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Insurance Pet Insurance

Best Pet Insurance Companies for Dogs and Cats

Unexpected veterinary care for dogs and cats can cost thousands of dollars, but pet insurance may cover some of those expenses. To find the best pet insurance for dogs and cats, it’s important to compare companies and get multiple rate quotes.

To help you choose the right insurer for your dog or cat, we reviewed nine top-rated pet insurance companies based on factors including coverage, financial strength, user experience, price, and policy terms.

Company
Best for…
Rating (0-5)
Best for Fast Claims
4.7
Best Coverage
4.9
Best Selection of Terms
4.5
Best for Reliability
4.3
Best for Direct Vet Payment
4.4
Best for Quick Coverage
4.7
Best for Unlimited Coverage Pricing
4.7
Best for Preventive Care
4.4
Best Family Plan
4.2

Compare pet insurance: 9 best pet insurance companies

Several factors, such as type of pet, breed, age, location, and policy terms, determine your premium. Most providers allow for some form of customization to the policy, so you can customize your coverage for your budget.

We obtained multiple quotes from the providers reviewed below, and prices varied from under $20 to over $130 per month. However, some providers claim to offer policies with even lower premiums than we received.

Best for fast claims: Lemonade

LendEDU rating: 4.7 out of 5

  • Up to $100,000 in coverage per year
  • Fast, AI-powered claims process
  • Choose up to 6 optional coverage add-ons
  • Accidents covered 2 days after the policy start date

Lemonade is an insurance company that sells policies online through its website and mobile app. Policyholders must download the app to manage their policies and file claims.

With an AI-powered claims process, Lemonade can instantly pay out around 50% of pet insurance claims. For more complex claims, you may wait a few days, but the company will keep you updated along the way.

Lemonade’s base premiums are as low as $10 per month and are customizable.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
Medical exam: Requires a medical exam on file from the 12 months prior to your policy’s start date, or from the first two weeks after you sign up.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Chronic conditions
– Hereditary or congenital conditions
– Cancer
– Surgery and hospitalization
– Behavioral conditions (optional)
– Physical therapy (optional)
– Exam fees (optional)
– Dental illness (optional)
– End of life & remembrance (optional)

What’s not covered

– Pre-existing conditions
– Alternative therapies

Preventive care

Lemonade offers three optional preventive care plans that can be added to its pet insurance policies. The Preventive Care package covers up to $265, the Preventive Care+ package covers up to $480, and the Puppy/Kitten Preventive Care package covers up to $650. The amount covered is capped by the covered item (e.g. the Preventive Care package covers up to $50 per year for one wellness exam). Here’s a list of care that can be reimbursed depending on the package you choose:

– Wellness exam
– Fecal or internal parasite test
– Vaccines
– Heartworm or FeLV/FIV test
– Blood test
– Spay/neuter
– Microchip
– Flea/tick or heartworm medication

Best coverage: Fetch

LendEDU rating: 4.9 out of 5

  • $1,000 each for online vet visits, boarding fees, and advertising for missing pets
  • Use any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Fetch’s pet insurance policy offers the best coverage of any of the companies we reviewed. It covers over 24 categories of accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, and emergency treatment.

Unlike some other providers, Fetch doesn’t make you choose between a list of optional coverage add-ons. It includes everything it believes you need in its policy so you can visit any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada and be covered.

Fetch advises its premiums average $35 per month for dogs and $20 per month for cats.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least six weeks old.
– Medical exam: Must take your pet to the vet for a checkup every year.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Prescription medications and supplements
– Emergency vet visits
– Virtual, in-home, and office visits
– Hospital stays
– Physical therapy
– Allergies
– Surgeries
– X-rays and CT scans
– Ultrasounds
– Blood tests
– Breed-specific issues
– Specialists
– Exam fees
– Laboratory tests
– Vomiting and diarrhea
– Hereditary and congenital issues
– Swallowed objects and toxins
– Dental accidents
– Gum disease
– Acupuncture and chiropractic care
– Diabetes and insulin
– Cancer treatment
– Treatment for aggression and separation anxiety

What’s not covered

– Routine and preventive care
– Pre-existing conditions
– Prescription food
– Grooming and cosmetic procedures

Preventive care

Fetch offers three optional preventive care plans. The first plan is called Essentials and costs $11.29 per month for up to $315 in annual benefits. The second plan is called Advantage and costs $20.46 per month for up to $520 in annual benefits. The third plan is called Prime and costs $32.14 per month for up to $735 in annual benefits. Here’s a list of care that could be covered:

