Best Cat Insurance

Pumpkin, ASPCA and Pets Best are my top picks for cat insurance, but which one fits best depends on your cat's profile and your budget.

MoneyGeek's provider network can help you compare top pet insurance options for cats below.

Written by Ritchel Mendiola

Updated: August 19, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Pumpkin, on the strength of its top-ranked customer experience combined with a competitive $19 a month average rate, scores 4.75 out of 5, the highest of the three.

The right cat insurance covers the accidents and illnesses your cat is actually likely to have, charges premiums that fit your budget and delivers efficient service when you need to file a claim.

Cat insurance is worth it if your cat doesn't already have pre-existing conditions that would be excluded from coverage. If your cat has ongoing medical conditions that would be excluded anyway, or you have enough savings to cover a large vet bill yourself, paying out of pocket may work out better.

To find the right provider, talk to your veterinarian about your cat's medical history and its breed- or age-related health risks. Compare providers on coverage and customer reviews, then get quotes using the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit across each one so the comparison is fair.

Best Pet Insurance Companies for Cats

No single pet insurance policy is the best fit for every cat. A Maine Coon owner may want a shorter orthopedic waiting period and a high annual limit to manage the hip dysplasia this breed is prone to as it ages, while a Persian kitten owner is better served by a base plan that covers hereditary and congenital conditions from the start, since brachycephalic breathing issues tend to show up early.

I analyzed MoneyGeek's data and found the three best pet insurance companies for cats based on their overall performance across affordability, customer experience and coverage.


Pumpkin	4.75	$19	Best Pet Insurance for Cats Overall
ASPCA	4.67	$18	Best Cheap Pet Insurance for Cats
Pets Best	4.53	$23	Best Cat Insurance for Direct Vet Payment

The overall score blends affordability, service and coverage, so it won't always point to the right fit: I'd lean toward ASPCA if cost matters most, Pumpkin if fast, reliable claims service matters most, and Pets Best if you want the vet paid directly instead of covering the bill yourself upfront.

We evaluated affordability, customer experience and coverage across 18 major pet insurers using more than 67,000 cat profiles, covering mixed breeds and purebreds in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Every provider was compared against the same base profile: a 7-year-old Ragdoll with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate, so the comparisons stay apples-to-apples.

We compared pricing across breeds and locations, tracked customer experience from enrollment through claims and scored coverage quality specifically for cat-related health risks. Affordability counts for 50% of the overall score, customer experience for 30% and coverage options and terms for 20%.

See the full methodology for the complete metric breakdown and scoring approach.

Pumpkin

Best Cat Insurance Overall

As my pick for the best cat insurance overall, Pumpkin outperforms for customer experience. It provides an efficient enrollment process with clear pricing upfront, helpful support for policy management tasks, consistently fair claim approvals and fast reimbursements, so cat owners can spend less time navigating paperwork and more time focusing on their cat's treatment and recovery.

Pumpkin also offers base coverage inclusions like exam fees, prescription medications, hereditary conditions, behavioral issues and alternative therapies that some insurers exclude or require add-ons for, allowing you to access comprehensive care without having to pay more. However, it has fewer coverage options than competitors, which limits your flexibility for customizing your policy according to your budget.

Learn more: Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review

Cat owners looking for the best customer experience: Pumpkin secures the top spot for customer experience in my analysis, providing service that's smooth and efficient from buying coverage to managing policies and submitting claims.

Those who want a broad base plan: Pumpkin's base coverage includes exam fees, prescription medications, hereditary conditions and alternative treatments, helping cat owners avoid coverage gaps for treatments that are commonly needed throughout a cat's lifetime.

Owners of cats prone to orthopedic conditions: Pumpkin only requires a 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions, which is ideal for breeds like Maine Coons, Persian cats and Himalayan cats that have a high risk for hip dysplasia due to their large size.
Owners of outdoor cats: Because Pumpkin's waiting period for accidents is 14 days, it may not be ideal for outdoor cats that have a higher risk of injuries from vehicle accidents, falls or animal attacks before coverage takes effect. Pets Best is the better option.

