Pet Insurance Blog

What Cat Insurance Do You Need? It Depends

Kari Steere
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor
woman petting cat while working

Thinking about getting cat insurance? You’re making a good decision. Taking on the care of another living thing is a big responsibility and paying for medical costs out of pocket can get expensive.

Cat insurance works like any other type of pet health insurance. It reimburses you for some of our veterinary costs after you take your cat to the vet.

That may sound simple enough, but with so many different plans out there, finding the best one for you and your cat can get confusing. Many different companies offer cat insurance. There are also different levels of coverage, different types of plans, and various costs to consider.

Compare Top Cat Insurance Plans

Find The Best Cat Insurance For You

If you’ve just adopted a new cat or kitten and you’re in the market for pet insurance, here’s what you need to know before you start shopping.

The 3 Different Types of Cat Insurance Plans

There are three types of pet insurance plans you need to consider: accident-only plans, accident and illness plans, and wellness plans for routine care.

Keep in mind that there are no pet insurance plans that cover pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are any medical conditions that start before your cat insurance plan takes effect.

Accident-Only Plans

Accident-only plans reimburse you for the costs of veterinary care, but only for care associated with accidents. In this case, accidents include physical injuries like broken bones as well as cuts, as well as foreign body ingestion, and poisoning.

Accident-only plans may also cover important tests for diagnosing injuries, such as X-rays and CT scans. In this way, they can save you significantly if your pet needs testing to figure out what’s wrong with them.

That said, accident-only plans are limited in their coverage. They won’t cover illnesses or chronic health conditions like diabetes. If your cat gets sick, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any medical expenses associated with their illness.

Accident & Illness Plans

Accident and illness plans are the most common types of pet insurance plans. They’re also the types of plans most veterinarians will recommend for your cat.

That’s because accident and illness plans will cover most of the health problems your cat may face in its lifetime. You’ll get coverage for broken bones and cuts like with an accident-only plan, but you’ll also get coverage for some of the most expensive pet health conditions out there, such as diabetes and cancer.

If you have an outdoor cat, you may be tempted to choose an accident-only plan because your biggest concern is your cat getting injured.

But keep in mind that injuries aren’t the only risks to an outdoor cat. Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to illnesses like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which can progress to feline AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Most accident and illness plans will cover FIV testing and treatment.

Wellness Plans for Routine Care

Cat wellness plans are typically sold as add-on features to regular pet insurance policies. They reimburse you for the costs of preventative care like annual exams and teeth cleanings.

It’s a good idea to bring your cat in for routine care at least once per year when they reach adulthood, and twice per year once they reach the age of ten. Getting a routine care add-on will help to reduce some of these costs.

If you’ve adopted a kitten, you should think about signing up for a wellness plan as soon as possible, because younger pets need to visit the vet for routine care more often than adult cats. A wellness plan will help you offset the costs of essential preventive care for kittens, such as vaccinations, deworming, FIV screenings, and more.

How Pet Insurance Works

Find The Best Cat Insurance For You

Choosing a Provider and a Plan

The best thing about cat insurance is that it works with any veterinarian. There are no networks. Simply take your pet in for care, then submit your invoice to your insurance provider to get reimbursed.

Nonetheless, pet insurance providers offer a wide variety of plans. Typically, you’ll want to find a plan that offers the most coverage for the lowest monthly cost. However, it’s important to understand your breed-specific health risks and how much the premium is expected to increase over the lifetime of your cat. Sometimes the cheapest plan today is more expensive in the long run, so use Pawlicy Advisor to understand each plan’s coverage and lifetime value score.

How to Compare Plans

Find The Best Cat Insurance For You

You should also pay close attention to other factors that impact your plan, such as the following:

  • Annual Deductible: the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket before you get reimbursed for veterinary costs.
  • Premium Rates: the amount of money you pay for your insurance policy (usually per month).
  • Reimbursement Rate: the percentage of covered veterinary expenses your insurance provider will pay after your deductible has been met.
  • Average Days to Reimburse: the average number of days it takes for the insurance company to reimburse you for a claim.
  • Waiting Period: the amount of time you must wait for your plan to activate after you sign up.

If you use Pawlicy Advisor, you can get multiple quotes for a variety of plans right at your fingertips. Just enter some basic information about your cat.

Pawlicy Advisor also provides you with helpful features to make shopping much easier. We’ll rate every cat insurance plan with a Coverage Score and a Lifetime Value Score. These scores tell you how much coverage you’ll get compared to other plans and how much value you’ll get from a specific plan over your cat’s lifetime.

Try the free comparison tool right now!

Do you want to find the best pet insurance?

Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Ready?

Analyze My Pet

About Pawlicy Advisor

The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. By comparing personalized coverage and pricing differences we can save you a ton of money, up to 83% in some instances!

Pawlicy Advisor helping a pet parent and their dog find a great deal on insurance

Instantly Compare Pet Insurance Plans

Get Quotes

Guides

How Pet Insurance Works

How To Compare Plans

Determine If Pet Insurance Is Worth It

Determine If Wellness Plans Are Worth It

Vet Visit Costs

New Puppy Checklist

Comparison Charts

ASPCA vs. Pets Best

Pets Best vs. Embrace

Embrace vs. Pumpkin

Pumpkin vs. MetLife

More Comparison Charts

Find Your State

New Jersey

California

Florida

Oregon

Texas

New York

Colorado

Pennsylvania

More States

Dog Insurance

German Shepherd

Rottweiler

Akita

Boxer

English Bulldog

French Bulldog

Great Dane

Pug

Corgi

Chihuahua

Poodle

More Breeds

Kari Steer, Licensed P&C Insurance Agent at Pawlicy Advisor

Kari Steere
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor

Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. As an animal lover with a rescued Terrier named Barry, when she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor, she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.

