Best Pet Insurance Companies In 2023: Reviews & Comparison Tables

Pet Insurance Ranking	Best Overall	Best Value	Fastest Claim Processing	Best Coverage	Best Newcomer
Company	Pets Best	Figo	Healthy Paws	Embrace	Lemonade
Policy Coverage	Extensive	Extensive	More Limited	Extensive	More Limited
Customer Service & Reputation	Good	Excellent, Stable	Excellent, Stable	Excellent, Stable	Uncertain, New
Claim Processing (avg)	7-14 Days	3 Days	2 Days	5 Days	2 Days
Vet Direct Pay Option
Policy Price (avg)	Lower	Lower	Variable	Higher	Average
Plan Customizations	Many Options	Many Options	Restricted Options	Many Options	Many Options
	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review

What Is Pet Insurance?

There are many unknowns in owning a pet. Will Fido be diagnosed with a chronic condition? Will he tear his ACL during a game of fetch? Will he develop an appetite for eating shoes, wood chips, and other objects? All of these can result in unplanned trips to the vet, which means unexpected costs and stress for you.

This is where pet insurance can ease your mind. Instead of facing hundreds or thousands of dollars in vet bills, you can focus on your pet’s health.

Pet insurance helps pay for covered veterinary treatment of the insured pet’s illnesses and/or injuries. Insuring your pet can help you save money on unexpected vet bills during a medical emergency.

But, pet insurance does not cover routine vet visits, related lab work, or vaccinations. Further, it does not cover the deductible portion outlined in your policy, the remaining reimbursement percentage, or anything beyond your annual payout limit.

Pet Insurance Reviews

The number of pet insurance companies to choose from is overwhelming. People often decide to go with the largest, most well-known company, failing to spend the essential time needed to consider their options fully.

Below we rank, review, and highlight a brief snapshot of each major U.S. company, including what stands out regarding coverage and exclusions, what may sway you to choose a company, and the pros and cons for each. We encourage you to get a quote and compare rates from at least three companies and read our in-depth reviews of those you are interested in before signing up.

Click on these links if you wish to jump down and learn more about:

• How pet insurance works
• Plan types
• How to evaluate companies
• Compare rates
• Is pet insurance worth it?

Best Pet Insurance Overall: Pets Best Review

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Pets Best is our best overall pick for pet insurance because it offers extensive coverage at a lower price on average compared to the competition. Its plans are completely customizable, so you pay for the coverage you want and what you can afford. There are no upper age limits, so even if you adopt a senior dog or decide you want coverage for your pet when they’re older, you won’t be limited in your coverage options.

Pets Best also has some unique plans and features. In fact, it’s one of the few pet insurance providers to offer an accident-only plan, which can be a useful option for those wanting a true emergency-only option at a lower price. Additionally, it offers coverage for curable pre-existing conditions once healed or cured.

Wellness plans are also available through Pets Best as an add-on to your pet insurance policy. This may be a convenient option for your household and help you budget for those routine expenses like vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing, and more. Overall, Pets Best has a lot to offer to fit each pet parent’s needs, which is why we think it’s worth your consideration.

Pets Best offers the following discounts:

• 5% off for multiple pets 
• 5% off for military members and their families

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed. You can also visit our dedicated Pets Best discounts page to learn more.

Best Pet Insurance Value: Figo Review

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We’ve chosen Figo as our pick for the best value in pet insurance because it offers extensive coverage, low pricing, excellent customer service, and fast claim processing (averages three days). Figo’s plans are customizable, with several options to fit your budget and coverage needs, plus two optional wellness plans. There are no upper age limits, and the minimum age to enroll your dog is eight weeks old.

Figo offers coverage for conditions sometimes excluded by other providers, such as behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, and C-sections. It’s also one of the only companies to offer a 100% reimbursement option. Additionally, Figo offers coverage for curable pre-existing conditions after one year free of treatment and symptoms.

Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents, which is the shortest length of any company included in this article. Overall, Figo has thorough coverage and competitive pricing, which makes it an excellent option for pet parents.

Figo offers the following discounts:

• 5% off any new Figo pet insurance policy (exclusive for Canine Journal readers – use this link)
• 5% off for multiple pets 
• Your deductible automatically goes down $50 each year you don’t receive a claim payment

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed. You can also visit our dedicated Figo discount page to learn more.

Fastest Claim Processing: Healthy Paws Review

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Healthy Paws offers one of the fastest claim processing timelines, averaging only two days. Compared to competitors, this is a speedy turnaround and prevents further financial stress one might experience while waiting for a claim to be considered and paid back.

The company is known for being consistent in its offerings and not rocking the boat. It hasn’t undergone significant turbulence with underwriter changes or price fluctuations as many of its competitors have.

Customer service is a top priority for Healthy Paws, and it has some of the best reviews in the business. Healthy Paws tries to minimize customers’ risk of unexpected financial consequences when using pet insurance.

This dedication to the customer experience is why Healthy Paws chooses to include unlimited payouts in every plan, so an expensive vet visit will never be worse than the deductible plus copay percentage because there is never a payout cap. So, for example, if a cancer surgery and treatment bill totals $15,000 in one year, then another company’s policy capped at $5,000 or $10,000 would require you to pay much more than a Healthy Paws policy with an unlimited payout. In turn, this is how they are working to minimize economic euthanasia.

