Top 10 Most ‘Overbred’ Dogs
The 6 Best Pet Insurance Companies To Cover Your Dog Or Cat's Vet Expenses
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Pet insurance costs an average of $48 for a dog and $28 per month for a cat, according to our analysis of pet insurance costs. That's for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level costs an average of $68 per month for a dog and $40 per month for a cat.
Pet Insurance Cost Comparison by CompanyCosts are based on a plan with unlimited annual coverage ($15,000 for Fetch and $100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible ($300 for Fetch and $750 for dogs and cats over age seven in several states for Healthy Paws) and 80% reimbursement level for mixed breed dogs and mixed breed cats.
Factors That Determine Pet Insurance Cost1. Annual Maximum, Deductible and Reimbursement Level
These are the three main variables that determine how much reimbursement you'll get if you file a pet insurance claim: annual maximum, deductible amount and reimbursement percentage. Pet insurance will cost more if you choose a high annual maximum, low deductible and/or high reimbursement level.
2. Pet's Age
Younger pets are typically cheaper to insure than older pets. That's because older pets are more likely to have injuries and illnesses, which means higher vet bills. Those higher insurance claims are passed on to policyholders in the form of higher pet insurance premiums. We found the best prices for pet insurance are after a pet's first birthday until around age six.
3. Pet's Breed
Certain breeds are predisposed to hereditary problems and illnesses, which could result in more vet visits and higher medical costs.
For example, a small mixed breed dog costs $33 per month to insure compared to $76 per month for a French bulldog, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of the most expensive dogs to insure.
4. Pet's Gender
Pet insurance companies have found that female pets usually have fewer claims compared to males, so some insurers use pet gender in pricing. Male pets cost about 5% more than females for pet insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
5. Your Location
The average cost for a veterinarian visit is about $61, based on Forbes Advisor's analysis. Since average vet costs vary around the country, insurers account for that when setting rates.
Lemonade Pet Insurance Review & Costs (2024)
What Are the Pros and Cons of Lemonade? Compare Lemonade to the CompetitionUse the table below to compare Lemonade's costs and waiting periods to other top competing pet insurance companies:
*Lemonade may offer shorter waiting periods depending on where you live.
How Lemonade Scored in Our MethodologyOverall, we rated Lemonade Pet Insurance 4.8 out of 5 stars. The company is our top overall pick for pet insurance due to its comprehensive coverage and affordable rates.
What Plans and Coverage Does Lemonade Offer?Lemonade's base pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses. If you want coverage for routine care and wellness care, you can enroll in one of Lemonade's preventative care plans. Lemonade also offers a range of optional add-ons that give you extended coverage for things like physical therapy, behavioral conditions and more.
When you enroll in Lemonade's accident and illness plan, you can choose an annual coverage limit between $5,000 and $100,000. Some add-ons may increase your annual limit.
Accident and Illness PlanThe accident and illness policy helps cover the cost of diagnostics, procedures and medications when your cat or dog is injured or sick. Coverage includes chronic and hereditary conditions, as long as your pet was not showing symptoms before the time of enrollment.
The accident and illness plan covers vet bills related to:
Covered illnesses and injuries include:
Lemonade offers two levels of preventative care plans for adult dogs and cats — Preventative Care and Preventative Care+. It also offers a preventative care package for puppies and kittens.
The primary preventative care package for adult pets covers:
The Preventative Care+ plan includes all of the above coverages plus dental cleaning. The limit on dental cleaning is $150 annually.
For puppies and kittens, the preventative care plan includes all of the above, plus coverage for:
Lemonade Optional Add-On CoverageLemonade offers several add-on options to extend your pet's illness coverage beyond the standard base plan, including coverage for vet visit fees, dental illnesses, behavioral conditions, physical therapy, and end-of-life and remembrance fees.
It's important to keep in mind that no pet insurance plan or add-ons will cover preexisting conditions. So if your pet breaks a bone before you purchase pet insurance, it is unlikely that your provider will cover related or ongoing treatments.
