Cheap Pet Insurance (2024)
Nationwide, Spot, and FIGO have the cheapest average pet insurance quotes.
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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 byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated December 10, 2023
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Table of contents
Table of contents
If you worry about unexpected veterinarian bills, you should consider buying a pet insurance policy, which is like health insurance for your pet. How much you spend on pet insurance ultimately depends on your pet and the type of coverage you purchase. Average pet insurance plans can cost as little as $5 per month from Nationwide, $13 from Spot, and $16 from FIGO.
The average cost of accident and illness coverage in the U.S. is $640 per year for dogs and $387 per year for cats, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Accident-only coverage costs less annually, at $201 per year for dogs and $122 for cats, on average.[1]
Keep reading to learn more about the cheapest pet insurance companies for pet owners to consider, as well as tips for how to save on your pet’s policy.
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Cheapest pet insurance companies
The following insurers offer some of the cheapest pet insurance policies on the market. When comparing your options, you should consider both cost and coverage specifics.
Summary of cheap pet health insurance plans
Company ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ | Average Yearly Quote ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Birds and exotic pets | $5 | $60 |
| Spot | Multi-pet coverage | $13 | $156 |
| FIGO | No waiting period | $16 | $192 |
| Healthy Paws | Flexible plans | $22 | $264 |
| ASPCA | Alternative therapy coverage | $23 | $276 |
| Lemonade | Bundling | $20 | $240 |
| Pets Best | Vet direct pay | $25 | $300 |
| Embrace | Pet care helpline | $25 | $300 |
| Trupanion | Unlimited payouts | $32 | $384 |
Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique profile.
Spot: Best for multi-pet coverage
Average Monthly Quote: $13
Spot offers convenient pet insurance policies for dogs and cats that make managing your pet’s health easy. The company sells accident and illness, accident-only, and preventive care coverage throughout the U.S. and Canada. You can also easily file a claim online.
Pros
Up to 90% cash back on your vet bills
10% multi-pet discount
Access to 24/7 telehealth helpline
Cons
No pre-existing condition coverage
14-day waiting period
Premiums increase as your pet ages
Lemonade: Best for bundling
Average Monthly Quote: $20
Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Lemonade makes signing up for pet coverage and receiving claim payouts fast and simple. You can buy coverage or file a claim in a matter of minutes. An accident and illness plan from Lemonade can cover costs associated with diagnostics, procedures, and medications. Lemonade also offers home, auto, and life insurance, so you may be able to save by bundling your pet insurance with another type of coverage from Lemonade.
Pros
10% bundling discount and 5% multi-pet discount
Prescription medication and injection coverage
Fast claim payments
Cons
Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament events
Requires 12.5-month medical history of pet (if older than that)
Can’t enroll via phone
Trupanion: Best for unlimited payouts
Average Monthly Quote: $32
Trupanion advertises that it’s the only insurance company that pays claims in real-time while customers check out, removing the typical waiting period for claims payouts. The company offers pet coverage for new and unexpected injuries and illnesses your dog or cat may develop.
Pros
Unlimited payouts
Claims paid in seconds
Coverage for breed-specific conditions
Cons
Enrollment unavailable for pets age 14 or older
No multi-pet discount
Limited international travel coverage
Embrace: Best for pet care helpline
Average Monthly Quote: $25
If you want to make sure your pet gets the best medical care possible, you’ll likely appreciate that Embrace offers exam fee coverage and provides access to a free 24/7 pet health helpline.
Pros
Can use coverage at any vet
Unlimited reimbursement
10% multi-pet discount
Cons
No vaccine coverage without extra cost
Can’t submit claims over the phone
Premium can increase as pet ages
Pets Best: Best for vet direct pay
Average Monthly Quote: $25
Pets Best has insured more than 500,000 pets and paid out more than $500 million in claims, so you can rest easy knowing you’re working with an experienced pet insurance company. The company sells accident and illness, accident-only, and routine care plans for dogs and cats.
Pros
24/7 helpline
Easy online claims process
Routine care coverage
Cons
No prescription food coverage
No parasite testing or treatment coverage
No exceptions for pre-existing conditions
Healthy Paws: Best for flexible plans
Average Monthly Quote: $22
If you want a pet insurance plan that’s flexible, Healthy Paws gives you the option to choose your deductible and reimbursement amounts so your monthly premium can work for your financial situation.
Pros
No maximum payouts
Claims processed within two days
No enrollment or administrative fees
Cons
No wellness plans available
15-day waiting period in most states
No prescription food coverage
Nationwide: Best for birds and exotic pets
Average Monthly Quote: $5
Nationwide is major national multi-line insurer with a long history of providing reliable coverage. This company claims to be the only pet insurance company to offer coverage for birds and exotic pets in addition to dogs and cats. Because Nationwide also offers other types of insurance, like home and auto, you may be able to save by bundling pet insurance coverage with another Nationwide policy.
Pros
Risk-free cancellation anytime
Can visit any licensed vet in the U.S.
Online claim submission
Cons
14-day waiting period
No prescription food coverage with base plan
Reimbursement limits may apply
ASPCA: Best for alternative therapy coverage
Average Monthly Quote: $23
With ASPCA, you gain access to expected coverage for accidents and illnesses, but you also have the option to take advantage of less-common coverage for behavioral issues and alternative therapy.
