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Spot Pet Insurance
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Embrace
Pets Best
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The best pet insurance policies provide protection and peace of mind for pet owners, but policies vary broadly, so choosing the right coverage for your pet can be time-consuming.
To save you time (and money), we’ve looked at the best pet insurance companies out there, narrowing our list to solid competitors that offer policies for most pets in most parts of the country. Here are our expert picks for the best pet insurance policies:
1. Spot Pet Insurance: Our Top Pick for Accident and Illness Coverage
2. Embrace: Our Best for Senior Dogs
3. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Our Best for Alternative Therapies
4. Pets Best: Our Best for 24/7 Assistance
5. Figo Pet Insurance: Our Best for Benefits
6. MetLife Pet Insurance: Our Best for Dog Insurance
7. CarePlus by Chewy: Our Best for Direct Payment to Your Vet
8. Fetch Pet Insurance: Our Best for Cat Insurance
9. Healthy Paws: Our Best for No Maximum Claim Payout
10. Lemonade Pet Insurance: Our Best for Tech-Friendly Claims
The pet insurance industry has seen significant growth over the past decade, evolving from a niche market into a mainstream solution for pet owners seeking to manage the rising costs of veterinary care.
To gauge where the industry stands today and what pet insurance providers offer the best options, we looked at a broad range of coverage features, including:
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for accident and illness coverage |  Visit Site |
Maximum annual coverage: $2,500 to unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
BBB rating: A
Whether your pet is well, sick, or hurt, Spot offers some of the most comprehensive pet insurance around. The waiting period for accidents, illnesses, or even ligament and knee conditions is just 14 days, and alternative treatments are covered.
Why We Chose Spot: Few insurers offer the number of covered services that Spot does, including surgery and special care, infectious diseases and diseases from parasites, virtual vet visits, and microchip implantation.
Customer Experience: Customers are thrilled with Spot Pet Insurance, saying claims get paid quickly and customer service reps are helpful and friendly. Negative complaints address the no direct-to-vet payment option and say the mobile app could be better.
Read Spot Pet Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for senior dogs |  Visit Site |
Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
BBB rating: A+
Embrace Pet Insurance offers highly customizable plans that allow you to choose your reimbursement percentage, limit, and deductible for an illness and/or accident plan. Exam fee and prescription drug coverage are optional add-ons. Embrace’s Wellness Rewards for Routine Care option for puppies and kittens covers everyday veterinary, training, and grooming expenses.
Why We Chose Embrace: Care and compassion shouldn't end just because a dog grows older. Not every pet insurance company offers coverage for senior dogs, but even after the age of 15, dogs can qualify for an accident-only policy with Embrace.
Customer Experience: While there are a few complaints about rates increasing over time, the majority of customers left glowing reviews for Embrace. When there is a complaint, Embrace customer representatives are quick to respond and try to resolve the issue.
Read Embrace Pet Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Our top pick for Alternative Therapies |
Maximum annual coverage: from $2,500 to unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, or 90
Deductible choices: $100, $250, or $500
BBB rating: Not rated
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is not only a champion of animals, but also offers some of the best pet insurance on the market. With ASPCA pet insurance, exam fees are covered, and there’s a 10% multi-pet discount.
Why We Chose ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: While many of the best pet insurance companies don’t cover behavioral issues, ASPCA covers anxiety medicine, behavior modification, and training when prescribed by a veterinarian. We also love that it covers alternative therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy.
Customer Experience: While there are some complaints regarding claim processing times and unexpected policy exclusion, most customers are overwhelmingly satisfied with the service offered by ASPCA. They say claims are paid lightning-fast and that customer service reps are friendly and helpful.
Read ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for their 24/7 Pet Helpline |  Visit Site |
Maximum annual coverage: $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, or 90
Deductible choices: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
BBB rating: A+
Pets Best launched in 2005 with a mission to end economic euthanasia by helping pet owners better prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses. Policies for cats and dogs cover accidents and illness, including terminal conditions like cancer, chronic issues, and even prosthetic devices and wheelchairs. Euthanasia for humane reasons is covered as well.
