Cat breeds differ less in insurance cost than dog breeds do, but the health problems they are known for are very different, and some of them are inherited conditions that insurers watch closely. This guide lists the main conditions by breed, shows what each breed costs to insure, and explains the one condition that cuts across all of them.
Premium figures come from a MoneyGeek report on cat insurance updated August 26, 2026 (standard policy: $5,000 limit, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement). Sources are listed at the end.
Breed by Breed
| Breed | Per month | Per year | Conditions most associated with it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphynx | $40 | $476 | Heart disease (HCM), skin problems |
| Maine Coon | $38 | $460 | HCM, hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy. Full guide |
| Persian | $37 | $443 | Polycystic kidney disease, breathing and eye problems. Full guide |
| British Shorthair | $37 | $442 | HCM, and in some lines kidney disease |
| Scottish Fold | $35 | $426 | Joint and cartilage disease from the gene that folds the ears |
| Bengal | $35 | $420 | HCM, inherited eye disease |
| Himalayan | $35 | $416 | Polycystic kidney disease, which MoneyGeek says is higher in the breed |
| Ragdoll | $33 | $397 | HCM |
| Siamese | $30 | $364 | Dental disease, breathing problems such as asthma |
| Domestic Shorthair | $30 | $358 | No breed-specific pattern. The usual age-related conditions |
The range is narrow: from $358 to $476 a year. The most expensive breed, the Sphynx, costs about 33% more than a Domestic Shorthair. The national cat average is $386 a year. Condition lists are general breed patterns, not a prediction for any one cat.
Why Breed Still Matters
- Heart disease (HCM) is the most common inherited problem across many breeds, and in some a genetic test exists for one mutation. It can appear as a murmur, and a murmur on record before enrollment is usually excluded.
- Polycystic kidney disease is inherited in Persians and related breeds. Responsible breeders screen for it.
- Flat-faced cats have breathing, dental and eye problems that mirror those of flat-faced dogs.
The Condition That Cuts Across Every Breed
Chronic kidney disease affects older cats of every breed. MoneyGeek notes that cats in double digits show higher rates of chronic conditions such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and arthritis. That is why the age at which you enroll matters more than the breed. Cat premiums average $23 a month for a kitten, $34 at age 7, $46 at 10 and $95 from age 16. For the details, read kidney disease in cats: does insurance cover it? and our senior cat guide. The Cornell Feline Health Center publishes owner information on these conditions.
What to Do With This
- Ask the breeder for health test results, such as PKD screening and HCM testing, and keep copies.
- Insure as a kitten, before a murmur or kidney finding is on record. See pre-existing conditions.
- Choose accident and illness coverage. Breed conditions are illnesses, which accident-only plans do not pay. See accident-only vs. accident and illness.
- Check hereditary wording. Some policies exclude conditions classed as hereditary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cat breed is cheapest to insure? In the MoneyGeek data, the Domestic Shorthair at $358 a year, and the Siamese at $364.
Is a purebred cat much more expensive? Not by much: the Sphynx, the highest in this list, costs $476 a year.
Do indoor cats need coverage? Illness is the risk, not accidents. See indoor-only cats.
The Bottom Line
Breed changes the price of cat insurance by a few dollars a month, and changes which conditions to look for. The more important factors are enrolling early and understanding how the policy handles heart and kidney disease.
Sources
- MoneyGeek, Average Pet Insurance Cost for Cats, updated August 26, 2026.
- Cornell Feline Health Center, health information for cat owners.
This article is general information, not veterinary or insurance advice. Premiums and policy terms vary by company, location and policy date.