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Best Pet Insurance of April 2024: Reviewed and Compared

Unlimited claims
No upper age limit
No credit checks
Multiple pet discounts

Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans

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  • We’ve compared 13 of the best pet insurance plans and ranked them according to their best features. (skip ahead to view these plans).
  • All of the providers on our list of the best pet insurance companies offer great coverage and customizable plans to fit a range of budgets and needs.
  • Paw Protect stood out to us for its ample coverage and the ease of paying the vet directly on behalf of its customers.
  • We also found Spot Pet Insurance to be a standout for offering some of the most comprehensive coverage available on the market at quite affordable prices.
  • Use a pet insurance comparison tool to get personalized quotes from multiple providers. This can save you time and ensure you get the most competitive price.

The average cost of a routine vet checkup ranges from $50 to $250. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead when it comes to paying for veterinary care.

Pet health insurance gives you peace of mind by reimbursing you for a significant percentage of covered medical expenses. But how do you find the best insurance for your pet?

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • What pet health insurance is
  • What it covers and excludes
  • How much it costs and how to save
  • How to compare pet insurance plans

So without further delay, here are our top picks for the best pet insurance companies.

Our top picks for the best pet insurance 2024

Pet Insurance by Category
Best pet insurance Cat insurance Cheap pet insurance Vet direct-pay insurance Pet dental insurance Pre-existing Condition Insurance No Waiting Period Paw Protect Review Spot Review Embrace Review Healthy Paws Review Pets Best Review Lemonade Review Pumpkin Review Fetch Review Figo Review CarePlus by Chewy Review
Best pet insurance More
Pet Insurance by Category
Best pet insurance More
Best pet insurance Cat insurance Cheap pet insurance Vet direct-pay insurance Pet dental insurance Pre-existing Condition Insurance No Waiting Period Paw Protect Review Spot Review Embrace Review Healthy Paws Review Pets Best Review Lemonade Review Pumpkin Review Fetch Review Figo Review CarePlus by Chewy Review

Is pet insurance worth it?

For many people, pet insurance can absolutely be worth it. It may seem unnecessary to pay monthly to cover your pet if they’re generally healthy, but if they get injured or sick, pet insurance can save you a ton of money.

A few pet insurance terms

How pet insurance can save you money: An example

If you pay $35 per month on Fluffy’s pet insurance policy, that’s $420 per year. Imagine that 3 years in, Fluffy needs emergency surgery that would cost $3,000 without pet insurance.

Your policy has a 90% reimbursement rate and a $250 deductible, so you pay that $250, leaving your balance at $2,750. The pet insurer reimburses you for 90% of the remaining cost ($2,475), and then you have to pay the other 10% ($275).

Although 3 years in, you would have paid $1,260 for your insurance policy, you essentially saved $1,215 ($2,475 (what the insurance company paid on the surgery) - $1,260 (what you paid for pet insurance) = $1,215).

Our picks for the best pet insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for Paying Vet Bills Up-front

Paw Protect

 5.0
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Paw Protect is a relatively new provider but has taken the market by storm. One of its main draws is that it offers customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card that can be used to pay the vet directly, so you have no out-of-pocket expenses. Most other providers require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed.

Paw Protect offers an accident & illness plan as well as an optional Wellness plan available as an add-on. Like some other providers, it comes with 24/7 telemedicine coverage which allows you to speak to a vet in case you have an emergency and aren’t sure whether to take your animal in for a visit. It also offers considerable discounts if you have multiple pets (10% off) or are a military member (5% off).

We recommend opting for the unlimited plan with 90% reimbursement. However, if you are tight on cash, there are several other plan limits ($5,000, $10,000 & Unlimited) that offer great coverage at an affordable price.

Paw Protect accident and illness plan has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Prescription Medication
  • Pays Vet Directly

CONS

  • Boarding

Best for Range of Annual Coverage Options

Spot Pet Insurance

 4.9
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$2,500 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Spot offers a wide range of annual coverage and deductible options to suit all budgets and is one of a few providers that offer a discount for owners with multiple pets (10%).

Another benefit to Spot is that there is no maximum enrollment age, meaning elderly pets can get coverage at any time.

Spot offers several plan options including an accident-only plan, an accident & illness plan, and 2 tiers of wellness add-ons (Gold & Platinum) which can cover things like teeth cleaning. With Spot Pet Insurance, euthanasia and exam fees (for covered conditions) are included with their accident & illness plan.

