How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Accident and illness coverage is the core product to compare, while wellness and routine care usually cost extra as an add-on.
- Premiums vary widely by pet age, breed, location and deductible, so no single average price fits your dog or cat.
- Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded, which makes insuring a young, healthy pet far easier than insuring an older pet with a history.
- Waiting periods, annual limits and reimbursement rates matter as much as the monthly premium, especially for chronic conditions.
- Get quotes with the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit, or the price comparison will mislead you.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Lemonade | Fast app claims for young pets | See website | No |
 Healthy Paws | Unlimited annual payouts | See website | No |
 Spot | Highly customizable plans | See website | No |
 Trupanion | Direct vet payment | See website | No |
 Embrace | Diminishing deductible | See website | No |
 Fetch | Exam fees included | See website | No |
 Figo | App and vet teletriage | See website | No |
 ASPCA Pet Health | No upper enrollment age | See website | No |
 Nationwide Pet | Exotic pets and wellness | See website | No |
 Pumpkin | Dental illness coverage | See website | No |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best pet insurance companies for dogs and cats
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Lemonade suits tech-comfortable owners of young dogs and cats who want a quick quote and a fast claim. The app handles signup, policy changes and many claims in minutes, and plans allow choices on deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit, with add-ons for vet visit fees, physical therapy and behavioral issues. Average dog premiums in recent comparisons often sit near the lower end of the market for young pets, especially when bundled with Lemonade renters or home insurance where available.
Premiums rise as pets get older, as with most insurers, and coverage terms vary by state. The base plan does not cover the vet exam fee itself, so owners who visit the vet often may want the add-on. For a puppy or kitten with no health history, Lemonade is a strong start.
What we like- Fast app-based claims
- Customizable deductibles and reimbursement
- Bundles with renters or home insurance in some states
Watch out for- Coverage varies by state
- Exam fees need an add-on
- Premiums rise as pets age
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Healthy Paws appeals to owners worried about a single expensive illness, since it places no caps on annual or lifetime payouts for covered conditions. The plan is deliberately simple: one accident and illness policy, with choices on deductible and reimbursement rate, and no wellness add-on to complicate the choice. Claims are filed through the app with vet records, and the company has a strong reputation for quick reimbursement.
Owners who want routine care, dental cleaning or exam fees covered will not find those options here. New policies are generally available for pets up to age 13. For a young pet where a chronic condition could run for years, unlimited payouts are a powerful reason to choose Healthy Paws.
What we like- No annual or lifetime payout caps
- Simple accident and illness plan
- Fast reimbursement reputation
Watch out for- No wellness add-on
- Limited plan customization
- New policies only up to age 13 in recent reporting
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Spot is a good fit for owners who want to tune a policy to a budget rather than accept a fixed package. Deductibles, reimbursement rates from 70 percent to 90 percent, and annual limits from $2,500 to unlimited in recent reporting let you balance monthly cost against claim payouts. Preventive care add-ons cover routine items such as vaccines and dental cleaning, and microchipping coverage is included, which is useful for adopted pets.
Quotes vary a lot, and a low monthly premium can hide a high deductible or a low annual limit. Waiting periods sit near 14 days for accidents and illnesses in recent reporting. For an owner who knows how much risk they can carry out of pocket, Spot offers the most control in this list.
What we like- Wide deductible, reimbursement and limit choices
- Preventive care add-ons
- Covers microchipping
Watch out for- Premiums vary widely by pet and location
- Wellness add-ons cost extra
- Policy terms vary by state
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Trupanion stands out for owners facing large vet bills, because it can pay participating vets directly at checkout, so you do not need to front thousands of dollars and wait for reimbursement. There are no payout limits for covered conditions, and the deductible works per condition rather than per year, which helps for chronic illnesses that need ongoing care. The company also covers hereditary and congenital conditions in many policies, subject to waiting periods and exclusions.
Trupanion premiums often run higher than Lemonade, Spot or Healthy Paws for the same pet, and reimbursement is fixed at 90 percent in most states. Exam fees are not covered. For a breed prone to expensive chronic conditions, direct vet payment and unlimited payouts may justify the premium.
What we like- No payout limits for covered conditions
- Can pay participating vets directly at checkout
- Per-condition deductible
Watch out for- Often among the most expensive premiums
- 90 percent reimbursement in most states
- Exam fees not covered
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Embrace rewards owners who stay claim-free, since the annual deductible falls by $50 for each year without a claim, which can meaningfully lower out-of-pocket costs over time. Plans offer deductibles from $100 to $1,000, reimbursement from 70 percent to 90 percent, and annual limits from $5,000 to unlimited in recent reporting. A wellness rewards program reimburses routine care up to an annual allowance, separate from the main accident and illness policy.
