Best Pet Insurance Companies of May 2025

The Best Pet Insurance Companies
Our team found the best pet insurance is offered by these companies:


Annual Limits
$2.5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$23–$41
Accident Waiting Period
0 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
Pets Best is our top pick — with the highest rating out of any provider we’ve reviewed. The company offers vet-direct pay for approved claims, meaning reimbursement is sent directly to your vet at the time of service if your pet requires care after getting sick or hurt. With coverage options for accidents, illness and wellness care alongside a variety of deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates, you can easily customize a policy to suit your budget and your pet’s needs.
Pets Best offers policyholders access to a 24/7 pet helpline that provides support from veterinary experts if you have any questions or concerns about your pet. If you have multiple pets or a senior dog or cat, the company extends a multi-pet discount and has no upper age restrictions for enrollment.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness, accident-only and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 7 weeks old for enrollment — no upper age limits
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, elective and preventive procedures, parasites, non-veterinary expenses, and experimental therapies and treatments
Offers vet-direct pay services
No upper age limit for coverage enrollment, a plus for owners of older pets
Provides six deductible options starting as low as $50
Has limited alternative therapy coverage compared to other providers
Limits exam fee coverage to more expensive policies
According to quotes gathered by our research team, the average pet insurance policy from Pets Best costs $33 per month. This is around 28% less than the overall national average of $46. Our team also requested monthly rates for dogs and cats of various ages.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $31
- 5-year-old adult dog: $37
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $20
- 5-year-old adult cat: $21
Our team member, Tori Addison, purchased an accident and illness policy with Pets Best for her 10-year-old Russian blue cat, Obie. The plan has a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $5,000 annual limit. She also purchased Pets Best’s Essential Wellness coverage, with monthly costs totaling $71.
Obie was taken to the vet for an annual wellness exam with vaccinations and routine bloodwork in June 2024. “I typically do not request blood work during my cat’s annual appointments, but since I had pet insurance, I felt peace of mind knowing the service was covered. The insurance could also cover any resulting health issues flagged by the vet in the results,” Addison said.
Addison filed Obie’s claim within a few hours of leaving the vet’s office, uploading his medical records and paid invoice through the mobile app. She was easily able to enroll in direct deposit for a quick claim payout, and the claim was approved in less than a week. Addison rated her overall claims experience 5 out of 5 stars.
Our latest 2025 pet insurance survey of 1,000 respondents found that almost 88% of the 65 participants with a policy from Pets Best reported being satisfied with the insurer as a whole. In addition, nearly 85% said they believe pet insurance is a worthy investment. When asked why, one respondent in particular had this to say about their experience with Pets Best:
“Our dog had a bowel obstruction a little over a year ago. Without insurance, surgery would have cost $5,000. With insurance, we only ended up paying about $2,000.”


Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$29–$52
Accident Waiting Period
0–2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
Lemonade’s intuitive quote and claims process — assisted by the company’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots — provides an entirely digital and straightforward customer experience unlike other providers in this review. While the company is a newer player in the industry, its streamlined mobile app, discount options and affordable baseline plans earned it the Best Customer Experience superlative.
Lemonade offers a wide variety of deductibles and annual coverage limit options that extend up to $100,000, which is higher than many of its competitors. The company also partners with Chewy to provide access to telehealth vet services, allowing you to get answers to questions related to pet wellness, behavioral issues, illnesses and more when you need it.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 8 weeks old for enrollment — excludes certain breeds 10 years and older from new coverage
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, physical therapy, alternative or experimental treatments, and dental illnesses unrelated to injury
Can approve some claims instantly with the use of AI technology
Offers up to $100,000 in annual coverage
Provides multi-pet, bundling and annual payment discounts
Doesn’t cover exam fees in its base plan
Not available in all 50 U.S. states
According to our cost collection, the average pet insurance policy from Lemonade costs $41 per month. This is around 11% less than the overall national average of $46. We also broke down monthly costs for Lemonade insurance based on general age ranges across dogs and cats.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $42
- 5-year-old adult dog: $47
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $25
- 5-year-old adult cat: $27
Our former team member purchased an accident and illness plan for Teddy, his 3-year-old English cream retriever, from Lemonade. The plan has a $250 deductible, an 80% reimbursement rate and a $20,000 annual limit, costing $49 per month.
