Best Pet Insurance for Dogs (2024) | Insurify (2024)

Dogs are the most common pet in the country. In fact, around 49 million U.S. households have one or more dogs.^[1] Owning a dog comes with both routine and unexpected expenses. Pet insurance minimizes the financial burden you can face if your dog becomes ill or needs surgery.^[2] It’s similar to healthcare insurance for humans in that it comes with annual deductibles, premiums, and copays.^[3]

With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know which pet insurance company is best for you. Here’s what you should know about how pet insurance works, as well as the five best pet insurance options for your dog.

Best pet insurance for dogs

When it comes to pet insurance, you have many different options to choose from. The best plan for you depends on your pet’s health status, age, and breed.

Here are the five best pet insurance plans available.

Spot: Best for annual coverage options

Average monthly quote: $70

Spot offers accident-only pet insurance plans and accident and illness plans. If you choose the accident and illness plan, you’ll receive coverage for your dog’s vet exam fees, dental illnesses, and alternative therapies, like acupuncture. Spot has an unlimited annual plan and doesn’t have per-incident or lifetime caps on coverage.

Trupanion: Best for reimbursem*nt

Average monthly quote: $63

Trupanion provides coverage for all dog breeds. The company provides extensive coverage that includes hereditary conditions, unidentified issues, and congenital issues developed before birth. Trupanion doesn’t have caps on insurance payouts, and the company pays your claims for vet bills as soon as you submit them.

Lemonade: Best for puppies

Average monthly quote: $54

Lemonade is the best option for puppies, thanks to the company’s preventative care package. This plan covers procedures like spaying and neutering, microchipping, and certain vaccines and boosters. And you can use coverage for visits at any licensed veterinarian office in the U.S.

Pets Best: Best for potential savings

Average monthly quote: $33

When you sign up for Pets Best, you can choose between accident-only coverage and accident and illness coverage. You also have the option to add routine care coverage, which pays for annual checkups and routine vaccinations. The company’s claims process is fairly simple, and you can sign up for direct deposit to receive your reimbursem*nts faster.

Figo: Best for pre-existing conditions

Average monthly quote: $32

Figo is one of the only pet insurance companies that may offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions. To qualify, pets must be symptom-free within 12 months of treatment. Figo is also one of the few pet insurers that offer a 100% reimbursem*nt option.

How pet insurance works

Pet insurance provides financial support for routine and emergency care so your dog can always receive the care it needs. Most companies offer accident and illness and accident-only protection, and some let you pay extra for routine care, dental procedures, alternative therapies, and more.

You should always review policy details to understand what your coverage includes before purchasing. In particular, you’ll want to pay attention to the following factors:

• Waiting periods: Nearly all pet insurance policies come with mandatory waiting periods. Once the waiting period is up, your pet’s coverage will apply for all eligible claims.

• Deductibles: A deductible is the amount you have to spend out of pocket when you file a claim before your coverage kicks in. The lower you set your deductible, the more you’ll pay for monthly premiums.

• Reimbursem*nt rate: Once you meet your deductible, your insurance company will pay a certain percentage of all eligible claims. Most pet insurance plans will reimburse between 60% and 100% of eligible costs.

• Payout limits: Some insurance companies have annual limits, so you’ll want to understand these limits. Payout caps are typically either per condition or per year.

How to buy pet insurance

Buying pet insurance is fairly easy, and most pet insurance companies let you sign up online. Here are the steps you need to take to buy pet insurance.

1. Compare pet insurance quotes

Start by comparing quotes from at least three different pet insurance companies. You can receive free quotes online, and you’ll see what your coverage includes, how much the plan costs, and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.

It’s also a good idea to read the reviews of any companies you’re considering. Online reviews will help you see what kind of experiences other customers have had with that company.

2. Find the best coverage for you

The plan that’s best for you will depend on your pet, your budget, and the level of coverage you need. You should think about how much coverage you want and the type of deductible you’re willing to pay.

You should also find out how the claims process works, as well as how the company will reimburse you for any approved claims. For example, can you sign up for direct deposit? Or will the company reimburse your vet directly?

3. Purchase the policy

Once you’ve found the right company and plan, you can usually purchase the policy on the company’s website. You’ll enter your personal information, as well as details about your dog, and you can pay for your monthly or annual premium online.

What pet insurance for dogs covers

Your dog’s exact coverage will vary depending on the company and policy you choose, but here are the services pet insurance commonly covers:

• Accidents: Pet insurance will pay for injuries sustained during an accident, like a broken bone.

• Illnesses: It can cover pet illnesses, including ear infections, allergies, and diabetes.

• Testing: This includes X-rays, MRI scans, and other diagnostic tests.

• Surgery: Policies can cover portions of scheduled or emergency surgeries.

• Medication: It will often pay for prescription medication for chronic conditions.

• Hospitalizations: Pet insurance coverage also usually includes overnight hospital stays.

What pet insurance for dogs doesn’t cover

Like most types of insurance, pet coverage has a number of common exclusions. You should always familiarize yourself with your pet’s policy to understand what it includes.

Here are some common pet insurance exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions

• Grooming services

• Hereditary disorders

• Wellness exams and preventative care

• Anything not outlined in your plan

How much does pet insurance for dogs cost?

The average cost of pet insurance varies based on how much coverage you want for your dog. On average, an accident and illness policy for a dog costs $640 annually, or $53 per month. If you choose an accident-only plan for your dog, you’ll pay an average of $201 annually, or around $17 per month.^[4]

The following factors affect the cost of pet insurance:

• Your location

• Your dog’s breed

• Your dog’s age

• Your dog’s health status

• Your coverage

• Your insurance company

Common dog insurance claims

Here are five of the most common conditions seen in pet insurance claims for dogs and cats, according to a study of member claims data from Nationwide:

• Atopic or allergic dermatitis: Skin allergies have been the most common health issue for dogs for 11 years in a row.

• Otitis externa: Ear infections are another common problem for dogs.

• Enteropathy: This refers to a group of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

• Gastropathy: This is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

• Pyoderma: This is a bacterial skin infection in dogs.^[5]

Dog insurance FAQs

1. United States Census Bureau. "American Housing Survey: 2021 Household Pets."
2. American Animal Hospital Association. "How Does Pet Insurance Work?."
3. Insurance Information Institute. "Facts about pet insurance."
4. North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "Section #3: Average Premiums."
5. Nationwide. "Dermatitis, otitis externa continue to top common conditions that prompt veterinary visits."

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.