Compare Pet Insurance Quotes and Company Plans (2024)

Comparing pet insurance quotes for dogs and cats can help you save up to 57% on your plan and find the right insurance for you and your pet.

Jessica Martel
Written byJessica Martel
Jessica Martel
Jessica Martel

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Updated November 9, 2023

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Life with a pet can be unpredictable. You never know when your furry friend will experience an illness or injury. But you can do your best to prepare with pet insurance. Pet insurance is a product — similar to other insurance products — that steps in to help pay for certain pet illnesses, injuries, and other emergencies.

Purchasing pet insurance can give you the confidence that you can pay for vet bills if your pet breaks a bone, swallows a toxic substance, or is diagnosed with a chronic condition. To find the right plan for you, compare pet insurance companies before making a decision.

Quick Facts
  • Average annual premiums for accident and illness insurance are $387 for cats and $640 for dogs.[1]

  • Older, larger purebred pets typically have higher premiums than smaller, younger mixed-breed animals.

  • When comparing pet insurance, consider the annual deductible, reimbursement limit, and reimbursement percentage.

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How to compare pet insurance quotes

When shopping for pet insurance, comparing multiple companies can help you to find the right coverage and save money.

Choose the type of insurance

Before you start to compare the best pet insurance plans, decide on the type of insurance you need. Factors like the animal’s age, breed, and if it has any hereditary or pre-existing health conditions will affect your coverage options and price.

A more comprehensive plan can include preventative care services but will typically cost more money. If you’re on a tight budget, you might choose a simpler plan, such as accident-only coverage. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can start to research different companies.

Consider cost

In addition to the type of insurance you want, another important factor is cost. You’ll have to make decisions about the following variables:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/ed7e75ea26/cat.svg

    Reimbursement limit

    This is the maximum amount your pet insurer will pay for a covered claim. For instance, you might have a plan with a $5,000 or $15,000 limit. You may also find plans without reimbursement limits.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/df30ef509c/dog.svg

    Deductible

    This is the amount you have to pay before your insurance kicks in and covers the rest. A higher deductible often results in a lower premium. Common annual deductibles range from $100 to $1,000.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/00dd026525/paw.svg

    Reimbursement percentage

    This is the percentage the pet insurance company will pay after you pay your deductible. For instance, if you choose an 80% reimbursement percentage, your insurer will pay 80% of your claim after you pay your deductible. You are responsible for paying the other 20%. Common reimbursement percentages range from 70% to 90%. And some companies offer 100% reimbursements.

How Much Is Pet Insurance in 2024?

How Much Is Pet Insurance in 2024?

Compare quotes

Once you have a shortlist of companies, start comparing pet insurance quotes. You can compare multiple quotes at the same time using a comparison site.

While a pet insurance price comparison between multiple companies is important, you also want to compare pet insurance companies on other factors, such as waiting periods and discounts. The waiting period is the time you have to wait before your coverage goes into effect. Waiting periods typically range from 10 to 30 days.[2]

How pet insurance works

Pet insurance can provide pet owners with the peace of mind that they can cover their pet’s healthcare costs in case of an unexpected injury or illness.

You can usually choose to pay your pet insurance premium monthly or on a yearly basis. Often, companies will offer a discount if you pay annually.

With pet insurance, when your pet is sick or injured, you can take it to the vet to get treatment for a covered condition. Typically, you pay the vet bill and then submit your claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. The amount your pet insurance plan reimburses you depends on the reimbursement percentage you chose, as well as your deductible.

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Types of pet insurance coverage

Before you purchase pet insurance, think about the type of coverage you want for your pet. Consider your pet’s age, if it has a pre-existing health condition, or if it’s prone to hereditary conditions.

Accident and illness plan

Accident and illness coverage is one of the most popular types of pet insurance plans. This type of policy helps you pay for many of the injuries your pet could sustain, including:

  • Bite wounds

  • Broken bones

  • Cuts and lacerations

  • Car impacts

  • Ingested toxins

  • Swallowed objects

  • Torn ligaments

Many plans also cover diagnostic services and treatments, including:

  • Blood work

  • Hospitalization

  • Medications

  • MRIs

  • Surgery

  • Sutures

  • Ultrasounds

  • X-rays

Illness insurance provides coverage for a variety of major and minor illnesses, which could include:

  • Allergies

  • Arthritis

  • Cancer

  • Ear infections

  • Epilepsy

  • Skin infections

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Insurance companies can vary on what they consider an accident or illness, so it’s important to carefully compare quotes and coverages on pet insurance policies.

