Last updated Mar 31, 2023
While health insurance coverage for people is no longer mandatory at the federal level, California is one of five states (plus Washington, D.C.) that passed a state law in 2020 requiring all individuals to have health insurance.
Health insurance helps cover the cost of medical expenses in exchange for the payment of a monthly premium. Coverage varies from one plan to another, and premiums change depending on the plan’s annual deductible and payout limits. Pet insurance is similar in many ways.
Pet insurance is designed to help pet owners cover unexpected vet bills for accidents and illnesses. Having a pet insurance plan could save you thousands of dollars on a single vet bill, but there’s no guarantee you’ll ever need to use it.
While there are pros and cons to pet insurance, it’s worth taking a look at the options to determine whether it’s the right choice for you and your cat.
We’ve delved deep into the world of pet insurance specifically for California residents. Here you’ll find pricing and coverage information for some of the top pet insurance companies on the market.
Top 9 Best Cat Insurance in California Reviewed and Compared
Lemonade Pet Insurance
- Flexible deductible between $100 and $500
- Annual payout limit up to $100k
- Choose from three reimbursement rates (70%, 80%, 90%)
MetLife Pet Insurance
- Flexible reimbursement rate up to 100%
- Accident coverage starts at midnight
- Preventive care package available
Embrace Pet Insurance
- Lower than average premiums
- Diminishing deductible for years with no claims
- High annual limits up to $30k
Trupanion by State Farm
- Makes payments directly to your vet
- All plans have an unlimited annual limit
- Standard reimbursement rate of 90%
Figo
- Customizable reimbursement rates between 70% and 100%
- Short 24-hour waiting period for accidents
- Deductible goes down by $50 for every claim-free year
Pet Assure
- Coverage applies to all veterinary services
- Includes 24/7 lost pet recovery service
- No exclusions for pre-existing conditions
Spot
- Two preventive care plans available
- Low 14-day waiting periods
- Coverage includes microchipping and exam fees
Healthy Paws
- Direct payment is available for some providers
- Claims are processed as quickly as 48 hours
- Unlimited annual payout for all plans
PetsBest
- Comprehensive accident-only plan available
- Flexible deductibles as low as $50
- Three tiers of accident & illness coverage
Why Should You Trust Us?
At Cats.com, we’ve put hundreds of hours into pet insurance research. To create this guide, we gathered quotes from 15 of the most popular pet insurance companies on the market, evaluating rates, policies, and customer service.
To compare costs, we’ve requested quotes from each company using the same fictional cat profile: a spayed 4-year-old domestic shorthair living in San Francisco, California. Her name is Sweet Pea and she’ll be helping us compare the rates offered by the insurance providers on this list.
After spending hours researching plans and compiling quotes, our top recommendation is Lemonade Pet Insurance. In addition to comprehensive coverage, Lemonade offers customizable plans, comprehensive wellness add-ons, and quick claims processing.
While Lemonade has earned the top spot on this list, there are other pet insurance plans that might work better for you and your cat.
Before we jump into our reviews, keep reading to learn the basics about pet insurance what factors to consider as a cat owner in California when you start shopping around.
What Is What Is Cat Pet Insurance And Do You Need It?
Most health insurance plans pay your provider directly then bill you for any uncovered costs (on top of your copay or coinsurance and monthly premiums). With pet insurance, things are a little different.
Pet insurance plans typically work via reimbursement. In other words, you pay the vet bill upfront then submit a claim. The plan will then reimburse covered costs at a predetermined percentage rate, generally between 70% and 90%. Some plans cover the cost of treatment but don’t pay the exam fees and, unless you purchase a wellness plan, preventive care costs are not usually covered.
While pet insurance offers protection against unexpected veterinary costs, some pet owners end up paying thousands in premiums over the lifetime of their pet without making a significant claim.
You’re required to pay your monthly premium whether you file a claim or not. If you do file a claim, you may only get 70% of the cost reimbursed, often not including the exam fee. As long as your cat remains healthy, you could be paying hundreds of dollars per year for a policy you don’t use.
Before you write off the idea of pet insurance, however, consider the opposite possibility.
If you don’t have pet insurance and your cat becomes seriously sick or injured, you could be stuck with a vet bill that totals in the thousands. Even if you don’t get all of it back, having a pet insurance plan means you don’t foot the entire bill yourself.
Mallory Crusta, our head of content, spoke with Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, CVC, CVA about the subject.