Why We Chose Pets Best: Pet owners often have uncertain health questions like, “My dog swallowed a toy…do I need to take her to a vet?” Pets Best offers a free round-the-clock emergency helpline, which can save clients money for non-emergency situations or those that don't require treatment.
Customer Experience: While there are some negative reviews for Pets Best sayind premiums were raised or claims weren’t paid promptly, most customers have great things to say about Pets Best pet insurance. Many customers have had policies for years and have had all expenses covered with no issues.
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for their 100% Reimbursement |
Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $10,000, unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90, 100
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
BBB rating: B
Figo Pet Insurance offers accident and illness policies, with optional add-ons for wellness visits and vet exam fees. Holistic and alternative treatments are covered. Unlike many other carriers, Figo covers pre-existing conditions that are considered curable and haven’t shown signs or symptoms within the last 12 months of treatment.
Why We Chose Figo: It's the only pet insurance provider on our list that offers a 100% reimbursement option, which can be particularly beneficial for high-cost treatments and surgeries. Figo also has a reputation for (mostly — see below) fast claims processing.
Customer Experience: Reviews are mixed online. Some review sites include complaints about the difficulty of getting a claim processed, while others rave about the ease and expediency of the process as well as Figo's comprehensive Pet Cloud app.
Read Figo Pet Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for their Dog Insurance |
Maximum annual coverage: $500-$25,000 in $1,000 increments
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, and 90
Deductible choices: $0-$750 in $50 increments; $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500
BBB rating: Unrated
MetLife Pet Insurance has been providing humans with insurance for 150 years and pets for 15 years. There are no breed exclusions or age limits, and there’s no initial exam or previous vet records required to get a policy. Prescribed holistic care and alternative therapies are included.
Why We Chose MetLife: MetLife Pet Insurance is one of the best pet insurance companies on this list because of the number of benefits it offers. Also, its Preventive Care add-on covers things like anal gland expression, dew claw removal, spaying or neutering, gastropexy, nail trims, vaccines, heartworm prevention, and more.
Customer Experience: While most of the reviews for MetLife are for other insurance products, there are some negative reviews for pet insurance, saying it’s difficult to get a claim processed. Other reviews, however, rave about its comprehensive coverage and multi-pet discount.
Read MetLife Pet Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for their direct payment to your vet |
Maximum annual coverage: $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, unlimited
Maximum annual coverage: $5,000 or unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $250, $500, $1,000
BBB rating: A+
CarePlus by Chewy curates the best pet insurance plans from carriers Trupanion and Lemonade. It offers both accident/illness plans and wellness plans starting at $20 a month. Both options give you live vet access seven days a week, and you can also get an up-to-10% multi-pet discount
Why We Chose CarePlus: When your vet bill gets high, you might struggle to pay it, even if you’ll eventually be reimbursed. With CarePlus, your vet can bill your insurance and receive payment directly. We also love the 100% prescription coverage (minus the deductible).
Customer Experience: There are few reviews for CarePlus, but looking at Trupanion and Lemonade, the carriers that provide the policies, reviews are mixed. Negative comments center around higher premiums, coverage exclusions, and some claims processing delays. Satisfied customers appreciate the customer support and comprehensive coverage.
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for cat insurance |  Visit Site |
Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $250, $300, $400
BBB rating: A+
Fetch has been providing the best pet insurance for 20 years. In addition to the usual procedures covered for accident and illness policies, Fetch covers up to $1,000 in boarding fees if the pet’s owner ends up in the hospital.
Why We Chose Fetch: Some cat breeds are more prone to certain hereditary and congenital health issues, such as hip dysplasia in Maine Coons and Himalayans. Not all pet insurance companies cover these problems, but Fetch does — as long as they are not pre-existing.