Exam fees require an add-on, dental illness coverage is capped at $1,000 per term in recent reporting, and some policies carry a $25 enrollment fee plus a $1 monthly processing fee. For a healthy pet whose owner wants a deductible that shrinks over time, Embrace is attractive.
What we like- Deductible drops $50 each claim-free year
- Wellness rewards program
- Broad coverage choices
Watch out for- Exam fees need an add-on
- Dental illness coverage capped in recent reporting
- Enrollment fee and processing fee in some policies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Fetch, formerly Fetch by The Dodo, suits owners who want exam fees covered without buying an extra add-on. The base accident and illness plan includes sick-visit exam fees, behavioral therapy and virtual vet visits for sick pets, which many rivals charge extra for or exclude. Annual limits range from $5,000 to unlimited, with reimbursement choices from 70 percent to 90 percent in recent reporting, giving owners room to balance price and coverage.
Wellness and routine care remain a separate add-on, so owners who want vaccines and annual exams covered should price that add-on in the quote. For an owner whose pet needs frequent vet visits, Fetch's included exam fees can save more over a year than a slightly lower premium elsewhere. This article is for general information only and is not insurance advice.
What we like- Exam fees covered in the base plan
- Behavioral therapy and sick-visit virtual care
- Broad limit choices
Watch out for- Premiums vary by pet and state
- Wellness is a separate add-on
- Some conditions have waiting periods
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Figo appeals to owners who want a strong app alongside coverage. The Pet Cloud app stores vet records, tracks reminders and offers 24/7 vet teletriage, which helps for late-night questions about whether a symptom needs an emergency visit. Plans offer deductibles from $100 to $750, reimbursement from 70 percent to 100 percent, and annual limits from $5,000 to unlimited in recent reporting, which gives a wide range for budgeting.
The lower annual limits on some plans need attention, since a $5,000 limit can be reached quickly by surgery or a chronic condition. Owners who want unlimited payouts should choose a higher limit and compare that premium, not the entry premium. For a tech-comfortable owner who values teletriage and a single app for records and claims, Figo is a strong choice. For an owner who mainly wants the highest limit at the lowest price, compare Spot and Healthy Paws first.
What we like- Pet Cloud app with records and reminders
- Vet teletriage included
- Reimbursement up to 100 percent in some plans
Watch out for- Annual limits start at $5,000 on some plans
- Premiums vary by state
- Wellness add-ons cost extra
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is notable for owners of senior pets, since it reports no upper age limit for enrollment, unlike several rivals that stop new policies at 13 or 14 years. It also offers a path for curable pre-existing conditions to become eligible again after a symptom-free period, subject to policy terms. Accident-only coverage is available for owners who want a lower-cost safety net, and complete coverage adds illness protection.
Annual limits are lower than unlimited rivals, capping near $10,000 on some plans in recent reporting. Premiums for older pets will still be high, and wellness care costs extra. For a senior pet that other insurers will not enroll, ASPCA Pet Health may be one of the few options.
What we like- No upper age limit for enrollment in recent reporting
- Curable pre-existing conditions can reset
- Accident-only option available
Watch out for- Annual limits cap at $10,000 on some plans in recent reporting
- Premiums vary by age
- Wellness is an add-on
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Nationwide Pet is the broadest option in this list for households with unusual pets. While most insurers cover only dogs and cats, Nationwide also covers exotic pets such as birds, reptiles and small mammals, with avian and exotic plans alongside standard dog and cat policies. Wellness plans cover routine care, and the backing of a large national insurer gives confidence in claims payment.
For dogs, Nationwide premiums in recent comparisons often sit above Lemonade, Spot and Healthy Paws, and plan structure differs from most rivals. Read the annual limit, deductible and reimbursement terms for the exact plan quoted. For an exotic pet owner, Nationwide may be the only practical choice.
What we like- Covers birds, reptiles and small mammals as well as dogs and cats
- Wellness plans available
- Large insurer backing
Watch out for- Premiums often run high for dogs in recent comparisons
- Plan structure differs from pure accident and illness rivals
- Terms vary by state
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Pumpkin suits owners concerned about dental disease, which is common in dogs and cats and expensive to treat. Its accident and illness plans include extensive dental illness coverage, including periodontal disease, with fewer exclusions than some rivals, plus parasite coverage. An optional Preventive Essentials Pack covers vaccines, annual exams and routine tests, which helps owners who want routine care in the same relationship.
Premiums sit in the mid to high range in recent comparisons, and the preventive pack adds cost on top of the base premium. Waiting periods sit near 14 days for accidents and illnesses in recent reporting, and pre-existing conditions follow standard exclusions. For a breed prone to dental problems, or for an owner who has already faced a large dental bill, Pumpkin's dental terms can outweigh a lower premium elsewhere. For a young pet with no dental history, compare Pumpkin against Lemonade and Spot on total price first.
