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The Best Pet Insurance Companies (August 2023)
What are the Types of Pet Insurance?
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
Pet insurance policies have three main types: accident and illness, accident-only and wellness plans.
In general, standard pet insurance plans cover unexpected veterinary fees for accidents, illnesses and conditions — including anything from falling off the couch to serious life-threatening diseases. It doesn't cover conditions your pet had before being enrolled or preventative and routine care, among other things.
Yes, pet insurance is worth the cost for most pet parents. In a MarketWatch Guides team survey of 1,000 dog and cat owners, nearly 33% of respondents avoided taking their pet to the vet to avoid a high bill, and more than 99% of respondents who purchased pet insurance did not regret doing so. Additionally, 16% of pet owners lost a pet because they were unable to afford care — something no pet parent should ever have to endure.
While pet owners can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $50 per month on pet insurance premiums, unexpected vet bills can add up quickly. According to data compiled by Healthy Paws, something as simple as an ear infection could cost up to $12,954 while more serious gastrointestinal conditions can cost up to $29,086.
Compare The Top Pet Insurance Companies Here are the best pet insurance companies and plans according to our independent review standards: Top 8 Pet Insurance Companies Overview Who is the best pet insurance provider? Here are the best pet insurance companies and plans according to our independent review standards:Best Dog Insurance
Best Cat Insurance
Insurance for all others
Our Top Pick for Dog Insurance is: LemonadeWhen looking for dog insurance, consider your dog's age, breed, energy level and relative risk. Understanding this basic criteria can help you understand how much coverage you will need.
Our top pick for dog insurance is Lemonade. It offers affordable pricing, high reimbursement rates and special perks like connecting with a vet through a chat system. If you know your dog is picky and anticipate needing dental coverage, Lemonade is also our top pick for best dental pet plans.
Own a German Shepherds or French Bull Dogs? We have specific reviews for you!
Best Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs: SpotWe recommend Spot for senior dogs due its customizable plans and lower limit on plan deductibles. They are also our best pet insurance pick for dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia — a common disease in large senior dogs.
Our Top Pick for Cat Insurance is: LemonadeCats also need pet insurance, and Lemonade is a great provider for them as well. Similar to dog insurance, plans from Lemonade for cats offer a range of affordable coverage, low deductibles, and extensive care options. Including being our top pick for pet plans on spaying and neutering.
Top Insurance Providers for Multiple Pets: LemonadeIf you have more than one pet, pet insurance may seem like a luxury but it doesn't have to be. In fact you may be able to get a better deal with Lemonade pet plans if you bundle your insurance with other services they offer and get a 5% off when you have 2 or more pets in their system!
Top Insurance Providers for Exotic Pets: NationwideWhile Nationwide is known more for their other services such as renters insurance and car insurance they also provide pet insurance to exotic animals. They cover over 20 exotic species with a low deductible, interested in a quote?
If you own a horse, we have you covered too. Check out our best pet insurance pick for horses!
Honorable Mentions: Trupanion, Pets Best and PumpkinWe reviewed and scored 38 pet insurance providers to arrive at our top nine recommendations. Here are three more that didn't quite make the cut, but are still worth a look.
What Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Work? Pet insurance is a contract between you — the policyholder — and a company that helps pay for unexpected veterinary bills when your pet gets sick or hurt. In exchange for this coverage, you pay regular premium payments. The standard pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses, though some providers (such as Spot) have an accident-only plan. While pet insurance doesn't include preventive or routine vet care, many companies offer pet wellness plans or add-on coverage for an additional monthly fee. Pet insurance works differently than human health insurance. The most obvious difference is the reimbursement system although there are some providers that will pay your vet directly too. Reimbursement System While your health insurance provider pays your doctor directly for treatments covered under your policy, pet insurance works on a reimbursement system. That means you pay your veterinarian for the full cost of care then file a pet insurance claim for retroactive payment. Claim approval isn't guaranteed. If the claim is approved, your provider still may not cover 100% of the costs. Your policy's reimbursement rate is the percentage of covered claims (after your deductible) the provider will pay. The remainder is your copay, which you are responsible for. Typical reimbursement rates are between 70% and 90% of the bill minus your deductible. For example, suppose you have a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate, and you file a $1,000 claim. If approved, you would be responsible for your $250 deductible and 20% of the remaining $750 (which is $150), totaling $400. Your provider would reimburse you $600 (or 80% of $750). Below, we break down other important aspects of how pet insurance works. Deductible: Like personal health insurance, pet insurance doesn't start paying until you've met your deductible or the amount you owe out of pocket first. Pet owners are typically only responsible for paying their deductible once per year. Going with a pet insurance company that has a lower deductible is always advisable. Annual limit: Each pet insurance policy comes with an annual coverage limit, which is the maximum amount the provider agrees to pay over a year for your pet's veterinary expenses. Waiting periods: Pet insurance coverage doesn't start immediately after enrollment. Instead, providers impose a waiting period before coverage begins. A waiting period is the period of time your insurer requires you to wait until your pet is eligible for reimbursement on specific conditions. Exclusions: No pet insurer will cover pre-existing conditions, which are any health issues noted by a licensed veterinarian before the start of your policy or during its waiting period. Pet insurance policies often include a list of additional exclusions, such as routine care, grooming and breeding costs, and non-veterinary related costs like food or supplements. Choice of veterinarian: Pet insurance providers don't have networks of preferred caregivers. You can usually visit any licensed vet, providing more freedom in finding the right medical care for your animal. What Does Pet Insurance Cover? Pet insurance covers unexpected vet bills resulting from accidents or illnesses involving your pet. This may be a swallowed sock, ingested toxin, cancer or a breed-specific issue. However, the extent of your pet insurance coverage depends on the policy you choose. There are three main types of pet insurance policies: accident and illness, accident-only and wellness plans. Accident and illness plans are the standard across pet insurers, providing comprehensive coverage. Some providers offer a cheaper plan that only covers vet bills related to accidents. Wellness plans are sometimes available as an add-on to cover the costs of routine care. What Is Not Covered by Pet Insurance? No pet insurer covers pre-existing conditions, which are symptoms, diagnoses or treatments listed on your pet's medical records before being insured. For example, you take your dog to the vet before buying pet insurance and they show allergy symptoms. Your pet insurance provider won't cover any treatments or medications for allergies because it's classified as a pre-existing condition. "Taking insurance out before the first vet check, when congenital diseases like heart murmurs and limb deformities can be picked up, is a real no-brainer," says Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon and consultant at FiveBarks. Pet insurance doesn't cover a variety of other treatments, known as exclusions. The exact exclusions you have will depend on your policy and provider but commonly include: Behavior issues Death and theft Dental disease Elective procedures Grooming Hip dysplasia Pregnancy and birth Preventive care Learn more: What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover? How To Find the Best Pet Insurance Plan for Your Pet Although our 2022 pet survey respondents named plan premiums as the most important factor when choosing a pet insurer, cost isn't the only thing that pet parents should shop for. Each pet insurance carrier and policy has different pricing, coverage options and extra features, such as discounts, wellness plans or customer service tools — making it overwhelming to find the best plan for you and your pet's needs. Here's how to shop for pet insurance. Pick a pet insurance plan type: Do you want comprehensive coverage sparing no expense, or are you satisfied with limited coverage at a cheaper rate? Maybe you're only concerned about smoothing out the costs of routine pet care. Deciding whether you want standard accident and illness coverage, minimum accident-only coverage or comprehensive wellness coverage will narrow your options. Choose appropriate coverage limits: Every pet insurance plan includes a deductible and coverage cap that affect the price you pay for premiums. Many pet insurers allow you to adjust these to fit your financial and coverage needs. Consider waiting periods and exclusions: "Understanding what is and is not covered, claim procedures and turnaround times, and reimbursement policies are especially important," says Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, veterinary director with Senior Tail Waggers. Compare quotes: We recommend requesting quotes from at least three different pet insurance providers before choosing a plan. Pay attention to cost, coverage, exclusions