Dr. Richter is the owner and medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care, an alternative veterinary care practice located in Oakland, California. He told Mallory that “pet insurance is 100% worth the cost” but reminds pet owners that insurance companies are for-profit businesses. It’s the pet owner’s responsibility to research the options before deciding if pet insurance is worth the cost.
Special Considerations for California Cat Owners
As you’re weighing the pros and cons of cat insurance, take a moment to consider whether there’s anything about where you live that might sway your thoughts in one direction over the other.
For example, cat owners in California have more reason to be worried about natural disasters than pet owners in other parts of the world. Wildfires and earthquakes are of particular concern in California. Natural disasters can create dangerous situations from falling objects to smoke inhalation. California is also home to a variety of rattlesnakes, venomous spiders, and large predators that could be a problem for cats who spend time outdoors.
Though it’s entirely your decision whether you think pet insurance is worth it, California residents are lucky that pet insurance providers are required to disclose key details that might impact your decision.
California’s Consumer Protection Law requires pet insurance companies to disclose:
- Policy exclusions (like pre-existing conditions or hereditary disorders)
- Waiting periods (a length of time after enrollment before you can submit a claim)
- Deductibles and coinsurance rates
- Annual and lifetime policy limits
- Whether claim history affects premium price
It’s also worth looking into local regulations your municipality may have regarding pets. For example, Los Angeles County requires cat and dog owners to have their pets spayed or neutered after 4 months of age. This surgery is generally considered preventive care and isn’t covered by most pet insurance plans, though some have wellness add-on packages that provide some coverage.
Now that you have a better understanding of pet insurance and what California residents might need to consider before buying, let’s take a closer look at our top picks for the best cat insurance in California.
9 Best Cat Insurance Plans in California
#1 Overall Best: Lemonade
Lemonade offers insurance for pet owners, homeowners, and renters. They’re known for quick and hassle-free claims payment as well as affordable monthly premiums.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $24.58* | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500 | $5k – $100k | Accidents: 2 days
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 6 mo. |
To get a quote for Lemonade cat insurance, you’ll need to fill out a questionnaire. Most pet insurance plans collect information about your cat’s sex, breed, and age, but Lemonade’s questionnaire is pretty extensive. They ask whether you’ve owned a cat before and how long you’ve had your cat. It’s unclear whether this information impacts your quote, but it does make it take a little longer to get a quote.
What’s Covered?
Base accident and illness coverage from Lemonade includes diagnostics such as blood tests, urinalysis, and imaging tests as well as outpatient, specialty, and emergency care. Your cat is covered for surgery and hospitalization as well as injections and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Lemonade pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, dental care, or spay/neuter surgery for pets over 2 years of age. Nor do they cover claims submitted inside the waiting periods stated in the table above. Your cat must have a full medical exam within 12 months of enrollment before you can start filing claims.
As an add-on to base coverage, Lemonade offers extended accident and illness coverage. For an extra $4.75 per month, you can have exam fees covered and an extra $1.50 per month gets you coverage for alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care. Lemonade also offers two levels of preventive care coverage for $10 or $16 per month.
Pros
- Customizable plans with flexible reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits
- Covers diagnostics, procedures, and medication for accidents and illnesses
- Two levels of preventive care available as a policy add-on
- Save $12 when you pay your policy annually instead of monthly
Cons
- Signup process takes a little longer than some plans
- Customer service is only available via app or email
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, or behavioral therapies
#2 Runner Up: MetLife
While most pet insurance companies have waiting periods before you can file a claim, MetLife has some of the shortest waiting periods for accident and illness coverage in the industry. This company also offers numerous discounts to make their plans more affordable. You can save $1 per month by paying online with an additional 10% off for active military, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, veterinarians, and shelter personnel.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $26.13* | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | $50, $100, $250, $500 | $2k, $5k, $10k | Accidents: Midnight on enrollment day
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 6 mo. |
What’s Covered?
Accident and Illness coverage from MetLife includes diagnostic testing, hospitalization and surgery, imaging tests, and emergency care. This company also offers coverage for holistic care and alternative therapies. MetLife is different from many pet insurance companies in that they cover exam fees as well.
MetLife pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, costs and conditions related to breeding, grooming costs, or organ transplants. Nor do they pay claims made within the waiting period. Fortunately, MetLife’s waiting period for accidents is very short – you can file a claim after midnight on the day of enrollment – and the waiting period for illnesses is just 14 days.
As an add-on to base coverage, MetLife offers preventive care coverage. This package includes coverage for wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, dental cleaning, spay/neuter surgery, and flea/tick medication.
