Best Pet Insurance For Cats

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The best pet insurance for you depends on your cat's breed, age and health history, as well as your financial situation. Use this table to quickly compare my top recommendations.

High-risk cat breeds may be more susceptible to hereditary and congenital conditions, and some cats' curious, active temperaments may also increase their exposure to accidents. I recommend Pumpkin for high-risk cats because its standard accident and illness policy covers hereditary and congenital conditions. This coverage is particularly relevant for Persian cats predisposed to polycystic kidney disease, as well as Maine Coons and Ragdolls at risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Pumpkin’s base plan also covers exam fees, prescription medications, dental illnesses such as periodontal disease, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy. These benefits eliminate the need for separate add-ons to cover eligible vet treatments. Its Pumpkin Now service provides another financial advantage by expediting reimbursement for eligible claims. If your claim qualifies and your bank account supports real-time payments, Pumpkin can deposit the covered amount into your account within 20 minutes, potentially allowing you to use the funds at checkout rather than pay the entire veterinary bill upfront.

Pets Best may be more suitable if avoiding large upfront veterinary expenses is your priority. Its Vet Direct Pay feature can send eligible claim reimbursements directly to licensed veterinarians after you submit a completed claim and signed veterinarian reimbursement release form. The veterinarian receives the approved reimbursement after claim processing, leaving you responsible for your annual deductible, coinsurance and veterinary expenses your policy doesn't cover.

Many moderate-risk cat breeds, including Siamese cats, Cornish Rexes and Tonkinese, are sociable and outgoing. Their high activity levels may also increase their exposure to accidental injuries, particularly when climbing, playing with other animals or exploring their surroundings. Pets Best is my recommendation for moderate-risk cats because its accident waiting period is just zero to three days, depending on where you live. Once this waiting period ends and coverage takes effect, eligible accident-related care may include emergency vet visits, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, surgeries and hospitalizations.

Accidents are difficult to predict and may require costly treatment, making upfront veterinary costs an important consideration when choosing cat insurance. Pets Best offers Vet Direct Pay, which can send approved claim payments directly to licensed vets upon request. This feature can be useful during emergencies, when veterinary care costs more than a regular vet visit because of round-the-clock staffing, advanced equipment and specialty supplies. Direct payment may reduce the amount you need to pay upfront, although you're still responsible for your deductible, coinsurance and veterinary expenses your policy doesn't cover.

ASPCA is an alternative if you prioritize broader base coverage for accidents and illnesses. Its standard plan covers vet exam fees and physical therapies, including rehabilitation and chiropractic care, that Pets Best excludes unless you purchase add-ons. ASPCA also offers direct vet payment, but its process differs in that you’ll need to indicate on your claim form at submission that you want your veterinarian to receive payment directly.

Lower-risk cat breeds tend to have fewer clearly established breed-specific hereditary risks than high-risk breeds with well-documented genetic diseases. However, they can still develop common feline illnesses or experience accidents. Lemonade is my top pick for this risk category because its policies offer great flexibility. You can choose from four deductibles between $100 and $750, four reimbursement rates from 60% to 90%, five annual limit tiers up to $100,000 and six coverage add-ons, allowing you to balance your budget against the level of financial protection you want for veterinary expenses.

Lemonade’s base plan also covers hereditary and congenital conditions your cat may develop. It has no waiting period for accidents, so eligible accident-related care can be covered as soon as the policy takes effect if your cat sustains injuries from swallowing objects, interacting with other animals or playing outside.

Figo is worth considering if you want 100% reimbursement after meeting your deductible. This option is available with a $500 to $750 deductible and a $5,000 to $10,000 annual limit, which may suit your budget if you prefer to pay less for coverage in exchange for a lower maximum benefit. However, a cat’s lower risk of costly inherited conditions doesn’t eliminate the possibility of expensive accidents or illnesses, so consider your budget and ability to cover costs beyond the annual limit when choosing a plan.

Start by talking to your veterinarian about your cat’s health history, existing medical records and potential health risks. Discuss breed-related conditions, age-related illnesses, common accidents, and how your cat’s location, lifestyle and activity level may affect its veterinary needs. 

For example, some cat breeds are more prone to hereditary conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), while outdoor cats may have greater risks of bite wounds, traffic injuries and parasite exposure. Also ask your veterinarian about the common treatments your cat may need for its likely health conditions and accidents, including diagnostic tests, prescription medications, surgery and follow-up care, along with their typical costs.

Choose a cat insurance plan based on your veterinarian’s assessment of your cat’s health risks, likely treatments and expected veterinary costs. Most pet insurance providers offer accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, or accident and illness coverage with a wellness add-on.

