Life with a pet can be unpredictable. You never know when your furry friend will experience an illness or injury. But you can do your best to prepare with pet insurance. Pet insurance is a product that steps in to help pay for certain pet illnesses, injuries, and other emergencies.
Purchasing pet insurance can give you confidence you can pay for vet bills if your pet breaks a bone, swallows a toxic substance, or is diagnosed with a chronic condition. To find the right plan for you, compare pet insurance companies before making a decision.
The average national cost of pet insurance is $42 per month for dogs and $23 for cats.
ASPCA, Fetch, and Pumpkin offer some of the best pet insurance plans on the market, with monthly rates for dogs averaging $31, $57, and $66, respectively.
Pet insurance premiums vary by breed. For example, goldendoodle owners pay a yearly average premium of $432, compared to $1,196 for English bulldog owners.
Compare the best pet insurance companies
ASPCA: Best for multiple pets
Plans available
Accident and illness coverage
Accident-only coverage
Preventative care add-on
ASPCA provides a 10% discount for multiple pets and covers exam fees. Its extensive pet insurance plans cover behavioral issues, alternative therapies, and dental disease. Owners can add on coverage for preventive care. You can also choose an accident-only plan, which covers only injuries resulting from an accident, for a lower monthly premium.
Insuring a cat with ASPCA coverage averages $16 per month. For dogs, the monthly average is $31.
Offers a 10% discount for each additional pet
Covers alternative therapies, including acupuncture and hydrotherapy
Money-back guarantee for 30 days if you don’t file a claim
14-day waiting period for coverage to start
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Customers report issues with slow claim processing
Pets Best: Best for affordable rates
Plans available
Accident and illness coverage
Accident-only coverage
Routine care coverage
Pets Best offers customizable pet insurance policies at affordable rates and deductibles starting at $50. Most Pets Best plans offer coverage for alternative therapies like acupuncture, but you can exclude this coverage from some plans to reduce your premium. Pets Best also doesn’t have breed-specific limitations or exclusions.
The average monthly cost for Pets Best insurance is $22 for dogs and $13 for cats.
Highly customizable coverage
No upper age limit on pets
Option to add routine care coverage to any plan
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
No option for 100% reimbursement
Some customers report issues with delayed reimbursement
Fetch: Best for robust dental coverage
Plans available
Accident and illness coverage
Wellness coverage add-on
Fetch Pet Insurance offers a comprehensive policy that reimburses up to 90% of vet bills for accidents and illnesses. The insurer provides dental coverage for illnesses and injuries like periodontal disease, oral tumors, and fractured teeth. Owners can add a pet wellness plan for preventative dental cleanings and other routine care. On average, a Fetch policy costs $57 per month for dogs and $22 for cats.
Can cover boarding fees while owners are hospitalized
May pay out approved claims in as little as two days
Covers hereditary and congenital conditions
No coverage for prescription food
No accident-only plan
Six-month waiting period for hip and knee injuries
Figo: Best for pets with chronic conditions
Plans available
Accident and illness coverage
Add-ons for wellness and veterinary exam fee coverage
Figo offers accident and illness coverage with customizable add-ons for preventative care. The insurer has no upper age limit for enrollment and covers hereditary disorders. Figo also may cover a cured pre-existing condition that returns if your pet is symptom-free for at least one year, making it a strong option for pets with chronic conditions.
Figo’s app also provides 24/7 access to vets via live video chat and easy claims filing. Its average monthly rates are $56 for dogs and $25 for cats.
Option for 100% reimbursement
Short one-day waiting period for injury coverage
Processes most claims within 2.6 working days
Customers frequently report denied claims
Six-month waiting period for orthopedic condition coverage
Higher premiums compared to competitors
Pumpkin: Best for pets with special dietary needs
Plans available
Accident and illness coverage
Preventative and wellness coverage add-ons
Pumpkin offers comprehensive pet insurance coverage with customizable deductibles and an option for unlimited payouts. The average monthly cost of Pumpkin pet insurance is $29 for cats and $66 for dogs. The insurer’s higher-than-average premiums come with benefits that many pet insurance plans exclude, like coverage for prescription food, supplements, and behavioral issues.
Urgent pay service reimburses for critical care in minutes
Covers alternative therapies and dental illnesses
No upper age limit for enrollment
Limited wellness coverage for preventative care
High premiums compared to competitors
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Insurify analyzed more than 250,000 pet insurance quotes sourced through Fletch Insurance Services from a network of 10+ partner insurers operating nationwide. Premiums reflect one-year rolling medians to account for market trends like rising veterinary costs.
How to compare pet insurance quotes
When shopping for pet insurance, comparing multiple companies can help you find the right coverage and save money.
1. Choose the type of coverage
Before you purchase pet insurance, think about the type of coverage you want for your pet. Consider your pet’s age, if it has a pre-existing health condition, or if it’s prone to hereditary conditions.