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price and get a quote for your pet from Healthy Paws. You can also visit our dedicated Healthy Paws promotion page to learn more.

Best Coverage: Embrace Review

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Embrace has the most comprehensive coverage for accidents and illnesses, including $1,000 per year for dental illness coverage. Conditions that some insurers exclude from their policies, Embrace maintains coverage for.

There are several ways to customize your Embrace plan to fit your budget and coverage needs. It’s one of the few insurers to offer both a wellness plan and accident-only plan in addition to its accident and illness plans.

Embrace is also a great option to consider, as it covers behavioral therapy and training diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian for a covered condition. So if your dog is anxious, aggressive, or destructive when you leave them, it may be due to a behavioral issue that may be covered under an Embrace policy under the right conditions. Behavioral therapy and training aren’t commonly covered by most pet insurance providers.

Embrace offers the following discounts:

• 10% off (5% off in NY) for multiple pets 
• 5% off for military and veterans (NY and TN excluded)
• 10% off if your company or clinic offers Embrace as an employee benefit (FL, ND, NY, and TN excluded)
• 5% off in NY if you pay annually
• Up to 25% off for eligible USAA customers
• Your deductible automatically goes down $50 each year you don’t receive a claim payment

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed. You can also visit our dedicated Embrace discount page to learn more.

Best Newcomer: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review

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Lemonade began selling insurance in 2015 and branched into pet insurance in 2020, offering low prices, which made it appealing to many customers. After a couple of years in business, their prices fall towards the mid-range, but the company is still creating a lot of buzz with its AI-driven claim process.

Lemonade’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) speeds up the reimbursement process. Most Lemonade claims are processed within two days, but many are processed within minutes of submission. Beyond speed, another unique thing about Lemonade is that you can bundle your pet insurance policy with your Lemonade homeowners, renters, co-op, or condo insurance, which might save you 10%.

Why You Should Be Cautious

Because Lemonade started selling pet insurance in 2020, it’s very new to the industry and considered unproven compared to stable companies that have been selling pet insurance for much longer. We recommend choosing a company with at least five years of national experience in the industry. Why?

Too often, we’ve seen new companies, like Lemonade, enter the pet insurance space with astonishingly low prices. After some time paying claims, these companies increase premiums to improve profitability. Some customers feel trapped because their pet now has pre-existing conditions, making it harder to find coverage with other companies.

Is this something you can expect from Lemonade? It’s hard to say. Lemonade has been selling other insurance products (renters, homeowners, cars, and life) since 2015. So we’re hopeful that this related experience makes Lemonade less likely to spike customer premiums. However, after two years in business, we can say that Lemonade’s premiums aren’t among the lowest any longer, falling more in the middle. We can’t guarantee anything, so we urge caution when choosing a company with fewer than five years of experience or a rocky history.

Lemonade offers the following discounts: 

• 10% off if you bundle with your renters, homeowners, auto, condo, or co-op insurance
• 5% off for multiple pets 

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Fetch By The Dodo Review

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Fetch by The Dodo is excellent if you want coverage for a very young puppy because it offers coverage as young as six weeks old, while you have to wait until eight weeks with most competitors.

Another unique feature of Fetch policies is its VirtualVet visit coverage. You can have up to $1,000 covered in virtual vet visits, whether over video chat, call, or text.

Fetch offers coverage for several conditions commonly excluded by other providers without requiring an extra fee. So if you want a pet insurance policy without worrying about add-ons and extra fees, Fetch may be worth your consideration.

Fetch offers the following discounts: 

• Up to 10% off for animal shelter adoptees and employees, corporate benefit plans, medical services pets, strategic partners, military, veterinary staff, and students
• 15% off for each consecutive 12-month period without a claim
• 10% off premiums for Walmart shoppers
• Save $25 or more when you pay quarterly or annually
• 10% off for AARP members for life

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed. Alternatively, call 800-237-1123. You can also visit our dedicated Fetch promotion page to learn more.

Trupanion Review

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One of Trupanion’s most talked about features is Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay, which eliminates the claim processing wait time. Many other pet insurance companies offer a vet direct pay option, but Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay is the only option that allows payment during checkout. If Trupanion Express isn’t available at your vet’s office, you can call to ask about it or speak with your vet about them setting it up.

Trupanion is also an excellent choice for breeds with a past injury or ailment to one side of their body but not the other. This pet would be considered predisposed to a bilateral condition, but many Trupanion policies have no bilateral exclusions. A bilateral condition is any condition or disease that could affect both sides of the body. Examples include hip dysplasia, CCL injuries, cataracts, and more. Most pet insurance providers exclude bilateral coverage because if something happens on one side of the body, there is a solid chance it could happen to the other as well over time. However, Trupanion is willing to take this risk.

Finally, Trupanion is commonly selected by breeders because of its Breeder Support Program. The program’s primary focus is the Go Home Day Offer, which lets breeders provide buyers with an offer for Trupanion enrollment without waiting periods. This means a pet parent can pick up their puppy from the breeder and get pet insurance immediately without any waiting periods. Additionally, Trupanion policies cover breeding-related health conditions, which is another perk for breeders.