He took Teddy to the vet in June 2024 for eye and nose irritation. He filed the claim two days later,providing a photo of the vet bill, the date of the vet visit, and a recording explaining what happened to Teddy. The claims process took about five minutes and was submitted via Lemonade’s app.
His claim was approved less than an hour after submission, with Lemonade providing a coverage breakdown of submitted expenses. “Lemonade’s app is so good that I never need to speak to anyone. The company emails me when claims get approved, which only takes a few days,” he said.
Overall, he rated his claims experience 5 out of 5 stars.
In our latest 2025 survey of 1,000 pet owners with pet insurance, 127 participants reported having a policy with Lemonade. Almost 76% of respondents said they were satisfied with the insurer, and 84% felt that, based on their experience, pet insurance is worth it. When asked to elaborate, one respondent had this to say about Lemonade:
“Vet bills are extremely expensive, and you can’t predict when your pet is going to have a health issue. With pet insurance, you have peace of mind that that health issue can be dealt with.”


Annual Limits
$5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-100%
Average Monthly Cost
$15–$27
Accident Waiting Period
1 day
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
Figo is the most affordable pet insurance provider on our list, with an average monthly cost that’s 52% less than the national average. It’s also the only company we’ve reviewed that offers a 100% reimbursement rate — ideal for pet owners looking to avoid paying anything beyond a deductible for approved claims.
Figo’s one-day waiting period for accidents is only rivaled by Pets Best, which covers accidents from your policy’s effective start date. When it comes time to file a claim, policyholders can use the provider’s Pet Cloud app to upload documents and easily track the progress. The app also provides 24/7 live veterinary access when needed.
- Available plans: Accident and illness, wellness care
- Age restrictions: 8 weeks old for enrollment; no upper age limit
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, experimental procedures, breeding, pregnancy, birth, cloning procedures and cosmetic surgery
Offers a 100% reimbursement rate option, which is higher than some other companies
Has a one-day waiting period for accidents, which is shorter than most providers we reviewed
No upper age limit enforced, meaning older pets can qualify for coverage
Available deductible options depend on your pet’s age
Doesn’t provide coverage for spay and neuter procedures
Figo offers the cheapest pet insurance pricing out of providers featured in this review, costing an average of $22 per month. This is 52% less than the overall national average of $46. We also looked at species-specific costs for dogs and cats at various life stages.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $14
- 5-year-old adult dog: $49
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $14
- 5-year-old adult cat: $22
Our former team member purchased an accident and illness policy with Figo for his dog Mick, a mini Irish doodle. He chose a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $10,000 annual limit, plus the company’s lowest tier of wellness benefits. The policy costs $37 per month — one of the cheapest rates for the coverage out of all providers in this review.
He noted that it took just under five minutes to sign Mick up for coverage and that the site was easy-to-navigate and use. He appreciated how he didn’t need to bring Mick to the vet for an exam before enrolling. He felt that the app’s interface was good, but said he had 20 new policy documents awaiting him in the app once he signed up.
Of the 1,000 respondents in our 2025 pet insurance survey, 39 pet owners reported holding a policy with Figo. Almost 74% of these participants were satisfied with the company, and 85% felt pet insurance was worth it based on their experience. When asked why they felt this way, one Figo policyholder said the following:
“For a small nominal fee a month, [the coverage] is there when you need it in case anything bad happens [that] is very costly.”


Annual Limits
$5k–Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$33–$64
Accident Waiting Period
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
Embrace is our pick for wellness plan coverage, as the company offers benefits that allow you to pay for services that other providers don’t typically cover — such as grooming and obedience training. In addition, we appreciate how the company covers behavioral treatments and therapies if administered by a licensed vet.
