Your pet means the world to you, and naturally, you want to make sure that it can always receive the best veterinary care. Pet insurance is an excellent way to give yourself peace of mind that your pet will receive the best treatment after an emergency while protecting yourself financially from expensive vet bills. The best pet insurance plan should give you the personalized coverage your pet needs while considering your budget and communication preferences.
We at Quartz took a detailed look at the best pet insurance providers on the market and compared the company’s pros and cons, pricing, benefits, and more so that you can make the best decision for you and your pet.
Continue reading to learn more about the following pet insurance providers so that you can choose the best one for your needs:
- Spot: Best overall
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- ASPCA: Most experienced
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
- Figo: Most flexible reimbursem*nt rates
- Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursem*nt
- Trupanion: Most flexible deductible
Compare the Top Pet Insurance Providers in the Nation
| Best For | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot |  | Most Inclusive | 4.9/5 | $22-$80 | Compare Quotes |
| Lemonade |  | Most Affordable | 4.9/5 | $18-$60 | Compare Quotes |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance |  | Most Experienced | 4.5/5 | $22-$46 | Compare Quotes |
| Embrace |  | Best for Discounts Offered | 4.7/5 | $23-$85 | Compare Quotes |
| Healthy Paws |  | Best for Chronic Conditions | 4.6/5 | $14-$45 | Compare Quotes |
| Prudent Pet |  | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options | 4.4/5 | $18-$29 | Compare Quotes |
Spot
Lemonade
ASPCA
Embrace
Healthy Paws
Prudent Pet
| Spot | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Most Inclusive |
| Star Rating | 4.9/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $22-$80 |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Most Affordable |
| Star Rating | 4.9/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $18-$60 |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Most Experienced |
| Star Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $22-$46 |
| Embrace | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Best for Discounts Offered |
| Star Rating | 4.7/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $23-$85 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Best for Chronic Conditions |
| Star Rating | 4.6/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $14-$45 |
| Prudent Pet | |
|---|---|
| Logo |  |
| Best For | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options |
| Star Rating | 4.4/5 |
| Monthly Cost | $18-$29 |
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$18-$60
Why Trust Quartz Advisor
Our editorial team follows a strict and comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing pet insurance providers. Our scores are not impacted by advertisers.
27
Companies rated
105
Hours researching
2,700
Quotes collected
The Best Pet Insurance Companies Reviewed
Spot
Most Inclusive
4.9
Our Rating and Review of Spot
Our team at Quartz gives Spot pet insurance the “Best Overall” award for its comprehensive preventative care and wellness plan add-ons. With Spot’s wellness package, you can be reimbursed for costs related to veterinary care costs that prevent your pet from becoming sick, such as regular veterinary appointments, spaying/neutering, exam fees, routine teeth cleanings, and more. Many pet insurance providers do not offer a wellness plan or offer one with far less coverage, so Spot has a significant edge over its competitors regarding preventative care options.
In addition to this, we gave Spot a 4.9 out of 5 star rating for its multiple pet discounts, customizable pet insurance plans, and comprehensive coverage for accident, illness, and wellness veterinary costs. Spot was founded in 2019, and its insurance is provided by Crum & Forster Pet Insurance which has been around since 2006. Cesar Millan, the best-selling author and TV star who shares techniques about dog training, has partnered with Spot and works with the company to educate pet parents on the importance of routine pet care and training.
Coverage and Pricing
Spot’s plans start at $10 for accident-only and $16 for accident and illness coverage. However, you can expect to pay $30 to $50 per month for dogs and $18 to $25 for cats in most cases. Spot’s pet insurance plans cover many situations, including emergency care, poison control consultation fees, dental diseases, behavioral issues, hereditary conditions, and more. Like most pet insurance providers, Spot does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding costs. Cats and dogs are currently the only animals covered for Spot pet insurance plans.
Spot's Wellness Plan
Spot’s wellness plan package is offered in two tiers, the Gold tier at $9.95 per month and the platinum tier at $24.95 per month. Its wellness package includes significant coverage, including dental cleanings, vaccines, fecal tests, heartworm, urinalysis, blood tests, and more, depending on the plan you choose.
