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Lindsay Frankel is a personal finance and insurance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has been featured in publications such as Investopedia, LendingTree, The Balance, SFGate, Bankrate, and FinanceBuzz.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
If you’re looking for pet insurance, you could find more than 50 options for companies that sell coverage for pets in the U.S.[1] While some things are standard across all pet insurers, like coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates, premiums can vary widely.
Using our proprietary data and hours of research, we’ve identified the best pet insurance companies worth comparing so you don’t have to. Here’s what we learned about top insurers, their average costs, coverages, and more.
Lemonade typically offers the cheapest pet insurance premiums, but companies like Pumpkin and Figo leave fewer coverage gaps.
Most companies allow you to choose your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit, all of which affect your premium.
The average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs is $43, according to our data. For cats, the monthly average is $23.
When choosing a pet insurance company, consider factors like:
The monthly cost
Coverages, including optional add-ons
Reimbursement options
The insurer’s reputation for customer service
Based on those metrics and others, these are our top picks for the best pet insurance companies.
Pumpkin isn’t the cheapest pet insurer on our list, but it offers more extensive coverage than other companies in the same price tier.
For a national average premium of $67 for dogs and $29 for cats, you’ll get coverages many other companies exclude. For example, Pumpkin covers dental illness, behavioral conditions, alternative therapies, and vet exam fees.[2]
Pumpkin also has an excellent Trustpilot rating and covers pets of all ages and breeds.
Pets Best offers affordable plans that cover veterinary treatment for most accidents and illnesses. In most states, a fixed-rate accident-only plan costs $9 per month for dogs and $6 per month for cats. The accident-only plan covers up to $10,000 per year.
Pets Best also offers customizable accident and illness policies. These policies come with the option to pay participating vets directly so you don’t have to worry about credit card debt while you wait for reimbursement.[3]
Figo is one of the few pet insurance companies that offers up to 100% reimbursement with unlimited annual and lifetime coverage. The company also offers fast claims processing, cloud storage for your pet’s records and data, and access to vet advice 24/7.
Its premiums are relatively affordable, too. And you can choose from a range of deductibles and reimbursement rates to customize your policy.
Lemonade’s base policy is one of the cheapest in the industry, with a national average premium of just $26 for dogs and $15 for cats. Lemonade’s plans cover diagnostics, procedures, and medication for a variety of common accidents and illnesses.
The company also offers a few discounts and is known for its highly rated mobile app[4] and fast digital claims.
Lemonade offers several coverage add-ons, but if you want more comprehensive coverage, we recommend checking out other companies. You may get a better value.
AKC is the only major pet insurance company that covers chronic pre-existing conditions — both curable and incurable — after a one-year waiting period.[5] It can be a great choice for pets with symptoms of allergies, GI disorders, or other chronic illnesses.
You can also add hereditary conditions coverage for an additional premium. But the company won’t cover dental illness, and its pre-existing conditions coverage isn’t available in every state.
Compare quotes and save up to 57%.
Most pet insurance companies offer accident and illness policies that cover veterinary treatments for a variety of conditions. Each pet insurance policy contains exclusions, and most companies exclude pre-existing conditions.
You typically need to file a claim for reimbursement after paying your vet, though a few pet insurance companies offer direct vet payment.[6]
After you file a claim online, your pet insurance company typically reimburses you for 70%–100% of the bill after your deductible — the flat amount you’re responsible for each year or over the policy term. Your policy may also cap annual or lifetime payouts.
You can often choose your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit, and each will have an affect on how much you pay each month.
Some pet insurers allow you to add a wellness plan, which covers routine care services like annual exams.[7] Some companies also offer accident-only plans, which provide affordable coverage for accidents like broken bones and toxic ingestion.
“Pet parents should get their fur babies covered as early in life as possible, ideally starting when they’re young, with a clean bill of health. Many policies have exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so if you’re looking to obtain coverage in the midst of an active health concern, insurance likely won’t cover the current problem.”
Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, B.Sc., D.V.M.
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Making the right choice for your pet requires a little research, but we’ve got a few tips to help you compare your options.
If you have a senior pet or a breed with health risks, you may find your options limited. If you’re raising a puppy or kitten, a robust wellness package could help you save on initial vet costs like spaying or neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations.
If your vet records show symptoms of a health condition, or if your pet’s breed is prone to certain health issues, you may want to consider policies that offer coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions.
Check your finances before customizing your coverage. For example, if you have plenty of savings, you could choose a higher deductible or lower reimbursement rate to save money on monthly premiums. If you have a low income and no emergency fund, a wellness plan can help you pay for routine care that could help prevent future costly issues or detect them sooner.
All pet parents should pay attention to the annual limit, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a doctor of veterinary medicine.
“Don’t choose a policy with a particularly low ceiling of coverage,” she says, adding that a simple injury like a broken leg costs between $4,000 and $6,000 to treat.
Before buying a policy, check the pet insurance company’s reputation with:
Trustpilot: Check the company’s overall rating and read customer reviews for red flags.
AM Best: The underwriter for your policy should have a high financial strength grade.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): A low complaint index indicates that policyholders are relatively satisfied.
Compare.com: Check our pet insurance company reviews for important details and considerations.
Each pet insurance company considers factors like your pet’s age and breed, but each company may weigh those factors a bit differently when calculating your premium. Some companies may also offer cheaper coverage in certain states or offer more flexibility to choose coverage that fits your budget.
It’s wise to compare quotes to find the best deal for the coverage you need.
“It’s a pretty competitive landscape these days, and different companies have different pricing for different breeds and a range of coverages to choose from,” says Greenstein.
Compare quotes and save up to 57%.
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When shopping for a dog insurance policy, consider the following parameters.
