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10 Best Pet Insurance Companies
By Cassidy Horton MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
No co-payment
$100-$1,000
70%, 80%, 90%
$2,500 - $20,000, Unlimited
Multi-pet discount
Preventative care packs
$100, $250, $500
90%
$10k, $20k or Unlimited for Dogs $7k, $15k or Unlimited for Cats
Multi-pet discount
Covers pets 15 years or over
$100-$1k
70%, 80%, 90%
Up to Unlimited
Diminishing deductible, Multi-pet discount, Military discount, Employee benefits discount
Enrolls pets as young as six weeks
$250, $300, $500
70%, 80%, 90%
$5k, $15k, Unlimited
Shelter and rescue adopters, military, Walmart shopper, AARP, Vets and vet employees, Support, comfort and therapy pets
Donates unused premiums to customer-chosen nonprofits
$100, $250, $500
70%, 80%, 90%
$5k-$100k
Policy bundle discount
Covers stem cell therapy
$100-$500
70%, 80%, 90%
$3,000-$7,000
Multi-pet discount, Employee benefit discount
If you have pets, having insurance for your furry family member can help give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ll be able to provide the care they need should they become injured or sick. But with so many pet insurance providers and coverage options available, it can be hard to know which policy is right for you and your pet.
So we’ve rounded up the 10 best pet insurance companies (named “best” according to what each does exceptionally well) so you can quickly find the protection that’s right for you and your best friend.
Our Top Picks for Best Pet Insurance
- Healthy Paws: Best for Alternative Therapies
- ASPCA: Best for Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
- Spot: Best for Unlimited Coverage
- Pumpkin: Best for Puppies and Kittens
- Figo: Best for Reimbursement Options
- Embrace: Best for Rewards and Discounts
- Pets Best: Best for Older Pets
- Lemonade: Best for Fast Claims Processing
- Trupanion: Best for Direct Payment to Vets
- Nationwide: Best for Exotic Pets
Best Pet Insurance Reviews
Best for Alternative Therapies: Healthy Paws
Why we chose it: Healthy Paws is among the companies that includes alternative therapies — such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and physical therapy — under their standard policy, so long as they’re performed by a licensed veterinarian.
You don’t have to pay extra for this coverage as you do with some other insurers, which is why we named Healthy Paws the best pet insurance for alternative therapies.
Healthy Paws also has an accident and illness policy with no annual, lifetime, or per incident maximums. That’s ideal for those who worry about a claim being too expensive for them to cover — although premiums for such plans do tend to be higher than the norm, because of the lack of coverage caps.
Policyholders can choose from a deductible of between $250 to $500 and a 70% to 90% reimbursement rate. There’s a standard 15-day waiting period. And most claims are processed within two days, the company says, which (if true) is quicker than most pet insurance companies, which can take up to 30 days.
- No annual, lifetime, or per-incident maximums
- Takes around two days to process claims
- Option for vet to be paid directly, if you're unable yourself to pay upfront
- One-time $25 admin fee when enrolling
- No wellness plan option
- Doesn't cover exam fees
- One-year waiting period for hip dysplasia
- Only one type of plan available
Best for Hereditary and Congenital Conditions: ASPCA
Why we chose it: ASPCA stood out because of its unusually good coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions, including for older animals. On top of covering standard accidents and illnesses, the company’s Complete Coverage plan also reimburses you for:
- Hereditary and congenital conditions (think heart disease, cherry eye, and hip dysplasia)
- Alternative therapies
- Behavioral issues
- Chronic conditions
- Prescription meds and food
- Microchip implantation
It’s unusual for insurance companies to cover such a wide range of situations, especially with premiums that are relatively low — as those of ASPCA are. The insurer also has no lifetime or per-incident maximums, and you can choose an annual coverage limit ranging from $2,500 to unlimited.
If you don’t want the Complete Coverage plan, ASPCA also has accident-only coverage. You can also add on preventive coverage for $9.95 or $24.95 a month if you want to get reimbursed for routine care on top of accidents and illnesses. The Prime Preventive Care option covers such procedures as dental cleanings (which can cost up to $700), neutering and flea and heartworm prevention.
However, according to the company, it can take 30 days to process a claim, which is longer than other options on our list.
