Pets Best is the best pet insurance company of 2024, according to our in-depth analysis of accident and illness plans. Pets Best pet insurance gets top marks for its relatively low prices for unlimited annual coverage, discounts, 24/7 vet health line and availability of wellness plans for routine care. Pets Best Essential plan gets 5 stars in our rating, but you pay more for broader coverage with the Plus or Elite plan.
The best pet insurance companies of 2024
- Pets Best: Best for dogs and puppies.
- Figo: Best for quick accident coverage.
- Healthy Paws: Best for cats and kittens.
- Lemonade: Best for fast claims processing.
- Embrace: Best pet insurance for multiple pets.
- Fetch: Best for bonus perks.
- Paw Protect: Best for alternative therapies.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
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Paw Protect
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$77
Average monthly cost for cats
$47
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$77
Average monthly cost for cats
$47
Top-rated pet insurance companies of 2024
Best pet insurance for dogs
Pets Best
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$44
Average monthly cost for cats
$25
Why it’s the best
Pets Best has the best pet insurance for puppies and dogs, based on our analysis of pet insurance rates and coverage. It’s also a good choice for cats.
Pets Best offers affordable pet insurance plans with a wide range of deductibles, a 24/7 vet helpline, two wellness plan options and coverage for end-of-life care.
In some emergency cases, you may be able to take advantage of Pets Best’s direct veterinary payments, but this will require some extra paperwork.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cheap pet insurance for dogs.
- No upper age limit for enrollment.
- Broad range of deductibles.
Cons
- If your pet has a severe chronic condition, you may only be able to buy an accident only plan.
- Processing fees if you pay monthly.
- Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000 or unlimited.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Accident-only plan
- Deductible: $250.
- Annual coverage limits: $10,000.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 90%.
Wellness plans
- EssentialWellness: $305 in wellness coverage per year.
- BestWellness: $535 in wellness coverage per year.
Discounts
- Multi-pet discount.
- Discount for qualifying veterinary staff.
Customer reviews
In general, Pets Best has strong reviews. Its score on Trustpilot is 4 out of 5 (great) based on more than 4,400 reviews. Customers praised how easy it was to submit a Pets Best dog insurance claim through the pet insurance company, and the negative complaints tended to be misunderstandings about preventative care coverage.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Pets Best is our top pick for best pet insurance because you get a lot of coverage for the price. Of the pet insurance plans with unlimited annual coverage we analyzed, the Pets Best Essential plan has the cheapest insurance for dogs and the second most affordable pet insurance for cats. If you’re insuring more than one animal, you can get a multi-pet discount.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for quick accident coverage
Figo
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$59
Average monthly cost for cats
$32
Why it’s the best
Figo pet insurance wins for the shortest waiting period for accident coverage, of the pet insurance plans we reviewed. When you sign up for Figo pet health insurance, you only have a one-day waiting period for accidents before coverage begins. The waiting period for illness is 14 days.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Up to 100% reimbursem*nt, but only if you don’t choose unlimited coverage.
- No upper age limit for enrollment.
- Multiple deductible options, from $100 to $1,500.
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic problems, but might be waived if your vet completes a waiver form.
- Veterinary exams not covered without a rider.
- Treatment for behavioral problems not covered without a rider.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 or $1,500.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%.
Wellness plan
Figo offers a wellness plan that reimburses you for vaccines and routine care.
Optional riders
- Veterinary exam fees: Provides coverage for exam fees related to the diagnosis and treatment of covered conditions.
- Wellness (basic/plus): Covers routine care including dental and can help pay for spay/neuter and vaccinations.
Discounts
- 5% multi-pet discount.