Pros
- Flexible reimbursement rates between 70% and 100%
- Multiple discounts available as well as diminishing deductible
- Near-immediate coverage for accidents (midnight on enrollment day)
- Over 80% of claims are processed within 10 days
- Preventive care coverage available as an add-on package
Cons
- Claims process could be more streamlined
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions and elective procedures
#3 Best Savings: Embrace
While most pet insurance companies enable cat owners to customize their plan, Embrace offers five options for deductibles and annual limits with three reimbursement rates to choose from. This makes it easy to find a plan that is affordable for you.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $17.94* | 70%, 80%, 90% | $200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000 | $5k, $8k, $10k, $15k, $30k | Accidents: 48 hours
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 6 mo. |
What’s Covered?
An Accident and Illness Plan from Embrace covers exam fees, diagnostics, and treatment for a wide range of accidents and illnesses. Their policy covers cancer treatment and treatment for both chronic and congenital health problems. Hospitalization, surgery, emergency care, physical therapy, and complementary treatments are also covered.
Embrace pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. It’s also worth noting that Embrace does have a few age-related exceptions. Cats up to 14 are eligible for a policy and will retain coverage as they age. If your cat is over 15, however, they’ll only be eligible for accident coverage.
On top of their base accident and illness coverage, Embrace offers a Wellness Rewards plan. It works like a savings account that pays up to 100% of covered preventive care costs up to the annual limit you select: $250, $450, or $650.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage for traditional and alternative treatments
- Highly customizable for deductibles, reimbursement, and limits
- Get $50 off your deductible for every year you don’t make a claim
- Optional Wellness Rewards plan covers preventive care
Cons
- Cats over 15 years are only eligible for accident coverage
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions and elective procedures
#4 Best Direct Pay: Trupanion by State Farm
Most pet insurance companies require customers to submit a claim for reimbursement. While Trupanion does offer a standard reimbursement rate of 90% for all plans, they’re one of the few pet insurance companies that will make direct payments to certain providers.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $58.73 | 90% | $0 – $1,000 | Unlimited | Accidents: 5 days
Illness: 30 days Orthopedic: 30 days |
What’s Covered?
Trupanion pet insurance covers everything from diagnostic testing to surgeries and hospital stays for a wide range of accidents and illnesses. They also cover medications, veterinary supplements, herbal therapy, and prosthetic devices and carts. Trupanion even covers hereditary and congenital conditions as well as unidentified issues that don’t have an official diagnosis.
Trupanion pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. It’s also important to know that Trupanion reimburses based on veterinary costs in your area, not national averages. This can save you money, as can their per-incident deductible. It generally works well for young, healthy cats but might not be the best choice for cats that are prone to health issues.
What makes Trupanion different from other pet insurance companies is that they will pay certain providers directly, saving you from having to file a claim and wait for reimbursement. You’ll need to use the Trupanion website to see whether your vet accepts direct payments, but all vets and hospitals are eligible for standard coverage with Trupanion insurance.
In addition to their base coverage, Trupanion offers a Recovery and Complementary Care Rider for alternative therapies and a Pet Owner Assistance Package to help with lost pet recovery and boarding fees if you are hospitalized.
Pros
- Direct payments available for certain providers
- High standard reimbursement rate of 90%
- Flexible deductible between $0 and $1000
- Per-incident deductible could be good for young, healthy cats
- All plans come with unlimited annual payouts
Cons
- Online enrollment incurs a $35 one-time administration fee
- More expensive than the average policy
- Deductibles work on a per-incident basis, not annual
- Like most pet insurance plans, no coverage for pre-existing conditions
#5 Best For Customization: Figo
Figo pet insurance is fairly new to market but offers a wide variety of options for customization. Customers can choose their reimbursement rate up to 100% with four deductible and three annual limit options. For each year you don’t make a claim, your deductible goes down by $50.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $17.94* | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | $100, $250, $500, $750 | $5k, $10k, Unlimited | Accidents: 24 hours
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 6 mo. |
What’s Covered?
The basic accident and illness plan from Figo covers all new illnesses and accidents, including related diagnostic tests, prescription medications, and advanced treatments. They cover surgeries, hospitalizations, and emergency services including treatments for chronic conditions. Figo also offers a 24/7 live vet chat for policy holders.
Figo pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, preventive care, or prescription food. Figo doesn’t cover exam fees for accident and illness visits either, though you can add coverage for $5.76 per month.
In addition to their base accident and illness coverage, Figo offers two levels of routine care coverage. The Basic Plan costs $5.50 a month and covers certain preventive care costs up to an annual $135 limit. The Plus plan costs $9.50 and covers up to $250 per year. Both plans offer some coverage for spay/neuter surgery and dental cleanings.