Pros
10% multi-pet discount
30-day money-back guarantee
Can visit any licensed vet in the U.S.
Cons
Can take up to 30 days for claims to process
15-day waiting period
No wellness add-on
FIGO: Best for no waiting period
Average Monthly Quote: $16
Pet owners who want coverage fast should consider FIGO. Unlike most pet insurance companies, FIGO doesn’t have a waiting period for coverage to kick in. Once you enroll, your policy is active the next day.
Pros
2.6-day average claim close time
No per-incident caps
24/7 access to licensed vet
Cons
No accident-only plan option
Premiums increase as your dog gets older
An enrollment fee may apply
Methodology
Insurify sourced the quotes on this page directly from the pet insurance company websites. Dog quotes were based on a 2-year-old male mixed-breed dog that weighs between 31 and 50 pounds and lives in Hartford, Connecticut. Cat quotes were calculated based on a 2-year-old female American shorthair that lives in Hartford, Connecticut.
All quotes were based on a $500 deductible, except for Nationwide, which provided quotes based on a $250 deductible. Keep in mind that your quotes may look different based on your particular pet profiles and where you live.
How to find cheap pet insurance
As much as you love your pet, you also probably have a budget that you need to stick to. Having pet insurance can help you save money on vet expenses, but you can also utilize some tips to save on premium payments. Consider the following ways to earn cheaper premiums:
Choose basic coverage
You typically have two main options for the type of pet insurance you can buy: basic coverage and comprehensive coverage. If you want the most coverage, you need to go with comprehensive, which can pay for lab fees, prescriptions, and office visits. However, you can expect to spend more for comprehensive coverage.[2]
Choosing a basic coverage plan and skipping add-ons like well-care protection can help you keep pet insurance costs low. However, basic coverage may not include certain types of care, like emergency treatment, alternative therapies, or hip dysplasia treatments.
Compare pet insurance quotes
No pet insurance company is the same, and how they price their policies can vary significantly. A variety of factors can affect insurance costs, including your pet’s age, chosen coverage, and your animal’s current health status.
Spend some time comparing pet insurance quotes to make sure you get the most coverage for the best price. Alongside cost, you’ll want to pay attention to details like annual limits, surgery coverage, upper age limits, and annual deductibles to find the best coverage fit for your pet’s needs.
Choose a higher deductible
Like with other insurance products, the pet insurance deductible you choose can affect how much you end up spending on your monthly or annual premium. If you want to lower your premium, you can choose a higher deductible amount.
Be careful here — you shouldn’t pick a high deductible if you can’t afford to pay it out of pocket when the time comes to file a claim, even if doing so saves you a lot of money up front.
Buy a policy early
Pet insurance companies charge more for older pets who are more likely to need extensive medical care. If you can, buy your pet an insurance policy while it’s young to help keep your premium prices low. Some companies even have age limits, so, if you wait too long, you might find it hard to secure coverage.
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What Is Emergency Pet Insurance and What Does It Cover?
Is pet insurance worth it?
Pet insurance can save you money in some situations. It’s especially beneficial if you have a breed prone to hereditary health issues (if you can get coverage for that issue) or if your pet is active and at higher risk of accidents. Also, if unexpected medical expenses would strain your budget, insurance can provide financial security.
However, it might not make sense to buy insurance for older pets with pre-existing conditions because some insurers have coverage age limits or may charge more expensive premiums. Additionally, if you can comfortably cover routine veterinary costs, insurance might be unnecessary.
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Cheapest breeds to insure
If you’re thinking about welcoming a new pet into your family, you may want to consider how your pet’s breed can affect insurance costs. The following dog and cat breeds are typically the cheapest to insure.
Dog
Mixed-breed
English springer spaniel
Yorkshire terrier
Australian shepherd
Daschund
Cat
Exotic
Bombay
Mixed-breed
Siberian
Sphynx
Domestic shorthair
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Dog Breeds With the Fewest Health Issues
Cheap pet insurance FAQs
Buying pet insurance can save you money on routine and unexpected vet bills. The following information should help answer any of your remaining questions about finding cheap pet insurance.
What is the cheapest pet insurance?
After requesting quotes from a variety of pet health insurance companies, Insurify found that Nationwide offers the lowest premiums. But how much you’ll spend on pet insurance depends on many factors unique to your pet, so it’s best to request a handful of quotes to find the cheapest policy for your pet.
What is the average annual cost of insuring a dog?
The average annual cost of pet insurance for a dog is $640 for accident and illness coverage and $201 for accident-only coverage. The type of insurance coverage you choose will influence your cost.
Can you get a pet insurance policy without a deductible?
It’s possible. All pet insurance companies manage their policies differently, and some may offer a no-deductible option. However, not having a deductible would likely make your premium much higher, so it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of this choice.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Typically, no — but it’s worth asking about. Pet insurance often excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, some plans may cover the condition your pet suffers from, so it’s always worth confirming what the policy will and won’t cover before deciding which policy to buy.
Sources
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association. "Section #3: Average Premium."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts about pet 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.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.