This content was reviewed by our licensed insurance agent, Michelle Schenker.
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Our experts compare plans, coverage, waiting periods, age limitations, and actual price quotes for several dog breeds so you can get an idea of how much a pet insurance policy might cost. You’ll also learn deductible, reimbursement, and payout options each company offers.
Next, see how providers compare in terms of exclusions. Find out if one company excels in policy coverage or lacks in a specific area. You can also compare waiting periods to see when coverage will take effect. Sound like a lot? Don’t worry, we’ve created easy to digest comparison tables to help you examine apples to apples without feeling overwhelmed by all the options.
- What You Need To Know About Pet Insurance
- Top 5 Providers Compared
- Pet Insurance Comparison Charts
- Printable Comparison Charts (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Pet Insurers Are Not Reviewed?
- Is It Possible To Compare Insurers By Average Policy Cost?
- Do You Compare Pet Insurance For Exotic Pets?
- Are There Discounts Available For Owners Of Multiple Pets?
- Do You Cover Rabbit Pet Insurance?
- Do You Compare Pet Insurance Plans In Other Countries (UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada, etc.)?
- Learn About Typical Costs And How Reimbursements Work
What You Need To Know About Pet Insurance
Want to understand pet insurance before you dive into the comparison tables below? We’ve put together a checklist for you:
- Learn the essentials (along with some surprising statistics) by finding out how pet insurance works and whether it’s worth it.
- Learn who we chose as our best picks of the year in our pet insurance plan reviews.
- Choose the best provider for your pet’s specific needs as we pick winners based on categories, including older dogs, dental benefits, wellness, value, and more.
Top 5 Providers Compared
In this table, you’ll find our top picks for pet insurance providers this year. You can visit the companies’ websites to check them out and read our experts’ reviews (the review links take you to in-depth reviews for those companies).
| Pet Insurance Ranking | Best Overall | Best Value | Fastest Claim Processing | Best Multiple Pet Discount | 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) | 10-30 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 5 Days | 2 Days |
| Vet Direct Pay Option |  |  | | | |
| Policy Price (avg) | Lower | Lower | Variable | Higher | Lower |
| Plan Customizations | Many Options | Many Options | Restricted Options | Many Options | Many Options |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Pet Insurance Comparison Charts
Our experts have found that the most helpful comparisons take a look at plans, coverage details, waiting periods, age limitations, and sample quotes. You’ll find all tables below, with providers sorted in order of ranking and popularity from our pet insurance reviews, where you can compare and read reviews from over a dozen providers.
Plans Comparison
The table below shows each company’s deductible, reimbursement, and payout options. Please know that not all deductibles, reimbursement levels, and payout limits are available for every dog in every state.
| Company | Review | Deductible* | Reimbursement** | Payout Options*** | Limit Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Read Review | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $5,000, Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $100, $250, $500, $750 | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | $5,000, $10,000, Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% | Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000, Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $100, $250, $500 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 | Annual |
 | Read Review | $250, $300, $500 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $5,000, $15,000, Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $0-$1,000 (in $5 increments) | 90% | Unlimited | Lifetime |
 | Read Review | $100, $250, $500 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 | Annual |
 | Read Review | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited | Annual |
 | Read Review | $250 | 50%, 70%, 90% | Limited Per Condition, Unlimited | Annual & Per Condition Annually |
*Deductible: The amount of money you must pay for vet treatment before your policy begins to reimburse you and after coinsurance has been applied. You must pay this deductible annually for most companies rather than per incident for coverage to kick in. Be sure to understand your policy, as the annual vs per-incident deductible can vary greatly.
**Reimbursement: The percentage of a claim that you’re eligible for repayment by the pet insurance company after you’ve paid the coinsurance.
***Payout Options: The highest amount a pet insurance company will reimburse during the policy period. A lower payout limit means you may be responsible for more costs if your pet experiences expensive vet treatment(s).
Coverage Details (By Company) Comparison
Want to know if pet insurance will cover what you need and which are better suited for your unique needs? The table below helps you see which company will best protect your pet and your wallet during the darkest times.
Please know that none of the pet insurance providers in our comparison cover pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
All companies’ plans cover the following items when deemed medically necessary: emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications. However, this coverage may have limitations, so please check your policy.
| Company | Review | Behavioral Therapies | Alternative/ Holistic Therapies | Exam Fees | Gum (Periodontal) Disease | Tooth Extraction | Wellness Care* | Avg Claim Processing | Curable Pre-Existing Conditions** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review |  |  | Extra Fee | | | | 10-30 Days | |
| Read Review | | | Extra Fee | | Due To Accident | | 3 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | Due To Accident | | 2 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | | | 5 Days | |
| Read Review | | | Extra Fee | | Due To Accident | | 2 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | | | 12-22 Days | |
| Read Review | | Extra Fee | | Canines & Carnassials Only | | | 2 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | | | 15-30 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | | | 10-14 Days | |
| Read Review | | | | | | | 4 Days | |
*Wellness care is available for an extra fee.