Customer reviews
Figo has a score of 4 out of 5 (great) on Trustpilot based on more than 1,800 reviews. Many of the complaints focused on annual premium increases.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Figo offers a lot of ways to customize your pet insurance, which can help you get a plan that best fits your budget. For instance, you can choose a rare 100% reimbursem*nt percentage as long as you opt for $10,000 in annual coverage with a $500 or $750 deductible. You may also want to pay extra to get coverage for vet exam fees and a wellness plan.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for cats
Healthy Paws
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$52
Average monthly cost for cats
$23
Why it’s the best
Healthy Paws has the best pet insurance for cats and kittens based on the average monthly premium cost. With a Healthy Paws plan, you’ll get unlimited annual and lifetime coverage with no caps at a cost that’s lower than most top competitors. However, it’s important to note that Healthy Paws does not cover vet exam fees and does not have a wellness plan add-on available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Affordable pet insurance for cats.
- Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts for eligible expenses.
- May be able to pay the vet directly if requested in advance of treatment.
Cons
- No accident-only plan.
- No wellness plan available.
- No coverage for office visit exam fees, rechecks, consultations, office calls or emergency exam fees.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000.
- Annual coverage limit: Unlimited.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90%.
Discounts
- Healthy Paws does not offer any discounts. It will donate $25 to homeless pets in your name through their refer-a-friend program for every successful referral.
Customer reviews
Healthy Paws pet insurance gets 4.3 stars out of 5 (excellent) on Trustpilot, based on more than 2,200 reviews.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Healthy Paws has the cheapest cat insurance of the companies in our rating. Just keep in mind that accident-only plans aren’t available and you won’t have the option to add a wellness plan.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for fast claims processing
Lemonade
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
$100,000
Average monthly cost for dogs
$46
Average monthly cost for cats
$27
Why it’s the best
Lemonade offers some of the cheapest pet insurance and fastest claims processing. Plans can be customized by adding riders to boost coverage, but if you’re hoping for unlimited annual coverage or 100% reimbursem*nt you should look elsewhere. These options are not available with Lemonade pet insurance plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast claims processing and direct deposit.
- Cheap pet insurance for dogs and cats.
- Accident coverage waiting period is only two days.
Cons
- Unlimited annual coverage not available.
- No 24/7 telehealth.
- 6-month waiting period for cruciate tears.
- Vet exam fees can be covered, but only at an additional cost.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500 or $750.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Wellness plan
Lemonade’s preventive care plan will cover vaccines, microchipping, spay or neuter surgery, two wellness visits, plus, flea, tick and heartworm preventives.
Optional riders
There are several add-ons available through Lemonade:
- Vet visit fees.
- Dental illness.
- Physical therapy.
- Behavioral conditions.
- End-of-life and remembrance.
Discounts
- 5% discount when insuring multiple pets.
- 5% annual discount.
- 10% discount if you bundle a pet insurance plan with home or renters insurance from Lemonade.
Customer reviews
With more than 1,800 reviews, Lemonade has an excellent score on Trustpilot with 4.4 out of 5 stars (excellent), but this is for all insurance products the carrier offers. While many pet insurance reviews are positive, some say Lemonade will not cover any type of pre-existing condition if your pet has been seen at any point in its life, even if the vet proves it’s not the same condition causing the symptom. One example includes diarrhea, which is a common curable pre-existing condition other carriers will cover after a specific period being symptom- and treatment-free.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Lemonade uses ‘AI Jim’ to handle claims processing through its app, which can speed up the reimbursem*nt process. Its goal is for most simple claims to be paid instantly, directly to your bank account. But it may take longer if a human has to manually process your claim.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for multiple pets
Embrace
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$76
Average monthly cost for cats
$47
Why it’s the best
Embrace is our pick for the best pet insurance for multiple pets, with a multi-pet discount of 10%. If you want to save on coverage for several furry friends, Embrace pet insurance plans will cover behavioral therapy and end-of-life expenses. Plans also come with access to a 24/7 vet health line.
In addition, Embrace has a diminishing deductible, which can save you money if you have a healthy pet. For each year you go without filing a claim, your deductible will be reduced by $50. That means if you have a $100 deductible and go without a claim for two years, you could get down to $0 deductible without it affecting your rates.