Customer Experience: There are a mix of customer reviews online. While many appreciate Fetch's user-friendly claims process, including easy online submissions, others have experienced frustration with denied claims and unexpected premium increases.
Read Fetch Pet Insurance review
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Our top pick for their no-maximum claim payout |
Maximum annual coverage: Unlimited
Reimbursement choices (%): 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
BBB rating: A+
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance makes filing a claim simple. You take a picture of your qualified vet bill, submit it, and you’ll receive payment in as little as two days. Healthy Paws does not offer wellness and preventative care coverage. Its policies are purely for unexpected veterinary care.
Why We Chose Healthy Paws: While others on this list of the best pet insurance companies have limits for how much they’ll cover for your pet each year or over time, Healthy Paws offers unlimited coverage. This includes no per-incident, annual, or lifetime caps on issues that aren't pre-existing.
Customer Experience: Customers rave about their experience with agents, the easy claims process, and getting reimbursed for expenses quickly. Most negative reviews revolve around the lack of wellness coverage and reimbursement for exam fees, prescription diets, and more.
| Insurance Provider | Explore | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our top pick for their tech-friendly claims |  Visit Site |
Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
Reimbursement choices (%): 70, 80, 90
Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750
BBB rating: Not rated
Lemonade provides pet, homeowners, renters, car, and life insurance, and offers discounts when you bundle policies. Its pet policies include a wellness exam, diagnostics, blood tests, and diagnostics, and you can add coverage for exams and physical therapy.
Why We Chose Lemonade: If you’re tech-savvy, you’ll love how easy the app is to use to manage your policy and file claims. Customers praise its user-friendliness, transparency, and AI-assisted quick claims-processing abilities.
Customer Experience: Customers love the easy claim filing process, and most say they receive reimbursement within 48 hours. Not-so-glowing comments typically involve limited coverage options and limited availability — it's available in only 37 states.
Read Lemonade Pet Insurance review
| Provider | Maximum annual coverage | Reimbursement choices (by %) | Deductible choices |
|---|---|---|---|
| | $2,500 to unlimited | 70, 80, 90 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 |
| | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, unlimited | 70, 80, 90 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 |
from $2,500 to unlimited | 70, 80, 90 | from $2,500 to unlimited | |
| | $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, unlimited | 70, 80, 90 | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 |
| $5,000, $10,000, unlimited | 70, 80, 90, 100 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500 |
| $500-$25,000 in $1,000 increments | 70, 80, 90 | $0-750 in $50 increments; $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 |
| $5,000 or unlimited | 70, 80, 90 | $250, $500, $1,000 |
| $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 | 70, 80, 90 | $250, $300, $400 |
| Unlimited | 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | |
| | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 | 70, 80, 90 | $100, $250, $500, $750 |
*ASPCA Pet Insurance is offered by PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd., which is also not rated by the BBB
Pet insurance is a health insurance policy for pets. There are a few types of policies, including accident-only plans, accident and illness policies, wellness plans, and lifetime plans. Each plan has benefits and drawbacks, so consider your pet's health needs, breed, and your budget when choosing coverage. The best pet insurance allows policyholders to customize annual coverage, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles.
Some pet insurance companies offer a wide range of plans, while others focus on a particular type of policy.
Wendy Hauser, DVM and veterinary advisor at ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, says: “I recommend pet owners understand different choices for percentage reimbursement, deductible levels, if there are any waiting periods, and if there are any annual or per-incident maximums.
"Additionally," she notes, "pet owners should review sample policies on the website to understand what is covered and what is excluded. Comparison tools help to highlight how provider coverage differs.”
