How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance

If you are a pet owner, you know how much your furry companion means to you. You want to provide them with the best care possible, but veterinary bills can be expensive and unpredictable. That’s why many pet owners consider getting pet insurance, a type of health insurance that covers some or all of the costs of treating your pet’s illnesses and injuries.

But how do you choose the best pet insurance company and plan for your pet? There are many factors to consider, such as the cost, coverage, waiting periods, claim processing time, unique features and customer satisfaction. To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed and compared some of the best pet insurance companies in the U.S. based on these criteria.

Pets Best — Best Overall

Pets Best is our top pick for the best pet insurance company. It offers a range of choices for customizing a policy and has multiple plans that offer unlimited coverage. It’s available in all 50 states and has shorter waiting periods than some insurers: three days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. All plans provide access to the insurer’s 24/7 Pet Helpline, which can provide answers to pet-related questions day or night.

Pets Best has some of the cheapest sample rates among the insurers we studied, starting from $11.76 per month for cats and $26.51 per month for dogs. You can choose from four deductible options ($50, $100, $200 or $500) and four reimbursement levels (70%, 80%, 90% or 100%). You can also add optional wellness coverage for routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering.

Pets Best covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, behavioral issues and prescription medications. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, elective procedures or preventive care (unless you purchase the wellness plan).

Embrace — Best for Superior Benefits

Embrace is another excellent choice for pet insurance, especially if you are looking for superior benefits and coverage. Embrace has no upper age limit for enrollment, so you can insure your senior pet without any hassle. It also covers dental illnesses up to $1,000 per year, which is rare among pet insurers.

Embrace has a flexible pricing system that allows you to adjust your deductible ($200, $300, $500, $750 or $1,000), reimbursement level (70%, 80%, or 90%) and annual limit ($5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000) to suit your budget and needs. The sample rates for Embrace are $12.22 per month for cats and $29.71 per month for dogs. You can also get a 5% discount if you have multiple pets.

Embrace covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and microchipping. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures or breeding costs.

Spot — Best for Paying Covered Vet Bills Instantly

Spot is a relatively new entrant in the pet insurance market, but it has already made a name for itself with its innovative features and customer service. Spot is the only pet insurer that can pay covered vet bills instantly, thanks to its partnership with Pawp, a digital vet clinic. You don’t have to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement, which can save you time and hassle.

Spot has a simple and transparent pricing system that lets you choose your deductible ($100, $250 or $500), reimbursement level (70%, 80% or 90%) and annual limit ($2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited) to fit your preferences. The sample rates for Spot are $17.18 per month for cats and $38.73 per month for dogs. You can also get a 10% discount if you are a Costco member.

Spot covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, elective procedures or preventive care (unless you purchase the wellness plan).

Other Pet Insurance Companies to Consider

While Pets Best, Embrace, and Spot are our top picks for the best pet insurance companies, there are other options that may suit your needs better. Here are some of the other pet insurance companies that we recommend:

• Lemonade: Lemonade is a popular online insurer that offers pet insurance as well as home and renters insurance. Lemonade has a fast and easy application process, a user-friendly mobile app and a social mission that donates a portion of its profits to charity. Lemonade covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures or breeding costs. The sample rates for Lemonade are $16.63 per month for cats and $31.01 per month for dogs.
• Trupanion: Trupanion is one of the oldest and most trusted pet insurers in the U.S. Trupanion has a simple pricing system that offers one plan with unlimited coverage, a 90% reimbursement level and a customizable deductible ($0 to $1,000). Trupanion covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, elective procedures or preventive care (unless you purchase the wellness plan). The sample rates for Trupanion are $24.04 per month for cats and $58.14 per month for dogs.
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is a pet insurance program that is administered by Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, a licensed insurance agency that also offers plans under the Hartville and PetPremium brands. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers four plans with different levels of coverage, deductible options ($100, $250 or $500), reimbursement levels (70%, 80% or 90%) and annual limits ($5,000 or unlimited). ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures or breeding costs. The sample rates for ASPCA Pet Health Insurance are $16.77 per month for cats and $34.77 per month for dogs.
• Nationwide: Nationwide is the largest pet insurer in the U.S. and the only one that covers exotic pets, such as birds, reptiles and rodents. Nationwide offers three plans with different levels of coverage, deductible options ($100, $250 or $500), reimbursement levels (90% or based on a benefit schedule) and annual limits ($2,000, $10,000 or unlimited). Nationwide covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures or breeding costs. The sample rates for Nationwide are $17.03 per month for cats and $34.25 per month for dogs.
• Figo: Figo is a digital pet insurer that offers a modern and convenient experience for pet owners. Figo has a user-friendly website and mobile app, a 24/7 live vet chat and a cloud-based platform that stores your pet’s medical records and claims. Figo offers three plans with different levels of coverage, deductible options ($100, $200, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000), reimbursement levels (70%, 80%, 90% or 100%), and annual limits ($5,000, $10,000 or unlimited). Figo covers most accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues and prescription medications. It also offers a wellness plan that covers routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleaning, and spaying/neutering. However, it does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding costs. The sample rates for Figo are $15.18 per month for cats and $28.99 per month for dogs.