and additional coverage options. You should also consider other factors that may be important to you, such as 24/7 customer service or a mobile app. Look for available discounts: Pet insurance companies often offer discounts for annual payment, policy bundling, military members, veterinary employees or multi-pet coverage. Below are the discounts offered by top pet insurance providers: How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? While pet insurance costs can vary based on plan coverage, health of pet, and provider the highest percentage of pet owners from our pet insurance survey — or 36% of respondents — paid only $25 to $40 monthly for pet insurance. However, your individual cost depends on several factors, such as the species and breed of your furry companion. According to quotes we gathered from top providers, pet owners can expect to pay between $30 and $50 per month for dog insurance and $15 to $30 per month for cat insurance. Dogs are more expensive to insure than cats, and breeds with known health issues, such as the French bulldog, demand higher premiums. The tables below represent the average costs for dog and cat insurance by provider.Pet Insurance by States
All Pet Insurance Reviews
Factors That Impact the Cost of Pet Insurance Your premium price depends on various factors determining your pet's unique risk level. In addition to the species and breed, your pet's age and location affect your insurance premiums. Here are the major factors that determine your pet insurance policy's cost: How Pet Insurance Helps You Avoid High Vet Bills According to our survey, 40.4% of respondents took out emergency pet insurance to avoid high vet bills. While insurance provides peace of mind that vet care won't be financially out of reach, it's also important to avoid unnecessary trips to the vet by ensuring that your pet's environment is conducive to their happiness and health. Dr. Linda Simon, veterinary surgeon and consultant for FiveBarks, has four simple suggestions for keeping your pet out of trouble — and out of the vet clinic. She advises owners to: Ensure dogs are up-to-date with their preventive care, like vaccines and dewormers. Keep toxic items like paints, human medicine and grapes away from curious pets. Ensure pets don't have the opportunity to munch on indigestible things like plastic, bones or corn cobs. Remove dangerous flora from your garden or yard, especially if your pet has unsupervised access to it. Common Pet Insurance Claims Data compiled by Healthy Paws shows that the most common conditions among dogs and cats are gastrointestinal (stomach) issues caused by inflammation, toxic ingestion or another severe illness. Without pet insurance, treatment for these conditions could cost up to $29,000 or more. Compare that to a pet insurance policy for $120 to $1,200 annually, and you can see why pet insurance could be a worthwhile investment. Here are the most common reasons for vet visits and the potential costs, according to Healthy Paws:
Although it's clear that even common vet visits can be expensive, it's important to be able to take your fur baby to the vet without insecurity about the cost of care. "Animals do not speak. They are also very good at masking disease, and by the time most owners start to realize that something is going on with their pets, they are usually very sick," says Dr. Cuevas. "There is no better way of caring for our beloved family members than having the peace of mind that their medical needs will be covered." Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Yes, pet insurance is worth it for most pet parents. In our pet insurance survey, 93% of respondents said pet insurance is worth it to them and 73.5% were either satisfied (40%) or very satisfied (33.5%) with their pet insurance provider. When we asked a licensed veterinarian if she would recommend pet parents invest in pet insurance, she said that while many pet owners believe pet insurance is unnecessary, it is often worth it. "When any of my clients contact me about a new pet coming into the family, the first thing I tell them to do is get pet insurance … It is the most important investment an owner can make. I have had pet insurance for all my dogs and I am a veterinarian … Over the years, pet insurance has paid me more than I have paid the [company]," says Dr. Shannon Barrett, veterinarian and owner of Downward Paws. Our Take: Who Offers the Best Insurance for Pets With so many pet insurance companies to choose from, finding the right one can be difficult. But whether you're looking for a low monthly premium, fast claims or the most robust wellness plan, there's a pet insurer for you on this list. While you can individually compare pet insurance plans and providers we recommend Lemonade for its extensive customization options, high maximum coverage limit and easy-to-use mobile app. Still, other providers may be a better fit depending on your pet's needs. For example, Embrace has a variety of unique savings opportunities, Figo offers unlimited coverage with total reimbursement and ASPCA has a long-standing reputation and years of experience. To ensure you meet your goals when shopping for pet insurance, we recommend requesting three quotes from at least three providers. This allows you to easily compare coverage, unique benefits and pricing. Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, scoping quotes and purchasing processes by secret shopping, speaking to representatives on the phone to assess the customer service experience, and surveying 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. We scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements. We then divided this final score by 20 to calculate an overall star rating out of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about each factor and how it's weighted:
The 6 Best Pet Insurance Companies To Cover Your Dog Or Cat's Vet Expenses
Having a pet can provide an immense amount of joy. But it can also bring significant expenses. The ASPCA estimates that the typical household spends $225 per year for a dog, and $160 per year for a cat on routine medical costs alone.
And, that number doesn't include emergency spending for things like an upset stomach, coughing and sneezing, skin infections, allergies and limping. Dr. Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Bond Vet, said that these are some of the most common issues seen in her clinics.
