Whether you live in San Diego, Sacramento, or somewhere in between, having pet insurance in California is a worthwhile investment. These policies help cover the costs of expensive vet bills in the event of an unexpected accident or illness, allowing you to focus on your pet’s care.

The This Old House Reviews team researched and reviewed the best pet insurance companies in the United States. Then, we narrowed down our list to providers available in California. We found that the following insurers consistently perform well on important factors such as customer service, coverage, plan options, cost, and company reputation.

9 Best Pet Insurance Providers in California

Here are our top picks for the best pet insurance in California:

 


 

Lemonade: Best Overall

Scoring a 96 out of 100, Lemonade is our top choice for pet owners looking for the best overall coverage, plan customization, and affordability. It also has a unique mobile app with AI technology, providing one of the fastest claims-filing processes in the industry. The company offers up to $100,000 of accident-and-illness coverage per year, plus add-ons for routine care and wellness, exam fees, and physical therapy.

Lemonade lost points for its D rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, the lower score is likely from complaints regarding the company’s homeowners insurance and renters insurance, rather than its pet insurance policies.

  • Deductibles: $100, $250, or $500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of Lemonade Pet Insurance

Pros Has a charitable giveback program Has a short two-day waiting period for accidents Offers a 10% discount for bundling your pet insurance policy with Lemonade home insurance
Cons Doesn’t cover behavioral issues Customer service can be difficult to reach

Lemonade Plans and Coverage

Lemonade offers one pet insurance plan for accidents and illnesses, along with three add-ons for extra coverage.

Standard Plan: The standard policy covers procedures, treatments, and vet visits related to accidents and illnesses, such as diagnostics, hospitalization, emergency care, surgery, prescription medications, and injections.

Eligible incidents include infections, cancer, broken bones, hip dysplasia, heart disease, or general illnesses, but preexisting conditions, elective procedures, and behavioral treatments are excluded from coverage.

Add-on Coverage: Pet parents interested in being reimbursed for routine veterinary care can add the preventive care add-on for an extra $16–$25 per month for dogs and $10–$20 per month for cats. This covers services such as annual exams, vaccinations, and annual blood work.

Lemonade offers an additional five add-on options for behavioral conditions, dental illness, end-of-life and remembrance, physical therapy, and vet visit fees.

Learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Spot: Most Customizable Plans

Spot received a score of 91 out of 100 for its customizable and flexible plans, ensuring that pet owners only pay for what their pet needs. In addition to offering five deductibles and three reimbursement percentages, Spot provides six annual limit options of $2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, and unlimited.

We recommend this provider to anyone looking for affordable pet insurance plans, as customers can lower their premium by selecting the lowest annual limit, a 70% reimbursement rate, and the highest annual deductible option.

  • Deductibles: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
  • Annual coverage limits: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of Spot Pet Insurance

Pros Includes microchip procedures in standard plans Has a 30-day money-back guarantee Doesn’t have an age limit for older animals
Cons Doesn’t have an online chat for customer service Has a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses

Spot Plans and Coverage

Spot offers two plans for coverage on accidents only and both accidents and illnesses.

The Accident-Only Plan covers vet bills related to injuries, swallowed objects, or toxic ingestions.

The Accident-and-Illness Plan covers everything under the accident-only plan, plus hip dysplasia, heart disease, behavioral issues, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Like all other pet insurance providers, Spot excludes preexisting conditions that arise before enrollment or during the 14-day waiting period.

Spot also offers the Gold Preventative Care Plan at $9.95 per month. This covers up to $250 of basic wellness services per year, including annual exams, vaccinations, and fecal tests.

The Platinum Preventative Care Plan costs $24.95 per month. This package increases per-item limits and expands coverage to heartworm prevention and urinalysis. It raises the total annual benefit to $450.

Learn more: Spot Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Embrace: Best Deductibles

Embrace also scored a 93.5 out of 100, tying with Healthy Paws. It stands out for its impressive Healthy Pet Deductible, which credits policyholders $50 towards their deductible each year they don’t file a claim. This means your deductible could be as low as $0 until you claim a payout, saving you money during a covered incident. Embrace also lets you decrease your premium by offering five deductible options between $200 and $1,000.

