9 Best Pet Insurance Companies of May 2025

What to Know About Pet Insurance

• Spot offers unlimited coverage with no age restrictions.

• Figo provides 100% reimbursement and unlimited payouts.

• AKC is the best option for pre-existing condition coverage.

• Pumpkin includes an excellent preventive pet care package.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

At Money Magazine, we have been helping readers navigate personal finance since 1972. Our editors and writers evaluate insurance companies independently, ensuring our content is precise and guided by editorial integrity. To identify the best providers on the market, we've dedicated 1,000+ hours to researching, comparing and analyzing 50+ data points from 19 pet insurance companies.

Read the full methodology to learn more.

Our Top Picks for Best Pet Insurance of May 2025

Note: The following companies are listed in alphabetical order.

• AKC - Best for Pre-Existing Conditions
• Embrace - Best for International Coverage
• Figo - Best for Reimbursement Options
• Lemonade - Best for Fast Claims Processing
• MetLife - Best for Multiple Pets
• Nationwide - Best for Exotic Pets
• Pets Best - Best for Treatment of Mobility Issues
• Pumpkin - Best for Puppies and Kittens
• Spot - Best for Unlimited Coverage

Best Pet Insurance Company Reviews

Why we chose AKC: The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) pet insurance policy offers unprecedented coverage for pre-existing conditions. It covers illnesses and injuries sustained before the policy's effective date or during the waiting period.

To qualify, you must keep the policy active for 365 days. Any pre-existing issue that was initially excluded will be fully covered once the waiting period elapses and the policy renews. You can also pay extra for preventive care and coverage for end-of-life expenses, veterinary exam fees, behavioral therapy and issues related to breeding.

There’s no coverage for dental illnesses, and hereditary and congenital conditions aren’t covered unless you purchase the HereditaryPlus rider. Residents of Florida, California and Washington must enroll their pet before its second birthday to qualify for this add-on.

Read AKC Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Embrace: Embrace pet insurance is one of the few companies that offer a discount for keeping your pet healthy. If you don't exceed $300 in claims in the year prior to the discount period, you can earn 5% off your monthly premium the first year you qualify. The discount increases to 10% if you also qualify the following year.

Embrace is also the insurer behind USAA's pet insurance policy, a members-only financial services company with excellent customer satisfaction ratings. Military members, veterans and eligible relatives can access all of Embrace’s pet insurance benefits at a 25% discount.

Embrace falls short in some respects. The company caps dental illness coverage at $1,000 per year. An extended waiting period of six months applies to Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), cruciate ligament injuries, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Finally, there's no coverage for natural supplements, vitamins or food

Why we chose Figo: Most competitors offer only up to 90% reimbursement. Figo stands out because pet owners can choose up to 100% reimbursement without annual payout limits and avoid copayments entirely.

Figo offers pet owners the option to reduce their copayment to 0%, thanks to its 100% reimbursement option. (Generally, the lowest copayment provided by other insurers is 10%.). The company also offers several endorsements that add coverage for pet boarding, lost or stolen pets (advertising costs and the value of the pet if it isn't found) and pet liability insurance.

Notable downsides include strict limits on its coverage for hereditary conditions such as hyperthyroidism, renal disease and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). These issues are excluded if the pet is enrolled after its second birthday. Additionally, Figo offers exam fee reimbursement and physical therapy as separate riders, while other insurers include these benefits in their base policy.

Read Figo Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Lemonade: Lemonade is our top pick for speedy claims because the company uses novel, AI-powered processing, which promises to deliver claims very quickly via the Lemonade app. The ability to direct a part of the company’s profit to a charity of your choice may also appeal to many pet owners.

Currently, Lemonade is only available in 38 states, but you can sign up for updates on its website. Users may also find Lemonade’s website hard to navigate. To get a quote, you have to input a lot of information that other insurers don’t require. Also, if you have questions the automated chat can’t answer, talking with a live agent via chat isn’t possible.

Read Lemonade Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Metlife: With MetLife, pet owners with multiple pets don’t have to stress about meeting a separate deductible for each animal. Policyholders can enroll up to three animals under one plan and each eligible vet visit contributes towards the same deductible. Once the deductible is met, every pet is eligible for coverage for the remainder of the year.