**Coverage for curable pre-existing conditions vary for each provider. To learn more, read each companies’ individual review which includes details about this coverage.
Waiting Periods Comparison
The table below lists any waiting period requirements that apply before your pet insurance policy coverage takes effect.
| Company | Review | Illness | Accident | CCL Surgery | Hip Dysplasia | Wellness* | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | 14 Days | 3 Days | 6 Months | 14 Days | 1 Day | |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 1 Day | 6 Months | 6 Months | 0 Days | Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months |
| Read Review | 15 Days | 15 Days | 15 Days | 12 Months | | |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 2 Days | 6 Months | 6 Months | 0 Days | Orthopedic Conditions – 6 Months |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 2 Days | 6 Months | 14 Days | 0 Days | |
| Read Review | 15 Days | 5 Days | 6 Months | 6 Months | | |
| Read Review | 30 Days | 5 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days | | |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 0 Days | |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 0 Days | |
| Read Review | 14 Days | 14 Days | 12 Months | 14 Days | 1 Day | |
*Wellness coverage is only applicable if you purchase it as an add-on.
Age Limitations Comparison
Is there an age limit on your pet’s ability to qualify for a 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.
| Company | Review | Minimum Age At Enrollment | Maximum Age At Enrollment | Other Age Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | 7 Weeks Old | | |
| Read Review | 8 Weeks Old | | |
| Read Review | 8 Weeks Old | 14 Years Old | Plan Restrictions* |
| Read Review | 6 Weeks Old | 14 Years Old For Illness | |
| Read Review | 8 Weeks Old | Depends On Breed | Plan Restrictions** |
| Read Review | 6 Weeks Old | | |
| Read Review | | 14 Years Old | |
| Read Review | 8 Weeks Old | | |
| Read Review | 8 Weeks Old | | |
| Read Review | | 10 Years Old | |
*Healthy Paws Plan Restrictions – Must be enrolled before four years old in NY; Enrollment after six years old has plan restrictions & no hip dysplasia coverage (MD doesn’t have this age limitation for hip dysplasia coverage).
**Lemonade Plan Restrictions – No enrollment for some breeds beyond specific ages.
Quote (Price) Comparison
The cost of each pet insurance policy is unique to your pet. It’s calculated based on a vast number of variables, including but not limited to your pet’s age, breed, location (i.e., where you live), health conditions, etc.
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 costs, and more. Since the price for your pet may differ significantly from that of others for any given provider, we encourage you to get quotes from multiple companies.
We’ve created some tables below to help show how pricing for pet insurance can vary by provider. We tried to compare apples-to-apples, but sometimes it’s just not possible since not everyone offers the same payouts, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles.
We chose these 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’s two quotes for French Bulldogs to give you an idea of how location can impact price. All 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 from the selection below.
Labrador Retriever In Texas
- 6-month-old
- Female (not spayed)
- No pre-existing conditions
- Houston, Texas (77005)
- Quotes are from November 2021
| Company | Review | Payout | Reimbursement | Deductible | Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee | Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee | Monthly Transaction Fee | One-Time Fee | Monthly Wellness Plan Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | $48.00 | $45.87 | $2.00 | | $16 or $26 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | $58.37 | $48.97 | $2.00 | $15.00 | $9.50 or $16.50 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 80% | $250 | | $65.65 | | $25.00 | |
| Read Review | $30,000 | 90% | $200 | $132.43 | | $1.00 | $25.00 | $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 |
| Read Review | $100,000 | 90% | $250 | $39.17 | $32.83 | | | $18 or $49 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | $132.93 | | | | |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | | $93.18 | | $35.00 | |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 90% | $250 | $77.68 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | $105.92 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | Defined Per Condition | Benefit Schedule | $250 | | $34.91 | $2.00 | | $19.80 |
*Wellness plan is optional
French Bulldog In California
- 1-year-old
- Male (neutered)
- No pre-existing conditions
- Los Angeles, California (90016)
- Quotes are from November 2021
| Company | Review | Payout | Reimbursement | Deductible | Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee | Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee | Monthly Transaction Fee | One-Time Fee | Monthly Wellness Plan Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Unlimited | 80% | $500 | $106.15 | $101.44 | $2.00 | | $16 or $26 |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 80% | $500 | $91.38 | $75.89 | $2.00 | $15.00 | $5.50 or $9.50 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 70% | $500 | | $67.47 | | $25.00 | |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 80% | $500 | $67.50 | | $1.00 | $25.00 | $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 80% | $500 | $73.83 | $61.50 | | | $16 |
| Read Review | $15,000 | 80% | $500 | $83.84 | | | | |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $500 | | $161.99 | | $35.00 | |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 80% | $500 | $83.50 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 80% | $500 | $83.50 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 70% | $250 | $60.80 | | $2.00 | | |
*Wellness plan is optional
French Bulldog In New York
- 3-year-old
- Female (spayed)
- No pre-existing conditions
- New York, New York (10005)
- Quotes are from November 2021
| Company | Review | Payout | Reimbursement | Deductible | Monthly Premium w/ Exam Fee | Monthly Premium w/o Exam Fee | Monthly Transaction Fee | One-Time Fee | Monthly Wellness Plan Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $107.99 | $103.20 | $2.00 | | $16 or $26 |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $82.73 | $68.70 | $2.00 | $15.00 | $5.50 or $9.50 |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 70% | $500 | | $120.38 | | $25.00 | |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $200 | $133.52 | | $1.00 | $25.00 | $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $81.17 | $67.83 | | | $16 |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $76.54 | | | | |
| Read Review | Unlimited | 90% | $250 | | $343.35 | | $35.00 | |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $81.23 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | $5,000 | 70% | $250 | $81.23 | | $2.00 | | $9.95 or $24.95 |
| Read Review | $10,000 | 70% | $250 | $128.21 | | $2.00 | | |
*Wellness plan is optional
Printable 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 4 pages (two if you print double-sided). Click here to view it and print it. Included are:
- Plan Customization Comparison – shows each company’s deductible, reimbursement, and payout options.
