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Kacie Goff
Last updated on Mar 04, 2021
Reviews Report
- Healthy Paws pet insurance has the lowest deductibles of all providers we reviewed, but PetPlan is Reviews.com’s top pick for best pet insurance company.
- Geico pet insurance is provided by Embrace Pet Insurance and has the most discounts available.
- For tech-savvy pet owners, Figo offers a bevvy of digital tools and resources for pet wellness, as well as 100% reimbursem*nt rates.
Pet owners and experts agree: pet insurance is worth it. With pet insurance, you will never have to choose between their health and your own financial concerns.
To help you find the best pet insurance policy for your four-legged friend, your budget, and your preferences, we scoured the market. In addition to looking for affordable pet coverage, we also looked at the claims submittal and payment processes, ensuring it’s easy to use your policy when you need it.
Based on these findings, here are our top six pet insurance providers.
The 6 Best Pet Insurance Companies
- Figo: Best for Technology
- Petplan®: Best for Boarding Emergencies
- Nationwide®: Best for Birds and Exotic Pets
- Geico: Best for Pet Insurance Discounts
- Healthy Paws®: Best for Fast Claims Processing
- Pet Assure: Best for Pre-Existing Conditions
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies
| Reviews.com Score | Vet Exam Fees Covered | Reimbursem*nt Rate | Deductible | |
| Figo | 4 | Optional, for sick/injury exams | 70%–100% | $100–$750 |
| Petplan | 4.4 | Yes, for sick/injury exams and virtual exams | 70%–90% | $250–$500 |
| Nationwide | 4 | Yes | 50%–90% | $250–$500 |
| Geico | 3.6 | Yes | 70%–90% | $200–$1,000 |
| Healthy Paws | 2.75 | No | 60%–90% | $100–$1,000 |
| Pet Assure | N/A* | Yes | 25% discount | None |
Information accurate as of March 2021. *Due to the nature of Pet Assure’s pet insurance product, we are unable to calculate a Reviews.com score within our methodology.
Figo Pet Insurance
Best for User Technology
Why we chose it
Figo offers an AI claims assistant, 24/7 live chat with a vet, and their Pet Cloud app. Within the app, you can get round-the-clock virtual access to a live vet, connect with other pet owners in your area, and get scheduled reminders.
- 4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- $100–$750/yr. Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 70%–100% Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 3 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
Figo offers an AI claims assistant, 24/7 live chat with a vet, and their Pet Cloud app. Within the app, you can get round-the-clock virtual access to a live vet, connect with other pet owners in your area, and get scheduled reminders.
Pros
- Full reimbursem*nt
- Intuitive digital tools
- Telehealth vet appointments
Cons
- Doesn’t cover preventative care
- Comparatively new company
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Read More
What’s Covered
- Illness/accidents
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Emergency care/hospitalization
- Hip dysplasia
- Prescriptions
- Knee conditions
Exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions
- Preventative care
- Births/pregnancy
- Spaying/neutering
Petplan
Best for Boarding in Emergencies
Why we chose it
Petplan provides no-copay, no-deductible VirtualVet visits and coverage for boarding costs if you have to board your pet while you’re in the hospital.
- 4.4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- $250–$500/yr. Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 70%–90% Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 1 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
Petplan provides no-copay, no-deductible VirtualVet visits and coverage for boarding costs if you have to board your pet while you’re in the hospital.
Pros
- No age limits
- Sick exam fees covered
- Up to $1K behavioral therapy coverage
Cons
- Doesn’t cover preventative care
- 365-day exclusion period for curable conditions
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Read More
What’s Covered
- Illness/accidents
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Prescriptions
- Surgery/rehabilitation
- Diagnostics/imaging/ultrasounds
- Advertising/reward costs
Exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions
- Preventative care
- Elective procedures
Nationwide
Best for Exotic Pets & Birds
Why we chose it
On top of offering extensive coverage options — including plans that cover wellness-related care — Nationwide is the only major insurer to offer policies to people who own birds or exotic pets.
- 4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- $250–$500/yr. Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 50%–90% Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 3 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
On top of offering extensive coverage options — including plans that cover wellness-related care — Nationwide is the only major insurer to offer policies to people who own birds or exotic pets.
Pros
- Exotic pets and bird coverage
- Covers preventative care
- Multi-pet discount
Cons
- Possible low reimbursem*nt rate
- Six-month exclusion period for curable conditions
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Read More
What’s Covered
- Illness/accidents
- Hereditary/congenital conditions (in Whole Pet with Wellness plan)
- Prescriptions
- Surgery/rehabilitation
- Diagnostics/imaging/ultrasounds
Exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Hereditary/congenital conditions (in all other plans)
Geico Pet Insurance
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Geico’s pet insurance offers discounts for spaying/neutering your pet, insuring multiple pets and paying in full, making it easy to save when insuring your furry friend.
- 3.6 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- $200–$1,000/yr. Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 70%–90% Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 3 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
Geico’s pet insurance offers discounts for spaying/neutering your pet, insuring multiple pets and paying in full, making it easy to save when insuring your furry friend.
