Cat Insurance Insights

What Does Cat Insurance Cover?

Fact Checked
Key Points
  • Cat insurance can help cover a wide range of unexpected veterinary costs, including vet fees, emergency care, hospital stays, medications, and diagnostics like X-rays and scans.
  • Pre-existing conditions, routine treatments (dental cleanings, vaccinations), and elective procedures are typically not covered by cat insurance.
  • Cat insurance can help pet parents manage the high costs of unexpected illnesses and injuries, with reimbursement options available, helping provide peace of mind and ensuring your cat can receive the care they need.

Getting insurance for your cat is probably going to be the best gift you can give to them and to yourself. It can help cover almost all kinds of unexpected illnesses and injuries arising from accidents. They can even cover routine care with optional coverage.

You’ll be surprised to know how much Spot Pet Insurance plans can help cover. We’ll get to it in a bit. Before that, we feel it may be interesting for you to understand the importance of insurance for cats and whether it is worth it.

Introduction to Cats

A study says that the first feline-like mammal, called Proailurus, evolved about 30 million years ago. (4) Today, with over 70 recognized breeds, from the fluffy Maine Coon to the sleek Siamese, cats come in all shapes and personalities. On average, they live for about 12-18 years. Some extraordinary ones have even managed to go up to 30 years!

They are known for their parkour abilities. Thanks to their flexible spine and powerful leg muscles, they can jump up to six times their body length in a single leap. (5) If this was not fascinating enough, they even have supernatural hearing abilities. They can detect ultrasonic sounds that even dogs can’t hear. And they have excellent night vision.

There must be a reason why the ancient Egyptians treated them as goddesses!

Cats and Their Health

Cats do have God-like abilities, but unfortunately, they are not immortal. Sorry for bursting your bubble, but cats do not have nine lives. Despite their reputation for being low-maintenance, cats can suffer from health issues like kidney disease, dental problems, obesity, and many more medical issues if not properly cared for.

Sometimes, despite taking very good care of them, there are certain medical conditions that they are prone to during their lifetime. Below are some of the common conditions seen in cats – (3)

  • Chronic Kidney Disease – This occurs due to irreversible, progressive loss of kidney function and is very prevalent in senior cats.

  • Diabetes Mellitus – Non-insulin dependent or Type ll diabetes is common in male cats aged 10-13.

  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – It is like HIV in humans and eventually leads to feline AIDS.

  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – Although preventable through vaccination, it is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats. Affected cats are more prone to cancer, blood disorders and secondary infections.

  • Urinary Tract Disease – Common in middle-aged, overweight, indoor cats, it is seen in the form of blood in urine.

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease – It is the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and can be genetic.

  • Lymphoma – It is cancer of the lymphatic system and among the most commonly detected cancers in cats.

Apart from these, cats can be affected by mast cell tumors, mammary tumors, pancreatitis, periodontal disease and many other conditions. Let’s not forget the injuries caused by accidents on top of it.

The cost of treating some of these may easily go as high as $10,000, including all vet visits, medications, surgery, prescription diets, etc.

Hence, it is important to know if insurance can help covers them or not.

What does Cat Insurance Cover?

There are usually 2 major types of cat insurance plans –

Accident only – It helps cover head-to-tail unexpected accidents and injuries.

Accidents and illnesses – It helps cover all qualified illnesses and related treatment, including things like vet fees, hospital stays, surgeries & medications. Here’s a little detailed version of what it can cover –

  • Vet fees: Includes the cost of diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries

  • Emergency care: Helps cover unexpected illnesses and emergencies like seizures, poisoning, vomiting, heatstroke, etc.

  • Hospital stays: Includes the cost of hospitalization and surgery

  • Medication: Helps cover the cost of prescription medicine and bandages

  • X-rays and scans: Includes the cost of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other diagnostics.

Apart from that, some insurers offer wellness add-ons that can help cover routine vet visits, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc. By choosing a wellness plan for your cat, you can help maintain their overall health and well-being, potentially catching issues early and helping to avoid more serious health problems in the future.

While you’re learning about what cat insurance can cover, it is equally important for you to know what it doesn’t.

What does Cat Insurance Not Cover?

First and foremost, cat insurance will not cover any pre-existing conditions. If your cat already has a medical condition at the time you purchase the plan, the treatment for it will not be covered. Even if the condition develops during the waiting period, which is usually 14 days from the date of purchase, it will not be covered.

Apart from that, below are some things that a cat insurance plan generally does not cover –

Most plans also do not cover certain breeds or elective procedures. However, you may find some insurers that include a few of the above-listed things in their plans.

Spot Pet Insurance is one of them. And it’s not just a few. Plans at Spot Pet help cover almost everything for the unexpected, from hereditary conditions, prescriptive medications, and behavioral issues to microchip implantation, virtual vet visits, alternative therapies, and more.

But is buying Cat Insurance even worth it?

Here are some average costs for common illnesses found in cats – (1)(2)

  • UTI or Urinary tract infection - $295

  • Ear infection - $195

  • Eye infection - $115

  • Skin infection - $175

  • Respiratory issues - $219

  • Stomach upset - $385

  • Kidney disease - $485

  • Diabetes - $276

Don’t forget the cost of diagnostics, emergency vet visits, broken bones, and tens of other conditions that can affect your cat. In total, the treatment cost can easily reach 4 digits.

You can get reimbursed up to 90% of these eligible costs if you have pet insurance!

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 help 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.

Get a quote today!

Article author Juan Salazar

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.

Sources
  1. 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/

  2. 5. How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (n.d.). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/

  3. 25 Most common cat diseases, parasites & health problems. (2023, July 7). https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/pet-care/common-cat-diseases/

  4. Helgren, J. A. (2025, January 30). Cat | Breeds, origins, history, body types, senses, behavior, & heredity. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/cat

  5. Your Amazing Cat: How they Jump High & Run Fast | ARM & HAMMERTM Cat Litter. (n.d.). https://www.armandhammer.com/articles/how-cats-jump-high-run-fast

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