Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies (2025)

Healthy Paws, Lemonade, and Pets Best are among the best cheap pet insurance companies. Monthly pet insurance rates start at $22 for dogs and $12 for cats.

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If you worry about unexpected veterinarian bills, you should consider buying a pet insurance policy, which is like health insurance for your pet. The cost of pet insurance depends on your pet, where you live, and the type of coverage you choose.

The average annual cost of pet insurance in the U.S. is $504 for dogs and $276 for cats, according to Insurify’s analysis of 250,000 pet insurance quotes from more than 10 partnering companies.

Every insurer rates your pet’s risk differently, so pet insurance costs can vary widely. For example, the average monthly cost of dog insurance is $28 from Lemonade, $25 from Spot, and $31 from ASPCA. It’s a good idea to compare pet insurance quotes to find the policy and price that best fit your needs.

Read more to learn which companies offer the best cheap pet insurance policies for dogs and cats at every life stage.

Best cheap pet insurance companies

The following insurers offer some of the cheapest pet insurance policies on the market. When comparing your options, you should consider both cost and coverage specifics.

ASPCA: Best for covering alternative therapies

ASPCA

ASPCA pet insurance offers various policies, from affordable accident-only plans to complete coverage for accidents, illness, dental work, hereditary conditions, alternative therapies, and behavioral issues. You can visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada for care. With ASPCA insurance, you can choose your deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limits to fit your monthly budget.

Healthy Paws: Best for unexpected veterinary care

Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws offers a simple accident and illness pet insurance plan. The coverage includes veterinary treatments for injuries and illnesses without a limit on reimbursements. Healthy Paws policies exclude pre-existing conditions, wellness visits, and preventative care, so this coverage works best for young, healthy pets who may need occasional emergency care.

Lemonade: Best for bundling

Lemonade

Lemonade is an AI-powered insurer that offers customizable pet insurance policies. Lemonade’s illness and accident coverage reimburses for diagnostic tests, procedures, and medications for acute events.

Pet owners can add on packages for wellness exams, vaccines, dental cleanings, and preventative prescription coverage. Lemonade also offers a preventive care package specifically for puppies and kittens. You can also bundle Lemonade’s other coverage, like homeowners or renters insurance, with your pet insurance policy for discounts.

Pets Best: Best for customizable coverage

Pets Best

Pets Best offers customizable pet insurance coverage across the U.S. The pet insurance company offers accident-only coverage, accident and illness plans, and two tiers of add-on routine care coverage, so you can customize your policy for your pet’s needs. Pet owners can also choose a deductible and a reimbursement rate that fit their budget.

Spot: Best for all life stages

Spot

Spot Pet Insurance offers coverage for accidents and illness with an optional add-on for preventive care. Spot coverage may be a good choice for senior pets since the insurer doesn’t have an upper age limit on enrollment and provides dental illness coverage at no extra cost. Most pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, including Spot, but after 180 days, most cured and symptom-free injuries or illnesses are eligible for coverage.

How to find cheap pet insurance

As much as you love your pet, you also probably have a budget that you need to stick to. Having pet insurance can help you save money on vet expenses, but you can also utilize some tips to save on premium payments. Consider the following ways to earn cheaper premiums:

Average cost of pet insurance

Insurers consider multiple factors when pricing pet insurance policies, including species, breed, age, and location. Cats are typically cheaper to insure than dogs, as their average vet bills are less expensive.

Dog breed influences the cost of pet insurance, too. For example, flat-faced brachycephalic breeds, like pugs and Boston terriers, are prone to overheating and breathing problems. They typically have higher insurance rates than dogs without this congenital issue.

The type of coverage you choose, your reimbursement level, annual payout limits, and your deductible also factor into the cost of pet insurance.

Every insurer rates risk differently, so comparing multiple policies can help you find the best insurance for your pet.

Cheap pet insurance FAQs

Buying pet insurance can save you money on routine and unexpected vet bills. The following information should help answer any of your remaining questions about finding cheap pet insurance.

  • What is the cheapest pet insurance?

    Pets Best offers the cheapest pet insurance for dogs and cats, with an average monthly premium of $22 for dogs. Its national average cost for cats is $12 per month.

  • What is the average monthly cost of insuring a dog?

    Dog insurance costs an average of $42 monthly. Premiums vary by breed, age, and state, so comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find your dog’s best price.

  • Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

    Typically, no — but it’s worth asking about. Pet insurance often excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. But some plans may cover the condition your pet suffers from, so it’s always worth confirming what the policy will and won’t cover before deciding which to buy.

  • Is pet insurance worth it?

    Veterinary emergencies can easily add up to thousands of dollars, and pet insurance can protect against significant, unexpected expenses. Consider premium affordability, policy highlights, coverage limits, and exclusions when selecting a policy to ensure pet insurance is worth it for your pet.

  • What is the typical monthly cost of pet insurance?

    Pet insurance costs an average of $42 per month for dogs and $23 for cats. The cost of pet insurance varies depending on your pet’s breed, age, existing health conditions, and other factors.

  • Is there any free pet insurance?

    Unfortunately, free pet insurance doesn’t exist. But some employers now offer pet coverage as an employee benefit. If you’re unable to afford pet insurance, many vet offices will offer payment plans or deferred payments.

Cassie Sheets
Cassie Sheets

Cassie Sheets has more than nine years of experience creating compelling content for clients, brands, and local news sites. She started her career at Movoto Real Estate, where she transformed dry data into interesting insights for potential homebuyers. She’s since covered a wide range of topics, from pop culture news to home and garden trends.

Before joining Insurify, Cassie wrote engaging landing pages and blog posts for medical practices at MyAdvice. Now, she uses her knack for diving into the latest data and pulling out key details to empower insurance buyers.

Cassie holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. In her free time, you can find her exploring the city with her dog, trying not to fall over in yoga classes, and petting cats at the shelter.