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How much does pet insurance cost for cats?
Compare the insurance costs for 40 different cat breeds
Your furry feline might fall in the lazy cat cliché or they might romp around the house seemingly destined for trouble, while others simply have a background of health problems. To help you compare rates and get the best deal, we crunched numbers for 40 different cat breeds at a young, healthy age with accident and illness insurance.
Compare pet insurance costs by cat breed
The average cost of cat insurance is close to $30, but your kitty’s actual rate will depend on factors like age, breed and health. The most common cat breed, Domestic Shorthair, costs around $20 a month to insure.
| Breed | Recommended coverage | Monthly pet insurance cost | Lifespan | Coat | Character | Health risks | Common health problems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssinian | Accident Illness | $22 | 14 - 15 | Ticked | Active | Medium |
|
| American Bob Tail | Wellness | $20 | 13 - 15 | Short and long hair | Active and friendly | Low |
|
| American Maine Coon | Illness Wellness | $22 | 12 - 17 | Undercoat covered by a substantial glossy, long waterproof top coat | Calm and gentle | Medium |
|
| Angora | Illness Wellness | $20 | 12 - 18 | Medium-long length | Active and playful | Low |
|
| Balinese | Accident Illness Wellness | $20 | 18 - 22 | Long hair | Active | High |
|
| Bengal | Illness Wellness | $20 | 14 - 16 | Short | Active, playful and affectionate | High |
|
| Birman | Illness Wellness | $20 | 12 - 16 | longish | Calm, friendly and social | Low |
|
| Bombay | Illness Wellness | $21 | 15 - 20 | Short | Very active | Low |
|
| British Short Hair | Illness Wellness | $20 | 14 - 20 | Short | Calm and social | Low |
|
| Burmese | Illness | $21 | 18 - 25 | Short dense | Very active and friendly | High |
|
| Burmilla | Illness | $20 | 13 - 16 | Short | Sociable, playful and affectionate | Medium |
|
| Chinchilla | Illness Wellness | $21 | 12 - 15 | Long | Calm and affectionate | Low |
|
| Cornish Rex | Accident Illness Wellness | $21 | 10 - 15 | Wavy sparse | Active | Low |
|
| Devon Rex | Accident Illness Wellness | $21 | 10 - 15 | Sparse | Active | Medium |
|
| Domestic Long Hair | Wellness | $20 | 18-20 | Short | Active and affectionate | Low |
|
| Domestic Short Hair | Wellness | $20 | 18-20 | Long | Active and affectionate | Low |
|
| Egyptian Mau | Wellness | $20 | 13 - 15 | Short | Very active | Low |
|
| Exotic Short Hair | Illness | $20 | 12 - 15 | Short | Calm, gentle and very social | Medium |
|
| Havana | Wellness | $20 | 8 - 13 | Short | Affectionate and mischievious | Low |
|
| Himalayan | Illness Wellness | $20 | 9 - 15 | Long | Active and affectionate | Medium |
|
| Japanese Bobtail | Illness Wellness | $20 | 9 - 13 | Short and long | Active and affectionate | High |
|
| Javanese | Illness Wellness | $19 | 15 | Short | Active and affectionate | High |
|
| Korat | Wellness | $20 | 15+ | Short | Quiet and playful | Low |
|
| La Perm | Wellness | $20 | 10 - 15 | Short/Long and wavy | Affectionate, quiet and social | Low |
|
| Maine Coon | Illness Wellness | $21 | 12 - 15 | Long | Calm | High |
|
| Manx | Illness Wellness | $20 | 8 - 14 | Short | Calm, affectionate nad not very social | Medium |
|
| Munchkin | Illness Wellness | $20 | 12 - 14 | Short and long | Active and playful | Low |
|
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Illness | $19 | 14 - 16 | Long | Very active | Medium |
|
| Ocicat | Illness Wellness | $21 | 10 - 15 | Short | Active, playful and social | Low |
|
| Oriental | Accident Illness Wellness | $20 | 10 - 15 | Short and long | Active | High |
|
| Persian | Illness Wellness | $20 | 15+ | Long | Calm and quiet | High |
|
| Ragdoll | Illness | $20 | 12 - 17 | Long | Calm and sociable | Medium |
|
| Russian Blue | Wellness | $19 | 15 - 20 | Short | Calm and sociable | Low |
|
| Scottish Fold | Wellness | $20 | 13 - 15 | Short | affectionate and gentle | Low |
|
| Siamese | Illness Wellness | $19 | 15 - 20 | Short | Talkative and social | High |
|
| Siberian | Illness Wellness | $19 | 11 - 15 | Long and dense | Friendly and sociable | Low |
|
| Somali | Illness | $20 | 10 - 12 | Long | Playful and not very sociable | Medium |
|
| Sphynx | Illness | $21 | 13 - 15 | None | Talkative and social | Medium |
|
| Tonkinese | Wellness | $21 | 10 - 16 | Long | Very active | Low |
|
| Turkish Van | Wellness | $22 | 12 - 17 | Long | Very active and playful | Low |
|
What are the most expensive cat breeds to insure?
Cat insurance sticks to a similar price of $20 per month for most breeds, according to our analysis of young, healthy cats. Yet a few cat breeds topped the list at $22 per month for coverage:
- Abyssinian. This domestic short-haired cat sports active energy levels that could lead to mischief and accidents. The breed is also known for a few common health issues like trick knee or diminishing eyesight.
- American Maine Coon. Despite this kitty’s gentle cuddles and cute fluff, the Maine Coone’s most common medical problems, like hip dysplasia, could lead owners to pay a lot in vet bills. Your insurance might make up for that risk by raising premiums higher than other cat breeds.
- Turkish Van. If you steady yourself for this pretty kitty’s playfulness, you won’t be surprised to find yours splashing in the water bowl or getting stuck in tight spaces. This cat’s high energy levels mean there’s a higher chance that you’ll need a vet trip for a few mishaps.
What factors affect my cat insurance premiums?
The insurance costs may stay similar for most young and healthy cats, but your specific cat’s characteristics and health history can influence how much you pay. Factors that might lead to higher or lower premiums:
- A breed with many health problems could lead to higher insurance payouts for claims
- An older cat means you’re more likely to use insurance for costly vet bills
- Spayed or neutered cats don’t have the same health risks and may be less aggressive than other cats
- Your address can affect the vet costs since these can vary for different areas
How do I know if I’m paying a fair rate?
If your cat insurance rate looks similar to the cats in our analysis, you’re paying a fair amount for cat insurance. But consider benefits or free coverage that some pet insurance companies offer like unlimited annual benefits, which increase the value for the policy you’re getting.
For high-risk kitties, factor in extra risk factors your cat poses and weigh several policies side by side to find the best deal. If several companies offer similar rates, chances are that the rate is fair for your cat’s risk level.
Why should I consider cat insurance?
Let’s face it: vet treatments aren’t cheap. Whether your cat is accident-prone, likes to eat things they shouldn’t or has a pedigree with expensive medical problems, pet insurance can help you shoulder the vet bills.
For about $20 dollars a month, you’ll know that you won’t foot the entire vet bill if your kitty needs emergency medical care. With this knowledge in mind, you can decide whether that amount is worth it for you, based on your cat’s risk and healthcare needs.
Compare pet insurance for any cat
Bottom line
Different cats have different healthcare needs and potential health problems, based on their breed. However, you can expect your cost to hover about the same across most breeds. Discover the best deal by comparing cat insurance companies and coverage for your furry feline.
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