Spot has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and ligament/knee conditions. They even cover pre-existing conditions if they are considered curable and your pet has not had symptoms or treatments for at least 180 days.

PROS

  • Multi-pet Discount
  • Dental Disease
  • Chronic Conditions

CONS

  • Boarding
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Pet Parents on a Budget

Lemonade Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS on Lemonade's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Lemonade is renowned for its affordable accident & illness coverage and its plethora of customizable plans. They’re among the few providers that include an option for dental coverage, a valuable feature in pet insurance.

With Lemonade’s accident and illness plan, there is a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. Additionally, there is a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament events.

Lemonade offers an easy-to-use mobile app that lets you seamlessly manage your pet’s policy and file claims. Some users receive instant approval and reimbursement for their claims, while others may see it within a week. Lemonade is known for providing top-tier customer service and offers personalized, kind assistance to its customers.

Add-ons from Lemonade include coverage for preventative care, vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life care and remembrance.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Emergency Vet Visits

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Range of Reimbursement Options

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Healthy Paws has excellent customer reviews and is one of the few providers on the market that can pay the vet for you directly. This is a huge draw for many pet owners as it means next to no out-of-pocket costs to you. The only caveat is that you must call and request a simple authorization before the vet treats your pet. Otherwise, you can pay and be reimbursed.

Healthy Paws also offers many choices for reimbursement and deductibles, which is great for those wanting to tailor a plan to fit their budget. You can choose a reimbursement percentage between 50%-90%. Healthy Paws only offers an accident & illness plan with unlimited coverage. They don’t have an accident-only or wellness plan.

With the Healthy Paws accident and illness plan there’s a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illness and a 12-month waiting period for conditions linked to hip dysplasia. These are some of the longest waiting periods in the industry, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Alternative Therapies
  • Cancer Treatment

CONS

  • Dental Disease
  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Behavioral issues

Best for Multi-Pet Discounts

Embrace Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Embrace offers highly customizable plans and ample discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). They have an accident & illness plan with optional wellness coverage as an add-on. This also includes optional coverage for exam fees and prescription drugs.

In case of an emergency, you’ll also get access to 24/7 virtual assistance via telemedicine calls which can help you diagnose if it’s necessary to rush to an in-person emergency vet. This feature alone could save you hundreds on vet bills, which is another reason we love Embrace Pet Insurance.

With Embrace’s accident and illness plan you’ll have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

CONS

  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Same-Day Accident Coverage

MetLife Pet Insurance

 4.7
COMPARE PLANS on MetLife's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We love that MetLife has same-day accident coverage, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.

Illness coverage requires a 14-day wait before coverage is effective. Many orthopedic conditions are also covered at the time that illness coverage kicks in.

We also like how they offer a variety of discounts for pet parents, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you don’t file a claim!

If you have multiple pets, you can take advantage of their family plan. The family plan allows you to buy one policy, with one deductible and annual limit, that can be shared between up to 3 pets.

PROS

  • Alternative Therapies
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • X-Rays & CT Scans

CONS

  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly
  • Boarding

Best for a Wide Range of Deductible Options

Pets Best Insurance

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS on Pets Best's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We like Pets Best because it offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options. This is great for people on a budget as it allows you to tailor your plan to what you can afford. There is also no age limit for sign-ups, meaning you can purchase coverage for your pet later in life. You’ll also get unlimited access to a 24/7 emergency vet hotline for quick consultations at all hours of the day.

Pets Best offers multiple plans including an Accident-only plan, as well as 3 tiers called Essential, Plus, and Elite. You can also opt for an add-on for wellness / routine care plans for an extra fee.

Last, but not least, Pets Best is one of the few providers who can pay the vet directly for you. Simply download the reimbursement release form from their website and have your vet’s office sign and agree to receive payment directly from the provider and Pet’s Best will handle the rest.

With Pets Best you can expect a waiting period of 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Exam Fees

CONS

  • Alternative Therapies
  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Prescription Food

Best for Fast Claim Processing

Figo Pet Insurance

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
$100, $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Figo is known for its fast claim processing which is a huge benefit to its customers. Figo is one of the few providers that offer 100% reimbursement (on plans with deductibles of $500+). It’s also great for elderly animals as it has no age limit for enrollment.

You can also opt for add-ons that offer wellness coverage and reimbursement for vet exam fees. All plans come with 24/7 vet assistance chat. Video/phone telehealth consultations are available as part of the wellness add-on.