• Accident-only coverage: Pays for eligible injuries from unexpected accidents, such as bite wounds, broken bones or foreign object ingestion. It may suit cats with a lower risk of inherited conditions or owners who primarily want financial protection against emergencies at a lower premium.
• Accident and illness coverage: Covers eligible accidental injuries and illnesses, which may include infections, digestive problems, cancer and hereditary conditions, depending on the policy. This option works for cats with breed-related health risks or owners who want broader financial protection against unexpected veterinary bills.
• Accident and illness coverage with wellness: Combines accident and illness coverage with optional wellness benefits for routine care, like vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick prevention, and dental cleanings, depending on the plan. It can be worth considering for owners who want to budget for preventive veterinary care alongside unexpected medical expenses.

Use your veterinarian’s estimates for common treatments and potential emergencies to decide how much you could pay out of pocket and how much financial protection you need. Focus on the following:

• Deductible: The amount you pay for eligible veterinary expenses before your insurer starts reimbursing you. A higher deductible generally lowers your monthly premium but requires you to pay more before insurance starts. Choose a deductible you could comfortably afford if your cat needs vet treatment. For example, if you select a $500 deductible and your cat needs $2,000 in eligible care, you pay the first $500 before reimbursement is calculated on the remaining $1,500.
• Annual limit: The maximum amount your insurer will reimburse for covered veterinary expenses in a policy year. Plans may offer limits ranging from a few thousand dollars to unlimited annual coverage. A lower limit can reduce your premium, but you could have to pay more yourself if your cat needs expensive surgery, cancer treatment or ongoing care. Consider a higher limit if your veterinarian identifies potential health risks that could lead to costly treatment.
• Reimbursement rate: The percentage of eligible veterinary expenses your insurer pays after applying the deductible. A higher reimbursement rate generally costs more in premiums but leaves you responsible for a smaller share of covered expenses.

Shortlist pet insurance providers that offer cat insurance coverage in your state, then review each company's sample policy to understand what it covers, what it excludes and whether your cat qualifies for enrollment. Look closely at the following policy terms:

• Pre-existing conditions: These are illnesses, injuries or symptoms your cat had before its pet insurance coverage began or during a policy's waiting period. Some providers define exclusions narrowly, covering unrelated illnesses even if another condition is excluded. Check whether the insurer excludes only the affected condition or related conditions as well, and whether it considers medical records, previous symptoms, veterinary exams and diagnostic test results when determining eligibility.
• Curable pre-existing conditions: Some insurers may cover certain pre-existing conditions again after a specified period without symptoms, treatment or medication. These are often called curable pre-existing conditions, which can include a resolved respiratory infection, an ear infection, a urinary tract infection or a gastrointestinal illness, depending on the insurer's rules. Look for providers with a clearly defined symptom- and treatment-free period, ideally 180 days. Also check which conditions qualify and whether follow-up tests or veterinary records are required.
• Waiting periods: These are the periods between policy enrollment and when specific benefits become available. Look for accident waiting periods of zero to three days, illness waiting periods of 14 days or less, and orthopedic waiting periods below 12 months. Check whether the insurer also offers a waiver for its waiting periods.
• Cancer treatment: Confirm that the policy covers eligible cancer-related diagnostic tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and prescription medications. Compare annual coverage limit options and exclusions for specific treatments, since cancer care can involve repeated appointments, advanced imaging and ongoing medication.
• Hereditary conditions: Check whether the base accident and illness policy covers inherited conditions and congenital disorders, rather than requiring a separate add-on. For example, Maine Coons are predisposed to HCM, a heart condition, while Persian cats are at increased risk of PKD.
• Dental illnesses: Verify that the base plan covers dental illnesses such as periodontal disease, gingivitis and tooth resorption, including medically necessary tooth extractions. Some insurers cover dental injuries but exclude dental disease or require routine dental care to be current. Also review preventive-care requirements and exclusions for pre-existing dental problems.
• Enrollment restrictions: Find out the minimum and maximum enrollment ages, since some providers restrict new policies for older cats even if they continue covering pets already enrolled. If you have a senior cat or a breed prone to hereditary illnesses, prioritize providers that accept your cat's age and offer coverage for eligible breed-related conditions.

Collect quotes from multiple providers using the same deductible, annual coverage limit and reimbursement rate. These directly affect your premium and out-of-pocket costs, so keeping them identical makes it easier to compare prices and determine which insurer offers the best value for your cat’s coverage needs.

Also, check whether exam fees, prescription medications and alternative therapies are included in the base policy or require optional add-ons. A plan with a lower monthly premium may cost more overall if you need to purchase additional coverage for benefits another insurer includes by default.