The cost of Embrace pet insurance plans is higher than the average rates of companies in our analysis. However, Embrace covers more advanced treatments than many competitors, such as prosthetics and mobility devices.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 10% multi-pet discount.
- Diminishing deductible for healthy pets.
- Coverage for medication and other therapies prescribed by a veterinarian to treat behavioral issues.
- Coverage for complementary treatments such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.
- Coverage for up to $1,000 per year in treatments for dental illnesses.
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
- Physical exam required for enrollment.
- Coverage for vet exam fees costs extra.
- Claims can take 10 to 15 days to process.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Accident only plan
- Deductible: $100.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 90%.
Wellness plan
You can choose an allowance of $250 to $650 per year to reimburse you for eligible preventative care expenses, such as vaccinations, bloodwork and dental cleanings.
Discounts
- 10% multi-pet discount.
- 5% military discount for active service members and veterans.
- Save if you choose annual billing instead of monthly.
Customer reviews
Embrace pet insurance gets 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot (great) based on more than 3,600 reviews.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Embrace is not the most affordable pet insurance in our rating, but its accident and illness plans include vet exam fees without requiring you to pay extra. Its plans also cover complementary treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, behavioral therapy and specialist care.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for bonus perks
Fetch
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
$15,000
Average monthly cost for dogs
$47
Average monthly cost for cats
$43
Why it’s the best
Fetch pet insurance offers some perks that other pet insurance companies don’t, such as boarding or kennel fees if you need to be in the hospital for four or more days and reimbursem*nt for advertising a missing pet and paying a reasonable reward.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low prices, because the maximum annual coverage is lower than competitors.
- Offers remote telehealth vet appointments.
- Covers up to $1,000 per year for advertising a lost pet and offering a reward.
- Covers up to $1,000 for canceling a vacation to care for a sick pet.
Cons
- Maximum annual coverage option is $15,000.
- No 24/7 vet helpline.
- No multi-pet discount.
- No accident- only plan.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $300, $500 or $700.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Wellness plan
You can choose an allowance of $315 to $735 per year to reimburse you for eligible preventative care expenses, such as annual exams, vaccinations and dental cleanings.
Discounts
- 10% military discount for active service members and veterans.
- 10% Walmart shoppers discount each month for the first year.
Customer reviews
Fetch pet insurance gets 4.3 stars out of 5 (excellent) on Trustpilot. This is based on more than 2,000 reviews.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Fetch has a low maximum annual coverage limit of $15,000, but it does have some unique benefits. Fetch pet insurance covers $1,000 of remote telehealth treatment by a vet, for instance, which could include phone calls, email, text message or video chat.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for alternative therapies
Paw Protect
Blueprint Rating
Via Petted's website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Average monthly cost for dogs
$77
Average monthly cost for cats
$47
Why it’s the best
Paw Protect is powered by Embrace pet insurance, so its coverage is similar. Similar to Embrace, you’ll likely pay more for a Paw Protect Plan but will get broad coverage that includes alternative therapies such as acupuncture.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers alternative therapies such as chiropractic treatment and laser therapy.
- Covers vet exam fees.
- Covers dental accidents up to your policy limit and dental illness up to $1,000 per year.
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
- Recent physical exam required for enrollment.
- Claims can take 10 to 15 business days to process.
- Maximum pet age of 14 for accident and illness plan.
- Accident only plan may not be available for all pets.
Available plans
Accident and illness plan
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000, unlimited.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Accident only plan
- Deductible: $100.
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000.
- Reimbursem*nt percentage: 90%.
Wellness plan
You can choose an allowance of $250 to $650 per year to reimburse you for eligible preventative care expenses, such as vaccinations, bloodwork and dental cleanings.
Discounts
- 10% multi-pet discount.
- 5% military discount for active service members and veterans.
Customer reviews
Paw Protect pet insurance is administered by Embrace, which has a score of 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot (great) based on more than 3,600 reviews. Paw Protect only has 10 reviews on Trustpilot, but its score is 2.1 (poor). Most of the unhappy reviews related to poor customer service and claims being denied for pre-existing conditions.
