Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets

Americans love their pets. A 2023 Pew Research Center study revealed that virtually all U.S. pet owners (97%) consider their animals part of the family, and over a third (35%) have more than one pet.

More pets often mean more expenses, including increased chances of accidents, illnesses, and routine maintenance costs, leading to larger vet bills. Fortunately, several pet insurance companies offer discounts for families with multiple pets.

CNBC Select has compiled a list of the best pet insurance providers specifically for those with multiple furry family members, evaluating providers across various categories:

• Best for pre-existing conditions: ASPCA
• Best for wellness coverage: Spot
• Best for affordability: Embrace
• Best for exotic pets: Nationwide
• Best for paying vets directly: Pets Best
• Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin

Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets

Best for Pre-existing Conditions: ASPCA

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers various plans, including options for accidents, illnesses and wellness, for cats, dogs, and even horses. A notable perk is a 10% multi-pet discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed. Moreover, ASPCA will consider coverage for curable pre-existing conditions if your pet has been treatment- and symptom-free for at least 180 days.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans
• Age Limits: Minimum 8 weeks old, 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 multiple pets, 30-day money-back guarantee, coverage for horses
• Cons: Bilateral conditions not covered, information on some plans must be obtained by phone
• Multiple Pet Discount: 10%
• Standout Benefit: Complete Coverage plan includes alternative therapies and behavioral treatments.

Best for Wellness Coverage: Spot

Spot Pet Insurance stands out for its comprehensive wellness plans that include coverage for preventative care needs like teeth cleanings, microchipping, and spaying/neutering costs. It has a 10% multi-pet discount and enrollment doesn’t require a veterinary exam. Wellness coverage takes effect just 24 hours after purchase.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only and accident and illness plans, with 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%
• Discounts: 10% multi-pet discount
• Direct Vet Pay: No
• Pros: No upper age limits, covers exam fees, 10% multi-pet discount
• Cons: 14-day waiting period for accidents, 30-day money-back guarantee not available in New York or Maine, average cat rates higher than competitors
• Multiple Pet Discount: 10%
• Standout Benefits: Enrollment doesn’t require a veterinary exam, and wellness coverage begins 24 hours after purchase.

Best for Affordability: Embrace

Embrace offers a healthy pet discount, which can help you save money on your insurance. Should reimbursements fall under $300, you can receive 5% off the following year. Two years in a row and the discount increases to 10%. It is available in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness policies
• Age Limits: 6 weeks to 14 years
• Coverage Limit: $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited
• Annual Deductible: $100, $250, or $500
• Reimbursement Rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
• Waiting Period: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses
• Discount: Healthy Pet Discount reduces your deductible
• Direct Vet Pay: Yes
• Pros: Unlimited annual coverage available, two-day waiting period for accidents, available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
• Cons: Coverage limited to pets 14 and younger, $25 policy activation fee
• Multiple Pet Discount: 10% off each additional pet
• Standout Benefits: Exam fees are covered.

Best for Exotic Pets: Nationwide

Nationwide stands out as one of the few pet insurance providers that caters to exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, and other small mammals. It offers accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans. The company also offers prescription discounts at Walmart and Sam’s Club.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans
• Age Limits: 8 weeks to 10 years old
• Coverage Limit: $2,500 to $10,000
• Annual Deductible: $100, $250, or $500
• Reimbursement Rate: 50% to 80%
• Waiting Period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
• Discounts: Multi-pet and bundling discounts available
• Direct Vet Pay: No
• Pros: Covers birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets. Also, preferred pricing for prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
• Cons: Enrollment limited to pets 10 and under, no coverage for end-of-life expenses, no direct payment option
• Multiple Pet Discount: 5% off for two or three pets, 10% off for four or more pets
• Standout Benefit: Offers preferred pricing and convenient automatic claims on pet prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies.

Best for Paying Vets Directly: Pets Best

Pets Best allows you to have your veterinarian reimbursed directly so you don’t have to pay a large bill upfront.. They have insured over 100,000 cats and dogs since 2005.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans
• Age Limits: Minimum 7 weeks, no maximum
• 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, 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, and offers a direct-payment option
• Cons: Exam fees not included with basic plan, multi-pet discount is lower than other providers, only top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
• Multiple Pet Discount: 5% off the BestBenefit accident and illness plans
• Standout Benefits: Access to a 24/7 pet emergency helpline staffed by vet techs and veterinarians is standard with all policies.

Best for High Reimbursement Rate: Pumpkin

Pumpkin offers plans with high reimbursement rates. Their policies have a 90% reimbursement rate, which is higher than the industry average. There is also no upper age limit for enrollment making it a good option for senior pets.

