Best Pet Insurance Companies and Plans for 2024
ASPCA, Spot, and Pets Best offer some of the most affordable and best pet insurance policies around.
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Written byJacqueline DeMarco
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13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Insurance, lending, and retirement expert
Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.
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Edited byEvelyn Pimplaskar
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10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
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Updated May 10, 2024
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Table of contents
When it comes to buying pet insurance, factors like breed, pet type, and your chosen plan can all affect how much you spend. The pet insurance company you choose to work with can also play a role. For example, the average monthly rate for insuring a dog with Embrace is $58, but the average cost of coverage from Pets Best is $20 per month.
Here’s what you need to know about finding the best pet insurance for your pet’s needs at an affordable price.
Quick Facts
Each year, pet owners pay an average of $387 for accident and illness coverage for cats and $640 for dogs.[1]
On average, Pets Best offers the cheapest average monthly quotes, with starting monthly rates of $6 for cats and $9 for dogs.
The main pet insurance policy options include accident and illness, accident only, and wellness coverage.
Best pet insurance companies
Having the right policy and company on your side can make all the difference in keeping your pet healthy for an affordable price. When it’s time to choose a pet insurance company to help protect your furry friend, you need to look for a plan that works with your budget.
Beyond searching for cheap rates, you should prioritize choosing a pet insurance company that offers the right coverage and features.
Here are some of the best plans that can help you protect your finances. Compare the average costs to insure cats and dogs with each insurer below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Cost for Dogs ▲▼ | Average Monthly Cost for Cats ▲▼ | Deductible Options ▲▼ | Annual Limit ▲▼ | Reimbursement Options ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets Best | $20 | $12 | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | $5,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Figo | $26 | $14 | $250, $500 | Up to $10,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Spot | $28 | $14 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $2,500 to unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| ASPCA | $33 | $17 | $100, $200, $500 | $5,000 to $20,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Healthy Paws | $37 | $18 | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | None | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% |
| Embrace | $58 | $33 | Diminishing | Varies by pet | 100% |
Average rates may vary based on individual profile.
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ASPCA: Best for flexible deductibles
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) provides a varied selection of pet insurance plans that can give you coverage for accidents, illnesses, behavioral problems, and hereditary conditions.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $33
Average monthly cost for cats: $17
Deductible options: $100, $200, $500
Annual limit: $5,000 to $20,000
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
Depending on your policy, coverage may even extend to prescription food, congenital issues, and alternative therapies. You can select a plan with complete, accident-only, or preventive care coverage.
Pros
Flexible deductible
Multi-pet discount
Handful of coverage options
Cons
Reimbursement caps at 90%
Annual limit of $5,000 to $20,000
Exotic pet coverage not available
Embrace: Best for comprehensive coverage
If simplicity is your goal, you’ll appreciate that Embrace pet insurance offers a single comprehensive policy covering accidents, illnesses, chronic conditions, breed-specific issues, and cancer treatment.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $58
Average monthly cost for cats: $33
Deductible options: Diminishing
Annual limit: Varies by pet
Reimbursement options: 100%
Embrace also provides the option to include wellness care, covering routine checkups, vaccinations, and certain exams. Services include a 24/7 telehealth line called Paw Support for pet-related inquiries. If you may need emergency care, this perk can come in handy.
Pros
Multi-pet discount of 10%
Short waiting period for accidents
24/7 telehealth line
Cons
Limited plan options
Upper age limits can apply
Annual coverage limit
Figo: Best for nervous pet parents
Figo offers policyholders a 24/7 vet hotline, so worried pet parents can get qualified advice at any time of the day or night.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $26
Average monthly cost for cats: $14
Deductible options: $250, $500
Annual limit: Up to $10,000
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
Figo provides pet parents with the choice between three customizable plan types covering accidents, illnesses, cancer, hereditary disorders, congenital conditions, and chronic ailments. Figo also gives you the option to add wellness coverage to your base policy, which can help with the costs of routine checkups, vaccinations, and specific exams.
The company processes claims swiftly, usually within three days, and doesn’t impose incident coverage limits. You’ll also have access to Pet Cloud — a service that helps foster pet reunions by providing personalized pet tags for lost animals.
