Best Pet Insurance Companies for Dogs and Cats

Unexpected veterinary care for dogs and cats can cost thousands of dollars, but pet insurance can help with these expenses. It’s important to compare companies and get multiple rate quotes to find the best pet insurance for dogs and cats.

To help you choose the right insurer for your dog or cat, we reviewed the best pet insurance companies based on coverage, financial strength, user experience, price, and policy terms.

Reviews of the best pet insurance companies

Several factors, such as type of pet, breed, age, location, and policy terms, determine your premium. Most providers allow for some form of customization so you can ensure your coverage fits your budget.

We obtained multiple quotes from the providers reviewed below, and prices varied from under $20 to over $130 per month. However, some providers claim to offer policies with even lower premiums than we received.

• Best coverage: Fetch
• Best for fast claims: Lemonade
• Best for quick coverage: Embrace
• Best for unlimited coverage pricing: ManyPets
• Best selection of terms: Spot
• Best for direct vet payment: Trupanion
• Best for preventive care: Pumpkin
• Best for reliability: ASPCA
• Best family plan: MetLife

Fetch

Best coverage

4.9 _/5

LendEDU Rating

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Why Fetch is one of the best

Fetch’s pet insurance policy offers the best coverage of any of the companies we reviewed. It covers over 24 categories of accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, and emergency treatment.

Unlike some other providers, Fetch doesn’t make you choose between a list of optional coverage add-ons. It includes everything it believes you need in its policy so you can visit any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada and be covered.

Fetch advises its premiums average $35 per month for dogs and $20 per month for cats.

• $1,000 each for online vet visits, boarding fees, and advertising for missing pets
• Use any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Deductible	$100 – $2,500
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states and D.C.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least six weeks old
• Medical exam: Must take your pet to the vet for a checkup every year

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Prescription medications and supplements
• Emergency vet visits
• Virtual, in-home, and office visits
• Hospital stays
• Physical therapy
• Allergies
• Surgeries
• X-rays and CT scans
• Ultrasounds
• Blood tests
• Breed-specific issues
• Specialists
• Exam fees
• Laboratory tests
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Hereditary and congenital issues
• Swallowed objects and toxins
• Dental accidents
• Gum disease
• Acupuncture and chiropractic care
• Diabetes and insulin
• Cancer treatment
• Treatment for aggression and separation anxiety

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing conditions
• Prescription food
• Grooming and cosmetic procedures

Preventive care

Fetch offers three optional preventive care plans. The first plan is called Essentials and costs $11.29 per month for up to $315 in annual benefits. The second plan is called Advantage and costs $20.46 per month for up to $520 in annual benefits. The third plan is called Prime and costs $32.14 per month for up to $735 in annual benefits. Here’s a list of care that could be covered:

• Annual exam
• Canine Bordetella / Feline FELV vaccines
• Canine Canine DHLPP / Feline FVRCP vaccines
• Canine Rabies / Feline Rabies vaccines
• Canine Lyme / Feline FIP vaccines
• Heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
• Heartworm tests
• Dental cleaning
• Spaying or neutering
• Blood test
• Urinalysis
• Fecal test
• Microchipping
• Anal gland expression
• Behavioral exam
• Health certificate
• Activity monitor

Lemonade

Best for fast claims

4.7 _/5

LendEDU Rating

Free Quote

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Why Lemonade is one of the best

Lemonade is an insurance company that sells policies online through its website and mobile app. Policyholders must download the app to manage their policies and file claims.

With an AI-powered claims process, Lemonade can instantly pay out around 50% of pet insurance claims. For more complex claims, you may wait a few days, but the company will keep you updated along the way.

Lemonade’s base premiums are as low as $10 per month and are customizable.

• Up to $100,000 in coverage per year
• Fast, AI-powered claims process
• Choose up to 6 optional coverage add-ons
• Accidents covered 2 days after the policy start date

Deductible	$100, $250, or $500
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
• Medical exam: Requires a medical exam on file from the 12 months prior to your policy’s start date, or from the first two weeks after you sign up.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Chronic conditions
• Hereditary or congenital conditions
• Cancer
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Behavioral conditions (optional)
• Physical therapy (optional)
• Exam fees (optional)
• Dental illness (optional)
• End of life & remembrance (optional)

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing conditions
• Alternative therapies