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers comprehensive wellness plans No upper age limits 30-day money-back guarantee Excellent coverage for both accident and illness-related costs Cons Prescription pet food is not covered Does not cover exotic animals
Lemonade
Most Affordable
4.9
Learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Our Rating and Review
Our team has given Lemonade “Most Affordable” and an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5 stars for its wide variety of pet insurance plans, user-friendly online interface, and affordable pricing. Lemonade provides its customers with a considerable number of choices regarding reimbursem*nt percentages, coverage limits, and annual deductible options, as well as the option to add coverage boost add-ons for specific vet expenses, such as therapy and acupuncture.
Claims process
Lemonade also has a fast claim approval process. Unlike many pet insurance companies that often have a waiting period of several weeks for claim approval, Lemonade can approve claims in minutes when you submit your claim through its exclusive app, which uses artificial intelligence.
Coverage
Pet insurance policies with Lemonade cover many vet treatments, ranging from diagnostic testing to emergency care to medications. In addition to this, it offers preventative packages that provide you with coverage for everyday veterinary costs, such as heartworm tests, vaccines, wellness exams, and more. Like most pet insurance providers, Lemonade does not cover pre-existing conditions. It also has exclusions for behavioral treatments, dental care, and elective cosmetic procedures. Exotic pets, such as reptiles and birds, are also not covered.
Availability
Another factor to consider is that Lemonade is currently only available in 36 states, so we recommend double-checking that your state is covered before you choose Lemonade for your pet insurance coverage.
Pricing
As a whole, Lemonade offers very affordable pet insurance plans. Lemonade pet insurance plans start at $10 per month. Like all pet insurance providers, its insurance premium cost will vary based on the coverage you choose, your pet’s age, location, and more. Lemonade is unique among pet insurance companies because any premium money not used to pay for your claims is given back to policyholders’ important causes. When you sign up for a pet insurance plan with Lemonade, you choose a nonprofit you care about, and any unclaimed money (up to 40%) will go back to the nonprofit organization you picked. As of 2021, Lemonade has given over 2.3 million dollars back to nonprofits from its Giveback program.
Pros & Cons
Pros Completely online experience Special preventative care package for kittens and puppies 48-hour wait period for accidents 5% discount for multiple pets insured Cons Only available in 36 states and Washington, D.C. Newer to the market
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Most Experienced
4.5
Learn more: APSCA Pet Insurance Reviews
Our Rating and Review
ASPCA is our “Most Customizable” pet insurance provider due to its many personalizable annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursem*nt rates. It has also partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, making it one of the most well-known and respected pet insurance providers. We also like that its Member Center app allows you to submit and track claims, contact them, review your benefits, and pay your bill quickly. Overall, we’ve given the company a 4.5 star rating out of 5 stars because of its 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple pet discounts, and many coverage options.
Coverage
ASPCA pet insurance includes coverage for many accidents and illnesses, such as hereditary conditions, dental diseases, behavioral issues, and more. Our team particularly likes that ASPCA covers behavioral issues and some alternative therapies, like physical therapy, because many pet insurance plans do not cover these treatment types.
ASCPA will not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, and breeding-related costs, such as whelping and pregnancy. While ASPCA policies cover dental diseases, its plans covered notably fewer dental issues than other pet insurance providers that cover dental problems. Pre-existing conditions may be covered, but only if a condition is curable and your pet remains symptom-free for a minimum of 180 days.
ASPCA currently offers pet insurance and preventative care options for dogs and cats. Unlike some pet insurance providers, ASPCA does not require an exam before enrollment, which we consider a plus for many pet parents.
Pricing
On average, ASPCA pet insurance plans cost about $49 per month for dogs and $29 per month for cats. However, this cost will vary significantly based on your location, your pet’s age and health, and other factors. With ASPCA, you have the option of choosing to pay monthly or annually and may receive reimbursem*nt via check or direct deposit.
