When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times.

Best Cheap Pet Insurance Plans of April 2024

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

Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans

Product Hero Image
  • Based on our analysis, the best cheap pet insurance for 2024 is offered by: Lemonade, Healthy Paws, Pets Best, Figo, Spot, Embrace, Paw Protect, Care Plus, Pumpkin, MetLife, and Fetch (skip ahead to view these plans).
  • A cheap pet insurance plan doesn’t always mean it will be a good pet insurance plan. However, all providers we’ve reviewed have been vetted for offering quality pet insurance plans for budget conscious buyers.
  • One of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of your pet insurance plan by opting for any or all of the following: lower coverage limits, lower reimbursement rates, & a higher deductible.
  • Several of the providers on our list also offer discounts for people with more than one pet, or to military members which can help make your plan more affordable.
  • While it may be tempting to skimp and opt for an accident-only plan, we recommend opting for Accident & Illness coverage, as this will likely save you money in the long run.
  • Our top tip for finding cheap pet insurance is to compare plans online using a comparison tool. You can see plans and prices side-by-side which can help ensure you find comparable plans for the lowest price.

We all know how important to make sure your pet child gets regular care from a licensed veterinarian.

Although people love their pets and want what’s best for them, many people are concerned about the high cost of vet care. Studies have shown that most Americans are not financially prepared to pay an unexpected vet bill of $500 or more. Having a pet insurance plan in place can help avoid this scenario.

To help you be prepared, we created this guide to help you find the cheapest and best pet insurance on the market without skimping on benefits.

We’ll cover:

  • What to look for when opting for a cheap pet insurance plan
  • Which factors you can adjust to reduce the average monthly cost of your pet insurance premium
  • How to compare plans and choose one that meets your pet’s needs
  • How to determine if paying for a cheap pet insurance plan is worth the investment

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

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 a cheaper alternative to traditional pet insurance.

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, 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 affordable plans to choose from, with the cheapest plan starting at only $18/month. For a limited time, use code PASAVE10 to take an additional 10% off and get a plan for as little as $14.85/month.

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.

Our top picks for the best cheap pet insurance plans

Advertiser Disclosure

Our Top Pick

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 known for its cheap accident & illness coverage and its customizable plans. They are one of the few pet insurance providers that offer dental coverage and have a convenient phone app that allows you to manage your policy online.

Coverage limits can be customized so you can build a plan that fits your budget. 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. For the cheapest coverage, we recommend opting for the $5,000 limit with a 70% reimbursement, but you can change the annual limits, reimbursement rate, and add-ons to fit your budget and coverage needs.

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. While Lemonade offers excellent coverage at an affordable price, they don’t offer telemedicine, don’t cover spay/neuter costs for pets over 2 years old, and vet fees are extra unless you purchase the add-on.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Emergency Vet Visits

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for No Out-of-Pocket Expenses

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

Although Paw Protect is a somewhat new pet insurance provider, it comes with a variety of benefits. One of our favorites is that they offer customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card to pay with at the vet, meaning you’ll have no out-of-pocket expenses (for charges under $2,000), unlike most providers that require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed later on.

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).

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 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 as it offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options, and it can pay the vet directly for you.

Pets Best 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 which offers good coverage versus other plans on the market.

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. When choosing, note that exam fees are not included in the Essential plan, which is why we recommend opting for a higher-tier plan, such as the Elite plan, with a wellness add-on.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Exam Fees

CONS

  • Alternative Therapies
  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Prescription Food

Best for Multiple Pets

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

For multi-pet households looking for a cheap pet insurance plan, you can’t beat Metlife’s family plan. This plan allows you to buy one policy, with one deductible and one annual limit, that can be shared between up to 3 pets. This can save you money instead of buying 3 individual policies. However, if one pet has an accident and you reach your annual limit, it means you’ve reached it for all pets on the plan and no more expenses will be covered.

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.

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, making Metlife a great choice for affordable pet insurance.

With MetLife, you don’t need an initial exam to enroll your pet, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan. 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.

Accident coverage (and wellness coverage, if you choose to opt-in) goes into effect at midnight on the day you enroll your pet. 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.

PROS

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

CONS

  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly
  • Boarding

Best for a Diminishing Deductible

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

We love Embrace Pet Insurance for its highly customizable plans and various discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). Embrace offers an accident & illness plan with optional wellness coverage as an add-on. This also includes optional coverage for exam fees and prescription drugs. Additionally, Embrace offers a diminishing deductible, meaning that every year you don’t file a claim, your deductible is lowered by $50.