Preventive care

Lemonade offers three optional preventive care plans that can be added to its pet insurance policies. The Preventive Care package covers up to $265, the Preventive Care+ package covers up to $480, and the Puppy/Kitten Preventive Care package covers up to $650. The amount covered is capped by the covered item (e.g. the Preventive Care package covers up to $50 per year for one wellness exam). Here’s a list of care that can be reimbursed depending on the package you choose:

• Wellness exam
• Fecal or internal parasite test
• Vaccines
• Heartworm or FeLV/FIV test
• Blood test
• Spay/neuter
• Microchip
• Flea/tick or heartworm medication

Embrace

Best for quick coverage

4.7 _/5

LendEDU Rating

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Why Embrace is one of the best

Embrace sold its first policy back in 2006 and has been an industry leader ever since. The company only offers pet insurance, ensuring that its customers and their pets get its full support.

Accident coverage begins on the policy’s effective date. To compare, most pet insurance companies have a 14-day waiting period before you can use your benefits for accidents.

• Accidents covered two days after start date
• Highly customizable policies
• Free 24/7 pet helpline
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Deductible	$100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least six weeks old and enrolled by the age of 14.
• Medical exam: Requires a complete medical exam from within the last 12 months, or you can visit your veterinarian within the first 14 days of your pet’s policy before coverage begins.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Dental illnesses
• Breed-specific and genetic conditions
• Cancer treatment
• Chronic conditions
• Exam fees
• Alternative therapies (physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and more)
• Behavioral therapy
• Emergencies
• Specialist care
• Diagnostic testing
• Hospitalization and surgery
• Prosthetics and mobility devices
• Prescription drug coverage

What’s not covered

• Routine veterinary care (part of the optional wellness package)
• Pre-existing conditions (can be covered if deemed curable)
• Breeding
• Injury caused deliberately by you or any other person in your home
• DNA testing or cloning
• Injury or illness from fighting, racing, cruelty, or neglect
• Cosmetic procedures (tail docking, ear cropping, etc.)
• Avian flu or nuclear war

Preventive care

Embrace’s Wellness Rewards program is our choice as the best for reimbursing the most routine care items. With this plan, you choose one of three reimbursement amounts, either $250, $450, or $650 per year. The cost will vary depending on which reimbursement amount you select. The price is $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 per month, respectively. Here are the items that can be reimbursed:

• Wellness exam fees
• Vaccinations and titers
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Fecal and routine blood tests
• Microchipping
• Nutritional supplements
• Grooming
• Medicated shampoos
• Toenail trimming
• Routine anal gland expression
• Wearable pet activity monitors
• Cremation or burial
• Gastropexy
• Preventive teeth cleaning
• Prescription diet food
• Training
• Routine chiropractic care
• Reiki, massage therapy, acupuncture
• Hip dysplasia exams, radiographs, or other OFA testing

ManyPets

Best for unlimited coverage pricing

4.7 _/5

LendEDU Rating

Free Quote

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Why ManyPets is one of the best

With its combination of affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage, ManyPets was our selection as the best pricing for unlimited coverage.

Of all the companies we reviewed that offered unlimited annual coverage, ManyPets policies were the most affordable.

• Affordable premiums
• No enrollment fees
• No limits on annual medical coverage

Deductible	$500, $750, or $1,000
Reimbursement	70% or 80%
Benefit limit	Unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All except for Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Idaho.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old and enrolled by 14 years.
• Medical exam: None

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Veterinary examinations
• Diagnostic testing (X-rays, lab tests, etc.)
• Prescription medications
• Treatment of injury or illness
• Surgeries
• Medical supplies
• Hospitalization
• Euthanasia and cremation
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Behavioral issues
• Cancer treatment
• Chronic conditions
• Alternative therapies
• Dental injuries and periodontal disease

What’s not covered

• Routine or preventive health care (included in the optional wellness add-on)
• Pre-existing conditions (curable pre-existing conditions may be covered)
• Cosmetic or elective services
• Non-FDA approved medications and treatments
• Behavioral medication or therapy
• Daycare or boarding costs, unless related to an illness or injury

Preventive care

ManyPets offers an optional wellness add-on to their pet insurance policies. This add-on reimburses you for up to $600 in preventive care costs. An additional cost of $19.99 per month for cats and $24.99 for dogs applies if you include wellness coverage. Here’s the care that can be reimbursed:

• Exams and vaccinations (up to $150 per year)
• Dental cleanings (up to $150 per year)
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention (up to $150 per year)
• Holistic care (up to $150 per year)

Wellness claims are covered 24 hours after the start of your policy.