Pros & Cons
Pros Coverage for alternative therapies Offers multi-pet discount Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Lower deductibles than most Microchipping coverage Cons Poor customer reviews Low annual coverage limits Coverage waiting period is longer than most
Embrace
Best for Discounts Offered
4.7
Learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Reviews
Our Rating and Review
We’ve given Embrace our “Best for Deductibles” award due to its unique healthy pet deductible feature, which reduces your deductible by $50 each year that you don’t file a claim. To date, it’s the only pet health insurance company we are aware of that offers this discount. In addition, we’ve rated Embrace at a strong 4.7 out of 5 star rating because of its 30-day money-back guarantee, coverage for curable pre-existing conditions, and military and multiple pet discounts.
Coverage
Embrace offers nose to tail coverage, which covers your pet for all breed-specific and genetic conditions that are not pre-existing. In 2020, Embrace covered 93% of submitted claims, which is an excellent indication of its commitment to being there for pet parents. Embrace’s service and thorough coverage give its clients the ultimate peace of mind that their pets are covered.
Currently, Embrace covers many procedures, chronic conditions, congenital conditions, dental trauma, exam fees, and more. On top of this, Embrace offers plans which cover medication, prescription pet foods, grooming, and preventatives, like heartworm or tick medications. Embrace will also reassess your pet if a pre-existing condition is cured and remains symptom-free for 12 months, which is a notable benefit to pet parents. Otherwise, Embrace will not cover pre-existing conditions, breeding or pregnancy-related costs, DNA testing or cloning, and cosmetic procedures.
Pricing
Typically, Embrace pet insurance plans start around $20-$25 per month and can be over $100 per month depending on which plan you choose, your pet’s age, location, and any add ons you choose.
Pros & Cons
Pros “Healthy Pet Deductible” reduces your deductible by $50 each year with no claims Donates $2 to charity for every policy sold Comprehensive coverage for breed-specific and congenital conditions Microchipping and spay/neuter coverage 10% multi-pet discount, 5% military discount Cons Pricier wellness plan option Strict pre-existing condition policy
Healthy Paws
Best for Chronic Conditions
4.6
Learn more: Healthy Paws Review
Our Rating and Review
If giving back is important to you, Healthy Paws pet insurance is a great choice. We’ve also given the company our “Best for Chronic Conditions” award. In 2009, Healthy Paws started a foundation to give back and has donated over a million dollars as of April 15, 2020. Healthy Paws continues to donate with each pet insurance quote and has contributed to over 300 nonprofit pet organizations.
In addition to its charitable giving, Healthy Paws offers unlimited maximum payouts, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and fast claims processing with its mobile app, earning them a strong 4.6 stars out of 5 star rating from us. We also like that it’s underwritten by the Chubb Group, an A+ rated insurer that financially backs Healthy Paws pet insurance.
Healthy Paws has partnered with Aon Corporation, a global insurance broker, and Chubb Group backs its pet insurance plans. Healthy Paws offers coverage for accidents, illnesses, cancer treatment, emergency care, genetic disorders, dental care, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic.
Coverage and Pricing
When it comes to coverage, Healthy Paws pet insurance is lacking in wellness and preventive care plans. Unlike most of its competitors, it does not offer any wellness or preventative care package. Healthy Paws also doesn’t offer a multiple pet discount to pet parents interested in insuring multiple pets.
Healthy Paws does cover accidents and illnesses, such as hereditary conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, surgery, and emergency care, for both cats and dogs. Its prices are competitive and average $39 per month for dogs and $12 for cats. We also like that Healthy Paws offers customizable coverage, which allows you to choose from multiple reimbursem*nt and deductible options for your dog or cat. Like many pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws does not cover pre-existing conditions. Healthy Paws processes claims within 10 days and reimburses you within 24 hours once you’ve submitted a picture of the vet bill and uploaded it to the mobile app or website.
