Pet insurance can provide financial protection for unexpected veterinary expenses, such as broken bones or serious illnesses. Some insurance providers offer wellness plans to cover routine care like vaccinations and dental checkups.
CNBC Select has analyzed numerous pet insurance companies to identify providers with the best coverage in various categories.
Best Pet Insurance
Here are some of the best pet insurance options:
- Best for preventative care: Spot
- Best for cats: Pets Best
- Best for dogs: Lemonade
- Best for senior pets: Figo
- Best for multiple pets: Pumpkin
- Best for pre-existing conditions: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Best for accident and illness coverage: Healthy Paws
- Best for low deductibles: Embrace
- Best for exotic pets: Nationwide
Best for preventative care: Spot
Policy highlights: Offers accident-only and accident and illness plans with optional wellness add-ons.
Age limits: No upper age limit.
Coverage limit: $2,500 to unlimited.
Annual deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000.
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and injuries.
Discounts: 10% multi-pet discount.
Direct vet pay: No.
Pros:
- No upper age limits for enrollment.
- Exam fees covered.
- Discounts on additional pets
Cons:
- 14-day waiting period for accidents.
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Who’s this for? Spot’s Gold plan has a $250 annual reimbursement for preventive treatment, including vaccinations, teeth cleaning, deworming, and heartworm testing (for dogs) and feline leukemia testing (for cats).
Standout benefits: Spot’s telehealth line is available 24/7, and there’s no maximum age limit for enrollment.
Best for cats: Pets Best
Policy highlights: 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: 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 can be as low as $50.
- No maximum age limit.
- Offers direct-payment options.
Cons:
- Exam fees not included with the basic plan.
- Multi-pet discount is lower compared to other providers.
- Only the top-tier plan covers alternative therapies.
Who’s this for? Pets Best has some of the lowest rates for felines. You only choose between a $5,000 option and an unlimited option for maximum annual coverage, but there are various deductible and reimbursement levels.
Standout benefits: Pets Best is one of the few companies that will pay your vet directly, which saves you the hassle of filing a claim and getting reimbursed.
Best for dogs: Lemonade
Policy highlights: Offers accident and illness and some wellness policies in 38 states.
Age limits: At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on the breed.
Coverage limits: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000.
Annual deductible: $500 to $750.
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Waiting period: is 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 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:
- A 10% bundling discount is 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 difficult to enroll older pets.
Who’s this for? Lemonade has affordable rates for accident and illness coverage. Owners of younger dogs, especially, may be drawn to their puppy package, which includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccines.
Standout benefits: Lemonade offers a range of insurance products, so policyholders can get a 10% discount for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies, including car, homeowners, and renters insurance. There is also a 5% rate reduction if you pay your annual premium in full.
