Summary: Best Pet Insurance Companies
The Best Pet Insurance Companies in More Detail
Our Analysis of the Best Value in Pet Insurance
Pets Bestโs Essential policy offers the most bang for your buck in our analysis of coverage vs. cost. While some policies include more coverage, like Pumpkin and Spot, Pets Best has the highest ratio of coverage compared to cost.
In the graph below, bubbles that float to the top indicate companies with higher costs, and bubbles to the right indicate broader coverage. The Pets Best Essential plan offers the best value in our analysis.
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies
With all the variations in pricing and coverage details, it can be challenging to compare pet insurance policies in an apples-to-apples way. We found the best way to do it is by prioritizing the benefits that are the most important to you and then comparing prices among the policies that match your must-haves. Hereโs how we chose the best pet insurance.
Plan Type
If youโre shopping for pet insurance, the first thing we recommend looking at is the plan type. We recommend a comprehensive pet insurance policy that covers accidents and illnesses. The three main types of pet insurance can generally be broken down to:
- Accident and illness plan. This covers vet bills for accidents (like broken bones) and illnesses (such as cancer, allergies and skin infections).
- Accident-only plan. This covers accident-related vet expenses, such as broken bones, bite wounds and ingested foreign objects. It does not cover illness-related vet expenses.
- Pet wellness plans for routine care. This is typically an add-on policy that covers routine vet expenses like annual wellness exams, flea and heartworm prevention and vaccinations.
You might also see the term โcomprehensive planโ when youโre shopping for pet insurance. This typically refers to an accident and illness policy plus an optional wellness plan. This is sometimes referred to as a โnose to tailโ policy.
Related: What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Compare Plans Available by Company
We recommend looking at valuable benefits like coverage for vet exam fees. Not all insurers include this with their base policies. If having access to a 24/7 vet telehealth line is important to you, we recommend choosing an insurer that provides this benefit. Itโs also a good idea to look at insurers that offer optional pet insurance wellness plans for routine care if you want coverage for expenses like annual wellness exams and vaccinations.
| Company | Covers pet exam fees for accidents and illnesses? | 24/7 vet telehealth line available? | Optional wellness plan? | Can pay vet directly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets Best Elite plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No (add-on coverage is available) | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Chewy Essential Plus plan | No (add-on coverage is available) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| No (add-on coverage is available) | No | Yes | No |
Coverage Levels
Pet insurance policies will typically offer a range of annual maximums, deductibles and reimbursement levels to choose from. We would prioritize choosing coverage levels youโre comfortable with rather than focusing on price alone. In the event of an expensive claim, youโll be glad you bought sufficient coverage.
- Annual maximum coverage. This is the maximum amount that will be paid out for pet insurance claims during the policy period. Common annual maximum coverage amounts include $5,000, $10,000 and unlimited.
- Deductible. This is the amount youโll pay toward vet bills before your coverage kicks in. Common deductible choices include $100, $250 and $500.
- Reimbursement percentage. This is the reimbursement youโll get back if you make a pet insurance claim. Common reimbursement levels include 70%, 80% and 90%.
Compare Whatโs Covered by Company
We recommend comparing coverage benefits like behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, microchipping and end-of-life expenses among pet insurers. Some insurers include these coverage types in their base policies or have the option to buy extra coverage.
| Company | Covers behavioral therapy? | Covers alternative therapy? | Covers microchipping? | Covers euthanasia or end-of-life expenses? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets Best Elite plan | Yes | Yes | No (add-on coverage is available) | Yes |
| No | Yes | No (add-on coverage is available) | Yes | |
| Chewy Essential Plus plan | No (add-on coverage is available) | No (add-on coverage is available) | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | No (add-on coverage is available) | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No (add-on coverage is available) | Yes |
Waiting Periods
A waiting period is the time between the policy purchase date and when the coverage begins. If you have a dog, we recommend taking a hard look at any special waiting periods, such as those for cruciate ligament issues. Many policies have a six-month waiting period for this, but some insurers will waive this waiting period if you have an orthopedic exam done.
Special waiting periods for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament issues can range from six to 12 months, but you can find pet insurance with no waiting period for orthopedic conditions. If a long waiting period is a concern, I recommend looking at insurers like ASPCA, Pumpkin, Spot and Trupanion.