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price and get a quote for your pet from Trupanion. You can also visit our dedicated Trupanion promotions page to learn more.

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Review

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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has a big name behind its pet insurance product, which may give you the assurance you need to choose them. Their policies are thorough, and they offer coverage for many conditions that are often excluded by other providers.

As for pricing, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance typically falls more in the middle, but that can vary based on your pet’s details as well as the plan customizations you choose. For example, an accident-only policy will be less expensive than an accident and illness policy with a $100 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and a $10,000 annual payout limit.

There are also optional wellness plans available to help you budget for routine expenses, such as dental cleanings, annual vet checkups, flea/heartworm prevention, and more. There are many ways you can adjust your coverage to fit the cost of pet insurance into your budget.

ASPCA Pet Insurance offers the following discount: 

• 10% off for multiple pets 

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Spot Review

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Spot Pet Insurance was founded in 2019, and at launch, was backed by an impressive chairman, Cesar Millan, from “The Dog Whisperer.” But don’t sign up for that reason because he is no longer affiliated with the company.

As for the product, Spot offers many ways to customize your plan. You can choose an accident-only policy or accident and illness policy, add on a wellness plan, and adjust your deductible, reimbursement, and payout options. All of these options provide a wide range of ways to help fit Spot into your budget.

Spot also has rather short 14-day waiting periods for CCL surgery and hip dysplasia compared to many other pet insurance providers. So if either of these conditions concerns your dog, then Spot may be worth consideration.

Spot offers the following discount: 

• 10% off for multiple pets 

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Nationwide Review

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Nationwide is the only pet insurance provider we review that offers exotic pet insurance in addition to dog and cat insurance. So if you have a rabbit, bird, reptile, ferret, or another small mammal, you may want to consider insurance through Nationwide.

Like dog or cat insurance, exotic pet insurance covers unexpected visits to the vet that are subject to the insurance plan you choose. Depending on your selections, this may include accidents, illnesses, the death of your pet, and more.

Nationwide is also the only company we review to offer a traditional pet insurance product as well as a benefit schedule-style plan set up similar to a wellness plan with monetary coverage limits per condition/treatment. If you’re already familiar with Nationwide’s insurance products in other areas of your life, then it may be worth considering sticking with them, but it’s also worth getting multiple quotes from others, just in case.

Nationwide Pet Insurance offers the following discounts: 

• 5% off for 2-3 pets covered
• 10% off for 4 or more pets covered

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Pet Insurance Comparison Tables

We have found that the most helpful comparisons take a look at plans, coverage details, waiting periods, age limitations, and sample price quotes. You’ll find tables for each of these critical considerations below, with providers sorted in order of our ranking and popularity.

Plans Comparison

The table below shows each company’s plan options, including deductible, reimbursement, and payout limit options. Please know that not all deductibles, reimbursement levels, and payout limits are available for every pet in every state.

Company	Deductible*	Reimbursement**	Payout Limit Options***	Wellness Plans	Accident-Only Plans
	$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000	70%, 80%, 90%	$5,000, Unlimited
	$100, $250, $500, $750	70%, 80%, 90%, 100%	$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%	Unlimited
	$200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000	70%, 80%, 90%	$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000, Unlimited
	$100, $250, $500	70%, 80%, 90%	$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
	$300, $500, $700	70%, 80%, 90%	$5,000, $10,000, $15,000
	$0-$1,000 (in $5 increments)	90%	Unlimited
	$100, $250, $500	70%, 80%, 90%	$3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000
	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	70%, 80%, 90%	$2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited
	$250	50%, 70%, 90%	Limited Per Condition, Unlimited

Coverage Details Comparison

What does pet insurance cover? Pet insurance coverage varies based on the type of policy and the company you choose. The majority of accident and illness pet insurance plans cover the following items when they are deemed medically necessary. However, this coverage may have limitations, so please check your policy.

Did you know that U.S. pet insurers used to drop sick pets or exclude chronic and hereditary conditions? Fortunately, this isn’t the case today.

The table below helps you see which company will best protect your pet and your wallet during the darkest times.

Company	Behavioral Therapies	Alternative/ Holistic Therapies	C-Sections	Exam Fees	Gum (Periodontal) Disease	Tooth Extraction	Avg Claim Processing	Curable Pre-Existing Conditions*
				Extra Fee			7-14 Days
				Extra Fee		Due To Accident	3 Days
						Due To Accident	2 Days
							5 Days
	Extra Fee	Extra Fee		Extra Fee	Extra Fee	Due To Accident	2 Days
							12-22 Days
		Extra Fee			Canines & Carnassials Only		2 Days
							15-30 Days
							10-14 Days
							4 Days

Waiting Periods Comparison

The table below lists each company’s respective waiting period requirements that apply before your pet insurance policy coverage takes effect.

