10 Best Pet Insurance of 2025
Pet insurance plans cover the medical costs associated with illnesses and injuries that befall your pet. Most providers only cover dogs and cats, but a select few expand coverage to all types of animals. Policies function in much the same way as regular health insurance with deductibles, copayments, and lifetime, annual, or per incident benefit limits. Most pet insurance providers, however, do not communicate directly with your veterinarian and require you to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement.
Given the skyrocketing cost of veterinary care, pet insurance is potentially useful to any pet owner. While the cost to value ratio of wellness plans – i.e. plans covering routine exams and things like vaccinations – is still a contested issue, mainstream accident and illness coverage can literally spell the difference between life and death. Treatment for major conditions like cancer and heart disease can top out these days at up to $20,000. This forces many pet owners into the unfortunate position of having to choose economic euthanasia.
When deciding on a pet insurance provider it’s important to have a clear picture of the conditions covered and benefit limits particular to a given plan. For example, some companies might advertise “unlimited coverage,” but paradoxically have maximum amounts they will pay per incident or condition. You also should find out what conditions are specific to your pet’s breed and make sure the plan is willing to adequately pay for these. Though all plans have standard waiting periods for accidents and illnesses, be aware that some have per condition waiting periods for relatively common breed-specific ailments like canine hip dysplasia.
No pet insurance will cover your pet for pre-existing conditions if symptoms are present prior to policy purchase. Pet insurance is a preventative measure, so keep in mind that you can’t buy a policy when your pet is already sick. Most plans allow you the ability to customize your deductible, reimbursement percentage, and benefit limits. Tinkering with these three factors determine what you are going to be paying monthly. Watch out for plans that operate on a “benefits schedule,” or per-condition limits. Plans that feature high or unlimited annual or lifetime coverage are preferable.
Top 10 Companies
Rated "Best Choice Overall" by Mashable
- No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
- No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
- Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days
- Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
🔥 Get up to 90% Cash Back on Vet Bills
- Covers Accidents, Illness & Preventive Care
- Prescriptions, Specialists, Dental and more
- Visit Any Vet in the US, 24/7 Vet Helpline
- 10% Multi Pet Discount, One Annual Deductible
- Get Up to 90% Cash Back on Eligible Vet Bills
- Coverage for Routine Wellness, Accidents & Illnesses
- No Upper Age Limits or Breed Exclusions
- Annual Limit of $10K, $20k or Unlimited For Dogs
Unlimited Reimbursement at Any Vet
- Covers Illnesses, Conditions & Accidents
- Add Dental & Prescription Coverage
- Wellness Plan for Routine Check-ups, Grooming & Training
- Over 18 Years of Pet Insurance Expertise
- Save Up To 90% On Vet Bills
- Affordable Plans Starting at Less than $1/Day
- Providing Comprehensive Pet Insurance For Over 750,000 Pets
- Multiple Wellness Plan Options
Covers Exam Fees + 10% Multi-Pet Discount
- Up to 90% Cash Back at Any US Vet
- Complete Coverage, Accident-Only & Preventive Care
- Behavioral Issues, Dental & Hereditary Conditions
- Customizeable Plans to Fit Your Budget
- Preventative Care Plans Starting at $10/Mo.
- Visit Any Licensed Vet in the US
- No Waiting Period for Accidents
- Coverage for Recurring Conditions*
*Not available in all states.
- Get Back up to 90% on Unexpected Vet Bills
- Covers Pets of Every Age 6 Weeks+
- Dental Coverage for Every Tooth Plus Gums
- Covers Exam Fees (Save $50-$250 per Sick Visit)
- PetFirst is partnered with the Humane Society
- Short waiting period before coverage begins
- Hereditary, congenital & chronic conditions
- No exam required
- Coverage for exam fees
- 25% discount on all in-office medical care
- Pet wellness plans available
- No age restrictions
- Covers pre-existing and hereditary conditions
- Discounts available immediately on sign-up
- A+ BBB accredited company
- GEICO
- MetLife Pet Insurance
- Careplus by Chewy
- Kanguro Seguro
- Embrace
- Pet Priority
- Lemonade
- Pets Best Pet Insurance
- Trupanion
- Nationwide
- Banfield Pet Hospital
- PetPartners
- 24 Pet Watch
- PetPremium
- Figo
- Hartville
- Prudent Pet
- Agile Health Insurance
- TrustedPals
- Eusoh Community Health Plan
- Pawp
- AKC
- ManyPets
- Wagmo
- Spot
- Fetch
- Progressive
How We Compare Pet Insurance
Coverage
20%By and large, pet insurance companies offer two major types of coverage: comprehensive coverage (accident and illness) and accident-only. There are a few pet insurance providers that allow more flexibility letting you mix and match illness and accident coverage, or purchase certain conditions a la carte. Some companies also offer wellness plans as add-ons. Wellness plans cover the animal for routine care, vaccinations, neutering, etc.