โ Jason Metz, Lead Editor
Compare Waiting Periods by Company
| Company | Accident waiting period | Illness waiting period | Special waiting period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets Best Elite plan | 3 days | 14 days | 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions |
| 1 day | 14 days | 6 months for orthopedic conditions (can be waived with an orthopedic exam) | |
| Chewy Essential Plus plan | 5 days | 14 days | None |
| Accident coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. ET | 14 days | 6 months for orthopedic conditions (can be waived with an orthopedic exam) | |
| 14 days | 14 days | None | |
| Accident coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. ET | 14 days | 30 days for orthopedic conditions |
Other Pet Insurance Comparison Factors
Here are two more factors we would look at when buying a pet insurance policy:
- Exam fees. When you take your pet to the veterinarian for an accident or illness, you pay an exam fee, which typically costs $100 or more, depending on your veterinarian and visit type. Make sure the policy covers these exam fees because not all do.
- Benefits. Look for extra benefits like a 24-hour vet helpline in case your pet gets sick outside of veterinarian operating hours. As another example, Nationwide pet insurance members have access to preferred pricing on pet prescriptions at any Walmart pharmacy.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Pet insurance costs an average of $46 per month for a dog and $23 per month for a cat, according to our analysis of pet insurance costs. Thatโs for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level costs an average of $66 per month for a dog and $34 per month for a cat.
Your pet insurance costs will depend on factors such as your petโs breed, age and the veterinary costs in your area.
- Annual maximum, deductible and reimbursement levels.
- Petโs age, breed and gender.
- Your location.
| Company | Monthly pet insurance cost for a dog | Monthly pet insurance cost for a cat |
|---|---|---|
| Pets Best Elite | $52 | $24 |
| $75 | $30 | |
| Chewy Essential Plus | $89 | $44 |
| $75 | $63 | |
| $93 | $45 | |
| $48 | $25 |
Pet Insurance Discounts
The most common pet insurance discount is a multi-pet insurance discount, which ranges between 5% to 10% if you insure more than one dog or cat with the same pet insurer. Other discounts to look for include spay/neuter discounts, military discounts, annual pay discounts and a bundling discount if you bundle your pet policy with other types of policies, such as auto, home or renters insurance.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance
These simple steps will get you to the best policy for your situation.
Anticipated Pet Medical Bills Among Popular Dog Breeds
Among popular dog breeds, poodles and dachshunds are the most likely to develop health problems as adult dogs. But based on data from Fetch, rottweilers have the most expensive cost of care as adult dogs.
| Dog breed | Chance of illness as an adult dog (ages 6-9) | Anticipated cost of care as a puppy (ages 0-2) | Anticipated cost of care as an adult dog (ages 6-9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beagle | 64% | $3,073 | $8,225 |
| Dachshunds | 69% | $3,078 | $6,407 |
| English bulldogs | 56% | $4,106 | $7,194 |
| French bulldogs | 62% | $4,158 | $8,756 |
| German shepherds | 48% | $3,038 | $6,489 |
| Golden retrievers | 59% | $3,382 | $7,496 |
| Labrador retrievers | 55% | $3,846 | $6,999 |
| Mixed breeds (medium sized) | 59% | $3,445 | $7,680 |
| Poodles | 72% | $3,759 | $10,408 |
| Rottweilers | 62% | $4,158 | $11,625 |
More About Our Customer Satisfaction Survey
We surveyed 1,300 American pet owners with pet insurance who had purchased a new policy within the last 12 months. We found that 86% of survey respondents said that they were satisfied with customer service and pricing, while 89% said they were likely to recommend their pet insurance company to friends and family.
We also surveyed 1,300 American pet owners who filed a pet insurance claim in the last twelve months. We found that (86%) of survey respondents who have made claims said they were satisfied with their claims experience with their pet insurers, but this category has some room for improvement. Only 83% of survey respondents said they were satisfied that their planโs coverage met their expectations during the claims process.
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, we collected data and scored each pet insurance company across several categories. Only pet insurers offering annual maximum coverage of $100,000 or unlimited were scored so that comparisons were fair among companies. If a company has more than one top-scoring policy, we show only the policy with the highest score.
- Pet insurance rates for mixed breed dogs (20% of score): We calculated average rates for medium-sized mixed breed dogs ages 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 7 years for plans with unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available.
- Pet insurance rates for purebred dogs (20% of score): We calculated average rates for French bulldogs, German shepherds, golden retrievers, labrador retrievers and poodles ages 3 months and 3 years for plans with unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available.
- Direct payment to vet (10% of score): Pet insurance companies that have the ability to pay a vet directly earned points. In order to receive points, this feature must be stated on the pet insurerโs website.