Pros
Speedy claims processing
Covers some pre-existing conditions
Customizable coverage options
Cons
Hidden waiting period
Potential enrollment fee
Many negative Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews
Healthy Paws: Best for fast claim payouts
Healthy Paws has more than 560,000 enrolled pets.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $37
Average monthly cost for cats: $18
Deductible options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Annual limit: None
Reimbursement options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%
Despite so many policies in place, the company processes its claims quickly — usually within two days. Healthy Paws doesn’t have maximum limits for payouts each year or over a pet’s lifetime.
This insurer offers flexible premium and deductible options. But Healthy Paws only has one simple plan available. The company doesn’t have a wellness plan add-on, so you can’t get assistance with examination fees, dental care, behavioral treatment, or non-FDA treatments and supplements.
Pros
Flexible options for premiums and deductibles
High Trustpilot rating
Processes claims quickly
Cons
Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Not many discounts or add-ons
Pet wellness plan not available
Spot: Best for add-ons
Spot can give pet parents a lot of peace of mind thanks to 24/7 access to pet telehealth through VetAccess.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $28
Average monthly cost for cats: $14
Deductible options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Annual limit: $2,500 to unlimited
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
If you’re worried about the cost of insuring more than one pet, you’ll benefit from Spot’s 10% multi-pet discount.
When it’s time to file a claim, you can choose to receive reimbursement by direct deposit or check. You also have five different deductible options and three reimbursement rates to choose from when you enroll. The company sells accident and illness, accident-only, and preventive care coverage.
Pros
24/7 telehealth support
Multi-pet discount of 10%
Prescription food coverage
Cons
Doesn’t offer exotic pet coverage
No 100% reimbursement option
No direct payment option
Pets Best: Best for low premiums
Pets Best insurance offers pet owners ease and convenience. You can file a claim quickly using the mobile app and check your pet’s benefits online.
Average monthly cost for dogs: $20
Average monthly cost for cats: $12
Deductible options: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Annual limit: $5,000, or unlimited
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
Pets Best offers a 24/7 helpline that’s helpful for questions about caring for your pet. If you’re on a budget, you can opt for the accident-only plan for $6 per month for cats and $9 for dogs regardless of age or breed.
For more extensive coverage, you can choose the accident and illness plan that protects against various illnesses your pet might contract. If you want coverage for routine checkups and vaccinations, you can add EssentialWellness or BestWellness plans to your policy for wellness benefits.
Pros
Deductibles start at $50
Unlimited reimbursement
24/7 telehealth hotline
Cons
Pre-existing conditions not covered
No advertised discounts
Not transparent about waiting period
To identify the best pet insurance companies, Insurify’s writers and editors sought quotes from each insurer for a 2-year-old mixed breed, medium-sized, male dog, and a 2-year-old American shorthair female cat. Quotes were for accident and illness coverage with 80% reimbursement, a $500 deductible, and $5,000 or more in annual coverage.
We also researched each pet insurance company’s available coverage options, deductible options, discounts, pets covered, waiting period, and customer reviews.
How to find the best pet insurance for you
If you think you and your pet can benefit from a pet insurance policy, follow these steps to find the right coverage and insurer:
Assess your pet’s needs. When shopping for pet insurance, you’ll want to consider your pet’s age, breed, pre-existing conditions, and any specific health concerns. Different pets have varying medical requirements, so assess what level of coverage you need for your furry friend. For example, if your pet is prone to illness, you should consider an accident and illness policy.
Read reviews and testimonials. You shouldn’t have to deal with difficult customer support representatives when your pet is sick. Research customer reviews and testimonials online to gauge the experiences of other pet owners with the insurance companies you’re considering.
Compare quotes. Obtain quotes from multiple reputable insurers to see which can offer the best price for the right amount of coverage. Compare coverage options, including deductibles, annual coverage limits, reimbursement rates, upper age limits, and exclusions for conditions like hip dysplasia.