We've outlined each of Lemonade's add-on options in the sections below, which include costs based on sample quotes we pulled for a 1-year-old mixed-breed dog based in Roanoke, Va. However, your add-on costs may vary depending on your pet's age, breed and location.
Vet Visit FeesThis add-on helps cover the cost of vet visit fees when your pet gets injured or is sick, including:
This add-on costs about $5 per month and covers up to the value of your annual base policy limit. Note that this add-on does not cover vet fees for preventative care.
Dental IllnessWhile Lemonade's base plan does not cover treatment for dental illnesses, it offers a dental illness add-on to cover treatments like:
This add-on costs around $13 per month. You can receive up to $1,000 in coverage per year for dental illness costs, but keep in mind that this add-on does not cover preexisting diseases and routine cleanings.
Behavioral ConditionsIf your pet develops a new behavioral condition like separation anxiety, aggression or food guarding, the behavioral conditions add-on will cover up to $1,000 annually for the cost of behavioral treatments, including:
This add-on costs around $3.50 per month, depending on the age and breed of your pet. It does not cover obedience training, puppy training or any preexisting conditions.
Physical TherapyThis add-on covers the cost of physical therapy treatments your veterinarian recommends if your pet gets sick or injured, including:
The physical therapy add-on costs about $1.50 per month and covers up to the value of your base policy limit each year.
End of Life and RemembranceIn the event that your dog or cat passes away, this add-on will help cover the costs of:
The end-of-life and remembrance add-on costs around $4 per month. There is no deductible, and costs are 100% covered up to $500. Note that funeral and burial expenses are not included.
What Does Lemonade Not Cover?Lemonade pet insurance policies don't cover preexisting conditions, elective procedures, alternative treatments and more. Your exact coverages will depend on your plan and the add-on options you choose. However, Lemonade typically doesn't cover the following:
Lemonade's exclusions are similar to other providers in the industry — notably, most pet insurance companies do not cover preexisting conditions. Similar to Embrace and some other competitors, Lemonade will cover "curable" preexisting conditions like an ear infection or giardia if your pet has not shown symptoms for at least 12 months.
As mentioned, Lemonade also offers policy add-ons that can cover care and treatments not included under its basic accident and illness plan.
What Are The Coverage Levels Lemonade Offers?Lemonade offers several options for policy deductibles, reimbursement rates and annual limits. Along with these factors, adjusting your coverage level can help you modify your monthly payments.
In general, the more coverage and higher reimbursements you opt for, the more you will pay each month.
Deductible OptionsAn annual deductible is what you have to pay out of pocket before Lemonade will help cover your expenses. The lower your deductible, the higher your monthly premium cost will be. Lemonade offers the following deductible options for its accident and illness plan:
Preventive care plans do not have a deductible.
Reimbursement RatesYour reimbursement rate is the percentage of your total vet bill that Lemonade will reimburse for covered treatments after you've hit your deductible. A higher reimbursement rate percentage comes with a higher monthly plan cost. Lemonade offers the following reimbursement rate options:
Annual Coverage LimitsYour annual limit is the maximum dollar amount that Lemonade will pay you each year to cover veterinary expenses under your plan. The higher your annual limit, the more expensive your monthly premium. Lemonade offers the following annual limit options:
Waiting periods are the required number of days you must wait before you can file a claim after you enroll in a new plan. If your pet becomes sick or is injured during your policy's waiting period, your plan will not cover treatments for the ailment. Lemonade extends the following waiting periods:
Additionally, Lemonade has a maximum enrollment age of 14 years. Once your pet turns 14, it will no longer be eligible for a new Lemonade pet insurance policy. The age limit for some higher-risk breeds is lower than 14 years. Request a quote through Lemonade to see if your pet is eligible for coverage.