*Waiting periods for Maine are as follows:

• Accidents - 0 days
• Illnesses - 14 days
• Cruciate Ligament Conditions - 30 days
• Routine Care - 0 days

Company	Illness	Accident	CCL Surgery	Hip Dysplasia	Wellness*	Other
	14 Days	3 Days	6 Months	14 Days	0 Days
	14 Days	1 Day	6 Months	6 Months	0 Days	Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months
	15 Days	15 Days	15 Days	12 Months
	14 Days	2 Days	6 Months	6 Months	0 Days	Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months
	14 Days	2 Days	6 Months	14 Days	0 Days
	15 Days	15 Days	6 Months	6 Months
	30 Days	5 Days	30 Days	30 Days
	14 Days	14 Days	14 Days	14 Days	0 Days
	14 Days	14 Days	14 Days	14 Days	0 Days
	14 Days	14 Days	12 Months	14 Days	1 Day

Age Limitations Comparison

Is there an age limit on your pet’s ability to enroll in a new pet insurance policy? The table below shows pet insurance age restrictions for some of the top pet insurance companies. Please know that once you’ve purchased and maintained a pet insurance policy from one of these companies, they will not end coverage as your pet ages so long as you keep your policy paid and active.

The best age to buy a pet insurance policy for your dog is as early as possible to minimize the pre-existing conditions that could be excluded from your coverage.

Company	Minimum Age At Enrollment	Maximum Age At Enrollment	Other Age Restrictions
	7 Weeks Old
	8 Weeks Old
	8 Weeks Old	14 Years Old	Plan Restrictions*
	6 Weeks Old	14 Years Old For Illness
	8 Weeks Old	Depends On Breed	Plan Restrictions†
	6 Weeks Old
		14 Years Old
	8 Weeks Old
	8 Weeks Old
		10 Years Old

How Much Is Pet Insurance? Let’s Compare Price Quotes

The cost of each pet insurance policy is unique to your specific pet. It’s calculated based on many variables, including but not limited to your pet’s age, breed, location (i.e., where you live), etc.

According to NAPHIA (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), the average monthly premium for an accident and illness dog insurance policy in the U.S. in 2022 was $53.34 ($32.25 for cats).

You should expect annual increases in your premiums from most pet insurance companies. These rates and increases will vary based on your location, changes in vet care costs, inflation, and more. Since the price for your pet may differ significantly from that of others for any given provider, we encourage you to get your own quotes from multiple companies.

We ran quotes and created price comparison tables (below) to help show how pet insurance prices can vary by provider. We tried to compare apples-to-apples, but sometimes it’s just not possible since not everyone offers the same payout limits, reimbursement percentages, and deductible amounts.

To create a broad range of quote examples, we chose locations and breeds based on the most popular geographic areas to own a pet insurance policy and the most popular breeds in those locations. You’ll notice there are two quotes for French Bulldogs to give you an idea of how location can impact price. All payout limit terms for the companies are annual except for Trupanion (lifetime) and Nationwide (per condition annually). Scroll down to see them all, or jump to a specific breed listed below.

• Labrador Retriever In Texas
• French Bulldog In California
• French Bulldog In New York

Labrador Retriever In Texas

• 6-month-old
• Female (not spayed)
• No pre-existing conditions
• Houston, Texas (77005)
• Quotes are from November 2022

Company	Payout	Reimbursement	Deductible	Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee	Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee	Monthly Transaction Fee	One-Time Fee	Monthly Wellness Plan Premium*
	Unlimited	90%	$250	$54.95	$47.10	$2.00		$16 or $26
	Unlimited	90%	$250	$76.28	$63.35	$2.00	$15.00	$9.50 or $16.50
	Unlimited	80%	$250		$67.62
	$30,000	90%	$200	$132.43		$1.00	$25.00	$18.75, $35.42, or $52.09
	$100,000	90%	$250	$66.40	$55.50			$20 or $54
	$15,000	90%	$300	$83.00
	Unlimited	90%	$250		$108.78		$35.00
	$10,000	90%	$250	$81.92		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	Unlimited	90%	$250	$117.19		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	Defined Per Condition	Benefit Schedule	$250		$33.59	$2.00		$20.95

French Bulldog In California

• 1-year-old
• Male (neutered)
• No pre-existing conditions
• Los Angeles, California (90016)
• Quotes are from November 2022

Company	Payout	Reimbursement	Deductible	Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee	Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee	Monthly Transaction Fee	One-Time Fee	Monthly Wellness Plan Premium*
	Unlimited	80%	$500	$136.42	$116.93	$2.00		$16 or $26
	$10,000	80%	$500	$94.38	$78.38	$2.00	$15.00	$5.50 or $9.50
	Unlimited	70%	$500		$72.66
	$10,000	80%	$500	$71.05		$1.00	$25.00	$18.75, $35.42, or $52.09
	$10,000	80%	$500	$74.83	$62.50			$16 or $44
	$10,000	80%	$500	$90.87
	Unlimited	90%	$500		$161.99		$35.00
	$10,000	80%	$500	$83.50		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	$10,000	80%	$500	$83.50		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	$10,000	70%	$250	$88.05		$2.00

French Bulldog In New York

• 3-year-old
• Female (spayed)
• No pre-existing conditions
• New York, New York (10005)
• Quotes are from November 2022