Spot

Best terms selection

4.5 _/5

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Why Spot is one of the best

While most pet insurance companies allow you to customize your policy to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost, none offer more customization than Spot.

Spot lets you choose between five deductibles, three reimbursements, and seven annual coverage limits. This gives you 105 different combinations for your policy.

Spot advertises monthly premiums as low as $15 for dogs and puppies and $9 for cats and kittens.

• Choose between 105 different policy term combinations
• 24/7 pet helpline
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Deductible	$100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
• Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Behavioral conditions
• Cancer treatment
• Dental illnesses
• Chronic conditions
• Alternative therapies
• Exam fees

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing conditions (can be covered later on if deemed curable)
• Preventive care (reimbursement available with optional wellness package)
• Breeding
• Boarding
• Cosmetic procedures
• Experimental treatments
• Herbal treatments
• Training

Preventive care

Spot offers two preventive care options, a Gold and Platinum plan. The Gold plan is priced at $9.95 per month and covers $250 in annual benefits. The Platinum plan is priced at $24.95 per month and covers $450 in annual benefits. With these options, Spot was our choice for offering the most affordable wellness packages. Here are the items covered, as well as the amount that can be reimbursed for each:

• Dental cleaning or spay/neuter ($100 or $150)
• Wellness exam ($50 for both)
• Flea/heartworm prevention ($0 or $25)
• DHLPP or FVRCP ($20 or $25)
• Rabies, Lyme, or FIP ($20 or $25)
• Bordetella or FELV ($0 or $25)
• Fecal test ($20 or $25)
• Heartworm or FELV test ($20 or $25)
• Blood test ($0 or $25)
• Urinalysis ($0 or $25)
• Deworming ($20 or $25)
• Health certificate ($0 or $25)

Trupanion

Best for direct vet payment

4.4 _/5

LendEDU Rating

Free Quote

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Why Trupanion is one of the best

Trupanion aims to eliminate the traditional reimbursement model by paying select veterinarians at the time of checkout. This keeps money in your pocket and removes the stress of waiting for claims to be processed.

You can check to see whether your vet accepts direct payment through Trupanion’s website.

• Can pay certain vets directly
• No limits on annual medical coverage
• No minimum age requirements
• Rates don’t simply increase due to aging

Deductible	$0, $200, $500, or $700
Reimbursement	90%
Benefit limit	Unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be enrolled by the age of 14.
• Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Hereditary and congenital conditions
• Diagnostics and imaging
• Surgeries and hospital stays
• Medications
• Veterinary supplements
• Herbal therapy
• Physical therapy
• Advanced dentistry
• Prosthetic devices and carts

What’s not covered

• Exam fees
• Wellness and routine care
• Pre-existing conditions
• Preventable conditions

Preventive care

Trupanion does not offer a preventive care add-on.

Pumpkin

Best for preventive care

4.4 _/5

LendEDU Rating

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Why Pumpkin is one of the best

Pumpkin offers preventive care coverage as an optional add-on to its standard pet insurance policy. This coverage is designed to assess your pet’s current health, prevent diseases, and detect parasites early.

When you enroll in a Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plan, the company will send a welcome box and toy for your pet.

• Visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Welcome box and toy for your pet after enrolling

Deductible	$100, $250, $500, or $1,000
Reimbursement	90%
Benefit limit	$10,000, $20,000, or unlimited

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
• Medical exam: Not required.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Exam fees
• Hereditary conditions
• Behavioral issues
• Dental illnesses
• Virtual vet visits
• Alternative therapies
• Prescription food and supplements
• Cancer
• Orthopedic injuries
• Diagnostics and treatments
• Emergencies and hospitalization
• Surgery and specialized care
• Advanced care
• Microchipping

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing conditions
• Some dental cleanings and services
• Cosmetic and elective procedures
• Routine care

Preventive care

Pumpkin offers preventive care coverage as an optional add-on to its pet insurance policies. The add-on costs $18.95 per month and includes reimbursement for the following:

• Wellness exam
• Vaccines
• Blood test for heartworm and tick diseases
• Fecal test for intestinal worms

ASPCA

Best for reliability

4.3 _/5

LendEDU Rating

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Why ASPCA is one of the best

Founded in 1866, ASPCA, also known as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is most widely known for its efforts to prevent animal cruelty. However, starting in 2006, a strategic partnership with United States Fire Insurance Company created ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.