Heidi’s expert take:
“Paw Protect offers expansive coverage which includes dental injuries and accidents up to $1,000. Its plans also cover your service animal, mobility devices for your pet and alternative therapies like acupuncture.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance companies comparison 2024
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | OUR RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE | AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE | Learn More | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44 | $25 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $59 | $32 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $52 | $23 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $46 | $27 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $76 | $47 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $47 | $43 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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| $77 | $47 | Via Petted’s website | |||||||
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Average monthly pet insurance cost assumes unlimited reimbursem*nt (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursem*nt percentage for a dog insurance accident and illness plan. These top-rated pet insurance company rates are based on the average cost to insure dogs and cats of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes. Source: PetInsurer.com.
Best pet insurance for dogs in 2024
Pets Best offers the best dog insurance for the price. Of the plans we analyzed, the Pets Best Essential plan has the most affordable pet insurance for dogs, with an average rate of $44 per month for unlimited annual coverage. This is a monthly savings of $22 from the national average.
Best pet insurance for puppies
Pets Best has the best pet insurance for puppies of the companies we analyzed, based on the average cost of pet insurance premiums. The average rate for a Pets Best accident and illness plan with unlimited annual coverage, 90% reimbursem*nt and a $500 deductible for a 3-month-old puppy is $36 per month.
Pumpkin is also a good choice for puppy pet insurance if you’re interested in a wellness plan. Dogs under 6 months can get extensive preventative care through Pumpkin’s add-on Preventative Essentials plan.
Best pet insurance for senior dogs
Pumpkin has some of the best dog insurance for older dogs. It has no special waiting period for problems like knee injuries or hip dysplasia and it provides coverage for virtual vet visits. Pumpkin has no upper age restrictions and no reducing coverage as your pet ages.
Best pet insurance for cats
Healthy Paws has the best cat insurance of the pet insurance companies in our rating, based on cost. A Healthy Paws accident and illness pet plan for cats with unlimited annual coverage has an average pet insurance cost of $23 per month.
Best pet insurance for kittens
Healthy Paws offers the best cat insurance for young pets, based on the average rates we reviewed. To insure a 3-month-old kitten with unlimited annual coverage from Healthy Paws will only cost about $18 per month.
Best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions
Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, including any symptoms your pet experienced or was treated for before pet insurance coverage starts or during a waiting period. If you read pet insurance reviews, you will find many consumers who are unhappy their pet insurance claims were denied because of a “pre-existing condition” like vomiting or diarrhea.
Some pet insurance companies advertise that they cover select “curable” pre-existing conditions, such as a paw fracture or upper respiratory infection, if your pet has been free of symptoms and treatment for a certain amount of time, often 12 or 18 months.
Embrace, Paw Protect and Pets Best are the best pet insurance companies in our ranking that cover certain curable pre-existing conditions. It’s important to understand which conditions each company considers curable, and how long it takes to be considered cured, before buying a plan.
Which pre-existing conditions are covered? Best pet insurance companies for pre-existing conditions.
How much is pet insurance?
The average cost of pet insurance for a dog is $796 per year for an accident and illness policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursem*nt percentage. The average pet insurance cost per month is $66.
How much you pay for your pet insurance premium will depend on the pet insurance plan options you choose, your pet’s breed, age and gender and other factors such as where you live.
To find the most affordable pet insurance for your needs, request multiple pet insurance quotes. Compare pet insurance quotes side by side to make sure you’re getting the same, or better, coverage for the cost
Average pet insurance cost per month for dogs
Pet insurance for dogs costs an average of:
- $47 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage.
- $66 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage.
Average pet insurance cost per month for cats
Pet insurance for cats costs an average of:
- $27 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage.
- $38 per month for unlimited coverage.
Factors that affect your pet insurance cost
How much you pay for pet insurance will depend on several factors.