– Annual exam
– Canine Bordetella / Feline FELV vaccines
– Canine Canine DHLPP / Feline FVRCP vaccines
– Canine Rabies / Feline Rabies vaccines
– Canine Lyme / Feline FIP vaccines
– Heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
– Heartworm tests
– Dental cleaning
– Spaying or neutering
– Blood test
– Urinalysis
– Fecal test
– Microchipping
– Anal gland expression
– Behavioral exam
– Health certificate
– Activity monitor

Best terms selection: Spot

LendEDU rating: 4.5 out of 5

  • Choose between 105 different policy term combinations
  • 24/7 pet helpline
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

While most pet insurance companies allow you to customize your policy to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost, none offer more customization than Spot.

Spot lets you choose between five deductibles, three reimbursements, and seven annual coverage limits. This gives you 105 different combinations for your policy.

Spot advertises monthly premiums as low as $15 for dogs and puppies and $9 for cats and kittens.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
– Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Hereditary conditions
– Congenital conditions
– Behavioral conditions
– Cancer treatment
– Dental illnesses
– Chronic conditions
– Alternative therapies
– Exam fees

What’s not covered

– Pre-existing conditions (can be covered later on if deemed curable)
– Preventive care (reimbursement available with optional wellness package)
– Breeding
– Boarding
– Cosmetic procedures
– Experimental treatments
– Herbal treatments
– Training

Preventive care

Spot offers two preventive care options, a Gold and Platinum plan. The Gold plan is priced at $9.95 per month and covers $250 in annual benefits. The Platinum plan is priced at $24.95 per month and covers $450 in annual benefits. With these options, Spot was our choice for offering the most affordable wellness packages. Here are the items covered, as well as the amount that can be reimbursed for each:

– Dental cleaning or spay/neuter ($100 or $150)
– Wellness exam ($50 for both)
– Flea/heartworm prevention ($0 or $25)
– DHLPP or FVRCP ($20 or $25)
– Rabies, Lyme, or FIP ($20 or $25)
– Bordetella or FELV ($0 or $25)
– Fecal test ($20 or $25)
– Heartworm or FELV test ($20 or $25)
– Blood test ($0 or $25)
– Urinalysis ($0 or $25)
– Deworming ($20 or $25)
– Health certificate ($0 or $25)

Best for reliability: ASPCA

LendEDU rating: 4.3 out of 5

  • 600,000 dogs and cats insured, with over 2.2 million processed claims
  • Anytime Pet Healthline
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Founded in 1866, ASPCA, also known as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is most widely known for its efforts to prevent animal cruelty. However, starting in 2006, a strategic partnership with United States Fire Insurance Company created ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.

United States Fire Insurance Company has, over the last 20 years, insured more than 600,000 dogs and cats while processing more than 2.2 million claims. So this team of over 1,000 employees isn’t lacking in experience.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
– Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Hereditary conditions
– Congenital conditions
– Alternative therapies
– Behavioral conditions
– Chronic conditions
– Cancer treatment
– Exam fees
– X-rays, MRI, ultrasounds
– Surgery and hospitalization
– Prescription medications, food, and supplements
– Microchip implementation

What’s not covered

– Pre-existing conditions (can cover curable pre-existing conditions)
– Cosmetic procedures
– Breeding
– Preventive care (optional wellness plan)

Preventive care

ASPCA offers two preventive care options, a Basic and Prime plan. The Basic plan is priced at $9.95 per month and covers $250 in annual benefits. The Prime plan is priced at $24.95 per month and covers $450 in annual benefits. Here are the items covered, as well as the amount that can be reimbursed for each:

– Dental cleaning or spay/neuter ($100 or $150)
– Wellness exam ($50 for both)
– Flea/heartworm prevention ($0 or $25)
– DHLPP or FVRCP ($20 or $25)
– Rabies, Lyme, or FIP ($20 or $25)
– Bordetella or FELV ($0 or $25)
– Fecal test ($20 or $25)
– Heartworm or FELV test ($20 or $25)
– Blood test ($0 or $25)
– Urinalysis ($0 or $25)
– Deworming ($20 or $25)
– Health certificate ($0 or $25)

Best for direct vet payment: Trupanion

LendEDU rating: 4.4 out of 5

  • Can pay certain vets directly
  • No limits on annual medical coverage
  • No minimum age requirements
  • Rates don’t simply increase due to aging

Trupanion aims to eliminate the traditional reimbursement model by paying select veterinarians at the time of checkout. This keeps money in your pocket and removes the stress of waiting for claims to be processed.

