Should I buy pet insurance for an indoor cat?

Yes—pet insurance is worth considering for an indoor cat if a surprise vet bill would be financially stressful. Indoor cats have lower exposure to some outdoor risks, but they can still develop illnesses, dental problems, urinary issues, injuries, or need emergency care. Insurance is mainly useful for large, unexpected costs—not routine checkups.

A practical rule:

1. Buy it if your cat is young/healthy and you want protection against major bills.
2. Consider an accident-and-illness plan rather than wellness add-ons unless you know the math works.
3. Skip it or self-insure if you can comfortably cover a large emergency bill from savings.
4. Read exclusions carefully, especially pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, deductibles, reimbursement rates, annual limits, and dental coverage.

Best timing: enroll before symptoms appear. Once a condition is documented, it may be excluded as pre-existing.