- Animal: Dog insurance is typically more expensive than cat insurance.
- Breed: Some breeds cost more to insure because they are more prone to illnesses and hereditary issues.
- Age: Older pets cost more to insure because they are more likely to have health issues that require veterinary care.
- Gender: Female pets are about 5% cheaper to insure, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Location: If you live in a city where vet expenses are higher, that will be factored into the cost of your pet insurance.
- Coverage: The annual coverage limit, deductible and reimbursem*nt level you choose will impact your pet insurance premium.
Most common diagnosis among all states
Here are the 10 most common diagnoses among all states year to date, according to the most recent data from Embrace Pet Insurance.
- Allergic Dermatitis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Diarrhea.
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear.
- Anxiety.
- Skin Mass.
- Vomiting.
- Lameness.
- Otitis Externa.
- Dermatitis.
How to find the best rate: Compare pet insurance quotes
Pet insurance discounts
Vet care can break your budget if you haven’t planned ahead by saving or buying affordable pet insurance that meets your pet’s needs. Many pet insurance companies also offer discounts that can make insurance more affordable.
- Multi-pet discounts: If you enroll two or more pets, you may qualify for a discount. To find the best pet insurance for multiple pets, get several quotes to compare savings across pet insurance companies.
- Upfront payment discounts: If you pay your pet insurance in one lump sum rather than opting for monthly or quarterly payments, you may qualify for a discount.
- Military discount: If you are a military service member or veteran, you may qualify for a discount.
How to buy pet insurance
The best way to buy pet insurance is to compare pet insurance quotes from several insurers.
- Online. Many pet insurance company websites will give you a quote after you answer a few questions about your pet. You can also use a pet insurance comparison site to compare pet insurance plans and prices from multiple companies.
- Phone, email or in person. You can work with a representative from an insurance company to get a pet insurance quote, or with an independent insurance agent to compare quotes from several pet insurance companies.
Is pet insurance worth it?
If you consider how quickly vet bills could add up in an emergency, you may decide that pet insurance is worth it to you.
“Accidents can happen to any pet, regardless of age,” said Brian Jorgensen, head of MetLife Pet Insurance. “In the U.S., a pet receives medical care every 2.5 seconds, and 1 in 3 pets need emergency veterinary treatments every year.”
Top pet insurance claims paid
Here are the highest individual claim amounts in March 2024, according to data from Embrace Pet Insurance:
- $36,098 for a golden retriever with upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction.
- $24,365 for a Yorkshire terrier with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
- $23,820 for a Bichon Frise with renal failure.
- $21,209 for a domestic short hair with diabetes.
Average pet insurance claim amount
While most pet insurance claims won’t be in the tens of thousands of dollars, Embrace data shows that average claim costs have risen 17.54% since 2021.
Here are the average pet insurance claim amounts in the U.S.
- 2021 average claim cost: $382.
- 2022 average claim cost: $406.
- 2023 average claim cost: $437.
- 2024 year-to-date average claim cost: $449.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance, also called pet health insurance, is designed to reimburse you for your pet’s unexpected and unforeseen veterinary expenses.
Pet health plans typically have a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay in vet bills before your pet insurance starts to pay.
After reaching your deductible, your pet insurance company will reimburse you for a percentage of your eligible expenses, up to an annual maximum. Only a few pet insurance companies pay the vet directly, and requesting this service may require additional paperwork with each vet visit.
What does pet insurance cover?
What pet insurance covers depends on the type of plan you buy. There are three main types of pet insurance plans.
- Accident-only: These tend to be the cheapest plans because they only cover the diagnosis and treatment of injuries resulting from accidents, such as lacerations, poisoning, car accidents and foreign body ingestion. Accident-only pet insurance policies do not provide any coverage for illnesses or chronic conditions.
- Accident and illness: The most popular form of pet insurance, accident and illness plans provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses. These plans include accident benefits plus coverage for illnesses such as cancer, digestive problems and infections.