With Figo, there is a 1-day waiting period for accidents and injuries, which is one of the shortest in the industry. There is a 14 day waiting period for illnesses. For dogs, there is also a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions. However, this can be waived if you get an orthopedic exam within the first 30 days of your policy and your pet is deemed healthy.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Dental Disease
  • Breed Specific Issues

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Extensive Coverage & Perks

Fetch by The Dodo

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $15,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$300, $500, $700
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Fetch by The Dodo offers simple and straightforward plans with some of the most comprehensive coverage on the market. Fetch only offers their Standard accident & illness plan, which includes TeleVet services and dental coverage at no extra cost. However, unlike some other providers, there is no preventative/wellness plan option with this provider.

We love Fetch because they cover many additional things that competitors don’t. If your pet is lost, Fetch will cover expenses for lost pet ads and will even chip in to offer a reward. If you are in the hospital, they’ll pay for boarding & kennel costs.

Fetch has a waiting period of 15 days for accidents & illness and a 6-month waiting period for injuries for knee & hip injuries. However, this can be waived if you get an orthopedic exam within the first 30 days of your policy and your pet is deemed healthy.

PROS

  • Emergency Vet Visits
  • Dental Disease
  • Allergies

CONS

  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Prescription Food & Dietary Supplements

Animalia Pet Insurance

4.4
COMPARE PLANS via Animalia's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $25,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$200, $350, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Animalia is one of only a few pet insurance companies that cover prescription food and dietary supplements (as long as they are prescribed to treat a covered condition). They offer complete coverage, meaning things like behavioral therapy, chiropractic care, and virtual vet visits are all included in your plan without having to purchase an additional add-on. Unlike some other providers, however, they do not offer an optional wellness plan, so you won’t be able to get coverage for routine care like vaccines or flea treatment.

Waiting periods for Animalia Pet Insurance are 5 days for both accidents and illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament or orthopedic issues.

PROS

  • Dental Disease
  • Exam Fees
  • Prescription Food

CONS

  • Accident-Only Coverage
  • Wellness Coverage
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Paying for Prescription Products

CarePlus by Chewy

 4.2
COMPARE PLANS via Chewy's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$250
Why We Like It

Editor's take

CarePlus is one of the only companies that offer up to 100% reimbursement for prescription products. There is no maximum age of enrollment and they offer unlimited coverage limits. With all CarePlus accident & illness plans, you’ll get access to telemedicine via chat/video which gives you free vet consultations. This can save you time and money before going into an office by ruling out whether something is an emergency.

CarePlus offers various levels of plans including their Accident Only plan, Value Accident & Illness plan, Essential Plus Accident & Illness plan, and the Complete Accident & Illness plan. You can customize your plan with optional add-ons such as the Preventive Wellness plan.

Depending on the plan you choose, you will have a 2-5 day waiting period for accidents, a 14-day waiting period for new illnesses, and either a 14-day, 30-day, or 6-month wait for cruciate ligament conditions. On the downside, dental disease and exam fees are not covered in all plans.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Dental Disease
  • Behavioral issues

CONS

  • Alternative Therapies

Best for Quick Coverage of Ligament & Knee Injuries

Pumpkin Pet Insurance

 4.2
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$10,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We love Pumpkin for its wide-reaching coverage and reimbursement level. Where other companies let you choose low reimbursement levels, Pumpkin ensures you get 90% back on covered claims and has no maximum age of enrollment. As an added benefit, owners with multiple pets get a 10% discount on policies. When it comes to coverage, what is offered as add-ons from other companies comes standard at Pumpkin.

Pumpkin has a standard accident & illness plan that covers exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, hereditary & congenital conditions, rehab therapies, and end-of-life services. You can also customize your plan with an optional add-on for preventative care.

With Pumpkin’s accident & illness plan, there is a 14-day waiting period. While this is longer than some other providers, Pumpkin has no extended waiting period for hip dysplasia or knee injuries making it a great option for animals prone to joint issues.

PROS

  • Multi-pet Discount
  • Dental Disease
  • Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

CONS

  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Boarding
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Affordable Coverage with No Extras

Odie Pet Insurance

 3.6
COMPARE PLANS via Odie's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$10,000 - $40,000
Reimbursement choices
90%
Deductible choices
$250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Odie is one of the best pet insurance options if you’re looking to keep your costs down. They advertise their average monthly cost for dogs at $35/month and cats at $25/month, which is on the low side of average for the industry. However, if you opt out of some of the additional coverage options you can find plans as low as $18/month for dogs and $8/month for cats.