Lemonade's waiting periods are shorter than most other providers. Here's how Lemonade's waiting period and age restrictions stack against its competitors:
What Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cost?Based on our research and in speaking with Lemonade insurance representatives, the average monthly cost for Lemonade's base plan is around $30 per month for adult dogs and $16 for adult cats. These figures are based on quotes we gathered for a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed cat and a 2-year-old Siamese cat in each of the 50 states.
If you opt into a preventative care plan, your monthly premium will increase. The primary preventative care plan costs an additional $11 per month for adult cats and $18 for adult dogs. The extended Preventative Care+ plan costs about $18 per month for adult cats and $27 for adult dogs.
Puppy owners will pay about $18 per month for standard preventative coverage, while kitten owners will pay $11 per month. If you purchase the Preventative Care+ plan for a pet under 1 year old, it costs around $38 per month for kittens and $48 for puppies.
The exact monthly cost of your Lemonade pet insurance plan will depend on your pet's age, breed and location.
Lemonade Pet Insurance Sample PremiumsTo give you an idea of Lemonade's pricing, below are sample quotes for various pets in Roanoke, Va., based on policies with a $250 deductible, an 80% reimbursement rate and a $20,000 annual coverage limit.
Animal Breed 1-Year-Old 4-Year-Old 6-Year-Old 9-Year-Old Labrador retriever $34.85 $38.89 $55.80 $98.76 Medium mixed dog $23.06 $25.71 $36.74 $64.76 Miniature poodle $23.24 $23.24 $30.36 $47.93 Border collie $27.05 $30.18 $43.20 $76.29 Mixed cat $14.58 $14.58 $18.93 $29.66 Maine coon cat $16.42 $17.35 $24.14 $40.64 Persian cat $16.20 $16.20 $18.93 $28.51Compared to the other 13 pet insurance companies we secret-shopped, Lemonade was the second-cheapest option. See how Lemonade's cost compares to other pet insurance providers below:
Why Is Lemonade Pet Insurance So Cheap?Lemonade had cheap policy costs due to its cost structure. "Insuretech," a combination of the words "insurance" and "technology," is a growing trend among major insurers like Nationwide and online banks like SoFi. These companies use online underwriting processes in place of manual underwriting. This allows the insurance company to save money on its internal risk assessment processes, which some companies elect to pass along to customers.
Lemonade leverages insurtech options to offer its customers a faster quote and a quicker approval process — most pet owners will be able to sign up for coverage in under 10 minutes. Lemonade also uses an entirely remote customer service team, allowing it to save more on the brick-and-mortar operations. While these measures allow Lemonade to offer more affordable policies, it may be worth comparing other options if in-person customer service is important to you.
Lemonade Pet Insurance ReviewsOverall, Lemonade is well-rated among customers, earning 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. To give you an idea of current and past customers' experiences with Lemonade, we've included some examples of positive and negative customer reviews below.
Happy Lemonade pet insurance customers reported quick claims processing and competitive pricing:
"Super fast and easy claim refund on vet bills using the Lemonade app. Everything is user-friendly and easy to submit. Funds were in my bank account within 24 hours after submitting the claim. The prices are competitive and [Lemonade] offers preventative packages. I ended up switching to Lemonade after adopting another family member. The comparable insurance premium price for both cats with Lemonade was the same price as one cat with another provider." – Erin, via Trustpilot
Some customers with higher-maintenance dog breeds felt that Lemonade's monthly plans were a little expensive for the level of coverage they received:
"Although expensive, the insurance does not cover sick visits and has a pricey deductible. That said, it has been helpful to have this coverage for my labradoodle puppy who eats everything she can get her mouth on, necessitating several trips to the vet [over] the past almost two years. Reimbursement by Lemonade is usually made by the day or two following my submitting the bills." – Lee, via Trustpilot
Dissatisfied customers most frequently complained about Lemonade's policy excluding preexisting conditions. Some customers felt confused as to why Lemonade deems certain conditions "preexisting," or felt the ruling on their specific case was unfair. Other customers reported that they had a hard time reaching a representative after their claim was denied.
