Best Pet Insurance Companies

A pet health insurance plan can help lower your veterinary expenses, including costs for emergencies like surgeries or treatments such as chemotherapy. Comprehensive plans may also cover preventive care, helping you manage routine checkups and vaccinations.

Additionally, pet insurance can ease the financial strain of caring for an older or chronically ill pet, reducing the likelihood of facing the painful choice of euthanasia due to high medical bills.

If you’re uncertain whether this coverage suits you and your pet, take time to understand the advantages and disadvantages of pet insurance and explore the three main types of policies typically available from leading providers.

Pet Health Insurance Companies

These are among the top pet insurance providers currently available. Each company excels in different ways — some stand out for offering affordable wellness plans, while others provide rare benefits such as coverage for preexisting conditions.

Unless stated otherwise, all the policies mentioned below apply to cats and dogs. For coverage of exotic or other animal types, you should contact the insurer directly to explore your options.

Best Overall: Fetch by The Dodo

Fetch by The Dodo offers both accident-only and accident-and-illness plans underwritten by XL Specialty Insurance Company and AGCS Marine Insurance Company, both holding A+ ratings from AM Best for financial strength.

Its accident and illness plan is particularly comprehensive, covering:

Advanced diagnostic testing (chemistry and hematology)
Branded prescription medications
Post-injury and post-illness rehabilitation
Cancer treatments

Fetch also includes several benefits that are uncommon among competitors, such as:

Alternative and holistic treatments
Periodontal (gum) disease care
Behavioral therapy
Exam fees for illness-related visits

Additional highlights:

The 6-month waiting period for knee conditions can be waived with a vet’s certificate within the first 30 days.
Mobile app with automated claims processing.
Option for vet direct pay, eliminating reimbursement delays.
Deductibles from $250 to $1,000.
Reimbursement between 70% and 90%.
Option for unlimited annual coverage.

Best Bundle Discount: Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade Pet Insurance is known for its tech-driven platform and excellent bundle discounts. You can save 10% on your pet insurance premium when you combine it with a Lemonade renters’ or homeowners’ policy.

Premiums start as low as $10 per month, making it one of the most budget-friendly options. Its optional wellness package includes:

One annual wellness exam
Heartworm testing
Fecal test panel
Bloodwork
Up to three vaccines per year

Additional highlights:

Lemonade donates to animal welfare charities like the Animal Humane Society.
Annual coverage limits up to $100,000.
Deductibles range from $100 to $500.
Waiting periods between 2 days and 6 months, depending on coverage.

Best for Comprehensive Coverage: Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance provides one of the most inclusive accident and illness plans, covering a wide variety of treatments and medical services, including:

Cancer care
Behavioral therapy
Alternative medicine
Treatment for congenital and hereditary disorders
Specialist consultations
Prescription drugs
Diagnostic tests and exam fees
Dental illness coverage (up to $1,000 per year)

For pet owners who want extra coverage, Embrace offers a non-insurance wellness rewards program, reimbursing up to $650 annually for preventive care like grooming, vaccines, and checkups. Every dollar paid into this plan is reimbursed at 100%, making it ideal for those who prefer predictable budgeting.

Additional highlights:

Shorten the orthopedic waiting period from 6 months to 14 days with a vet’s waiver.
Coverage for working or racing pets.
Deductible reduction of $50 each year you go without a claim (Healthy Pet Deductible).

Best for High Coverage Limits: Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws eliminates all annual and lifetime coverage limits while maintaining competitive premiums — perfect for pet parents who anticipate higher medical costs.

The insurer offers a single straightforward plan, covering nearly all conditions except preventive care. There are no optional add-ons or complex pricing tiers, making the process easy and transparent.

Additional highlights:

Deductibles from $100 to $500.
Reimbursement between 70% and 90%.
Optional vet direct pay and fast claims (usually processed within 2 days).
15-day waiting period for most illnesses or injuries.
Lifetime coverage for pets enrolled before age 14.

Best for Older Pets: Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin Pet Insurance is one of the few companies with no upper age limit for pets and a short 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and knee or ligament issues — making it a top choice for senior cats and dogs.

Its Preventive Essentials Pack offers added value by covering a range of routine care expenses.

Additional highlights:

10% multi-pet discount for additional enrolled pets.
90% reimbursement rate on all policies.
Deductibles from $100 to $500.
Annual coverage up to $20,000 for dogs.

Preventive Essentials includes:

One wellness exam per year
One to four vaccines (based on pet’s age/type)
Annual fecal screening
Annual blood test for dogs over 6 months

FAQs

1. How does the reimbursement process work?

Most pet insurance companies use a reimbursement model. This means you pay the vet bill in full at the time of service, submit a claim (usually via an app or website), and the insurer sends you a check or direct deposit for the covered portion.

Note: Some companies like Fetch by The Dodo and Healthy Paws offer “Vet Direct Pay,” where they pay the clinic directly so you don’t have to wait for a refund.

2. What are “waiting periods”?

A waiting period is the time between when you buy the policy and when coverage actually begins.

Accidents: Usually have a short waiting period (2 to 3 days).
Illnesses: Typically have a 14-day waiting period.
Orthopedic Issues: Often have a 6-month waiting period (though companies like Embrace allow you to shorten this with a vet exam).

3. Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Standardly, no. If your pet showed symptoms or was diagnosed with a condition before the policy started (or during the waiting period), it won’t be covered.

The Exception: Some insurers distinguish between “curable” and “incurable” conditions. If a pet is symptom-free for a certain period (e.g., 180 days or a year), a previously “curable” condition like a respiratory infection might be covered again.

4. Can I use any veterinarian I want?

Yes. Unlike human health insurance (HMOs/PPOs), pet insurance is not “network-based.” You can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist in the country, and your coverage will remain the same.

5. What determines the cost of my premium?

Several factors influence your monthly price:

Species: Dogs are generally more expensive to insure than cats.
Age: Premiums increase as your pet gets older.
Breed: Purebreds prone to hereditary issues (like Hip Dysplasia) often have higher rates.
Location: Vet costs in major cities are higher, which reflects in your premium.
Plan Choice: Your chosen deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit.

6. What is the difference between a deductible and a co-pay?

Deductible: The fixed amount you pay out of pocket each year before the insurance starts paying (e.g., $250).
Co-pay (Reimbursement %): The percentage of the remaining bill you are responsible for. If you have a 90% reimbursement rate, your “co-pay” is effectively 10%.

7. Does pet insurance cover routine care like vaccines?

Most standard “Accident and Illness” plans do not cover routine care. However, many providers (like Lemonade and Pumpkin) offer optional Wellness Riders for an extra monthly fee that cover:

Annual physicals
Vaccinations
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Fecal and blood tests

8. Is there an age limit for enrolling my pet?

While there is usually a minimum age (typically 7–8 weeks), upper age limits vary.

Pumpkin and Pets Best have no upper age limit for new enrollments.
Other companies may stop offering new “Illness” coverage for pets over 10 or 12 years old, though existing policies usually continue for life.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pet insurance is an important step toward protecting both your pet’s health and your financial peace of mind. Each insurer mentioned above offers unique benefits — from Fetch by The Dodo’s extensive coverage options to Lemonade’s affordable bundled discounts, Embrace’s comprehensive protection, Healthy Paws’ unlimited coverage, and Pumpkin’s senior-friendly policies.

When deciding, consider factors such as your pet’s age, breed, health condition, and how much you can afford in premiums and deductibles. The best pet insurance plan is the one that balances cost, coverage, and convenience — ensuring your furry companion gets the care they deserve without straining your budget.