Veterinary medicine is advancing rapidly, but so are the costs. Average premiums for cat insurance in 2025 are around $32.21 per month and the price of a vet bill has increased by more than 60 % over the past decade. Yet only about 4 % of pet owners have insurance, which means millions of families still face the prospect of paying large bills out of pocket. Industry experts note that adoption rates are growing quickly—between 20 % and 29 % year over year—as pet parents realize that insurance helps manage unexpected costs.
Search engines mirror this heightened interest. In 2025, Google and Bing queries frequently focus on “affordable cat insurance for indoor cats,” “best cat wellness plans,” and “online vet consultation for cats in America.” People want to know not only which companies offer the most comprehensive coverage but also where to find budget‑friendly policies and convenient telehealth options. Online vet services became mainstream during the pandemic, and although laws still require a veterinarian–client–patient relationship for prescriptions, digital consultations are now a key part of many plans.
In this cornerstone guide, we highlight five trusted pet insurance companies that stand out in 2025. The order is random; there is no objective “best” provider for every cat. Each offers unique strengths and caters to different budgets and lifestyles. We encourage you to obtain quotes from several companies and discuss options with your veterinarian to find the plan that fits your feline companion.
What Cat Parents Are Searching for in 2025
Budget‑Friendly Coverage
Many searches revolve around affordability. People are looking up *cheap cat insurance*, *discounts for indoor cats* and *plans with low deductibles*. Insurers respond by offering accident‑only coverage, tiered plans and multi‑pet discounts, allowing cat owners to tailor premiums to their budgets.
Comprehensive Wellness and Preventative Care
Long‑tail queries like “best cat wellness plans” and “does cat insurance cover dental cleanings?” show a growing interest in preventative care. Cat parents want coverage for routine exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and even behavioral therapy. Providers such as Embrace and Pets Best offer wellness add‑ons that reimburse these costs.
Convenience and Telehealth
Requests for “online vet consultation for cats” and “24/7 vet chat” reveal that convenience matters. Owners want immediate answers when their cat vomits at 3 a.m. Plans from Pets Best and Embrace include 24/7 helplines. MetLife also activates accident coverage immediately after purchase, reducing downtime between signing up and being protected.
Holistic and Alternative Therapies
An emerging search trend is “holistic pet insurance”. People are curious about coverage for herbal remedies, CBD oil and grief counseling. MetLife’s accident and illness plan covers these holistic treatments and even offers grief counseling for pet loss.
With these search trends in mind, let’s explore the insurance providers that are meeting the needs of cat parents in 2025.
Top Pet Insurance Companies for Cats in 2025 (Random Order)
MetLife – Comprehensive Coverage with Immediate Protection
MetLife earns high marks from reviewers and consumers alike. NerdWallet named it the best overall pet insurance for 2025 because of its comprehensive benefits and flexibility. Here’s what sets MetLife apart:
- No waiting period for accident coverage. Coverage activates at midnight after purchase, so if your cat gets injured the next day, the policy kicks in immediately.
- Holistic and grief‑counseling coverage. MetLife’s accident and illness plan pays for alternative treatments like herbal remedies and CBD oil and even covers grief counseling after the loss of a pet.
- Flexible plans. You can choose accident‑and‑illness coverage, wellness add‑ons or both, with reimbursement rates between 50 % and 90 % and deductibles from $0 to $2,500.
- Wide array of discounts. First responders, health care workers, veterans, active military members and staff at animal care facilities may qualify for discounted premiums. You may also save if your employer offers MetLife pet insurance as a benefit.
- No age restrictions. MetLife accepts cats of any age, making it a good option for both kittens and senior felines.
Top‑performing plans and services: MetLife offers a flexible accident‑and‑illness plan with optional wellness coverage. The base plan includes diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication and alternative therapies. The wellness add‑on reimburses routine exams, vaccinations and parasite prevention. Because accident coverage starts immediately, you don’t have to worry about a gap in protection for injuries.
Recognition: NerdWallet’s ranking notes that MetLife achieved the highest raw score among evaluated companies. Many independent reviews highlight its short waiting periods and breadth of coverage.
Ideal for: Cat parents seeking broad coverage—including holistic therapies—and immediate accident protection. MetLife is particularly attractive if you qualify for one of its many discounts.