MetLife’s coverage terms are also much more flexible than those of other providers on the market. Pet owners can select a deductible between $0 and $2,500 and an annual limit between $1,000 and $25,000. However, MetLife enforces a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues and other orthopedic conditions without the option to qualify for a waiver.

Read Metlife Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Nationwide: Nationwide is the only pet insurance company of its size that offers insurance for avian and exotic pets.

The Avian & Exotic Pet Plan covers most birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals, including goats and pot-bellied pigs. (Note that any animal not explicitly listed on the Nationwide website isn’t eligible, including those listed under venomous or endangered species.) Owners of exotic pets can select up to 90% reimbursement for covered accidents and illnesses and add preventive care riders as well. Just as with dog and cat insurance, pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.

Cat and dog insurance is easy to get directly on Nationwide's website. However, exotic pet owners must call (844-244-3691) to get a quote or sign up. Additionally, cat and dog owners have to wait 12 months to get coverage for cruciate ligament issues — double the time of similar waiting periods.

Read Nationwide Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Pets Best: Pets Best has a wide range of coverage options and deductibles, and it offers pet insurance for cats and dogs as young as seven weeks. It’s also one of the few pet insurance companies that cover prosthetic devices and wheelchairs. Pets Best provides coverage for wheelchairs and prosthetic devices when prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a covered accident or illness.

The company also offers comprehensive physical therapy coverage as an add-on, encompassing acupuncture, electroacupuncture, chiropractic care, treadmill therapy, laser therapy, therapeutic exercises, ultrasound therapy, gait training and other treatments.

A notable downside is that cruciate ligament conditions and any related complications are subject to a six-month waiting period. Pet owners can waive the accident and illness waiting period with a medical exam on the same day they purchase coverage, but this waiver doesn't apply to cruciate ligament issues.

Read Pets Best Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Pumpkin: Pumpkin offers extensive insurance and non-insurance preventive care options tailored to junior animals. Pumpkin's puppy preventive care pack includes one annual wellness exam fee, four puppy vaccines and one yearly fecal test. It will also refund the cost of up to four vaccines your puppy may have received prior to being insured under the preventive pack, as well as cover lab tests for parasites.

Pumpkin offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage with some standout benefits: microchip implantation, stem cell therapy and a pet poison control consultation fee. Pet owners are free to call the ASPCA Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline (and maybe save themselves a trip to the emergency room) without worrying about paying $85-$95 for the phone call.

Pumpkin charges some of the highest premiums out of all the companies we surveyed. And customers can't customize the reimbursement rate in order to find a rate that suits their budget.

Read Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Spot: We picked Spot as the best for unlimited coverage because it caters to pet parents who want to maximize their pet’s coverage, no matter the cost. Spot is also a fine choice for older pets since there’s no age limit for coverage.

Spot's full (100%) coverage option allows you to maximize your pet's coverage, meaning you are not responsible for any co-payment. In addition, the company offers a very low ($100) deductible option, which further reduces your out-of-pocket payments for care. That said, choosing one or both of a low co-payment and a low deductible will lead to higher premiums for the policy.

That said, unlimited annual coverage comes at a high cost and Spot’s prices are already higher than the norm for young pets.

Read Spot Pet Insurance Review >>

Other companies we considered

Our pet insurance comparison table includes our top picks as well as other insurance agencies that stood out in some respects but didn't quite match the strengths of our top picks.

Healthy Paws

Why it didn't make the cut: Healthy Paws offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan with unlimited payout limits and 90% reimbursement. However, two factors kept the company out of our top picks: 1) There is no coverage for hip dysplasia for pets enrolled after age six, and 2) the company doesn’t distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions.

Read Healthy Paws Pet Insurance full review

ASPCA

Why it didn't make the cut: Both ASPCA and Spot provide identical insurance policies. Ultimately, Spot made it to our top picks due to its unlimited annual payout feature, which is not available with ASPCA, and its 24/7 pet telehealth helpline.

Read ASPCA Pet Insurance full review

Fetch by The Dodo

Why it didn't make the cut: Although Fetch has a 15-day waiting period for most illnesses and injuries, it has a six-month waiting period for hip and knee injuries. The extended waiting period can be waived for knee conditions if there is a veterinary exam within the first 30 days, but the waiver does not apply to hip-related injuries. Additionally, the company doesn’t sell preventative or wellness coverage.

