Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you get a quote or buy a policy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Payments never change the prices we report. Every quote below is shown exactly as the insurer gave it.
Updated October 29, 2026
The short answer
Cat insurance costs about $36 a month on average in 2026 for an accident-and-illness plan, based on what U.S. policyholders actually paid in 2025. New shoppers are usually quoted less, around $23 to $24 a month. In Idaho, the average quote is about $26 a month.
The first number averages every policy in force, including older cats and richer plans. The quote averages reflect fresh quotes on standard settings. Cat insurance runs about half the price of dog insurance; see our dog insurance cost guide to compare.
National averages by plan type
Accident-and-illness coverage averaged $435 a year for U.S. cats in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). That was up 12.6% from 2024, a faster rise than for dogs.
| Plan type | What it covers | Average per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident only | Injuries such as falls, swallowed objects, bite wounds | $112 | $9 |
| Accident and illness | Injuries plus illnesses such as kidney disease, infections, cancer | $435 | $36 |
| Accident and illness with wellness | Adds routine care such as vaccines, checkups, dental cleanings | $859 | $72 |
Only about 2.3% of U.S. cats were insured in 2025, compared with about 6% of dogs.
Cost by age
Cat premiums stay low through adulthood, then nearly triple for seniors. Insurify’s 2026 quote data puts kittens at about $21 a month, adult cats at $22 and senior cats at $62 (RealPetCost, Insurify data). Our own Idaho quotes showed the same pattern: an 8-year-old cat cost $9 to $19 a month more than a 1-year-old with the same insurer.
Cost by breed
Breed matters less for cats than for dogs, but purebreds still cost more. A mixed-breed cat averages $23 a month on a $5,000 plan, while an Abyssinian averages $37.
With unlimited annual coverage, averages rise to $40 a month for a mixed-breed cat and $62 for a Maine coon or Abyssinian (Forbes Advisor).
Real quotes for Nampa, Idaho
We ran live quotes on October 29, 2026, for ZIP code 83651. A 1-year-old cat cost about the same with both insurers, but at age 8, Fetch quoted $31.64 a month and Embrace $41.05.
| Sample cat | Embrace | Fetch |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic shorthair, 1 year | $22.48 | $22.16 |
| Domestic shorthair, 8 years | $41.05 | $31.64 |
Fetch’s price includes sick-visit exam fees; Embrace charges extra for them. Forbes puts the Idaho average at $26 a month on a $5,000 plan and $38 with unlimited coverage, close to the national average. These are sample quotes, not offers.
What drives your premium
Age is the biggest factor for cats, followed by plan settings. The annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate you choose can change the price as much as breed does.
Compare on equal settings. Default quotes often use a low annual limit or a high deductible, which makes the monthly price look cheaper than a plan you would actually want.
Is cat insurance worth it?
Cat insurance is cheaper than dog insurance, but cats can still face large bills. The most common cat claims in 2025 were digestive problems, dental disease, urinary tract infections, behavioral issues and respiratory illness, according to NAPHIA.
The largest cat claim NAPHIA reported for 2025 was about $51,600, paid for a 4-year-old American shorthair treated for cancer. Kidney disease, common in older cats, also appeared among the top claims.
Insurance is likely worth it if:
- A surprise vet bill of $2,000 to $5,000 would strain your budget.
- You can enroll while your cat is young, before conditions become pre-existing.
- Your cat is a breed with known hereditary conditions.
It may not be worth it if you can comfortably cover a large bill from savings, or if your cat already has conditions a policy would exclude.
How to get the best price
- Enroll young. Premiums for kittens and adult cats are low, and later conditions are less likely to be excluded.
- Match the settings. Use the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate on every quote.
- Check what’s included. Exam fees are included with some insurers and extra with others.
- Compare again at renewal. The gap between insurers widens as cats age; ours was $9 a month at age 8.
Frequently asked questions
How much is cat insurance per month?
About $36 a month on average for accident-and-illness coverage, based on what policyholders paid in 2025. New quotes for young cats on standard plans often run $22 to $24.
How much does cat insurance cost in Idaho?
Forbes puts the Idaho average at $26 a month for a $5,000 plan and $38 for unlimited coverage. Our Nampa quotes ranged from $22 for a 1-year-old cat to $41 for an 8-year-old.
Is cat insurance worth it for an indoor cat?
Indoor cats may avoid some injuries, but they still get illnesses, such as dental disease, kidney disease and cancer. Insurance is worth considering if a large illness bill would be hard to pay.
How do I get cat insurance quotes?
Enter your cat’s age, breed and ZIP code on each insurer’s website. Set the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate on every quote before you compare prices.
Does cat insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Generally no. Some insurers, including Embrace, may cover conditions they consider curable after a symptom-free period. Check each policy’s terms.
Sources
- NAPHIA 2026 State of the Industry Report Highlights (2025 data)
- Forbes Advisor: Average Cost of Pet Insurance 2026 (audited October 1, 2026)
- RealPetCost: Pet Insurance Cost 2026 (Insurify data, May 2026)
- Embrace Pet Insurance and Fetch Pet Insurance online quote tools, ZIP 83651, October 29, 2026