United States Fire Insurance Company has, over the last 20 years, insured more than 600,000 dogs and cats while processing more than 2.2 million claims. So this team of over 1,000 employees isn’t lacking in experience.

• 600,000 dogs and cats insured, with over 2.2 million processed claims
• Anytime Pet Healthline
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Deductible	$100, $250, or $500
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$2,500, $3,000, $5,000, or $7,000

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
• Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Alternative therapies
• Behavioral conditions
• Chronic conditions
• Cancer treatment
• Exam fees
• X-rays, MRI, ultrasounds
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Prescription medications, food, and supplements
• Microchip implementation

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing conditions (can cover curable pre-existing conditions)
• Cosmetic procedures
• Breeding
• Preventive care (optional wellness plan)

Preventive care

ASPCA offers two preventive care options, a Basic and Prime plan. The Basic plan is priced at $9.95 per month and covers $250 in annual benefits. The Prime plan is priced at $24.95 per month and covers $450 in annual benefits. Here are the items covered, as well as the amount that can be reimbursed for each:

• Dental cleaning or spay/neuter ($100 or $150)
• Wellness exam ($50 for both)
• Flea/heartworm prevention ($0 or $25)
• DHLPP or FVRCP ($20 or $25)
• Rabies, Lyme, or FIP ($20 or $25)
• Bordetella or FELV ($0 or $25)
• Fecal test ($20 or $25)
• Heartworm or FELV test ($20 or $25)
• Blood test ($0 or $25)
• Urinalysis ($0 or $25)
• Deworming ($20 or $25)
• Health certificate ($0 or $25)

MetLife

Best family plan

4.2 _/5

LendEDU Rating

Free Quote

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Why MetLife is one of the best

MetLife offers the best pet insurance plan for pet owners looking to enroll up to three pets on a single policy. This policy has one deductible instead of one for each pet enrolled. Other pet insurance providers typically provide a discounted premium for each additional pet enrolled but under different plans with independent deductibles.

• Include up to 3 pets on a single policy
• 24/7 telehealth concierge chat
• Deductibles starting at $0

Deductible	$50, $100, $250, or $500
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit limit	$2,000, $5,000, or $10,000

Eligibility requirements

• Eligible states: All 50 states.
• Age restrictions: Must be at least eight weeks old.
• Medical exam: Not required to enroll.

What’s covered

• Accidents
• Illnesses (including hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions)
• Hospitalizations
• Surgeries
• Diagnostic tests
• Exam fees
• Cruciate ligaments
• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• Medications
• Holistic care and alternative therapies
• Emergency care

What’s not covered

• Elective procedures
• Breeding or conditions related to breeding
• Vitamins or mineral supplements
• Grooming costs
• Organ transplants

Preventive care

MetLife offers an optional preventive care plan but doesn’t provide many specifics about how it works. It states that wellness exams, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention medications are covered.

How to find the best pet insurance

In our most recent evaluation of pet insurance companies, Fetch earned the highest rating, at 4.9.

But it may not be the best pet insurance company for every dog or cat. So how do you find the best policy for you? Here are a few steps to take:

1. Make a budget

Pet insurance can be a literal lifesaver when your pet needs emergency care, but it also means money out of your pocket every month. The older your pet and the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the cost of pet insurance.

Spend time reviewing your budget to determine how much you can spend each month on pet insurance. Once you have a limit, stick to it when customizing policies during the quote process. If a pet insurance quote comes in higher than your max amount, downgrade the coverage until you can afford it or keep looking for another insurer.

2. Talk to your vet and fellow pet parents

Our list of the best pet insurance companies for dogs and cats above is a terrific place to start, but you should also chat with your vet to get their input. Maybe they’ve heard horror stories from other customers about a specific insurer, or maybe they’ve found a specific insurer easy to work with and fast at paying out claims.

Vets are just the start. Head to social media to survey your friends and family for their opinions. Input from people you love and trust can help you make this decision.

3. Consider breed-specific coverages and location

Your pet’s specific breed can affect the pet insurance you need. For instance, the best pet insurance for German shepherds might differ from the best pet insurance for golden retrievers simply because the two breeds have different health concerns that may be better covered by one insurer than another.

Not sure what health conditions are common for your pet? Speak with your vet to understand what kinds of accidents and illnesses your dog or cat may be more prone to.

