The Best Pet Insurance Companies
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Pet insurance can help you significantly offset the cost of your pet’s health care needs. If you’ve started researching, you’ve likely seen that most offer a similar accident-and-illness plan with standard coverages and exclusions. However, many have key differences in their fine print, coverage limit and deductible options, and exclusions.
We analyzed each provider’s policies and customer reviews. We also got sample quotes for dogs and cats of various ages to rate which company has the most to offer at the best price. We ultimately found that Lemonade offers the best pet insurance for most pet owners and some of the most affordable rates.
Key Takeaways
- You can typically expect to pay $25–$45 per month for most pet insurance policies.
- Spot and ASPCA offer accident-only plans, allowing you to get basic coverage for unexpected accidents and injuries without the price of a full plan.
- Most providers enforce a 2-week waiting period, which makes you wait at least 14 days before coverage kicks in.
- Choosing a lower reimbursement rate and coverage limit with a higher deductible will lower your policy cost, but you should ultimately choose the variables that work best for your budget and needs.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies?
After carefully reviewing the top pet insurance providers in the nation based on their coverage offerings, plan options, company reputation, and more, we have found the following five companies to be the best options for most pet owners.
- Lemonade: Best Overall
- Spot: Most Customizable Plans
- ASPCA: Best for New Pet Owners
- Embrace: Best Deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best Coverage Limit
Compare the Top Pet Insurance
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Coverage | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33.69 | $13.32 | accident and illness, wellness | VISIT SITE | ||
| $38.44 | $21.53 | accident and illness, accident only, wellness | VISIT SITE | ||
| $20.76 | $18.47 | accident and illness, accident only, wellness | VISIT SITE | ||
| $65.15 | $53.43 | accident and illness, wellness | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.83 | $24.68 | accident and illness | VISIT SITE |
*Sample quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed male dogs and cats in Raleigh, North Carolina using a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, and 80% reimbursement rate. Healthy Paws doesn’t have an option to customize your annual coverage limit, so this quote is for unlimited coverage.
Lemonade
Best Overall
Spot
Most Customizable Plans
ASPCA
Best for New Pet Owners
Embrace
Best Deductibles
Healthy Paws
Best Coverage Limit
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
The average cost of pet insurance for dogs across our top five providers is $41 per month. The average monthly premium for cats across these providers is $26. Lemonade, Spot, and ASPCA have the lowest pricing out of our top five providers.
Pet insurance premiums are calculated based on your location and your pet’s age, breed, gender, and species. Metropolitan areas typically have higher premiums, as do older pets, male pets, and dogs.
If saving money is your priority, check out our review of cheapest pet insurance companies, and the best pet insurance for older pets.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Once you enroll in a pet insurance plan, there will be a waiting period until your coverage kicks in—usually no longer than 15 days for most providers. After the waiting period is over, you can file a claim for your pet’s veterinary bills. When you take your pet to any licensed vet office, you’ll pay the bill out of pocket, then go online or on your mobile app to file a claim for the amount you were charged. Your provider will reimburse you via direct deposit or mailed check, usually within a couple of weeks after the claim is processed.
Remember, you’ll have to meet your pet insurance deductible before you’ll start receiving reimbursements. If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll have a lower monthly premium, but you’ll be responsible for paying more out of pocket. If you choose a lower deductible, you’ll pay less out of pocket but will have a higher premium.
The annual limit you choose also affects how much you’ll be reimbursed. For example, if you choose a $5,000 annual limit, once you’ve been reimbursed $5,000, your provider won’t reimburse you any further, even if you continue submitting claims. Some providers offer unlimited coverage, meaning there’s no payout cap, though this option sometimes increases your premium.
You’ll also get to choose your reimbursement rate, which is usually 70%–100%. The higher the rate, the higher the premium, but you’ll also be reimbursed more. For example, if you choose a 90% reimbursement level, your provider will reimburse you 90% of the vet bill you filed a claim for.
Check out our guide on how pet insurance works for more information, or take a look at the answers we’ve provided below to common questions.
There are three types of pet insurance plans: accident-and-illness, accident-only, and wellness. Accident-and-illness plans are standard across providers, but some also offer an accident-only option. Wellness plans can be added to a base plan for an additional monthly fee to help cover the cost of preventive veterinary care, such as annual checkups and vaccinations. Many providers also offer optional add-ons you can purchase for extra coverage.
Most pet insurance providers do have minimum and maximum age limits. The most common minimum to enroll is 8 weeks and the typical maximum is 14 years. Not all providers have limits.
Some providers offer discounts if you bundle plans, enroll multiple pets, are a wholesale retailer member, or have served in the military. These discounts are usually listed on their website.