To choose the best pet insurance plan, match your pet's needs with the plan type. Younger pets may need wellness services, while older pets may need accident and illness coverage. Consider these questions when shopping for a policy:
After you've given thought to these important questions, you can choose the best pet insurance for you using the following steps:
The best pet insurance companies understand that no two pets’ needs are the same. Here are some of the criteria used to calculate costs: Annual Maximum, Deductible, and Reimbursement Level
Pet insurance costs are primarily determined by three points:
Pet insurance for a puppy or kitten will likely cost less. Over time, your monthly premium may increase as your pet ages and becomes more likely to have health issues.
In addition to your pet’s age and weight, the insurer may also look at its breed to calculate your premium. Some breeds are more prone to hereditary and congenital health problems and present more risk to the insurer.
Sometimes, one gender of animal is more likely to develop certain illnesses or diseases or even engage in riskier behavior that might cause accidents and injuries.
Because veterinarian costs vary depending on location, so can your pet insurance premium. Areas where vets charge more may have higher pet insurance rates to cover those costs.
On average, pet insurance costs between $40 and $70 a month to insure a dog. The cost may depend on the dog's age, medical history, and coverage type.
Here are a few dog breeds that may cost more to get pet insurance for:
Coverage varies by company but generally includes accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, dental illnesses, hospitalization, cancer, prescriptions, hip dysplasia, and, in some cases, alternative treatments.
Most carriers don't cover pre-existing conditions, spaying/neutering, flea and heartworm prevention, dental cleaning, grooming, wellness visits, or prescription food. Some policies cover euthanasia, funeral costs, and behavioral treatments, but most do not. Elective procedures like tail docking and declawing are usually excluded.
Pet insurance usually works on a reimbursement basis. This means you pay the vet upfront, then file a claim to get reimbursed for eligible expenses. Some companies partner with vets to pay them directly, so you only cover the costs that aren't eligible.
There may be exclusions for age or breed, and many won't cover pre-existing conditions.
Even the best companies have waiting periods for accidents and illness, usually up to two weeks. For cruciate ligaments, it may be six months, though some insurers waive this with a vet’s note.
When shopping for the best pet insurance, see if your preferred vet is one you can visit with your policy.
It depends on your pet's needs and your budget. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and access to better care, but costs and coverage details must be evaluated carefully.
When you buy a pet insurance policy, you'll pick an annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. These choices help determine your premium and the maximum amount you can get back yearly.
The past five years have seen significant changes in the pet health industry. According to a recent study, nearly a quarter of pet owners reported increased pet care costs in the past year, driven by inflation, higher veterinary staff wages, and the high cost of new medications. Additionally, over a third of pet owners said it would be financially challenging to pay for a minor operation for their pet.
These factors have led to increased demand for pet insurance and higher premiums, up to 20% in the last year. It's crucial for pet owners to research, compare policies, and consider the costs of pet insurance so that they're not taken advantage of.
Pet insurance can provide financial support should your pet need costly exams or treatments. If you decide that pet insurance is right for you, know that not all pet insurance companies are identical, nor are policies identical. Know what you and your pet need in a policy and then compare providers to find the best policy.
The best pet insurance depends on your animal and coverage needs and won't be the same for every pet. Consider covered procedures, price, and customer reviews.
Costs vary based on the animal, age, gender, breed, and coverage type. The average monthly premium in 2024 is around $47 per pet.
Carriers may ask for veterinary records to identify pre-existing conditions. Some cover curable conditions after a year without treatment.
Typically, pet insurance is not tax-deductible, except for service animals.
Some carriers also cover amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, and horses. Check coverage before buying.
The best insurance for your dog covers your needs, has responsive customer service, processes claims quickly, and is affordable.
Pets can benefit from insurance at any age. Kittens and puppies may need accident coverage, while older pets may need illness coverage. Wellness care add-ons benefit pets of all ages.
Su Guillory is a freelance business writer and expat coach. She’s written several business books and has been published on sites including Forbes, Nav, SoFi, and AllBusiness. She writes about business and personal credit, insurance, loans, and credit cards.