In addition, consider your location. The best pet insurance in Ohio may not be the same as the best pet insurance in Michigan because pet insurance rates can differ by state. If cost is important to you, find out which insurers have the cheapest pet insurance policies in your state.

4. Compare more than price

Once you’ve narrowed your list to a few of the best pet insurance companies for cats and dogs, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest option. But make sure you’re also considering other factors, including:

• Customer service. Are customer service reps from the insurance company available around the clock? Can you chat online or only over the phone? What are customers saying in their own pet insurance reviews on Trustpilot or Google?
• Coverage options and exclusions. How do policies compare in what they cover? Does one insurance cover more specific illnesses and injuries than another? Are behavioral issues covered? End-of-life expenses? Make sure the policy options fit not just your budget but also your needs out of a policy.
• Claims process. How do you submit claims for your pet through each insurer you’re considering, and how fast are claims paid out? If you need quick reimbursement to avoid debt or overdrafting, prioritize a pet insurance company with a fast claims process.

How to adjust your policy to find the most affordable premium

Several factors, such as type of pet, breed, age, location, and policy terms, determine the price of pet insurance. Most providers allow for some form of customization to the policy, allowing you to see different prices while many of the factors mentioned remain the same.

While you can’t control factors such as where you live or your pet’s breed, you can customize a few key components of a pet insurance policy to drive the price. When getting quotes online, adjust the following to see how it affects the cost:

• Deductible: This is the amount you pay, often in a policy year, before coverage kicks in. The lower the deductible, the sooner insurance will start helping you cover vet costs—but lower deductibles are also more expensive. Raise your deductible to get a lower rate.
• Reimbursement rate: Many pet insurance companies let you select from one of three reimbursement rates (often 70%, 80%, or 90%). After meeting your deductible, this is the percentage of covered veterinary expenses insurance will cover. You’re responsible for the rest. Choosing a lower reimbursement rate (such as 70%) means you’ll spend more on veterinary care, but it also means pet insurance rates will be lower.
• Annual limit: Pet insurance policies also let you choose an annual coverage limit—the maximum amount insurance will pay. Some policies let you choose unlimited, which means no matter how much you rack up in vet bills, pet insurance will help. As you may imagine, unlimited policies are expensive. Choose a lower limit to keep costs down, but understand this means you could max out on insurance coverage if your pet has a rough year.
• Optional coverages: Many pet insurance companies allow you to add coverages to the policy a la carte. For instance, you might add wellness care, end-of-life, or behavioral care to your policy. These all can increase the costs.

The table below shows quotes from Fetch for a 4-year-old male medium-sized mixed-breed dog in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each row shows how changing the deductible, reimbursement rate, or annual limit affects the overall cost.

Deductible & reimbursement rate	Annual limit	Monthly premium
$300, 80%	$10,000	$75.69
$500, 80%	$10,000	$60.98
$700, 80%	$10,000	$56.81
$500, 70%	$10,000	$53.98
$500, 80%	$10,000	$60.98
$500, 90%	$10,000	$74.98
$500, 80%	$5,000	$51.29
$500, 80%	$10,000	$60.98
$500, 80%	$15,000	$66.72

In addition to adjusting coverages, you may be able to lower premiums by applying pet insurance discounts, such as:

• Multi-pet
• Bundle
• Military
• Employee benefit
• Online policy
• Animal care employee
• Medical services animal
• Organization affiliation/membership
• Exam day

What do the best pet insurance policies cover?

Pet insurance covers unexpected accidents and illnesses. Coverage can vary by company, the type of policy selected (accident-only vs. accident and illness), and any inclusion of optional add-ons.

Pet insurance often covers the following:

• Accidents and injuries
• Illnesses and some medications
• Emergencies and hospitalization
• Hereditary and congenital conditions
• Surgeries
• Chronic diseases
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic testing

You may be able to enhance your policy by adding coverage for:

• Wellness visits and vaccines
• Behavioral issues
• End-of-life expenses
• Dental work
• Grooming
• Preventive medicines for heartworm, flea, and tick

In general, pre-existing conditions are not covered, though you can find a few pet insurance companies that cover pre-existing conditions (with fine print).

Have pet insurance but want more coverage? When your policy is up for renewal, you can adjust your coverage (add optional coverages or raise or lower your deductible or annual limit).

