Best Pet Insurance for Dogs
Veterinary bills for dogs can be expensive, averaging over $400 annually according to the ASPCA. Because of this, CNBC Select has chosen the best pet insurance companies for canines. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)
Best pet insurance for dogs:
- Best for senior dogs: Pets Best
- Best for puppies: Lemonade
- Best for pre-existing conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
- Best for wellness coverage: MetLife
- Best for multiple dogs: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Best for Senior Dogs: Pets Best
Pets Best
Policy highlights
- Spot Pet Insurance offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
- Age limits: Cats and dogs as young as seven weeks old can enroll, and there is no upper age limit.
- Coverage limit: $5,000 or unlimited
- Annual deductible: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, or $1,000
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: The waiting periods are 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries.
- Discounts: 5% multi-pet discount
- Direct vet pay: Yes
Pros
- Deductibles as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers a direct-payment option
Cons
- Exam fees not included with the basic plan
- Multi-pet discount is lower than with other providers
- Only the top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
Who is this for? Pets Best has low rates for older dogs and no upper age limit for coverage. In addition, its basic plan covers periodontal disease and hereditary conditions that affect senior dogs, like hip dysplasia and glaucoma.
Standout benefits: Pets Best covers pre-existing curable conditions like broken bones and upper respiratory infections after 180 days without symptoms or treatment.
Best for Puppies: Lemonade
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Policy highlights
- Lemonade offers accident and illness and wellness policies in 38 states
- Age limits: At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on breed
- Coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000
- Annual deductible: $500 to $750.
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries
- Discounts: 5% multi-pet discount, 5% off for paying the annual premium in full and 10% for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies
- Direct vet pay: No
Pros
- 10% bundling discount available
- 2-day waiting period for injury coverage
Cons
- Only available in 37 states
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than competitors
- Strict age limits may make it hard to enroll older pets
Who is this for? Lemonade’s wellness plan for puppies includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccines, plus more wellness exams and testing for parasites and coverage for flea/tick and heartworm medication.
Standout benefits: Lemonade boasts one of the fastest claims processes, with 40% of submissions handled instantly.
Best for Pre-existing Conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
AKC Pet Insurance
Policy highlights
- AKC Pet Insurance offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, plus two wellness plans and breeding insurance. Pre-existing conditions are covered after 365 days of continuous coverage.
- Age limits: Pets 9 and older are only eligible for accident-only policies
- Coverage limit: $2,500 to $10,000
- Annual deductible: $100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750, or $1,000
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 14 days for illnesses, 3 days for accidents, 30 days for hereditary and congenital conditions, 80 days for cruciate ligaments
- Discounts: 5% multi-pet discount
- Direct vet pay: No
Pros
- Pre-existing conditions covered after a year
- Offers breeding insurance
- Unlimited coverage available
Cons
- $3 monthly service fee if paying monthly
- Pets over 9 are restricted to accident-only policies
- Hereditary and congenital conditions cost extra
- No coverage for dental illnesses
Who is this for? AKC Pet Insurance is a standout for covering both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage, including diabetes, cancer, cruciate ligament illness, hip and elbow dysplasia, Cushing’s disease, and arthritis.
Standout benefit: AKC covers costs associated with breeding, including pregnancy, whelping, and breastfeeding.
Best for Wellness Coverage: MetLife
MetLife Pet Insurance
Policy highlights
- MetLife offers an accident and illness plan and a wellness add-on. Policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and Metropolitan General (MetGen) Insurance Company
- Age limits: No age restrictions for enrollment
- Coverage limit: $500 to unlimited
- Annual deductible: $0 to $2,500
- Reimbursement rate: 50% to 90%
- Waiting period: 14 days for illnesses, 12 months for knee injuries
- Discounts: Discounts are provided for buying online and enrolling multiple pets, as well as for animal care staff, military members and health care workers. Deductibles drop up to $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
- Direct vet pay: No
Pros
- Covers birds, lizards, small mammals, and other exotic pets
- Reimbursement for lost pet rewards
- Most claims processed within 10 days
- Covers burial/cremation
Cons
- Doesn’t cover microchipping
- No accident-only policy
- Coverage, waiting periods, and discounts vary based on the underwriter.