- Special waiting period (5% of score): Many pet insurance companies have a special waiting period for problems such as cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. Plans that have no special waiting period, a waiting period of fewer than six months or the ability to have the waiting period waived scored higher. In certain states, waiting periods are dictated by state law and may vary.
- 24/7 vet telehealth line (5% of score): Insurers that provide access to a 24/7 vet telehealth line earned points.
- Routine wellness plans (5% of score): Insurers that offer optional wellness plans earned points.
- Multi-pet discount (5% of score): Many pet insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one pet. Insurers that offer a multi-pet discount earned points.
- Digital experience (5% of score): We evaluated pet insurers on mobile app ratings for both Android and Apple, if thereโs a useful website search function and if thereโs a live chat that provides helpful information.
- Behavioral therapy (2% of score): Insurers that cover behavioral therapy in their base policies earned points.
- Alternative therapy (2% of score): Insurers that include alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and hydrotherapy in their base policies earned points.
- Dental illness (2% of score): Insurers that include coverage for dental illnesses, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, earned points.
- Pays veterinary exam fees (1% of score): Policies that cover the vet exam fee received points. Not all insurers cover exam fees, even if the fee is for an illness or accident-related visit thatโs covered by insurance.
- Stem cell therapy (1% of score): Insurers with coverage for stem cell therapy in their base policies earned points.
- Coverage for prescription food and supplements (1% of score): Insurers that reimburse for food and supplements prescribed by a veterinarian earned points.
- Euthanasia or end-of-life expenses (1% of score): Insurers that cover end-of-life expenses, such as euthanasia, cremation or burial fees, received points.
- Forbes Advisor customer satisfaction survey (15% of score): We conducted two surveys of current pet insurance customers.
1) We surveyed 1,300 American pet owners with insurance that have purchased a new policy within the last 12 months, 100 per company. This online survey was commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company Talker Research, in accordance with the Market Research Societyโs code of conduct. Data was collected from October 11-29, 2024. The margin of error is ยฑ 1.5 point with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
2) We surveyed 1,300 American pet owners who have filed a pet insurance claim within the past 12 months. This online survey was commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company Talker Research, in accordance with the Market Research Societyโs code of conduct. Data was collected from October 11 to November 4, 2024. The margin of error is ยฑ 1.9 point with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
Compare Pet Insurance Plans
Via Forbes Advisor's Partner
Best Pet Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is pet insurance worth it?
We found the best way to determine if pet insurance is worth it is to consider how an unexpected vet bill could impact your personal finances. For example, if youโve been paying about $50 per month for pet insurance for three years, youโve paid $1,800 in pet insurance premiums.
Letโs say your dog swallowed a tennis ball and surgery cost $3,500. If you have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, your out-of-pocket cost for treatment would be $900 ($250 deductible + 20% of $3,250 = $900). Adding up the premium for three years and what youโve paid toward treatment, youโve paid $2,700 and avoided paying $800 by having pet insurance.
What is the best dog insurance?
We found that Pets Best pet insurance is the best dog insurance company among the companies we evaluated because of its solid coverage options and low prices for unlimited annual coverage. Dog owners will find a 24/7 vet telehealth line, the option to add a wellness plan and the ability to pay the vet directly, which can help keep out-of-pocket expenses low.
Other pet insurance companies that scored well in our analysis were Chewy, Figo, Spot, Embrace and Healthy Paws.
What is the best cat insurance?
We found that Pets Best is the best cat insurance due to its competitive prices and coverage options. These include access to a 24/7 vet telehealth line, an optional wellness plan and the ability to pay the vet directly.
Other insurers that were among our winners for best cat insurance companies include Embrace, Spot, Figo and Healthy Paws.
Do all vets take pet insurance?
All vets take pet insurance in the sense that pet insurance is generally reimbursement-based, meaning youโll pay the veterinarian bills up-front and then submit a claim to your pet insurance company for reimbursement. So in most cases, the veterinarian does not interact at all with the insurance company.
Some pet insurance companies pay the vet directly, which can reduce your out-of-pocket costs and you wonโt have to wait for an insurance claims check.
What is the best level of pet insurance?
The best level of pet insurance is an accident and illness plan with an added pet wellness plan for routine care. This combination covers the most types of problems, such as major illnesses like cancer, accidents such as ingesting foreign objects, and routine vet expenses like annual exams and vaccinations. This combination is sometimes referred to as a comprehensive plan or a โnose to tailโ plan.