Cat owners who want flexibility for customizing policies: Pumpkin only offers two reimbursement rates, four deductibles and four annual limits, so you don't have as much flexibility to tailor your policy based on your financial situation. ASPCA is the stronger alternative.

Pumpkin's coverage ranks 13th overall because of limited options for deductibles, annual limits and reimbursements to balance premiums with out-of-pocket costs. That said, its base plan is broad enough that cat owners are covered for veterinary exams, prescription medications, hereditary conditions and alternative therapies without having to purchase add-ons.


Annual limits	$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, Unlimited
Deductibles	$100, $250, $500, $1,000
Reimbursement rates	80% or 90%
Waiting periods	14 days for accidents, illnesses and ligament or knee conditions
Core coverages	Surgery and hospitalization, cancer treatment, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral problems, chronic conditions, veterinary exams, diagnostic imaging, prescription pet food, prescription medications, tooth extractions due to accident, dental illness, alternative therapy, end of life expenses
Optional add-ons	Wellness Club: Provides coverage for wellness exams, vaccinations, fecal tests and spay/neuter procedures depending on the tier.
Pre-existing condition terms	Curable conditions may be eligible for coverage after 180 symptom-free days

Pumpkin's pet insurance for cats costs an average of $19 per month, which is 42% lower than the national benchmark. Pumpkin also consistently ranks among the top three most affordable providers for all cat ages, with average savings from 32% to 58%.


Under 1	$12	$139
1	$12	$139
2	$12	$139
3	$12	$139
4	$14	$161
5	$12	$139
6	$17	$193
7	$19	$225
8	$21	$246
9	$25	$289
10	$30	$353
11	$37	$438
12	$41	$492
13	$46	$545
14	$50	$599
15	$53	$631
16	$55	$652
17	$55	$652
18	$55	$652
19	$55	$652
20	$55	$652

Pumpkin leads for customer experience overall, ranking first for buying, policy management and claims, so you can expect service that's fast and seamless, whether you're purchasing a policy, managing your account or filing a claim.


Buying	Overall	4.95	1
Buying	Onboarding	4.96	1
Buying	Price Transparency	4.91	1
Buying	Sales Support	4.99	1
Claims	Appeals	5.00	2
Claims	Overall	4.95	1
Claims	Claims Fairness	5.00	2
Claims	Claims Speed	4.82	2
Claims	Submission Ease	4.98	1
Policy Management	Account Servicing	5.00	2
Policy Management	Admin Support	4.93	5
Policy Management	App UX	4.93	3
Policy Management	Billing & Renewals	4.56	1
Policy Management	Overall	4.86	1

ASPCA

Best Cheap Cat Insurance

ASPCA is my pick if you want the best pet insurance for cats without sacrificing affordability. It averages $18 monthly, which translates to 44% savings against the national average. The insurer also offers broad coverage without requiring add-ons that increase premiums, covering veterinary exams, hereditary conditions, dental illness, physical therapy and alternative treatments on top of accidents and illnesses.

Additionally, ASPCA offers a wide range of coverage options, so it’s easier to build a policy that aligns with your expected vet costs and what you can afford out of pocket. However, it has bottom tier customer service that can run into issues, particularly around claims, which may result in longer reimbursement times, additional follow-up and more effort when seeking payment for eligible vet expenses.

Learn more: ASPCA Pet Insurance Review

Cat owners focused primarily on cost: At $18 per month on average, ASPCA is the lowest-cost option for cat insurance, providing savings of 44% compared to the national average.

Those looking for more coverage options: ASPCA offers three reimbursement rates, four deductibles and six annual limits, giving cat owners greater flexibility to adjust their coverage as their financial priorities and cat's medical needs change over time.

Owners who want broad dental coverage: ASPCA's base plan covers treatment for covered dental illnesses and injuries, including medically necessary tooth extractions and dental cleanings when they're performed to treat a covered condition.
Those who want immediate accident coverage: ASPCA imposes a 14-day waiting period for accident coverage, which may not be ideal for cats that frequently go outdoors, climb over high places or interact with other animals, as these activities increase their risk of accidental injuries before coverage begins. Pets Best is the stronger option.