Who is this for? MetLife’s preventative care plan includes vaccines, spaying/neutering, heartworm prevention, behavioral training and up to $150 toward teeth cleaning, among other benefits
Standout benefits: Claims can be filed online and reimbursed within 10 days.
Best for Multiple Dogs: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Policy highlights
- ASPCA offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans for cats, dogs and horses. There is a 10% multi-pet discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed.
- Age limits: At least 8 weeks old to enroll with no upper age limit
- Coverage limit: $5,000 or unlimited
- Annual deductible: $100, $250 or $500
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%
- Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
- Direct vet pay: Yes
Pros
- 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Coverage for horses
Cons
- Bilateral conditions not covered
- Must call to get info on some plans
Who is this for? ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers a 10% discount if you enroll more than one dog or cat.
Standout benefits: Unlike some competitors, ASPCA policies include exam fees. Policies come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What Pet Insurance Covers
Coverage varies by provider, but there are three basic types of pet insurance coverage.
- Accident-only plans cover emergencies like broken bones, bites, swallowed objects and traumatic dental fractures. Diseases, parasites, and cruciate ligament injuries are not covered.
- Accident and illness plans add coverage for diseases like cancer and diabetes and hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia and glaucoma. They may also include medications, prescription food, treatments for behavioral issues and alternative therapies like acupuncture.
- Wellness plans cover routine care like checkups, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, teeth cleaning, and testing for parasites. They must usually be purchased with an accident and illness policy.
How Much is Pet Insurance for a Dog?
Premiums for an accident and illness policy for a dog averaged $56 per month in 2023, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, or about $676 a year. For an accident-only policy, the cost drops to about $17 a month or $204 annually.
However, pet insurance rates go up as your dog gets older and needs more care. And the cost of a specific plan will depend on your pets’ overall health and the policy limits you select.
Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance for a Dog
Pros of pet insurance:
- Helps you budget for unexpected veterinary bills
- Can be used with any licensed veterinarian
- Often covers alternative therapies, holistic care, and other treatments
Cons of pet insurance:
- Incurable pre-existing conditions and other issues may be excluded
- May have an age limit that restricts coverage for senior dogs
- Not cost-effective if you don’t meet the deductible
- Cost of premiums rises as your dog gets older
Is Pet Insurance Worth it for a Dog?
Pet insurance can be a great way to deal with unexpected vet bills, whether your dog ate something she shouldn’t have, came down with a respiratory infection or is diagnosed with cancer.
A policy can also help with routine care that keeps your dog healthier longer — including checkups, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and testing for heartworms and other parasites.
Pet insurance typically doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, however, and it becomes more expensive the older your dog gets. If your premiums are costing more than the benefit you receive from coverage, you may want to consider putting money aside in a high-yield savings account instead.
Pet Insurance for Dogs FAQs
Can you get pet insurance for an older dog?
Yes, you can get pet insurance for older dogs, though there may be an age limit, and pre-existing conditions are likely to be excluded. Our top picks for providers for senior dogs include Pets Best, MetLife, Spot and Embrace.
Does pet insurance lower vet bills?
Pet insurance doesn’t lower your vet bill, but it can help pay them if you don’t have sufficient funds on hand. Standard pet insurance reimburses between 70 and 90% of eligible costs after you reach your deductible.
Do all vets accept pet insurance?
You can use your pet insurance with any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. Typically, you’ll pay the vet out of pocket and then submit a claim with your provider for reimbursement. Some insurance companies will pay the vet directly, although arrangements must be made in advance.
What is the best pet insurance for dogs?
The best pet insurance for your dog depends on which brands are available in your area, as well as what you’re looking for as far as covered treatments, coverage limits, deductibles, reimbursement rates, and more. We’ve selected Pets Best, Lemonade, AKC Pet Insurance, MetLife and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance as the best options for a variety of dog owners.