Pros
- Flexible, customizable coverage
- Multiple discounts
Cons
- Service provided through 3rd-party provider
- Limited online resources
- 14-day waiting period for coverage
Read More
What’s Covered
- Accidents (e.g. broken bones, swallowing something)
- Illnesses (not pre-existing)
- Dental issues
- Cancer
- Routine care (optional coverage)
- Congenital/hereditary conditions
Exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic procedures
- Pregnancy/breeding
- DNA testing
Healthy Paws
Best for Claims Processing
Why we chose it
We love Healthy Paws because it ticks all the boxes and the process of filing a claim is a breeze — most Healthy Paws claims get paid in a week or less.
- 2.75 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- $100–$500/yr. Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 90% Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 1 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
We love Healthy Paws because it ticks all the boxes and the process of filing a claim is a breeze — most Healthy Paws claims get paid in a week or less.
Pros
- Fast claims processing and payments
- No payout limit
- Online quote and comparisons
Cons
- Doesn’t cover pet exams
- Doesn’t cover hip dysplasia after 6 years old
- Not 100% coverage
Read More
What’s Covered
- Illness/accidents
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Emergency care/hospitalization
- Surgery
- Diagnostic tests
- Cancer
Exclusions
- Preventative treatment
- Examination fee
- Pre-existing conditions
Pet Assure
Best for Pre-Existing Conditions
Why we chose it
Pet Assure is a low-cost discount membership program that provides pet owners with 25% off vet visits and medical procedures with little to no exclusions. Pet owners just need to find a vet in Pet Assure’s network.
- N/A Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
- None Deductible A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- 25% Discount Reimbursem*nt Rate This is the percentage of the vet bill that a pet insurance company will pay you after submitting a claim.
- 1 No. of Plans
Why we chose it
Pet Assure is a low-cost discount membership program that provides pet owners with 25% off vet visits and medical procedures with little to no exclusions. Pet owners just need to find a vet in Pet Assure’s network.
Pros
- All animals covered
- No deductibles or usage limits
- Money-back guarantee
- No waiting
Cons
- Not full pet insurance
- No medication or prescription
Read More
What’s Covered
- Pre-existing conditions
- Medical procedures
- Sick/illness visits
Exclusions
Certain vet offices (by area)
Pet Insurance: What You Need to Know
Pet insurance works much like health insurance does for humans. If you take your pet to the vet for an emergency or for a medical procedure, pet insurance will help you cover part or all of the cost.
Many of the best pet insurance providers we reviewed have deductibles — similar to other types of insurance like car insurance, homeowners insurance, or health insurance — that pet owners must reach before insurance kicks in. Then, reimbursem*nt rates are the percentage that pet insurance will cover or pay you back for a covered event.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible plan and a 90% reimbursem*nt rate when you discover your dog is sick. After a trip to the vet, your bill is $1,000. After paying your $500 deductible, your insurance will cover 90% of the last $500 — or $450 — so you only end up paying $550.
What pet insurance covers
Pet insurance mostly covers accidents, injuries, medical procedures, and non-pre-existing illnesses. If your pet is diagnosed with cancer or needs surgery to correct an issue, pet insurance steps in to help reduce your overall costs. This can even include diagnostic tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, and bloodwork.
Some carriers, like Petplan, even cover the costs of boarding your pet in case you are hospitalized and can’t take care of your pet yourself. Here’s a list of what pet insurance can cover:
- Prescriptions
- Ultrasounds
- Bloodwork
- Emergency vet visits
- Illnesses except pre-existing conditions
- Dental issues
- Congenital or hereditary conditions
- Medical procedures and surgery
- X-rays
- Accidents and injuries
- Rehabilitation after surgery
Common pet insurance exclusions
Unfortunately, our furry friends don’t have the same protections that we do when it comes to health insurance. Even the best pet insurance carriers have exclusions for pre-existing conditions and even age.
Furthermore, many pet insurance companies don’t cover preventative care like vaccinations, annual checkups, spaying, or neutering.
Further Reading
- Healthy Paws Review
- Figo Review
- Nationwide Review
- The Best Cheap Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance FAQ
Pet Insurance Methodology
We evaluated pet insurance providers based on exclusions, deductibles, payout limits, claim filing, and reimbursem*nt rates to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best travel insurance provider reviews. To compare pet insurance providers with other brands across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Exclusions: When comparing pet insurance providers, we awarded providers that had fewer exclusions higher scores.
- Deductibles: Reviews.com compared the deductible options offered by each pet insurance provider — lower deductible ranges resulted in higher scores in this metric.
- Payout Limits: Pet insurance companies that had higher — or none — payout limits, annual or lifetime, were awarded higher scores.
- Claim Filing: We reviewed the claim filing process for pet insurance companies and awarded higher scores in this metric to companies that had easier (i.e. mobile) claim filing processes.
- Reimbursem*nt Rates: Pet insurance companies with higher reimbursem*nt rates, typically 90% or more, score higher in this metric while pet insurance companies with lower rates scored less.
About the Authors
Kacie Goff Contributing Writer
Kacie Goff is a insurance and personal finance writer with over five years of experience covering personal and commercial coverage options.
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