Company	Payout	Reimbursement	Deductible	Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee	Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee	Monthly Transaction Fee	One-Time Fee	Monthly Wellness Plan Premium*
	$5,000	70%	$250	$103.20	$88.46	$2.00		$16 or $26
	$5,000	70%	$250	$99.27	$82.44	$2.00	$15.00	$9.50 or $16.50
	Unlimited	70%	$500		$127.65
	$5,000	70%	$200	$152.19		$1.00	$25.00	$18.75, $35.42, or $52.09
	$5,000	70%	$250	$102.17	$85.31			$15 or $21.89
	$5,000	70%	$250	$106.65
	Unlimited	90%	$250		$343.35		$35.00
	$5,000	70%	$250	$81.23		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	$5,000	70%	$250	$81.23		$2.00		$9.95 or $24.95
	$10,000	70%	$250	$128.21		$2.00

Printable Pet Insurance Comparison Charts (PDF)

Want a printable, easy-to-reference version of the pet insurance comparison charts above? Look no further. We’ve put one together for you with all the charts condensed onto four pages (two if you print double-sided). Click here to view it and print it. Included are:

1. Plan Customization Comparison – shows each company’s plan options.
2. Coverage & Exclusions Comparison – shows what’s included with coverage (everything from behavioral therapies to exam fees).
3. Waiting Periods Comparison – lists each company’s waiting period requirements before your new pet insurance policy coverage takes effect.
4. Age Limitations Comparison – shows new enrollment age restrictions. Once you’ve purchased and maintained a pet insurance policy, coverage won’t end as your pet ages if you stay current on payment.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

We know choosing the right pet insurance policy for your pet is a personal decision. That’s why we value your trust in us to provide all the objective information you need to make an informed choice. Here is a quick comparison table showing what we offer compared to the competition.

	Canine Journal	Pawlicy Advisor	Pet Insurance Review	Forbes
Began Covering Pet Insurance	2012	2018	2005	2021
Website’s Focus	Covers Everything Dog-Related	Sells Pet Insurance Policies	Aggregates Pet Insurance Consumer Reviews	Finance, Investing, Technology, Science, Politics, Law
# Of Pet Insurance Companies Covered	41	7	19	10
# Of Pet Insurance Comparisons	25	0	0	2
# Of Individual Pet Insurance Reviews	23	7	0	16
Personalized Quotes
Expert Assistance
Pros & Cons
Discounts
Pet Insurance Company Directory
Coverage Comparison
Plan Customization Comparison
Waiting Period Comparison
Licensed Insurance Agent
Licensed Veterinarian Consultant
Compare Providers Side-By-Side
Customer Reviews
Engagement with Companies

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Veterinary bills can be costly, but pet insurance can help reduce the burden. What would you do if you encountered a $1,000 pet-related emergency tomorrow? Would it crush your budget and leave you in a difficult place financially? Would you hesitate to move forward with an expensive vet treatment?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then pet insurance is worth it if you can afford the monthly premium for your dog. Having your dog insured can help you prepare financially and benefit your dog with more well-rounded health coverage. It also provides peace of mind during already stressful times.

We have an entire article dedicated to helping you decide if pet insurance is worth it. It can help you understand how pet insurance works and how it can benefit your pet’s life and your own.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

1. Visit the vet and pay your bill at the time of service.
2. Send a completed claim form and an itemized receipt to your insurance company. Some companies require a signature from your vet, so it might be wise to take a printed copy of your claim form to your visit, just in case.
3. Once the claim’s approved, the insurance company will send your reimbursement* via your chosen payment method (check, direct deposit, etc.).

*The reimbursement timeline can vary from a few minutes to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your claim and the promised processing time. The reimbursement amount depends on your policy details, including deductible, annual payout, reimbursement percentage, coverage, and exclusions.

Pet Insurance Claim Example

Let’s walk through an example to get a better feel for how it works.

Suppose your policy has the following coverage:

• $250 annual deductible
• 80% reimbursement
• $5,000 payout limit

In that case, you’re responsible for the following:

• Any unplanned vet bills related to covered items up to $250,
• 20% of the total vet bill up to $5,000, and then
• 100% above the $5,000 payout limit.

What Are The Different Types Of Pet Insurance Plans?

There are two types of pet insurance plans: accident-only and accident and illness. Some companies also offer an optional wellness plan for an extra charge, but it isn’t an insurance product. Since several pet insurance providers offer wellness plans during enrollment, we included them to ensure you are aware of the full range of options during new enrollment.

What Do Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans Cover?

An accident-only plan only covers vet bills associated with an accident, such as broken bones, foreign body ingestion, poisoning, injuries, and bite wounds. Illnesses are excluded from this coverage. An accident-only pet insurance plan is typically less expensive than an accident and illness one since it covers fewer expenses. However, not every company offers this policy type.

What Do Accident & Illness Pet Insurance Plans Cover?

This is the most common and popular type of pet insurance plan. It covers injuries (like broken bones, foreign body ingestion, and other items covered in accident-only plans) and sickness-related conditions (like cancer, allergies, urinary tract infections, arthritis, and ear infections). This type of policy is more comprehensive than an accident-only one.

