We compared over 20 pet insurance providers on coverage, cost, reimbursement rates, and customer satisfaction. Here are our top picks for protecting your furry family members.
Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Pet insurance can save thousands on unexpected veterinary bills, with the average emergency vet visit costing $1,000-$5,000 and surgeries ranging from $2,000-$10,000+.
- 2 Most pet insurance works on a reimbursement model: you pay the vet bill upfront, submit a claim, and receive reimbursement typically within 5-14 days.
- 3 The younger and healthier your pet is when you enroll, the lower your premiums will be. Pre-existing conditions are universally excluded from coverage.
- 4 Accident-only plans start as low as $10-$15/month, while comprehensive accident and illness plans typically cost $30-$60/month depending on breed, age, and location.
- 5 Most plans have a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illness, so enroll before your pet has any health issues for the best coverage.
Our Top Picks for Pet Insurance
1. Lemonade Pet Insurance
Deductible Range
$100-$500
Starting Price
From $10/mo
Reimbursement
70-90%
Lemonade Pet Insurance, launched in 2020 as an extension of Lemonade's AI-powered insurance platform (NYSE: LMND), has quickly become one of the most popular pet insurance providers in the United States. The company's base accident and illness plan covers diagnostics, procedures, medications, and hospitalization with customizable reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90% and annual limits ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. What truly sets Lemonade apart is its claims experience: the AI chatbot processes most claims in minutes, with the fastest claims paid in under 2 seconds. Lemonade also offers add-on packages including a Preventive Care bundle (covering annual exams, vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, and teeth cleaning), an Extended Accident and Illness package (covering physical therapy, acupuncture, and behavioral conditions), and a Vet Visit Fee package. The mobile app is exceptionally well-designed, allowing you to manage your policy, submit claims with photos, and track reimbursements all from your phone.
Pros
- AI-powered claims processed in minutes with industry-best mobile app
- Affordable starting price from $10/month with flexible coverage options
- Comprehensive add-on packages for preventive care and extended treatments
Cons
- Not available in all 50 states yet
- Newer to pet insurance with less long-term track record
2. Embrace Pet Insurance
Deductible Range
$200-$1,000
Starting Price
From $18/mo
Reimbursement
70-90%
Embrace Pet Insurance, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is known for its comprehensive coverage and unique Diminishing Deductible feature. For each year you do not receive a claim reimbursement, Embrace reduces your annual deductible by $50, rewarding responsible pet ownership and potentially eliminating your deductible entirely over time. Embrace covers accidents, illnesses, cancer treatments, orthopedic conditions (including hereditary and congenital conditions with no waiting period for accidents), dental illness, alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy), prosthetic devices, and behavioral therapy. The company also offers a Wellness Rewards program that reimburses up to $650/year for routine care including vaccinations, annual exams, spay/neuter, microchipping, and grooming. Claims are processed within 5-15 business days, and Embrace has a 98% claims approval rate. Coverage is available for dogs and cats of any age, though premiums increase for older pets.
Pros
- Diminishing Deductible reduces your deductible $50/year claim-free
- Covers hereditary/congenital conditions, dental illness, and alternative therapies
- Optional Wellness Rewards program for routine care up to $650/year
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions in dogs
- Premiums can be higher than budget competitors
3. Trupanion
Deductible Range
$0-$1,000
Starting Price
From $25/mo
Reimbursement
90%
Trupanion, founded in 2000 by Darryl Rawlings and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is publicly traded (NASDAQ: TRUP) and covers over 950,000 pets across the U.S. and Canada. Trupanion's standout innovation is its Trupanion Express direct payment system, available at over 10,000 veterinary hospitals, which pays the vet directly at checkout so you never have to submit a claim or pay the full bill upfront (you only pay your deductible and the 10% coinsurance). This is the only pet insurance company to offer true direct-pay at the point of service at this scale. Trupanion offers a single comprehensive plan covering accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, surgeries, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, medications, prosthetics, and rehabilitation therapy. Unlike most competitors that use annual limits, Trupanion provides unlimited lifetime coverage per condition after you meet your per-condition deductible. The deductible is also per-condition and lifetime, meaning once you meet it for a specific condition, you never pay it again.
Pros
- Direct vet payment at 10,000+ hospitals eliminates upfront costs
- Unlimited lifetime coverage with no annual or per-incident caps
- Per-condition lifetime deductible means you only pay it once per condition
Cons
- Only offers 90% reimbursement rate with no other options
- Higher premiums than many competitors especially for older pets
4. Spot Pet Insurance
Deductible Range
$100-$1,000
Starting Price
From $12/mo
Reimbursement
70-90%
Spot Pet Insurance, underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (Crum & Forster), offers some of the most customizable and affordable pet insurance plans available. Founded in 2019 and based in Miami, Florida, Spot lets you tailor your policy with annual coverage limits from $2,500 to unlimited, deductible options from $100 to $1,000, and reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%. This flexibility lets budget-conscious pet owners find a plan that fits their finances. Spot covers accidents, illnesses, behavioral conditions, microchip implantation, alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy), and prescription medications and supplements. The company also offers an optional preventive care add-on covering annual exams, vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing, and dental cleaning. Spot has no upper age limits for enrollment, accepts all breeds, and covers exam fees when related to a covered condition. Claims can be submitted through the mobile app or online portal, with most processed within 14 business days.