Available discounts include a 5% military discount and a 10% discount for employees of companies that offer Embrace pet insurance. Embrace also offers a Healthy Pet Deductible program, which credits pet owners $50 toward their deductible each consecutive year they go without filing a claim.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness, accident-only and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 6 weeks old for enrollment — pets 15 years and older can only enroll in accident-only plans
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, breeding, pregnancy, deliberate injury, neglect, cosmetic procedures and cloning
Offers multiple stackable discount opportunities to lower premium costs
Has a unique wellness rewards program that includes often-excluded services, such as pet grooming
Reduces your deductible by $50 every year you don’t file a claim
More expensive than the average pet insurance policy, according to our research
Senior pets can only be enrolled in accident-only protection
Our research team found the average cost of a pet insurance policy with Embrace is $53 per month. This is 15% more expensive than the national average of $46. We also requested quotes for dogs and cats of varying ages to learn more about species-specific pricing.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $41
- 5-year-old adult dog: $61
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $51
- 5-year-old adult cat: Pricing not available
Our former team member purchased an accident and illness policy through Embrace for Luna, her 4-year-old, large mixed-breed dog. This plan has a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $5,000 annual limit, totaling $60 per month. When asked about her shopping experience with Embrace, she noted that the website was extremely user friendly.
“If I had questions about what certain things were covered in the basic plan, there was information at the ready.”
However, she noted one drawback — once you get to the final page for checkout, you can not go back. She also noted that information on canceling a policy isn’t readily mentioned, and she’d like more clarity on if it’s easy to cancel online or if she needs to speak to a customer service representative. Overall, she felt the initial signup process was relatively easy, but has yet to file a claim with the company.
In our 2025 pet insurance survey of 1,000 pet owners with coverage, 33 participants reported purchasing a policy with Embrace. Out of these respondents, 70% were satisfied with the provider as a whole, and 85% felt pet insurance was worth it. When asked to elaborate on why pet insurance is worth it, one pet owner said this:
“Veterinarians are very expensive just for routine expenses. If there is an accident or illness [affecting my pet], I would be hard-pressed without insurance.”


Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$22–$50
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is our pick for senior pets thanks to its complete coverage for older dogs, which includes accident and illness coverage with no upper age restrictions. We also appreciate how the company covers prescription food, microchipping, vet exam fees and more under its standard accident and illness policy, which some providers exclude or charge extra for. If you’re looking for basic coverage on a budget, the provider offers an accident-only plan for peace of mind at a lower cost.
In addition to accident and illness plans, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers preventive care plans that cover vaccinations, dental cleanings, heartworm tests and other services to help keep your pet healthy. The provider is also the only insurer on our list that offers coverage for horses.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness, accident-only and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 8 weeks old for enrollment — no upper age limit
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures and breeding costs
Provides coverage for microchipping and vet exam fees with accident and illness plans
No upper age limit restrictions for enrollment, a benefit for owners of older pets
Has a shorter waiting period for certain injuries compared to other insurers
Has a longer accident waiting period of 14 days compared to some other providers on our list
Max annual limit available online is $10,000, which may not fully cover pets with major medical needs
According to quotes collected by our team based on 10 sample pet profiles, the cost of a policy with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is $38 per month. This is 17% less than the overall national average of $46. We also gathered insurance costs for dogs and cats at various stages of life.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $33
- 5-year-old adult dog: $43
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $18
- 5-year-old adult cat: $20
Our writer and researcher, Alex Carver, purchased an accident-only plan for Mittens, her 17-year-old domestic longhair cat. The plan has a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $5,000 annual limit, costing $25 per month. Carver also decided to purchase wellness coverage, as she plans to take her cat to the vet for an annual exam in the near future.
Carver rated her overall buying experience 5 out of 5 stars.
“I appreciated the little tips throughout the signup process that explain common pet insurance terms like annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate. While the quote and customer portals aren’t flashy or fancy, they are well-organized. Nothing was confusing, and it was quick and painless to enroll Mittens in coverage. I love that I was able to even get coverage at her ripe old age of 17 — many other providers denied her coverage due to her age.”