Read Fetch Pet Insurance full review

Many Pets

Why it didn't make the cut: Many Pets’ accident and illness coverage isn’t available in all states and it has more restrictions than other leading companies. For example, pets older than 14 years are not eligible for coverage, and the company won’t cover treatments for hip dysplasia in pets that were enrolled after the age of six.

Read Many Pets Pet Insurance full review

What You Need To Know About Pet Insurance

Pet insurance covers your pet's vet bills for illnesses or injuries, protecting you from unexpected expenses like emergency care or treatment for chronic conditions. It doesn't cover pre-existing conditions or routine care such as vaccinations and annual exams.

There are two types of policies: accident-only and accident-and-illness plans. Insurers may also offer separate wellness plans that cover routine care.

Table of contents

• How much is pet insurance?
• How does pet insurance work?
• Is pet insurance worth it?
• How to choose the best pet insurance
• How to save on pet insurance

How much is pet insurance?

According to NAPHIA’s State of the Industry Report, the average cost of pet insurance for cats is $29 a month while dog insurance plans cost about $49 a month.

If you’re on a tight budget, check out our reviews of the best cheap pet insurance. In our sample of providers, the cheapest pet insurance quotes were $15 per month for cats and $40 for dogs.

Pet insurance for cats

Monthly cost of cat insurance for a domestic shorthair in Miami, Florida:

Pet insurance for dogs

Monthly cost of dog insurance for a Labrador retriever in Miami, Florida:

Sample quotes correspond to an accident and illness policy with 80% reimbursement, a $10,000 payout limit, and a $250 deductible, except for Trupanion, Figo and Pumpkin. Please note that your quote may be different from the rates above.

Factors that affect your pet insurance costs:

• Type of policy: Accident and illness policies cost more than wellness plans or accident-only policies.
• Type of animal: Dog insurance costs twice as much as cat insurance. Insurance for birds generally costs under $21 a month, while insurance for horses costs over $80.
• Pet’s age: Premiums increase with age. In addition, your options for insurance providers will significantly diminish after your dog or cat reaches the age of 10 or 12.
• Pet’s breed: It costs more to insure purebreds prone to congenital or hereditary conditions than to insure mixed-breed dogs.
• Pet’s size: Insuring larger dogs or cats will cost more than insuring small or toy-sized animals. However, smaller breeds tend to live longer, so you’ll pay more over their lifetime.
• Where you live: Pet insurance costs more in states with expensive vet costs, like California and New York.

Additional out-of-pocket expenses to remember

The cost of pet insurance is not limited to premium payments. Unless you purchase a policy with 100% reimbursement, unlimited payouts and no deductibles, you’ll have to cover some expenses yourself.

• Exam or office fees: Veterinarians and emergency vet care clinics charge an exam fee that's separate from diagnostic or treatment costs. Most insurers exclude this fee from coverage, which then amounts to a hidden deductible of $30 to $100 for each visit.
• Deductible: You’ll need to meet the policy's deductible before the insurance company starts reimbursing you. It might take a few vet visits to reach the deductible amount, especially if you set a high deductible in order to lower your premium rate.
• Copay: Once you file for reimbursement, plans typically pay 70% to 90% of eligible veterinary services. The remaining 30% to 10% comes out of your own wallet.
• Payout caps: Pet insurance will not pay once you reach the policy’s maximum coverage amount for the year. Some insurers also set individual coverage caps for behavioral modification, dental care, and end-of-life expenses.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance has no network restrictions, so you can take your pet to any licensed specialist. Coverage begins after a waiting period of one to 14 days (the exact number depends on whether the issue is an accident or illness) and after you've met the policy's deductible

Once you meet the deductible, you'll pay the vet bill and file for reimbursement — unless your insurer offers direct payments to vets. Most insurers cover 70% to 90% of the bill, leaving you to pay the remaining amount. Annual reimbursement limits apply and reset each year upon renewal.

While insurance premiums don’t increase after a claim, they can rise by 20% to 30% annually based on your pet’s age and veterinary costs in your area.

Types of pet insurance

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication and long-term treatment for accidents and chronic conditions such as allergies or diabetes. Most policies also cover medically necessary physical and behavioral therapy.

