The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans
- AKC Pet Insurance – Best for Maximum Potential Savings
- Wagmo – Best for Generous Benefits
- Nationwide – Best for Hard-to-Find Perks
- Pets Best – Great for Teeth Cleaning
- Lemonade – Best for Add-Ons
- ManyPets – Best for Vitamins and Supplements
BEST FOR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL SAVINGS
AKC Pet Insurance
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
DefenderPlus
$735
$324
Why We Picked It
AKC Pet Insurance DefenderPlus wellness plan earned the highest score for maximum potential savings among the plans we evaluated. Pet owners will be covered up to $150 per year for dental cleanings or spay/neuter surgery. You’ll also be covered up to $50 per year for wellness exams, $65 per year for flea and tick prevention and $30 per year for heartworm prevention.
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $411
Pros & Cons
- AKC Pet Insurance DefenderPlus offers the highest potential savings on routine care compared among the plans we evaluated.
- Covers up to $150 per year for teeth cleaning or spay/neuter.
- Covers flea and tick prevention up to $65 per year and heartworm prevention up to $30 per year.
- Add-ons available for coverage of vet exam fees, end of life support, breeding, and hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions.
- Covers rabies vaccine up to $15 per year.
- Covers up to $50 per year for wellness plans.
- Only covers up to $40 for non-rabies vaccinations and titers. You can find higher amounts with other wellness plans.
- Only covers blood, fecal or parasite exams up to $70 per year. You can find more generous coverage elsewhere.
BEST FOR GENEROUS BENEFITS
Wagmo
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring pet wellness plan
Deluxe
Annual limit
$1,580
Annual cost for dogs
$708
Deluxe
$1,580
$708
Why We Picked It
Wagmo’s Deluxe wellness plan reimburses pet owners for two routine vet exams per year, up to $200. The plan also includes four routine vaccinations or boosters, up to $200 per year. You’ll also be eligible for up to $200 in reimbursem*nt for grooming costs as well as flea, tick and heartworm prevention. The plan includes up to 24 VETalk chats per year, a 24-hour service that puts you in touch with a vet within two minutes. But many pet insurance companies include a 24/7 vet telehealth line as part of their standard pet insurance policies.
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $392
Pros & Cons
- $200 per year for two routine wellness exams is the most generous compared to top competitors.
- $200 per year for up to four vaccinations is the most generous compared to top competitors.
- $200 for flea, tick and heartworm prevention is the highest amount among the plans we evaluated.
- Includes reimbursem*nt for grooming costs.
- The Deluxe plan includes up to 24 VETalk chats a year, valued at $20 each, but many pet insurers include 24/7 vet telehealth lines as part of their pet insurance policies at no additional cost. We thought the $480 in VETalks overinflated the value of the Wagmo plan, especially if you don’t use the chats. That’s why we didn’t include the VETalk value in our calculation of the maximum potential savings for Wagmo’s wellness plan.
- You can find higher reimbursem*nt amounts for dental cleaning with other pet insurers.
BEST FOR HARD-TO-FIND PERKS
Nationwide
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring pet wellness plan
Pet Wellness Plus
Annual limit
$500
Annual cost for dogs
$264
Compare Plans
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Pet Wellness Plus
$500
$264
Why We Picked It
Nationwide’s Pet Wellness Plus plan covers predictable wellness-related costs, like wellness exams and vaccinations, but it also offers some hard to find perks. For example, you can be reimbursed for nail trimming, a health certificate, microchipping and up to $75 per policy term for one additional test, such as a blood test, X-ray or electrocardiogram (EKG).
More:Nationwide Pet Insurance Review
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $236
Pros & Cons
- Up to $20 per policy term for nail trimming.
- Up to $75 per policy term for flea control or heartworm prevention.
- Up to $40 per policy term for a health certificate.
- Up to $75 per policy term for an additional test, including a blood test, EKG or X-ray.
- Includes a behavior exam and/or treatment up to $30 per year, which is not included in most wellness plans.
- Coverage for birds and exotic pets is also available.
- Does not include reimbursem*nt for dental cleaning.
- Only covers up to $30 per wellness exam, up to two wellness exams per year ($60 total).