You can check to see whether your vet accepts direct payment through Trupanion’s website.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be enrolled by the age of 14.
– Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Hereditary and congenital conditions
– Diagnostics and imaging
– Surgeries and hospital stays
– Medications
– Veterinary supplements
– Herbal therapy
– Physical therapy
– Advanced dentistry
– Prosthetic devices and carts

What’s not covered

– Exam fees
– Wellness and routine care
– Pre-existing conditions
– Preventable conditions

Preventive care

Trupanion does not offer a preventive care add-on.

Best for quick coverage: Embrace

LendEDU rating: 4.7 out of 5

  • Accidents covered two days after start date
  • Highly customizable policies
  • Free 24/7 pet helpline
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Embrace sold its first policy back in 2006 and has been an industry leader ever since. The company only offers pet insurance, ensuring that its customers and their pets get its full support.

Accident coverage begins on the policy’s effective date. To compare, most pet insurance companies have a 14-day waiting period before you can use your benefits for accidents.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least six weeks old and enrolled by the age of 14.
– Medical exam: Requires a complete medical exam from within the last 12 months, or you can visit your veterinarian within the first 14 days of your pet’s policy before coverage begins.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Dental illnesses
– Breed-specific and genetic conditions
– Cancer treatment
– Chronic conditions
– Exam fees
– Alternative therapies (physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and more)
– Behavioral therapy
– Emergencies
– Specialist care
– Diagnostic testing
– Hospitalization and surgery
– Prosthetics and mobility devices
– Prescription drug coverage

What’s not covered

– Routine veterinary care (part of the optional wellness package)
– Pre-existing conditions (can be covered if deemed curable)
– Breeding
– Injury caused deliberately by you or any other person in your home
– DNA testing or cloning
– Injury or illness from fighting, racing, cruelty, or neglect
– Cosmetic procedures (tail docking, ear cropping, etc.)
– Avian flu or nuclear war

Preventive care

Embrace’s Wellness Rewards program is our choice as the best for reimbursing the most routine care items. With this plan, you choose one of three reimbursement amounts, either $250, $450, or $650 per year. The cost will vary depending on which reimbursement amount you select. The price is $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 per month, respectively. Here are the items that can be reimbursed:

– Wellness exam fees
– Vaccinations and titers
– Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
– Spay/neuter surgery
– Fecal and routine blood tests
– Microchipping
– Nutritional supplements
– Grooming
– Medicated shampoos
– Toenail trimming
– Routine anal gland expression
– Wearable pet activity monitors
– Cremation or burial
– Gastropexy
– Preventive teeth cleaning
– Prescription diet food
– Training
– Routine chiropractic care
– Reiki, massage therapy, acupuncture
– Hip dysplasia exams, radiographs, or other OFA testing

Best for unlimited coverage pricing: ManyPets

LendEDU rating: 4.7 out of 5

  • Affordable premiums
  • No enrollment fees
  • No limits on annual medical coverage

With its combination of affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage, ManyPets was our selection as the best pricing for unlimited coverage.

Of all the companies we reviewed that offered unlimited annual coverage, ManyPets policies were the most affordable.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All except for Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Idaho.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old and enrolled by 14 years.
– Medical exam: None

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Veterinary examinations
– Diagnostic testing (X-rays, lab tests, etc.)
– Prescription medications
– Treatment of injury or illness
– Surgeries
– Medical supplies
– Hospitalization
– Euthanasia and cremation
– Hereditary conditions
– Congenital conditions
– Behavioral issues
– Cancer treatment
– Chronic conditions
– Alternative therapies
– Dental injuries and periodontal disease

What’s not covered

– Routine or preventive health care (included in the optional wellness add-on)
– Pre-existing conditions (curable pre-existing conditions may be covered)
– Cosmetic or elective services
– Non-FDA approved medications and treatments
– Behavioral medication or therapy
– Day care or boarding costs, unless related to an illness or injury

Preventive care

ManyPets offers an optional wellness add-on to their pet insurance policies. This add-on reimburses you for up to $600 in preventive care costs. An additional cost of $19.99 per month for cats and $24.99 for dogs applies if you include wellness coverage. Here’s the care that can be reimbursed:

– Exams and vaccinations (up to $150 per year)
– Dental cleanings (up to $150 per year)
– Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention (up to $150 per year)
– Holistic care (up to $150 per year)

Wellness claims are covered 24 hours after the start of your policy.

