What Does Cat Insurance Cover?
Cat insurance helps cover unexpected veterinary costs, typically reimbursing 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible expenses after your deductible. Spot Pet Insurance plans offer two main plan types for cats: accident-only coverage and extensive accident and illness plans.
Understanding what’s covered helps you choose the right protection for your feline companion.
Accident-Only Coverage
Accident-only cat insurance helps cover injuries and emergencies resulting from unexpected incidents. This is usually the more affordable option, averaging $9.17 per month according to NAPHIA.
What Accident-Only Plans Cover
Broken bones and fractures from falls or impacts
Bite wounds from other animals
Swallowed foreign objects requiring removal
Poisoning and toxic ingestion treatment
Emergency veterinary visits for sudden injuries
Surgery and hospitalization related to accidents
Accident-only coverage can work well for indoor cats with lower illness risk or pet parents seeking basic financial protection.
Accident and Illness Coverage
Extensive accident and illness plans can help cover both unexpected injuries and qualified medical conditions. The average cost is $32.21 per month for cats, according to NAPHIA’s 2025 report—significantly less than the $62.44 average for dogs.
What Accident and Illness Plans Help Cover
Emergency Care
Seizures and neurological emergencies
Poisoning and heatstroke treatment
Severe vomiting and dehydration
Urinary blockages
Diagnostic Services
X-rays and ultrasounds
MRI and CT scans
Blood work and urinalysis
Biopsies and lab tests
Treatments and Medications
Prescription medications
Surgery and anesthesia
Hospital stays and overnight care
Bandages and medical supplies
Chronic and Ongoing Conditions
Diabetes management
Kidney disease treatment
Cancer therapies
Hyperthyroidism care
What Cat Insurance Does Not Cover
Standard cat insurance policies exclude certain conditions and treatments. Understanding these exclusions helps set realistic expectations.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Conditions that exist before coverage begins or develop during the waiting period are usually not covered. This includes:
Symptoms documented in veterinary records before enrollment
Conditions developing during a coverage waiting period
Chronic conditions diagnosed or noted before policy activation
Note: Spot Pet Insurance plans may provide coverage for curable pre-existing conditions if your cat remains symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days.
Routine and Preventive Care
Standard accident and illness plans exclude:
Annual wellness exams
Routine vaccinations
Dental cleanings (preventive)
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Spaying and neutering
Solution: Spot offers optional wellness add-ons starting at $9.95/month to help cover the eligible costs of routine preventive services.
Other Common Exclusions
Pregnancy and breeding expenses
Cosmetic procedures (declawing, ear cropping)
Pre-existing hereditary conditions
Behavioral therapy (varies by plan)
Experimental treatments
Optional Wellness Add-Ons
Spot Pet Insurance offers wellness add-ons that help cover the eligible costs of preventive care not included in standard plans. These help maintain your cat's health while providing predictable reimbursements.
What Spot's Platinum Wellness Coverage Option Includes
Annual wellness exams
Core vaccinations (rabies, FVRCP)
Dental cleanings
Spaying or neutering
Routine blood work and urinalysis
Fecal testing
Preventive care helps catch health issues early, potentially avoiding costly treatments later. The AVMA recommends regular veterinary visits as essential for pet health maintenance.
How to Choose the Right Cat Insurance Plan
Selecting cat insurance depends on your cat's needs, your budget, and your risk tolerance.
Consider These Factors
Your cat’s age and health history - Enrolling your cat while young can help lock in lower premiums before age-related rate increases
Indoor vs. outdoor lifestyle - Outdoor cats may face more accident risks
Budget for monthly premiums - Balance coverage level with affordability
Deductible preferences - Choosing a higher deductible can lower the monthly premium
Reimbursement rate needs - 70%, 80%, or 90% options available
Why Cat Insurance Costs Less Than Dog Insurance
Cats generally have lower insurance premiums than dogs because they usually:
Live primarily indoors, reducing accident risk
Have different veterinary care patterns than dogs
According to NAPHIA, the average annual cat insurance premium is $386.47 compared to $749.29 for dogs.
Cat Insurance Market Statistics
Despite the benefits of coverage, cat insurance adoption remains low. Key statistics from NAPHIA's 2025 State of the Industry Report:
Only 2.04% of U.S. cats have insurance coverage
Cats represent 23.5% of all insured pets
6.4 million pets were insured in the U.S. by the end of 2024
The pet insurance market grew 21.4% year-over-year
Rising veterinary costs can make cat insurance increasingly valuable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports veterinary services increased 6.1% between June 2024 and June 2025—more than double the overall inflation rate.
How Spot Pet Insurance Works for Cats
Spot Pet Insurance plans offer flexible coverage options for cats of all ages and breeds.
Coverage Features
Reimbursement rates: Choose 70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual limits: Options from $2,500 to unlimited
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, or $750 annual deductibles
No network restrictions: Visit any licensed veterinarian
24/7 telehealth: Access to pet health experts anytime
Filing a Claim
Visit any licensed veterinarian for treatment
Pay the vet directly at the time of service
Submit your claim online or through the Spot app
Receive reimbursement for covered expenses based on your plan terms
Key Takeaways
Cat insurance can cover accidents, illnesses, emergency care, surgeries, and prescription medications—with optional wellness add-ons for routine care
Average cost: $32.21/month for accident and illness coverage; $9.17/month for accident-only plans, according to NAPHIA's 2025 State of the Industry Report
Common exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, routine dental cleanings, pregnancy, and elective procedures
Only 2% of cats in the U.S. have pet insurance coverage, despite rising veterinary costs
Creative manager by day, pet enthusiast all the time! After 19 years with my dog (hopefully he wins the award for oldest pet in the world), I enjoy spending my days brainstorming tail-wagging content, and sniffing out the latest trends in the pet world.
North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "2025 State of the Industry Report." NAPHIA. https://naphia.org/news/naphia-news/soi-report-2025/
American Veterinary Medical Association. "Pet Health Insurance Policy." AVMA. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/pet-health-insurance
American Veterinary Medical Association. "U.S. Pet Insurance Industry Surpasses $4.7B in 2024." AVMA News. https://www.avma.org/news/us-pet-insurance-industry-surpasses-4b-2024
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Consumer Price Index - Veterinary Services." BLS. https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