Pets Best – Customizable Plans and Direct Vet Pay
Pets Best stands out for its flexibility and its ability to pay veterinarians directly. NerdWallet lists Pets Best as the best insurer for paying the vet directly.
- Direct vet payment. Unlike most providers that require you to pay the vet and wait for reimbursement, Pets Best can pay your veterinarian directly. This is invaluable for expensive procedures when you might not have cash on hand.
- Three accident‑and‑illness tiers plus accident‑only plan. Pets Best offers three levels of accident and illness coverage and a budget‑friendly accident‑only plan. Reimbursement choices include 70 %, 80 % or 90 %, with deductibles ranging from $50 to $1,000. There are also two wellness add‑ons for routine care.
- Unlimited annual coverage. Customers can select unlimited coverage so there is no cap on reimbursements.
- No upper age limit. Cats of any age can enroll, and the minimum enrollment age is seven weeks.
- 24/7 vet helpline. Members can call a veterinary expert any time of day to ask about symptoms, diet, behavior or medication.
Top‑performing plans and services: The highest tier of accident and illness coverage offers broad benefits including hospitalization, surgery, cancer treatment, hereditary condition coverage and prescription medications. Routine care add‑ons reimburse wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping and even flea/tick prevention. The accident‑only plan provides emergency coverage at a lower price.
Recognition: NerdWallet gave Pets Best a perfect rating and highlighted its customization options, unlimited coverage and no upper age limit. It also noted that exam fees and certain therapies are included only with more expensive plans and that food and supplements aren’t covered.
Ideal for: Cat parents who value the ability to customize coverage and avoid large upfront vet bills. Pets Best is also a strong choice if you want a 24/7 helpline and accident‑only coverage for a young indoor cat.
Healthy Paws – No Payment Caps and Straightforward Coverage
Healthy Paws focuses on simplicity and comprehensive accident‑and‑illness protection. BestReviews lists it as one of the top cat insurance providers for 2025.
- No payment caps. Healthy Paws does not impose annual or lifetime payout limits. Once you meet your deductible, the policy pays its portion of eligible expenses without restriction.
- Extensive medical coverage. Plans cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, cancer treatments, diagnostics, hospitalization and prescription medications.
- Mobile app and easy claims. Healthy Paws offers an intuitive mobile app and simple claim submission process. It can also pay your veterinarian directly for covered treatments.
- Charitable mission. The company donates to animal welfare organizations, so your premium supports pets in need.
Top‑performing plans and services: Healthy Paws sells a single accident‑and‑illness plan with reimbursement options (often 70 %, 80 % or 90 %) and annual deductibles. There are no wellness add‑ons, which keeps the plan straightforward but means routine care isn’t covered.
Recognition: Reviews praise Healthy Paws for ease of use, direct vet payment and unlimited payouts. However, BestReviews notes that it lacks exam and wellness coverage, has longer waiting periods and doesn’t offer multi‑pet discounts.
Ideal for: Cat owners who want robust accident and illness coverage with no caps and appreciate a simple, all‑inclusive plan. It’s a good fit if you aren’t concerned about wellness coverage and prefer a company with a charitable ethos.
Embrace – Personalized Policies and Wellness Add‑Ons
Embrace tailors its policies to individual needs and includes features that appeal to cat owners looking for holistic coverage. According to BestReviews, it offers a range of benefits beyond basic accident and illness protection.
- PawSupport 24/7 helpline. Embrace provides access to PawSupport, a round‑the‑clock helpline staffed by veterinary experts. This is useful for late‑night questions about vomiting, anxiety or dietary changes.
- Coverage for exam fees and dental disease. Embrace’s base plan reimburses exam fees and treats dental illnesses such as periodontal disease—a feature not common among competitors.
- Wellness Rewards program. The optional wellness plan reimburses preventative care, including annual exams, vaccines, spay/neuter, microchipping, training classes and grooming.
- Personalized policy adjustments. You can customize your reimbursement rate, deductible and annual limit, and Embrace offers decreasing deductibles: your deductible drops by $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
- Multiple discounts and money‑back guarantee. There’s a 10 % multi‑pet discount, a 5 % military discount and a 15‑day money‑back guarantee.
Top‑performing plans and services: Embrace’s accident‑and‑illness plan covers chronic conditions, hereditary diseases, prescription medications and cancer treatments. The PawSupport helpline and exam fee coverage add significant value. Wellness Rewards reimburse routine care at a set allowance per year.
