Whether you're a first-time cat owner or looking for a new pet insurance policy for your senior cat, be sure to learn about what cat insurance covers in 2025. Cat insurance offers a variety of coverage options that can help you avoid expensive vet bills. In countries like the US, UK, and Australia, vet visit charges for cat care are skyrocketing. Cat owners with multiple cats find it even more challenging to care for them. In such a situation, purchasing cat insurance can be a wise move. Before purchasing a pet insurance policy, it's important to understand its coverage and exclusions so you can get the policy coverage that best suits your cat's needs and the right cat insurance for you. Check the exclusions to ascertain if your cat's condition will receive coverage. Today, we're going to explain the full coverage and exclusions of cat insurance.
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| What Does Cat Insurance Cover in 2025 |
This article will provide useful information for cat owners, such as how cat insurance works, what is covered under a cat insurance policy, and what specialized and optional cat insurance plans are.
Understanding How Cat Insurance Works
Cat insurance is an investment that provides medical protection for cats upon investment. This insurance covers expenses incurred when a cat falls ill or is injured in an accident. You pay a monthly or yearly premium. You also need to set a deductible. Then, when you need to file an insurance claim, you can pay this deductible and receive reimbursement from the insurance company. Some providers give you the option to choose the reimbursement rate. So, let's learn how cat insurance works to protect your cat.
How Does Cat Insurance Work?
To give you an idea of how Cat insurance companies work, we have explained the working of insurance with some examples.
Step 1: Initially, you are responsible for covering the full cost of your cat's vet bill. Because with pet insurance, you receive your return after paying the money yourself. However, some companies offer their customers the option of direct pet payment.
Step 2: Next, you must submit your To claim a policy, you need to submit the claim in some way, either offline or through an online portal or app.
Step 3: Insurance companies then reimburse a percentage of the claimed amount based on your deductible.
Some examples are:
1) For instance, let's say your cat is involved in an accident.
Your cat has a leg injury, resulting in medical expenses of $1,500. If you submit a policy claim and pay a $200 deductible, the company will offer you 80% reimbursement on the remaining amount.
$1500 (medical expenses) - $200 (deductible) = $1300
80% reimbursement on $1300 = $1040
So $1300 - $1040 (money back) = $260.
Therefore, out-of-pocket = $260 + $200 deductible = $460.
That means, out of your total medical expenses of $1500, you will receive $1040 back, leaving you with only $460.
2) Cat gets sick.
Your cat Lisa has a stomach infection, and her treatment and medication cost approximately $750. How much money will you get back from insurance?
If your policy's annual limit is $3,500, you set a $50 deductible during a claim, and the company's reimbursement rate is 90%, then:
Total medical expenses: $750 - $50 deductible = $700
The reimbursement amount for the remaining $700, calculated at 90%, is $630.
So, $700 - $630 (money back) = $70.
Therefore, out-of-pocket = $700 + $50 deductible.
= $120
So, you'll get $630 back from the insurance company out of your $750 expense. This means you only spent $120 out-of-pocket.
Table for Pet Insurance Policy Cat Age Limits (US & UK Differences)
The information in this table suggests that while older cats can get insurance, the cost is more expensive and coverage is limited to a limited number of illnesses, so taking out an insurance policy at a younger age may be beneficial.
Core Coverage: What Is Covered by a Cat Insurance Policy
Cat insurance policy coverage varies by company and policy plan. However, there are some common core coverages that all companies provide to their customers. Let's explore what cat insurance policies typically cover.
Accidents and Illnesses
The illnesses covered by accident and illness plans are as follows.
- Accidental fractures and cuts
- Car injuries
- Poisoning
- Disease infections
- Urine infections
- Vomiting
- Chronic illnesses, etc.
- Emergency vet care
Diagnostic Tests and Veterinary Expenses
Diagnostic test and vet expense coverage includes:
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- X-rays
- Blood tests
- Hospitalization expenses
- Specialist consultation expenses
Surgeries and Hospitalization
Plans covering surgery and hospitalization provide coverage for the following situations:
- Tumor removal operations
- Bladder stone surgery
- Fracture repair
- A deductible must be paid before reimbursement.
Medications
Plans that cover medications include the cost of prescription medications prescribed by a doctor after surgery, illness, or accidental treatment.
- Prescription medications prescribed by a vet.
- For example, antibiotics, pain relievers, etc.
- Prescription medications for chronic disease control.