GREAT FOR TEETH CLEANING
Pets Best
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring pet wellness plan
BestWellness
Annual limit
$535
Annual cost for dogs
$312
Compare Plans
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Why We Picked It
Pets Best’s BestWellness plan offers pet owners a good amount of potential savings, including up to $150 per year on teeth cleaning. You’ll also get up to $65 per year for flea and tick prevention.
More:Pets Best Pet Insurance Review
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $223
Pros & Cons
- Up to $150 per year for teeth cleaning or spay/neuter surgery.
- Up to $70 for blood, fecal parasite exam.
- Only $50 per year for one wellness exam is on the low end compared to top competitors.
- 24-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in. Other top competitors do not have a waiting period for wellness plans.
- Only covers up to $15 for rabies vaccination and $40 for vaccinations/titer. You can find more generous reimbursem*nt with other wellness plans.
BEST FOR ADD-ONS
Lemonade
4.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring pet wellness plan
Preventive Care+
Annual limit
$480
Annual cost for dogs
$288
Compare Plans
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Preventive Care+
$480
$288
Why We Picked It
Lemonade’s Preventive Care+ reimburses you up to $150 per year for routine dental cleaning and up to $75 for three vaccines per year. It also offers some attractive add-ons. For example, for an extra cost, you can tack on coverage for vet visit fees, physical therapy and end of life expenses.
More:Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $192
Pros & Cons
- Pet owners can purchase add-ons to cover additional expenses, including behavioral conditions, dental illness, physical therapy, vet visit fees and end-of-life remembrance.
- Up to $65 for one blood test per year.
- Up to $150 per year for routine dental cleaning.
- Up to $75 for three vaccines per year.
- Only up to 80% is covered based on coinsurance.
- Reimburses only up to $50 per year for one wellness exam, which is on the low end compared to top competitors.
- Many pet insurance companies cover vet visit fees as part of their standard pet insurance policies.
BEST FOR VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS
ManyPets
4.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring pet wellness plan
Wellness
Annual limit
$600
Annual cost for dogs
$420
Compare Plans
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Wellness
$600
$420
Why We Picked It
ManyPets’s wellness plan covers up to $150 per year for wellness exams and vaccinations. It also includes up to $150 per year for vitamins, supplements, aromatherapy and other wellness-related expenses, such as treatments and supplements for anxiety, bones and joints, coat, skin and stress.
More:ManyPets Pet Insurance Review
Maximum potential annual savings for dogs: $180
Pros & Cons
- Up to $150 per year for routine wellness exams and vaccinations.
- Up to $150 per year for pet vitamins and supplements, including treatment for anxiety, stress, bone and joint, coat and skin.
- Up to $150 per year for parasite testing and prevention.
- Wellness coverage begins 24 hours after the start of the policy. Other insurers do not have any waiting period for wellness coverage.
- No coverage for spaying/neutering.
- No coverage for microchipping.
Summary: The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans
| Pet insurance company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor rating | Annual limit | Maximum potential annual savings for dogs | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | View More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKC Pet Insurance DefenderPlus |  | 5.0 |  | $735 | $411 | View more | ||
| Wagmo Deluxe |  | 5.0 | | $1,580 | $392 | View more | ||
| Nationwide |  | 4.5 |  | $500 | $236 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Pets Best |  | 4.5 | | $535 | $223 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Lemonade |  | 4.0 |  | $480 | $192 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| ManyPets |  | 4.0 | | $600 | $180 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| ASPCA |  | 3.5 |  | $450 | $150 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Spot |  | 3.5 | | $450 | $150 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Progressive |  | 3.0 |  | $305 | $113 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Prudent Pet |  | 3.0 |  | $460 | $100 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Figo |  | 2.0 |  | $250 | $52 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
| Embrace |  | 1.0 |  | $250 | $25 | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website |
What Is a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan?
A pet insurance wellness plan is an add-on coverage offered by pet insurance companies that reimburses you for routine wellness-related expenses, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, and flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
A wellness plan can typically be added to an accident and illness policy, but not an accident-only policy. Not all pet insurers offer a wellness plan.
Pet insurance wellness plans are generally reimbursem*nt-based. You will pay upfront at the vet and then submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursem*nt. You’ll get reimbursed up to your plan’s limit.