- Covers an unusual range of hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral issues, chiropractic care, and more
- No upper age limit
- Can take 30 days to process claims
Best for Unlimited Coverage: Spot
Why we chose it: Spot gets our nod as the best pet insurance for unlimited coverage because it has no lifetime or per-incident maximums, plus the option to add unlimited annual coverage. (Keep in mind, though, that choosing those options tends to drive up premiums.)
Other stand-out features include deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000, and the option to get 70%, 80% or 90% of vet costs reimbursed once you hit your deductible. Notably, Spot policies cover sick visit exam fees, which are often excluded from coverage.
You can also pick from one of two plans — accident only or accident and illness — and two preventive care options. There are no upper age limits, so Spot may also be a good fit for elderly pets.
- Option to choose unlimited coverage
- No upper age limits
- No lifetime or per-incident maximums
- Less generous knee and ligament coverage than some companies
- Relatively pricey premiums for younger pets
Best for Puppies and Kittens: Pumpkin
Why we chose it: Pumpkin offers a best-in-class preventive care add-on for young animals that reimburses 100% of annual wellness checkups, up to four vaccines, one fecal test, and one blood test for heartworm and tick diseases. And it does so affordably.
Pumpkin’s standard accident and illness plan comes with a standard 90% reimbursement and the option to add unlimited coverage with no annual maximums. This means that Pumpkin will cover 90% of qualified claims (no matter how expensive they are) once you hit your deductible.
Pumpkin’s accident and illness policy also pays for vet exam fees, treatment for parasite infections, behavioral issues, physical therapy and prescription food (among other things) at no extra cost.
While premiums may be slightly higher with this level of comprehensive coverage, Pumpkin could be worth it if you suspect your pet will need more than the usual amount of vet visits over its lifetime.
Best for Reimbursement Options: Figo
Why we chose it: Figo is an excellent option if you’re a pet owner who wants ultimate coverage for your pet, even if that costs more than the norm — as it typically does.
For reference, most pet insurance companies will only pay 90% of your vet bill at most and impose limits on payments. Figo is willing to cover all of it — after you meet your deductible, of course. Its accident and illness policy lets you choose from three annual limits (including one with unlimited payments) and to opt for an unusual 100% reimbursement rate (that is, with no copays) in addition to the customary 70%, 80% or 90% rates.
You can also “power up” your pet insurance policy with two different wellness plans, a rider that reimburses you for vet exam fees, and an Extra Care Pack for cremation, lost pet advertising, boarding fees and more.
Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Similar to other pet insurance companies, there’s a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions, including knee injuries and hip dysplasia. However, you can get it waived with an orthopedic exam.
- Allows both unlimited payments and a 100% reimbursement
- No upper age limits on pets
- Processes most claims within 3 days, Figo says
- Access to a live vet 24/7
- Doesn't cover preventable parasite infections
- Excludes vet exam visits unless you buy a rider
- Separate limit for behavioral issues
Best for Rewards and Discounts: Embrace
Why we chose it: Embrace offers an enticing array of ways to save. It has a 10% multi-pet discount, a 5% military discount, and a Healthy Pet Deductible that shaves $50 off your deductible each year you don’t file a claim — which could allow owners of a healthy pet to potentially see their deductible vanish over time.
Pet owners can choose from two policies: accident only (for pets of any age) and accident and illness (for newly enrolled pets that are age 14 or younger). You can choose a deductible between $50 and $1,000 and a reimbursement rate of 70% to 90%.
But there are a few potential downsides to Embrace. Its Wellness Rewards plan is less generous than other options on our list, as it may save you only about $25 a year no matter which tier you choose. Also, there’s a six-month waiting period for hip dysplasia, but you can reduce it to 14 days if your vet performs an orthopedic exam after enrollment.
- Multi-pet discount, military discount and vanishing deductible
- No lifetime or per-incident maximums
- Covers exam fees
- 48-hour waiting period for accidents
- Newly enrolled pets must be 14 or younger for accident and illness coverage
- Wellness Rewards plan only saves you $25
Best for Older Pets: Pets Best
Why we chose it: Pets Best offers compelling coverage for owners of senior pets. It has no upper age limit for new enrollees — in contrast to other choices that won’t insure animals over 10 (Nationwide) or 14 years (Embrace). Also, standard plans from Pets Best include coverage for exam fees, acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, behavioral conditions, prosthetic devices and prescription meds — most of which are either excluded or cost extra with other companies.