  • Deductibles: $200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000
  • Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of Embrace Pet Insurance

Pros Includes the MyEmbrace mobile app for online policy management Provides a 10% multi-pet discount for customers with multiple pets Offers five annual limit options for plan customization
Cons Has limited customer service hours Has higher prices than competitors for its routine care add-on

Embrace Plans and Coverage

Embrace offers one accident-and-illness plan covering vet bills, procedures, and treatments related to chronic conditions, cancer, dental trauma, genetic conditions, or broken bones. This plan also covers prescription drugs, exam fees, allergy testing, acupuncture, diagnostics, lab tests, hospitalization, and surgery related to covered incidents.

Embrace provides an optional Wellness Rewards for Routine Care add-on with a choice between $250, $450, or $650 per year. It reimburses 100% of costs related to covered preventive care, such as teeth cleaning, microchip implantation, and medicated shampoos.

Embrace doesn’t cover preexisting conditions. It requires a medical history from the past 12 months or an exam during the first 14 days of your policy. It also doesn’t cover cosmetic or elective procedures.

Learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Review

 


 

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Best for New Pet Owners

Scoring an 89 out of 100, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers comprehensive pet insurance policies ideal for new pet owners. The company covers microchip implantation to help return your pet safely if it’s lost. It also offers a vet finder tool that connects you with local vets in your area, extensive resources about various breeds and their health issues, and a pet insurance comparison tool to ensure you get the most out of your policy.

  • Deductibles: $100, $250, or $500
  • Annual coverage limits: $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of ASPCA Pet Insurance

Pros Offers an accident-only plan for affordable coverage on injuries and accidents Provides five annual coverage options Doesn’t require medical records from a recent exam
Cons Imposes a waiting period of 14 days for accidents, which is longer than some insurers Has per-item limits for each wellness benefit

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Plans and Coverage

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers two plans: the Accident-Only Plan and the Complete Coverage Plan.

The Accident-Only Plan only covers accidents, while the Complete Coverage Plan covers accidents and illnesses.

Both plans pay for treatments, procedures, exam fees, and other costs related to covered conditions up to $10,000 per year. The company doesn’t cover preexisting conditions that occur before or during the policy’s 14-day waiting period.

ASPCA offers two preventive care add-ons at a basic and premium level. The Basic Preventative Plan costs $9.95 per month and includes $250 of annual coverage for routine care costs. The Prime Preventative Plan costs $24.95 per month and covers the items in the Basic Preventative Plan but increases the annual limit to $450 per year. It also covers an additional vaccine, blood work, a health certificate, spay or neutering surgery, flea or heartworm prevention, and urinalysis.

Learn more: ASPCA Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Fetch by The Dodo: Best Holistic Coverage

Fetch scored a 91.5 out of 100 in our review. We recommend it to pet owners who want extensive coverage on holistic therapies recommended by a licensed veterinarian. Its standard policy covers stem cell therapy, acupuncture, homeotherapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care, and up to $1,000 for behavioral therapies for your dog or cat.

  • Deductibles: $250, $300, or $500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $15,000, or unlimited
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of Fetch by The Dodo

Pros Offers a website chat for customer service Covers vacation cancellation fees related to your pet’s accident or illness Doesn’t deny coverage for older pets
Cons Doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount Doesn’t provide a wellness plan or preventive care add-on

Fetch by The Dodo Plans and Coverage

Fetch offers one plan for accident-and-illness coverage at $5,000, $15,000, or unlimited maximum payouts per year. It covers cancer treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, emergency care, hospitalization, and virtual vet visits related to accidents, illnesses, and other conditions such as cancer, hip dysplasia, and chronic conditions.

It doesn’t cover conditions your pet had before or during the 15-day waiting period after you sign up for a policy.

Fetch also includes some extra reimbursements that most providers don’t cover, such as vacation cancellation fees if your plans change due to your pet’s covered condition, boarding fees if you’re in the hospital for more than four days, and advertising and reward money if your pet gets lost.

