Anyone who has ever taken a sick or injured pet to the vet knows how expensive veterinary care can be. It’s in those situations where having a financial safety net to fall back on can be most helpful. It’s also in those situations where you shouldn’t have to decide between the health of your pet and your family’s financial well-being.
Our Best Pet Insurance Companies Rating
#1 Spot
#2 Lemonade
#3 Trupanion
#3 Embrace
#5 Pets Best
#5 Healthy Paws
#7 Nationwide
#8 ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
#9 Figo
#9 Fetch by The Dodo
As a relatively new form of insurance, the first policy issued in 1982, pet insurance is not as well understood as other types such as homeowners, renters, or life insurance. For our unbiased rating of the Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2023, we researched 24 pet insurance companies to arrive at our final list of 10 companies. This guide will help you choose the best policy for your pet by explaining how pet insurance works, what it does and doesn’t cover, as well as what factors will affect the price of a policy.
Key points
Pet insurance policies generally do not cover preexisting conditions.
Most pet insurance companies require pet owners to pay vet bills up front, and then submit claims to be reimbursed.
One insurer in our rating covers exotic pets, and another offers policies for horses, but most pet insurance companies only cover dogs and cats.
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2023
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Spot »
4.1
U.S. News Rating
No Limit 30 days Get A Quote »
Lemonade »
4.0
U.S. News Rating
14 30 days Get A Quote »
Trupanion »
3.9
U.S. News Rating
13 30 days* Get A Quote »
Embrace »
3.9
U.S. News Rating
14 30 days Get A Quote »
Pets Best »
3.8
U.S. News Rating
No Limit 30 days Get A Quote »
Expand List
* Trupanion offers a 30-day trial period if the pet owners signed up within 24 hours after their pet’s vet exam. ** Nationwide’s Major Medical plan has an enrollment age limit of 10 years, whereas pets older than 10 can still enroll in its Whole Pet plan.
Best Pet Insurance Companies in Detail
Spot »
Spot
Get A Quote
4.1
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$36.54
Sample Premium For Cats
$16.51
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Option for unlimited coverage
Exam fee reimbursement for covered conditions
Both accident and illness and accident-only policies available
Cons:
Claims forms need to be filled out and submitted online
Only covers cats and dogs
Spot
Review: Spot is No. 1 among companies we researched based on factors such as its option for unlimited coverage and the availability of policies for cats and dogs that cover both accident and illness, as well as accident-only policies. One potential downside is that when submitting claims, filling out claims forms is required.
Coverage and costs: Exam fees for select conditions are covered by Spot’s policies. This is an additional charge with some of the providers in our ratings. Policies come with annual deductibles that must be met before reimbursement for expenses kicks in. Annual coverage limits also apply, but when building your policy, you will have the option to select unlimited annual coverage.
Our sample policy, using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed, showed a monthly cost of $36.54 for dogs and $16.51 for cats with Spot Pet Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Annual wellness exam coverage can be purchased, at an additional fee, in the form of a preventive care package that comes in two levels: Gold and Platinum.
Read more in our Spot pet insurance review.
Lemonade »
Lemonade
Get A Quote
Three Wellness Plans Available
4.0
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$19.44
Sample Premium For Cats
$11.00
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Cheapest pet insurance company in our rating
Three wellness plans available
Offers several types of discounts
Cons:
Not available in 15 states
Only covers cats and dogs
Lemonade
Review: Lemonade provides accident and illness coverage for cats and dogs. In addition to being the least expensive company on average in our rating, Lemonade’s two-day waiting period for accidents tied with Embrace as the shortest waiting period among companies reviewed. One of the downsides is that Lemonade coverage is not available nationwide. There are 15 states where you cannot get its pet insurance policies.
Coverage and costs: Lemonade offers a basic policy that can be modified with various packages and add-ons. The basic policy covers medical care or treatments for your cat or dog’s illnesses, including cancer, or injuries.
A sample policy using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed showed a monthly cost of $19.44 for dogs and $11 for cats with Lemonade Pet Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Lemonade provides a number of options that can be added to its standard policies. These include three different wellness plans as well as an enhanced accident/illness plan that provides reimbursement for vet exams for covered conditions.
Read more in our Lemonade pet insurance review.
Trupanion »
Trupanion
Get A Quote
No Coverage Limits
3.9
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$70.12*
Sample Premium For Cats
$30.88*
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
No coverage limits
Five-day waiting period for injuries
Covers breed-specific and congenital conditions
Cons:
30-day waiting period for illnesses
Only insures cats and dogs
No coverage for exam fees
Trupanion
Review: Trupanion Pet Insurance offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats. Noteworthy features include no limits on coverage and a per-incident deductible.The five-day waiting period for injuries is shorter than most companies in our rating, but Trupanion has a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.