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How pet insurance works
Pet insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers veterinary costs associated with the medical treatment of pets, such as dogs and cats. You can think of pet insurance as a health insurance policy for your pets with a simpler process for enrollment and receiving coverage.[2]
Pet insurance helps pet owners manage unexpected and costly vet bills related to accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and preventive care. Pet insurance policyholders pay a monthly or annual premium to the insurance company. In return, the insurance company covers eligible veterinary expenses like vet visit fees, either partially or in full depending on policy terms and coverage.
Important Information
Most pet insurance policies have a waiting period, which is the time between purchasing the policy and when coverage becomes effective. During this waiting period, typically ranging from a few days to a few weeks, the pet isn’t yet eligible for coverage. Waiting periods prevent people from buying insurance only when their pet needs immediate medical attention.
Types of pet insurance coverage
You have a few different pet insurance coverage options. To start, you can choose between accident-only coverage and accident and illness coverage. As the name implies, an accident-only plan covers accidents, while accident and illness policies cover both. As a result, accident-only coverage is the cheaper option.
People looking for more coverage can sometimes choose to add wellness coverage to their base plan for a small cost, which can help with the costs of preventive and routine care costs.
The right type of pet insurance plan can really help alleviate the financial burden that comes with your pet’s vet bills. Here’s a closer look at what each main type of pet insurance covers:
Accident and illness plan
What it covers:
Injuries
Cancer
Poisoning
Infectious diseases
Allergies
Ingesting foreign objects
Cuts and wounds
Hospitalization
Select prescriptions
Surgeries
Broken bones or fractures
Gastrointestinal issues
Lab testing
Diagnostics
What it doesn’t cover:
Vaccinations
Routine care
Pre-existing conditions
Dental exams
Accident-only plan
What it covers:
Accidental injuries
Poisoning
Car accidents
Cuts
Wounds
Ingesting foreign objects
Broken bones
Fractures
What it doesn’t cover:
Pre-existing conditions
Illnesses like cancer
Congenital conditions
Gastrointestinal issues
Diabetes
Hereditary conditions
Infectious diseases
Allergies
Diabetes
Breed-specific conditions
Wellness plan
What it covers:
Vaccinations
Check-ups
Dental exams
Vaccinations
Microchipping
Spay or neuter surgery
Flea, tick, and heartworm medications
Blood testing and analysis
Urine testing and analysis
What it doesn’t cover:
Accidents
Illnesses
Pre-existing conditions
What pet insurance doesn’t cover
Just like human health insurance, pet insurance doesn’t cover everything. It typically excludes:
Pre-existing conditions: Health issues discovered during the waiting period or that existed before purchasing the insurance policy.
Routine and preventive care, such as vaccinations, flea control, and dental cleanings. In some cases, you can pay for a wellness add-on (at an additional cost) that covers routine and preventive care and possibly behavioral therapy or alternative treatments.
Cosmetic procedures
Breeding, training, or experimental treatments
Some hereditary conditions specific breeds are prone to.
Before you sign up for a pet insurance policy, you’ll want to pay just as close attention to what the policy doesn’t cover as what it does cover.
Pet insurance FAQs
Want to learn more about how pet insurance works? The following information should help you navigate finding the best pet insurance coverage for you.
Do most pet owners have insurance?
No. The majority of pet owners don’t have policies for their dogs or cats and pay for all their pet’s medical care out of pocket. About 91 million U.S. families have a pet, but only 4.8 million pets had pet insurance coverage in 2022.[3] The majority of pet owners don’t have policies for their dogs or cats and pay for all their pet’s medical care out of pocket.
What are the best pet insurance companies?
ASPCA, Spot, and Pets Best are three pet insurers that offer robust coverage and affordable prices. Keep in mind the best pet insurance policy for you depends entirely on your coverage needs, budget, and pet profile.
Which is the cheapest pet insurance?
On average, Pets Best offers the cheapest pet insurance policies of all the pet insurance companies included above. Policies with Pets Best cost an average of $20 per month to insure a dog and $12 for a cat.
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Sources
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "State of the Industry Report 2023 Highlights."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts about pet insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance."
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Jacqueline DeMarco
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
Jacqueline has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
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