If you’re looking for cheap pet insurance coverage, the $5,000 annual limit with 70% reimbursement will give you the most affordable monthly premium. However, you can opt to increase these based on your pet’s needs.

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.

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 Reimbursement Options

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 also one of the few providers that offer 100% reimbursement (on plans with deductibles of $500+).

Figo has lots of plan options to suit all types of budgets. It offers several pre-set accident & illness plans but also allows you to customize your plan based on your desired coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement level.

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

With Figo, there is a 1-day waiting period for accidents and injuries and 14 days 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.

In some cases, Figo can also treat curable pre-existing conditions if your pets show no symptoms within 12 months of treatment.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Dental Disease
  • Breed Specific Issues

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Customizing Your Plan

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%). They also tend to cover more things than other providers such as advanced care and alternative therapies.

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. Another benefit to Spot is that 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. Spot will also 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 a High Coverage Limit

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 offers many choices for coverage levels and deductibles, which is great for those wanting to tailor a plan to fit their budget. This company is especially affordable for cat parents, with some plan options only costing around $10 a month! They also offer the most choices when it comes to reimbursement, with options as low as 50%. Choosing a low reimbursement rate will make the monthly cost of your plan more affordable. They do not offer wellness options, so keep that in mind.

This is one of the only pet insurance companies that can pay the vet for you directly, as long as you call for prior authorization before your pet is treated.

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 or if your pet is under the age of six. 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 Prescriptions

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 (which can get expensive!) There is no maximum age of enrollment and it offers unlimited coverage. 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 also customize your plans with optional add-ons such as the Preventive and Preventative+ plans and the Wellness and Comprehensive plan.

For an affordable plan, we recommend the Value Accident & Illness which is provided through Lemonade. The 2-day waiting period for accidents is very competitive and exam fees are included.

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 Preventative Care

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 from 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.

Since you can’t adjust the reimbursement rate, you can make the plan more affordable by choosing a higher deductible or a lower annual limit.

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. On the downside, their add-on plan for preventive care doesn’t have a lot of coverage.

PROS

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

CONS

  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Boarding
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for a Wide Range of Coverage

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. There is no age limit for enrollment and it covers things most other providers don’t offer. As an example, if your pet is lost, Fetch will cover expenses for lost pet ads and will even chip in to offer a reward. They also cover boarding fees if you’re in the hospital and can’t care for your pet.

Fetch only offers their standard accident & illness plan which includes TeleVet services and dental coverage at no extra cost. However, unlike other providers, there is no preventative/wellness plan option with this provider. There is a 10% discount for military members, but not a multi-pet discount.

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 with no pre-existing orthopedic conditions.

PROS

  • Emergency Vet Visits
  • Dental Disease
  • Allergies

CONS

  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Prescription Food
  • 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

We like Odie Pet Insurance because it offers some of the cheapest monthly premiums we found during our research.

They advertise their average monthly cost for dogs at $35/month and cats at $25/month (for 3 year old mixed breeds). By opting out of additional add-ons like rehab and prescription coverage we easily found accident and illness plans as low as $18/month for dogs and $8/month for cats, making it one of the cheapest pet insurance options we’ve found.

PROS

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

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly
  • Boarding

How to find cheap pet insurance

The best way to get cheap pet insurance is to make use of every available resource.

Asking for professional recommendations, looking for discounts and adjusting your policy are all great ways to reduce the monthly cost of carrying pet insurance for your dog or cat.

Get recommendations from your veterinarian

A veterinary professional can tell you all about the health conditions that commonly affect your pet’s breed. They may even be able to tell you about pet insurance plans that don’t exclude those conditions and even insurance that pays your vet directly.

For example, if you have a pug, you may have trouble finding pet insurance that covers dermatitis of the skin folds. This condition is common in pugs due to their wrinkled faces and the unusual shape of their tails.

Compare pet insurance quotes online

You can save a significant amount of money by shopping around for pet insurance instead of signing up for the first pet insurance policy you come across. For this we recommend using online comparison tools to get multiple quotes tailored to your pet.

To compare the benefits and premiums offered by multiple insurance companies, try using the LA Times pet insurance comparison tool. The comparison tool offers quotes from multiple providers in one place. You can see coverage and costs for each policy, giving you a good idea of how much pet insurance costs for your specific needs.

Opt for an accident-only policy

Accident-only pet insurance plans cover expenses arising out of accidental injuries. For example, if your cat escapes and gets hit by a car, an accident-only policy should cover the cost of treating any broken bones, lacerations or torn ligaments.