You can also shop for a different pet insurance company. But if your pet has developed several conditions your current insurer covers, it’s wise to stick with that insurer. A new policy likely won’t cover those issues because they’re pre-existing.

Do the best companies cover routine or preventive care?

The best pet insurance companies offer routine and preventive care coverage, typically as add-ons. Having pet insurance that covers wellness visits and routine care means insurance will cover the costs of everyday pet expenses and annual exams. Coverages typically include:

• Annual exams and vaccinations
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Dental care
• Spay/neuter
• Grooming and nail trims
• Microchipping
• Nutritional supplements and prescription diet food
• Behavior training
• Medicated shampoos
• Alternative care

These plans typically have a maximum payout for specific coverage items. For instance, the policy may have an annual limit on how much it will pay for prescription food or heartworm prevention. That means you could still be on the hook for some of the expenses.

Is pet insurance that covers routine care worth the cost? While paying for wellness visits and vaccines out of pocket may be more affordable, those irregular expenses might be challenging on a fixed budget. Paying for insurance to cover those expenses instead results in lower monthly insurance payments instead of a large once-or-twice-a-year payment at the vet.

FAQ

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance pays for a portion of your dog or cat’s veterinary expenses. When your pet visits the vet, you can file a claim to get reimbursed based on your plan’s reimbursement rate. However, you must reach your deductible before your plan will start paying for covered expenses. Many pet insurance plans also have a waiting period before you can use your benefits for accidents or illnesses.

How soon will your pet be covered after enrollment?

Pet insurance companies typically have waiting periods before coverage kicks in. This prevents people from discovering their pet is sick or injured, quickly signing up for a policy, and expecting coverage for that incident.

How long are pet insurance waiting periods? That depends on the insurance company—and the type of coverage. While 14 days is often the magic number, many pet insurers have a shorter waiting period for accidents than illnesses—sometimes even just a few days.

Wellness policies typically kick in right away.

Can you cancel your policy at any time?

You can generally cancel your pet insurance policy at any time. Just be sure to cancel your policy before your next monthly premium is due.

Before canceling, keep in mind that any conditions your pet has developed while under this policy will now be considered pre-existing conditions should you ever want to re-up your insurance. That means the condition will no longer be covered.

Is the best dog insurance different than the best cat insurance?

All the pet insurance companies we reviewed offered coverage for dogs and cats. For that reason, our picks for the best pet insurance companies remain the same for a dog or a cat.

However, one difference we noticed was specific to preventive care options. Certain plans had benefit limits for vaccinations that, while the same in value, were reserved for different types of vaccinations (rabies vs. feline, for example).

When is the best time to take out pet insurance?

For the full benefits of pet health insurance, we recommend insuring your pet as young as possible. Younger pets are deemed to be at less risk for accidents or illnesses than older pets. Less risk is better for an insurer, often leading to more affordable premiums.

Another benefit for younger pets is that they often haven’t developed pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance providers don’t tend to cover pre-existing conditions, which limits your coverage options. Getting ahead of these risks is essential to maximize the value of a policy.

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Is there pet insurance with no waiting period?

How are pre-existing conditions handled?

Pre-existing conditions are excluded from almost all pet insurance providers’ policies. Providers don’t want pet owners to sign up for coverage only after their pet has suffered an unexpected injury or illness.

These pre-existing conditions won’t restrict your ability to enroll in a plan; it just limits what claims your provider will pay out. However, a new trend is growing in the pet insurance industry. Several providers have started to distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions.

A curable pre-existing condition is free of treatment and symptoms for a certain number of days. Once that period is met, the provider will begin offering coverage for that condition.

Learn more about how pre-existing conditions affect pet health insurance.

Additional readings to help with your decision

• Pet insurance that pays the vet directly
• Should service dogs have pet insurance?
• Pet insurance for adopted pets
• Pet insurance for senior pets

How we determined the best pet insurance companies

Since 2018, LendEDU has evaluated insurance companies to help readers find the best pet insurance. Our latest analysis reviewed 357 data points from 17 companies, with 21 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These data points are organized into broader categories, which our editorial team weights and scores based on their relative importance to readers. These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Higher star ratings are ultimately awarded to companies that create an excellent experience for pet owners and provide affordable coverage. This includes offering online eligibility checks, cost transparency, comprehensive coverage, and unique benefits that support pets’ well-being.

Check out our reviews of the best pet insurance companies in Canada.

Recap of the best pet insurance companies