Best pet insurance companies of January 2024

Methodology

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To choose our winners for the best pet insurance companies, we analyzed 18 companies and narrowed down our list to the top 12. From there, we judged each company across 10 categories essential to good policies. We analyzed over 250 data points and used more than a dozen primary data sources during our research. Winners are chosen based on their overall scores and our editorial judgment. Read our full methodology here.

Show summary

• 
  MetLife
  

  : Best waiting period for accidents

• 
  Embrace
  

  : Best for insuring multiple pets

• 
  ASPCA
  

  : Best for curable preexisting conditions

• 
  Lemonade
  

  : Best for bundling with other types of insurance

• 
  Spot
  

  : Best for annual coverage options

• 
  Figo
  

  : Best for reimbursement percent options

Pets Best

MetLife

Best waiting period for accidents

Embrace

Best for insuring multiple pets

ASPCA

Best for curable preexisting conditions

Lemonade

Best for bundling with other types of insurance

Spot

Best for annual coverage options

Figo

Best for reimbursement percent options

Best dog insurance picks at a glance

Best cat insurance picks at a glance

Why do you need pet insurance?

• Potentially save on pet health costs: Having pet insurance could save you thousands if your furry friend gets cancer or needs an expensive procedure.
• Budget for pet care: Pet insurance can help you budget for unexpected vet expenses based on your policy’s deductible, reimbursement percentage and annual coverage limit.
• Ensure your pet’s well-being: When your pet needs care, you’ll feel less pressure to delay visiting the vet or scheduling a procedure since you may be reimbursed for covered expenses.
• Choose your vet: You’ll have control over your pet’s care since insurers usually let you pick any licensed veterinarian.

How does pet insurance work?

In exchange for your premiums, pet insurance will help cover some of your pet’s medical care when a covered accident or illness arises, depending on what type of policy you purchase.

Under most plans, you can visit any licensed veterinarian for care and will pay the vet directly for any costs. The insurer will later reimburse you for any covered expenses, subject to your policy’s deductible, reimbursement percentage and coverage limit:

• Deductible: Given as an annual or incident-based amount, the deductible is what you pay for your pet’s covered care before the insurance company begins paying you back. You can find some no-deductible plans, though they’re less common.
• Reimbursement percentage: You’ll usually pick a reimbursement percentage of 60% to 100%, which is the portion of covered costs that the insurer will pay after your deductible. You’re responsible for the remainder, similar to coinsurance for people’s health insurance.
• Coverage limit: Pet insurance may have incident, annual or lifetime coverage limits — or the maximum amount your insurance company will pay out for a claim within the specified time frame. Some providers do offer unlimited coverage, although the premiums may be higher.

After enrolling in an accident-only or an accident and illness insurance plan, you’ll usually have waiting periods before your pet insurance starts working. Accident waiting periods are usually short and no more than 15 days, while illness waiting periods can be up to 30 days. Although rare, some insurers offer pet insurance with no waiting period for accident coverage.

Types of pet insurance plans

There are three types of pet insurance plans, which suit different needs and budgets and cover different vet-related costs:

• Accident-only plan: Often an economical option, this plan only provides coverage for diagnosing and treating accidental injuries and other medical emergencies. For example, it provides reimbursement if your pet swallows an object, gets hit by a car or gets bitten by another animal.
• Accident and illness plan: This costlier but more comprehensive plan extends coverage to diagnosing, treating and managing everyday illnesses and health conditions. Examples include cancer and digestive problems along with certain genetic conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia. Some plans cover dental illnesses too.
• Wellness plan: Typically available as a plan add-on, this option covers routine and preventative care. Examples include wellness exams, dental cleanings, diagnostic tests, spaying and neutering, vaccines and medications. Some wellness plans include microchipping too.

What does pet insurance cover?

Ultimately, what pet insurance covers depends on your policy, coverage type (accident-only or accident and illness) and any add-ons selected. Here are some common items that pet insurers typically cover:

• Accidents (e.g., broken bones, swallowed objects, toxic ingestions, cuts, etc.)
• Diagnostic testing (e.g., bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, etc.)
• Illnesses (e.g., cancer, ear infection, urinary tract infections, etc.)
• Exam fees
• Surgery
• Prescription medications
• Hospitalizations
• Emergency care
• Hereditary and congenital conditions
• Chronic conditions (e.g., allergies, arthritis, etc.)
• Therapies and rehabilitation
• Dental diseases
• Euthanasia and end-of-life care

What does pet insurance not cover?