Pros
- Highly customizable plans with annual limits from $2,500 to unlimited
- No upper age limit for enrollment with all breeds accepted
- Covers behavioral conditions and alternative therapies
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses
- Relatively new company with less brand recognition
5. Nationwide Pet Insurance
Deductible
$250
Starting Price
From $20/mo
Reimbursement
50-90%
Nationwide Pet Insurance (formerly VPI, founded in 1982) is the oldest and one of the largest pet insurance providers in the United States, covering over 1 million pets. As a division of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best rated A+), it provides exceptional financial stability and claims-paying ability. Nationwide is the only major pet insurer to offer coverage for exotic pets including birds, reptiles, and small mammals in addition to dogs and cats. The Whole Pet with Wellness plan is the company's most comprehensive offering, covering accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and wellness/preventive care all in one plan with no per-condition or annual benefit schedules. Multi-pet discounts of 5-15% make Nationwide particularly attractive for households with multiple animals. Nationwide also offers pet insurance as an employer benefit through thousands of companies, making it one of the most commonly available voluntary workplace benefits. Claims are processed within 14-30 days, and the company has paid over $2 billion in claims since its founding.
Pros
- Oldest U.S. pet insurer with $2B+ in total claims paid
- Only major insurer covering exotic pets (birds, reptiles, mammals)
- Multi-pet discounts of 5-15% ideal for households with multiple animals
Cons
- Claims processing time of 14-30 days is slower than competitors
- Some plans use benefit schedules that cap payouts per condition
How to Choose Pet Insurance
Pet insurance works differently from human health insurance. Most plans operate on a reimbursement model: you pay your vet bill upfront, submit a claim, and receive reimbursement based on your plan's coverage level. When comparing plans, focus on three key variables: your reimbursement rate (70%, 80%, or 90%), your annual deductible ($100-$1,000), and your annual coverage limit ($5,000 to unlimited).
Consider your pet's breed, age, and health history when choosing coverage. Certain breeds are prone to expensive hereditary conditions: large dogs often develop hip dysplasia ($3,000-$7,000 to treat), while brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs) commonly face respiratory issues. The younger your pet is at enrollment, the lower your premiums will be, and you will avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.
Look beyond monthly premiums and consider the total value of coverage. A plan that costs $10/month more but covers dental illness, behavioral conditions, and alternative therapies could save you thousands over your pet's lifetime. Also check waiting periods, as most plans have 14-day waiting periods for accidents and illness before coverage begins.
Important Tip
Enroll your pet in insurance as early as possible, ideally as a puppy or kitten. Pre-existing conditions are never covered, and the longer you wait, the more conditions may develop that become excluded from coverage. Young, healthy pets also qualify for the lowest premiums.
Pet Insurance Companies Compared
| Provider | Deductible Range | Starting Price | Reimbursement | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Top Pick
|
$100-$500 | From $10/mo | 70-90% |
4.9
|
|
Embrace Pet Insurance
|
$200-$1,000 | From $18/mo | 70-90% |
4.8
|
|
Trupanion
|
$0-$1,000 | From $25/mo | 90% |
4.7
|
|
Spot Pet Insurance
|
$100-$1,000 | From $12/mo | 70-90% |
4.6
|
|
Nationwide Pet Insurance
|
$250 | From $20/mo | 50-90% |
4.6
|
Our Methodology
Our insurance team evaluated over 20 pet insurance providers, analyzing coverage options, pricing, reimbursement speed, customer satisfaction, and financial stability to identify the best options for different pet owners.
Coverage Breadth
30%We assessed what each plan covers including accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, dental, behavioral, and alternative therapies, plus available add-ons.
Pricing & Value
25%We compared monthly premiums, deductible options, reimbursement rates, and annual limits to assess the overall value of each plan at different coverage levels.
Claims Experience
25%We evaluated claims processing speed, approval rates, ease of claim submission, and the availability of direct vet payment options.
Customer Satisfaction
20%We reviewed customer ratings, BBB scores, complaint ratios, and the quality of customer support available for policyholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jessica Torres
Licensed Insurance Analyst
Jessica Torres is a licensed insurance analyst at Zogby with over 8 years of experience covering pet, home, and specialty insurance products. She holds a Property & Casualty license and a degree in Risk Management from the University of Georgia. Jessica has been published in Insurance Journal, Forbes Advisor, and US News, and her work focuses on helping pet owners find the best coverage for their animals.
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Important Pet Insurance Disclaimers
- Insurance quotes and premiums shown are estimates only and may vary based on your pet's breed, age, location, and health history. Contact the insurer directly for an accurate quote.
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any pet insurance plan. Conditions that develop during waiting periods may also be excluded.
- Coverage availability, terms, conditions, and exclusions vary by state, insurer, and policy. Not all coverage types are available in all states. Review the policy documents carefully before purchasing.
- Insurance products are underwritten and issued by the respective insurance companies, not by Zogby. We are an independent comparison service and do not sell or issue insurance policies.
- Reimbursement amounts are subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and annual or per-condition limits as defined in your policy. Actual reimbursement may be less than the total vet bill.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Editorial Independence
Our recommendations are based on independent research and analysis. While Zogby may receive compensation from some partners listed on this page, our editorial team maintains full independence over our rankings and ratings. Compensation does not influence which products we recommend or how we rate them.