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance was the most popular pet insurer in our 2025 survey of 1,000 pet owners nationwide — 204 respondents reported having a policy with the company for their dog or cat. Out of these participants, 76% were satisfied with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, and 83% felt pet insurance as a whole was worth the purchase. When asked to elaborate more on why they felt it was worth it, one respondent said the following:
“Just like humans, [pets] have emergencies and you want to be prepared. Big accidents or illnesses could cost a lot of money. Having insurance helps pay for most of that.”


Our Pick for Vet Choice
Fetch Pet Insurance


Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$28–$50
Accident Waiting Period
15 days
Illness Waiting Period
15 days
With Fetch, you have the option to use any vet within the U.S. or Canada. Other providers may not cover treatments received outside of the U.S.
From exam fees and telehealth visits to coverage for behavioral issues, Fetch includes coverage as standard that other companies may only sell as add-ons. The company even offers unique coverage for lost pet advertising and pet loss. If you’re a pet owner who prefers holistic care or alternative treatments, Fetch also covers treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy, stem-cell therapy and more without extra costs.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 6 weeks old for enrollment — no upper age limit
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, breeding, prescription food, elective procedures, cosmetic surgeries, parasites and therapies not administered by a veterinarian
Provides exam fee coverage in its base plan
May waive the waiting period for knee injuries with a veterinarian exam
Covers cancellation fees if you must end a vacation early because of a sick pet
Has a 15-day waiting period for accidents, which is longer than industry average of around two days
May increase premiums based on your pet’s age and claims history
Quotes gathered by our team show the average Fetch policy costs $43 per month. This is around 6% less than the average monthly cost of pet insurance nationwide. Our team also requested quotes for pets at various life stages to determine how prices change with age.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $34
- 5-year-old adult dog: $53
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $23
- 5-year-old adult cat: $30
Our former teammate purchased a Fetch accident and illness plan for Saint, her 2-year-old golden retriever. She chose a plan with a $300 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $5,000 annual limit, for a total of $49 per month.
She says it took her five to 10 minutes to sign up for coverage, noting the process was very easy and user-friendly.
“There wasn’t an extensive amount of questions about myself, Saint or his vet. However, if someone were to pick this provider, they need to make sure they have their pet’s medical records on hand or easily accessible. Without medical records, you can’t file a claim in the future.”
In our 2025 pet insurance survey, just 19 of the 1,000 respondents reported choosing Fetch as their pet insurer of choice. Of these respondents, 68% were satisfied with the company overall, and 74% felt pet insurance was worth it. When asked to elaborate, one participant had the following to say about their experience:
“I was reimbursed 80% of my [pet’s veterinary] fees [with my pet insurance policy]. It definitely saved me money in the long run.”


Annual Limits
$2.5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$30–$68
Accident Waiting Period
1-14 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
Spot is our pick for the most comprehensive coverage, with seven annual coverage limit options, five deductible choices and three reimbursement rates. This allows pet owners to tailor plans to find the right balance between coverage and affordability. You can further save on a plan by choosing Spot’s accident-only plan over its more comprehensive — and expensive — accident and illness policy.
Like several other providers featured in this review, Spot reduces your deductible each year you go without filing a claim. Accident and illness coverage is also comprehensive, including alternative treatments, behavioral therapies, microchipping and even veterinarian-prescribed diets. If you have multiple pets, Spot also offers a multi-pet discount.
- Available plans: Accident-and-illness, accident-only and wellness care
- Age restrictions: 8 weeks old for enrollment — no upper age limit
- Exclusions: Incurable pre-existing conditions, boarding, day care, breeding costs and cosmetic procedures
Offers an unlimited coverage option for pets with more medical needs
Base plan includes end-of-life expenses if related to a covered condition
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after a set time period
Enforces a 14-day waiting period for accidents, longer than some competitors
Lacks an online chat option, which is often provided by other pet insurers
Our research shows the average cost of a pet insurance policy with Spot is $51 per month. This is around 11% more than the average national cost of pet insurance. Here is a breakdown of costs by species that we also obtained from the company.