Pros & Cons
Pros Underwritten by the Chubb Group, an A+ rated insurer Has an easy to use mobile app for easy claim submission Unlimited lifetime benefits Donates to over 300 nonprofit pet organizations More affordable than many other options Cons One time customer fee of $25 No wellness plan options
Prudent Pet
Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
4.4
Our Rating and Review
Prudent Pet earned 4.4 stars out of 5 stars and the “Best Comprehensive Plans” award for offering plans with unlimited annual coverage, along with a variety of other choices to fit your needs. Prudent’s plans include accident-only pet insurance plans, along with an essential plan for when your pet is hurt or sick. Prudent Pet’s ultimate plan caught our attention with its unlimited annual benefit, which gives you peace of mind should your pet need a series of emergency treatments or ongoing care for an illness. In addition to its accident and accident and illness plans, Prudent Pet also offers wellness coverage, which covers routine care costs like vaccinations, and veterinary exam fee coverage, which covers the cost of exam and consultation fees.
Coverage Options
Prudent Pet does not cover pre-existing conditions, which are defined as any illness, injury, or health problem that occurred before your pet insurance policy became active. Prudent’s plans also won’t cover herbal or natural therapies, cosmetic procedures, grooming, boarding fees, and food and prescription diet costs. Currently, Prudent Pet’s insurance covers dogs and cats, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you have an exotic pet.
Pricing and Reimbursem*nts
In addition, Prudent Pet’s plans start as low as $13 per month for limited coverage options to over $100 per month for unlimited coverage choices. Prudent Pet also processes pet insurance claims with artificial intelligence, which is faster than traditional claim processing. It even offers the choice of being reimbursed through check or direct deposit to best suit your preference.
Customer Reviews
Some of our favorite things about Prudent Pet are its incredibly high customer satisfaction ratings, including an A+ score from the Better Business Bureau and its rating as the number one pet insurance provider on Trustpilot.
Pros & Cons
Pros No maximum age cap All online agents and customer service representatives are licensed former vet techs Reimbursem*nt for posted rewards and advertising efforts for stolen or lost pets Unlimited annual payout option available Policyholders are entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee Cons Pricier monthly premiums No available mobile app
What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance operates in a similar capacity to human health insurance in the sense that it is a safety net for accident and illness coverage in case your pet needs to go to the vet. In short,Pet insurance is health insurance for your pet that reimburses you for part of your pet’s vet bills based on your specific plan’s coverage. Unlike human insurance, pet insurance providers do not typically pay for your pet’s medical bill at the vet clinic or animal hospital. Instead, your pet insurance provider will most likely reimburse you directly after you’ve submitted your claim. While there are some insurance provider that will pay the vet directly most will opt to reimburse you. Most pet insurance plans will reimburse you for between 50 to 90% of the total vet bill. This means that you’ll pay out of pocket for your dog or cat’s medical bill at the time of the visit, then submit your claim to your pet insurance provider, which will then reimburse you for the cost up to your plan’s reimbursem*nt rate.
Pet insurance should be purchased as a safety net for unexpected future accidents or illnesses, not because you anticipate a large number of vet visits due to a current condition or illness. No pet insurance providers cover pre-existing conditions, so pet insurance should always be viewed as a safety net for your pet’s future health.
What Does Pet Insurance Usually Cover?
Pet insurance comes in two primary plan types: accident-only and accident and illness coverage. As the name suggests, accident-only pet insurance solely reimburses you for accident-related vet costs, such as emergency hospitalization, surgery, X-rays, bloodwork, and more. Accident and illness coverage will typically cover you for accident-related expenses, as well as illness-related costs, such as prescription medications, chemotherapy, dialysis, and injections.
Some pet insurance providers also offer wellness or preventative care plans, which help you with the cost of routine veterinary care, such as vaccinations, veterinary exam fees, routine blood work, and more.
No pet insurance provider will cover pre-existing conditions, which are illnesses or injuries that your pet sustained before your pet insurance plan became active. Other commonly excluded conditions include behavioral issues, hip dysplasia, grooming, and dental diseases. However, pet insurance will provide you with a safety net in the event of an unexpected accident, such as a broken bone or car accident, or a developed illness, such as diabetes or cancer. Your coverage and how much you pay for your monthly pet insurance rate will vary based on your pet insurance plan, so always make sure to slow down and review coverage details before choosing a plan.