Odie Pet Insurance offers accident & illness plans, accident-only plans, and an additional wellness add-on for preventative care.

Waiting periods for Odie start at 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for anything related to cruciate ligaments.

PROS

  • Dental Disease
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Emergency Vet Visits

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly
  • Boarding
Pet Assure logo

Take 10% OFF Mint Wellness Plans using this promo code: PASAVE10

  • No deductible
  • No waiting periods
  • Covers pre-existing conditions

Exclusive limited time offer!

GET 10% OFF

Pet Assure is not your typical pet insurance policy.

Pet Assure is a veterinary discount plan that can save you 25% on your vet bills. You can use Pet Assure at any of the 5,200 vets in their network and receive instant discounts on all in-house medical services they provide, including sick visits, dental care, emergency visits, surgery, vaccines and much more.

Get free access to these veterinary discounts when you sign up for Pet Assure’s Mint Wellness Plan.

What is the Mint Wellness Plan?

Mint Wellness reimburses you for routine preventative care expenses. There are three plans to choose from: Basic, Essential, or Premium

Annual wellness visits, vaccines, and blood work are included in every plan. Grooming, flea and tick care, and dental cleanings are included with the higher tier plans.

Every wellness plan comes with access to Pet Assure’s veterinary discounts.

Learn more

Compare pet insurance providers

Advertiser Disclosure
Provider
Rating
Reimbursement
Deductible
Compare plans
Paw Protect
Paw Protect
COMPARE PLANS
5.0
70%, 80%, 90%
$100, $250, $500
COMPARE PLANS

Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.9
70%, 80%, 90%
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
COMPARE PLANS

Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.8
70%, 80%, 90%
$100, $250, $500
COMPARE PLANS

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.8
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
$50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
COMPARE PLANS

Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.8
70%, 80%, 90%
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
COMPARE PLANS

MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.7
70%, 80%, 90%
$50, $100, $250, $500
COMPARE PLANS

Pets Best Insurance
Pets Best Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.6
70%, 80%, 90%
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
COMPARE PLANS

Figo Pet Insurance
Figo Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.6
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
$100, $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
COMPARE PLANS

Fetch by The Dodo
Fetch by The Dodo
COMPARE PLANS
4.6
70%, 80%, 90%
$300, $500, $700
COMPARE PLANS

Animalia Pet Insurance
Animalia Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.4
70%, 80%, 90%
$200, $350, $500
COMPARE PLANS

CarePlus by Chewy
CarePlus by Chewy
COMPARE PLANS
4.2
80%, 90%
$250
COMPARE PLANS

Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
4.2
90%
$100, $250, $500, $1,000
COMPARE PLANS

Odie Pet Insurance
Odie Pet Insurance
COMPARE PLANS
3.6
90%
$250, $500
COMPARE PLANS

Best pet insurance companies

We know you love your pet and want to make sure they have the best pet insurance coverage. That’s why we’ve researched the top providers on the market to find out what they do best and help you choose the right plan.

Paw Protect

Best for paying vet bills up-front

Paw Protect stands out from the competition by offering you a line of credit to use to pay your vet bills. That means no out-of-pocket expenses for you when you see the vet for a covered reason. This pet health insurance plan is ideal for those who are worried about being able to afford paying a vet bill and waiting for reimbursement, like you would need to do with other companies.

Learn more in our Paw Protect Pet Insurance review.

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Best for pet parents on a budget

Lemonade is well-known for offering some of the best pet insurance plans at low costs. They offer a wide range of options when it comes to annual coverage, reimbursement percentage and deductibles, making it easy to customize the perfect plan for your budget. They also include dental disease as a covered illness, which many providers don’t, so you won’t be skimping on coverage.

Learn more in our Lemonade Pet Insurance review.

MetLife Pet Insurance

Best for same-day accident coverage

We love that MetLife Pet Insurance accident coverage kicks in at midnight on the day you purchase it. It’s the shortest waiting period of all the pet insurance companies we compared. We were also impressed by the variety of discounts MetLife Pet Insurance offers to pet parents. More than just multi-pet discounts, MetLife also offers employer benefit discounts, first responder discounts, discounts for health care workers, and more. They also allow coverage for exotic pets in multiple states, not something many pet insurance companies can claim.