Dogs
- 3-month-old puppy: $36
- 5-year-old adult dog: $46
Cats
- 3-month-old kitten: $19
- 5-year-old adult cat: $21
Our former team member purchased an accident and illness plan for her 4-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi, Oliver. She opted for a plan with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and $5,000 annual limit, amounting to $34 a month.
“The website’s usability was outstanding, making it incredibly easy to sign up for a pet insurance plan in less than five minutes. The clear instructions and limited options combined with transparent pricing for both annual and monthly costs ensured a smooth and efficient registration process.”
In our latest 2025 pet insurance survey, 32 of the 1,000 total participants with pet insurance chose Spot to insure their dog or cat. Of the 32 respondents, 81% felt satisfied overall with the company and 84% said pet insurance is worth it. When asked why pet owners thought a plan was worth it, one participant said:
“[Pet insurance] takes away the stress of worrying about any unexpected illnesses or accidents with my pet. It lets me feel like everything will be okay, and if something happens, I won’t go broke.”
Compare The Best Pet Insurance Companies
No two pet insurance companies are exactly alike. Use the table below to directly compare our top pet insurance picks featured in this review.
How To Choose the Best Pet Insurance Company
There are a few things you can do to guarantee you find the best provider for your needs:
Check Pet Eligibility
Many pet insurance providers enforce age limits for coverage. However, some may have no age limit if you sign up before your pet reaches a certain age. Other providers, such as ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Spot have no age limit for pets enrolling in new coverage. If you have a senior pet, checking its eligibility for a policy is a good first step when researching insurers.
Use the table below to compare these limits across the providers in this review.
Company | Enrollment Age Limit | Upper Age Limit |
---|---|---|
Pets Best | 7 weeks old | None |
Lemonade | 8 weeks old | 14 years old (excludes certain breeds 10 years and older from new coverage) |
Figo | 8 weeks old | None |
Embrace | 6 weeks old | 15 years old (can only enroll in accident-only plans) |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | 8 weeks old | None |
Fetch | 6 weeks old | None |
Spot | 8 weeks old | None |
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Some providers offer only one accident and injury plan designed to provide basic pet coverage in an emergency. If you want more comprehensive coverage, look for a company that offers accident and injury plans alongside wellness add-ons. This allows you to purchase a plan covering a wider variety of veterinary expenses.
Note that all of our recommended providers provide accident and illness plans in addition to wellness coverage and other add-ons, such as exam fees or dental coverage. However, if you’re looking for accident-only coverage, you’ll need to choose a plan from Pets Best, Embrace, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance or Spot.
Company | Exam Fees | Alternative Therapies | Behavioral Treatment | Dental | Prescription Foods or supplements | Hereditary Conditions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pets Best | Add-on | Add-on | Included | Included | Not included | Included |
Lemonade | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Not included | Included |
Figo | Add-on | Not included | Not included | Add-on | Not included | Included |
Embrace | Included | Included | Included | Add-on | Not included | Included |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | Included | Not included | Included | Add-on | Not included | Included |
Fetch | Included | Add-on | Add-on | Included | Add-on | Add-on |
Spot | Included | Included | Included | Add-on | Included | Included |
Understand Deductibles, Annual Limits and Reimbursement Rates
Almost all pet insurers operate on a reimbursement model. This means you’ll pay your veterinarian up front for any services and then file a claim for reimbursement after. When choosing your pet’s insurance policy, you’ll have control over your deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate, allowing you greater flexibility when it comes to pricing.
Deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates form the backbone of every pet insurance policy. Below, our table breaks down these concepts — along with our expert recommendations for each — to help guide your decision on a policy.