Pros
- Flexible reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual limits
- Comprehensive coverage for accidents and illnesses
- Two wellness plans available as add-ons
- 24/7 live vet chat available for policy holders
- Short 24-hour waiting period for accident coverage
Cons
- Fairly new company, limited experience in the industry
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
#6 Best For Pre-Existing Conditions: Pet Assure
It’s exceedingly rare to find a pet insurance company that covers pre-existing conditions. This policy is in place to keep pet owners from buying insurance after their pet has already developed a problem. If your cat has existing health problems, a pet insurance alternative like Pet Assure might be the right option.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $9.95* | 25% discount | N/A | N/A | None |
What’s Covered?
Pet Assure is not a conventional pet insurance company but a membership program that gives you discounts on veterinary services. In exchange for a monthly fee, you get a Pet Assure membership card that entitles you to 25% off vet services at participating locations.
Though Pet Assure doesn’t reimburse policy holders at the higher rates offered by conventional pet insurance, their membership plans are much lower than traditional monthly premiums. For a single cat, you’ll pay just $9.95 per month. The Family Plan covers 2 to 4 animals of any size for $16.95/month and, for $21.95 per month, you can cover all of the pets in your household.
Pros
- Low monthly membership fee of $9.95
- Receive a 25% discount on all vet services at participating clinics
- Multi-pet plans available for pets of all sizes
- No waiting periods, available to use immediately
- Covers all accidents and illnesses with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions
Cons
- Only usable at select locations in the Pet Assure network
- Discount plan, not a reimbursement plan
#7 Best Preventive Care Add-On Plan: Spot
Not only do most pet insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions from their coverage, but few include preventive care. Preventive care includes things like your cat’s annual wellness exam, vaccinations, and spay/neuter surgery. Many plans offer coverage for an extra monthly premium and Spot’s preventive care add-on is very comprehensive.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $30.14*
$24.95/mo. Preventive Care add-on |
70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $2.5k – Unlimited | Accidents: 14 days
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 14 days |
What’s Covered?
The accident and illness plan from Spot offers comprehensive overage for treatments and procedures related to a wide variety of conditions. This plan includes exam fees and diagnostics, even advanced treatments like chemotherapy, acupuncture, and stem-cell therapy. Spot also offers an accident-only plan with or without preventive care coverage. The accident-only plan costs $14.29 per month.
Spot pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, breeding costs, cosmetic procedures, or preventive care. You can, however, purchase an add-on Preventive Care Plan.
The Gold plan costs an additional $9.95 per month and includes limited coverage for wellness exams, dental cleanings, deworming, vaccines, and FELV testing. The Platinum plan costs $24.95 per month and covers these costs at a higher rate with the addition of coverage for flea prevention, blood tests, and urinalysis.
Pros
- Two comprehensive preventive care plans available
- Advanced treatments like chemo and stem-cell therapy covered
- Flexible reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual limits
- Low 14-day waiting period for illness and cruciate ligament injury
- Coverage includes microchipping and exam fees
Cons
- Customer service availability is limited on weekends
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
#8 Best For Lifetime Coverage: Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance was founded in 2009 along with the Healthy Paws Foundation which helps support animal rescue organizations by providing grants for food, medicine, and operating costs. This pet insurance company has done away with claim forms, converting to a smartphone app that makes it easy to manage your policy online.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $23.42* | 50%, 70%, 80%, 90% | $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | Unlimited | Accidents: 15 days
Illness: 15 days Orthopedic: 12 mo. |
What’s Covered?
Accident and illness coverage from Healthy Paws covers diagnostics and treatment for a wide range of issues including cancer, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions, and congenital conditions. Coverage includes imaging tests, surgery, hospitalization, emergency care, specialty care, prescription medications, and even alternative treatment.
Healthy Paws pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, preventive care, or spay/neuter procedures. Their plans also do not cover exam fees. Both accidents and illnesses have a 15-day waiting period, but Healthy Paws requires a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage in pets enrolled under the age of 6.
All Healthy Paws plans have no per-incident, annual, or lifetime limits. You can customize your plan by choosing from four deductible options and four reimbursement rates. Healthy Paws doesn’t offer any add-ons to cover exam fees or preventive care.