What Do Wellness Plans Cover?

Wellness coverage is purchased as an add-on or a standalone product and comes with an incremental fee. Typically, this program covers things that occur during an annual exam, such as vaccination, flea/tick/heartworm treatment, teeth cleaning, and spay/neuter procedures. A wellness plan is a financial tool to help cover the costs associated with preventative measures that assist your dog’s overall health and prevent illnesses where possible. Regular vet visits, especially ones covered with a wellness plan, also encourage owners to be more proactive with their pet’s health. Wellness plans are not pet insurance as they don’t cover costs associated with accidents or illnesses.

Plan Type/Need	Accident-Only	Accident & Illness (most popular)	Wellness
Injury-related conditions (broken bones, foreign body ingestion, poisoning, bite wounds, etc.)			
Sickness-related conditions (allergies, urinary tract infections, arthritis, cancer, ear infections, etc.)			
Preventative measures (annual exams, vaccination, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, teeth cleaning, spay/neuter procedures, etc.)		
Cost	$	$$	$$$*

How To Choose The Best Pet Insurance For You

With so many pet insurance companies to choose from, how can one decide? This is why it’s crucial to take the time to consider your options carefully. By understanding the key considerations and committing to the research, you may find a provider that’s an excellent fit for your particular breed and health concerns.

It is wise to consider any illnesses your dog’s breed may be predisposed to. For example, if your pet is predisposed to hip dysplasia, you’ll want to ensure you’re satisfied with the terms associated with hip dysplasia coverage. Some companies add additional waiting periods to hip dysplasia or consider it a bilateral condition, thus excluding it from coverage as a pre-existing condition. Additionally, you might consider a conversation with your vet about any potential conditions they’d recommend covering based on the breed or mix.

After you have a list of your must-haves, you’re ready to narrow down your list of options.

1. Your biggest concern as a pet parent should be the reputation of the pet insurance provider. Have you heard of them? Do family and friends use them? What has their experience been when they’ve had to file a claim? Getting a pet insurance policy is useless if it doesn’t cover what you expect it to cover or if you can’t afford the monthly premium. Remember, although the monthly cost is important, it’s not the most crucial factor when choosing insurance. The whole point of any insurance policy is to ensure that you have the coverage to pay for otherwise unaffordable bills in emergencies.
2. Decide what type of coverage you want for your dog and which additional perks may be negotiable to lower your costs. If you’d like to learn more about what some of the commonly referenced terms in pet insurance mean, check out our terminology 101 section that breaks the lingo down into laymen’s terms for you.
3. Obtain quotes from at least three companies to get an idea of how much your monthly premium will be. Pricing varies drastically, and just because a company charges you more doesn’t mean the coverage is more thorough.
4. Don’t hesitate to contact potential providers with any questions before signing up. And pay close attention to that experience — it may reflect customer service quality down the road.
5. Consider the claim reimbursement process, including how it works, the average processing timeline, and whether there’s an option for the company to pay the vet directly. If a company takes longer than you can wait for reimbursement, you may want to seek other options.

Picking a pet insurance plan is a personal choice, and no one knows what your dog needs better than you. Take the time to make an informed decision, and know it’ll be worth the added protection in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we’ve received from our readers.

Can You Go To Any Vet With Pet Insurance?

Most pet insurance companies allow you to choose any licensed vet for your pet’s health care needs. We are aware of one company, Companion Protect, that is the exception to this rule. Companion Protect claims to cover more of the cost within its approved network of vets. While they allow you to use an out-of-network vet, it may cost you more money.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Pet Insurance?

Although we feel that pet insurance is valuable and worth it for most, here are four cons to be aware of:

1. Routine preventative exams and associated expenses aren’t included unless you purchase a wellness plan at an incremental cost in addition to your insurance policy.
2. You will still have out-of-pocket expenses, including your deductible and any amount that surpasses your payout limit. You will also be responsible for covering the balance of the reimbursement amount (i.e., if you chose an 80% plan and your provider agrees to cover your claim, you will still owe 20%).
3. Pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage by most pet insurance providers, and you are responsible for associated costs.
4. Unlike human health care, most pet insurance companies require you to pay for vet expenses upfront and then wait for reimbursement. Some companies offer a vet direct pay option as an alternative to this standard reimbursement model, but you will need to work with your vet to ensure this is in place before you begin treatment.

What Should I Ask Before Buying Pet Insurance?

These are questions we recommend asking your provider before you sign up.

1. Can I choose my vet?
2. What are the waiting periods?
3. What’s excluded from coverage?
4. Are there extra fees for coverage related to exam fees, prescription medication, or other items?
5. Can you show me an example of how a claim is handled?
6. What will I be responsible for paying?
7. What happens if I buy a policy after my dog gets sick or hurt?
8. Are there any limits on benefits (per-incident, annual, or lifetime)?
9. How fast will my claim be processed and repaid?

Are New Companies Eligible To Win Categories?