Coverage Area | What Is It? | Recommended Coverage | Standout Provider |
---|---|---|---|
Deductible | A set amount of money you must pay before pet insurance coverage takes effect and covers vet bills. | We recommend a higher deductible if you want lower monthly costs. If you’d prefer to pay less out-of-pocket when filing a claim, consider a lower deductible. | Pets Best offers deductible options as low as $50 per claim. For higher deductible options, Embrace and Spot offer options as high as $1,000. |
Annual limit | The maximum amount of money a provider will reimburse you for veterinarian services within a policy year. | We recommend at least $10,000 in annual coverage. However, if you want added peace of mind, many providers offer an unlimited annual limit in exchange for a higher monthly premium. | Lemonade offers up to $100,000 in annual coverage for the highest possible limits without choosing unlimited coverage. For lower annual limits of around $2,000, we recommend Pets Best, Spot and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. |
Reimbursement rate | The percentage of covered veterinarian expenses an insurer will cover once you’ve paid the plan’s deductible. | Typically, providers offer a 70% to 90% reimbursement. Your choice will affect your monthly cost, so recommend considering your budget before selecting a rate. | Figo is one of the only providers we’ve found that offers the option of 100% reimbursement alongside a higher deductible. |
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
According to our analysis of over 17,330 quotes across 21 pet insurance providers, the national average cost of pet insurance is $58 per month for dogs and $30 for cats. While we can estimate the average cost of pet insurance, the actual price you’ll pay depends on several factors, including your pet’s species, breed, age and location. The cost will also depend on the provider and plan you choose.
Average Monthly Cost of an Accident and Illness Plan
See the table below for a comparison of average monthly costs across the pet insurance providers featured in this review.
Company | Average Rate for Dogs With $5,000 in Coverage | Average Rate for Cats With $5,000 in Coverage |
---|---|---|
Pets Best | $38 | $23 |
Lemonade | $49 | $28 |
Figo | $28 | $16 |
Embrace | $51 | $28 |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | $43 | $21 |
Fetch | $46 | $29 |
Spot | $46 | $22 |
As previously mentioned, most pet insurers offer customizable annual limits, allowing you to choose a coverage amount that suits your budget and your pet’s needs. However, an unlimited coverage cap can raise pet insurance premiums. See the average cost of pet insurance for dogs and cats from our top providers offering unlimited annual coverage below.
Company | Average Rate for Dogs with Unlimited Coverage | Average Rate for Cats With Unlimited Coverage |
---|---|---|
Pets Best | $43 | $26 |
Spot | $93 | $43 |
Pet Insurance Discounts
The most common discount offered by pet insurance companies is a multi-pet discount. Based on our research, choosing a company that offers a 10% multi-pet discount can lower your overall monthly cost. Use the table below to compare discounts offered by our top pet insurance picks.
Company | Multi-Pet | Military | Service Animals | Veterinary Professionals | American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) | Shelter orRescue Pet |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pets Best | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Lemonade | ✓ | |||||
Figo | ✓ | |||||
Embrace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
ASPCA | ✓ | |||||
Fetch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Spot | ✓ |
Typical Pet Insurance Exclusions
Pet insurance companies exclude a variety of items from coverage. Standard exclusions include pre-existing conditions, routine and preventive care (unless you purchase a wellness add-on), cosmetic procedures, experimental therapies, breeding, pregnancy and hereditary and congenital conditions.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions are health conditions that arise before your coverage begins, either prior to enrollment or during the waiting period. No pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions, although some conditions may no longer be considered pre-existing if your pet goes a certain period of time without recurring symptoms. Having a pre-existing condition does not mean your pet is ineligible for pet insurance entirely, but that your plan will not cover treatments related to that condition.
Examples of curable pre-existing conditions include vomiting, diarrhea, broken bones, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and more. All of the recommended providers in this article offer curable pre-existing condition coverage, though they might not all offer it nationwide.
Did You Know?
We surveyed 1,000 dog and cat owners in February 2025 to understand their motivations for purchasing a pet insurance policy. Out of the 33% of respondents who have filed a claim, the most common reason for claim denial was their pet’s illness being considered a pre-existing condition.
How To Find the Best Pet Insurance for Dogs
Finding the best pet insurance for your dog will depend on your pet’s coverage needs and your budget. Learn more from the examples we’ve featured in the sections below.
Think About Your Dog’s Lifestyle
If you live an active lifestyle and spend time outdoors with your dog, your pet will likely have a higher risk of getting fleas, ticks, cuts or other accidents. In this case, consider a pet insurance policy with coverage for accidents and illnesses associated with outdoor and adventure activities.
