The best pet insurance understands that your pet is unique and offers comprehensive, cost-effective coverage that reflects that understanding. We've chosen the best pet insurance companies accordingly, taking note of waiting periods, coverage for preexisting conditions, emergency care coverage, and cost.
Why You Should Trust Business Insider
When it comes to pet insurance, there are a lot of providers from which to choose. So how do you know which one is the best for your pet?
We reviewed 30 pet insurance providers for our guide on the best pet insurance. The factors we considered included, but were not limited to:
- Plan coverage limits
- Exclusions (such as pre-existing conditions or hereditary conditions) and exceptions
- Flexibility of policy (customizations to deductibles, percent reimbursed, and coverage limits)
- Policy pricing
- Available add-ons
- Customer reviews and satisfaction
We started by looking at what type of coverage each provider offers. We focused on companies that provided good coverage options and rates, as well as customer service that is friendly and helpful. Finally, we compared plan rates to ensure these providers offered affordable coverage.
You can learn more about how Business Insider rates pet insurance products.
Best Pet Insurance Summary
- Best for Waiting Periods: Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Best for Broad Coverage: Lemonade Pet Insurance
Best Pet Insurance for Waiting Periods
ASPCA pet insurance is our pick for waiting periods, with relatively short waiting periods, especially for cruciate injuries, which is 14 days compared to the industry standard of six months.
Coverage is available for dogs, cats, and horses. Standard plans with ASPCA Pet Insurance include coverage for things like congenital conditions, alternative therapies, and behavioral issues. Pets must be at least eight weeks old to qualify for ASPCA pet insurance, but there's no upper age limit. So senior pets can enjoy coverage through ASPCA pet insurance. Additionally, owners with multiple eligible pets also get a 10% discount.
Best Pet Insurance for Chronic Conditions
Trupanion pet insurance has outstanding coverage for chronic conditions, with lifetime, per-condition deductibles, so you don't have to pay a deductible every year for the same illnesses.
Trupanion also has the unique ability to pay eligible vets directly, so you don't have to go through claims every time you take your pet to the vet.
Best Pet Insurance for 100% Reimbursement
Costco members can access a 15% discount on Figo plans.
Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets
Nationwide Pet Insurance's pet insurance for dogs and cats is fairly underwhelming, but it stands out as one of the very few providers that offer coverage for exotic pets.
Nationwide's Whole Pet plan covers illnesses, accidents, and some hereditary and congenital conditions, but does not cover wellness treatments. You'll be able to cover preventive care costs with its Major Medical with Wellness plan, but this lacks hereditary and congenital condition coverage.
Best Pet Insurance for Broad Coverage
What's excellent about Spot Pet Insurance is that it offers a wide variety of policies, including coverage for both accident and illness, accident-only, and an optional wellness plan for an additional fee.
Spot Pet Insurance will reimburse exam fees (for select conditions), end-of-life expenses, and prescription food as part of its accident and illness coverage. Most pet insurance providers exclude these benefits from their coverage. Qualified pet parents may also choose unlimited annual coverage. Spot has pet insurance for accidents, illness, and wellness add-ons for dental cleanings, wellness exams, certain vaccines, and more.
Best Pet Insurance for Preexisting Conditions
preexisting conditions after a 12-month waiting period. By contrast, other pet insurance companies may cover curable pre-existing conditions after a symptom-free waiting period, but almost all pet insurance companies don't cover incurable conditions at all.
AKC's pet insurance is for all cats and dogs, not just registered purebreds. So you can sign your mixed breed dog or cat up for AKC's pet insurance and choose from various optional add-ons. This includes coverage for exam fees, wellness care, and final expenses, and breeding coverage, which is an uncommon add-on.
Pets nine years old or older will only be eligible for accident coverage when you buy your policy. You'll also need to sign up your pet before their second birthday to qualify for the AKC's optional coverage for hereditary or congenital conditions.
Best Pet Insurance for Unlimited Annual Coverage
Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers comprehensive pet insurance with an option for unlimited coverage. Unlike many other pet insurance providers, Pumpkin offers coverage for preventable diseases (excluding pre-existing conditions) like Lyme or parvovirus.
In addition, Pumpkin only requires a 14-day waiting period for breeds with common hereditary conditions like hip and joint problems. In contrast, other providers may require waiting periods of up to 60 days. The waiting period is for current and future treatment. So if your pet presents with any of the listed health conditions within the waiting period, that condition and any related vet bills will not be covered in the future.
With Pumpkin, you can get a quote for your pet quickly and easily. You will have fewer options to choose from when it comes to coverage, but the available options are above average compared to other pet insurance providers.
Finally, the company won't decline coverage based on a pet's age. Specific policies also cover advanced treatments for things like behavioral therapy and acupuncture.
Best Pet Insurance for Affordable Premiums
Lemonade Pet Insurance offers coverage that starts at just $12 monthly, making it one of the most affordable pet insurance companies.
If you have other items to insure, you can save even more. Customers who bundle their pet insurance with coverage for, say, your car or rental will get a 10% discount. You can also get 5% off for paying a full year's premium upfront and a 5% discount per policy for two or more pets. Unfortunately, Lemonade pet insurance is only available in 39 states.
Get Pet Insurance Quotes
Additionally, some of the larger companies that offer multiple types of insurance may allow you to bundle your pet insurance with other types of insurance, like auto or home.
FAQs
Is pet insurance worth it?
Yes, pet insurance is worth it, offering coverage for expensive vet visits and procedures that you may not have been able to afford out-of-pocket.
What does pet insurance not cover?
Pet insurance doesn't cover preexisting conditions, breeding issues preventive treatments. It also doesn't cover conditions that were intentionally inflicted.
What is the best pet insurance?
The best pet insurance is Lemonade, with low-cost, customizable plans and a good reputation among its customers.
Can I switch pet insurance providers if I'm not satisfied?
Yes, you can switch pet insurance providers, but you'll lose coverage for any preexisting conditions that your pet has that were covered by your previous insurer.
Are there pet insurance plans that cover multiple pets at a discount?
Several pet insurance companies have discounts for insuring multiple pets. This could be a great option to save money while insuring all your furry friends.
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