More you might like

couple petting kitten
5 minute read
Bivvy Pet Insurance Review
woman on laptop playing with cat
6 minute read
When To Buy Cat Insurance: A Licensed Agent's Perspective
female kissing puppy on bed
6 minute read
Petco Pet Insurance Review
man petting australian shepherd
2 minute read
SWBC Pet Insurance Review
military couple sits with dog
2 minute read
Armed Forces Pet Insurance Review
girl holds cat's head in hands
5 minute read
PetPremium Pet Insurance Review
family and dog in rv
2 minute read
American Family Pet Insurance Review
get pet insurance through Pawlicy Advisor on TheZebra.com
2 minute read
Pawlicy Advisor Announces Partnership with The Zebra
dog with woman on computer
6 minute read
Is Farmers Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up
blue ribbon dog show winner
5 minute read
Is PetPartners Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up

5 minute read
Can You Switch Pet Insurance?
family at vet with dog
9 minute read
Pet Insurance vs Human Health Insurance
family in the kitchen with cat
4 minute read
Is Costco Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up
dog sits at desk with man
5 minute read
Allstate Pet Insurance Review
professional trainer walks dog pack on leash
4 minute read
Spot Pet Insurance Review
man petting golden retriever
5 minute read
Is USAA Pet Insurance Good?
beagle happy to get pet insurance
4 minute read
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Review
woman on computer next to dog
6 minute read
NAPHIA Director Kristen Lynch On Pet Insurance Market Penetration
Kitten gets scratch under skin
5 minute read
AKC Pet Insurance Review
Black and orange cat receives pet
5 minute read
Nationwide Pet Insurance Review
Man holding beagle dog
6 minute read
Geico Pet Insurance Review
Chocolate puppy held by owner
5 minute read
Progressive Pet Insurance Review
Pug puppy and young woman
7 minute read
Is Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Good?
Trupanion pet insurance can pay your veterinarian directly. But is it good pet insurance? Here’s what you need to know.
5 minute read
Is Trupanion's Pet Insurance Good?
Man holding new puppy
10 minute read
When's The Best Time to Get Pet Insurance?
Old Beagle dog sitting next to senior woman
9 minute read
Is Pet Assure Any Good? Here's How It Stacks Up
Woman sitting at desk signing paper with dog on lap
9 minute read
When Is Pet Insurance A Great Decision?
Beagle dog waiting
7 minute read
How Soon Does Pet Insurance Take Effect?
Woman hugging black dog with open mouth
8 minute read
Pet Dental Insurance: How to Find the Best Plan
Pawlicy Advisor Team with Logo
4 minute read
Pawlicy Advisor Raised $6.5M To Help Pet Parents Afford Unexpected Veterinary Treatment
Senior boxer dog
7 minute read
Pet Insurance For Older Pets: Is It Worth It?
walmart storefront
8 minute read
Is Walmart Pet Insurance Good? Here’s How It Stacks Up
banfield pet insurance wellness info and review
9 minute read
Banfield Wellness Plan Info & Review: Everything You Need to Know
wagmo wellness info and review
10 minute read
Is Wagmo Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up
Canine Journal vs. Pawlicy Advisor
10 minute read
Canine Journal vs. Pawlicy Advisor: Which is Best For Pet Insurance
dog looking out window
2 minute read
Three Things to Look for When Comparing Pet Insurance Companies
petinsurancereview vs pawlicy advisor pet insurance
10 minute read
PetInsuranceReview vs. Pawlicy Advisor: Which Is Best For Pet Insurance?
Policygenius vs Pawlicy Advisor pet insurance
10 minute read
Policygenius vs. Pawlicy Advisor: Which is Best for Pet Insurance?
lemonade's pet insurance cats and dogs
9 minute read
Is Lemonade's Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up
Happy dog receives affection from owner
13 minute read
Are Pet Wellness Plans Worth It For Routine Care?
Kitten at a veterinary appointment
13 minute read
Is Cat Insurance Worth It? Ask An Expert
happy pet parent loving on her dog
22 minute read
Fascinating Pet Insurance Statistics 2019-2020
Dog at a veterinary clinic
14 minute read
Is Pet Insurance Worth Getting for Your Dog?
Two dogs running happy and healthy
10 minute read
Pet Insurance for More Than One Pet: Multi-Pet Discounts And Strategies
smiling dog
7 minute read
3 Ways To Use Pet Insurance Like A Pro
rescue dog and cat
14 minute read
Pet Insurance For Rescue Dogs (And Cats) - It's Easier Than You Think
cat and dog together outside
17 minute read
How to Get the Best Pet Insurance Plan, No Matter the Provider
dog with loving pet owner
17 minute read
Average Pet Insurance Cost in 2022 by Breed, Age, & State
pet insurance comparison showcase
17 minute read
How To Compare Pet Insurance Plans
Dog covered from bad weather under Pawlicy umbrella
18 minute read
How Pet Insurance Works: Your Essential Guide
Back to Blog
A family with pets that are insured by Pawlicy Advisor
Pawlicy Advisor is the leading independent marketplace for finding the best coverage for your pet at the lowest rate.
Join 2,438,795+ insured dogs and cats across the US.
Get a Quote
Our pet insurance partners
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Logo
Pets Best Pet Insurance Logo
Embrace Pet Insurance Logo
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Logo
MetLife Pet Insurance Logo
Prudent Pet Insurance Logo