Pet insurance coverage exclusions depend on your plan type and insurer, and you may choose add-ons that provide coverage for some excluded items. Below are some common things that pet insurance won’t cover:

• Preexisting conditions, including injuries, infections and extended illnesses such as cancer and heart disease
• Pet boarding costs
• Wellness exams and immunizations (unless covered by a wellness plan)
• Dental cleaning (unless covered by a wellness plan)
• Pregnancy and breeding care
• Parasite prevention and treatment (unless covered by a wellness plan)
• Experimental medicines and treatments
• Cosmetic procedures
• Special pet food and supplements
• Behavioral medications and therapy (unless with a behavioral condition add-on)
• Bathing and grooming
• Illnesses and injuries resulting from abuse or risky activities like racing or organized fighting
• Certain end-of-life expenses such as burial or cremation (add-on may be available)

Choosing the best pet insurance for you

The best pet insurance company for you will offer affordable premiums and sufficient coverage that addresses your pet’s specific health needs. Start by looking at your budget and the average costs of veterinary care in your area.

You can then research multiple pet insurers and explore their plan options, features, exclusions and costs. During the process, experiment with different deductibles, coverage limits and reimbursement rates to see how they affect premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Also, consider any particular features you prefer, such as 24/7 vet help, no age limits, direct pay options and accident and illness waiting periods.

You should also consider any specific health conditions your pet may currently have or may be predisposed to since insurers may exclude or limit coverage.

Before deciding on a company, research what existing policyholders say about the pet insurance claims experience and their overall customer satisfaction. The Better Business Bureau is useful for insurance reviews and shows how companies respond to complaints. Also, look up the pet insurer’s financial strength ratings through agencies such as AM Best, Fitch or Demotech to assess whether you can rely on the company to reimburse you for claims.

Average cost of pet insurance

We researched and compared the monthly cost of pet insurance for 12 companies. Pet insurance for dogs costs on average $78.93, compared to $41.88 for pet insurance for cats.

According to our research, Pets Best offered the lowest average monthly premiums for both dogs and cats at $41.58 and $24.88, respectively. Trupanion was the most expensive insurer with average monthly premiums of $146.30 for dogs and $84.91 for cats. These premiums are the averages of various ages, ZIP codes and coverage limits for each company.

However, how much pet insurance actually is for you will depend on multiple factors, such as:

• Plan type, deductible, reimbursement rate and coverage limits
• Pet type, gender, breed, species and age
• Location
• Discounts
• Enrollment, service or billing fees

For example, you’ll likely pay lower premiums if you live in an area with cheaper vet care, have a young pet or choose a plan with limited coverage and a high deductible. Having a pet that’s old or at risk for certain health conditions, living in an expensive location and choosing a comprehensive plan can lead to higher premiums.

What factors affect the cost of pet insurance?

How much you pay for pet insurance depends on several factors. This can include:

Your location

Insurance companies consider the average cost of veterinary care in your area when setting pet insurance rates. If you live in a big city where vet visits and treatments are typically more expensive, then you will likely see higher pet insurance premiums.

Your pet

Your pet’s species, breed, age and gender can impact your pet insurance costs. Dog insurance generally has higher premiums than cat insurance, but your insurer will take all of these factors into account as they can help estimate what types of accidents and illnesses your pet may face throughout their life and how much an average claim may be.

For example, a two-year-old mixed breed dog or a three-year-old domestic shorthair cat will probably be less expensive to insure than a seven-year-old Labrador retriever.

Your policy

The coverage limits and deductibles, optional add-ons and specific insurance company you choose will also dictate how much you pay for pet insurance. In general, the higher your annual coverage limit and reimbursement percentage are and the lower your deductible is, the more you’ll pay each month. This is because your insurance company would be responsible for paying a greater portion of your vet expenses. Adding riders to your policy, such as for routine wellness care, can also increase your total premiums.