With MetLife, you don’t need an initial exam to enroll your pet and there is no upper age limit. Although traditional MetLife accident and illness policies don’t include wellness exams and dental cleanings, you can opt into their preventative care add-on to get coverage for these things and more.

Learn more in our MetLife Pet Insurance review.

Pets Best Pet Health Insurance

Best range of deductible options

With deductible options as low as $50 and as high as $1,000, Pets Best is a top choice for pet parents looking to save at the vet’s office. Choosing a low deductible will cost a bit more on your monthly premium, but once you hit that deductible the rest of your expenses will be reimbursed at whichever percentage you choose on your plan. If you choose the higher deductible, you’ll have to pay that much out of pocket before insurance kicks in to cover the rest, but your monthly premium will be lower.

Learn more in our Pets Best Insurance review.

Spot Pet Insurance

Best range of annual coverage options

We like Spot Pet Insurance for its flexibility. It’s one of the providers with the most options when it comes to your deductible and maximum annual coverage limit. It offers one of the lowest max coverage amounts of $2,500, making it a great choice for those looking for cheap pet insurance. Pairing a low maximum annual coverage amount with a higher deductible will lower the cost of your monthly premium.

If you’re more interested in coverage than cost, Spot is still a great choice. They are one of the best pet insurance companies when it comes to coverage, and they tend to cover more advanced and alternative therapies than most other providers.

Learn more in our Spot Pet Insurance review.

CarePlus by Chewy

Best for prescription coverage

Most pet parents already know that Chewy offers exceptional customer service. CarePlus pet insurance by Chewy is no exception. Chewy partners with Lemonade and Trupanion, two of the best pet insurance companies on the market, to administer their plans. All policies come with 100% cost coverage on prescriptions. Another standout is the different coverage levels. While most companies offer one accident and illness plan or one accident-only policy, CarePlus offers two levels of accident and illness coverage (Essential Plus & Complete) which allows you to get the coverage you want at a price you’re comfortable with.

Learn more in our CarePlus by Chewy pet insurance review.

Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Quickest coverage for ligament and knee injuries

Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers knee and ligament injuries after only a 14 day waiting period. Many other companies have waiting periods up to 6 months for similar coverage. Another thing we love about Pumpkin is how they treat pre-existing conditions. They recognize that some pre-existing conditions are curable (like an ear infection). If your pet is “cured” and has no treatment or symptoms for 180 days, and then comes down with the same problem again, it’s considered a new occurrence and can be covered by your policy.

Learn more in our Pumpkin Pet Insurance review.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Best range of reimbursement options

If lowering your monthly premium is a main concern, Healthy Paws might be the best pet insurance provider for you. They are the only company on our list that offers reimbursement percentage options as low as 50%. While this means you will only get reimbursed for 50% of your vet costs after filing a claim, choosing this option will result in a lower monthly premium. Healthy Paws is also one of the few pet insurance brands that offers vet direct pay.

Learn more in our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review.

Figo Pet Insurance

Fastest claim processing

We love Figo Pet Insurance because they reimburse you quickly for your pet’s medical expenses. Customers often comment on their fast claim processing, meaning you get your money back faster. They also offer additional add-on packages that cover things like wellness visits and exam fees. In some cases, Figo can also treat curable pre-existing conditions if your pets show no symptoms within 12 months of treatment.

Learn more in our Figo Pet Insurance review.

Embrace Pet Insurance

Best for multi-pet discounts

Multi-pet households and veterans might be especially interested in enrolling in an Embrace Pet Insurance plan because of the discount they’ll receive. Embrace offers a 10% multi-pet discount and 5% military discount on all of their plans. They also offer a 24/7 virtual assistant, which can save you a trip to the vet if you have any non-emergency questions you’d like answered. Like many of the best pet insurance companies, Embrace offers many deductible and reimbursement options to customize your policy.

Learn more in our Embrace Pet Insurance review.

Fetch Pet Insurance

Best for extensive coverage & perks

We love Fetch because it’s one of the best pet insurance companies you can choose when it comes to coverage. Every plan includes treatment for dental illnesses and injuries, acupuncture, chiropractic care and other specialty services that many other providers don’t cover. They also include a lot of additional perks, like covering the cost of reward money if your pet is lost or boarding fees if you are hospitalized and can’t care for your pet. They also offer a 10% discount to military members.