No. Historically, new companies have entered the pet insurance space by offering low prices to gain market share. However, after some time in the business with more paid claims, these companies tend to increase rates to improve their profitability. This hurts you, the customer because this causes their premiums to increase significantly — and if you visited your vet or submitted a claim, your pet now has a pre-existing condition. So, if you wish to change providers to find a more competitive rate, that condition is unlikely to be covered. In the end, you may have been better off going with a different, more well-established company from the start.

Because of these issues, we’ve decided only to include pet insurance companies in our top spots with at least five full years of national experience. We think this approach gives companies time to establish a consistent pricing system and reputation, giving you and our team a better idea of what to expect.

That being said, our experts will still cover new entrants (subject to reader demand) and bring you everything we can find on these companies in our reviews because we want you to know all of the available options. Further, we added a “Best Newcomer” category to our rankings to provide a recommendation among new entrants in the pet insurance space. We also consider whether a company is new to the insurance industry or just new to the pet insurance sector.

Pet Insurance Companies (All Of Your Options)

Listed below are all of the national providers in alphabetical order. Think of it as a company directory, including its founding year(s), customer support details, website links, office location, links to our full reviews, and more.

• 24Petprotect (2000 as 24PetWatch)
• AKC Pet Insurance (2003)
• ASPCA Pet Insurance (1997)
• Bivvy (2019)
• CarePlus (2022)
• Companion Protect (2015)
• Doggo (2020)
• Embrace (2003)
• Fetch by The Dodo (2003 under Petplan license; 2022 as Fetch)
• Figo (2013)
• Hartville (1997)
• Healthy Paws (2009)
• Lemonade Pet Insurance (2020)
• ManyPets (2021)
• MetLife Pet Insurance (2004 as PetFirst; 2020 as MetLife)
• Nationwide Pet Insurance (1982 as VPI; 2015 as Nationwide)
• Odie (2019)
• Petco (2017)
• PetPartners (2002)
• PetPremium (2013)
• Pets Best (2005)
• Pets Plus Us (2012)
• Physicians Mutual Pet (2022)
• Prudent Pet (2018)
• Pumpkin (2020)
• Spokk (2022)
• Spot (2019)
• Toto (2018)
• Trupanion (2000)
• TrustedPals (2019)
• Wagmo (2018)

Insurance companies that have policies administered by other pet insurance providers:

• Allstate
• American Family
• Farmers Insurance
• Geico (via Embrace or Trupanion)
• PEMCO
• Progressive
• State Farm
• USAA
• Waffle

Companies that don’t offer pet insurance directly but may offer a similar product or work in partnership with another provider:

• Costco
• Wishbone Pet Insurance

24Petprotect (formerly 24PetWatch)

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• Year Founded: 2000
• Headquarters: 3315 Algonquin Road, Suite 310, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
• Underwriters:
  • United States Fire Insurance Company
  • The North River Insurance Company

AKC Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: PetPartners, Inc. partnered with AKC in 2003 to administer AKC Pet Insurance.
• Headquarters: 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 350, Raleigh, NC 27617
• Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC)

ASPCA Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: 1208 Massillon Rd., Suite G 200, Akron, OH 44306 (same as Hartville)
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company
• Other companies that offer pet insurance through ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Waffle

C&F Insurance Agency, the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program administrators, pays a royalty fee to the ASPCA to use its mark through a licensing agreement. C&F Insurance Agency also administers Hartville and PetPremium, which have identical offerings to ASPCA pet insurance but are not affiliated with the ASPCA organization.

Bivvy

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• Year Founded: 2019
• Headquarters: 5910 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705
• Underwriter: CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc.

Only Available In: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY, & Washington DC

CarePlus By Chewy Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: 2022
• Headquarters: 343 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210 and 7700 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation, FL 33322
• Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company

Only Available In: TX, PA, IL, OH, MA, GA, NC, MI, VA, AZ, CO, IN, SC, MD, OR, MO, TN, WI, MN, KS, KY, LA, IA, CT, NV, AL, AR, MS, NE, NJ, NM, OK, NH, UT, WV, DE, SD, WY, ND, RI, MT, NJ.

Companion Protect

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• Year Founded: 2015
• Headquarters: 10950 El Monte St, Overland Park, KS 66211
• Underwriter: Liberty Insurance Underwriters, Inc.

Doggo

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• Year Founded: 2020
• Headquarters: 1574 Carlton Way, Blacklick, OH, 43004-8416
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company (Crum & Forster)

Embrace

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• Year Founded: 2003
• Headquarters: 4530 Richmond Rd, Cleveland, OH 44128
• Underwriter: American Modern Property and Casualty Insurance Company (owned by Munich Reinsurance, Inc.)
• Other companies that offer pet insurance through Embrace: USAA, Allstate, American Family, and Geico

Fetch by The Dodo

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• Year Founded: Founded in 2003, Fetch licensed the Petplan name from Petplan UK until it became Fetch by The Dodo in early 2022.
• Headquarters: 3805 West Chester Pike, Suite 240, Newtown Square, PA 19073
• Underwriters:
  • XL Specialty Insurance Company
  • AXIS Insurance Company

Figo

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• Year Founded: 2013
• Headquarters: 540 N Dearborn Street, #10873, Chicago, IL 60610
• Underwriters:
  • Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC)
  • Markel American Insurance Company
  • Market Insurance Company

Costco Pet Insurance

Note: Figo is also providing a pet health insurance product through Costco. While Costco is not an insurer, they sell pet insurance on Figo’s behalf, who will service the policies. We recommend purchasing your policy directly through Figo to avoid confusion.