No pet insurance plan covers pre-existing or congenital conditions if they are present before purchasing the policy. And some have waiting periods for specific congenital conditions (hip dysplasia, cruciate ligaments), during which no claim will be allowed.That being said, each company has its own definition of pre-existing condition. Some define it as any condition that your pet may have been treated for but has recovered from in the past year or six months.
Pets Covered
The vast majority of pet insurance companies only cover dogs and cats. There are a few that cover birds and even more exotic pets like amphibians, chameleons, chinchillas, ferrets, geckos, gerbils, goats, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, iguanas, mice, opossums, potbellied pigs, rats, rabbits, snakes, sugar gliders, tortoises, turtles, and more. To cover your exotic pet you will most likely have to contact the company directly and get a custom quote.
Coverage Types
All pet insurance companies will cover medical conditions. Some, as stated above, have optional wellness coverage. Sometimes called preventative care, this covers you from the things that are routine or expected over the course of a year.
Medical Conditions Covered
Conditions covered by pet insurance can be broken up into nine major areas: accident, illness, hereditary, congenital, cancer, chronic, accidental dental, routine dental, and breeding. Most plans cover accident and illnesses. They also cover hereditary, congenital, and chronic, but keep in mind only if they are not pre-existing. Furthermore, most plans will cover dental injury sustained in some kind of accident, but not routine dental care or dental illness arising from neglect or improper care. Costs associated with breeding are most times not covered as well.
Medical Treatments Covered
Diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization, and emergency care are all examples or treatments covered by most plans. Companies are usually split on whether they offer things like prescription coverage, behavioral therapy, and alternative care like acupuncture. Routine testing coverage is relatively rare unless you've purchased a wellness plan. Few plans cover prosthetics.Â
Vet Selection
Most plans will allow you to visit any licensed vet or veterinary hospital. Other companies will restrict you to an in-network provider. Naturally we prefer those without networks.Â
Out-of-State Coverage
Most companies will cover pets anywhere within the United States. If a given company restricts coverage in any way by area, we will reflect that here.
Cost
15%Costs can vary widely, with an accident-only policies usually being the cheapest option. Pet insurance premiums depend on a multitude of factors. Location, age, and breed all play a major part. Also, the type of plan, deductible choice, reimbursement percentage choice, and benefit limit choice all play a part.
Your plan deductible is how much money you will have to come up with before the pet insurance company starts paying. Higher deductibles ($1,000 for example) translate into lower monthly premiums. A deductible is not to be confused with a co-payment.
Let's say you have a $500 annual deductible and have chosen an 80% reimbursement level. During the course of that year, you will have to pay 100% of vet bills for the first $500, after which your pet insurance plan kicks in 80% of all medical bills. You then get a $1,000 vet bill for surgery. Pet insurance pays $800 and you pay $200. The $200 is your co-payment.
Benefit limits come in a variety of combinations. Some of our top plans feature flat-out 100% unlimited lifetime coverage for all illnesses, procedures, and conditions. This means that after you pay your deductible, there will be no upper limit the company will pay to cover your pet's medical bills.
Sometimes plans will say they offer unlimited annual or lifetime coverage, but still set caps by condition—meaning they'll theoretically pay an unlimited amount in the aggregate, but still have dollar amount limits per condition. Some companies will set per-condition caps AND total annual caps.
Still others will set lifetime limits per condition. There are also individual plans that allow you to choose your annual benefit limit in the same way you choose your reimbursement percentage or deductible. Naturally, higher benefit limits will equate to more expensive premiums.
Finally, the reimbursement model is how the pet insurance company calculates reimbursement for a procedure. Some companies will pay the actual cost of your vet bill (minus your deductible and copay), while others will only reimburse procedures based on a benefits schedule. Benefit schedules are based on the average cost of a procedure nationwide. Most companies will only use one method. However, it is possible to use different methods for each plan.
Available Discounts
Many companies will offer discounts for a variety of reasons. These can include spayed or neutered discount, multi-pet discount, annual pay discount, military discount, and PennHIP test discount.
Extras
15%Most pet insurance companies have you pay the bill yourself, then reimburse you after you file the claim. They can either do this by sending you a check, or in some cases through direct deposit (obviously the speediest option). A few providers will pay your veterinarian or veterinary hospital directly.
Advertised Response Time
This is how long the company claims it will take to process a claim. This influences how fast you'll get the money.
Claim Form
How easy and quick does the company make it for you to file a claim? Do they use snail mail, fax, email, online portal, or mobile app?
Company Disclaimers
What's important to know about Pet Insurance?
- Does Pet Insurance cover vet visits?
- What is an annual deductible for Pet Insurance?
- Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- Does Pet Insurance cover surgery?
- Does Pet Insurance cover shots and vaccinations?
- Does Pet Insurance cover euthanasia?
- Does pet insurance cover prescription food and medication?
- Does Pet Insurance cover neutering or spaying?
- How much is pet insurance on average?