Accident-only plan

An accident-only plan covers the same injuries, diagnostic services, and treatments as an accident and illness plan but doesn’t cover your pet if it gets a minor or major illness.

This type of plan usually won’t cover any pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions, preventive care, or dental illnesses. Accident-only insurance is often a good choice if you’re on a tighter budget and want some protection but can’t afford a more comprehensive plan.

Wellness plan

Most accident and illness insurance plans don’t cover preventative care. This is where a wellness plan comes in. Some pet insurance companies offer a wellness plan as an add-on to a pet insurance policy. A wellness plan can cover the following:

  • Blood tests

  • Fecal tests

  • Microchipping

  • Routine checkups

  • Urinalysis

  • Vaccinations

Is Free Pet Insurance Possible or Right for You?

Is Free Pet Insurance Possible or Right for You?

Best pet insurance companies

Insurance

Company

Average Monthly Cost for DogsAverage Monthly Cost for CatsDeductible OptionsAnnual LimitReimbursement Options
Embrace$43$34$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000$5,000 to Unlimited70%, 80%, 90%
Pets Best$30$20$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000$5,000 or Unlimited70%, 80%, 90%
Nationwide$33$15$100, $250, $500$5,000 or Unlimited50%, 70%, 80%
Figo$32$16$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500$5,000 to Unlimited70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
AKC$33$22$100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750, $1,000$2,500 to Unlimited70%, 80%, 90%
ManyPets$21$13$500, $750, $1,000Unlimited70%, 80%

Embrace: Best for discounts

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $43

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $34

Embrace pet insurance offers various pet plans for dogs and cats, including for full coverage, dental illness, and preventative wellness plans. You can take advantage of a 10% multi-pet discount and a 5% military discount.

With Embrace, you can visit any vet or use its Paw Support telehealth line, which is available to customers 24/7. Embrace also offers overall exam fee coverage, which isn’t always included with other pet insurance companies.

Plans available:

  • Illness and conditions

  • Accidents and injuries

  • Dental

  • Prescriptions

  • Wellness

Pros
  • You can use any vet

  • Unlimited reimbursement available

  • 24/7 pet helpline

Cons
  • Age limits may apply

  • No pre-existing conditions coverage

  • Charges $25 enrollment fee

Pets Best: Best for low deductible

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $30

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $20

Pets Best offers several ways to customize your pet’s coverage options. Insurance is available for dogs and cats older than 7 weeks, with no upper age limits. Pets Best allows you to use your own veterinarian with insurance accepted at any licensed vet office in the U.S. and Canada.

With a range of deductible options starting as low as $50, you can find an option that fits your budget. If you have multiple pets to insure, you may qualify for a 5% multi-pet discount.

Plans available:

  • Dog and puppy insurance

  • Cat and kitten insurance

  • Pet wellness plans

  • Optional accident and illness exam fee coverage

Pros
  • Accepted at any vet office in the U.S. and Canada

  • No upper age limits

  • Offers unlimited coverage

Cons
  • No pre-existing condition coverage

  • Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions

  • Essential package doesn’t cover exam fees

Nationwide: Best for exotic pet coverage

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $33

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $15

Nationwide offers pet insurance for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Exotic animal coverage includes birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Some exotic pets are not eligible for coverage, including venomous or poisonous species, endangered or threatened species, and others. Monthly premiums for exotic pets start at less than $21 per month.

With Nationwide, you can use your coverage at any licensed vet in the U.S. If you have multiple pets, you may qualify for a 5% discount.

Plans available:

  • Accident

  • Illness

  • Wellness

Pros
  • Exotic pet insurance

  • No upper age limits

  • Visit any licensed vet in the U.S.

Cons
  • No pre-existing condition coverage

  • Only offers coverage of up to 80%

  • 14-day waiting period

Figo: Best for full reimbursement coverage

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $32

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $16

Figo offers pet insurance for dogs and cats that are at least 8 weeks old, with no upper age limits. With Figo, you can visit any licensed vet office worldwide. Figo offers various customizable plans to best fit your needs. Some plans even offer 100% reimbursement coverage.

Like most pet insurance companies, Figo doesn’t offer pre-existing condition coverage. You can still insure your pet with Figo if it has a pre-existing condition, but coverage won’t include the condition.