- Wellness: Wellness plans can often be added to an accident and illness plan, to provide some routine or preventative benefits. If you want the best pet insurance for preventative care, shop for pet insurance plans that offer an optional wellness plan add-on and compare what these plans cover.
What doesn’t pet insurance cover?
While pet insurance covers unexpected injuries or illnesses, it doesn’t cover everything, such as non-curable pre-existing conditions. Here are some common pet insurance exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is any issue your pet had symptoms of before the pet insurance policy effective date or during the policy waiting period. If your cat has arthritis when you buy pet insurance, for instance, the insurer will deny any claims related to treatments for that condition. While pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, some companies will cover conditions they deem curable. The best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions is a plan that covers certain curable pre-existing conditions if the condition doesn’t reappear for a certain period of time, like a year.
- Routine care. Pet insurance doesn’t cover preventative or routine care, such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations, wellness exams or parasite prevention. The best pet insurance for routine care is an accident and illness plan that offers a wellness plan add-on that will reimburse you for some of those expenses.
- Dental care. Accident and illness plans typically cover dental accidents and illnesses, but routine dental care is usually not covered unless you have a wellness plan. If you’re looking for the best pet insurance for dental care, you’ll want to shop for coverage with a wellness plan add-on that includes routine dental care.
- Elective or experimental treatments. Pet insurance doesn’t cover elective or cosmetic treatments, such as tail or ear docking or root canals. It also doesn’t cover experimental treatments or clinical trials.
- Exam fees. Some pet insurance plans won’t cover your vet exam fees, even when related to an accident or illness.
- Breeding. Pet insurance doesn’t cover treatments related to injuries or accidents resulting from breeding, whelping (for dogs) or queening (for cats). However, some pet insurance companies, such as Trupanion, offer riders for pets that can be used for breeding.
- Boarding and kennel fees. Most pet insurance plans won’t cover the cost of boarding or kenneling your pet, but some might if you have add-on coverage. For instance, Trupanion offers an optional pet owner assistance package that covers boarding fees if the pet owner is hospitalized.
- Grooming. Fees for grooming, shampooing and nail trims are not covered by pet insurance.
- Pet food. While pet insurance does not cover your pet’s regular food and supplements, some plans cover prescription pet food.
How does pet insurance work?
Pet health insurance works by reimbursing you for a portion of your pet’s medical expenses. When you purchase a policy, you typically choose a deductible, reimbursem*nt level and reimbursem*nt percentage.
Deductible
- This is the dollar amount you are responsible for paying before your pet insurance starts to reimburse you for covered expenses.
- Some insurers have an annual deductible, while others have a per-condition deductible.
- Deductible choices often range from $0 to $1,000.
- A lower deductible typically results in a more expensive pet insurance premium.
Reimbursem*nt percentage
- After reaching your deductible, your pet insurance company usually pays a percentage of the remaining claim amount.
- Most companies will reimburse only 70% to 90% of the vet bill. Some, like Figo, offer a 100% reimbursem*nt percentage, but choosing this option will increase your pet insurance rate.
Annual coverage limit
- This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay in a year.
- Some companies cap reimbursem*nts at $15,000 or less, while some offer unlimited reimbursem*nt.
- Choosing a higher coverage limit will usually result in a higher pet insurance premium.
Find the best pet insurance by state
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- New Jersey
- New York
- Texas
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, we analyzed 15 pet insurance companies using data provided by PetInsurer.com.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs with the highest annual coverage limit available, a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursem*nt percentage.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an annual reimbursem*nt level of $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan scored full points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Multipet discount: 5 points. Pet insurance companies that offer a discount for insuring more than one pet received full points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, we gave the company points in this category.
If you’d like to dig in deeper, head over to our pet insurance ratings methodology page.
Best pet insurance FAQs
Pets Best offers the best pet insurance overall. This top pet insurance company’s accident and illness plan for dogs and cats has comparably low rates for the coverage it provides.