Accident-only pet insurance policies don’t cover routine care or treatment for illnesses that aren’t the result of an accident. Because it covers fewer services, this type of insurance is typically less expensive than a more comprehensive pet insurance plan.

Choose only the necessary coverage

Like human insurance plans, pet insurance plans typically have deductibles, maximum reimbursement rates and coverage limits. For example, one plan may have a $250 deductible and a 100% reimbursement rate, and another plan may have a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement rate.

In most cases, you can save money by choosing a plan with a lower deductible or reimbursement rate, as you’ll have to pay a higher percentage of your vet bills out of pocket.

Another option for lowering the cost of pet insurance is to choose a plan with lower coverage limits. When you shop for coverage, pay close attention to the annual limit and the condition limit for each plan. The annual coverage limit is the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay in a calendar year. Choosing a plan with a low annual limit, such as $2,500, is usually less expensive than choosing a plan with a high annual limit.

A condition limit is the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay to treat a specific condition. For example, a pet insurance plan may have a $3,000 coverage limit for hip dysplasia in dogs. You can save money by choosing a pet health insurance plan with low condition limits.

Insure your pet early on in it’s life

The best time to purchase cheap pet health insurance is when your pet is still a puppy or kitten. That’s because most types of pet insurance exclude pre-existing conditions, which are health conditions that exist prior to purchasing a pet insurance plan. Buying pet health insurance as early as possible reduces the risk that your pet will be diagnosed with a chronic condition before you have a chance to apply for coverage. Since young pets are less likely to have healthy issues than older pets, it is cheaper to purchase pet insurance at this stage of life.

Note that your insurance company may ask your vet to provide copies of your pet’s medical records to verify that it doesn’t have any pre-existing conditions as of the date you apply for insurance coverage.

Check for eligible discounts

Many insurance companies offer discounts for spaying or neutering your pet or adding multiple pets to the same policy (multi-pet discount).

Depending on your circumstances, you may even qualify for one of these discounts:

Your employer may even offer discounted pet insurance as part of your benefits package, making it easier than ever to find affordable pet insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask for these discounts before you finalize your new insurance policy.

Dog Product Hero Reminder Join the over 2,438,795+ insured cats & dogs across the US Compare pet insurance plans & prices from top providers in minutes COMPARE QUOTES Cat Product Hero Reminder

Does cheap pet insurance offer good coverage?

In general, cheaper pet insurance plans will have less comprehensive coverage than more expensive plans. However, pet insurance policies are customizable which means you can decide the maximum coverage limit, reimbursement percentage, and deductible to give you more flexibility over your cost and coverage.

Pet insurance coverage comes in three varieties:

Typically, we recommend opting for accident & illness coverage as it’s not much more expensive and can work out to save you more money over the course of your pet’s life as it protects you under more circumstances.

If you are on the fence about which type of coverage to buy, have a look at the coverage offered by each provider below.

Finding the right coverage

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

What determines the cost of pet insurance?

Many factors go into determining the cost of your pet insurance:

1

Age

Pet insurance is the cheapest when your pet is still a baby. The risk of many illnesses increases with age, making this type of insurance more expensive if you wait to explore your coverage options. For more information on your pet’s lifespan, check out our guides on how dogs age and how cats age.

See More See Less
2

Add-ons

If your insurance company excludes certain vet bills from reimbursement, you may be able to extend your coverage by purchasing add-ons. An add-on increases the number of services covered, so expect your monthly cost to increase accordingly.

See More See Less
3

Breed

Some breeds are prone to serious health conditions, leading to higher vet bills. If you have one of these breeds, your insurance company may charge more to cover the increased cost of reimbursing you for your veterinary expenses.

See More See Less
4

Location

Your insurance provider also considers your location when determining how much to charge for pet insurance. Vet bills are likely to be higher in cities with high costs of living, leaving you with a higher insurance premium.

See More See Less
5

Deductible

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket before your policy starts paying for covered expenses. For example, if you have $1,000 in vet bills and a $500 deductible, you have to pay $500 before your insurance provider covers the rest. Pet health insurance is usually cheaper if you choose a plan with a high deductible instead of a low deductible.

See More See Less
6

Reimbursement levels

You also need to consider your reimbursement level, which is the percentage of veterinary expenses reimbursed by your insurer. If you choose a pet insurance plan with a 100% reimbursement level, you can expect to pay more than you would for a plan with a 90% reimbursement level.