As with most insurance policies, there are exclusions. Pet insurance doesn't cover routine care, pre-existing conditions or injuries due to owner negligence.

Check out our pet insurance coverage guide for more information.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Some pet owners might regret spending thousands on insurance if their pet stays healthy, thinking credit cards or savings accounts might have been more cost-effective. However, for pets facing health issues, insurance can be vital. Dr. Karen Halligan, host of Collars and Cents, points out that advanced treatments like "$35,000 stem cell transplants or open-heart surgery" are now possible, and "the big difference is the insurance."

Insurance can prevent you from having to choose between your financial well-being and your pet’s health. Dr. Lindsey Butzer of Clint Moore Animal Hospital highlights that financial limitations often lead to euthanasia or delays in treatment: "People won't pay for their dog over their groceries," she says.

Pet insurance can offer some peace of mind amid rising vet care costs. Consider these tips before buying a policy:

• Enroll when your pet is young and healthy to avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Budget for monthly premiums, copays and annual deductibles
• Expect to pay vet bills upfront and wait for reimbursement
• Anticipate yearly premium increases
• Keep up with preventive care for your pet

How to choose the best pet insurance plan

Follow these steps to find the best policy for your pet:

1. Choose between an accident-only or accident and illness coverage

An accident and illness plan may be worth it if you're enrolling a pet that's still young and healthy. Accident-only plans, on the other hand, are suitable for budget-conscious pet owners who want a safety net for serious accidents or find it too expensive to fully insure older dogs.

2. Study the policy's coverage

In general, every pet insurance policy covers diagnostics, surgery, medication, and treatment. However, the details can vary, so it's important to check the fine print to see what specific services and benefits are included.

The best pet insurance policies cover exam fees, alternative and behavioral therapy, and prescription medications. Some may even pay vets directly. It’s also a good idea to look into the policy's dental care coverage. Be sure to ask about coverage for periodontal disease, age limits for congenital dental problems, and whether all teeth are covered.

3. Select the policy's terms

Most insurers let you choose your policy's reimbursement rate, deductible and annual coverage limit. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 100%, covering that portion of the bill.

Annual limits can range from as low as $5,000 to unlimited, with higher limits costing more. Insurers may also impose per-incident limits, especially for dental coverage, behavioral therapy and prescription medications.

4. Compare waiting periods

Most pet insurance companies make you wait 14 days before you can file a claim. If you want fast coverage, look for companies that offer shorter waiting periods for accidents.

Orthopedic waiting periods are another crucial factor to consider. Many insurers impose a six to 12-month wait for joint injuries and hip dysplasia. If your pet's breed is prone to these issues (which can develop in puppyhood), enroll them as young as possible or seek a policy without such restrictions.

5. Compare pet insurance quotes

You'd be surprised at how much prices can vary between insurance companies; some insurers quote double the price of others for similar coverage. It pays to shop around on pet insurance comparison sites like Petted Insurance, Pawlicy Advisor or Pet Insurer, which allow you to compare multiple plans at once.

Check out our guide on how to buy pet insurance for more information.

How to save on pet insurance

When it comes to premiums, there’s not much you can do about your zip code, your pet’s breed or age but you can tweak coverage levels to fit your budget:

• Payout caps: Higher coverage limits translate to higher premiums. To pick the right payout cap, check the average cost of treatment in your area for breed-specific illnesses and common injuries.
• Reimbursement percentage: A low reimbursement percentage means you’ll pay less in premiums. However, this also means you’ll have a higher copayment.
• Deductibles: The higher the deductible, the lower your premium. Choosing a higher deductible can save you money if your pet remains healthy. However, if your pet suddenly becomes ill or injured, you'll have to pay more out of pocket before your insurance starts covering costs.

Pet insurance discounts

Pet owners can shave 5% to 10% off their policy's monthly rate if their pet insurance carrier offers any one of these discounts:

• Annual pay discount: Lower rates if you pay for the policy annually instead of monthly
• Spay/neuter discount: Reduced premium if you spay/neuter your pet upon enrollment
• Military discounts: Discounts for active and former members of the armed forces
• Multipet discount: Discounted rates for each additional pet you enroll with the same provider
• Bundle discounts: Discounted rate for bundling with homeowners or renters insurance under the same provider
• Group discounts at work: Lower rates for employer-provided pet insurance

You can also save money on pet insurance by adopting through a shelter. Trupanion offers 30 days of free insurance at participating shelters and vets, and you can continue coverage after the trial ends (terms and conditions apply).