Pets Best has the best dog insurance for the price. The average cost of dog insurance with the Pets Best Essential plan is $44 per month for unlimited annual coverage. This is quite a bit lower than the national average of $66 for similar plans.
The best type of pet insurance is an accident and illness plan with a wellness rider to add coverage for preventative care. This is the most comprehensive coverage you can buy for your pet, but it will also be the most expensive. The best type of pet insurance for you may be the plan you can afford.
Your deductible is the amount of money you are responsible for paying before your pet insurance company will start to reimburse you for eligible veterinary expenses.
Say you buy pet insurance and your first vet bill for covered care is $1,000. If you have a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursem*nt level, you will be reimbursed $450 (90% of the remaining $500 after your deductible is subtracted from $1,000).
No, pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, some companies will consider certain pre-existing conditions “cured” if the pet is symptom-free for a certain number of days. This will vary by insurer, so make sure you understand the terms and conditions before committing to a plan.
Pet insurance covers unexpected injuries or illnesses, not routine care. Wellness exams aren’t covered unless you purchase a wellness plan or rider to your accident and illness plan.
The average cost of pet insurance for dogs is $47 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage or $66 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage.
Pet insurance for cats is generally cheaper. The average cost for $5,000 in annual coverage for cats is $27 per month, or $38 for a plan with unlimited coverage.
Pet insurance is not tax-deductible, but you may be able to write off a portion of your pet’s medical expenses if your pet is a certified service animal, like a guide dog.
You might also be able to claim vet bills on your taxes if:
- You are fostering a pet for a nonprofit organization that is registered with the IRS.
- Your pet is established as a business animal such as a guard dog if you are self-employed.
- Your pet generates income for you, like a show dog or pet influencer with a monetized YouTube channel.
You can typically still buy pet insurance after your pet receives a diagnosis, but that health condition will be excluded from coverage as a pre-existing condition. Depending on the diagnosis, you may only be able to purchase a basic accident-only plan.
The best time to buy pet insurance is when your pet is young. Pet insurance for puppies and kittens is more affordable than insuring an older pet, and at a young age your pet is less likely to have a pre-existing condition that will be excluded from pet insurance coverage.
Pet insurance accident and illness plans do not typically cover spaying and neutering, but you can often get coverage through a wellness plan.
One exception may be if your pet develops a condition that makes spaying or neutering a medical necessity. If your pet is already enrolled in pet insurance, and the medical condition is not pre-existing, desexing might be covered.
All pet insurance policies have medical exclusion periods, or waiting periods, for accidents, injuries and often for specific conditions. This means your pet is not covered for the listed problems from the beginning of your policy until the end of the waiting period.
The length of these waiting periods varies by company. For instance, Figo’s waiting period for accidents is only one day while Fetch’s accident waiting period is 15 days. If you want to use your pet insurance right away, be sure to check the waiting periods before signing up.
Allstate pet health insurance is provided by Embrace, which gets 4.5 stars in our rating of the best pet insurance. If you request a pet insurance quote on the Allstate website, you will be redirected to the Embrace website. But you can talk to your Allstate representative if you have questions about pet insurance or would like more information.
AAA members may be able to buy AAA pet insurance provided by Companion Protect or Embrace, depending on where they live. Companion Protect did not make our rating of the best pet insurance companies but Embrace gets 4.5 stars.
When you buy Geico pet insurance, you’ll either get pet insurance from Embrace or Trupanion. In our rating of the best pet insurance companies, Embrace gets 4.5 stars.
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Editor’s Note:This article contains updated information from previously published stories:
- Dog days of the pandemic create a thriving economy for man’s best friend
- VA: Fatal dog experiments moving ahead despite criticism from Congress, veterans groups
- Happy news: Pet adoptions are way up amid coronavirus crisis, even with shelters closed to public
- Pet insurance is now booming
- Pet insurance can be your wallet's best friend
- Don't let puppy love blind you to the expense of having a dog
- Why your dog needs liability insurance
