Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2025
Americans love their pets, with 66% of households owning one. Yet, only 5.7 million pets are insured. Pet insurance can help manage vet costs, which can be substantial – up to $55,000 for dogs and $45,000 for cats over their lifetime.
Dr. Karyn Kanowski, a veterinarian, emphasizes the importance of pet insurance: “I urge all my clients to insure their pets.” The author’s personal experience with vet bills totaling $12,000 for their pet Alfie highlights the financial burden of unexpected vet costs.
Top Pet Insurance Companies
- Lemonade: Most affordable, with $10/month for accident coverage. Customizable plans available.
- Trupanion: Best direct payment option, paying vets directly. Lifetime deductible per condition.
- Pumpkin: Best for frequent vet visits, offering comprehensive coverage.
- Figo: Best full reimbursement option, with 100% vet expense reimbursement.
- Embrace: Best dental coverage options, covering up to $1,000 of dental issues.
- Nationwide: Best for exotic pets, offering coverage for birds and exotic animals.
- Pet Assure: Best workplace benefit for pets with preexisting conditions, offering discounts on vet care.
Key Considerations
- Coverage type: Accident, illness, wellness
- Deductible: Varies by company and plan
- Maximum annual coverage: $5,000 to unlimited
- Availability: Varies by state and company
What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is a financial coverage that helps afford vet bills, similar to human health insurance. Most policies operate on a reimbursement basis, requiring upfront payment to the vet.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
The average annual cost is $675 for dogs and $383 for cats for accident and illness coverage. Costs vary based on pet age, breed, location, and deductible.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
It’s a personal decision. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected vet costs. Dr. Chris Konvalinka recommends getting insurance early to avoid preexisting condition exclusions.
Methodology
CNET reviews insurance carriers based on coverage, price, deductibles, and other factors. For this list, we considered uncommon coverage options like preexisting conditions and dental exams.
