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The ASPCA estimates the annual cost of owning a dog or cat is upwards of $1,400. That includes food, routine medical care at the vet, toys, treats, and other pet-related expenses. That price can spike exponentially after even one major illness or accident. You could suddenly find yourself paying thousands for one surgery followed by hospitalizations, medications, and more.
Best Pet Insurance Companies
- ASPCA Pet Insurance: Best for Waiting Periods
- Trupanion Pet Insurance: Best for Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Figo Pet Insurance: Best for 100% Reimbursement
- Nationwide Pet Insurance: Best for Exotic Pets
- Spot Pet Insurance: Best for Broad Coverage
- AKC Pet Insurance: Best for Preexisting Conditions
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Healthy Paws Pet Insurance: Best for Unlimited Annual Coverage
- Lemonade Pet Insurance: Best for Affordable Premiums
Compare the Best Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
The right pet insurance for you will depend on a multitude of factors, including things like your pet's breed and age and the coverages for which you're looking. Insider rated Lemonade pet insurance the best for low-cost coverage, so it could be a good choice if a low monthly cost is your main priority. Also, check out our guides to the best cheap pet insurance, best multi-pet insurance, and best pet insurance in California.
The cost of pet insurance is based on various things, including your pet's age and species, where you live, and the coverage you choose. Most people can expect to pay between $30 and $50 per month for a decent pet insurance plan.
You may want comprehensive pet insurance if your pet is older or more likely to get sick or injured. Ultimately, the best decision for you and your pet depends on your circumstances. You should also compare cost of pet insurance premiums compared to potential pet care costs.
Pet insurance helps families across the world save thousands on vet bills every year. In an emergency, or even for routine care with some insurers, pet parents can reduce their financial burden. In some cases, it could be the difference between a happy pet and saying goodbye.
Recent estimates suggest about 1/2 (44.6%) of pet parents in North America have pet insurance. However, NAPHIA's 2023 State of the Industry Report suggests those numbers are growing substantially from 3.45 million in 2020 to 5.36 million at the end of 2022. This may not account for pet families with multiple pets on the same policies. So the actual number may be higher.
Pet Insurance Company Reviews
ASPCA Pet Insurance
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a famous nonprofit focused on animal rights. In addition to this critical work, the ASPCA lends its name to affordable pet health insurance plans with great benefits. At this time, the ASPCA does not sell or underwrite insurance, but it does receive royalties to add its name to this pet insurance plan.
Coverage is available for dogs, cats, and horses. But most importantly, its policies offer a shorter waiting period than most providers for cruciate injuries (14 days). Pets must be at least eight weeks old to qualify for ASPCA pet insurance, but there's no upper age limit. So senior pets can enjoy coverage through ASPCA pet insurance.
Owners with multiple eligible pets also get a 10% discount per month, which can add up. Standard plans with the ASPCA include coverage for things like congenital conditions, alternative therapies, and behavioral issues.
Trupanion
If you're looking for flexible coverage to fit your budget, consider Trupanion. Its pet insurance provides illness and accident coverage for cats and dogs, including plans without limits and a per-incident deductible, saving you money if your pet has recurring health issues.
Pets over 14 years old are ineligible for coverage, and some services have a waiting period. But Trupanion also offers valuable add-ons that'll cover boarding fees if a pet owner is hospitalized, behavioral and rehabilitative therapy, and coverage for unintentional property damage caused by a pet.
The most crucial distinction for Trupanion is its low out-of-pocket costs. Eligible customers can choose a $0 deductible with 90% reimbursement. So in a pet emergency, you only pay 10% of eligible vet bills. For any pet parent who has been through the unexpected, the peace of mind is essential.
Trupanion Pet Insurance Review
Figo
Figo is unique in that it offers a 100% reimbursement option. In short, under one of its plans, you'll be covered for 100% of your eligible pet expenses after you meet your annual deductible. In addition, it offers plans with lower yearly reimbursement maximums. The more you pay in premiums, the less you pay at the time of service, and vice versa.
Its comprehensive pet insurance plans include coverage for nonroutine dental care, alternative treatments, and hereditary conditions. You can even add preventative coverage with wellness care and vet exam fees.
Added benefits of Figo pet insurance plans include a shorter than average 1-day waiting period for accident coverage, a 24-hour pet telehealth line, and its Pet Cloud app to make your pet's vet records much more manageable.
Nationwide
Nationwide is a familiar name for home, auto, and life insurance. But did you know it also offers pet insurance plans? You can buy coverage for dogs, cats, birds, and some exotic pets, which many providers on this list do not cover. In addition, there are no age limits for pet coverage with Nationwide.
Preventive treatment isn't included in the lower-cost pet insurance plans. So you may have to search elsewhere for pet wellness plans. But Nationwide's comprehensive pet insurance covers the most common accident and illnesses for pets. Wellness coverage from Nationwide pet insurance includes things like certain vaccines and annual exams.