Check Company Age Restrictions
Some companies set age limits for coverage, which means if you have an older or senior dog, your pet may only qualify for restricted coverage. However, some providers, such as Lemonade, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Figo, set no limits on the eligible age for coverage.
Research Breed-Specific Conditions
Some breeds, like French bulldogs, are predisposed to certain conditions and illnesses, such as hip dysplasia, skin allergies, glaucoma and more. If you own a breed prone to certain issues, it’s important to understand what’s covered as well as any waiting periods associated with a policy.
How To Find the Best Pet Insurance for Cats
Cats also have unique needs to consider when deciding on a pet insurance policy.
Consider Added Risks for Outdoor Cats
Outdoor cats are more susceptible to fleas, ticks, run-ins with other animals and more. If your cat spends most of its time outside, you may consider a pet insurance plan with coverage for both accidents and illnesses. A wellness plan with microchip coverage may also be something to think about, especially if your cat likes to roam.
Find Plans Covering Common Feline Health Problems
According to the ASPCA, common feline health problems include heartworm, ringworm and upper respiratory infections. A pet insurance plan that covers these types of common issues could save you from paying vet bills for any necessary treatments.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Our 2025 Survey Results
In February 2025, we conducted our fourth annual pet insurance survey, which included 1,000 participants, to understand better how pet owners feel about their decision to purchase an insurance policy. We then compared our findings to our 2024 survey to gain insight into relevant trends. At the time of writing, we have surveyed a total of 4,000 pet owners to help back our research efforts with real data from pet owners like you.
Based on our latest survey, we found that 40% of participants named veterinary care as the most significant expense they have for their pet. In comparison, this expense was the largest for 31% of participants in our 2024 survey, which shows a year-over-year increase of 9%. In addition, coverage was, yet again, the most critical factor in choosing a pet insurance plan for our 2025 respondents, following the trend set by 2023 and 2024 respondents.
When asked whether pet insurance was worth it, 85% of respondents in our 2024 survey answered yes. This amount slightly decreased by 1% in 2025, with 84% of participants pleased with their decision to purchase a pet insurance policy.
We gave participants who felt pet insurance was worth it the opportunity to express why. Many policyholders said their pets were more than just animals — they were friends and treasured family members. Others noted that vet bills were extremely expensive and that you can’t predict when your pet is going to have a health issue. One participant summed up the thoughts of many pet owners in our survey, stating:
“Just like humans, pets have emergencies, and you want to be prepared. Big accidents or illnesses could cost a lot of money. Having insurance helps pay for most of that.”
Methodology: How We Rate Pet Insurance Companies
We review each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. Our process includes in-depth industry research into each provider, such as comparing coverage options, gathering quotes online to determine pricing and reading reviews to assess customer service. To better inform our reviews, we’ve surveyed 3,000 dog and cat owners nationwide. We’ve also bought pet insurance plans for our team’s pets to test the customer experience for ourselves.
We score each provider on a 100-point scale and calculate an overall rating out of five stars. Here are the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:
- Costs and Discounts (22.5%): To assess pricing, we collected sample quotes for 10 mixed-breed and purebred dogs and cats ranging from 3 months to 8 years old. Our team collected a total of 17,330 quotes directly from 22 providers, requesting at least two quotes for all 50 U.S. states from every insurer and pet profile.
- Coverage (22.5%): Companies offering a wide variety of coverage options earn full points in this category. We also look at waiting periods and award the most points if companies offer policies with shorter waiting periods than competitors.
- Covered Treatments (17.5%): According to our survey of pet owners, coverage is one of the most important factors when shopping for pet insurance. Companies that include several treatments and unique coverages as standard receive more points in this category than those with fewer options.
- Customer Experience (17.5%): We score each company based on its website accessibility and overall usability, customer service, mobile apps, money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options. The insurers with the most customer experience offerings receive the most points.
- Industry Standing (10%): We review up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot and score companies based on customer reviews and years of industry experience.
- Availability (10%): For this category, we deduct points from providers that have age limits for older pets. We also consider state availability, international coverage and if a company extends coverage options to breeds considered dangerous.
We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology to see how we review and score providers.
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