Specialized & Optional Coverage Plans
Specialized & Optional Coverage Plans are those that are not included in the basic pet insurance policy. Cat insurance companies provide add-ons for these. So let's learn about these specialized coverage plans. These plans are as follows:
Cat Insurance Wellness Plans Coverage
Cat insurance wellness plans provide coverage for regular checkups and care expenses for your cat. Wellness plans are not included in the main policy; they are offered as separate plans or add-ons. These plans are useful for ensuring your cat's healthy lifestyle and longevity. Read on to find out what the wellness plan covers.
These wellness plans help typically cover:
Annual Health Checkup: Wellness coverage covers your cat's annual health checkup.
Vaccination: Cats are covered for vaccinations against flu, rabies, feline leukemia, and other diseases.
Dental Exam: Wellness plans also cover dental checkups.
Parasite Prevention: Coverage provides protection against parasites that live on your cat's body.
Flies and Ticks: Wellness preventative care coverage helps protect against flies and ticks that can harm your cat's health.
Routine Care Coverage May Include
Routine care treatments do not cover the treatment of cat diseases. Routine care is essential for maintaining your cat's health according to the future perspective . Routine care means keeping your cat clean or well-cared for. Routine care coverage is provided for the following:
- Dental cleaning
- Microchipping
- Spaying or neutering
- Grooming
- Routine checkups
Hereditary and Chronic Conditions
Not all insurance companies cover hereditary and chronic conditions in cats. These conditions can be long-term and result in significant medical expenses. Therefore, select providers offer coverage for these pre-existing conditions. Lifetime plans may also be available with some companies. Hereditary and chronic condition coverage includes:
- Heart disease
- Feline asthma
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
Table for cat insurance policy typically covered.
What Cat Insurance Usually Doesn't Cover
Cat insurance policies don't cover certain conditions that are pre-existing or don't fit the policy's terms. The table below lists some of these conditions that are not covered by cat insurance.
Table for conditions not covered by cat insurance.
Types of Cat Insurance Coverage Options (2025)
You'll find several coverage options in cat insurance. Some of the main coverage options are listed below.
Accident-Only Cat Insurance
- This coverage plan option covers only accidental injuries.
- For example, car injuries, broken bones, etc.
- Poisoning from poisonous food.
- The cheapest plan but does not cover illness.
- Maybe best for outdoor cats.
Comprehensive Cat Insurance (Accident + Illness)
- Provides coverage for both accidents and illnesses.
- Most popular plan in the US and UK.
- Coverage includes emergency treatment, medication, surgery, etc.
- A good plan for cats at risk both outdoors and indoors.
- This plan maintains a balance between cost and coverage.
Wellness + Preventive Add-ons
- Not included in the main plan but required as an add-on.
- Helps with preventative care for cats.
- Routine vet visits, tick prevention, and dental checkups are covered.
- Prevents future illnesses in cats.
Lifetime vs. Annual Policies
1) Lifetime Policy
- Provides lifetime coverage and protection against serious illnesses.
- Chronic and hereditary conditions are covered.
- For example, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
- This is a renewable policy that needs to be renewed every year.
- A good option for pet parents.
2) Annual Policy
- This policy plan provides coverage for only 12 months.
- This plan also needs to be renewed every year.
- Keep in mind that if the cat develops a chronic illness again, the condition may be excluded after renewal.
- Premiums are lower than others.
- Limited coverage is available.
Benefits of Cat Insurance Coverage
In countries where vet visits are very expensive, especially in the US and the UK, cat insurance can be a beneficial option to manage the rising cost of vet visits. So let's see what the benefits of cat insurance coverage are.
Financial Protection
- Reduces thousands of pounds of expenses for vet visits, medications, etc.
- Insurance reimbursements can range from 80% to 90%.
- Reimbursement depends on the deductible.
- Provides protection against emergency medical expenses.
Access to Quality Care
- By starting treatment immediately for your cat's illness, you can provide better care.
- No need to worry about the cost of advanced treatment.
- No extra fees for tests like MRIs and blood tests.
- It's easier to get a specialist doctor for your cat.
- All of these benefits can help your cat recover faster.
Peace of Mind
- Insurance alleviates the financial burden of high-end emergency bills resulting from accidents and diseases.
- This provides more attention to the cat's care and treatment.
- Overall, cat insurance helps owners reduce stress.
Quick Benefits Recap:
- Cat insurance covers surgeries and medications.
- Covers cat owners against unexpected medical bills.
- Cat health care planning can be done within the budget.