Nationwide pet insurance plans are available in every state. So whether you have a dog, lizard, horse, or iguana, you won't have an issue finding pet insurance coverage.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Review
Spot
What's excellent about Spot is that it offers a wide variety of policies, including coverage for both accident and illness, accident-only, and an optional wellness plan for an additional fee.
In addition, Spot Pet Insurance will reimburse exam fees (for select conditions) as part of its accident and illness coverage. Most pet insurance providers exclude exam fees from coverage. Qualified pet parents may also choose unlimited annual coverage. Spot has pet insurance for accidents, illness, and wellness add-ons for dental cleanings, wellness exams, certain vaccines, and more.
Spot pet insurance premiums are high compared to some other pet insurance competitors. But customer satisfaction is also higher.
American Kennel Club Pet Insurance
The American Kennel Club's pet insurance plans are available for all pets, not just registered purebred dogs. So you can sign your mixed breed dog or cat up for AKC's pet insurance and choose from various optional add-ons. This includes coverage for exam fees, wellness care, and final expenses, to name a few.
You'll get 30 days of free coverage if you register your new pup for an American Kennel Club membership. But pet parents with senior pets may want to consider other pet insurance companies. Pets 9 years old or older will only be eligible for accident coverage when you buy your policy. You'll also need to sign up your pet before their second birthday to qualify for the AKC's optional coverage for hereditary or congenital conditions.
American Kennel Club is unique because it covers preexisting conditions after a 12-month waiting period. By contrast, other pet insurance companies won't cover preexisting conditions.
Pumpkin
If you're looking for comprehensive pet insurance coverage, Pumpkin Pet Insurance could be a great choice. Unlike many other pet insurance providers, Pumpkin offers coverage for preventable diseases (excluding preexisting conditions) like Lyme or parvovirus.
In addition, Pumpkin only requires a 14-day waiting period for breeds with common hereditary conditions like hip and joint problems. In contrast, other providers may require waiting periods of up to 60 days. The waiting period is for current and future treatment. So if your pet presents with any of the listed health conditions within the waiting period, that condition and any related vet bills will not be covered in the future.
With Pumpkin, you can get a quote for your pet quickly and easily. You will have fewer options to choose from when it comes to coverage, but the available options are above average compared to other pet insurance providers.
Finally, the company won't decline coverage based on a pet's age. Specific policies also cover advanced treatments for things like behavioral therapy and acupuncture.
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance is one of the highest-rated pet insurance companies according to customers. It's not surprising considering it has no limits on how much it will pay per incident, annually, or over the lifetime of your pet. Many pet parents also love the fact that Healthy Paws routinely gives back to homeless pets.
It offers coverage options for all stages of your pet's life, from eight weeks to 14 years old. Pet parents also choose their deductibles and reimbursement levels. If you're concerned about large vet costs after an accident or illness, we recommend paying more in monthly premiums for better coverage. If you're comfortable paying your vet a little more to save money each month, lower coverage options are available.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
Lemonade
Are you looking for pet insurance that won't break the bank? Consider Lemonade Pet Insurance, which offers coverage that starts at just $12 per month. In addition, some of Lemonade's cheaper wellness plans provide coverage for wellness checks, preventative care, and extended accident and illness coverage. Whether shopping for a new pet insurance policy or adjusting your current plan, Lemonade's website and app provide easy-to-use quoting tools.
If you have other items to insure, you can save even more. Customers who bundle their pet insurance with coverage for, say, your car or rental will get a 10% discount. You can also get 5% off for paying a full year's premium upfront and a 5% discount per policy for two or more pets. Unfortunately, Lemonade pet insurance is only available in some states. You can check its website or run a quote to find out if Lemonade pet insurance is available for your pets.
How to Pick The Right Pet Insurance Plan for You
When looking for pet insurance plans, comparing different providers is essential to find the best coverage and price. Some factors to consider include the cost of premiums, the amount of coverage offered, the waiting period for coverage of preexisting conditions, and the reimbursement percentage for veterinary care.
It's also important to read the fine print to understand what is and isn't covered. For example, many pet insurance policies don't cover routine vet care such as vaccinations and annual checkups. It should also be noted that pet insurance companies don't necessarily define "preexisting conditions" the same way every time. For example, some companies provide coverage for "curable" conditions.If your pet needs expensive surgery or treatment, you may only receive a fraction of the cost back from the insurance company.
Pet insurance can be a great way to protect yourself from costly vet bills in an emergency. So, do your homework and shop around to find the best policy for your pet.
Why Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Pet Insurance
When it comes to pet insurance, there are a lot of providers from which to choose. So how do you know which one is the best for your pet?
The factors we considered included, but were not limited to:
- Plan coverage limits
- Exclusions (such as preexisting conditions or hereditary conditions) and exceptions
- Policy pricing
- Available add-ons
- Customer satisfaction
We started by looking at what type of coverage each provider offers. We focused on companies that provided good coverage options and rates, as well as customer service that is friendly and helpful. Finally, we compared plan rates to ensure these providers offered affordable coverage. See our full methodology for rating insurance for more info.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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