• Policy Highlights: Accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans
• Age Limits: No upper age limit
• Coverage Limit: Unlimited
• Annual Deductible: Accident-only: $250, Accident and illness: $50 to $1000
• Reimbursement Rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
• Waiting Period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
• Discounts: 10% discount for insuring multiple pets
• Direct Vet Pay: Yes
• Pros: Plans include exam fees and microchipping; no upper age limits or breed restrictions; unlimited coverage standard
• Cons: Only 90% reimbursement available
• Multiple Pet Discount: 10% off each additional pet.
• Standout Benefits: Pumpkin plans don’t have an upper age limit.

More on Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets – Summary Table

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of these top pet insurance providers, highlighting key features:

Pet Insurance Provider Overviews

Here’s a summary of each pet insurance provider:

• ASPCA: Offers policies for cats, dogs, and horses underwritten by the Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. Offers accident and illness plans that include behavioral therapy, alternative treatments, prescription food, and microchipping.

  • Policies: Accident-only, accident and illness, and preventative care
  • Age Limit: Minimum age 8 weeks, no maximum
  • Waiting Period: 14 days for accident and illness coverage

• Spot: Offers policies nationwide. They are underwritten by the Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. Independence Pet Holdings acquired a majority interest in Spot Pet in 2024.

  • Policies: Accident-only, accident and illness, and preventative care
  • Age Limit: Minimum 8 weeks, no maximum
  • Waiting Period: 14 days

• Embrace: Acquired by JAB Holding Company in 2023, Embrace is part of Independence Pet Holdings, that also owns Pumpkin, Spot, Pets Best, and other top pet insurance providers. Embrace partners with USAA, Allstate, and Geico to offer policies to their customers.

  • Policies Offered: Accident and illness, accident-only, and preventative care
  • Age Limit: Minimum 6 weeks, maximum 14 years (pets ages 15 and older are eligible for accident-only policies)
  • Waiting Period: 48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions (waivable)

• Nationwide: Stands out for covering exotic pets and providing prescription discounts at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies. In June 2024, Nationwide announced it would not renew approximately 100,000 pet policies.

  • Policies Offered: Accident and illness, preventative care
  • Age Limits: Minimum 8 weeks, maximum 10 years old for accident and illness
  • Waiting Period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament injuries

• Pets Best: Has insured over 100,000 cats and dogs since launching in 2005. Policyholders have access to a 24/7 emergency vet helpline and the option to have Pets Best pay your vet directly.

  • Policies Offered: Accident only, accident and illness, and preventative care
  • Age Limits: Minimum 7 weeks, no maximum
  • Waiting Period: Typically 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions

• Pumpkin: Automatically covers items other insurers charge extra for, including prescription food, microchipping, and end-of-life care. There’s no maximum age for enrollment.

  • Policies Offered: Accident and illness, and preventative care
  • Age Limits: Minimum 8 weeks, no maximum
  • Waiting Period: 14 days for all covered conditions

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance can cover various conditions and injuries, plus routine care, depending on the selected policy. The main pet insurance options are:

• Accident-only policy: Pays for injuries, like lacerations, broken bones, or swallowed objects.
• Accident and illness policy: Adds coverage for cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections, and other conditions (provided they are not pre-existing).
• Wellness plan: Covers routine pet care costs, including vaccines, testing, and teeth cleaning.

Pet insurance policies rarely cover pre-existing conditions—illnesses or injuries diagnosed before enrollment. However, some insurers will cover certain previously treated conditions once they are “cured,” meaning after a set period without treatment or symptoms.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

In 2023, accident-only dog insurance averaged $17 per month and a little less than $10 per month for cats, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Accident and illness policies averaged just over $56 monthly for dogs and about $32 monthly for cats.

Premiums vary based on your pet’s age and breed, your location, the selected policy, and other factors. All the insurance companies on this list provide a discount of up to 10% for insuring more than one animal.

FAQs

• What is the best pet insurance for multiple pets? The best pet insurance for multiple pets is dependent on the specifics regarding the type of animal(s), age(s), breed(s), your location, coverage needs, and other factors. CNBC Select has listed ASPCA, Spot, Embrace, Nationwide, and Pets Best as the best options if you have multiple pets.

• How much does pet insurance cost? Accident-only pet insurance coverage averages $17 a month for dogs, while an accident and illness policy averages about $10 a month for cats. Pet insurance tends to be cheapest when your cat or dog is young, before the animal develops a pre-existing condition.

• Is pet insurance worth it? Whether pet insurance is worth it is largely dependent on your pet’s health, your financial circumstances, and your dedication to your pet’s wellbeing. If you possess limited savings or credit access, the monthly premiums could be more affordable than a $5,000 vet bill. Additionally, since providers do not cover pre-existing conditions, a policy may make more sense if you are enrolling a puppy or kitten in coverage. If you have more than one cat or dog, a multiple-pet discount could make your rates more economical.

• Can I get a multiple pet discount if I already have one animal covered? Yes, most pet insurance companies permit you to add additional pets to an existing policy and use the discount. Confirm with your provider for confirmation.