"As I read in another review, if your pet had diarrhea before, [Lemonade] will never cover anything to do with diarrhea for [their] entire life. My pet had seizures and treatment for [her] liver, and after 12 months symptom-free she had it again. But this time the vet has confirmed it is not a liver problem and is still unknown. I wanted to get insured for the visit [but] the policy says 12 months of no symptoms or treatment for an illness can be considered cured. It is not like that in reality. My claim got denied anyway, saying that this is preexisting and [Lemonade] is not reconsidering it. This means my pet will never be considered covered for seizures of any reason, even if five years pass." – Jason, via Trustpilot
What Are The Claims Process and Payouts of Lemonade?The only way to file a pet insurance claim with Lemonade is through the company's app. Lemonade responds to most claims within two days, with some customers reporting an even faster turnaround time. Lemonade's unique AI-powered claims system speeds up the filing process, with Lemonade reporting that 30% of claims are approved and paid instantly.
Although Lemonade's AI claims processing system can speed up many claims, some frustrated customers said that the AI's responses were vague and that it was difficult to get in contact with a human representative. However, many customers found the app intuitive and the claims process to be quick and simple.
Lemonade vs. Healthy PawsLemonade and Healthy Paws have very similar price points and reimbursement and deductible options.
Unlike Lemonade, Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual limits on all of its plans. But if you want more add-on and plan customization options, you'll want to go with Lemonade. Healthy Paws does not offer wellness plans or extended add-on coverage like Lemonade does.
To learn more, read our full review of Healthy Paws pet insurance.
Lemonade vs. PumpkinPumpkin's monthly rates for pet insurance are generally more expensive than Lemonade's. However, Pumpkin includes some coverage in its base plan that Lemonade does not, like routine dental cleanings and acupuncture.
For more differences between the two providers check out our comprehensive Lemonade vs Pumpkin review
Where is Lemonade Available?Lemonade is available in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Lemonade is not available in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Use the dropdown below to find a top provider in your state:
Is Lemonade Pet Insurance Worth It?While the value of pet insurance will vary on a case-by-case basis, our team found that Lemonade Pet Insurance is overall worth the price. While its policies are not as inclusive as some competing companies, its low pricing and streamlined purchase process make it a top choice for pet owners on a budget. Request a quote from Lemonade as you consider pet insurance providers — getting a quote takes less than one minute on its website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemonade Pet Insurance How much does Lemonade pet insurance cost?After pulling over 30 sample quotes, we found that Lemonade pet insurance policies can run as low as $10 to $20 per month for younger animals and as high as $80 to $90 per month for older, injury- or illness-prone breeds. But Lemonade's monthly premiums can vary depending on your pet's age, location and breed. The coverage level, reimbursement rate and deductible you choose during enrollment will also impact your cost.
Do Lemonade pet insurance policies have a coverage waiting period?Yes. Lemonade's pet insurance policies require a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. This means you won't be able to file claims on any incidents that occur before those periods.
How can I reach Lemonade's customer service?Lemonade's customer service works a bit differently than other providers. To get in touch with a representative, you'll log into your account on the company's website or mobile app and send a message to the AI-powered personal assistant. Then, someone on the customer service team will follow up on your inquiry.
Alternatively, you can email your question to help@lemonade.Com or call 1-844-733-8666 for more direct communication. During our testing and research, we found Lemonade's customer service team to be generally responsive, following up with us within 24 hours of our inquiries.
Is Lemonade a trustworthy pet insurance company?Although Lemonade is a relatively new provider, it is trustworthy. The company has an A rating, which indicates "exceptional" financial stability, with the insurance rating agency Demotech, Inc. However, it does not yet have a rating from the credit rating agency AM Best.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance CompaniesWe review each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. To inform our reviews, we surveyed 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. Our process includes in-depth industry research about each provider, such as comparing coverage options, gathering quotes online to determine pricing and reading reviews to assess customer service.
We then score each provider on a 100-point scale and divide the final score by 20 to calculate an overall rating out of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:
We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
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