Learn more: Fetch by The Dodo Review

 


 

Healthy Paws: Best Coverage Limit

Though Healthy Paws doesn’t offer wellness coverage or many customization options, we scored it a 93.5 out of 100 for its affordable unlimited coverage caps. Its policies don’t have any lifetime, annual, or per-incident payout limits, meaning you’ll never run out of coverage. We recommend this provider to pet parents who don’t want to worry about maxing out their coverage or overpaying for a coverage plan.

  • Deductibles: $250 or $500
  • Annual coverage limits: Unlimited
  • Reimbursement rates: 70% or 80%

Pros & Cons of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Pros Has a fast claims process Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee Includes a helpful online quote tool and customer portal for policy management
Cons Doesn’t cover exam fees or behavioral therapy Doesn’t offer any discount options

Healthy Paws Plans and Coverage

Healthy Paws has one plan covering accidents and illnesses, such as chronic conditions, congenital conditions, hereditary conditions, broken bones, and cancer. It covers unlimited payouts for vet bills from treatments and procedures, such as diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, emergency care, specialty care, and alternative treatments.

Healthy Paws excludes preexisting conditions that arise before enrollment or during the 15-day waiting period. It also doesn’t cover hip dysplasia until after the first 12 months of your policy. Finally, coverage excludes wellness and routine care, elective procedures, spaying, and neutering.

Learn more: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Prudent Pet: Most Comprehensive Plan

Prudent Pet scored 95 out of 100 for its impressive Ultimate Plan, which is the most comprehensive plan we reviewed. This accident-and-illness pet insurance plan includes an unlimited annual coverage cap and extra coverage for behavioral disorders, mortality costs, stolen or lost pet replacement fees, advertising and reward money for missing pets, boarding kennel fees, and vacation cancellation fees.

However, the Ultimate Plan can be expensive depending on your pet’s details, so it might not be the best choice for pet owners looking for the lowest prices.

  • Deductibles: $100, $250, $500, or $1,000
  • Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%

Pros & Cons of Prudent Pet Insurance

Pros Includes a 24/7 vet chat with each plan Has a 10% discount for each additional pet on your policy Offers three price options for additional coverage on preventative care
Cons Doesn’t have a mobile app Doesn’t allow for customization on coverage caps

Prudent Pet Plans and Coverage

Prudent Pet’s Accident-Only Plan is its cheapest option, featuring a $10,000 annual benefit and coverage for accidents such as bite wounds, broken bones, and swallowed objects.

The Essential Plan includes a $10,000 annual limit and covers the accidents under the Accident-Only Plan, plus cancer, congenital conditions, dental disease, digestive illnesses, eye, ear, or skin conditions, hereditary conditions, and hip dysplasia.

The Ultimate Plan covers everything in the Essential Plan plus extra costs related to lost pet advertising or vacation cancellation fees if your pet is sick or injured. This plan doesn’t have an annual coverage limit.

Note: None of Prudent Pet’s plans cover preexisting conditions.

Prudent Pet also offers two add-ons. Its Veterinary Exam Fee add-on covers veterinary exam fees related to an eligible accident or illness. Its Wellness Coverage add-on covers routine care, such as vaccinations and wellness exams, at $7.95, $13.95, or $19.95 extra per month.

Learn more: Prudent Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Figo: Best Extra Coverage Option

Figo earned a score of 90 out of 100, impressing us with its Extra Care powerup. This add-on covers the costs of unique circumstances such as third-party liability coverage if your pet damages or destroys something outside of your own property, such as chewing or scratching your neighbor’s fence. It also reimburses advertising and reward money for a missing pet, cremation and burial costs, and vacation cancellation fees for a pet emergency.

  • Deductibles: $100, $250, $500, $750
  • Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $10,000, unlimited
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

Pros & Cons of Figo Pet Insurance

Pros Provides 24/7 access to a live vet Has no upper age limit for coverage Offers a 100% reimbursement option
Cons Adjusts deductible options based on your pet’s age Excludes pets younger than 8 weeks from coverage

Figo Plans and Coverage

Figo offers three accident-and-illness plans that only vary in annual limits. The Essential Plan has a $5,000 limit, the Preferred Plan has $10,000, and the Ultimate Plan has unlimited coverage. Figo offers multiple deductible and reimbursement rates, including a 100% option. However, these options vary depending on your pet’s age and breed. 

