Best Pet Insurance in California (CA) in 2023

The Golden State is an ideal home for a pet. What four-legged wouldn’t want to walk parks such as Yosemite and Joshua Tree or lounge with an ocean view in Malibu or Santa Monica? We recently reviewed the top insurance companies across the country to see how they compare on price, plan options, customer service, and more. See our choices for the best pet insurance in California below.

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Compare California Pet Insurance Companies

*Costs are based on quotes for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male pets.

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9 Best Pet Insurance Providers in California

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

• Lemonade: Best Overall
• Pets Best: Best Accident-Only Plan
• Prudent Pet: Most Comprehensive Plan
• Healthy Paws: Best Coverage Limit
• Figo: Best Extra Care Option
• Spot: Most Customizable Plans
• Fetch by The Dodo: Best Holistic Coverage
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Best for New Pet Owners
• Wagmo: Best for Wellness

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Customer Reviews

We looked at the popular review sites Trustpilot and BBB to see what customers have to say about the providers on our list. We found both positive and negative customer reviews for all companies. Many customers point to claims denials or issues getting help over the phone; others report great service and quick reimbursements.

We looked at each provider’s customer reviews from the past year. Here’s what we found for a few of our top-rated companies.

Lemonade:

“I had to take my dog to the vet for what turned out to be gastroenteritis. She just had a consult and was prescribed medication. I submitted my claim online same day. I didn’t haven’t a detailed report from the vet but my claim processor contacted the vet for the additional information needed. I was reimbursed per my policy coverage within 3-4 days. The process was easy and quick.” — Magster J., Sept. 23, 2023, on Trustpilot

“I’ve paid for their insurance for over a year. I filed one claim for my dog’s knee surgery ($5k) and it was denied.” — Vincent J., Sept. 12, 2023, on BBB

Spot:

“So far I’ve had only good experiences with Spot. My Golden is 12 years old, and Spot has reimbursed all of my claims. From a pure money-for-value perspective, I don’t understand why everybody doesn’t use this insurance. Also, compared to my other insurance companies, their customer service is miles beyond anything I’ve seen before. So nice!” — John S., Sept. 12, 2023, on BBB

“I have been calling to add information about my pet and the phone is disconnected. The claim has been closed. I don’t know how to communicate with them.” — Silvina S., June 28, 2023, on BBB

Embrace:

“I have a multi-pet household and policy for their health needs. A young adopted feral kitty mother (she adopted us) and her three now grown kittens born at home. All had perfect health until this year when our 2 1/2 year old grown kitten developed pancreatitis. Urgent care, emergency hospital, regular vet hospitalization; Embrace was there for all of it. Kitten now recovered and doing well. I thank Embrace every day for that.” — Steven, Sept. 27, 2023, on Trustpilot

“I’ve filed numerous claims and all have been denied. Most recently I was sent an email stating all of the pre-existing conditions. One of which was vomiting and tartar build up. Literally there’s an excuse for everything. I was then provided the terms and conditions again. I would have been better off saving the monthly $70 to put towards my pup’s needs.” — Barbara P., Sept. 19, 2023, on Trustpilot

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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 of 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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost 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

*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

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

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

How Much Are Pet Owners Spending?

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

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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.

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

Get sample pet insurance quotes for other areas:

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How To Pick the Best Pet Insurance in California

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.

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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 regulate 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.

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Pet Laws in California

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 receives 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 statewide 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).

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Our Conclusion

Lemonade’s pet insurance rates highest on our list. Policies cost below average for most breeds, plans are comprehensive, and accident waiting periods are short. Plus, you can choose from five annual coverage limits.

All providers on our list have something to offer California pet owners, though, so we recommend looking at policy details and customer reviews for each to see which is right for you. We also suggest getting quotes from at least three pet insurance companies to compare pricing before deciding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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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. 

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Other Pet Resources

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• Best Cat Toys
• Best Leashes for Dogs that Pull
• Best Dog DNA Test Kits
• How to Puppy Proof Your Home
• How to Stop Your Dog From Digging in Your Yard
• How to Keep Your Cat Off the Counter
• What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

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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.