Recognition: BestReviews names Embrace a top cat insurer due to its breadth of coverage and flexible policies. The review cautions that reimbursement caps apply and the company doesn’t offer direct vet payment.
Ideal for: Cat parents looking for a customizable plan that covers exam fees and dental care and want the option to add wellness coverage. It’s especially appealing if you have multiple pets or qualify for military discounts.
Lemonade – Fast Claims and Digital Convenience
Lemonade brings a tech‑driven approach to pet insurance. Its user‑friendly app and fast claim processing make it popular among younger pet parents. BestReviews rates Lemonade as a leading cat insurer in 2025.
- Quick reimbursement and digital experience. Lemonade’s AI‑powered app processes many claims instantly, depositing reimbursements quickly. You can buy and manage your policy entirely online.
- Customizable policy. The base accident‑and‑illness plan covers diagnostics, procedures and medications for accidents and illnesses. You can add packages for wellness care, physical therapy, dental illness and more.
- Affordable starting price and discounts. Plans start around $10 per month, although actual costs vary by age, breed and location. There’s a 5 % multi‑pet discount and a 10 % discount when you bundle Lemonade with renters or homeowners insurance.
- Responsive support and charity model. Lemonade’s customer service is known for responsiveness. As a certified B Corp, Lemonade donates unclaimed premiums to charities selected by customers.
- Availability limitations and waiting periods. Lemonade isn’t available in every state and has waiting periods of up to six months for some conditions.
Top‑performing plans and services: Lemonade’s accident‑and‑illness plan is comprehensive, and the optional wellness add‑on covers annual exams, vaccines, flea/tick and heartworm prevention. Additional packages include dental illness coverage, end‑of‑life services and alternative therapy.
Recognition: Lemonade is frequently noted for its affordability and digital ease. BestReviews highlights its quick reimbursement, customizable policies and responsive support.
Ideal for: Tech‑savvy cat owners who want to handle everything online and value fast reimbursement. Lemonade is also attractive if you plan to bundle other insurance products or want to support a company with a charitable mission.
How to Choose the Right Cat Insurance
With so many providers and plan options, choosing the right insurance can feel daunting. Here are some factors to consider, based on expert tips from independent reviewers and industry analysts:
1. Research the provider’s reputation. Look into how long the company has been in business, read independent reviews and check customer ratings. Strong financial stability and positive customer feedback indicate reliability.
2. Understand what’s covered. Thoroughly read the policy to know which conditions, treatments and services are included. Choose plans that cover congenital, chronic and hereditary diseases, and check whether exam fees or dental illnesses are reimbursed.
3. Match the plan to your cat’s needs. Consider age, breed predispositions and lifestyle. For indoor cats, an accident‑only plan might suffice, but seniors or breeds prone to illness benefit from comprehensive policies with higher annual limits.
4. Evaluate reimbursement rates, deductibles and caps. Higher reimbursement rates and lower deductibles reduce out‑of‑pocket expenses but increase premiums. Unlimited or high annual limits offer greater security for major illnesses. Make sure there are no hidden caps on specific conditions.
5. Check waiting periods and exclusions. Waiting periods vary by company (e.g., six months for cruciate ligament issues with some providers). Preexisting conditions are generally excluded.
6. Consider customer service and telehealth. A 24/7 helpline or telehealth platform can provide peace of mind. Ensure that support is responsive and available when you need it.
7. Compare quotes annually. Premiums change as your cat ages or if you move. Get quotes from multiple insurers each year to ensure you’re getting the best value.
Pet insurance is no longer a luxury; it’s an essential financial tool for responsible cat parents. Costs of veterinary care continue to rise, and insurance adoption is increasing rapidly. The providers highlighted above—MetLife, Pets Best, Healthy Paws, Embrace and Lemonade—represent a diverse set of options, from comprehensive coverage with holistic benefits to budget‑friendly plans with direct vet pay. No single insurer is perfect for everyone. Your choice should reflect your cat’s health risks, your financial situation and your preference for digital convenience or personalized service.
We encourage you to request quotes from multiple companies, explore wellness add‑ons, and consider telehealth features. By being proactive and informed, you’ll be better equipped to protect your feline companion and focus on what matters most: enjoying a long, happy life together.