Pros
- Customize your plan with four deductibles and reimbursement options
- Offers direct pay for certain providers
- No annual or lifetime coverage limits on any plan
- Claims are processed as quickly as 48 hours
- Smartphone app makes it easy to manage your plan online
Cons
- One-time administration fee of $25 at enrollment
- No options for add-on wellness coverage
- Like most plans, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
#9 Best Accident-Only Plan: Pets Best
If you want comprehensive protection against unexpected vet costs, an accident and illness plan is the way to go. For cats who have pre-existing conditions, however, it may not be worth paying the extra premium for a plan you might not be able to use. In cases like this – and in cases where the cat is young and healthy – you might consider an accident-only plan. Pets Best has an affordably option.
| Monthly Premium | Reimbursement | Deductible | Annual Limit | Waiting Periods |
| $27.99* | 70%, 80%, 90% | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | $5k or Unlimited | Accidents: 3 days
Illness: 14 days Orthopedic: 6 mo. |
What’s Covered?
The accident-only plan from Pets Best offers up to $10,000 in annual coverage with a 90% reimbursement rate and $250 deductible. It costs just $6 per month and covers diagnostics and treatment for accidents such as poisoning, bites, car accidents, foreign body ingestion, and more. The plan doesn’t cover any illnesses, routine care, or alternative therapies.
Pets Best’s accident and illness plans are available with three different tiers of coverage. The Essential plan covers accidents, illnesses, cancer, hereditary conditions, emergency care, surgeries, and prescription medications with a max annual payout of $5k. The Plus plan adds coverage for exam fees and the Elite plan adds rehabilitative, acupuncture, and chiropractic coverage.
Like most plans, Pets Best pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive care. This company does, however, over routine care add-ons at two levels for $16 or $26 a month extra. The BestWellness plan is the most comprehensive, offering higher coverage limits and some coverage for teeth cleaning and spay/neuter surgery.
Pros
- Comprehensive accident-only plan available
- Short 3-day waiting period for accidents
- Flexible deductibles between $50 and $1,000
- Three tiers of coverage for accident & illness plans
- Optional add-on for preventive care available
Cons
- Only two annual limit options
- Like most plans, no coverage for pre-existing conditions
*Monthly premiums obtained using the profile of Sweet Pea, a 4-year-old, spayed domestic shorthair who lives in San Francisco, California.
Average Cat Insurance Cost in California
According to a 2021 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), American pet owners spend over $34 billion to keep their cats healthy. This figure represents spending on things like veterinary care, surgical procedures, and prescription medications. Vet care is the highest category of spending among pet owners after pet food and treats.
Pet insurance can help mitigate some of the costs associated with veterinary care for pets, but premiums vary greatly.
According to Market Watch, the monthly premiums for cat insurance average between $15 and $30. Market Watch collected quotes using a 4-year-old male cat from the top ten most popular breeds. Forbes Advisor calculated a monthly premium cost between $30 and $48 for plans with a 90% reimbursement rate, $250 deductible, and $5,000 annual maximum payout.
Location is a key factor in determining insurance rates. Based on our research for this piece, the average cost of cat insurance in California is between $18 and $30 per month. Again, we assembled quotes for a 4-year-old female domestic shorthair with no pre-existing conditions.
The Bottom Line
No matter where you live, cat insurance has the potential to save you thousands of dollars on unexpected vet fees. In some cases, having pet insurance coverage makes a difference in making decisions about life-prolonging treatment for serious accidents and illnesses. Some pet owners simply can’t afford to give their cat a potentially life-saving surgery or expensive treatment for chronic illness.
There are no guarantees that you’ll get your money’s worth out of a pet insurance policy but, for many cat owners, having the peace of mind knowing there’s a backup plan in place is enough.
Here are the key takeaways from our research into cat insurance in California:
- Most pet insurance companies in California offer reimbursement rates between 70% and 90%, though a few offer 50% or 100% as an option.
- California cat insurance plans for a 4-year-old female cat with 80% reimbursement, a $250 annual deductible, and $5k annual limit cost between $18 and $30 per month.
- Pet insurance companies selling to California residents must disclose information about policy exclusions, waiting periods, deductibles, and payout limits.
When it comes to buying cat insurance, it’s entirely your choice to make. As a cat owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your cat safe and healthy but buying pet insurance isn’t the only to do that.
Pet insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you’ll have help covering unexpected vet costs in the event of an accident or serious illness. It generally doesn’t, however, cover planned costs like spay/neuter surgery, wellness exams, and vaccinations. If your cat is young and healthy, it may be more worth your while to put what you’d spend on insurance premiums into an emergency fund for your cat.
If you decide that pet insurance is worth the cost, we’d encourage you to consider one of the plans we’ve reviewed above.