- Assists with treatment costs for hereditary and chronic diseases.
Top Cat Insurance Providers 2025 (US & UK)
The top insurance providers offering cat insurance in the UK and US are listed in the table below.
Table for top cat insurance coverage providers.
Cat Insurance Reimbursement Process Explained
What is reimbursement? When you take your cat to the vet for treatment due to an illness or accident, insurance companies return a percentage of the treatment cost to their customers. This amount is reimbursement. The reimbursement process is essentially a claim process, which is explained step by step below.
The step-by-step reimbursement or claim process is as follows:
Step 1: Pay the vet's expenses yourself.
For companies that offer direct vet payment, the insurance company will make the payment directly to the vet; otherwise, you will have to pay the entire expense yourself.
Step 2: Submit the claim through an app or online.
You must submit the claim through your insurance company's mobile app or portal. Upload the vet's invoice and treatment details.
Step 3: Finally, you will receive the reimbursement.
Insurance companies thoroughly investigate your submitted claim and your policy. If you are eligible for claim approval, you will be reimbursed.
Understand the time it takes for Cat insurance companies to provide reimbursements and the percentage of money they return using this table.
Choosing the Best Cat Insurance Coverage Option
To ensure good care for your cat on a budget, it's important to choose the right cat insurance policy that offers good coverage at a low premium. Below are some tips to help you choose a cat insurance policy.
Tips for Choosing the Best Cat Insurance Coverage Option
➡️ If your cat is at risk for serious illnesses, consider lifetime coverage plans.
➡️ Choose a high deductible based on your policy's annual limit and also understand the waiting period.
➡️ Compare the costs and coverage of different cat insurance companies to find a good policy at a lower price.
➡️ It's also important to check if the company offers good claims support rates. 24/7 service is recommended.
➡️ Consider adding add-ons to your main policy to ensure comprehensive coverage.
➡️ With this, your routine care, vaccination, dental care, etc. will be covered in a single policy.
Conclusion – Is Cat Insurance Worth It in 2025?
Owners may consider cat insurance worth it only if their cat suffers from a serious illness or is injured in an accident. However, this isn't the case. Overall, cat insurance is essential. Cats can develop any number of hereditary and chronic diseases or suffer accidental injuries. Outdoor cats are more likely to be involved in car accidents and other injuries. Emergency vet bills of thousands of dollars can often be out of budget. Considering the cost, compromises must be made on cat treatment. With cat insurance, you get immediate and excellent treatment options, even with advanced treatments. Cat insurance policies also provide coverage for various other conditions, helping to reduce the cost of expensive vet bills. There are many reasons that make cat insurance worth it. Finally, it is the owners' decision whether or not to insure their cat depending on its state.
FAQs About Cat Insurance Coverage
Q1. Does cat insurance cover dental care?
Answer: Dental care is not covered under the main cat insurance policy. You need to add a wellness or preventative care plan to the basic policy as an add-on. Some comprehensive coverage plans may provide coverage for dental care. If an illness or injury causes tooth loss, requires dental cleanings, or causes a tooth infection, cat insurance wellness plans can be useful.
Q2. Can I insure my senior cat?
Answer: Pet insurance providers provide insurance for older cats but under certain conditions. The insurance is offered in terms of the age and state of health of the cat. There are also age limitations with some insurance providers. Insurance costs for senior cats are also expensive and may offer limited coverage. If you're considering insurance for your cat, compare quotes from different companies to determine the cost and coverage of older cat insurance.
Q3. Are vaccinations covered by cat insurance?
Answer: Cat insurance only provides coverage for the treatment of accidental or medical conditions. Vaccination is not an emergency that would result in the cat losing life without coverage. Therefore, vaccination is not directly covered by basic cat insurance. You can purchase an add-on for vaccination.
Q4. What's the difference between accident-only and comprehensive coverage?
Answer: The difference between accident-only and comprehensive coverage in cat insurance is that accident-only plans only cover injuries caused by accidents, car injuries, or poisoning from accidentally ingested poisonous substances. Other diseases are not covered. Comprehensive coverage plans are a mix of all coverages, i.e., accident, illness, and wellness are all covered in a single policy.
Q5. Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions for cats?
Answer: Pet insurance for cats sometimes covers pre-existing conditions. However, the pre-existing condition must be curable, or the cat must not have suffered from a long-term chronic illness. Fewer providers offer insurance for cats with pre-existing conditions, which can result in higher insurance costs.