Learn more in our Fetch Pet Insurance review.

Odie Pet Insurance

Best for affordable coverage with no extras

We love Odie because they let you set the price you want by allowing you to opt in or out of certain types of coverage. You can opt out of add-ons like prescription coverage, rehab therapy, and exam fees and get even lower monthly premiums. In our research, we found that plans including those coverages were about $35/month for dogs and $25/month for cats. When we opted out of those coverages, we were able to find accident and illness plans as low as $18/month for dogs and $8/month for cats. That’s some of the best pet insurance pricing we’ve seen, comparable to some competitors’ accident-only plan pricing.

Animalia Pet Insurance

Best for prescription food & dietary supplements

We like Animalia Pet Insurance plans because they cover prescription food and supplements for covered conditions, which is hard to find among their competitors. They are also a great choice for dental coverage. Animalia policies cover dental issues related to illness or injury in their base plan, but they also have a comprehensive dental care add-on that covers a wider range of issues.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is similar to the health insurance you use yourself for exams, lab tests and other medical expenses, except it covers pets instead of humans.

When you have pet insurance, you pay a monthly premium based on your pet’s age, overall health status and other factors. In exchange for that premium, the insurance company reimburses you for a certain percentage of your pet’s eligible veterinary expenses.

How does pet health insurance work?

Once you have pet insurance coverage in place, your insurance company reimburses you for some or all of your pet’s eligible medical expenses.

This process can be slightly different depending on your provider but usually involves submitting a pet insurance claim online or in an app showing proof of the veterinary services performed and your payment. The insurance company will review your claim, and as long as the services provided are covered by your particular policy you will receive reimbursement.

Some pet insurance providers may also offer to pay the vet directly for you, which means you won’t have to foot the bill and wait to be reimbursed. However, this is relatively new, and each insurance provider that offers this service has a different way of paying the vet. For more on this, see our guide to pet insurance that pays vets directly.

Before you buy insurance for your pet, you need to understand these terms:

What does pet insurance cover?

The amount of coverage available depends on the type of pet insurance policy you purchase.

You typically have the option of getting an accident-and-illness plan, an accident-only plan or a pet wellness plan.

Each type of insurance provides a different level of coverage:

For more information on what these types of plans include, check out our complete guide on what pet insurance covers.

Does pet insurance only cover cats and dogs?

Most pet insurance policies only cover cats and dogs. However, some pet insurance companies cover other animals. For example, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers horses. You may even be able to find a pet insurance policy to cover your bird or lizard.

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What doesn’t pet insurance cover?

Although some policies are comprehensive, pet insurance doesn’t cover everything.

Most pet insurance plans exclude the following:

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Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Coverage
Available
Available
Accident-Only Coverage
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

How much does pet insurance cost?

The best pet insurance plans cost an average of $20 to $50 per month, depending on your animal. Although, you can easily spend more if your pet requires advanced care.

The table below shows the average cost of insuring a dog or cat at three different ages:

Age Mixed-Breed Dog Mixed-Breed Cat
1 $42.75 $32.41
4 $48.29 $34.95
7 $72.27 $48.95

Every quote is based on a 90% reimbursement rate, a $500 deductible and a $10,000 annual coverage limit for pet owners living in ZIP code 90001.

Factors that impact the cost of pet insurance

Multiple factors impact the cost of pet insurance:

1

Type of pet

The type of pet you have has a big impact on how much pet insurance costs. Most pet insurance companies charge more for dog insurance than cat insurance. Also, you’ll likely pay more to insure large dogs, as they’re more prone to heart conditions and joint problems.

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2

Breed

Some breeds have higher vet expenses than others, which may increase your premium. For example, Rottweilers are susceptible to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and aortic stenosis, an illness that causes narrowing of the aortic valve.

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3

Age

If you want to give your pet the best care, sign it up for pet insurance at a young age. Enrolling early gives you a chance to secure coverage before your pet develops any pre-existing conditions. Your premiums will also be lower for a young pet than for an older pet.

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4

Gender

It costs a little less to care for female pets, so your premium may be higher if you have a male dog or cat.

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5

Location

The cost of living in your city also plays a role in determining how much you pay for pet insurance. Pet owners in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, San Francisco and other major cities tend to have higher costs than pet owners in rural areas.