Is pet insurance worth it?

The best way to know if pet insurance is worth it is to compare your potential insurance costs with the amount you expect to spend on your pet. If you can find coverage that saves you money, the financial benefit and peace of mind can make it worth it. This may be the case if your pet has multiple medical issues and needs to go to the vet frequently for care. You should also consider how unexpected illnesses like cancer can occur and make insurance a good financial choice.

However, pet insurance may not be worth it if the premiums and out-of-pocket costs exceed your pet’s expected care costs. For example, your pet might be young and healthy and have a lower risk of getting injured or sick — but remember, the older your pet is when you apply for a policy, the more expensive the premium will be. Pet insurance might not make sense if you already have a sufficient savings account or if you have a senior pet as the premiums may outweigh the benefits.

When is the best time to get pet insurance?

The best time to get pet insurance is when your pet is young. Pet insurance policies for puppies and kittens often have the lowest premiums since younger pets are typically healthy and pose less of a risk of illness. But, even if your puppy or kitten is accident prone, pet insurance can help cover the costs of an unexpected visit to the emergency vet.

Buying a policy as soon as possible can also help you avoid preexisting condition exclusions and limitations. This is especially important if you have a pet that may suffer from hereditary or breed-related diseases and injuries.

Methodology

To choose our winners for the best pet insurance companies, we analyzed 18 companies and narrowed down our list to the top 12. From there, we judged each company across 10 categories essential to good policies.

During our research, we analyzed over 250 data points across the 12 companies and 10 categories and used more than a dozen primary data sources. The following sections describe the category we scored and the weight we gave that category in our scoring model.

Average dog premium (23%)

For the average monthly dog premiums, we gathered quotes for a medium mixed-breed dog across three different ZIP codes and three different age groups directly from the 18 insurance companies we reviewed. We used a $250 deductible (or the closest option offered by each company, which included $0, $200 and $300), a 90% reimbursement percentage when available and annual coverage limits of $5,000 and unlimited. If a $5,000 option was not available, quotes were not gathered for this coverage limit. If an unlimited option was not available, we chose the highest limit offered. We then calculated the average of all quotes gathered for each insurance company.

Average cat premium (23%)

For the average monthly cat premiums, we gathered quotes for a Domestic Shorthair cat across three different ZIP codes and three different age groups directly from the 18 insurance companies we reviewed. We used a $250 deductible (or the closest option offered by each company, which included $0, $200 and $300), a 90% reimbursement percentage when available and annual coverage limits of $5,000 and unlimited. If a $5,000 option was not available, quotes were not gathered for this coverage limit. If an unlimited option was not available, we chose the highest limit offered. We then calculated the average of all quotes gathered for each insurance company.

Pet exam fee (15%)

Not all pet insurance companies cover the exam fees for covered accidents and illnesses, which can increase your out-of-pocket costs. For this category, we looked to see if this coverage is automatically included with each insurer.

Direct pay (12.5%)

Most pet insurers require you to pay the vet first and then submit a claim to receive reimbursement for eligible expenses, which may be difficult for some since you’ll need access to a larger sum of money or to a line of credit to make the initial payment. However, some insurers offer an option to pay the vet directly (“direct pay”). In this category, insurers with a direct pay feature were scored higher than those without.

Multipet discount (7.5%)

If you own more than one pet, veterinary care can be even more expensive and managing costs can be more difficult. We researched which insurers offer a multipet discount and what the maximum percentage is, if applicable.

Accident waiting period (5.5%)

Almost all pet insurance policies include a waiting period for accidents before coverage kicks in. Since an accident can occur at any time, finding a pet insurer with a smaller waiting period can be beneficial to ensure claims will be covered as soon as possible. For this category, we looked to see how long the accident waiting period is for each insurer.

Illness waiting period (5.5%)

Almost all pet insurance policies include a waiting period for illnesses before coverage kicks in. Since an illness can occur at any time, finding a pet insurer with a smaller waiting period can be beneficial to ensure claims will be covered as soon as possible. For this category, we looked to see how long the illness waiting period is for each insurer.