You can choose from two plans: accident and illness coverage or accident-only coverage. Accident and illness coverage starts at $6.23 for cats and $8.65 for dogs. Accident coverage is, unexpectedly, more expensive than the most basic accident-and-illness coverage, at $9 per month for dogs and $6 per month for cats. There’s also the option to add a wellness plan for routine care.
- No upper age limit
- Unlimited coverage option
- 5% multi-pet discount for BestBenefit plans
- Doesn't cover parasites or non-vet expenses like food and supplements
- 6-month waiting period for hip dysplasia
- $2 transaction fee added to premiums
Best for Fast Claims Processing: Lemonade
Why we chose it: When you’re waiting to get reimbursed for a huge vet bill, quicker is always better. And fast claims processing is the key reason we made Lemonade one of our picks.
While companies like Nationwide and ASPCA take around 30 days to process a claim, Lemonade uses AI technology to process most claims more rapidly — often within minutes, the company claims.
Lemonade has a single accident and illness policy that will reimburse 70%, 80% or 90% of vet bills once you reach your deductible. You can customize your policy with two preventative care packages, plus add-ons for physical therapy and exam visits.
Lemonade also offers several discounts, including a 5% multi-pet discount, a 5% discount when you pay annually and a 10% discount when you bundle your policy with other Lemonade insurance.
- Says claims are processed quickly, often within minutes
- Discounts for multiple pets, paying annually and bundling with other insurance
- Part of company profits are directed to the charity of your choice
- Unavailable in Kansas and 15 other states, but available in Missouri
- Limited information online, especially without disclosing personal information
- Must submit the past year's medical records to apply, along with undergo an exam
- No 30-day "free look" period, which is standard with other picks
Best for Direct Payments to Vets: Trupanion
Why we chose it: Despite a number of minor drawbacks, Trupanion is among the few companies that allow you to cover your claim at checkout, so you don’t have to pay in full upfront — only cover your co-pay. More than 10,000 veterinarians and 2,300 veterinary hospitals nationwide accept direct payments from Trupanion. Trupanion’s website includes the full list.
If your vet doesn’t accept payments from Trupanion, you can submit claims the old-fashioned way and wait for reimbursement.
Trupanion has one accident and illness policy with a 90% reimbursement rate and no annual or lifetime limit. You can set your own deductible — anywhere from $0 to $1,000 — and customize your policy with three riders: one for recovery care, one for pet owner assistance and another for breeding.
Unlike other pet insurance companies, Trupanion doesn’t have any wellness plans for routine care. It also has a 30-day waiting period for illnesses and a five-day waiting period for accidents, which is longer than average. However, the waiting period may be waived if you get an Exam Day Offer from a qualified vet.
- Will pay vet directly when you use a partner hospital
- Unlimited coverage and a 90% reimbursement rate
- 30-day waiting period for illnesses
- No wellness plan options
- No multi-pet discount
- Doesn't cover exam fees
- Pet must be 13 years or younger to enroll
- $35 admin fee for new members
Best for Exotic Pets: Nationwide
Why we chose it: Nationwide is one of the only pet insurance companies that protects most birds and some exotic animals, including turtles, snakes, goats, guinea pigs, mice and more.
According to its website, Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance covers accidents and illnesses, exams, lab fees, prescription medications, X-rays, hospital stays, etc. You get a 5% multi-pet discount when you insure two to three pets, and a 10% discount when you insure four or more.
While you can get an online quote for your cat or dog, you must call (888-899-4874) to get a pet insurance quote for an exotic pet.
Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses as well as examinations, lab fees, prescriptions, X-rays, hospitalization and more.
The company also has two insurance plan options for cats and dogs:
- A Whole Pet plan that covers accidents, illnesses, cancer, and more. It also covers wellness services like vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, routine tests and more. It has a $250 deductible and will reimburse 50% or 90% of vet bills.
- A Major Medical plan that covers accidents and illnesses. Rather than paying a percentage of your vet bill, it reimburses a set amount per condition or service.