Figo’s accident-and-illness plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of any eligible injury, illness, or condition, including cancer, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions, and emergencies. Figo doesn’t cover preexisting conditions.

The company offers three optional powerups (or add-ons) for additional coverage. Along with the Extra Care powerup mentioned above, it has a wellness powerup for routine care coverage such as bloodwork, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention. It also has a vet exam powerup for vet visits related to diagnosing or treating a covered condition.

Learn more: Figo Pet Insurance Review

 


 

Wagmo: Best for Wellness

We scored Wagmo 90 out of 100. This provider stands out as the only company on our list that offers three stand-alone wellness plans. These reimburse you for routine care services such as vaccinations, grooming, blood work, and vet visits. The wellness plan has no deductible or waiting period; coverage begins the day you enroll.

  • Deductibles: $250, $500, $1,000
  • Annual coverage limits: $20,000
  • Reimbursement rates: 90%, 100%

Pros & Cons of Wagmo Pet Insurance

Pros Has no waiting period for wellness plans Offers some of the highest reimbursement rates at 90% and 100% Processes wellness claims within 24 hours
Cons Has limited customization options Covers a maximum of $20,000 annually

Wagmo Plans and Coverage

Wagmo provides one accident-and-illness plan and three wellness plans. Its accident-and-illness coverage reimburses diagnostics, hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, emergency vet visits, cancer treatments, end-of-life care, and more. 

Wagmo will reimburse up to $10,000 per incident, $20,000 annually, and up to $100,000 over your pet’s lifetime. There’s a 15-day waiting period for injuries and illnesses, and a 30-day waiting period for cancer treatments. 

Wagmo’s wellness plan is available at three levels: Value ($20 per month), Classic ($36 per month), and Deluxe ($59 per month). Each plan covers vaccinations, blood work, and routine exam fees. However, the Classic adds coverage for urinalysis and parasite prevention, and the Deluxe adds virtual vet visits. 

 


 

Compare Pet Insurance Providers in California

Below is a quick overview of key coverage details for top pet insurance providers in California:

ProviderDeductiblesAnnual CoverageReimbursement RatesAccident Waiting PeriodSample Premium*Wellness Plan
Lemonade$100, $250, $500$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,00070%, 80%, 90%2 days$28.42
Spot$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000Unlimited70%, 80%, 90%14 days$54.41
Embrace$200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,00070%, 80%, 90%2 days$35.51
Healthy Paws$250, $500Unlimited70%, 80%15 days$55.76
ASPCA$100, $250, $500$3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,00070%, 80%, 90%14 days$54.41
Fetch by The Dodo$250, $300, $500$5,000, $10,000, $15,00070%, 80%, 90%15 days$43.80
Prudent Pet$100, $250, $500, $1,000$5,000, $10,000, unlimited70%, 80%, 90%5 days$47.73
Figo$100, $250, $500, $750$5,000, $10,000, unlimited70%, 80%, 90%, 100%24 hours$41.52
Wagmo$250, $500, $1,000$10,000 per-incident; $20,000 annually; $100,000 lifetime90%, 100%15 days$49.87

*Prices are based on sample quotes for a mixed-breed, 4-year-old dog in Sacramento, California, with an 80% reimbursement rate, $250 deductible, and $5,000 annual limit (or the closest option possible to these numbers). 

 


 

Customer Reviews

We analyzed hundreds of customer reviews for the top providers on our list. Here’s a selection of reviews we found on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

“My dog got attacked and had to be in the ICU for two nights. Lemonade was great and luckily I didn’t have to worry about the money as there was a lot more to worry about. They paid for the follow up X-ray with an immediate transfer to my bank. Claims process is easy and quick.” —Erin D. via Trustpilot

“Spot offers a full accident-and-illness plan, the coverage and customer service have been great! I am reimbursed 80% of all my vet bills that pertain to my pups accidents/illness. They have a quick turnaround on paying out their claims and the process is very simple!” —Rose S. via BBB

