Lemonade hit the pet insurance market in July 2020 with a unique artificial intelligence (AI)-driven claims process and four solid years of providing reputable homeowners’ and renters’ insurance. For pet insurance, they offer affordable premiums, customizable policies, a wellness plan add-on, and a fast claims process they handle through their smartphone app. But does Lemonade provide all the coverage you’ll need for your pet? And how do they stack up against their competitors?
Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Product Name: Lemonade Pet Insurance
Product Description: Lemonade offers pet insurance for dogs and cats.
Summary
Lemonade’s pet insurance has affordable premiums, optional wellness plans, and a unique AI-driven claims process.
Overall Score
Pros
- Annual deductible (not per incident)
- No lifetime payout limits on any plan
- Wellness coverage available as an add-on
- Company makes sizeable charitable contributions to causes of their customers’ choosing
- Lower than average pricing
- Coverage available for pets aged 8 weeks to 20+ years (depending on breed)
- Covers curable pre-existing conditions that are considered cured after 1 year (chronic and knee-related conditions are exempt from coverage)
Cons
- Vet exams for accidents and illnesses only covered in extended add-on plan
- Must pay extra for physical therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy coverage
- Only available in 37 states and DC
- Not covered when traveling with your pet outside of the U.S.
- Doesn’t enroll some breeds once they hit a certain age, but they never terminate coverage for pets as they age
- Doesn’t offer pre-approval of estimates/procedures in advance of treatment
What Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cover?
Both Lemonade’s and other insurers’ accident and illness plans cover many of the same ailments, therapies, and diagnostic procedures. The treatment is covered as long as the condition is deemed medically necessary, doesn’t already exist, isn’t excluded, or manifests after the waiting period. The following are some instances of covered illnesses and accidents:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Cruciate ligament tears
- Cuts
- Diabetes
- Dental trauma
- Ear infections
- Euthanasia
- Exam fees
- Foreign body ingestion
- Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea)
- Hereditary conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Poisoning
- Prescription medications
- Urinary tract infection
Diagnostics & Treatment
Examples of covered diagnostics and treatment include:
- Blood tests
- CT scans
- Emergency care
- Lab work
- MRIs
- Surgery & hospitalization
- Specialty care
- Ultrasounds
- Urinalysis
- X-rays
Exclusions
Below is a list of the major conditions and services Lemonade excludes:
- Alternative and experimental treatments (e.g., aromatherapy, massage, herbal remedies, CBD oil, etc.)
- Anal gland expression
- Behavioral conditions
- Boarding or transport
- Breeding or pregnancy and any conditions relating to or resulting from
- Commercial guarding, herding, or participating in a sports activity (e.g., sled racing) and any conditions relating to or resulting from
- Cremation and burial expenses (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Dental illness (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Elective cosmetic procedures (e.g., ear cropping, tail docking, declawing)
- Grooming and nail trims
- Housing
- Microchipping (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Parasite prevention and medication (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Pet cloning or claims made for genetically modified animals
- Physical therapy, including hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Prescription food
- Recurring conditions from repetitive activities
- Routine supplements/vitamins
- Spaying and neutering (unless you purchase the optional rider)
- Training (i.e., general and obedience)
- Vet exam fees (unless you purchase the optional rider)
Optional Coverage: Vet Visit Fees
Vet exam fees are something pet owners may assume are included with Lemonade pet insurance plans, but each company handles it differently. For an added fee, you can have vet visits pertaining to eligible accidents and illnesses covered through Lemonade.
Optional Coverage: Physical Therapy
You can purchase supplemental coverage for physical treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and more for an extra fee.
Optional Coverage: Dental Illness
You can add to your Lemonade policy an additional $1,000 annual coverage limit for dental illnesses such as gum disease (periodontal disease) or stomatitis.
Optional Coverage: End Of Life & Remembrance
If you purchase this add-on, Lemonade will cover euthanasia, cremation, and commemorative items totaling up to $500.
Optional Coverage: Preventive Care Package
You can add routine care coverage for your pet to get up to 80% covered costs with no deductible. Lemonade’s Preventative Care plans may vary based on your location, pet species/breed, age, etc.
| Great For Dogs & Cats | Ideal For Dogs & Cats | Great For Puppies & Kittens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price For Canines | $16 | $24.33 | $44 |
| Monthly Price For Felines | $10 | $16 | $34 |
| Wellness Exam | 1 up to $50 | 1 up to $50 | 2 up to a total of $100 |
| Fecal or Internal Parasite Test | 1 up to $35 | 1 up to $35 | 2 up to a total of $70 |
| Vaccines or Boosters | 3 up to a total of $75 | 3 up to a total of $75 | 6 up to a total of $150 |
| 1 Heartworm or FeLV/FIV Test | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| 1 Blood Test | $65 | $65 | $65 |
| Spay/Neuter | $120 | ||
| Microchip | $40 | ||
| Flea/Tick/Heartworm Meds | $65 | $65 | |
| Routine Dental Cleaning | $150 | ||
| Annual Wellness Coverage | $265 | $480 | $650 |
Where Is Lemonade Pet Insurance Available? (Map)
How Is Lemonade Pricing Determined?