Cat owners looking for a smooth claims experience: ASPCA falls to 16th place for customer experience, with claims as one of its weakest areas, so you may need to spend more time following up on claim decisions and resolving payment issues. Pumpkin is the better alternative here.

ASPCA ranks third for coverage overall, reflecting broad base inclusions like behavioral treatments, alternative therapy, prescription pet food and dental illness. It also has a wide range of deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates for customizing your policy based on your financial situation and your cat's health needs. That said, ASPCA requires a waiting period of 14 days before accident coverage takes effect, which may be too long for curious or outdoor cats.


Annual limits	$2,500, $3,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Deductibles	$100, $250, $500, $750
Reimbursement rates	70%, 80%, 90%
Waiting periods	14 days for accidents, illnesses and ligament or knee conditions
Core coverages	Veterinary exams, surgery and hospitalization, diagnostic testing, IV fluids and medications, cancer treatments, behavioral problems, prescription medications, tooth extractions due to accident, dental illnesses, alternative therapy, prescription pet food, end of life expenses
Optional add-ons	Wellness plans: Covers wellness exams, routine vaccines, dental cleaning, heartworm testing, deworming, spay/neuter procedures, urinalysis and health certificates based on the tier.
Pre-existing condition terms	Curable conditions may qualify for coverage after 180 symptom-free days

ASPCA leads for affordability in my analysis, ranking first out of 18 and providing 44% savings compared to the national average at $18 per month. While rates generally increase as cats age, the company remains the cheapest option through almost every life stage, with savings between 35% and 53%.


Under 1	$11	$133
1	$11	$133
2	$11	$133
3	$11	$133
4	$13	$153
5	$13	$153
6	$15	$184
7	$18	$215
8	$20	$245
9	$23	$276
10	$28	$337
11	$35	$419
12	$40	$481
13	$43	$522
14	$48	$573
15	$50	$603
16	$53	$634
17	$53	$634
18	$53	$634
19	$53	$634
20	$53	$634

Customer experience is ASPCA's weakest area, ranking 16th out of 18 overall. Its claims service, in particular, lands in the bottom half of my analysis, so expect the submission and reimbursement process to be less seamless compared to higher-ranked competitors.


Buying	Overall	4.35	16
Buying	Onboarding	4.33	15
Buying	Price Transparency	4.22	16
Buying	Sales Support	4.50	13
Claims	Appeals	4.33	15
Claims	Overall	4.34	15
Claims	Claims Fairness	4.56	13
Claims	Claims Speed	4.26	13
Claims	Submission Ease	4.09	15
Policy Management	Account Servicing	4.78	15
Policy Management	Admin Support	4.53	14
Policy Management	App UX	4.13	18
Policy Management	Billing & Renewals	3.61	18
Policy Management	Overall	4.31	16

Pets Best

Best Cat Insurance for Direct Vet Payment

Pets Best is my pick for direct vet payment. Its Vet Direct Pay feature pays licensed vets directly for covered claims, cutting what you owe upfront when your cat needs expensive treatment or emergency care. It also has the shortest accident waiting period of my three picks, zero to three days, which matters most for an outdoor or highly active cat with a higher injury risk.

But exam fees and physical therapy require optional add-ons, so budget separately for those or expect a higher premium for fuller coverage. Customer service is also weaker here, which can mean more friction submitting claims, waiting on reimbursement, changing your policy or reaching a responsive agent.

Learn more: Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

People who want to reduce their upfront expenses at the vet: With Vet Direct Pay, you only cover your deductible, co-insurance and non-covered items at checkout, since Pets Best pays the vet directly once you submit a completed claim with a signed veterinarian release form.

Owners whose cats have a high risk of getting injured: Pets Best's accident waiting period runs zero to three days depending on your state, which matters most if your cat goes outdoors, climbs often or lives somewhere falls, vehicle accidents or animal encounters are more likely.