- Coverage & Exclusions Comparison – shows what’s included with coverage (everything from behavioral therapies to exam fees).
- Waiting Periods Comparison – lists any waiting period requirements before your pet insurance policy coverage takes effect.
- Age Limitations Comparison – shows pet insurance age restrictions. Once you’ve purchased and maintained a pet insurance policy, coverage won’t end as your pet ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our readers frequently ask these questions after reading our comparisons.
Which Pet Insurers Are Not Reviewed?
Are any pet insurance providers excluded from your comparison? The pet insurance market is growing rapidly, and new providers are continually entering. We don’t rank companies until they have a five-year history in the pet insurance industry due to frequent price fluctuations, and we want to ensure that they will still be around. However, we do review them.
Visit our alphabetical pet insurance company catalog for a comprehensive listing of all the providers we cover, along with basic stats, including their founding year, headquarters location, underwriter, customer service options, and support hours. We also list deductible, payout limit, and reimbursement options for each company so you can make a quick side-by-side comparison.
Is It Possible To Compare Insurers By Average Policy Cost?
The cost of each pet insurance policy is unique to your pet. It’s calculated based on a vast number of variables, including but not limited to your pet’s age, breed, location (i.e., where you live), health conditions, etc.
We calculate our “price of policy” ratings based on quotes we run in addition to reader and consumer feedback. Since the price for your pet may vary significantly from that of others for any given provider, we encourage you to get quotes from multiple companies with one form.
Do You Compare Pet Insurance For Exotic Pets?
It’s nice to get quotes for dogs and cats, but we have a pet boa constrictor we would like to insure. Can you help us out?
Canine Journal Reader
Sure! We don’t want any pet to feel left out. Currently, only one company offers pet insurance for exotic pets in the US. Find out who it is and what’s covered in our exotic pet insurance comparison.
Are There Discounts Available For Owners Of Multiple Pets?
Coverage for more than one pet (in the same household) varies by provider, but you can get a multi-pet discount in many instances. Our experts have researched for you. Find out which provider wins our best pet insurance for multiple pets award.
Do You Cover Rabbit Pet Insurance?
Sure thing! We have a pet insurance rabbit comparison that explains how rabbit insurance works, your options, how it’s different from dog insurance, how much it costs, and more.
Do You Compare Pet Insurance Plans In Other Countries (UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada, etc.)?
Our pet insurance comparisons only cover providers in the United States.
An example of a pet insurance brand that operates in several different countries is Petplan. They were founded and are the largest pet insurance provider in the UK but they also license their name for use in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain. In January 2022, the company who formerly operated under the Petplan UK license in the U.S. changed its brand name to Fetch by The Dodo.
If there’s enough interest, we may expand our comparison of plans to include the UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Europe, and more.
Learn About Typical Costs And How Reimbursements Work
For those of you still on the fence, you’re probably wondering what kind of scenarios your pup might get into when pet insurance would apply. Check out our list of common dog health issues to get an idea. For example, removing lumps and bumps is one of the most frequent surgeries for dogs and can cost more than $1,000 each time (per incident).
That’s a lot of money that you weren’t planning to spend, and many people don’t have that much cash lying around. Getting pet insurance can lift that weight so you can focus on caring for and enjoying your time with your pets instead of worrying about the financial risk of paying for unexpected medical bills.
But don’t take our word for it; our experts break down pet insurance costs, including deductibles, reimbursements, premiums, extra fees, payout options, benefit schedules, and more. They also take you through the process of how (and how quickly) reimbursement works.
Tagged With: Comparison, Reviewed By Insurance Agent
