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The ASPCA estimates the annual cost of owning a dog or cat is upwards of $1,400 across food, routine medical care, toys, treats, and other pet-related expenses. However, just one major illness or accident can completely eclipse that amount. You could suddenly find yourself paying thousands surgery, hospitalizations, and medications. While pet insurance can add to your monthly costs, it could save your pet in an unexpected emergency.
Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2024 Summary
- Best for Waiting Periods: ASPCA Pet Insurance
- Best for Chronic Conditions: Trupanion Pet Insurance
- Best for 100% Reimbursement: Figo Pet Insurance
- Best for Exotic Pets: Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Best for Broad Coverage: Spot Pet Insurance
- Best for Pre-existing Conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
- Best for Comprehensive Coverage: Pumpkin Pet Insurance
- Best for Unlimited Annual Coverage: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
- Best for Affordable Premiums: Lemonade Pet Insurance
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Providers
The best pet insurance companies understand that your pet is unique and offers comprehensive, cost-effective coverage that reflects that understanding. We've chosen the best pet insurance companies accordingly, taking note of waiting periods, coverage for pre-existing conditions, emergency care coverage, and cost.
Here are our picks for the best pet insurance companies of 2024.
Best Pet Insurance for Waiting Periods
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. Standard plans with the ASPCA include coverage for things like congenital conditions, alternative therapies, and behavioral issues. 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 monthly. That said, ASPCA also reserves the right to raise your premiums according to your pet's age instead of just inflation, so you may find you're spending way more as your pet gets older.
Read our ASPCA pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Chronic Conditions
Trupanion Pet Insurance
If you're looking for flexible coverage to fit your budget, consider Trupanion. It provides illness and accident coverage for cats and dogs, including plans without limits and a lifetime, per-condition deductible, saving you money if your pet has recurring health issues. However, if your pet contracts a variety of illnesses, your better off with one of the other companies on this list.
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, though a $0 deductible policy will have high monthly premiums. Trupanion also has the unique ability to pay eligible vets directly, so you don't have to go through claims every time you take your pet to the vet.
Pets over 14 years old are ineligible for coverage, and illness coverage has a 30-day 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.
Read our Trupanion pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for 100% Reimbursement
Figo Pet Insurance
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 non-routine 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 one-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.
Read our Figo pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets
Nationwide Pet Insurance
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. 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's Whole Pet plan covers illnesses, accidents, and some hereditary and congenital conditions, but does not cover wellness treatments. You'll be able to cover preventive care costs with its Major Medical with Wellness plan, but this lacks hereditary and congenital condition coverage.
It's worth noting that Nationwide has recently announced non-renewals for approximately 100,000 policies from now until the summer of 2025 as a result of rising vet costs and inflation. This may signal some future financial uncertainty, so dog and cat owners may want to look elsewhere for long-term coverage. However, if you have an exotic pet, Nationwide is your only option.
Read our Nationwide pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Broad Coverage
Spot Pet Insurance
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.
Read our Spot pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
AKC 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 nine 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 pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period. By contrast, other pet insurance companies won't cover pre-existing conditions.
Read our AKC pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Comprehensive Coverage
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
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 pre-existing 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.
Read our Pumpkin pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Unlimited Annual Coverage
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
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.
Read our Healthy Paws pet insurance review.
Best Pet Insurance for Affordable Premiums
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Are you looking for pet insurance that won't break the bank? Consider Lemonade Pet Insurance, which offers coverage that starts at just $12 monthly. 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.
Read our Lemonade pet insurance review.
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 pre-existing 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 "pre-existing 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.
Key Features of Top Pet Insurance Plans
Pet insurance plans may differ when it comes to specifics, but in general you'll want to look for a policy that provides as much coverage as possible, with few exceptions or exclusions.
Comprehensive Coverage Options
Comprehensive pet insurance will cover both accidents and illness, and some even include preventive care like wellness checkups. In general, you should purchase the policy that offers the most comprehensive coverage — especially if you foresee any issues arising with your pet.
A comprehensive pet insurance policy will cost more than an accident-only plan, but it should still be relatively affordable, and it could make a big difference if your pet needs care down the line.
Customizable Policies and Deductibles
Most pet insurance plans let you customize coverage (to include or exclude things like wellness visits) and customize your deductible. You can choose to pay a higher deductible, which will lower your monthly pet insurance payment, or you can pick a lower deductible, which will mean a higher monthly premium. The best option for you really depends on your financial situation and whether you expect large vet bills anytime soon.
Cost Consideration for Pet Insurance
Premiums and Value for Money
Cost is one of the primary considerations when choosing a policy for your pet. The best pet insurance policy will save you more money than you spent on premiums.
You'll want to find policies that cover the most costs while charging the least. This could mean finding the most comprehensive policy or reducing your coverage for a smaller monthly premium. For example, accident-only coverage is often far cheaper than comprehensive coverage. You can find our guide on the best cheap pet insurance here.
On the other hand, you may also opt for a policy that has preventative care coverage. This can cost more than a standard policy, but can prevent your pet from getting sick, saving you money in the long run.
Discounts and Savings Opportunities
Unfortunately, the cost of pet insurance is largely out of your control, dependent on your pet's breed and age. That said, there are ways that you can still save without influencing the underwriting process. For one, you can opt for multi-pet insurance as many of the best multi-pet insurance companies offer discounts of up to 10%.
Additionally, some of the larger companies that offer multiple types of insurance may allow you to bundle your pet insurance with other types of insurance, like auto or home.
Best Pet Insurance FAQs
It's usually worth having pet insurance for a dog since it can save you significant money 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.
Several pet insurance companies have discounts for insuring multiple pets, usually between 5-10%. This could be a great option to save money while insuring all your furry friends.
Yes, in general, pet insurance is worth the investment for most pets. It provides financial protection against unexpected conditions that could otherwise cost you a lot out of pocket.
You can switch pet insurance providers if you're not happy with the insurer you chose, but keep in mind there is usually a waiting period before your new coverage takes effect. If your pet has any pre-existing health conditions, they won't be covered if you switch to a new policy.
No, pet insurance isn't effective immediately. All pet insurance providers have a waiting period before the policy's coverage takes effect. Illness insurance usually takes longer, usually two weeks, to kick in than accident coverage, which can take as little as 24 hours to take effect.
Why You Should Trust Us: Criteria for Choosing 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?
We reviewed 30 pet insurance providers for our guide on the best pet insurance. The factors we considered included, but were not limited to:
- Plan coverage limits
- Exclusions (such as pre-existing conditions or hereditary conditions) and exceptions
- Flexibility of policy (customizations to deductibles, percent reimbursed, and coverage limits)
- Policy pricing
- Available add-ons
- Customer reviews and 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.
You can learn more about how Business Insider rates pet insurance products here.