Routine wellness (4%)

Pet insurance policies don’t generally cover routine wellness or preventative care. However, many pet insurers offer separate plans or add-ons to help pay for these costs. As part of our research, we looked to see if a routine wellness plan was available with each insurer.

Euthanasia/end-of-life coverage (3%)

Some pet insurance companies don’t cover euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, although an add-on may be available. After figuring out which insurers automatically provide this coverage, we determined whether or not a covered condition was required.

24/7 vet helpline (1%)

Some pet insurance companies offer a 24/7 vet helpline to help answer and discuss health-related questions and concerns. This can be helpful for pet owners in managing their pet’s health and determining what the next steps are, so the insurers that offer this service to their policyholders for free received a slight scoring boost.

What didn’t make the cut

Of the 12 pet insurance companies we analyzed for our final rankings, five did not win a category: ManyPets, Pumpkin, Trupanion, Fetch by The Dodo and Healthy Paws. ManyPets’ overall score met our criteria for selection, but it didn’t make our final list because it didn’t stand out in any area we studied.

Each received low scores in various categories, including in pet exam fees, direct pay options, accident waiting periods and multipet discounts. For example, Pumpkin, Trupanion and Fetch by The Dodo all had above-average rates for both dogs and cats, which made up a combined 46% of our scoring model.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is a deductible in pet insurance?

Your pet insurance deductible is how much you need to pay the vet out of pocket before the pet insurance company starts reimbursing you for covered claims. Insurers usually provide a range of annual deductible amounts when you sign up for coverage. Note that you may have individual deductibles for conditions or incidents too.

What is the best pet insurance for dogs?

The best pet insurance for dogs will provide comprehensive coverage that meets your needs, budget and lifestyle. This may include coverage for accidents, illnesses and routine care.

For example, if you and your dog are more active, then having coverage for accidents like broken bones may be more important. Or, if you have a dog that may have breed-specific health conditions in the future, you may want to obtain illness coverage when they are young and healthy.

What is the best pet insurance for cats?

The best pet insurance for cats will provide comprehensive coverage that meets your needs, budget and lifestyle. This may include coverage for accidents, illnesses and routine care.

For example, 50% to 90% of cats that are four years or older develop some kind of dental disease, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. Therefore, you may want to carry illness coverage that covers future dental diseases and even routine care coverage to help pay for annual dental cleanings.

What pet insurance covers preexisting conditions?

Typically, pet insurance companies exclude preexisting conditions that start during the plan’s waiting period or before the start date. However, some cover conditions that are considered curable and are symptom- and treatment-free for a certain time frame. Here are a few examples of pet insurers that will cover preexisting conditions:

• ASPCA: Although it permanently excludes preexisting ligament and knee conditions, this insurer covers preexisting conditions that are cured or curable. Your pet must have had no symptoms, incidents or treatments within the past 180 days to qualify for coverage.
• Embrace: This insurer covers curable preexisting conditions as long as your pet hasn’t received the diagnosis or had symptoms or treatments during the previous 12 months through your waiting period. A couple examples include respiratory infections and stomach issues.
• Figo: If your pet is asymptomatic for 12 months prior to coverage kicking in, this insurer could cover a curable preexisting condition such as a kidney infection or vomiting.

Does the cost of pet insurance increase with age?

Most pet insurance companies consider age as one of the factors when calculating your premium. As your pet gets older, you can expect your premiums to go up since aging pets have a higher chance of becoming ill or injured and needing expensive care. Trupanion is an exception since it agrees to not raise your premiums as your pet ages.

Can I get pet insurance after a diagnosis?

Yes, you can generally still get pet insurance after a diagnosis. However, your pet’s new condition will likely be considered as preexisting and won’t be covered. Some pet insurers will provide coverage in the future if the preexisting condition is curable and remains free of symptoms and treatment for a certain period of time, such as 180 days or 12 months. This typically doesn’t apply to knee and ligament issues.

Additionally, some companies restrict how old your dog or cat can be to enroll in a policy and to receive coverage. For example, pets who are 15 years old and above are only eligible for Embrace’s accident-only plan, not its accident and illness plan. With Healthy Paws, you can receive lifetime coverage for your pet as long as purchase a policy when they’re 14 years old or younger.