Accident and illness coverage is one of the most popular types of pet insurance plans. This type of policy helps you pay for many of the injuries your pet could sustain, including:
Bite wounds
Broken bones
Cuts and lacerations
Car impacts
Ingested toxins
Swallowed objects
Torn ligaments
Many plans also cover diagnostic services and treatments, including:
Blood work
Hospitalization
Prescription medications
MRIs
Surgery
Sutures
Ultrasounds
X-rays
Illness insurance provides coverage for a variety of major and minor illnesses, which could include:
Allergies
Arthritis
Cancer
Ear infections
Epilepsy
Skin infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Insurance companies can vary on what they consider an accident or illness, so it’s important to carefully compare quotes and coverages on pet insurance policies.
An accident-only plan covers the same injuries, diagnostic services, and treatments as an accident and illness plan but doesn’t cover your pet if it gets a minor or major illness.
This type of plan usually won’t cover any pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions, preventive care, or dental illnesses. Accident-only insurance is often a good choice if you’re on a tighter budget and want some protection but can’t afford a more comprehensive plan.
Most accident and illness insurance plans don’t cover preventative care. This is where a wellness plan comes in. Some pet insurance companies offer a wellness plan as an add-on to a pet insurance policy. A wellness plan can cover the following:
Blood tests
Fecal tests
Microchipping
Routine checkups
Urinalysis
Vaccinations
2. Consider the cost and the conditions each policy covers
In addition to the type of insurance you want, another important factor is cost. You’ll have to make decisions about the following variables:
Reimbursement limit
The reimbursement limit is the maximum amount your pet insurer will pay for a covered claim. For instance, you might have a plan with a $5,000 or $15,000 limit. You may also find plans without reimbursement limits. Policies with higher reimbursement limits also have higher premiums.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance kicks in and covers the rest. Common deductibles range from $100 to $1,000 per year. Policies with lower deductibles usually have higher premiums, while a high deductible can bring the cost of your monthly premium down.
Reimbursement percentage
The reimbursement percentage is the percentage the pet insurance company will pay after you pay your deductible. For instance, if you choose an 80% reimbursement percentage, your insurer will pay 80% of your claim after you pay your deductible. You’re responsible for paying the other 20%.
Common reimbursement levels range from 70% to 90%. And some companies offer 100% reimbursement. Pet insurance policies that reimburse for a higher percentage generally have more expensive premiums than those with a lower reimbursement rate.
3. Compare pet insurance quotes
You’re already thinking about coverage and average costs, so here’s more information to look for to find the right pet insurance company for your needs and budget.
Read pet insurance reviews to assess things like a company’s customer service and claims process.
Evaluate the monthly premium versus the deductible or reimbursement rate to ensure you choose a plan with out-of-pocket expenses you can afford.
Consider your pet’s age, breed, and size since premiums can vary based on these details.
Look for discounts. Your employer may offer a discounted rate, and some insurers offer discounts for multi-pet policies to help you save.
Weigh coverage details and waiting periods. Insuring your pet early will get you better rates and more coverage; waiting periods can last 10–30 days.
Using a quote-comparison site is the best way for pet parents to compare multiple insurers and find the best and most affordable pet insurance.
How pet insurance works
Pet insurance can provide pet owners with the peace of mind that they can cover their pet’s healthcare costs in case of an unexpected injury or illness.
You can usually choose to pay your pet insurance premium monthly or on a yearly basis. Often, companies will offer a discount if you pay annually.
With pet insurance, when your pet is sick or injured, you can take it to the vet to get treatment for a covered condition. Typically, you pay the vet bill and then submit your claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. The amount your pet insurance plan reimburses you depends on your reimbursement percentage, annual coverage limit, and deductible.
Compare pet insurance quotes in your state
Your location influences your pet insurance premium because the average cost of veterinary care varies by state. Use the map below to find the average cost in your state and compare pet insurance plans.
Pet insurance FAQs
Learn about reducing pet insurance costs in Insurify’s guide. Here are some answers to common questions about pet insurance.
A pre-existing condition is a health condition that existed before the start of your pet insurance coverage. Many pet insurance companies require a veterinary examination or request medical records before providing coverage.
Many pet owners should aim to get pet insurance within the first six months of getting their pet. Since many pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, you may want to get it early to avoid paying more.
Some of the best pet insurance companies are Figo, ManyPets, Embrace, and Nationwide. But the best insurance for you depends on striking a balance between your pet’s specific needs and a company that offers you the best value. Comparing top pet insurance companies will help you find the right coverage at the best price.
The cost of pet insurance is an average of $42 per month for dogs and $23 per month for cats. But your cost will vary among companies and by several factors, including your pet’s age, breed, location, species, and more.
The most cost-effective pet insurance for you depends on your pet, chosen coverage, and budget. For example, though ManyPets has the cheapest average rates, Figo is one of our top picks for a cost-effective insurer, given it reimburses up to 100%, has deductibles as low as $100, and offers unlimited annual coverage.
The three types of coverage are accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness. Accident and illness plans are the most popular but don’t cover routine care. Wellness plans cover regular checkups, microchipping, vaccinations, and more. Consider your pet’s health issues and any chronic conditions when comparing pet insurance to find the best policy for you.