Additionally, you can choose from two wellness plans if you want cashback on routine checkups and services.
One thing that stands out about Nationwide’s coverage that may concern pet parents is that the company reimburses according to a benefits schedule, not actual vet bills. Benefit schedules are based on average prices for services nationwide and can be a disadvantage if you and your pet live in an expensive city where veterinarian services are higher than average.
- Offers pet insurance for most birds and some exotic pets
- Save up to 10% with a multi-pet discount
- Must call Nationwide for an avian or exotic pet quote
- 30 days to process a claim
- One-year waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage
Pet Insurance Guide
Understanding how pet insurance works can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. This section guides you through what pet insurance covers, how it works and the attributes to note when comparing policies.
How pet insurance works
Pet insurance is designed to help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary bills. It works by reimbursing you for a portion of your vet bills, up to the limit of your policy.
This table highlights how pet insurance differs from human health insurance, so you can see some of the differences.
| Pet health insurance | Human health insurance |
| • Covers accidents and illnesses only • Must pay extra for preventive care coverage, including wellness exams, vaccines, and parasite prevention |
Covers almost everything, including preventative care |
| No network restrictions — can generally use any licensed vet nationwide | You may have to visit an in-network doctor |
| Usually you pay 100% of the vet bill upfront, then wait to get reimbursed by your insurance company. Some pet insurers will pay your vet directly. | You only pay your part of the bill upfront |
| Typically has a 14-day waiting period before accident and illness coverage kicks in | Typically doesn’t have a waiting period, although some employers may require them |
| May have a six-month waiting period for orthopedic injuries | Doesn’t impose waiting periods for orthopedic injuries |
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance typically reimburses you for accidents and illnesses. If your pet tears a ligament, swallows an object, gets an ear infection or develops arthritis or needs emergency care, your insurance company should cover any services you pet neededs to get better.
What does pet insurance not cover?
Unfortunately, there is a long list of things pet insurance does not cover, which is why it’s important to read a policy in detail before you move forward.
Some common exclusions to watch out for include:
- Pre-existing conditions: If your pet gets sick or injured before or during your waiting period, the insurance company will not pay out for the treatment of that condition. Some curable pre-existing conditions (such as ear infections or urinary tract infections) can be covered if your pet is symptom-free for 180 days or so. Others, as a heart murmur) can be permanent and never eligible for coverage.
- Cosmetic procedures: This includes tail docking, declawing and ear trimming
- Breeding costs: Most insurance companies don’t cover any illnesses or injuries related to breeding. However, some insurance companies, such as Trupanion, let you add a breeding rider to your policy if you want coverage.
- Vet exam visits: Most pet insurance plans make you pay out of pocket for the actual vet exam visit, and they’ll reimburse you for any services performed during the visit, such as X-rays, diagnostic tests or surgeries. However, Pets Best and Pumpkin both cover exam fees at no extra cost.
- Preventive and routine care: This typically isn’t covered unless you add an optional “wellness” or “preventative care” rider to your policy.
Types of pet insurance plans
Before you learn how to buy pet insurance, familiarize yourself with the four types of policies you can get.
- Accident-only plans are limited to covering mishaps, like if your pet has a broken bone, shreds a toenail or swallows something that’s dangerous. This is the cheapest type of pet insurance and does not cover illnesses.
- Accident and illness plans cover both accidents and illnesses (such as digestive issues, hypothyroidism, UTIs, and more). This is the most common type of pet insurance.
- Comprehensive plans are the most expensive type of pet insurance, but they cover almost everything, including accidents, illnesses, chronic diseases, cancer, hereditary conditions, dental cleaning, and even some vaccines and routine care. They’re also sometimes referred to as “nose-to-tail” policies.
- Wellness plans are add-ons you can buy if you want to get reimbursed for routine services like wellness exams, screenings, vaccines and flea and tick prevention.
How much is pet insurance?
On average, expect to pay about $50 per month for dog insurance and $30 per month for cat insurance. However, exact pet insurance costs depend on factors that include the type of policy you choose, the deductible you select and the riders you add on. Your pet’s age, breed, and location will also significantly affect the cost of your policy.
To get an exact idea of what you’ll pay for pet insurance, get online quotes from some of the best pet insurance providers on our list.
