Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies of December 2024
We found ASPCA offers the cheapest pet insurance plans, but we rated Lemonade as having the best overall value for its price.
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Key Takeaways
- ASPCA offers the cheapest pet insurance policies for dogs, averaging $21 per month, while Lemonade offers the cheapest pet insurance for cats at about $13 monthly.
- We found that the average cost of pet insurance policies is $57 per month for dogs and $26 for cats.
- Spot, ASPCA, and Pets Best offer accident-only plans, so you don’t have to pay for coverage you don’t want.
It’s possible to find worthwhile pet insurance coverage without breaking the bank. We researched pet plans and got quotes from 22 top pet insurance companies to see which offer the most value for the lowest prices. We found Lemonade, ASPCA, and Pets Best have the cheapest prices for standard accident-and-illness plans, though we chose Lemonade as our best overall choice for value due to its comprehensive coverage for the price.
The average cost of a pet insurance policy is $57 per month for dogs and $26 for cats. Our list only includes providers who fall below the $50-per-month mark.
What Are the Top 7 Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies?
Our research shows that these providers have the best coverage at the cheapest rates.
- Cheapest for Dogs: ASPCA
- Cheapest for Cats: Lemonade
- Best Accident-Only Plan: Pets Best
- Most Customizable Plans: Spot
- Best Extra Coverage Add-On: Figo
- Best Coverage Limit: Healthy Paws
- Best Holistic Coverage: Fetch
Lemonade is our top pick for value, earning the highest score for coverage quality while also offering some of the most affordable rates.
How Do the Top Cheap Pet Insurance Plans Compare?
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.76 | $18.47 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $33.69 | $13.32 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $31.38 | $18.23 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $38.44 | $21.53 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.79 | $16.36 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.83 | $24.68 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $49.85 | $26.55 | VISIT SITE |
*Sample quotes are for a standard accident-and-illness plan for 4-year-old, mixed-breed male dogs in Raleigh, North Carolina using a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, and 80% reimbursement rate.
Reviews of the Most Affordable Pet Insurance Companies
ASPCA
Best for New Pet Owners
Lemonade
Best Overall
Pets Best
Best Accident-Only Plan
Spot
Most Customizable Plans
Figo
Best Extra Coverage Add-On
Healthy Paws
Best Coverage Limit
Fetch
Best Holistic Coverage
How Do Other Pet Insurance Providers Compare?
These providers didn’t make our list due to higher-than-average plan costs, but we gave them an honorable mention because of their industry reputation and comprehensive coverage options.
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $65.15 | $53.43 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $60.77 | $37.93 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $114.73 | $57.19 | VISIT SITE |
*Sample quotes are for a standard accident-and-illness plan for 4-year-old, mixed-breed male dogs in Raleigh, North Carolina, using a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, and 80% reimbursement rate.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
We found that the average cost of pet insurance was $57 for dogs and $26 for cats. This is for an accident-and-illness plan with a $5,000 coverage limit, $250 deductible, and 80% reimbursement level. We went through the quote process with eight of the most popular pet insurance providers to get a feel for the average costs of dog and cat pet insurance policies. We looked at 10 common breeds for each, such as relatively affordable Dachshunds and Ragdolls, as well as notoriously expensive French bulldogs and Maine coons.
Cheapest Pet Insurance for Dogs and Cats
The top three cheapest pet insurance providers are ASPCA, Pets Best, and Lemonade. They all cost $20–$35 range per month for dogs and $13–$19 for cats for an accident-and-illness plan. These companies are some of the best pet insurance providers in the industry and prove that you don’t have to sacrifice quality of coverage for price.
5 Tips for How To Find Affordable Pet Insurance
According to our survey of 1,000 pet owners, 45% of pet parents expected pet insurance to cost less than $25 per month. It may be tricky to find a policy this cheap—at least for dogs—but there are a few ways to keep costs down.
Start by talking with your veterinarian about your pet’s needs, including conditions its breed may be susceptible to or any specific care it will require. There’s no need to pay for coverage if your vet doesn’t foresee your pet's needs. After that, consider the following ways to get the lowest pet insurance rate.
Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Plans
Pet insurance prices can vary drastically from one provider to the next, so do your research and get multiple quotes. Review how similar plans compare across companies to identify what’s being offered for the price. Look at what’s covered in some standard plans that aren’t in others, as well as how much add-ons cost. You can save a good deal of money by spotting where some providers upcharge for coverage that’s standard in other plans.