Hartville Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: 1208 Massillon Rd., Suite G 200, Akron, OH 44306
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company

Healthy Paws

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• Year Founded: 2009
• Headquarters: P.O. Box 50034, Bellevue, WA 98015
• Underwriters:
  • ACE American Insurance Company
  • Westchester Fire Insurance Company
  • Indemnity Insurance Company of North America
  • ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company
  • Atlantic Employers Insurance Company

Lemonade Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: 2020
• Headquarters: 5 Crosby St. 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013
• Underwriter: Lemonade Insurance Agency LLC

Only Available In: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, District of Columbia

ManyPets

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• Year Founded: 2021
• Headquarters: 3631 Chamblee Tucker Rd., #941818, Atlanta, GA 31141
• Underwriter: Accredited Surety and Casualty Company
• Launched By: Bought By Many (a UK-based European insurer)

Only Available In: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.

MetLife Pet Insurance (previously PetFirst)

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• Year Founded: 2004 as PetFirst; purchased by MetLife in 2019 and rebranded in 2020.
• Headquarters: 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022
• Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC)

Nationwide Pet Insurance

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• Year Founded: 1982 as Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) and Nationwide acquired and started selling VPI’s product in 2015.
• Pet Insurance Headquarters: 1800 E. Imperial Highway, Suite 145, Brea, CA 92821
• Underwriters:
  • National Casualty Company in all states except California
  • Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California

Odie

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• Year Founded: 2019
• Headquarters: 29899 Agoura Road, Suite 110, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
• Underwriters: PrimeOne Insurance Company and Clear Blue Insurance Company

Not Available In: AK

Wishbone Pet Insurance

Wishbone Pet Insurance is a program managed by Odie Pet Insurance Marketing, Inc. and is underwritten by Clear Blue Insurance Group.

Petco

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• Year Founded: 2017
• Headquarters: 9125 Rehco Road, San Diego, CA 92121
• Provider: PetCoach, LLC (marketed under the Petco brand name)
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company (Crum & Forster)

PetPartners

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• Year Founded:
  • The company started offering insurance under the PetPartners brand in 2002.
  • In 2003, PetPartners, Inc. partnered with AKC to offer AKC Pet Insurance.
• Headquarters: 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 350, Raleigh, NC 27617
• Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC)

PetPremium

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• Year Founded: 2013
• Headquarters: 44 Wall St., Suite 505, New York, NY 10015
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company

Pets Best

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• Year Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: 2323 S. Vista Ave., Ste. 100, Boise, ID 83705
• Underwriters:
  • American Pet Insurance Company
  • Independence American Insurance Company (California only)
• Other companies that offer pet insurance through Pets Best: Farmers Insurance, Progressive, and PEMCO

Pets Plus Us

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• Year Founded: 2012
• Headquarters: 710 Dorval Dr., Suite 400, Oakville, ON L6K 3V7, Canada
• Underwriter: The North River Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company

Physicians Mutual Pet

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• Year Founded: 2022 (began offering pet insurance)
• Headquarters: 2600 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68131
• Underwriter: Physicians Mutual Insurance Company

Only available in 34 states currently.

Prudent Pet

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• Year Founded: 2018
• Headquarters: 5101 Darmstadt Rd, Hillside, IL 60162
• Underwriters:
  • Markel Insurance Company
  • Markel American Insurance Company

Pumpkin

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• Year Founded: 2020
• Headquarters: 251 W 30th St, #9W, New York, NY 10001
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company

Spokk

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• Year Founded: 2022
• Headquarters: 16192 Coastal Highway, Lewes Country of Sussex, Delaware, USA
• Underwriter: Spokk

Spot

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• Year Founded: 2019
• Headquarters: 400 Clematis St., #208, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company

Toto

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• Year Founded: 2018
• Headquarters: 3420 Pump Rd, Ste 407, Richmond, VA 23233
• Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Co. (IAIC)
• Administered By: PetPartners

Trupanion

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• Year Founded: 2000
• Headquarters:  6100 4th Ave South, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98108
• Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company
• Other companies that offer pet insurance through Trupanion: State Farm and Geico

TrustedPals

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• Year Founded: 2019
• Headquarters: 12421 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, IA 50398
• Underwriter: Marsh USA Inc.

Wagmo

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• Year Founded: 2018
• Headquarters: 18 W. 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
• Underwriter: National Specialty Insurance Company

Wellness plans are available in all 50 states, but insurance is only available in 40 states. The following locations do not offer Wagmo pet insurance: AK, FL, ID, KY, LA, MN, MO, NM, RI, WA, and Washington, DC.

Still Can’t Decide?

We have spent countless hours researching the pet insurance space and have extensive content to prove it. You can benefit from exploring our site to read individual company reviews, compare specific companies in our head-to-head showdowns, learn all the ins and outs of what is and what is not covered by pet insurance, and more. And if you’d like to get some free quotes for your four-pawed friend right now, you can do so via our quote form.