You can also view our best cheap pet insurance page if you’re looking for options we have found to be more affordable than most.
What increases and lowers premium costs
There are a few things that will affect the cost of your pet insurance premiums, including:
- The type of policy you choose: Accident-only plans are the cheapest, while comprehensive plans are the most expensive.
- Your pet’s age: Younger pets are typically cheaper to insure than older pets.
- Your pet’s breed: Purebreds are usually more expensive to insure than mixed breeds.
- Your pet’s location: If you live in an area with a high cost of living (including pet care), your pet insurance will likely be more expensive than if you lived in a less expensive area.
- The deductible you choose: A higher deductible will usually mean lower premiums — but of course means you’ll pay more out of pocket when you file a claim.
- The reimbursement rate you choose: This is the percentage of your vet bill the insurance company will cover after you pay your deductible. Most insurance companies let you choose a 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement rate. The higher the rate, as a rule, the higher the monthly premium.
- The payout cap you choose: Most plans have payout caps, most often annual ones. If you choose a plan with a higher maximum, expect your monthly cost to be more.
- The riders you add on: Any riders or extras you add on will increase the cost of your monthly premiums.
Additional expenses to keep in mind
Having pet insurance doesn’t mean you’ll never pay out of pocket for a vet visit. In most cases, you’ll still be required to pay for the full vet visit upfront. You’ll then have to wait for the insurance company to approve your claim before you get reimbursed. This can add significant financial strain if you’re already strapped for cash. In addition, the majority of plans do not cover exam fees, which you’ll be charged regardless of whether your pet receives treatment.
Likewise, understand that there’s no guarantee that your claim will be approved. As mentioned earlier, pet insurance companies won’t pay for any pre-existing conditions your pet had before you took out the policy.
And in some cases, conditions your insurance company may once have covered can later be deemed “pre-existing” if you increase your annual payout cap or make any changes that reinstate a new waiting period — like canceling an old policy and then opening a new one.
Pet insurance may not make sense in a purely financial sense. Money’s analyses comparing the benefits and outlays of pet insurance have concluded that pet owners are unlikely to recoup their costs should their animal enjoy a normal medical life. That’s to say, the pet requires pet care only for checkups and other preventive care, and the occasional routine illness.
But insuring your pet definitely pays off if your furry friend is unfortunate enough to suffer a serious illness or accident that runs up veterinary costs in the four- or even five-figure range. Keep in mind, though, that you still need to meet an annual deductible — likely of hundreds of dollars — for each visit, and then be responsible for a co-pay of between 10% and 30% of the remaining bill.
Of course, for some people there’s an emotional value to pet insurance that transcends its financial payoff — or lack thereof. Insurance may be an especially worthy purchase if you’re the kind of pet owner who’s prepared to take any or all steps to save your animal. Alternately, you may simply want to reduce stress by minimizing financial considerations in any decision to seek serious care for your pet.
Finally, keep in mind that pet insurance won’t cover pre-existing conditions. So, if your pet is already sick with a chronic disease, don’t depend on pet insurance to help cover your mounting bills to treat it.
How We Found the Best Pet Insurance Companies
We dug through dozens of pet insurance providers to find the best ones for various categories of would-be buyers, from those with older pets or exotic animals to those who want unlimited coverage or consider speedy claims settlement a priority consideration. We also checked that our picks were available to residents of Kansas and Missouri, and called out those that were available in only one state or the other.
Summary of the Best Pet Insurance Companies
- Healthy Paws: Best for Alternative Therapies
- ASPCA: Best for Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
- Spot: Best for Unlimited Coverage
- Pumpkin: Best for Puppies and Kittens
- Figo: Best for Reimbursement Options
- Embrace: Best for Rewards and Discounts
- Pets Best: Best for Older Pets
- Lemonade: Best for Fast Claims Processing
- Trupanion: Best for Direct Payment to Vets
- Nationwide: Best for Exotic Pets
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer based in Seattle, Washington. With an MBA and a bachelor's in public relations, her work has been published over a thousand times by The Balance, Finder.com, Money Under 30, Clever Girl Finance, and many more. Cassidy is a self-confessed money nerd who’s passionate about helping people find financial freedom. Oh, and she really loves cats.