Coverage and costs: Trupanion’s medical pet insurance plan covers congenital and breed-specific conditions when symptoms were not present before the coverage began or during the policy’s waiting period. With no coverage limits, pet owners don’t have to worry about hitting a limit for covered conditions. One of the policy’s downsides is that it doesn’t reimburse veterinary exam fees, even for covered conditions.
Our sample policy, which applied a common set of factors to companies reviewed, shows a monthly cost of $70.12 for dogs and $30.88 for cats with Trupanion coverage. Actual prices vary based on a number of things, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Available add-ons include Pet Owner Assistance, which can cover boarding fees if a pet owner is hospitalized, as well as unintentional property damage caused by a pet, and advertising fees or a reward if a pet is lost or stolen. Other add-ons include Complementary and Recovery Care, which includes coverage for services like acupuncture, behavioral therapy, and chiropractic and rehabilitative therapy.
Read more in our Trupanion pet insurance review.
Embrace »
Embrace
Get A Quote
2-Day Accident Waiting Period
3.9
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$29.71
Sample Premium For Cats
$12.22
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Two-day waiting period for accidents
Decreasing deductibles
No claims forms when filing with its mobile app
Cons:
Only covers cats and dogs
Six-month waiting period for orthopedic coverage
Embrace Pet Insurance
Review: Embrace Pet Insurance offers coverage for accidents and illnesses for cats and dogs. The company’s two-day waiting period for accidents tied with Lemonade as the shortest waiting period among companies in our rating. On the other hand, there is a six-month waiting period for orthopedic issues. Also, if you use the Embrace mobile app to file claims, you won’t have to fill out any forms.
Coverage and costs: Embrace Pet Insurance offers two types of plans, accident-only and an accident and illness plan. After a $100 annual deductible, the accident-only plan covers 90% of veterinary bills for applicable situations, up to $5,000 per year. The more general plan covers accidents as well as medical illnesses, including congenital conditions, dental illnesses, cancer, and chronic conditions such as allergies and arthritis.
Our sample policy, using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed, showed a monthly cost of $29.71 for dogs and $12.22 for cats with Embrace Pet Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Among the company’s options is an extra-cost option called Wellness Rewards that provides up to $650 in reimbursements for preventive care, including dental cleaning, nail trimming, and vaccinations.
Read more in our Embrace pet insurance review.
Pets Best »
Pets Best
Get A Quote
No Upper Age Limits for Enrollment
3.8
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$44.37**
Sample Premium For Cats
$16.54**
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Three-day waiting period for accident coverage
Routine care coverage available
No forms when claims filed with mobile app
Cons:
Preexisting conditions not covered
Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament coverage
Only covers cats and dogs
Pets Best
Review: Pets Best offers accident-only policies as well as policies that cover both accidents and illnesses. Its three-day waiting period for accident coverage is among the shortest among companies we reviewed. The six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament coverage is on the longer side. As with most companies in our rating, preexisting conditions aren’t covered. If you use the company’s mobile app to file your claims, you won’t have to fill out any forms.
Coverage and costs: The company’s accident and illness policy offers three different levels, with the most expensive adding coverage for veterinary exams, rehab, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. Deductibles are on an annual basis, as opposed to per incident. You can pay premiums monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Our sample policy, using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed, showed a monthly cost of $26.89 for dogs and $11.93 for cats with Pets Best Pet Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: There is a separate option to add coverage for routine or preventative care, including teeth cleaning and wellness exams.
Read more in our Pets Best pet insurance review.
Healthy Paws »
Healthy Paws
Get A Quote
3.8
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$26.89
Sample Premium For Cats
$11.93
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
No annual, per-condition, or lifetime coverage limits
No claims forms when you use the company’s website or app
Cons:
No discounts for enrolling multiple pets
Only offers coverage for cats and dogs
No wellness coverage available
Healthy Paws
Review: Healthy Paws offers pet insurance policies for cats and dogs that cover accidents and illnesses, but it does not offer wellness and preventive-care plans. If you use Healthy Paws’ website or mobile app, you won’t have to fill out claims forms. All you have to do is snap a photo of your veterinary bill and submit that.