What we like- Extensive dental illness coverage, including periodontal disease
- Parasite coverage
- Preventive care pack available
Watch out for- Premiums often mid to high range
- Wellness pack costs extra
- Availability varies by state
How we chose
We compared coverage scope, waiting periods, deductibles, reimbursement rates, annual limits, wellness options and enrollment age rules for each company, using insurer sites and recent 2026 comparison reporting. We favored companies with clear accident and illness coverage, a track record on claims, and terms a pet owner can verify before buying. We did not list a starting price for any company, because pet premiums depend on species, breed, age, location and coverage choices, and a single figure would mislead more than it helps. Get personalized quotes with identical deductible, reimbursement and annual limit settings.
Reading a pet policy before you buy
Start with the exclusions, not the marketing summary. Pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions, dental disease, behavioral issues and exam fees are handled differently by every company, and those differences decide real claim outcomes. Check the waiting period for accidents, illnesses and specific conditions such as cruciate ligament issues, since some policies impose longer waits for those. Confirm whether the deductible is annual or per condition, since Trupanion's per-condition model works differently from the annual model used by most rivals.
Deductibles, reimbursement and limits
A lower monthly premium usually means a higher deductible, a lower reimbursement rate or a lower annual limit, and sometimes all three. For a young healthy pet, a higher deductible with a lower premium can make sense if you can cover a $500 or $1,000 bill. For a pet with a chronic condition, a lower deductible, higher reimbursement and an unlimited annual limit usually save more over time, even at a higher monthly price. Run the same scenario, such as a $5,000 surgery, through each quote to see the real out-of-pocket difference.
When to insure, and what wellness adds
Insure as early as possible, ideally when a pet is young and healthy, since pre-existing exclusions and age-based pricing only get harder with time. Wellness add-ons cover routine care such as vaccines, dental cleaning and annual exams, but they are not insurance in the same sense, since they reimburse planned costs up to a set allowance. Compare the add-on price against the routine care you actually buy each year, since a wellness pack that costs more than your annual routine bill is not good value, even if it feels comprehensive.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pet insurance cost per month?
Costs vary widely by species, breed, age, location, deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit. Recent comparisons put average dog premiums roughly in the $30 to $70 per month range for mid-tier plans, with cats often lower, but individual quotes can fall well outside that range. Get personalized quotes with identical settings from at least three companies before budgeting.
What does pet insurance usually not cover?
Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, routine and preventive care unless you buy a wellness add-on, breeding costs, and cosmetic procedures. Exam fees, dental cleaning and behavioral therapy are covered by some plans and excluded or add-on only by others. Read the exclusions for the exact plan you are quoted, since marketing summaries often omit them.
Is pet insurance worth it for an older pet?
It can be, but the value depends on price and enrollment rules. Premiums for older pets are higher, some insurers will not enroll senior pets, and pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. ASPCA Pet Health reports no upper enrollment age, which helps senior owners. Compare the annual premium against the cost of one major surgery or chronic condition, and check whether the policy covers the conditions your pet is most likely to face.
What is the difference between accident-only and accident and illness coverage?
Accident-only coverage pays for injuries such as broken bones, cuts and swallowed objects, but not for illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or infections. Accident and illness coverage adds illness protection and costs more, but it covers the conditions that most often lead to large vet bills. For most owners, accident and illness coverage is the better choice unless budget forces a narrower plan.
How do waiting periods work?
A waiting period is the time after signup before coverage starts for a condition, often 14 days for accidents and illnesses, with longer waits for some conditions. Claims for conditions that appear during the waiting period are generally not covered. Some insurers waive or shorten waits with a vet exam, so ask about that option if you need coverage quickly, and do not cancel an old policy until the new waiting period ends.
Can I use any veterinarian with pet insurance?
Most pet insurers in this guide let you visit any licensed veterinarian in the US, since they reimburse you after you pay the vet, rather than using a network. Trupanion also offers direct payment at participating vets. Check the policy for any network or referral rules before buying, and keep itemized invoices and medical records for every claim, since incomplete records are a common reason for delays.
Sources we checked (12)
- https://www.lemonade.com
- https://www.healthypaws.com
- https://www.spotpetins.com
- https://www.trupanion.com
- https://www.embracepetinsurance.com
- https://www.fetchpetinsurance.com
- https://www.figopetinsurance.com
- https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com
- https://www.nationwide.com
- https://www.pumpkin.care
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/pet-insurance/average-cost-of-pet-insurance
- https://petmaxxing.com/articles/best-pet-insurance-2026
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.