And, these issues can be expensive, and especially hard to cover when they're unexpected. "Veterinary professionals reported that three in four pet parents stop treatment once expenses exceed $1,500, which in many instances may not even cover the cost of diagnostic testing," Satchu told CNBC Select.
Pet insurance can help cover these unexpected expenses. "Having high-quality pet medical insurance helps them know they can afford the care their pet needs no matter what the cost or when the incident occurs," says Satchu.
First, you'll need to decide how much you want a policy to cover. While a basic policy will cover only accidents or accidents and illnesses, some policies can even cover more, including things like routine wellness expenses. Check out our tips for choosing a good pet insurance company.
Here, CNBC Select analyzes dozens of pet insurance companies and picks out the six companies that fit the bill best. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best pet insurance companies.)
Best pet insurance Best overall Spot Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident and illness and accident-only coverage for cats and dogs. It has a variety of choices of reimbursement rates, annual limits (including an unlimited policy), and deductibles to cater your coverage to your needs and budget. The option to cover preventative care procedures and exams (including a dental cleaning and wellness exam) for an extra fee is available.
There are no upper age limits for new enrollments to Spot and plans include coverage for microchipping. Spot also offers access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline to address questions about wellness and health concerns.
Who's this for? Many dog or cat owners who want to get pet insurance can find a policy that fits their needs and covers their pets with Spot. With a variety of maximum annual coverage options, deductible options and reimbursement choices, you can tailor the policy to your monthly budget and needs.
Standout benefits: Spot offers a 24/7 pet telehealth line and a 10% discount for insuring multiple pets. Older pet owners can get their pets covered as Spot doesn't have a maximum age limit for coverage.
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Runner-up Embrace Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
A variety of maximum annual limits, reimbursement choices and deductibles allow you to tailor coverage to your needs and budget. A two-day waiting period for accident policies can also help get your pet covered sooner, though illnesses have a 14-day waiting period.
Embrace offers the option of unlimited annual coverage limits. It also offers coverage for non-invasive treatments, like chiropractic care, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.
Who's this for? Embrace is a good option for cat and dog owners who are looking for accident-only or accident-and-illness policies.
Standout benefits: Embrace has a 24/7 pet helpline available to customers and offers a 10% multi-pet discount. If you're worried about pre-existing conditions, Embrace offers a medical history review after purchasing to point out conditions that would fall into this category. It also offers a unique Wellness Rewards program.
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Best for cat insurance Pets Best Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Available in all 50 states, Pets Best is a standout for its affordable rates. While wellness policies are available, Pet's Best focuses on accident-only policies and accident and illness policies.
Pet's Best offers coverage to cats and dogs as young as 7 weeks old, and has no maximum age limit. An option to pay your vet directly is available.
Who's this for? Pets Best is ideal for cat owners seeking affordable rates. Pets Best only offers two maximum annual coverage options — a $5,000 option and an unlimited option — but several options for deductibles and reimbursement levels.
Standout benefits: In addition to accident and illness and accident-only plans, Pets Best offers optional wellness plans that cover routine care. For people with multiple pets, a 5% discount is available per pet.
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Best for dog insurance Lemonade Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Lemonade offers affordable pet insurance options for base accident and illness coverages, while wellness options are available for an extra cost. There are a variety of additions you can make to a policy, including things like coverage for behavioral conditions, coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic care, and coverage for dental illnesses.
A special puppy/kitten preventative care package is available for an extra cost, which can help pay for the cost of vaccines, parasite testing, microchipping and spay or neutering procedures. Lemonade also offers injury coverage with a short 2-day waiting period.
Who's this for? Dog owners can enjoy Lemonade for its affordable base accident and illness pet insurance rates. Puppy owners may find this company's puppy package especially helpful as it offers spay and neuter coverage, as well as microchipping and vaccines.
Standout benefits: While Lemonade pet insurance coverage is not available in every state, the company does offer the ability to bundle pet insurance policies with other types of insurance, including renters insurance and homeowners insurance, and offers a 10% discount to do so, along with 5% discounts for paying annually and adding multiple pets.
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Best for accident-only coverage ASPCA Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
ASPCA's pet insurance has been operating since 1997, making it one of the oldest providers in the space. Coverage is available at eight weeks old, and there's no maximum age limit. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for all policies if no covered claims are filed.
An app makes for a simple claims filing experience, and reimbursements are available by direct deposit. ASPCA pet insurance also offers coverage for horses.