Coverage and costs: Compared to many of the other providers in our ratings, Healthy Paws has more limited coverage options. Its comprehensive coverage includes treatment for new accidents and illnesses, along with hereditary and congenital conditions (following a waiting period) and chronic conditions. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance has no caps on payouts, per-incident caps, annual caps, or lifetime caps.
A sample policy using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed showed a monthly cost of $44.37 for dogs and $16.54 for cats with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Healthy Paws doesn’t have optional features like some of the other companies in our rating, but you can customize the premium by changing the reimbursement rate and deductible.
Read more in our Healthy Paws pet insurance review.
Nationwide »
Nationwide
Get A Quote
Offers Policies for Exotic Pets
3.7
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$56.74***
Sample Premium For Cats
$28.15***
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Offers policies for birds, reptiles, and small mammals
Has a separate policy for pet wellness coverage
Some preexisting conditions may not be permanently excluded
Cons:
One of the more expensive companies in our rating
Has a maximum enrollment age of 10 years
Nationwide
Review: Nationwide offers accident and illness policies for cats and dogs as well as birds and other exotic pets, including reptiles, potbellied pigs, goats, and small mammals, like ferrets, rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs. Wellness policies are also available for cats and dogs. Nationwide occasionally offers pet insurance discounts to its current home or auto policy holders.
Coverage and costs: All companies in our rating exclude preexisting conditions, but Nationwide does offer a few exceptions. If your pet’s condition is considered cured and the pet hasn’t shown symptoms in six months, it may become eligible for coverage again. A couple of downsides, however, are Nationwide’s policy rates and maximum age cut-off. Policies for cats and dogs have a maximum age limit of 10 years for enrollment in one of Nationwide’s policies, and the company’s rates are higher than many in our rating.
A sample policy using common factors applied to all companies reviewed showed a monthly cost of $56.74 for dogs and $28.15 for cats with Nationwide Pet Insurance coverage ($250 annual deductible; $10,000 annual benefit limit). Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Nationwide offers several different types of plans — Whole Pet Wellness, Major Medical, Basic Wellness, and Avian and Exotic Pet — so there are not other add-ons to its plans. Customization depends on the plan selected.
Read more in our Nationwide pet insurance review.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance »
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Get A Quote
Offers Policies for Horses
3.5
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$36.54
Sample Premium For Cats
$20.17
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Policies include coverage for rehabilitation and hydrotherapy
Offers policies for horses
Optional preventative-care coverage
Cons:
Claims may take up to 30 days
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Review: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance provides accident and illness coverage for cats and dogs. It also offers coverage for horses, which is unique among the companies in our ratings. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance licenses its name from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and is not affiliated with it. One downside to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is that claims processing is on the longer end, taking up to 30 days to process.
Coverage and costs: Policies for cats and dogs include accident and illness coverage, as well as coverage for hereditary and congenital issues, behavioral issues, and alternative therapies (something not all pet insurance companies will cover). Cat and dog insurance also covers prescription medications and microchipping. Its Complete Coverage and Accident Only policies have annual deductibles and annual coverage limits, rather than per incident. With annual coverage limits, limits will reset at the start of a new policy year.
Our sample policy, using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed, showed a monthly cost of $36.54 for dogs and $20.17 for cats with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customization: One advantage is that ASPCA allows you to add extra pets for a 10% discount on each additional premium. That could be a cost-effective option if you have multiple pets.
Read more in our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance pet insurance review.
Figo »
Figo
Get A Quote
3.4
U.S. News Rating
Sample Premium For Dogs
$31.34
Sample Premium For Cats
$18.18
App Available
Yes
See Review
Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly for applicable quotes.
Pros:
Most claims settled in less than three business days
May cover preexisting conditions deemed curable
Option of unlimited annual coverage
Cons:
Only covers cats and dogs
Coverage for vet exams is optional
Figo
Review: Figo’s policies for cats and dogs provide coverage for accidents and illnesses. Its policies may cover preexisting conditions that are considered curable. Figo’s website states that most of its claims are completed in less than three business days.
Coverage and costs: Figo breaks the process of building a policy into three steps for customers, who select a coverage level, customize the reimbursement and deductible, and then select additions that can enhance the policy. Policyholders can select $5,000 or $10,000 in coverage limits or opt for unlimited annual benefits.
Our sample policy, using a common set of factors applied to all companies reviewed, showed a monthly cost of $31.34 for dogs and $18.18 for cats with Figo Pet Health Insurance coverage. Actual prices will vary based on a number of factors, including coverage options chosen.
Customizations: Coverage for vet exams isn’t part of Figo’s standard policies, but it is available as an option.
