Is cat insurance worth it?
By Raúl Vaquerizo · Published · Editorial policy
Cats are still rarely insured in the US. At the end of 2025, only 2.29% of pet cats had a policy, compared with 5.99% of dogs (NAPHIA). That’s changing fast: the number of insured cats grew 16.3% in 2025, and cats now make up a quarter of insured pets.
Part of the hesitation is that cats seem low-maintenance. They mostly are, until they aren’t.
What it costs
The average accident and illness policy for a cat cost $435 a year in 2025, about $36 a month and roughly half the dog average ($836). It rose 12.6% that year.
Age matters more than anything else. In MoneyGeek’s quote data, the average cat premium is about $23 a month for a kitten, $26 at around age 4, $34 at around 7, $62 at 11 to 14 and $95 at 16 to 20. Breed matters less than for dogs, but it’s not nothing. At around age 4, a Domestic Shorthair averages about $23 a month and an Abyssinian about $29.
What cats actually get sick with
NAPHIA’s 2025 list of the most common conditions in cat claims is led by digestive (GI) problems, followed by dental disease and urinary tract infections. Kidney disease, respiratory problems and hyperthyroidism also make the list.
Large UK veterinary studies show how common some of these are:
- Dental disease: periodontal disease had a one-year prevalence of 15.2% and was the most common specific diagnosis in cats.
- Hyperthyroidism: about 2.4% of all cats, rising to 8.7% in cats aged 10 or older. Purebred cats had lower odds than non-pedigree cats, so your ordinary house cat is in the higher-risk group.
What treatment costs
MoneyGeek publishes these US cost ranges for common cat conditions:
| Condition | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Feline lower urinary tract disease | $859–$6,875 |
| Lymphoma (cancer) | $3,639–$18,198 |
| Hyperthyroidism | $515–$5,156 |
| Chronic kidney disease | $354–$4,246 |
| Periodontal disease | $394–$2,628 |
Several of these are chronic. Kidney disease and hyperthyroidism mean years of medication and checkups, not a one-time bill. That’s where insurance quietly adds up, and also why a diagnosis before you buy a policy is such a problem: chronic conditions stay excluded for good.
The biggest cat claim NAPHIA members paid in 2025 was $51,600, for a 4-year-old cat with cancer.
So, is it worth it?
It’s most worth it when:
- your cat is young and healthy. The premium is low and nothing is excluded yet. A kitten policy at around $23 a month is the cheapest it will ever be.
- a $3,000 to $6,000 bill would be hard for you. A urinary blockage or a lymphoma diagnosis lands in that range or above.
- your cat is a breed with a known risk. Persians and polycystic kidney disease, or Maine Coons and Ragdolls with heart disease mutations, are well documented. See the cat breed pages.
It’s less compelling when:
- your cat is already a senior with diagnosed chronic conditions. AAHA guidelines treat cats over 10 as seniors. Premiums are much higher by then, and existing problems won’t be covered.
- you can comfortably self-insure. Putting $36 a month aside is a real alternative if you’d do it consistently.
UK life tables put a cat’s life expectancy at birth at 11.74 years, a bit longer for females (12.51) than males (11.18). That’s a long time to be paying either premiums or vet bills. Estimate the premium for your cat with the calculator, and see is pet insurance worth it? for the general decision.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. We are not an insurer, agent or broker. Prices come from public data and change by insurer, ZIP code, policy options and your pet's medical history. Always read the policy and ask your veterinarian about your pet's health. Full disclaimer.