Cat owners who want the option to waive waiting periods: Pets Best can waive its orthopedic waiting period with a physical exam, so owners of breeds prone to knee or ligament disorders, like Scottish Folds and Abyssinians, can get coverage sooner.
Cat owners who want exam fees and physical therapy covered in the base plan: Pets Best excludes both, including chiropractic care and therapeutic exercises, unless you add them on, which raises your premium. Pumpkin or ASPCA is the better alternative.

Those looking for top-tier customer service: Pets Best is weaker on customer experience, with notable pain points around policy management and claims, so expect possible delays with reimbursement or coverage changes. Pumpkin is the better option.

Pets Best has a base plan that covers hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral conditions and prescription medications at no extra cost. It also has the shortest accident waiting period among my picks, zero to three days depending on your state. Pets Best ranks first for coverage.

The orthopedic waiting period is 30 days to six months, but you can waive it with a physical exam to get coverage in place sooner if your cat is prone to knee or ligament conditions. The tradeoff is that exam fees and physical therapy require add-ons, raising out-of-pocket costs for a cat that needs ongoing monitoring or rehabilitation.


Annual limits	$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Deductibles	$100, $200, $250, $500, $1000
Reimbursement rates	70%, 80%, 90%
Waiting periods	0 to 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 30 days to 6 months for orthopedic conditions
Core coverages	Veterinary treatment, diagnostic tests, surgery and hospitalization, outpatient care, medications (in-clinic), emergency care, cancer treatment, chronic disease management, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral conditions
Optional add-ons	Wellness plans: Covers wellness exams, vaccinations, blood work, fecal exams, urinalysis, heartworm tests, deworming, spaying/neutering and teeth cleaning based on tier. Exam fees: Reimburses the cost of vet exam fees associated with diagnosing an accident or illness. Physical therapy: Extends coverage to rehabilitation, acupuncture and chiropractic care related to a covered condition.
Pre-existing condition terms	Curable pre-existing conditions may be eligible for coverage if cured and no further treatment is needed

Pets Best costs $23 a month on average, a 27% savings against the national benchmark. It ranks third for affordability. It stays competitive for kittens and young adult cats, but the savings shrink in middle age as premiums rise more sharply.


Under 1	$13	$145
1	$12	$136
2	$12	$136
3	$12	$136
4	$13	$145
5	$16	$184
6	$19	$223
7	$24	$281
8	$29	$348
9	$35	$416
10	$46	$541
11	$51	$609
12	$56	$667
13	$56	$667
14	$56	$667
15	$56	$667
16	$56	$667
17	$56	$667
18	$56	$667
19	$56	$667
20	$56	$667

Pets Best has weaker service across buying, policy management and claims, so it ranks 14th for customer experience. Claim submission ease is its weakest point, which can make it harder to file quickly or resolve issues when your cat needs ongoing or emergency treatment.


Buying	Overall	4.46	13
Buying	Onboarding	4.28	17
Buying	Price Transparency	4.59	8
Buying	Sales Support	4.48	15
Claims	Appeals	4.84	8
Claims	Overall	4.35	14
Claims	Claims Fairness	4.50	14
Claims	Claims Speed	4.05	15
Claims	Submission Ease	4.00	18
Policy Management	Account Servicing	4.84	13
Policy Management	Admin Support	4.52	15
Policy Management	App UX	4.22	15
Policy Management	Billing & Renewals	3.93	9
Policy Management	Overall	4.43	14

What to Assess When Deciding Your Best Cat Insurance Fit

Details in waiting periods, coverage inclusions and enrollment eligibility decide whether your cat's specific condition actually gets covered, because most pet insurers offer similar accident and illness plans on the surface. Compare these policy terms before choosing a provider, since they have the biggest impact on your coverage long-term.