For example, if your insurer’s wellness plan covers up to $75 in vaccinations, you’ll be eligible for reimbursem*nt up to that amount. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any amount that exceeds the plan’s limit.
What Does a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan Cover?
Pet insurance wellness plans cover routine care and preventive-related expenses. The type of expenses that are covered will depend on your specific pet wellness plan.
Here are examples of expenses covered by pet insurance wellness plans:
- Blood and fecal parasite exams
- Dental cleanings
- Deworming
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) test
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention
- Grooming costs, including nail trimming
- Microchip implantation
- Routine anal gland expression
- Routine wellness exams
- Spaying and neutering
- Urinalysis
- Vaccinations
Regular Pet Insurance vs. Pet Insurance Wellness Plans
Pet insurance is designed to cover unexpected problems, like a broken bone or an ear infection. A pet insurance wellness plan is an add-on to a pet insurance policy and is designed to cover routine wellness expenses, like a wellness exam and vaccinations.
Here are examples of problems covered by pet insurance and wellness plans.
| Type of veterinary expense | Regular pet insurance (accident and illness plans) | Pet wellness plans |
|---|---|---|
Accidents, such as a broken bone or swallowed object | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Illnesses, such as cancer or an ear infection | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Hereditary conditions, such as blood disorders or hip dysplasia | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Diagnostics, such as MRIs, ultrasounds and X-rays | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Procedures, such as surgeries and hospitalizations | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Alternative procedures, such as acupuncture and chiropractic | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Prescription medications | ✓ | 𐄂 |
Routine wellness exams | 𐄂 | ✓ |
Vaccinations | 𐄂 | ✓ |
Spaying and neutering | 𐄂 | ✓ |
Flea, tick and heartworm prevention | 𐄂 | ✓ |
Microchip implantation | Sometimes | ✓ |
Routine lab work, such as blood and fecal parasite exams | 𐄂 | ✓ |
Plan specifics can vary
What’s Not Covered by Pet Insurance Wellness Plans?
Pet insurance wellness plans are designed to cover routine care and won’t cover expenses related to accidents and illnesses, such as a broken bone or cancer. Those types of expenses are covered by your main pet insurance plan.
Here are examples of expenses that are not covered by a pet insurance wellness plan:
- Accidents and illnesses.
- Experimental and investigational treatment.
- Food, dietary and nutritional supplements.
- Non-veterinary expenses, such as record access or copying, compliance with a government rule or regulation (such as a dog license), and waste disposal services.
- Preexisting conditions.
How Does a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan Work?
A pet insurance wellness plan is generally reimbursem*nt-based. You will pay upfront at the vet and submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursem*nt. You’ll get reimbursed up to your plan’s limit.
For example, if your insurer’s wellness plan covers up to $75 in vaccinations, you’ll be eligible for reimbursem*nt up to that amount. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any amount that exceeds your plan’s limit.
How Much Does a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan Cost?
The average monthly cost for a pet insurance wellness plan is $24 for dogs and $22 for cats, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis.
The cost of a pet insurance wellness will depend on factors such as:
- Type of pet
- Plan type
- Where you live
Pet Insurance Wellness Plans Cost by Company
| Pet insurance wellness plan | Annual cost (cats) | Annual cost (dogs) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKC Pet Insurance DefenderPlus | $276 | $324 | ||
| Wagmo Deluxe | $708 | $708 | ||
| Nationwide Pet Wellness Plus | $264 | $264 | ||
| Pets Best BestWellness | $312 | $312 | ||
| Lemonade Preventive Care | $192 | $288 | ||
| ManyPets Wellness | $300 | $420 | ||
| ASPCA Prime | $299 | $299 | ||
| Spot Platinum | $299 | $299 | ||
| Pets Best EssentialWellness | $192 | $192 | ||
| Progressive Essential Wellness | $192 | $192 | ||
| Prudent Pet High | $239 | $359 | ||
| Figo Plus | $198 | $198 | ||
| Embrace Wellness Rewards | $225 | $225 | ||
| Source: Petinsurer.com | ||||
Reimbursem*nt Tiers for Pet Insurance Wellness Plans
Many pet insurance companies offer different tiers of pet insurance plans. The higher priced plans generally offer higher reimbursem*nt amounts.
