Editor's take
Lemonade Pet Insurance offers affordable accident and illness coverage and a variety of customizable plans to suit your cat’s needs. They’re among the few providers that include an option for dental coverage, a valuable feature in pet insurance, and they cover recurring conditions.
With Lemonade’s accident and illness plan, there is no waiting period for covering accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
As an added benefit, you can manage your cat’s policy and file claims through the easy-to-use mobile app. Some users see instant approval and reimbursement for their claims, while others see it within a few days to a week. When it comes to customer service, Lemonade is known for its top-tier support, providing personalized and kind service to its customers.
Add-ons from Lemonade include coverage for preventative care, vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life care and remembrance.
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Editor's take
“We like that MetLife offers cat parents same-day accident coverage for your feline friend, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.
We also think it’s cool how they offer a variety of discounts, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you 诲辞苍’迟 file a claim!
MetLife is available in all 50 states for cat insurance. Their plans can be customized based on what coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement levels you’d like.
With MetLife, you 诲辞苍’迟 need an initial exam to enroll your cat, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan. Although traditional MetLife accident and illness policies 诲辞苍’迟 include wellness exams and dental cleanings, you can opt into their preventative care add-on to get coverage for these things and more.
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Editor's take
With ManyPets cat insurance, every policy comes with unlimited coverage, so you won’t have to worry about exceeding your annual limit or facing large vet bills. Despite offering unlimited coverage, the price remains affordable, making ManyPets an excellent choice for comprehensive cat insurance.
ManyPets also stands out by not charging a sign-up fee, which helps keep costs low from the start, unlike many other insurers.
The plan offered by ManyPets is an accident and illness policy. While they 诲辞苍’迟 have an accident-only option, you can add a wellness package to cover essential preventative care, like vaccinations, at an affordable price.
The standard waiting period for accidents and illnesses is 15 days, but this can be shortened to just 1 day if you’re switching from another provider, making it a good option for cat owners seeking quick coverage.
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Editor's take
Paw Protect stands out as an excellent choice for cat owners due to its comprehensive coverage and affordability. One of its main draws is that it offers customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card that can be used to pay the vet directly, so you have no out-of-pocket expenses when taking your cat or kitten to the vet. Most other providers require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed.
Paw Protect offers an accident & illness plan as well as an optional Wellness plan available as an add-on. Like some other providers, it comes with 24/7 telemedicine coverage which allows you to speak to a vet in case you have an emergency and aren’t sure whether to take your cat in for a visit. It also offers considerable discounts if you have multiple pets (10% off) or are a military member (5% off).
Paw Protect accident and illness plan has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
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Editor's take
We like Pets Best because it offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options. This is great for people on a budget as it allows you to tailor your plan to what you can afford. There is also no age limit for sign-ups, meaning you can purchase coverage for your cat later in life. You’ll also get unlimited access to a 24/7 emergency vet hotline for quick consultations at all hours of the day.
Pets Best offers multiple plans including an Accident-only plan, as well as 3 tiers called Essential, Plus, and Elite. You can also opt for an add-on for wellness / routine care plans for an extra fee which offers good coverage versus other plans on the market.
Pets Best is one of the few providers who can pay the vet directly for you. Simply download the reimbursement release form from their website, have your vet’s office sign and agree to receive payment directly from the provider, and Pet’s Best will handle the rest.
With Pets Best you can expect a waiting period of 3 days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses.
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Editor's take
Embrace Pet Insurance is a go-to for cat owners because of its comprehensive coverage and customizable plans. They offer discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). Embrace offers an accident & illness plan with optional wellness coverage as an add-on to ensure that your cat is covered on all bases. This also includes optional coverage for exam fees and prescription drugs.
Embrace offers lifetime coverage without age restrictions, accommodating cats as they age and develop health issues. In case of an emergency, you’ll also get access to 24/7 virtual assistance via telemedicine calls which can help you diagnose if it’s necessary to rush your cat to an in-person emergency vet. This feature alone could save you hundreds on vet bills, which is another reason we love Embrace.
The company’s reputation for quick reimbursement and excellent customer service adds to its appeal, backed by positive reviews and ratings.
With Embrace’s accident and illness plan you’ll have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
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on Lemonade's secure website
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Are there specific health concerns that should be considered when selecting a cat insurance plan?
We asked Dr. Stephanie Liff, a vet with over 15 years of experience.
“In cats, the most common things that arise are hyperthyroidism, renal insufficiency, periodontal disease, and urinary obstruction in male cats. However, I think that with insurance you 诲辞苍’迟 want to focus on specifics but rather on having coverage for anything illness or accident-related that can occur.” - Dr. Liff, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Doctor Liff recommends opting for a comprehensive accident and illness plan with wide-reaching coverage. These plans can cover things like vet visits, treatments, and surgeries for accidents and illnesses over your cat’s lifetime.
Have a look below at our full list of the top cat insurance providers.
Cat insurance is a specialized policy designed to cover the medical expenses of your feline companion, ensuring they receive the best care without you having to worry about costly vet bills.
The best cat insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage, including accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and even routine care, giving you peace of mind knowing that your pet’s health is protected. Whether you have a playful kitten or a senior cat, finding the best cat insurance is crucial for safeguarding their well-being and your financial security.
Pet insurance for cats works similarly to health insurance for humans by covering a portion of your vet bills when you cat needs medical care.