Enrollment eligibility	Determines whether your cat can enroll for coverage in its current age.	No upper age enrollment limit and a minimum enrollment age of 6 to 8 weeks so you can insure kittens early and senior cats later in life.	Having upper age limits or offering accident-only plans that prevent older cats from enrolling or getting comprehensive coverage.
Pre-existing condition rules	Defines whether illnesses or injuries that showed symptoms before enrollment or during waiting periods affect future coverage.	A definition that applies only to the diagnosed condition while continuing to cover new, unrelated illnesses your cat develops later.	Broad definitions that allow the insurer to deny unrelated future claims because your cat has a pre-existing condition.
Curable condition terms	Determines whether certain pre-existing conditions can become eligible for coverage again after a specified symptom- and treatment-free period.	A short symptom- and treatment-free period, ideally 180 days, before curable conditions are eligible for coverage.	Permanent exclusions for conditions that could reasonably resolve with treatment.
Waiting periods	How long you must wait after enrollment before different types of coverage take effect.	Accident waiting periods between zero and three days, illness waiting periods of 14 days or less and orthopedic waiting periods below 12 months.	Long waiting periods for accidents and illnesses or extended orthopedic waiting periods without a waiver option.
Cancer coverage	Covers the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that commonly affect cats, such as lymphoma or mammary tumors.	Coverage for diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and prescription medications with high or unlimited annual limits.	Disease-specific exclusions, treatment caps or exclusions for advanced cancer therapies.
Chronic conditions coverage	Covers lifelong diseases that require ongoing monitoring and treatment throughout your cat's life.	Continued coverage for conditions such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism without annual requalification.	Policies that stop covering chronic conditions after the first policy term or have per-condition caps.
Hereditary conditions coverage	Covers inherited diseases that certain cat breeds are genetically predisposed to develop.	Standard coverage for hereditary conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease) in Maine Coons or polycystic kidney disease in Persians.	Policies that exclude hereditary and congenital conditions or require costly add-ons.
Dental illness coverage	Covers diseases affecting your cat's teeth and gums rather than only accidental dental injuries.	Coverage for periodontal disease, gingivitis, tooth resorption and medically necessary tooth extractions included in the base plan.	Coverage limited to dental accidents or exclusions for common dental illnesses.
Alternative therapy coverage	Covers veterinarian-prescribed therapies that support recovery from surgery, injury or chronic pain.	Benefits for treatments such as acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy or physical rehabilitation following orthopedic surgery or mobility-related conditions.	Exclusions for alternative therapies or coverage only available through expensive optional add-ons.
Claims and record review process	Explains how claims are submitted, reviewed and reimbursed, as well as how medical records are evaluated.	A straightforward claims process with transparent medical record reviews and clear explanations when additional documentation is required.	Extensive medical record reviews that frequently delay claims or vague claim decisions without clear justification.

Is Cat Insurance Worth it?

Whether cat insurance is worth it depends on your cat's age, breed and existing medical history. The fewer health conditions your cat has going into enrollment, the broader your eventual coverage tends to be, since most policies exclude pre-existing conditions while still covering eligible illnesses and accidents that develop later.

Getting cat insurance is worth it if:

You have a healthy kitten with no symptoms or diagnosed conditions yet.
You have a purebred cat with a high likelihood of developing hereditary conditions, like hip dysplasia in Himalayan cats.
You have a senior cat with few or no pre-existing conditions and want coverage in place before age-related issues like chronic kidney disease or hyperthyroidism show up.
You have an indoor or outdoor cat at high risk for injuries, bite wounds, poisoning or other emergencies.
You couldn't comfortably pay an unexpected vet bill out of pocket.

Best Cat Insurance Buying Checklist

This checklist, plus the downloadable PDF version, covers identifying your cat's health risks, comparing coverage terms and getting quotes. Check off each step as you narrow down your options.

Download: Cat Insurance Buying Checklist

Identify your cat's specific health risks
Schedule a routine vet visit and ask which illnesses or injuries your cat is most likely to develop based on its breed, age, lifestyle and medical history, including hereditary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, dental disease or outdoor injury risk, and note anything that might need lifelong treatment. Knowing these risks up front lets you prioritize insurers with strong coverage for those specific conditions instead of paying for benefits you're unlikely to use.
Determine how much coverage you need
Decide whether an accident-only policy covers enough, or whether your cat needs a full accident and illness policy that also covers disease. Then figure out how much you can pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in, what percentage of vet bills you want reimbursed and the maximum annual payout you'd need if your cat develops a serious or chronic condition.

