Data shows that female mixed breed cats are the cheapest to insure. Daniel Dawn/Getty Images
Pet insurance can help you avoid sky-high bills if your animal needs emergency veterinary care or surgery, and in some cases it can even cover basic things like exams, vaccinations, and medication for chronic conditions.
The exact coverage and cost of pet insurance varies by company, but cats are generally the cheapest animals to insure. The exact premium you pay depends on your cat’s age, health and most importantly breed.
If you have one of the cat breeds listed below, you can probably expect a lower pet insurance price than most cat owners. You can now get a free, personalized price quote so you know exactly what to expect.
The cheapest cat breeds to insure
While pet insurance costs vary by policy and provider, they generally remain similar in price. Here is an approximate list of the five cheapest cat breeds to insure.
ExoticBombayMongrel SiberianSphynx1. Exotic
Exotic shorthair and exotic longhair are cheap to insure. An analysis by lendEDU found that exotic short hairstyles cost slightly less, at an average premium of $20.74 per month. Longhair average $25.05 per month.
No wonder: The International Cat Association (TICA) describes exotic cats as “very healthy breeds” that can live up to 11 years.
You can now get a customized pet insurance quote for an exotic cat.
2. Bombay
Bombay cats also have low pet insurance premiums. LendEDU analysis revealed that Bombays costs just $25.73 per month on average. If you choose an accident-only policy, it’s only $13.81 per month.
Embrace Pet Insurance notes that Bombay cats are “generally healthy.” They can develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and excessive tearing, and their short snout can cause breathing difficulties. That aside, however, they tend to live long, healthy lives — sometimes as long as 18 years, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
3. Mongrel
Mixed-breed animals are almost always cheaper to insure than pedigree animals, and this applies to both dogs and cats. This is because mixed breed animals are less likely to have the genetic health predispositions that purebred animals have.
Specifically, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) says neutered mixed-breed bitches have the lowest premiums. Domestic shorthair cats, a type of mixed-breed cat, cost about $30 a month for insurance, or as little as $19 for an accident-only policy.
4. Siberian
Average Siberian premiums are about $30 per month, or $23 if you opt for an accident-only policy. TICA calls Siberians “a generally healthy breed,” although they can be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This breed can live up to 18 years or more.
5. Sphinx
Sphynx cats might look a little odd, but they’ll save you big on your insurance premiums — especially pet accident insurance. According to the analysis, a Sphynx costs only $7 a month to insure against accidents. If you choose accident and medical insurance, it is up to $38 per month.
According to TICA, Sphynxes are “a very hardy and healthy breed,” although like many cats, they can develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. They often live 15 years or more.
Not sure what it would cost to insure your cat? You can now easily get a free price quote online.
Insuring the most expensive cat breeds
On the other side of the coin, you have Russian Blues, Persians, Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Snowshoes, all of which have been classified as expensive.
According to lendEDU analysis, Russian Blues cost about $45 a month on average — a whopping $25 more than the cheapest cat to insure (the Exotic Shorthair).
Look for your cat insurance
As you can see, the cost of cat insurance can vary significantly from breed to breed. The insurance company you choose plays a big part too, so make sure you shop around and compare at least a few pet insurance providers if you want the best price. Many companies offer discounts that you can use to lower your costs. Use the table below to start shopping providers.
MoneyWatch: Manage Your Money More More