Also, don’t hesitate to call providers to ask how they compare to their competition. Though it’s ideal to get a low monthly rate, remember that cost isn’t everything. The point of getting pet insurance is to provide good care to your pet and help your wallet in the long run. Focus on getting the best pet insurance plan for your pet’s needs.
Purchase an Accident-only Policy
If you’re comfortable foregoing illness coverage, you can save money by choosing an accident-only policy. Not all providers offer this option, but it may work for you if your pet is healthy and not susceptible to breed-specific illnesses. Keep in mind that while your monthly premium will be lower, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any veterinary care needed if your pet becomes ill.
Adjust Your Deductibles and Reimbursements
Most providers allow you to adjust your pet insurance deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limit to customize your cost. Selecting a high deductible and a low coverage limit and reimbursement rate will keep your monthly premium low. Your monthly premium will be higher if you choose a low deductible and higher coverage limit and reimbursement rate.
Take Advantage of Pet Insurance Discounts
- Employer-Provided Discounts: Some employers include pet insurance in their benefits. If your employer offers insurance through a certain pet insurer, you may be able to get a discounted rate.
- Military Discounts: Military discounts of 5%–10% are common across pet insurance providers.
- Multipet Discounts: Discounts for insuring multiple pets with the same provider are also common.
- Policy-Bundling Discounts: Insurers that offer other insurance types, such as homeowners or auto, may provide a discount for bundling pet insurance with one of these other categories. Lemonade is one provider on this list that does this.
- Vet Employee Discounts: Some veterinarian offices offer discounts for pet insurance to qualifying employees.
- Wholesale Retailer Membership Discounts: Large retailers, such as Costco, often partner with insurers to provide savings to members.
Buy Coverage Now Instead of Waiting
Most providers don’t cover preexisting conditions, so it’s important to get a pet insurance policy while your pet is still healthy. Most providers also have a waiting period, often 14 days, from the day you enroll to the day coverage begins. This means that if your pet gets into an accident or shows signs of illness the day after you enroll, you may not be able to get coverage. Buying pet insurance sooner rather than later will ensure the majority of issues your pet faces are covered.
How Can You Save Money on Pet Insurance?
The primary way to save money on pet insurance is by comparing providers’ pricing and taking advantage of discounts, but there are a few other things you can do to lower your premium.
Keep Your Pet Healthy
Prevention is cheaper than treatment. Investing in your dog’s health before issues arise or worsen will keep you from racking up expensive vet bills that need coverage. Get your pet all the recommended vaccinations, keep up with heartworm and other parasite prevention, and take your pet for its annual wellness checkup.
Many providers also reward you for keeping your pet healthy by lowering your premium the longer you go without filing a claim or through a credit if your pet is healthy for a certain length of time.
Pay Annually
Most pet insurance providers give you the option to pay your premium monthly or annually. You’ll save money paying annually, and the provider may give you a discount for doing so. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind that your pet is covered for the full year and can take that off your plate.
Choose a Higher Deductible
This can be a gamble, but choosing a higher deductible means your premium will be lower. The drawback is that if your pet does need an expensive intervention, you’ll have to pay the vet bill out of pocket up to your deductible amount. While it’s not much of a burden to pay small bills here and there until you reach your deductible, one or two large bills could overextend your budget, so keep that in mind if you go this route.
Insure Your Pet Early
Pet insurers don’t reimburse you for preexisting conditions, so the earlier you get a pet insurance plan, the less likely your pet will develop conditions that won’t be covered. Insure your pet when it’s just a puppy or kitten, or as soon as you get it, to ensure you’ll be covered for any problems that arise after getting a policy.
What Is Pet Insurance and What Does it Cover?
Pet insurance is a health insurance policy that protects your pet during accidents and unexpected illnesses and prevents you from paying for expensive vet costs. Since it operates very differently than a typical health insurance policy for humans, we created this short video that further defines and explains pet insurance coverage.
What’s covered under your pet insurance policy depends on your plan. There are three main coverage types:
- Accident-only: This covers accidental injuries such as lacerations, broken bones, and torn ligaments.
- Accident-and-illness: This covers accident-related treatments as well as illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, glaucoma, congenital issues, and hereditary illnesses.