Use MoneyGeek's pet insurance coverage needs calculator for a baseline recommendation on annual limit, reimbursement rate and deductible, then adjust based on what you could actually afford if your cat needed major treatment.
Research pet insurance providers
Shortlist insurers that offer comprehensive cat coverage, then review each one's sample policy. Pay attention to waiting periods, hereditary condition coverage, dental illness coverage, chronic condition coverage, pre-existing condition rules and age-based enrollment restrictions.
Read customer reviews
Check Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau and Reddit communities like r/pets, r/cats and r/petinsurancereviews for how each insurer performs after enrollment. Focus on claims reviews specifically: reimbursement speed, claim approvals, customer support and how the insurer handles chronic or hereditary condition treatment. Patterns across multiple platforms tell you more than any single review.
Get quotes
Collect quotes using the same annual limit, reimbursement percentage and deductible across every insurer so you're comparing equivalent coverage. Check whether prescription medications, dental illness, exam fees or alternative therapies are included in the base policy or need a rider, especially where competitors include them standard. Comparing quotes this way shows you which policy actually delivers the most value for your cat.

Best Cat Insurance: Bottom Line

Pumpkin, ASPCA and Pets Best are my top recommendations, but the right choice depends on your cat's specific health needs and your budget. Review how each provider handles hereditary and chronic condition coverage, waiting periods, enrollment eligibility and claims, then weigh those against price and customer service before enrolling.

Best Pet Insurance for Cats: Next Steps

Narrow your options to one to three providers, then confirm pricing and availability using the same policy terms across your cat's breed, age and location. Quotes are the only reliable way to see which insurer actually delivers the best mix of affordable premiums, dependable service and coverage for your cat's specific health needs.

If cost is your primary concern

If you're still working out the right coverage level

If you're ready to request quotes

About Ritchel Mendiola

Ritchel Mendiola is a Pet Insurance Content Writer at MoneyGeek. She produces coverage guides, provider comparisons and cost analyses so pet owners can understand their options and avoid overpaying.

Ritchel spent over four years as a News and Feature Writer at Asian Journal Publications, where she reported for the Asian Journal newspaper and Balikbayan Magazine, conducted interviews and covered media events. At MoneyGeek, she covers policy terms, exclusions, waiting periods and reimbursement structures the way she treated news facts. They're sourced, verified and reported accurately rather than summarized from marketing copy.

She joined MoneyGeek in late 2021 in the loans vertical and moved to pet insurance content, which she now leads. Her published work includes provider comparisons, breed-specific cost guides, age-specific coverage analyses and state-level pricing studies, all from the vertical's 5 million pet insurance profiles across 18 major providers and all U.S. states.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianmendi/

Contact Email: ritchel.mendiola@moneygeek.com

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Best Cat Insurance

Best Pet Insurance Companies for Cats

Pumpkin

Who It Fits Best

Not the Right Fit for

Pumpkin Pet Insurance Coverage Options and Terms

Pumpkin Pet Insurance Affordability

Pumpkin Pet Insurance Customer Experience

ASPCA

Who It Fits Best

Not the Right Fit for

ASPCA Pet Insurance Coverage Options and Terms

ASPCA Pet Insurance Affordability

ASPCA Pet Insurance Customer Experience

Pets Best

Who It Fits Best

Not the Right Fit for

Pets Best Pet Insurance Coverage Options and Terms

Pets Best Pet Insurance Affordability

Pets Best Pet Insurance Customer Experience

What to Assess When Deciding Your Best Cat Insurance Fit

Is Cat Insurance Worth it?

Best Cat Insurance Buying Checklist

Identify your cat's specific health risks

Determine how much coverage you need

Research pet insurance providers

Read customer reviews

Get quotes

Best Cat Insurance: Bottom Line

Best Pet Insurance for Cats: Next Steps

About Ritchel Mendiola