---
title: "Pet Insurance for Cats: Costs, Coverage and Whether It's Worth It"
canonical: "https://www.simplyinsurance.com/pet-insurance-for-cats/"
description: "Cat insurance averaged $435 a year for accident and illness coverage in 2025. See what cats claim for, kitten vs senior costs and how to judge a plan."
silo: "pet"
published: "2026-09-24"
updated: "2026-09-24"
author: "sa-el"
source: "Simply Insurance"
---
Pet insurance for cats cost an average of $435 a year (about $36 a month) for an accident and illness plan in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). That's about half what dog owners paid for the same kind of plan. A cheaper accident-only plan for a cat averaged $112 a year.

Very few cats have it, though. Only 2.29% of the 76.3 million cats in the U.S. were insured in 2025. This guide covers what cat insurance costs, what cats actually get claimed for, how indoor life and age change the picture, how to judge a policy, and how to decide whether it's worth it for your cat.

## How much is cat insurance?

The price depends first on the kind of plan you buy. Here's what the average cat owner paid for each of the three main plan types in 2025, per NAPHIA:

| Plan type | Cats, per year | Cats, per month |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Accident only | $112 | about $9 |
| Accident and illness | $435 | about $36 |
| Accident and illness with wellness built in | $859 | about $72 |

For comparison, dog owners paid $190, $836 and $1,414 for the same three plan types. So a cat's accident and illness plan costs about 52% of a dog's.

Accident-only plans pay for injuries. NAPHIA's own examples are "foreign body ingestion, lacerations, motor vehicle accident, ligament tears, poisoning, etc." Accident and illness plans add sicknesses, which NAPHIA describes as "illnesses such as cancer, infections, digestive problems, etc." That's the plan most people mean when they say cat insurance, and it's the one worth comparing first.

Wellness coverage is for routine care like checkups and vaccines, and you can see it nearly doubles the average premium. Our guide to [whether pet insurance covers spaying and vaccines](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/does-pet-insurance-cover-spaying-and-vaccines/) walks through when that add-on pays for itself.

These are national averages across cats of every age and breed. Your own quote depends on your cat's age and breed, your ZIP code, and the deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit you choose. Our [pet insurance cost guide](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-much-is-pet-insurance/) explains how each of those moves the price.

### How cat insurance prices have changed

Here's the average yearly premium for cats over the last five years:

| Year | Accident and illness | Accident only |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | $370 | $121 |
| 2022 | $387 | $122 |
| 2023 | $383 | $116 |
| 2024 | $386 | $110 |
| 2025 | $435 | $112 |

Accident and illness coverage barely moved for three years, then jumped 12.6% in 2025. It's now about 18% higher than in 2021. Accident-only coverage went the other way, slipping from $121 to $112. Dog accident and illness premiums rose about 34% over the same five years, so cats have been the cheaper side of the market all along.

## How many cats have pet insurance?

Not many. NAPHIA, using the American Veterinary Medical Association's 2025 pet owner survey, counts 76.3 million cats in the U.S. Just 2.29% of them were insured in 2025, or about 1 cat in 44. Dogs were more than twice as likely to be covered, at 5.99%.

Cats are still the smaller slice of insured pets. They made up 25.1% of insured U.S. pets in 2025, against 74.9% for dogs. But that share has grown every year since 2020, so cats are a growing part of the insured pet population.

Low sign-up rates don't mean cats rarely need a vet. Cornell University's Feline Health Center notes that cats with early kidney disease often show no obvious signs, which is one reason problems can go unnoticed until they're further along.

## What cats actually claim for

NAPHIA publishes the conditions its members paid claims for most often. For cats across North America in 2025, the list starts with stomach and digestive problems, dental disease and urinary tract infections. After those come anxiety and behavioral issues, breathing problems, kidney disease, ear infections, hyperthyroidism, vomiting, arthritis, diabetes and eye disorders.

Two things stand out. First, almost everything on that list is an illness, not an accident. An accident-only plan wouldn't pay for any of the top three.

Second, several of them are chronic conditions that tend to show up with age and need care for years:

- Kidney disease. Cornell's Feline Health Center says chronic kidney disease affects up to 40% of cats over 10 and 80% of cats over 15, and that age is the only known risk factor.
- Hyperthyroidism. Cornell calls it a common disease in cats that mostly affects cats middle-aged and older.
- Diabetes. Cornell lists obesity, increasing age, physical inactivity, being male and steroid treatment as the most important risk factors.
- Arthritis and dental disease. Cornell describes both as common in older cats, and dental disease as extremely common.