Best for preventive care: Pumpkin

LendEDU rating: 4.4 out of 5

  • Visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Welcome box and toy for your pet after enrolling

Pumpkin offers preventive care coverage as an optional add-on to its standard pet insurance policy. This coverage is designed to assess your pet’s current health, prevent diseases, and detect parasites early.

When you enroll in a Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plan, the company will send a welcome box and toy for your pet.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
– Medical exam: Not required.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses
– Exam fees
– Hereditary conditions
– Behavioral issues
– Dental illnesses
– Virtual vet visits
– Alternative therapies
– Prescription food and supplements
– Cancer
– Orthopedic injuries
– Diagnostics and treatments
– Emergencies and hospitalization
– Surgery and specialized care
– Advanced care
– Microchipping

What’s not covered

– Pre-existing conditions
– Some dental cleanings and services
– Cosmetic and elective procedures
– Routine care

Preventive care

Pumpkin offers preventive care coverage as an optional add-on to its pet insurance policies. The add-on costs $18.95 per month and includes reimbursement for the following:

– Wellness exam
– Vaccines
– Blood test for heartworm and tick diseases
– Fecal test for intestinal worms

Best family plan: MetLife

Editorial rating: 4.2 out of 5

  • Include up to 3 pets on a single policy
  • 24/7 telehealth concierge chat
  • Deductibles starting at $0

MetLife offers the best pet insurance plan for pet owners looking to enroll up to three pets on a single policy. This policy has one deductible instead of one for each pet enrolled. Other pet insurance providers typically provide a discounted premium for each additional pet enrolled but under different plans with independent deductibles.

Eligibility requirements

– Eligible states: All 50 states.
– Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
– Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

– Accidents
– Illnesses (including hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions)
– Hospitalizations
– Surgeries
– Diagnostic tests
– Exam fees
– Cruciate ligaments
– X-rays
– Ultrasounds
– Medications
– Holistic care and alternative therapies
– Emergency care

What’s not covered

– Elective procedures
– Breeding or conditions related to breeding
– Vitamins or mineral supplements
– Grooming costs
– Organ transplants

Preventive care

MetLife offers an optional preventive care plan but doesn’t provide many specifics about how it works. It states that wellness exams, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention medications are covered.

What is the best pet insurance?

Before choosing a pet insurance company, it’s wise to compare several providers to find the best option for your needs. Here’s what to consider as you shop for pet insurance:

  • Coverage options: Every pet insurance plan includes coverage for different expenses and veterinary services. Decide whether you need an accident-only or accident and illness plan and whether you want coverage for preventive care.
  • Cost: The cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including the insurance company that issues your policy. Get quotes from several insurers to find the most affordable plan for your coverage needs.
  • Waiting periods: Most pet insurance plans require a waiting period before you can use your benefits. If you want to be able to use your coverage as fast as possible, pick a plan with short waiting periods for accidents and illnesses. 
  • Exclusions: All pet insurance plans have certain exclusions and limitations. Make sure to read the fine print to see what is and isn’t covered. This goes for covered vet expenses and covered medical conditions.  
  • Reimbursement rate: When you get pet insurance, you can select a reimbursement rate, which is the amount of the vet bill your insurer pays. Plans with higher reimbursement rates cover more of your pet’s vet bills but have higher premiums. Choose a plan that offers the amount of coverage you want at the best price.

Tip

Find the best pet insurance in your state:

Pet insurance FAQ

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance pays for a portion of your dog or cat’s veterinary expenses. When your pet visits the vet, you can file a claim to get reimbursed based on your plan’s reimbursement rate. However, you must reach your deductible before your plan will start paying for covered expenses. Many pet insurance plans also have a waiting period before you can use your benefits for accidents or illnesses. 

What is the best pet insurance?

Most pet insurance companies offer quality coverage with a few differences from the rest. These differences can be significant when it comes to lifetime costs for your pet’s care.

In our most recent evaluation of pet insurance companies, ManyPets and Embrace received a rating of 4.9 out of 5, which was the highest of all companies reviewed.

Is the best dog insurance different than the best cat insurance?

All the pet insurance companies we reviewed offered coverage for dogs and cats. For that reason, our picks for the best pet insurance companies remain the same for a dog or a cat.

However, one difference we noticed was specific to preventive care options. Certain plans had benefit limits for vaccinations that, while the same in value, were reserved for different types of vaccinations (rabies vs. feline, for example).

When is the best time to take out pet insurance?