Check your policy for common exclusions, like congenital and hereditary conditions, behavioral therapy, treatment for dental illness, preventable diseases like parasites, physical therapy, or vet exam fees. Some insurers might offer these coverages for an extra premium, while others may exclude them entirely.
“Pet owners often wrongly assume that pet insurance will cover absolutely everything,” Greenstein says. “Always read the fine print on your policy and ask a lot of questions.”
Most pet insurance companies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, which could be any health issue related to your pup’s prior symptoms or treatments in your vet records. Some companies consider bilateral conditions to be pre-existing if they occurred on one side.
But many companies offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions after a waiting period. For example, if your dog had an ear infection last year but hasn’t had symptoms or treatment for the condition in the past six months, some dog insurers would cover future ear infections.[8]
Wellness add-ons cover preventive care like annual vet exams, vaccines, and heartworm medication. Wellness plans typically don’t have waiting periods or deductibles, but you’ll need to file a claim for reimbursement.
Most wellness plans have annual limits and only provide limited savings, so you should make sure you’ll use the benefits before signing up.
Some pet insurance companies offer a multi-pet discount or savings for paying your policy premium in full. And if you buy a policy from a company that offers other types of insurance, you may be able to save by bundling your pet insurance policy with auto, renters, or home coverage.
Keep these discounts in mind when comparing premiums. Some insurers also offer access to a 24/7 emergency vet helpline or other perks.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the insurer’s claims process and check that the company offers customer service hours and methods of contact that are convenient for you. Check out policyholder reviews online to see how well and how quickly different insurers handle claims.
A typical dog insurance policy costs an average of $516 per month, according to Compare.com data. But some companies offer cheaper coverage.
Here’s a look at national average dog insurance premiums across all breeds from top pet insurance companies.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Pets Best | $22 |
| Lemonade | $26 |
| Spot | $27 |
| ASPCA | $32 |
| Healthy Paws | $44 |
| Prudent Pet | $54 |
| Figo | $57 |
| Fetch Pet | $66 |
| Pumpkin | $67 |
Find affordable pet insurance in minutes.
To get a policy worth purring over, consider the following factors as you compare your cat insurance options.
Make sure the policy covers common cat health issues, like diabetes, cancer, FIV/FeLV, and upper respiratory infections. It’s also common for cats to need prescription food for bladder issues, allergies, or GI disorders.[9]
And cat owners use therapeutic food for weight loss more than dog owners.
Prescription diets can be expensive, so look for policies that cover them.
Many pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions like urinary tract infections after your cat has been symptom- and treatment-free for a period of time. Pay attention to this waiting period when choosing a policy.
Most cat insurance won’t cover chronic pre-existing conditions, though. And some insurers won’t cover more than one instance of a repetitive behavior, like foreign body or toxic ingestion.
Accident and illness policies for cats can offer more value than wellness plans, and it may be worth skiping the wellness add-on for your adult cat.
But kittens require more care, and initial vet costs can be expensive, so it may be worth it to add a preventive care plan designed for kitties. For example, a kitten wellness package may help cover a spay/neuter procedure or microchipping.
Cat insurance is relatively affordable, costing an average of $276 per month for an accident and illness policy, according to the NAPHIA. Some insurers offer cheaper coverage than others.
Here’s a look at national average premiums for all cat breeds from top pet insurance companies.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Pets Best | $13 |
| Spot | $13 |
| Lemonade | $15 |
| ASPCA | $16 |
| Healthy Paws | $21 |
| Fetch Pet | $23 |
| Figo | $25 |
| Pumpkin | $29 |
| Prudent Pet | $32 |
If you still have questions about insuring your furry friend, check out the answers to a few common questions below.
It depends. It’s your decision whether pet insurance is worth the cost, and pet parents flush with savings may choose to self-insure. But there’s a reason pet insurance covered more than 6 million pets in the U.S. in 2024. Common surgeries and treatments can cost thousands, and no one wants to choose between their savings and their pet’s health.[10]
The best pet insurance company for you depends on your pet’s age, its healthcare needs, and your budget. We found that Pumpkin offers comprehensive coverage at a great price, but if you want a cheap, bare-bones policy, you might choose Lemonade.
The average monthly premium for pet insurance in the U.S. is $43 for dogs and $23 for cats, according to our data. But premiums vary based on your pet’s age and breed, your location, the company, and the coverage options you choose. Compare quotes to find a policy that fits your budget.
Generally, no. Most pet insurance companies, with the exception of AKC, won’t cover chronic or incurable pre-existing conditions. For example, if a vet diagnosed your pet with diabetes before you bought a policy, your insurer wouldn’t cover future treatment. But many companies, including Figo, Pumpkin, and Pets Best, cover curable pre-existing conditions after six to 18 months of no symptoms and treatment.
Yes. Most pet insurance companies allow you to see any licensed vet in the U.S. or North America. Veterinary networks don’t really exist because most insurers reimburse you after you file a claim. But pet insurers that offer direct vet payment may offer you that option only for veterinarians who opt in.
It depends. The NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act prohibits waiting periods for accidents, like trauma or poisoning, but your policy may have a waiting period of up to 30 days for illnesses. Your insurer will reimburse you for claims only after the waiting period ends. You can typically use a wellness program right away, and some companies even cover recent vet visits.
Yes. Premiums are more expensive for older pets, but some pet insurance companies don’t have upper age limits. Examples include ASPCA Pet Insurance, Pumpkin, and MetLife. If your dog or cat already has chronic health issues or you can’t afford an accident and illness policy, consider an affordable accident-only policy or an emergency membership plan, like Pawp.
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Lindsay Frankel is a personal finance and insurance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has been featured in publications such as Investopedia, LendingTree, The Balance, SFGate, Bankrate, and FinanceBuzz.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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