When you purchase a cat insurance policy, you choose a plan with specific coverage options, deductibles, and reimbursement levels. After a visit to the vet, you submit a claim to your insurance provider, who will then review the expenses and reimburse you based on your plan’s terms. The best cat insurance plans typically cover a wide range of services, from emergency treatments to ongoing care for chronic conditions, making it easier to manage your cat’s health costs.
Most plans require you to pay vet expenses upfront, submit a claim and wait for the insurer to reimburse you. Others pay your vet directly, eliminating the need to file your own claims and wait for reimbursement. Most policies have waiting periods, exclusions and other restrictions, so it’s important to read your plan documents carefully.
The cost of pet insurance for cats varies based on several factors, including your cat's age, breed, health history, and the coverage options you choose. On average, the best cat insurance plans typically range from $10 to $40 per month. However, more comprehensive policies with higher coverage limits and lower deductibles can cost more.
Accident & illness policy
$20 to $50 per month on average.
Accident-only policy
As low as $10 per month.
Wellness policy
$22 per month on average.
Let’s take a closer look at the cost of pet insurance for you cat.
The average cost of an accident and illness policy for cats ranges between $20 and $50 per month. Accident-only coverage may cost as little as $10 per month, and wellness plans have an average monthly cost of $22.
Premiums may be higher for older cats or breeds prone to certain health conditions. When comparing the best cat insurance options, it’s important to balance the monthly premium with the potential out-of-pocket expenses and the level of coverage provided to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.
These five cat breeds are the most expensive to insure due to the high risk of developing serious health problems:
It’s cheaper to insure cat breeds with a lower risk of developing health problems that are expensive to treat.
These cat breeds are the least expensive to insure:
In addition to reading our guide to choosing pet insurance, follow these steps to find the best insurance for your cat:
Some insurers have age limits or other restrictions that exclude your cat from certain policies.
Choosing the right coverage is one of the most important decisions a pet parent can make. Before you compare plans, determine if you want a comprehensive plan, a plan just for accident-related expenses or a wellness plan. Then decide how much coverage you need to make pet insurance worth it for your cat.
Your reimbursement rate and deductible have a big impact on the cost of your policy. Review plan documents carefully to determine how much you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance reimburses you.
Most plans have waiting periods, so be prepared to wait at least 2 weeks before using your coverage. It’s also important to understand exactly what your plan excludes. Otherwise, your insurer may not reimburse a significant portion of your cat’s expenses.
Many companies offer add-ons to ensure that your cat has as much coverage as possible. Before paying for one of these extras, compare how much it costs with how much it’s likely to benefit you and your cat.
When comparing quotes for cat insurance, it’s easy to lean toward the cheapest price. Make sure you are comparing the same plan options between providers to see who is offering the coverage you want at the lowest rate. Use our tool to compare cat insurance quotes and simplify this step
As with dog insurance, the amount of coverage available depends on whether you purchase an accident-only plan or a comprehensive accident-and-illness policy. Some pet insurance companies also offer wellness insurance or optional add-ons.
We’ll take a quick look at the types of coverage below. For more in-depth information, check out our guide on what pet insurance covers.
Accident-only coverage is just what it sounds like: pet insurance that only covers expenses associated with accidental injuries. For example, if your cat accidentally gets out of the house and has a harrowing encounter with a stray dog, pet insurance will cover the cost of treatment.
Accident-and-illness plans provide coverage for a much broader range of veterinary services. It covers veterinary expenses associated with covered illnesses, accidents, and sometimes even dental coverage. Because this type of pet insurance is so comprehensive, it’s often called “nose-to-tail” coverage. If your cat came down with an upper respiratory infection, treatment would be covered under an accident and illness plan.
Several pet insurance companies offer wellness plans, which are designed to cover preventive care and other routine expenses. If you purchase one of these pet insurance plans, it may cover exam fees, dental cleanings, cat vaccination costs and spaying or neutering.
Pet insurance companies typically exclude these services from their policies:
Cat coverage is worth it if you break even over the life of the policy. Considering how long cats live, that is fully possible.
Breaking even means that you spent the same amount on insurance premiums as you would have spent on vet expenses. It’s even more worth it if you pay less for insurance than you would have paid in vet bills.
You pay $27 per month for a comprehensive policy. Three years in, your cat develops a serious illness requiring emergency treatment. Your vet charges you $3,500 for lab tests, X-rays, medications and surgery. In this scenario, you would have paid just $972 for your cat’s health insurance. If you subtract that from $3,500, having insurance would have saved you $2,528.
That’s well worth the cost of maintaining coverage.
In many cases, it’s worth it to purchase insurance for your cat. Having a policy in place could prevent you from having to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket in the event of a serious illness or accident
Pet parents pay an average of $10 to $50 per month to insure their cats. Remember that your plan may cost more if your cat is older or prone to serious health problems.
Yes, it’s cheaper to insure a kitten than an adult cat. This is because a kitten is less likely to have serious health problems.
Before purchasing a policy, shop around to determine which company offers the most benefits at the lowest cost. For a closer look, check out our guide on finding cheap pet insurance.
Standard insurance plans 诲辞苍’迟 cover spaying or neutering, but these services may be covered by a wellness plan or add-on designed to cover exam fees and other routine veterinary care services.