For the full benefits of pet health insurance, we recommend insuring your pet at as young an age as possible. Younger pets are deemed to be at less risk for accidents or illnesses than older pets. For an insurer, less risk is better, often leading to more affordable premiums.

Another benefit for younger pets is that they usually haven’t developed any pre-existing conditions yet. Pet insurance providers don’t tend to cover pre-existing conditions, which limits your coverage options. Getting ahead of these risks is essential to maximize the value of a policy.

>> Read More: Is there pet insurance with no waiting period?

What does pet insurance cost?

Several factors, such as type of pet, breed, age, location, policy terms, and more, determine the price of pet insurance. Most providers allow for some form of customization to the policy, allowing you to see different prices while many of the factors mentioned remain the same.

We received several quotes from the providers mentioned above, and prices varied from under $20 to over $130 per month. However, some providers claim to offer policies with even lower premiums than we saw.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance is intended to cover unexpected accidents and illnesses. Coverage can vary by company, the type of policy selected, and any inclusion of optional add-ons.

Generally speaking, policyholders are reimbursed for accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues, chronic diseases, cancer treatment, diagnostic testing, exam fees, prescriptions, specific dental work, hospitalization, surgery, and more.

What does pet insurance not cover?

Excluded treatment will vary by company, but generally, most exclude the same things. Some of these items include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, experimental therapies, breeding costs, and preventive care.

Check out the questions below to better understand how pre-existing conditions and preventive care are handled.

What happens if my pet has a pre-existing condition?

Pre-existing conditions are excluded from almost all pet insurance providers’ policies. Providers don’t want pet owners to sign up for coverage only after their pet has suffered an unexpected injury or illness.

These pre-existing conditions won’t restrict your ability to enroll in a plan; it just limits what claims your provider will pay out. However, a new trend is growing in the pet insurance industry. Several providers have started to distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions.

A curable pre-existing condition is free of treatment and symptoms for a certain number of days. Once that period is met, the provider will begin offering coverage for that condition.

Learn more about how pre-existing conditions affect pet health insurance.

Does pet insurance cover routine care?

Pet insurance does not cover routine care. Providers offer this as an optional wellness plan you can attach to your pet insurance policy. It typically comes with an added monthly cost, no deductible, and a set benefit limit each year.

A wellness plan can cover preventive care items such as an annual exam, vaccinations, blood screening, fecal tests, urinalysis, heartworm or flea prevention, and spaying or neutering.

>> Read more: Pet wellness plans vs. pet insurance

How we determined the best pet insurance companies

Our team conducted over 40 hours of research to compare companies based on eligibility, policy terms, coverage inclusions and exclusions, quotes we received, added benefits, user experience, financial strength, and customer reviews to determine the best pet insurance companies (click to see our picks).

Here is a brief breakdown of what we looked at and what we valued within these categories.

  • Eligibility: Factors included age limits and state availability. We valued companies that offered coverage to young and old pets while being available nationwide.
  • Policy terms: Factors we considered included waiting period, deductibles, reimbursement rates, benefit limits, and discounts. We valued customization and pet insurance plans that clearly outlined what a policyholder could expect if they enrolled.
  • Coverage inclusions and exclusions: This was where we dove into sample policies and company resources to identify what would and wouldn’t be covered for your pet. We valued comprehensive coverage.
  • Quotes we received: We submitted quotes to gather a picture of how affordable each company’s premiums would be. We valued companies with fair pricing and premiums that wouldn’t break the bank.
  • User experience: We went through the enrollment process to see how each company explained complicated terms to pet parents to make sure the experience on the company’s website was a good one.
  • Financial strength: We checked the A.M. Best rating for each company to ensure that they had excellent financial strength ratings. Financial strength ratings are used to rate a company’s ability to pay claims made by policyholders.
  • Customer reviews: We primarily used Trustpilot to see how customers felt about each company, the customer service experience, and the policies they offered. We valued positive customer reviews because happy customers are a good sign for any product.

Now that you can better understand what we looked at when determining which companies were the best, here is a full list of the pet insurance companies considered in our review.

Check out our reviews of the best pet insurance companies in Canada.

Additional readings to help with your decision

Recap: Best pet insurance for dogs and cats

CompanyBest for
LemonadeBest for fast claims
FetchBest coverage
SpotBest selection of terms
ASPCABest for reliability 
TrupanionBest for direct vet payment
EmbraceBest for quick coverage
ManyPetsBest for unlimited coverage pricing
PumpkinBest for preventive care
MetLifeBest family plan