Does Pet Insurance cover vet visits?
The exam fees that are tacked on to your vet bills are generally not covered by insurance, but there are some insurers that will pay for them. In addition, if you purchase wellness coverage, exam fees for routine exams will be covered.
What is an annual deductible for Pet Insurance?
An annual deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket before the pet insurance company starts paying. Some companies offer you the ability to choose the amount of this deductible. Generally, a higher annual deductible will translate into lower monthly premiums.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most pet insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions. However, some insurers define “pre-existing” leniently, as in covering conditions that your pet has been treated for but has not had treatment for in 6 months to a year.  Some very expensive policies may also cover pre-existing conditions under any circumstances. Congenital and hereditary coverage is included in some policies. But it’s important that you read the fine print of any policy you’re considering to see if other restrictions apply.
Does Pet Insurance cover surgery?
Pet insurance does cover surgery provided the surgery isn’t related to a pre existing condition that was apparent in the animal prior to purchasing coverage. If this stipulation is satisfied, policies cover surgeries relating to all kinds of accidents and illnesses. However, each company has its own exclusions so scrutinize their plans thoroughly.
Does Pet Insurance cover shots and vaccinations?
Shots and vaccinations are generally NOT covered by standard pet insurance policies. However, some companies offer “wellness” policies that will cover vaccines and other routine preventative care like physical exams. Wellness plans are offered as additions to standard policies, but in some cases can be purchased alone.
Does Pet Insurance cover euthanasia?
Many insurance companies will cover euthanasia. In the case of illness or injury, your policy might stipulate a minimum age before coverage activates. Policies might also direct you to certain vets in order to properly certify cause of death.
Does pet insurance cover prescription food and medication?
The vast majority of pet insurance plans include medications prescribed to treat a covered illness or condition. However, most pet insurance companies do not cover supplements. Those that do are Fetch by The Dodo, the most comprehensive plan that Nationwide offers, and Trupanion, provided that the supplements are prescribed to treat a covered illness.
Does Pet Insurance cover neutering or spaying?
Most Pet Insurance policies don’t cover neutering or spaying, as it’s considered a routine treatment. If your company does cover sterilization, it will usually be as part of an additional, optional wellness rider with spay/neuter benefits. Wellness plans can also cover checkups, flea/tick medications, vaccinations, and other treatments that aren’t part of a regular plan.
How much is pet insurance on average?
The cost of Pet Insurance varies widely depending on your pet’s health history and age, as well as the deductible amount and reimbursement level you choose. That said, the average pet health insurance premium is usually between $20 and $50 per month, with cat plans normally costing less than plans for dogs.
Our Pet Insurance Review: Summed Up
| Pet Insurance | The Best |
|---|---|
| Healthy Paws Pet Insurance | Cats |
| Embrace Pet Insurance | Preventive care |
| Trupanion Pet Insurance | Dogs |
| Nationwide Pet Insurance | Multiple pets |
| Fetch Pet Insurance | Older dogs |
Resources From Our Editors
Rated "Best Choice Overall" by Mashable
- No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
- No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
- Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days
- Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
Advertiser Disclaimers & Disclosures:
Spot Pet Insurance:
Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit spotpet.com/sample-policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. 10% multi-pet discount is available on all pets after the first. More information available at checkout.
Embrace Pet Insurance:
Pet health insurance is administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC(Lic. No 0G89328) and underwritten by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA as American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8), and American Southern Home Insurance Company. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. For full terms and conditions, visit www.embracepetinsurance.com
MetLife Pet Insurance:
1 “2024 Pet Insurance of the Year Award” Winners, Pet Independent Innovation Awards.
*Accident and optional Preventive Care coverage begins on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy compared to a wait time of 2 to 15 days for many competitors; Illness coverage begins 14 days from the effective day of your policy compared to 14 to 30 days for many competitors. Based on a March 2024 review of publicly available summary information. Competitors did not furnish copies of their policies for review. If you have questions about a particular competitor's policy or coverage, please contact them or their representative directly.
Fetch Pet Insurance:
This information is descriptive only. Policy activation periods, risk free cancellation terms, waiting periods, limitations, exclusions to coverage and other terms and conditions vary by state and are subject to change without notice. Please see your policy for full terms and conditions of coverage. If there is any conflict between the policy and this product information, the provisions of the policy shall prevail.
Discounts and offers are subject to approval and may change at any time. Maximum available discount is 10% and may not be available in all states and is not valid with any other offer. Charitable donations offer not available in AK, HI, ID, IN, KS, ND, NY, RI, SC, or TX, limited to $15 in AL and $10 in MI and UT. For policies purchased in LA or NH, the installment fee is waived for the first payment and applied to all remaining payments.
Average monthly premiums are based on U.S. annual premiums, using a 12-month average, for the period of 01.01.2022 through 12.31.2022 and all available limit combinations. Exam fees based on average costs. Policies in force and number of pets helped based on Fetch data as of 10.12.2023.