The best pet insurance policies offer affordable policies, a variety of plan options, and are financially strong so you don’t have to worry about them going out of business.
Our top recommendations for pet insurance this month
Lemonade: Best for competitive pricing
Lemonade stands out for how easy it is to apply, purchase a policy, and file claims since this is all done online. Lemonade policies are available in most states and offer a decent amount of add-ons on top of the standard accident and illness policy. Other perks include a veterinary professional helpline.
MetLife: Best for dogs
Metlife offers competitive rates for dogs and has shorter waiting periods for certain ailments or issues. The insurer also has good financial strength (meaning you can be almost certain qualifying claims are paid out), low deductibles and has a sample policy you can look at before deciding. There are also various discount opportunities, such as those for military members, veterans, first responders and health care workers.
Embrace: Best for discount opportunities
Embrace offers policies nationwide and a wide variety of policy options, including three types of wellness coverage. There is also a range of deductibles to choose from. Choosing a higher deductible can help you lower your premiums, but make sure you’re fine with the amount you may be paying out of pocket before signing up for a policy. You may qualify for discount opportunities offered by Embrace, including multiple pet and military discounts.
Spot: Best for annual coverage options
Spot offers one of the best options for annual pet insurance coverage because of the wide range of coverages it offers so that you can customize your annual coverage amount to find one that best suits your budget. Spot’s policies have several add-ons, a wellness plan and a transparent waiting period. Depending on the policy you choose, there’s also coverage for alternative therapies, microchipping and behavioral therapy.
ASPCA: Best for broad coverage
ASPCA offers some of the broadest coverage of the insurers on our list. This includes alternative treatments, microchipping, help with behavioral challenges, prescription food and exam fees for accident or illness. There are also add-ons for wellness coverage, or you can save money if you choose accident-only coverage. Plus, ASPCA not only provides coverage for cats and dogs, but horses as well.
Fetch: Best for additional coverage options
Like some other pet insurance companies, Fetch offers a variety of annual coverage limits and different add-ons for wellness coverage. Where it stands out is in meeting many costs that aren’t covered by standard policies. These include boarding or kennel fees if your pet is hospitalized for at least four days and exam fees for visits related to an accident or illness. If your pet has complex needs, this could end up saving you a lot of money.
Pets Best: Best for varying price points
Pets Best stands out for the sheer variety of coverage options it offers. Deductibles run from $50 to $1,000 and coverage limits from $5,000 to unlimited. This gives you a great deal of flexibility with these policies and allows you to tailor a policy to your exact (or expected) needs.
Figo: Best for short waiting periods
Figo has just a one-day waiting period for accident-only coverage, which is much shorter than most of their competitors. There are also a variety of deductible and reimbursement options to choose from. In addition to its competitive rates, Figo also offers comprehensive care, including coverage for hereditary conditions, dental care and vet exam fees.
Nationwide: Best for exotic pet coverage
Nationwide covers dogs and cats, but is also one of the few insurers that provides coverage for exotic pets. Some of these creatures include reptiles, birds and small mammals. Pet owners also have the option of choosing different plan options and reimbursement rates. There are discount opportunities — such as if you bundle your insurance policies — and a 24/7 vet hotline.
Healthy Paws: Best for unlimited annual coverage
Healthy Paws isn’t the only pet insurance company offering unlimited annual coverage, but it does offer it at a highly competitive rate. There are also no pet age restrictions, a variety of deductibles to choose from, and claims may be processed within just two business days.
How to shop for a pet insurance company
Choosing a pet insurance policy involves several simple steps:
Decide what you want in a policy
Determine whether you want comprehensive coverage, accident-only, illness-only or any of these three types plus wellness coverage. Then, think about any specific illnesses or ailments you want to insure your pet for. You should know what you want before you start looking at policies.
AP Buyline Editor-in-Chief Will Kenton bought pet insurance for his family dog Athena from Healthy Paws for the choices offered around deductibles and because Athena is getting on in years. “Consumers should treat pet insurance like every other financial product and shop around,” he said.
Shop around pet insurance providers
You can choose from the list above or do your own research to find providers that offer policies that suit your needs.. Then get some quotes to see what you could be paying in premiums.
Select a coverage you feel comfortable with
In most cases, pet insurance policies ask you to choose a deductible, reimbursement percentage (the percentage you don’t have to pay out of pocket) and the annual maximum payout level or coverage. Think carefully about how much you would feel comfortable paying out of pocket before making a decision.
Look for discounts
Some insurers may offer discounts, so check this before you buy a policy. Discounts can be offered for pets that have been spayed or neutered, if you are in the military members or a veteran, work for a particular employer, or if you have more than one pet.
Submit the application
After checking the policy coverage and making sure you feel comfortable, submit your application and wait for the the insurer to tell you what the next steps are.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance offers different levels of coverage depending on the policy you choose.
In most cases, policies will cover injuries or emergencies, typically bundled together. If your pet has injuries from an accident or illness, then qualifying vet bills are mostly covered. Same goes for any chronic health conditions that may develop after your policy is in effect. You may also be able to purchase policies that cover either accidents or illness.
Some insurers have also started offering wellness coverage, where you can get some preventative care covered like vaccinations, wellness visits, heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention. Check with the pet insurance company when looking at these policies to see exactly what’s covered and what’s not
Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
In most cases, no. Pet insurance typically only covers costs that happen because of accidents or illness. Since spaying and neutering falls under preventive care, you’ll need to find a policy that offers wellness or preventative coverage. Be sure to check the policy to see exactly what’s covered before signing on the dotted line.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it worth having pet insurance for dogs?
Getting pet insurance for dogs can help you cover unexpected costs at the vet. Even if the costs you accrue aren’t 100% covered by your pet insurance plan, the premiums you pay may well end up costing less less than what you would have paid out of pocket.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Pet insurance can be worth it, because most policies will help cover costs in an emergency or with unexpected vet bills. If the monthly premiums offer more value than you setting money aside for potential vet bills, then it’s worth considering.
Do all vets take pet insurance?
In most cases, yes. Your pet insurance policy typically has terms where you can still get reimbursed for covered services from a licensed veterinarian.
What is the most expensive pet to insure?
In general, dogs cost the most to insure, and certain breeds cost more than others. Though it depends on the insurer, the most expensive breeds tend to be the Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever and French Bulldog.