See More See Less
7

Plan options

Some cheap pet insurance companies offer customizable plans, allowing you to drop the coverage you don’t need in favor of a lower premium.

See More See Less

Is pet insurance cheaper for cats or dogs?

When you compare pet insurance plans, you may notice that cat insurance is usually cheaper than dog insurance, even if you choose the same deductible and reimbursement rate for both policies.

The main reason it’s cheaper to insure a cat than a dog is that dogs typically incur more vet expenses. For example, a dog who goes outside every day has a higher risk of tick exposure than an indoor-only cat. Dogs may also accompany their owners on camping trips and car rides, putting them at an increased risk of accident-related injuries. Pet insurance companies account for the increased risk in their premiums.

Even routine vet expenses tend to be higher for dogs than cats. Team Georgia, the website for State of Georgia employees, reports that a routine check-up costs an average of $160 for a cat and $212 for a dog. If you have a dog, your pet insurance premium will reflect the increased cost of caring for the pooch.

Finally, dogs tend to be more active than cats. For example, your dog may go for several walks per day or hang out at the local dog park on weekends. This increases the risk of parasite exposure and accidental injuries. Pet insurance companies consider this when determining how much to charge for coverage.

These dog breeds typically have the cheapest pet insurance premiums:

Even if you have one of these breeds, remember that pre-existing conditions or breed-specific characteristics may cause your pet insurance premium to increase.

If you’re a cat owner, you may have to pay more for pet insurance if you have an Abyssinian, ragdoll or Persian. Although these cats are beautiful, they also have an increased risk of serious health problems. For example, Persians have pushed-in noses, putting them at risk for respiratory conditions. Ragdolls are prone to heart murmurs and kidney disease, both of which come with significant vet expenses.

These cat breeds typically have some of the cheapest pet insurance premiums:

In 2021, the average monthly cost of accident-and-illness pet insurance for dogs was $48.66 per month. The same pet insurance coverage costs just $28.57 per month for cats.

Is pet insurance worth the cost?

Pet insurance is worth the cost if you spend less on premiums than you do on vet expenses. Over the lifetime of your animal, this is likely to be the case.

Here is an example of what we mean. Imagine you have a dog named Jake, and you purchased pet insurance when he was just a puppy. For the last 4 years, you’ve been paying $52.33 per month for a comprehensive pet insurance policy. The policy has a $250 deductible and a 100% reimbursement rate.

Now imagine Jake ate one of his favorite toys and you had to rush him to the vet. After taking X-rays, the vet tells you that Jake needs surgery to the tune of $3,500. Once you pay the $250 deductible, your insurance policy pays the remaining $3,250.

Was it worth it? To find out, calculate the cost of carrying pet insurance for 4 years and then compare it to the cost of the surgery. If Jake’s pet insurance costs $52.33 per month, that’s $627.96 per year. Now multiply that by 4 years to find out how much you’ve paid since you purchased the policy: $2,511.84.

Since the surgery cost $3,500, having pet insurance saved you $738.16 after you account for the $250 deductible.

Dog Product Hero Reminder Join the over 2,438,795+ insured cats & dogs across the US Compare pet insurance plans & prices from top providers in minutes COMPARE QUOTES Cat Product Hero Reminder

Cheap pet insurance FAQs

What is the average annual cost of pet insurance?

Although pet insurance companies change their premiums regularly, the average monthly cost of pet insurance is $19 per month for cats and $30 per month for dogs. That makes the average annual cost somewhere between $228 and $360.

What is the cheapest pet insurance?

Accident-only pet insurance is the cheapest type of pet coverage available, as it only covers vet expenses arising from accident-related injuries. It doesn’t cover preventive services, expenses associated with pre-existing conditions or expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of illness.

Is it easy to find cheap pet insurance?

It’s easy to find low-cost coverage for your pet, especially if you use our online comparison tool to view multiple quotes. Pet insurance companies also provide detailed quotes on their websites, making it easy to determine what’s covered by each plan.

Is there a pet insurance policy without a deductible?

Some pet insurance companies offer policies with $0 deductibles. If you’re concerned about your out-of-pocket costs, shop around for a no-deductible plan.

What are the risks if I don’t insure my pet?

The biggest risk of not purchasing pet insurance is that you won’t have any coverage if your pet is sick or injured. That means you’ll have to pay every vet bill out of your own pocket. If your dog or cat needs surgery, you may even need to drain your savings or open up a new credit card just to cover its medical bills. Pet health insurance covers many expenses, giving you extra peace of mind.

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.

BACK TO TOP