Lemonade has no one-time fees or monthly transaction fees. Your monthly premium is based on the deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limits that you choose from the table below.
| Deductible Options | Payout Options | Reimbursement Options |
|---|---|---|
| $100 $250 $500 | $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $50,000 $100,000 | 70% 80% 90% |
Pricing is also based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, pre-existing conditions, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes to get an idea of the Lemonade pet insurance cost for your specific pet.
You can also use our pet insurance quote form below to see how top providers compare for your actual pet.
How Did Our Quote Compare Against Other Pet Insurers?
Michelle Schenker, a dog mom and co-founder of Canine Journal, shopped around for the best insurance policy for her dog. Here are the pet insurance costs she got from ten different companies. Coverage is for accidents and illnesses, and pricing does not include a wellness plan. Lemonade was the least expensive for both accident and illness coverage.
Does Lemonade Have Discounts?
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
- 5% off if you pay annually
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
Customer Service Options & Hours
The support staff at Lemonade is available by phone, email, and live chat. Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Lemonade’s customer service is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Lemonade is structured largely as a digital company, handling all claims through its mobile app, which has an AI-driven chatbot.
- Call: 1-844-733-8666
- Email: help@lemonade.com
Our Experience With Lemonade Pet Insurance
Here is Michelle’s experience and why she chose Lemonade as her pet insurance provider.
When shopping for pet insurance for our 4-year-old mixed-breed dog, Barley, I got quotes from 10 companies offering great coverage. Lemonade’s prices were hard to beat, and I knew they would offer the coverage we sought. We also like that NAMI is among the charities you can contribute to as a customer.
Fortunately, I haven’t had to file any claims for Barley, and I hope I never have to. But I feel good knowing that if he suffered an accident or illness, he’d be insured through Lemonade.
How Does The Claim & Reimbursement Process Work?
Everything is submitted through Lemonade’s app. You must file claims within 180 days of an accident or illness occurring.
Lemonade uses a “copay then deductible” reimbursement method. This is calculated in the following manner:
- (Eligible vet expenses x Reimbursement percentage) – Remaining annual deductible = Reimbursement amount
Let’s say you chose a $100 deductible with an 80% reimbursement rate. You take Fido to the vet, and the vet bill is $200. Out of this total, $40 is for the vet visit fee, which is ineligible for coverage unless you opt for the Vet Visit add-on. That means $160 is eligible for coverage, so here’s how your reimbursement would be calculated.
- $160 (eligible vet expenses) x 80% (reimbursement percentage) – $100 (remaining annual deductible) = $28 (reimbursement amount
Now that your deductible has been met, any future eligible vet expenses for the policy period will not require you to pay the deductible again. Reimbursement can be sent to you via direct deposit or check.
What Are The Waiting Periods For Lemonade?
Insurers employ waiting periods to ascertain a pet’s pre-existing conditions before obtaining insurance. If a pet owner falsifies their pet’s health information during enrollment, they are committing insurance fraud, a felony in most U.S. states.
There are waiting periods for illnesses and accidents with pet insurance companies. Lemonade offers a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and a 2-day waiting period for accidents.
For more severe medical conditions (such as canine cruciate ligament [CCL] tears, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease [IVDD], etc.), some providers have longer waiting periods. CCL injuries are among the conditions for which Lemonade has a 6-month waiting period. Other orthopedic conditions, including hip dysplasia, have a 30-day waiting period. Additionally, there is a 1-day waiting period if you enroll in a wellness plan.
*States are slowly adopting a Model Law for pet insurance. This Model Law attempts to standardize each state’s regulations, which includes a standard for waiting periods that all companies must follow. Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
How To Sign Up With Lemonade
Lemonade’s sign-up process is straightforward. Go to Lemonade’s website and click “Check Our Prices.” Lemonade will ask you basic questions, such as whether you’re an existing customer, your name, your pet’s name, dog or cat, address, age, gender, breed, weight, and more.
You can then choose your coverage and add extra coverage (e.g., vet visit fees, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, dental illness, and end-of-life and remembrance).
After you’ve signed up, you’ll want to note the Start Date and Waiting Periods for your policy. These can vary by the state laws adopted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Lemonade pet insurance from our readers. If you have a question, post it in our comments or forum, and one of our experts will answer it.
Who Is The Underwriter For Lemonade?
Lemonade Insurance Agency LLC is Lemonade’s underwriter. Lemonade Insurance Agency LLC has received a rating of A (Exceptional) for financial stability from Demotech and is unrated by A.M. Best.
What Else Can I Bundle With Lemonade Pet Insurance?
One of the biggest differentiators with Lemonade is that it also offers renters, homeowners, car, and life insurance, so you can bundle your pet insurance with your other policies. This can simplify things, as opposed to having several insurance companies for your assets. Best of all, Lemonade offers a 10% discount if you bundle your pet insurance with another policy.