“I have had insurance from Embrace for 5 dogs for quite a number of years. One of the dogs had a number of serious health issues that came with very large expenses. Having the insurance was an absolute blessing, as it kept us from needing to go into debt or deplete savings. Filing all of the claims online was a very easy process, and all claims were processed very quickly. Embrace provides more comprehensive coverage than the other companies, and has a lot of options … Any time I have needed to contact customer service, anyone I have ever spoken to has been very pleasant, professional and helpful.” —Pat A. via BBB

“I would be LOST without Healthy Paws. My sweet Bernese Mountain dog, George, tore his CCL and required surgery. As you can imagine, it was a very scary time and healthy paws was able to take one HUGE stressor off my plate. The surgery was covered per my policy and I was reimbursed within the week of the surgery taking place. Not only did they come in huge for the surgery, they even reached out after the surgery just to check in on George. Do yourself a favor and get Healthy Paws insurance for your pets.” —Katee V. via Trustpilot

 


 

What Is Pet Insurance?

Before requesting quotes from our top-recommended pet insurers in California, take some time to ensure you understand pet insurance. We explained the basics below and created a helpful video.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Most pet insurance companies require you to pay your vet bill out of pocket before leaving the vet office. You then submit a claim with your provider for the bill. Once approved, you’ll receive reimbursement via direct deposit or a mailed check, usually within a couple weeks. You’ll only receive reimbursement if the vet bill is related to vet treatments your policy covers, so be sure to read the terms carefully before enrolling. 

There are a few variables to understand regarding how much you’ll pay, how much you’ll be reimbursed, and when your policy will and won’t help you cover pet insurance costs. Your location as well as your pet’s breed and age will determine your monthly premium. You’ll also need to be familiar with these coverage factors to understand how pet insurance works:

  • Annual limit: This is the total amount your pet insurance provider will reimburse per year. For instance, if your annual coverage limit is $5,000 and your pet needs treatment that totals $6,000 for the year, your insurance will only cover the first $5,000 worth of claims. You’ll be responsible for the remaining $1,000 once you’ve hit your limit. 
  • Deductible: This is the amount you have to spend out of pocket before you can file a claim. If you choose a low deductible, such as $250, that’s how much you’ll have to pay before you can begin filing claims for reimbursement. The lower your pet insurance deductible, the higher your monthly premium will be and vice versa.
  • Reimbursement rate: This refers to the percentage of each claim your provider will reimburse you for. Most providers have reimbursement rates ranging from 70%–100%. If you file a claim for a $1,000 vet bill, you’ll only be reimbursed $700 if you have a 70% reimbursement rate. The higher the reimbursement rate, the higher your premium will be.

 


 

Types of Pet Insurance Plans

There are three main types of pet insurance plans:

  • Accident-and-illness: Accident-and-illness policies are the most common. These plans cover vet bills related to both accidents and illnesses your pet faces.
  • Accident-only: An accident-only plan is a way to save money on your premium, but you won’t be covered for any illness-related vet treatments. Not all providers offer an accident-only policy.
  • Wellness: Many companies offer wellness plans for preventive care. You can add this to your base plan for an additional monthly fee. Wellness plans cover routine vet care such as checkups, grooming, dental cleanings, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering.

 


 

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

The coverage included with each plan varies by provider, but there are some standard items across companies. Accident coverage usually applies to accident-related vet care such as the following:

  • CT scans
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Emergency care
  • Hospitalization
  • Labwork 
  • MRIs
  • Prescription medications
  • Surgery
  • Ultrasounds 
  • X-rays

Illness coverage commonly includes vet-recommended care for the following conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Ear infections
  • Eye infections
  • Growths
  • Heart conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Skin issues
  • Stomach conditions
  • UTIs

Wellness plans often cover the following routine and preventive care:

  • Annual checkups
  • Dental cleanings 
  • Grooming
  • Microchipping 
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Vaccinations

 


 

What Is Excluded From Pet Insurance Coverage?