Dental disease deserves a closer look before you buy. It's one of the top three cat claims, yet the Alabama Department of Insurance warns that not every plan covers dental care that isn't tied to an accident or injury. We go deeper in [does pet insurance cover dental](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/does-pet-insurance-cover-dental/).

### The biggest cat claim of 2025

The largest single cat claim NAPHIA recorded in 2025 was $51,600, for a 4-year-old American Shorthair with cancer. That's an extreme case, and most cats will never come near it. For scale, it's about 119 years of the average 2025 accident and illness premium ($51,600 divided by $435). A bill like that is what cat insurance is really for, and it's why the annual limit on a policy matters.

## Indoor vs. outdoor cats

We couldn't find any published data showing whether an indoor or outdoor lifestyle changes what a cat's insurance costs, so we won't guess at a price difference. What we can do is look at the risks.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), a veterinary group, says an indoor-only life avoids the risks that come with the outdoors. For cats that do go outside, it says safety is the main concern, and that young cats and male cats are more likely to do risky things and should be watched more closely. The accidents NAPHIA lists, such as car accidents, cuts and poisoning, are the kind of thing more time outdoors can expose a cat to.

Indoor cats still get sick, though. Stomach problems, dental disease, urinary tract infections, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism don't depend on going outside, and they fill most of the claims list above. The AAFP also warns that an indoor-only cat whose needs for play, safe resting places and climbing space aren't met can develop anxiety and stress-related illness.

So for an indoor cat, accident-only coverage leaves out most of what's likely to happen. For an outdoor cat, accidents make up a bigger share of the risk, but illness coverage still matters.

## Kittens vs. senior cats

Age changes both the price and what a policy will cover.

### Insuring a kitten

The best time to insure a cat is while it's young and healthy. Under the Pet Insurance Model Act written by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a pre-existing condition is anything a vet gave advice on, treated, or saw signs of before the policy started or during its waiting period. A kitten has very little history, so there's very little for an insurer to exclude.

Insurers set their own minimum age for enrolling, so check it when you compare. Coverage also doesn't start the day you buy, which our guide to [pet insurance waiting periods](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/pet-insurance-waiting-periods/) explains.

Kittens need vaccines, and you'll likely want a spay or neuter too. A standard accident and illness plan won't pay for those, because they're planned, routine care.

### Insuring a senior cat

The AVMA says cats are generally considered senior after 10. Cornell's Feline Health Center says many cats start showing age-related changes between 7 and 10, and most do by 12. That's when kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis and dental problems become more common.

Insuring an older cat is harder for three reasons. Some insurers won't accept pets past a certain age, according to the NAIC. Anything already in your cat's medical record is likely to be excluded as pre-existing. And premiums often go up as a pet ages. In states that follow the NAIC's model law, insurers have to tell you up front whether they raise premiums based on your pet's age.

If that's your situation, our guide to [pet insurance for older dogs](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/pet-insurance-for-older-dogs/) has a section on older cats, including when accident-only coverage makes sense.

## How to find the best pet insurance for your cat

We don't rank insurers. The best cat policy is the one that pays for what cats actually get sick with, at a price you can keep paying as your cat ages. These are the questions we'd ask of any plan.

Does it cover the conditions cats claim for most? Read the exclusions for kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, urinary problems and dental disease. A plan that excludes one of these, or caps it low, is weaker for a cat than its price suggests.

How does it handle dental care? Ask whether dental disease is covered as an illness, or only dental injuries from an accident.

What happens to a chronic condition at renewal? The Alabama Department of Insurance warns that some companies treat a condition your pet was treated for during the policy term as pre-existing when the policy renews. The NAIC model law bans that, but only states that adopt it are bound by it. Ask how the policy handles it.

Is the annual limit high enough? A cancer case can run into five figures, as the $51,600 claim shows. A low yearly cap keeps the premium down but can run out partway through treatment.

Can you live with the deductible and reimbursement rate? A higher deductible and a lower reimbursement rate cut the premium, but you pay more of each bill.

Will the premium climb with age? Ask how the price changes as your cat gets older, since that's when your cat will need the coverage most.

What does it pay for at the vet? The Alabama department suggests asking whether there's a dollar limit on office fees, whether prescription drugs are covered, and whether you can use any vet you like.

How long are the waiting periods? Check how long you'll wait before accident, illness and any orthopedic coverage starts.

When you're ready, [compare pet insurance quotes](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/compare-pet-insurance-quotes-online/) for your cat and ZIP code with the same deductible and reimbursement rate on each, so the prices line up.

## Is cat insurance worth it?

For a lot of cats, yes, as long as you buy it before health problems show up. It's worth it when a surprise vet bill of a few thousand dollars would be hard to pay, and less so when you could cover a big bill from savings without much pain.