Check out the best places to adopt a pet and ask if they participate in similar programs.

Methodology

To identify the best pet insurance companies of 2025, we reviewed 19 companies and considered 50 data points. Our methodology summarizes the data points in the following categories: basic coverage, extra benefits, waiting periods, limitations and exclusions, affordability, availability, customizability, and ease of use.

• Basic coverage: Our top picks cover exam fees, diagnostic testing, treatment, surgery, medications and hospitalizations for accidents and illnesses. We skipped companies that didn't cover curable pre-existing conditions, as this would mean that one-time ailments such as respiratory infections or a stomach bug could potentially be excluded.
• Extra benefits: We checked whether the provider covered alternative therapies, behavioral modification, telehealth services and a 24/7 vet helpline. We also took note of providers that offer coverage for non-health-related issues, such as advertising for lost or stolen pets and pet boarding in the event the owner falls ill.
• Waiting periods: Pet insurance policies typically enforce a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses. Our top picks set waiting periods within this range, with the exception of Nationwide, which enforces an additional waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
• Limitations and exclusions: We reviewed the provider's upper age limits and cut-off points for coverage. Many accept pets regardless of age, some issue only accident-only policies after the pet reaches a certain age and others deny coverage if the pet is too old. We also identified any additional lifetime or per-incident payout limits that could increase a buyer's out-of-pocket expenses.
• Affordability: We gathered sample quotes using the pet profiles of a one-year-old Labrador Retriever and a one-year-old domestic shorthair cat from Mami, Florida. The policy's terms are: an 80% reimbursement rate, a $10,000 payout limit and a $250 deductible (with some variations if the company doesn't offer those terms). With that data, we identified which insurers offer the best rates, considering whether affordability meant paying extra for certain benefits.
• Availability: Most pet insurance providers are licensed to sell policies in all 50 states. And once you have a policy, you can typically visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., Canada and any U.S. military base overseas. We excluded companies that issued policies with limited membership, such as USAA pet insurance. We also left out insurers that resell pet insurance policies, such as Geico, which offers Embrace or Trupanion.
• Customizability: Having multiple deductible, payout and reimbursement options means that policyholders can tweak the coverage details to get a premium that's within their budget. Most providers allow this flexibility. The ones that feature a single policy with no customizability typically offset this limitation with high levels of coverage (90% to 100% reimbursement and very high or unlimited payouts).
• Ease of use: We went through each company's quote process and took note of how user-friendly its platform was. Most pet insurance companies fare pretty well in this regard, featuring well-designed websites and mobile apps. Pet owners only need to provide their zip code and their pet's species, breed and age to get an online quote and purchase a policy.

Latest News in Pet Insurance

Pet insurance has gotten so expensive that pet owners are considering cancelling the policies and going without coverage. If it were any other type of insurance, they could shop around and switch to a company with a better rate but pet insurance's pre-existing condition clause means that pet owners can't switch provider without losing coverage.

The price hike is mainly attributed to inflation and the increasing cost of veterinary care. Some insurers are backing out of the industry, too. Just last year, Nationwide pet insurance announced it was canceling coverage for about 100,000 pets because the policies weren't profitable.

According to the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), President Trump's tariff's will further increase the cost vet care and lead to supply shortages. The U.S. veterinary industry sources most if its medical supplies and pharmaceuticals abroad, especially from Canada, Mexico and China (the country with the highest tariff rate at 125%). Though some pharmaceuticals are excluded from these tariffs, they will apply to essential supplies like syringes, gloves and even raw ingredients for drug manufacturing. Small veterinary clinics will face the tough decision of absorbing these costs or passing them on to their customers.

Summary of Money’s Best Pet Insurance Companies of May 2025

• AKC - Best for Pre-Existing Conditions
• Embrace - Best for International Coverage
• Figo - Best for Reimbursement Options
• Lemonade - Best for Fast Claims Processing
• MetLife - Best for Multiple Pets
• Nationwide - Best for Exotic Pets
• Pets Best - Best for Treatment of Mobility Issues
• Pumpkin - Best for Puppies and Kittens
• Spot - Best for Unlimited Coverage