Who's this for? Dog, cat and horse owners can find a policy that fits their budget and lifestyle with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. This pet insurance company offers accident-only coverage for those only worried about covering big, unforeseen expenses for their pet. Wellness policies and accident and injury policies are also available. Owners looking to insure senior pets should also consider ASPCA as there's no maximum age limit for enrollment.
Standout benefits: ASCPA offers a variety of annual limits, reimbursement rates and deductibles to customize coverage. You'll also get a 10% discount when insuring multiple pets.
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Best for accident and illness coverage Healthy Paws Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Healthy Paws offers accident and illness coverage with unlimited maximum payouts. It offers three options for deductibles and reimbursement options.
While Healthy Paws has one plan, it covers things that would be extras at other insurers, including things like prescription medication, alternative treatments, and hereditary conditions.
Who's this for? Healthy Paws is ideal for cat or dog owners interested in only accident and illness coverage. The company only offers one standard accident and illness policy. While that means those wanting the option of wellness policies or accident-only policies will need to look elsewhere, it streamlines the options for those wanting accident and illness coverage, since you'll only need to choose your reimbursement amount and deductible.
Standout benefits: All policies come with an unlimited maximum payout per incident and per policy. A 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed will also make sure that you're satisfied with your purchase.
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More on our top pet insurance companies Spot Pet InsuranceSpot Pet Insurance is available in all 50 states and offers many different coverage options to help fit your needs and budget. Additionally, Spot has high ratings from customers through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is eight weeks; no maximum age limit
Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Policies offered
Accident and illness, accident only and preventative care options
Waiting period
14-day waiting period for all coverage
Notable perks
Spot has a 24/7 veterinary helpline available, covers vet exam fees related to covered accidents and illnesses and offers a 10% discount for insuring multiple pets. It also stands out for not imposing any age limits for coverage.
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Embrace Pet InsuranceEmbrace Pet Insurance offers unlimited annual coverage limits and options for accident and illness coverage and accident-only coverage. Embrace has received a number of good reviews from customers with the BBB and enjoys an A+ rating.
Age limits
Dogs and cats younger than age 15 are eligible for accident and illness coverage. Pets aged 15 and older can get an accident-only policy.
Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Policies offered
Accident and illness, accident-only and wellness reimbursement
Waiting period
48 hours for accident coverage, 14-day waiting period for illness coverage and a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions, which can be waived through a waiver process
Notable perks
Embrace has a 24/7 helpline available for your pet health-related concerns and offers a 10% discount when insuring multiple pets. Its Wellness Rewards plan is unique in that it's not an insurance policy, but works as a savings account of sorts for wellness expenses and offers rewards. Reimbursable wellness expenses include flea, tick and heartworm preventatives, spaying/neutering, microchipping and more.
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Pets Best Pet InsurancePets Best Pet Insurance allows pet owners to choose from a lower $5,000 annual coverage limit or an unlimited policy. The company also enjoys an A+ rating from the BBB.
Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is seven weeks; no maximum age limit.
Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Policies offered
Accident and illness, accident-only and wellness
Waiting period
Varies based on the type of coverage and state
Notable perks
Pets Best offers a 24/7 emergency veterinary helpline, as well as a 5% discount when insuring multiple pets. Filing claims is easy with Pets Best and the waiting periods for filing claims are generally low. There's also no maximum age limit on accident and illness plans.
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Lemonade Pet InsuranceBacked by an insurer that also offers renters insurance and homeowners insurance, among other types of insurance, Lemonade Pet Insurance offers the opportunity to bundle your insurance policies and save.
Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is two months and the maximum is typically 14 years old, though some higher-risk breeds have a lower maximum age.
Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Policies offered
Accident and illness, wellness
Waiting period
Two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and six months for cruciate ligaments.
Notable perks
Lemonade offers an optional puppy/kitten preventative package, which covers spaying/neutering, microchipping, vaccines, wellness visits and more. It also offers several opportunities to save, including a 10% discount for bundling pet and homeowners or renters insurance, a 5% discount for insuring multiple pets and a 5% discount if you opt to pay your premium annually.
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ASPCA Pet Health InsuranceASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans are offered by PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd., which has been in business since 1997 — longer than most of its competitors.In addition to dogs and cats, it offers coverage for horses.
Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is eight weeks; no maximum age limit.
Type of pets covered
Dogs, cats and horses
Policies offered
Accident-only, accident and illness, preventative care
Waiting period
No waiting period for preventative care and a 14-day waiting period for accident and illness coverage.
