What does pet insurance for cats cover?

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

• Pet insurance will generally only cover a cat's visits to the emergency room, not routine vet visits.
• Some pet insurance companies do offer wellness plans that cover preventive care.
• It's best to purchase coverage when your cat is still young, so no preexisting conditions will be excluded.
• See our guide to the best pet insurance companies.

Over the life of his cat, Joey Lusvardi has been to the vet many, many times, not only for checkups, but for surgery, diagnostics, and medications. The cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats said he's easily spent thousands on his feline, enough to make him consider getting pet insurance in the future. 

Cat owners are less likely than dog owners to seek regular medical care, despite its importance. Still, about 19% of cat owners say they've had to take their feline to an emergency room or surgical center — just the type of situation that cat insurance is meant to cover. Those visits, as Lusvardi knows, can become very pricey. 

"Veterinary bills add up very quickly so when you do need it, insurance really helps," he said. "It also prevents you from having to make choices about whether or not to get your cat medical treatment to address a potentially curable illness due to finances."

What does pet insurance for cats cover?

Pet insurance, including insurance for cats and kittens, is designed to cover emergencies. Preventive care, like annual exams and vaccines, usually isn't included.

According to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, the most common reasons that cats need emergency veterinary care include eating something dangerous, fracturing a bone, and having blocked urine tubes. Two other common problems — kidney disease and heart failure — are treatable, but costly to control. 

"We can do a lot for pets these days," says Brian Evans, a veterinarian and medical director at Dutch, an online veterinary clinic. But "…costs can really accumulate and overwhelm people, especially in emergency situations."

If you want all your vet care covered by your insurance provider, consider a cat wellness plan. These are insurance plans that cover preventive care, and sometimes also emergencies.

Lusvardi recommends looking up sample plans for any cat insurance that you're considering. That will show you exactly what's included, and what isn't. 

"Think about what you want the plan to pay for the most and make sure the plan covers that cost," Luvardi says. 

For example, some plans cover behavioral issues like scratching or loud meowing, but most do not. Others cover accidents, but not the illnesses that commonly send cats to the emergency room.

When should I purchase pet insurance for my cat?

Whether you're bringing home a kitten or adopting a grown cat, it's best to purchase pet insurance as soon as you can. That's because no insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions. So, the sooner you buy insurance, the more potential issues can be covered. 

It's ideal to insure your feline when they're a kitten, but since more than 70% of cat owners adopt or rescue their pets, it's not always possible. If you're taking in an older cat, get insurance right after bringing them home. 

"If you wait until they get sick, it will be too late and could potentially exclude them from coverage for the rest of their life," says Evans. 

Will cat insurance cover all of my vet bills?

Most pet insurance plans offer you a reimbursement, but you'll need to pay for care up front. In addition, most plans don't cover the entire cost of care, so you'll be left holding at least part of the bill. 

Because of that, Lusvardi recommends putting some money into a pet-specific savings account each month. If you're able to put away a significant amount, you might not even need insurance for your cat. 

"You may be better off setting aside money for that cost rather than paying an insurance premium every month," he says.

How can you find insurance for your cat or kitten?

Shopping online and getting into the nitty gritty of different plans can be overwhelming. Asking for recommendations from other friends who have cats gives you a bit of a shortcut — they'll be able to tell you which insurance companies they love (and which they don't). 

Another good resource: your veterinarian. "They see many people with many different insurance companies so they can give you the good and the bad of each of them," Luvardi says. "Plus, you'll get a more individualized recommendation" based on the health of your pet. 

Cat and Kitten Insurance Frequently Asked Questions