How Does Artificial Intelligence Impact Claim Processing?
Lemonade is able to process many of its claims within minutes of submission because of the use of artificial intelligence. For more straightforward claims, you may see a near-instantaneous approval of your claim submission. However, more complicated claims may take a couple of days. But this is still an excellent claim processing average and among the fastest in the industry.
Lemonade vs Other Companies
Are you interested in seeing how Lemonade compares against other popular pet insurance companies? I’ve written comparison articles to help you compare Lemonade and other leading pet insurance companies in coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, plan customization, and price.
- Lemonade vs Embrace
- Lemonade vs Figo
- Lemonade vs Healthy Paws
- Lemonade vs Nationwide
- Lemonade vs Pets Best
- Lemonade vs Pumpkin
- Lemonade vs Trupanion
| Lemonade | Embrace | Figo | Healthy Paws | Nationwide | Pets Best | Pumpkin | Trupanion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription Food |  | 50% | ||||||
| Supplements | | | ||||||
| Massage Therapy | | | ||||||
| Complementary Care* | Extra Fee | | | | | Extra Fee | | Extra Fee |
| Endodontic Disease | Extra Fee | | | Canines & Carnassials Only | Canines & Carnassials Only | |||
| Tooth Extractions | Due To Accident | | Due To Accident | Due To Accident | | | Due To Accident | |
| Gum Disease | Extra Fee | | | | Canines & Carnassials Only | |||
| Average Claim Processing | 2 Days | 5 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 10-14 Days | 18-30 Days | 5 Days | 2 Days |
| Wellness Plans | | | | | | | ||
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 15 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 30 Days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 2 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day | 15 Days | 14 Days | 3 Days | 14 Days | 5 Days |
| Other Waiting Periods | Orthopedic Conditions – 30 Days; CCL Injuries – 6 Months | Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months | Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months | Hip Dysplasia – 12 Months | CCL Injuries – 12 Months | CCL Injuries – 6 Months | CCL Injuries – 30 Days | |
| Minimum Enrollment Age | 8 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 7 Weeks | 8 Weeks | Birth |
| Maximum Enrollment Age | Depends On Breed‡ | 14 Years For Illness | 14 Years✝ | 10 Years For Illness | 14 Years |
✝Healthy Paws Plan Restrictions: In NY, enrollment must occur before the pet is 4 years old. If enrollment happens after the pet is 6 years old, there are plan restrictions and no coverage for hip dysplasia. (There is no age limitation for hip dysplasia coverage in MD.)
‡Lemonade Plan Restrictions: Some breeds have specific age limitations for enrollment.
Is Lemonade Pet Insurance The Best?
Lemonade’s current pricing, coverage, and flexible pet insurance policies are worth considering if you’re comfortable with fewer customer service options. If you’re unsure if Lemonade is the right pet insurance provider for you after reading my Lemonade Pet Insurance Review or if it’s unavailable in your state, you’ve got lots of options. Check out our comparison of pet insurance companies to learn about other national providers. We also compare the best pet insurance companies and rank them, explaining each company’s strengths and weaknesses.
Methodology
We review each U.S. pet insurance company to provide an unbiased breakdown of providers’ performance in real claim situations. We use a 100-point scale for each pet insurance company to rank them. Our in-depth research includes:
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We scrutinize every policy from top to bottom and read all the fine print, carefully noting each exclusion. We factor in any age restrictions, required add-ons for basic coverage, and whether a company is available nationwide. Insurers with fewer exclusions receive more points in this category than those with less coverage.
- Pricing (15%) – We evaluate pricing by running thousands of sample quotes for dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, locations, and ages. We analyze which companies charge extra fees and discounts and consider which companies nick and dime pet owners with add-on coverage. Providers with the lowest premiums, fewest extra fees, most discounts, and fewer add-ons receive more points in this category.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We assess hundreds of customer reviews, scope out the sign-up process, speak with representatives, and factor in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace to determine the points in this category. Companies with an easy sign-up process, highly rated mobile apps, multiple ways to reach customer service, positive consumer feedback, and a seamless claim filing process score high in this category.
- Financial Strength (10%) – Insurance is only beneficial if you can count on reimbursed claims. Companies with at least five years of nationwide experience and high A.M. Best and Demotech ratings receive high remarks in this category.
- Customization Options (10%) – We consider customizations available to adjust your coverage to fit your budget. Companies with fewer restrictions based on breed, age, location, etc., multiple plan options, and more reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits earn the highest scores.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Providers with the shortest illness and accident waiting periods and fewer additional waiting periods for other conditions merit high remarks.
- Claim Processing (5%) – We share our firsthand experience submitting claims with companies and examine how long it takes to be reimbursed. Insurers with a vet direct pay option and short claim processing averages earn the most points.
- Innovation (3%) – We meet with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings. Providers offering unique, comprehensive coverage and utilizing advanced technology receive more points.
Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also highlight each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to author for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources.
Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing policies that are accurately represented. Michelle also has her dog insured through Lemonade.