Notable perks
ASCPA stands out for offering some of the most comprehensive plans on the market, covering typical accidents and injuries, as well as less common hereditary, congenital and breed-specific conditions. It can also cover covers alternative care, behavioral therapy, stem cell therapy and microchipping. Unlike most other insurance companies, pre-existing conditions (except for ligament or knee issues) might not be excluded if they are curable, cured and free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed and a 10% discount when insuring multiple pets.
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Healthy Paws Pet InsuranceHealthy Paws offers reasonable prices and unlimited annual coverage and keeps things simple by only offering one standard accident and illness policy. In addition to pet insurance, Healthy Paws also runs a non-profit foundation that helps animal rescue organizations care for sick homeless pets.
Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is eight weeks; the maximum age limit is 14
Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Policies offered
Accident and illness
Waiting period
15-day waiting period for accident and illness and a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia.
Notable perks
Healthy Paws offers a straightforward plan with no payout limits. Unlike many pet insurance companies, it doesn't offer a wellness plan. While there are no multiple pet discounts, you're able to choose any licensed vet and most claims are processed within just two days.
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FAQs How do I choose a good pet insurance company?You'll want to consider several different factors when choosing the best pet insurance company for you.
First, you'll need to decide which type of coverage you want to get. There are generally three levels of pet insurance coverage:
You'll need to decide based on your budget and financial situation what type of coverage is right for you. "Wellness coverage tends to [cover] costs you can plan for. Insurance works really well for situations that were unplanned," Satchu says.
From there, you can start to narrow down which companies will offer the coverage you're considering. Dr. Satchu suggests looking out for the following when evaluating which pet insurance is the right choice for you:
Pet insurance can generally be purchased online or over the phone. Then, coverage will kick in after a set amount of time, called a waiting period, generally two weeks. From there, you'll submit any reimbursable expenses to your pet insurance company. Generally, the pet insurance company will reimburse you for your expenses, minus your deductible, or the amount you'll pay for coverage.
Does pet insurance cover surgery?Whether pet insurance will cover a surgery depends on the reason for the surgery, and what the policy you're considering covers. For example, an accident-only insurance policy might cover surgery after an accident, but may not cover surgery if it's needed due to a chronic illness. Surgeries could also be excluded if they're related to a condition your pet already had before signing up for pet insurance, called a pre-existing condition. Pet insurance generally won't cover elective procedures, or things like spaying and neutering, unless specifically covered.
What is a deductible in pet insurance?Like with any other type of insurance, a deductible in pet insurance is the amount you're responsible for covering out of pocket. With pet insurance, you'll generally be reimbursed for your costs less your deductible. When you pick your policy, you'll choose your deductible amount, generally between $100 and $1,000. After that deductible, you'll be reimbursed up to the coinsurance level (generally 70% to 90% and chosen when you pick your policy).
Can I get pet insurance after a diagnosis?You can still get coverage after your pet has been diagnosed with a condition. However, it will be considered a pre-existing condition, and it may not be covered. There's also generally a waiting period before coverage kicks in, so you will likely be unable to get illnesses and diagnoses immediately covered by a new pet insurance plan.
When is the best time to get pet insurance?It's best to get pet insurance as early in your pet's life as possible. "It is important to remember that no provider covers pre-existing conditions, but if you enroll a healthy puppy or kitten, you drastically reduce the likelihood of pre-existing conditions," Satchu says. Several of our top picks offer coverage to puppies and kittens as young as seven or eight weeks old.
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Why trust CNBC Select?At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. To research the best pet insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen pet insurance companies. We also interviewed Dr. Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Bond Vet, for more insight. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best pet insurance companies.
Our methodologyTo determine the best pets insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of pet insurance companies and compared them based on various factors.
While narrowing down the best pet insurance companies, we focused on a sample premium for dogs and cats, the different types of pet insurance offered, the maximum annual coverage limits, reimbursement choices, deductible choices, waiting periods, Better Business Bureau customer reviews, and the availability of discounts.
Sample premium data was based on two different example pets, a dog and a cat. The sample dog we gathered data for was:
The sample cat was:
We collected data for these sample policies with the following qualities (or as close to them as possible):
From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best overall and runner-up, the best for dog insurance, best for cat insurance, best for accident-only coverage and best for accident and illness coverage.
Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for pet insurance companies are subject
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