There are also common coverage exclusions across providers, such as the following:

  • Issues related to owner negligence: Pet insurance doesn’t cover injuries or illnesses caused by negligence, such as physical violence or organized animal fighting. 
  • Preexisting conditions: Providers won’t cover issues your pet shows symptoms of or receives vet care prior to your policy start date. Some companies will make exceptions if your pet hasn’t shown symptoms or received care for the condition for a certain period of time prior to enrollment, often 12–18 months.
  • Routine wellness care: Accident-and-illness policies are intended to help cover the cost of urgent, unexpected medical issues, not optional routine care you can plan for. You’ll have to purchase a wellness plan if you want preventive care covered by your provider.

 


 

How Much Is Pet Insurance in California?

The pricing for pet insurance in California varies depending on you and your pet’s details. Based on our research, a standard accident-and-illness plan costs an average of $20–$60 per month for dog insurance and $10–$30 for cat insurance.

Here are some factors that could affect the cost of your premium:

  • Breed: Your pet’s breed can significantly change the cost of your premium. Some breeds are more expensive to insure than others due to their predisposition to certain illnesses. For example, purebred dogs such as golden retrievers and poodles are more susceptible to infections.
  • Age: Your premium may be lower or higher depending on your pet’s age. Older animals typically cost more to insure since they’re more likely to have health issues. We recommend insuring your pet at an early age to get a lower premium.
  • Location: Plan prices are typically determined based on the estimated vet costs in your area. For example, vets in Los Angeles or San Francisco will likely charge more than vets in smaller towns, such as Eureka or Bakersfield.
  • Discounts: Look for discounts from providers to lower your plan costs. Embrace and Spot offer a 10% discount for adding multiple pets to a policy, and Lemonade offers a 10% discount for bundling your pet insurance with homeowners insurance. Lemonade also offers a discount to customers who pay for their annual policy in full.
  • Customization: Many companies offer ways to customize your premium based on your choice of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates. Choose a low coverage cap and high annual deductible for the lowest monthly cost. However, keep in mind that your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher if you file a claim.

Cost of Pet Insurance by Breed

Species/BreedAverage Monthly Premium*
French bulldog$76.08
German shepherd$51.42
Golden retriever$45.42
Mixed-breed dog$31.83
American shorthair cat$19.33
Maine coon$22.58
Mixed-breed cat$19.00

*Sample quotes are based on Lemonade accident-and-illness plans for 4-year-old male pets in Sacramento, California.

Breeds With the Highest Medical Costs

BreedAverage Vet Bill Cost*
American bulldog$376
Cane corso$386
Dogue de Bordeaux$395
Greater Swiss mountain dog$425
Rottweiler$401

*Costs are based on the average pet insurance claim amount for each breed.

BreedAverage Vet Bill Cost*
Bengal$404
Mixed-breed long hair$397
Mixed-breed medium-hair$403
Ragdoll$381
Siberian forest cat$457

*Costs are based on the average pet insurance claim amount for each breed.

How Much Are Pet Owners Spending?

CityMonthly Premium for Dogs*Monthly Premium for Cats*
Fresno$30.83$18.42
Los Angeles$40.75$24.17
Sacramento$29.00$19.00
San Diego$36.00$21.42
San Francisco$41.42$24.58
San Jose$29.00$17.33

*These quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male pets.

 


 

State Availability

Most pet insurers provide coverage in California. Since pet insurance premiums vary by ZIP code, we looked at the average monthly cost of an accident-and-illness plan from our top-rated provider, Lemonade, for some of California’s most popular cities. 

CityLemonade Premium*
Fresno$30.83
Los Angeles$40.75
Sacremento$29.00
San Diego$36.00
San Francisco$41.42
San Jose$29.00

*These quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male dogs.

Get sample pet insurance quotes for other California areas:

How To Pick the Best Pet Insurance Policy

Having any pet insurance plan can be beneficial, but you want to pick the right provider and plan for you and your pet’s needs to get the most value. Here are some tips for choosing the best policy:

  • Determine a plan type: Do you want both accident and illness coverage for your pet? Do you want accident-only? Is preventive care a priority? Be familiar with the different types of pet insurance plans and how much coverage you want for your pet.
  • Read coverage details: Read through a provider’s site and sample policy carefully to understand what it does and doesn’t cover. Look at exclusions, fine print, and whether coverage for certain conditions has specific requirements. 
  • Look at customer reviews: We recommend looking at sources such as the BBB, Trustpilot, Google, Yelp, and even Reddit to learn about customers’ experiences.
  • Get sample quotes: Always get a sample quote to get a sense of how much you’ll pay. Each provider offers this on their site.
  • Speak to a representative: If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call a provider’s customer service line to get clarity before moving forward.