- Add-ons: Many standard plans don’t cover routine wellness care, such as vaccinations, dental cleanings, and flea/tick prevention. You’ll need to purchase a preventive care add-on to get this coverage. Certain providers have other exclusions in their standard accident-and-illness plans that you may be able to get covered through add-ons.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Most pet insurance works by using a claim and reimbursement process. You’ll pay out-of-pocket when taking your pet to the vet for covered care. Then you can file a claim for the amount you paid, and your provider will reimburse you.
Here are a few terms to know to better understand how pet insurance works:
- Premium: This is what you’ll pay monthly for your policy. Your location and your pet’s age, breed, gender, and possibly health issues affect your premium.
- Annual coverage limit: This is how much your provider will reimburse you in a policy year. You’ll have to pay for any other vet care out of pocket after the provider reimburses you for this amount. Most providers’ options start at $5,000 and go up to around $30,000, but some offer unlimited coverage.
- Annual deductible: Your deductible is how much you must pay out of pocket before your plan kicks in. Options are usually $100–$1,000.
- Reimbursement rate: This is how much of each vet bill your provider will reimburse you for. Most companies offer between 70% and 90%.
How Are Pet Insurance Costs Determined?
There are a few variables that determine your pet insurance premium.
- Age: The older your pet is, the more likely it is to develop an illness or have an accident requiring treatment, making it more expensive to insure.
- Breed: Insurers charge more for breeds that are predisposed to illnesses and issues because their vet bills are likely to be higher, costing more for the insurer.
- Deductible, coverage, and reimbursement levels: The lower your deductible and higher your coverage limit and reimbursement rate, the higher your premium will be.
- Location: Veterinary costs are higher in areas where the cost of living is high, so your rate will reflect that.
How Much Are Pet Owners Spending on Insurance?
Even with the cheapest insurance, pets are still an investment. You’ll need to buy a long list of items, including food, toys, vaccinations, and crates, so you’ll need to factor in these expenses when considering if your budget allows for pet ownership. Also, keep in mind that some breeds have higher vet costs than others due to their tendency toward certain conditions and needs. See some of the financial expectations pet parents should be aware of below.
There are financial assistance programs that can help you cover some or all of the costs if paying for your pet’s vet care or everyday needs becomes overwhelming. The U.S. Humane Society and American Veterinary Medical Association have lists of resources that may address pet expenses you’re struggling with.
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
You can find several providers with plans less than $50 per month, so if that’s in your budget, it’s wise to have some level of coverage. You never know what could happen to your pet. It could fall and break a bone, get a nasty cut while playing in the yard, or show signs of illness at any point. The costs of examinations, procedures, medication, and other needed medical care to treat these issues can quickly rack up. Just one surgery can cost thousands of dollars.
“As a person working in the veterinary field, it’s always challenging having to see owners [who aren’t] able to afford treatment for their pet,” says licensed veterinarian Megan Conrad, BVMS. “Pet insurance allows pet parents to feel more confident knowing [their pets] are protected so they don’t have to worry about putting a price limit on their pet’s care.”
If you’re prepared to shell out a big lump sum if and when an issue arises, you may be comfortable taking the risk and skipping pet insurance. However, we recommend getting pet insurance for peace of mind and financial protection.
FAQs About Cheap Pet Insurance
Is pet insurance cheap?
Pet insurance is generally affordable, and there are several cheap policies to choose from. Vet bills can be expensive for emergency and diagnostic procedures, and having a trustworthy pet insurance policy can protect you from paying excessive out-of-pocket costs. It’s also a great way to ensure that your animal will be treated as quickly as possible.
What does cheap pet insurance cover?
Most pet insurance policies cover procedures such as cancer treatments, hospitalizations, X-rays, and surgery but exclude preexisting conditions that your pet may have at the time of the policy start date. Many providers also exclude cosmetic procedures.
Some pet insurance companies offer additional coverage for wellness and routine care, such as annual exams, vaccinations, blood tests, and heartworm tests.
Who has the cheapest pet insurance?
We went through the online quote process with several pet insurance companies and found that Lemonade, ASPCA, and Pets Best have the cheapest pet insurance plans. They average $20–$35 for dogs and $13–$19 for cats per month.
Is pet insurance cheaper for cats or dogs?
Pet insurance is cheaper for cats, often by at least $10 per month than dogs.
Our Rating 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.