For example, Pets Best pet insurance offers an EssentialWellness plan at $16 per month and a BestWellness plan at $26 per month.
| Wellness expense | Pets Best EssentialWellness plan reimbursem*nt amount | Pets Best BestWellness plan reimbursem*nt amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood, fecal parasite exam | $50 | $70 | ||
| Deworming | $20 | $20 | ||
| Flea/tick prevention | $50 | $65 | ||
| Heartworm prevention | $30 | $30 | ||
| Heartworm test or FeLV screen | $25 | $30 | ||
| Microchip | $20 | $40 | ||
| Rabies vaccination | $15 | $15 | ||
| Spay/Neuter or teeth cleaning | $0 | $150 | ||
| Urinalysis or ERD | $15 | $25 | ||
| Vaccination/titer | $30 | $40 | ||
| Wellness exam | $50 | $50 | ||
| Total annual benefits | $305 | $535 | ||
| Source: Pets Best | ||||
Are Pet Insurance Wellness Plans Worth It?
A pet wellness plan is only worth it if you’ll be making claims and maximizing your reimbursem*nts. Look at the annual cost of a wellness plan, your potential annual savings and your out-of-pocket costs.
Finding a good pet insurance wellness plan is secondary to finding a good pet insurance accident and illness policy. The base accident and illness plan covers major veterinary expenses, such as a torn ligament, broken bones, cancer and diabetes. It’s more important to find the best pet insurance policy and then decide if adding a wellness plan is worth it. You can find a good price on pet insurance by comparing pet insurance quotes from multiple companies.
Once you find a pet insurance plan you like, compare the company’s wellness plan prices with your expected routine care costs for the year. You’ll want to look at:
- The cost for adding a wellness plan and the maximum savings potential per policy term.
- Your vet’s charges for routine wellness expenses.
- The amount your wellness plan will reimburse for routine wellness expenses.
- The amount you can expect to pay out of pocket for additional routine care charges.
Some wellness plans offer relatively low potential savings amounts. For example, the basic wellness plan from Figo costs about $111 per year for dogs and the maximum savings amount per policy term (after accounting for the premium) is only $11, and that doesn’t factor in your out-of-pocket costs when a certain expense exceeds the reimbursem*nt limit. For example, Figo’s basic plan covers only up to $40 per year for teeth cleaning when the average cost of teeth cleaning ranges from $170 to $350.
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance wellness plans for routine care, we used data provided by PetInsurer.com. We scored each plan by looking at the annual limit, the annual cost for dogs and the maximum amount you can save if you claim the full benefits each year.
Compare Pet Insurance Plans
See How Much Pet Insurance Costs From Top Insurers
Get Quotes
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Pet Insurance Wellness Plans Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does it cost more to add a pet insurance wellness plan?
Yes, it costs more to add a wellness plan to a pet insurance policy. A pet insurance wellness plan costs an average of $24 for dogs and $22 for cats, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis.
Do all pet insurance companies offer wellness plans?
Not all pet insurance companies offer optional wellness plans. But most of the highest rated plans in Forbes Advisor’s analysis of the best pet insurance companies do.
An optional wellness plan is only one component of a pet insurance plan, and it should not be a deciding factor for you when you’re shopping for a plan. For example, Trupanion pet insurance doesn’t offer an optional wellness plan, but it has other attractive benefits, such as unlimited annual coverage, no deductible, flexible reimbursem*nt levels and no extended waiting period for problems like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament damage.
Do pet insurance wellness plans have waiting periods?
Depending on the insurer, you may have a short waiting period before you can use your wellness plan. For example, you can use a Pets Best pet insurance wellness plan the day after you buy it.
Do pet insurance wellness plans cover preexisting conditions?
Pet insurance wellness plans are designed to cover routine care, such as annual wellness exams, vaccinations and dental cleanings. They doesn’t cover preexisting conditions like allergies, cancer or hip dysplasia.
Some pet insurance plans cover preexisting conditions if the condition is considered curable, such as bladder or respiratory infections. It’s a good idea to buy a pet insurance policy when your pet is young and before it develops any chronic health problems.
Next Up In Pet Insurance
- Best Pet Insurance Companies Of February 2024
- Best Cheap Pet Insurance Of 2024
- Best Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs 2024
- Best Pet Insurance For Older Dogs Of 2024
- Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circ*mstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