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6

Coverage options

Your annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate all have an impact on your pet insurance premium. A deductible is what you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company starts covering any eligible vet expenses. Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of eligible expenses that your policy covers. For example, if you have a 90% reimbursement rate, your insurer will reimburse you for 90% of the costs associated with treating a covered illness or injury.

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For a closer look at how these factors impact the overall cost, check out our complete guide on how much pet insurance costs.

How to save on pet insurance

Follow these tips to reduce the cost of insurance for your pet:

Our guide to cheap pet insurance can help you find an affordable plan to suit your budget and your pet’s needs.

How to find the best pet insurance for your pet

To find the best pet insurance, follow these steps.

Choose your type of plan

Decide whether you want an accident-only health plan, an accident-and-illness plan or a wellness plan that covers exam fees and other routine expenses.

If you’re on a budget, choosing accident coverage instead of a more comprehensive coverage plan can help you save money. If price isn’t much of a concern, look for an accident-and-illness plan with multiple add-ons to get the best coverage.

Choose the coverage level you want

Think about how much coverage you need to ensure your pet gets high-quality care. If you don’t have much money in your savings account, look for insurance with a high reimbursement rate and a low deductible. With this approach, it’s possible to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

If you have a good-sized emergency fund, you may not need as much coverage. Choosing a plan with a high deductible and a lower reimbursement rate can help you save money without leaving you in a financial bind.

Look for available discounts

Many of the best pet insurance providers offer discounts for things like adding multiple pets or paying your yearly premium up-front.

Find out if you qualify for any of these common discounts:

Check waiting periods and other exclusions

Before you commit to a plan, check for waiting periods and other exclusions. Your insurer may require you to wait 14 days, 30 days or even longer to use your policy. It may also exclude certain expenses, such as breeding costs or expenses associated with elective procedures. Checking for exclusions gives you a better idea of what each company covers.

Research and compare pet insurance providers

The next step is to research and compare insurance providers. Taking time to research each company can help you avoid scams and overpriced policies that don’t cover much. Once you have a list of insurers, ask your veterinarian if they recommend a specific one.

Another option is to use online review sites to determine if each company has a positive or negative reputation. When you read through pet insurance reviews, look for common themes. It’s not unusual for a company to have a few unhappy customers, but if every review mentions poor customer service or too many exclusions, you may want to avoid that provider.

Get multiple quotes and compare prices

Use a pet insurance comparison tool to get multiple quotes and compare prices all in one place. Comparison tools are helpful because they eliminate the need to give your contact information to multiple insurers.

When comparing prices, make sure that each plan has the same deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate. Comparing plans with different terms makes it difficult to determine which one is truly the most affordable.

Examine extra costs

If any of the plans you’re considering have available add-ons, think about whether you really need them. Some are valuable, while others increase the cost of your insurance without giving you much in return. For example, if you have enough in the bank to cover the cost of exam fees and vaccinations, you probably don’t need an add-on that pays for these services.

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Best pet insurance FAQs

What is the best pet insurance?

The best pet insurance plan is the one that maximizes your benefits while minimizing your out-of-pocket costs. Try using an online comparison tool to find just the right plan for your needs.

Is pet insurance expensive?

Compared to the cost of paying for everything out of pocket, pet insurance is relatively affordable. It costs an average of $19 to $30 per month, but you may end up spending more if your pet needs advanced care.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, but it does cover X-rays, blood tests and other expenses associated with diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.

Can you get pet insurance to cover vaccines?

If you get a wellness plan, it may cover vaccines, exam fees and other routine expenses.

Does pet insurance cover prescription medications?

Pet insurance covers prescriptions used to treat covered illnesses. It doesn’t cover medications used to treat preexisting or excluded conditions.

Is pet insurance tax deductible?

Pet insurance isn’t tax deductible unless your pet contributes to your income in some way. For example, if you use a border collie to herd sheep on a working farm, you may be able to deduct its pet insurance premiums on your business tax return.

Do all vets take pet insurance?

Vets don’t accept pet insurance. Instead, your insurer reimburses you for expenses you’ve already incurred.

What is the typical monthly cost of pet insurance?

On average, we’ve found that pet insurance costs about $15-$40 per month for cats and $25-$75 per month for dogs.

Sarah Stasik
Sarah Stasik Personal Finance

Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.

Over the past 12 years, Sarah has contributed to numerous publications in the personal and small business finance sector, including content on budgeting, bankruptcy, small business accounting, and financial tech. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful, relevant resources for readers.

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