Do You Need Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance helps offset unexpected treatment costs for accidents and illnesses your pet may need. While pet insurance isn’t mandatory for owning a pet, it’s a critical investment that allows you to provide your pet with excellent veterinary care no matter what the cost may be. Most pet parents don’t have thousands of dollars to pay for expensive veterinary treatments or surgeries out-of-pocket, which is why pet insurance is an important step that protects your pet’s health and your finances.
In addition, pet insurance gives you and your veterinarian the freedom to choose the most beneficial treatments for your pet, rather than focusing on the cost of the treatment. No pet owner should have to say no to necessary veterinary treatments for their pet. By having a pet insurance plan in place, you’re ensuring that your pet can always receive the best treatment, especially as it continues to age and become more susceptible to different illnesses.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance Company
Choosing the best pet insurance company for you and your pet is a key step in having an ideal experience with your pet insurance provider moving forward. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right pet insurance company, including the type of plan.
Standard pet insurance plan types:
- Accident-only: Includes emergency care, such as treatment for broken bones, ingested foreign objects, snake bites, etc. Does not include coverage for illnesses or preventative care.
- Accident-illness: Covers emergency care related to accidents as well as the cost of treatments and diagnostic testing for unexpected illnesses. Does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions or routine care costs.
- Wellness care plans: Often offered as an add-on to an accident or accident-illness pet insurance plan, wellness plans cover the cost of routine care, such as vaccinations, routine vet exam fees, checkups, regular blood work, etc. On its own, this plan will not cover accidents or illnesses.
After deciding what kind of coverage you would like for your pet, rule out any pet insurance providers that do not offer this kind of plan. For example, Healthy Paws pet insurance does not offer a wellness plan add-on, so you need to look at other pet insurance providers if you want a wellness plan.
Other essential factors to consider when choosing the best pet insurance company for you:
- Communication: Does this provider offer a live chat, phone number, or email address that you can reach them at? Consider your preferred way to communicate when choosing a provider.
- Mobile app: Some pet insurance companies have mobile apps that allow you to quickly snap a photo and upload it to an app, making submitting a claim faster. Other mobile apps will even allow you to communicate with the company directly, view your benefits, and make payments.
- Maximum limits: Depending on the pet insurance provider and plan, you may have a maximum limit for how much your provider will pay out in one year or throughout your pet’s lifetime. If it’s important to you that your pet is covered extensively, look for providers that offer high or unlimited maximum limits so that you have peace of mind knowing you won’t be cut off at a certain point.
- Reimbursem*nt time: Some pet insurance companies will reimburse their clients within days of receiving a claim, while others may take several weeks. If being reimbursed quickly is important to you, review which companies offer faster reimbursem*nt before choosing a plan.
- Customization: Some companies have set plans that you can choose from, while others allow you to customize your coverage, deductible, limit, and more. Depending on your needs, a personalized plan may be the best choice for you.
Remember that all of the pet insurance providers in this guide offer free personalized quotes after you provide them with basic information about your pet, such as your pet’s age, breed, location, etc. We recommend gathering several quotes from multiple pet insurance companies before deciding which company to insure your pet through.
Our Final Thoughts on the Top Pet Insurance Provider
Pet insurance is a crucial choice that protects you and your pet by giving you a financial buffer should your pet need unexpected veterinary care. Unfortunately, it can be overwhelming to choose between the many pet insurance providers on the market. While most pet insurance providers offer similar plan options, there is a lot to consider when deciding between different details like your deductible, monthly premium, coverage, wellness plans, and more.
We hope our in-depth guide on the best pet insurance companies helps you understand the nuanced differences between various pet insurance providers and the plans that they offer better. We know you can ultimately make the best decision for you and your pet with this information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Reviewed Insurance Providers
Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:
- Coverage
- Plan options
- Cost
- Reputation
- Customer service
- Species available
- Wellness benefits
We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursem*nts, deductibles, and limitations.Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:
- Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
- Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points. Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
- Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
- Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursem*nt rates.
- Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
- Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
- Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.
