more.
More about Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans can cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services for an additional cost.
Get a quote today!
With 15 years as a dog and cat parent, my pet articles are a mix of humor and firsthand experience - proof that the best stories often come with paws and purrs.
Precious Pet Care. (2021, August 25). The cost of common dog and cat emergencies. Cats Sitting, Dogs Day Care Services and More. https://www.preciouspetcaresd.com/news/the-cost-of-common-dog-and-cat-emergencies/
5. How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (n.d.). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/.
Schlichter, Sarah . “How Much Is Pet Insurance in 2024?” NerdWallet, 18 Feb. 2025, www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/cost-of-pet-insurance.
Axelton, Karen. “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?” Experian.com, Experian, 6 July 2024, www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-much-does-pet-insurance-cost/.