A preexisting condition is any illness, injury, or other health-related issue your pet showed signs of or received treatment for prior to enrolling in a pet insurance plan. No provider covers preexisting conditions, but some make exceptions for conditions that have not shown symptoms or received treatment for a certain period prior to enrollment, often 12–18 months.
The majority of pet insurance companies do not use vet networks, so you can visit any licensed vet you want.
Nearly all providers have a waiting period between the date your policy goes into effect and when you can file a claim. There are usually two: 15 days for accidents and 15–30 days for illnesses.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
The coverage you get depends on the plan you select. All providers have an accident-and-illness plan that typically covers accidents such as:
Covered Accidents, Injuries, And Illnesses
- Bite wounds
- Broken bones
- Cuts
- Ingested objects or toxins
- Sprains
Commonly covered illnesses include:
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Dental illness
- Diabetes
- Digestive illnesses
- Eye and ear infections
- Heart disease
- Hereditary conditions
- Hip dysplasia
You can use your standard pet insurance coverage to pay for all or the partial cost of vet treatments such as blood tests, emergency care, hospitalization, prescription medications, specialty care, surgery, ultrasounds, and X-rays.
Preventive Care Coverage With Wellness Plans
If you choose to add wellness coverage to your policy, you can use it to offset the cost of preventive routine care, such as:
- Annual wellness exams
- Dental cleanings
- Grooming
- Microchipping
- Spaying or neutering
- Vaccinations
What is Excluded From Pet Insurance Coverage?
Pet insurance does not cover:
- Any condition resulting from intentional neglect or abuse by you or a member of your household
- Any treatment not performed by a licensed veterinarian
- Breeding or whelping
- Cosmetic procedures, such as tail clipping or declawing, unless medically necessary
- Preexisting conditions
Learn more about what pet insurance covers.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Unless you’re prepared to pay for all of your pet’s vet expenses out of pocket, a pet insurance plan helps you significantly reduce the cost of your pet’s health care needs, sometimes even footing 100% of the bill. A pet insurance plan is especially worth it for breeds known for medical issues, as these pets’ health needs can get expensive quickly.
We most recommend checking out Lemonade, Spot, and Embrace for their coverage options and customer satisfaction, but research many companies and get at least a few quotes to compare pricing before making your decision.
FAQs About Pet Insurance
Is pet insurance worth it?
We surveyed 1,000 pet owners in the U.S. about their pets’ vet costs. About 40% of our respondents stated they would have to use a credit card to pay for their pet’s unexpected emergencies, and about 9% said they don’t know how they’d pay for it. If you’re anything like those pet parents, you could benefit from purchasing a pet insurance policy so you’re not left with a costly, unexpected bill and not enough funds to cover it.
What type of dog insurance is best?
Lemonade, Spot, Embrace, Healthy Paws, and ASPCA all top our list of best pet insurance companies, though there are many quality providers to choose from. We recommend getting your dog an accident-and-illness plan plus wellness coverage.
How much should you spend on pet insurance for a dog?
You should be able to find quality accident-and-illness coverage for a dog for $20–$50 per month. Cat insurance monthly premiums typically range $10–$30.
How do I choose the right pet insurance?
Always read providers’ coverage policies and exclusions, including fine print about waiting periods, age limits, and payout caps. You should compare sample pet insurance quotes as well. Choose the provider that best covers your pet’s health needs at a price you can afford without overextending your budget.
What is a disadvantage of pet insurance?
A disadvantage of pet insurance is that it adds another payment to your monthly bills. However, it does provide peace of mind knowing that if your pet suddenly develops an illness or has an accident you won’t be responsible for paying the vet bill all on your own.
Our Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. We aim to be transparent about our review standards and research process. We’ve broken down our rating methodology for pet insurance providers below.
Factors Evaluated to Compare Pet Insurance
The This Old House Reviews Team is dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale based on the following factors:
Coverage (25)
Does the pet insurance provider offer standard accident-and-illness and accident-only coverage? How limiting is its preexisting condition policy?
Plan Options (20)
Does the pet insurance provider offer premium and deductible customizations? What about wellness plan add-ons?
Company Reputation (15)
Does the pet insurance provider have high customer satisfaction on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews? Do they reimburse claims quickly and communicate policies clearly?
Customer Service (10)
Does the pet insurance provider have easily reachable, helpful customer service? Is there an app that makes filing claims and receiving support easier?
Species Eligibility (10)
Does the pet insurance provider offer coverage for older pets or exotic animals?
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
About the This Old House Reviews Team
The This Old House Review Team is an independent editorial team of subject matter experts who champion the categories and home services we recommend. From the beginning stages of research to the published review articles, our team works diligently to center the reader’s interests by identifying common pain points, connecting with people with first-hand knowledge and experience, and crafting content that meets the needs of our audience. We aim to help first-time pet owners, potential pet owners, and budget-conscious pet owners streamline their decision-making process for selecting their home services.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