Plans available:

  • Accident and illness

  • Wellness coverage

  • Veterinary exam fees

Pros
  • Some plans offer 100% reimbursement

  • Customizable plans

  • Some coverage for pre-existing curable conditions

Cons
  • Six-month waiting period for orthopedic problems

  • Enrollment fee

  • No accident-only plan

AKC: Best for pre-existing condition coverage

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $33

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $22

AKC Pet Insurance has provided pet insurance since 2003. It’s the exclusive pet insurance partner of the American Kennel Club, which is the world’s largest dog registry.

With AKC insurance, you can visit any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency clinic in the U.S. or Canada. AKC offers 24/7 veterinary support and is one of the few pet insurance companies that offer pre-existing condition coverage after 365 days of continuous coverage in eligible states. AKC also offers coverage for eligible hereditary conditions, provided you added HereditaryPlus to your policy.

Plans available:

  • Accident and illness plan

  • Accident only

  • Wellness options

  • Exam coverage

  • Hereditary conditions coverage

  • Breeding coverage

  • Final respects coverage

Pros
  • Pre-existing coverage after 365 days of continuous coverage (in most states)

  • Free 30-day trial

  • 24/7 vet helpline

Cons
  • Limited coverage options for pets age 9 and older

  • Monthly service fee

  • Additional coverage required for hereditary and congenital conditions

ManyPets: Best for low monthly rates

  • Average monthly quote for dogs: $21

  • Average monthly quote for cats: $13

ManyPets got its start in 2012 in the United Kingdom. Since this time, the company has expanded into Sweden and the U.S.

With ManyPets coverage, you can visit any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency clinic in the U.S. ManyPets provides new insurance policies for kittens, puppies, and older dogs and cats up to age 14 with no additional fees. If your pet was insured before age 14, there’s no age limit as long as you’ve maintained your insurance and routine care.

Plans available:

  • Accident and Illness

  • Wellness

Pros
  • No networks, no restrictions

  • Covers pre-existing conditions if symptom- and treatment-free for 18 months

  • No annual or lifetime limits on payouts

Cons
  • Requires 18 months of medical records

  • No accident-only plan

  • Not available in Idaho

Factors that affect the cost of pet insurance

The cost of pet insurance can vary widely among companies based on several factors, including:

  • Type of animal

  • Age

  • Breed

  • Hereditary conditions

  • Pre-existing health conditions

  • Location

  • Annual deductible

  • Add-ons

Cat insurance is typically cheaper than dog insurance. The most recent statistics from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) reveal the average annual insurance premiums for accident and illness insurance are $387 for cats and $640 for dogs.[1]

Older animals are usually more expensive to insure than younger pets because, like in humans, the risk of illness increases with age. Insurance for mixed-breed pets is also typically cheaper than for purebreds, as mixed-breeds tend to suffer from fewer inherited conditions. And larger breeds often have higher premiums because it costs more to treat them than smaller breeds.

Where you live can also affect the cost of your premiums. Pet owners in urban areas can expect to pay higher costs because running vet practices in urban areas is generally more expensive than in rural areas.[2]

To find the best coverage and price possible, compare multiple pet insurance quotes before buying a policy.

Pet insurance FAQs

Learn about reducing pet insurance costs in Insurify’s guide. Here are some answers to common questions about pet insurance.

  • How do pet insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?

    A pre-existing condition is a health condition that existed before the start of your pet insurance coverage. Many pet insurance companies require a veterinary examination or request medical records before providing coverage.

  • When should you get your dog or cat pet insurance?

    Many pet owners should aim to get pet insurance within the first six months of getting their pet. Since many pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, you may want to get it early to avoid paying more.

  • What’s the best pet insurance?

    Some of the best pet insurance companies are Figo, ManyPets, Embrace, and Nationwide. But the best insurance for you depends on striking a balance between your pet’s specific needs and a company that offers you the best value. Comparing pet insurance companies will help you find the right coverage at the best price.

  • How much is pet insurance?

    The cost of pet insurance is an average of $53 per month for dogs and $32 per month for cats. However, your cost will vary among companies and by several factors, including your pet’s age, breed, location, species, and more.

Methodology

Quoted rates reflect the average cost for a 2-year-old, male, medium, mixed-breed dog and a 2-year-old, female American shorthair cat.

Insurify collected quote data for the following policy details:

Type: Accident and Illness

Reimbursement limit: $15,000 

Deductible: $500 

Reimbursement percentage: 80%

Sources

  1. North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "State of the Industry Report: 2023 Highlights." Accessed October 25, 2023
  2. North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "NAPHIA’s Pet Insurance Buying Guide." Accessed October 25, 2023
Jessica Martel
Jessica Martel

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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