 


 

Consumer Protection Law for Pet Insurance Buyers in California

California state laws offer protections for pet insurance buyers. If you take a closer look, you can see that California law requires pet insurance companies to disclose several things to potential customers.

Those disclosures include whether or not the policy excludes any coverages, including, but not limited to:

  • Preexisting conditions
  • Hereditary disorders
  • Congenital anomalies or disorders
  • Chronic conditions
  • Any “other” exclusions

The laws also regulates policy provisions that limit coverage through any of the following:

  • Waiting or affiliation period
  • Deductible
  • Coinsurance
  • Policy limits
  • Claim history changes

While we’ve researched the coverages and exclusions of each provider in this review thoroughly, we recommend looking over all coverages, limitations, and exclusions before signing up for a pet insurance policy.

 


 

Pet Laws in Top California Cities

California pet laws are some of the most strict in the United States. Take note of your local pet laws whether you live in San Diego, Sacramento, or somewhere else in the state—especially if you’re planning to adopt or have recently adopted a dog or cat. 

Here are some of the most important pet laws California pet parents should be aware of.

  • Los Angeles: Dog owners in Los Angeles must keep their dogs on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, except when they’re on their own property. Additionally, all dogs older than 4 months must be licensed through the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control. Licenses are valid for one year, and owners are subjected to a $20 penalty if they’re not promptly renewed. (Cat licensing is optional but recommended). 
  • Oakland: Pets in Oakland must be microchipped to be licensed, and the microchip must be registered with Oakland Animal Services. If your pet is deemed dangerous or vicious, it will be required to wear a special tag as well as the standard license tag. Licenses are good for one year and expire one year after your pet received the rabies vaccine. Additionally, all dogs must be securely leashed no further than six feet from their guardian.
  • Sacramento: Pet owners in the city of Sacramento must purchase a license for their dog or cat by the time it’s 4 months old. Dogs and cats will not be licensed without proof of rabies vaccination. You can apply for a pet license by mail, over the phone, in person at Front Street Animal Shelter, or online. Any household within the city limits of Sacramento is limited to having no more than three dogs and seven cats in their care.
  • San Diego: The city of San Diego (as well as the entire state of California) takes dog bites seriously. If your dog bites someone, you must immediately notify the County Department of Animal Services and quarantine your dog at home for 10 days. If you do not keep your dog isolated during this time or if it continues to pose a threat to others, your dog could be impounded or euthanized. 

California also has some state-wide pet laws. For example, pet owners must give their pets the proper care and attention, providing them with appropriate food, water, shelter, and routine care and keeping their homes clean and safe. 

It’s illegal in California to leave your dog unattended in a motor vehicle in conditions that could endanger its health or well-being (such as heat, cold, or without proper ventilation, food, or water).

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions

 


 

Our Conclusion

Choosing the best pet insurance company in California can help you get the coverage you need to keep your furry family member healthy and happy.

Choose Lemonade if you prioritize overall coverage and technological features. Pick Healthy Paws for unlimited annual coverage caps with no per-incident or lifetime limits. We recommend getting at least three pet insurance quotes to compare providers and ensure you’re getting the best coverage possible.

 


 

Why Trust Us

The This Old House Reviews Team has thoroughly researched the pet insurance industry and available providers. We’ve read sample policies, gone through the claims process, spoken with numerous representatives, read an exhaustive number of customer reviews across different sites, and developed our own methodology for scoring providers based on what customers find the most valuable. We take care in writing our reviews to ensure the most helpful and accurate information for readers. 

 


 

Our Rating Methodology

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. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:

  • Coverage (25)
  • Plan options (20)
  • Monthly cost (20)
  • Company reputation (15)
  • Customer service (10)
  • Species eligibility (10)

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.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.