Start with the premium. At the 2025 average of $435 a year, five years of accident and illness coverage would cost about $2,175, and more once prices rise. Then think about what that buys. Cats' most common claims include chronic conditions like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, which need ongoing care once they start. If one shows up while your cat is insured, the policy can help pay for it, and under the NAIC model law a condition the policy covered can't be treated as pre-existing when you renew. If it shows up before you buy, a new policy will most likely exclude it as pre-existing.

Cat insurance makes the most sense when:

- Your cat is young or healthy now, so little would be excluded.
- A bill of a few thousand dollars would mean borrowing or putting off care.
- You'd want to treat something serious, like cancer, rather than decide based on cost.

It makes less sense when you have enough set aside to cover a large bill, or when your cat already has several conditions a new policy would exclude. In that case, accident-only coverage or a dedicated savings account might be the better fit.

For the wider version of this question, see [is pet insurance worth it](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/is-pet-insurance-worth-it/). For more guides, head to our [pet insurance hub](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/pet-insurance/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is cat insurance per month?

An accident and illness plan for a cat averaged about $36 a month ($435 a year) in 2025, according to NAPHIA. Accident-only coverage averaged about $9 a month, and plans with wellness built in averaged about $72. Your cat's age and breed, your ZIP code and the coverage you pick can move your quote a lot.

### Is cat insurance worth it?

It's usually worth it if a surprise vet bill of a few thousand dollars would be hard to cover and you buy while your cat is young and healthy. Many common cat claims, like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, are chronic and need years of care. If you could comfortably pay a big bill from savings, you might not need it.

### What is the best pet insurance for cats?

The best plan is the one that covers the conditions cats claim for most, like stomach problems, dental disease, urinary tract infections, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, with an annual limit high enough for a serious illness. Compare the same deductible and reimbursement rate across a few insurers, and check how each handles dental disease and chronic conditions at renewal.

### Do indoor cats need pet insurance?

Indoor cats face fewer accident risks, but they still get sick. The most common cat claims, such as stomach problems, dental disease and urinary tract infections, don't depend on going outside. If you insure an indoor cat, an accident and illness plan fits that risk better than accident-only coverage.

### Can you get pet insurance for an older cat?

Often, yes, but it's harder. Some insurers won't accept pets past a certain age, premiums tend to be higher, and anything already in your cat's record will likely be excluded as pre-existing. Accident-only coverage, which averaged $112 a year for cats in 2025, is one option if a full plan would exclude too much.

### Does cat insurance cover dental?

Some plans cover dental disease as an illness, and some only cover dental injuries from an accident. Dental disease is one of the three most common cat claims, so check the policy's dental section before you buy. Routine cleanings count as preventive care, which not every plan covers.

### When should I get pet insurance for my kitten?

As early as the insurer allows. A kitten has little medical history, so fewer conditions can be excluded as pre-existing, and any waiting period passes while your kitten is still young. Each insurer sets its own minimum enrollment age.

### Does cat insurance cover spaying and vaccines?

Not a standard accident and illness plan. Spaying, neutering and vaccines are routine care, which falls under wellness coverage. Plans with wellness built in averaged $859 a year for cats in 2025, about $424 more than accident and illness plans on average.

## Sources

- North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), [State of the Industry Report 2026](https://naphia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NAPHIA_SOI2026_Report_HIGHLIGHTS_26-06-24.pdf), published June 2026 and covering the 2025 calendar year. Average premiums by plan type and the 2021 to 2025 trend, product definitions, the share of insured pets that are cats, most common conditions claimed and largest claims paid, and the U.S. cat population and penetration rate, which NAPHIA takes from the American Veterinary Medical Association's 2025 Pet Owner Survey.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), [Pet Insurance Model Act (#633)](https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-633.pdf), adopted summer 2022. Definition of a pre-existing condition, the ban on treating a covered condition as pre-existing at renewal, and the required disclosure of age-based premium increases.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), [Pet insurance](https://content.naic.org/insurance-topics/pet-insurance), consumer topic page last updated April 2025.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center: [Chronic Kidney Disease](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/chronic-kidney-disease), [Hyperthyroidism in Cats](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hyperthyroidism-cats), [Feline Diabetes](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-diabetes) and [The Special Needs of the Senior Cat](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/special-needs-senior-cat).
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), [Caring for senior cats and dogs](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/senior-pets).
- American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), [2024 Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle Position Statement](https://catvets.com/resource/2024-indoor-outdoor-lifestyle-position-statement/), March 2024.
- Alabama Department of Insurance, [consumer release on pet insurance](https://aldoi.gov/currentnewsitem.aspx?ID=984), February 2018.

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