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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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The average monthly pet insurance premium in the U.S. is $43 for dogs and $23 for cats, according to Compare.com data.
We ’ll cover everything you need to know about pet insurance, including what it is, how much it costs, and how to find the right coverage for your pet.
Pet insurance reimburses your pet’s veterinary treatment for covered conditions, like accidental injuries or cancer.
Most pet policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions or routine care, but you often can add wellness coverage to save money on your annual vet visits.
You can typically choose your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit, which affect your monthly cost and how much the company will cover.
Like human health insurance, pet insurance provides coverage for some of your pet’s vet bills.[1] You share some of the cost with the insurance company by paying a deductible and co-insurance. But pet insurance policies contain exclusions, waiting periods, and annual limits that restrict how or when you can use your benefits.
Pet insurance companies may offer two basic types of policies — accident and illness or accident-only — which may cover anything from vet visits to acupuncture. Some companies charge extra for certain optional coverages, and many pet insurers also offer a wellness program for an additional cost that provides savings on routine care.
Compare quotes and save up to 57%.
Pet insurance policies have the following features, which you may be able to choose:[2]
Deductible: A flat fee you’re responsible for each policy term
Reimbursement rate: The share of covered services your insurer will pay for
Annual limit: The maximum dollar amount your insurer will pay in benefits each year
If you’re aiming for a low premium, you could choose a high deductible and a low annual limit and reimbursement rate. Just be aware that you’ll pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.
Most pet insurance companies require you to file a claim for reimbursement after you pay your veterinarian, but a few offer direct vet payment. Your insurer will decide whether to cover your claim based on:
Policy type: An accident-only policy covers things like broken bones or teeth, while an accident and illness policy also covers chronic and acute illnesses.
Exclusions: Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, and insurers have different definitions of a pre-existing condition. Policies may also exclude specific conditions or treatments.
Waiting periods: Most policies have a waiting period for illnesses. Depending on where you live, local laws may restrict waiting periods to no more than 30 days. But 14-day waiting periods for illnesses are fairly standard. And in some states, insurers can impose six-month waiting periods for some orthopedic conditions. Typically, accidents have no waiting periods or a waiting period of just a few days.
Your dog gets loose with the definition of “food” and eats one of your socks. You rush him to the emergency clinic, where a vet surgically removes the sock and charges you $3,000. Fortunately, you bought a pet insurance policy last month, so you can file a claim online.
Your policy covers foreign body ingestion, and you have a $500 deductible, an 80% reimbursement level, and a $10,000 annual limit. There’s no waiting period for accidents.
After your deductible, your insurer pays 80% of the remaining cost, writing you a check for $2,000.
Different plan types cover different conditions and treatments. It’s important to understand the coverages and exclusions for each plan type so you won’t be surprised if your insurer denies your claim.
Accident and illness policies cover a wide variety of accidental injuries, diseases, and hereditary conditions. Every policy is different, but accident and illness plans commonly cover the following conditions and treatments:
Conditions | Treatments |
|---|---|
|
|
Some plans may charge extra for add-ons that cover behavioral conditions, dental illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative therapies, prescription food, and vet exam fees. Others exclude these conditions and treatments from coverage altogether.
Accident-only plans cover many of the treatments listed above, but only for conditions with an accidental cause. Examples include:
Bite wounds
Toxic ingestion
Bee stings and snake bites
Swallowed objects
Fractured teeth
Cuts and abrasions
Torn nail
Trauma from a car accident
Broken bones
Fractures
Sprains
Eye injuries
Insurance companies that offer both accident-only and accident and illness plans may have age limits for enrolling in more comprehensive accident and illness policies. Instead, they may only offer accident-only plans to senior pets.
Wellness packages, which most insurers offer as add-ons to an insurance policy, help you save money on routine care. Your plan may include coverage for things like:
Annual exams
Flea and heartworm prevention
Vaccinations
Parasite screenings
Lab tests
Dental cleaning
Spaying/neutering
Microchipping
Wellness programs typically aren’t insurance — they’re reimbursement-based programs that provide a fixed dollar amount for each service or a total benefit limit for the year.[3] They’re usually not subject to deductibles or waiting periods.
Wellness plans provide limited savings, and you’ll still need to file a claim for reimbursement. Make sure you’ll use enough benefits for the program to pay off.
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Accident and illness policies offer comprehensive coverage, but every pet insurance policy contains exclusions. Common examples include:
Pre-existing conditions: If your pet showed symptoms of a condition before your policy started or during the waiting period, most pet insurers won’t cover future treatments for it. That may include bilateral conditions that first occurred on one side of the pet’s body before occurring on the other side. But some companies cover curable pre-existing conditions after they’re resolved for six to 18 months.
Routine care: Accident and illness policies don’t cover preventive care services, like annual physical exams or vaccinations. But many companies offer a wellness package you can buy as an add-on to your policy.
Food and supplies: Some insurers may cover prescription food, but most exclude over-the-counter pet food, crates, leashes, beds, treats, and toys.
Boarding and grooming: Pet insurance doesn’t typically cover doggy daycare, overnight boarding, or grooming services.
Experimental treatments: Most insurers exclude coverage for investigative treatments outside the standard of care for a covered condition.
Elective procedures: Pet insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgeries like tail docking, ear cropping, or dew claw removal.
Pregnancy and breeding: Most pet insurance companies don’t cover costs associated with breeding, pregnancy, whelping, and nursing. But AKC pet insurance offers supplemental breeding coverage.[4]
Compare quotes and buy pet insurance online.
Most pet insurance companies allow you to customize your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit. This lets you choose between a higher monthly premium and larger out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. Consider your monthly income and emergency fund balance when making these selections.
To find the best deal on pet insurance for your fur baby, be sure to compare quotes from multiple pet insurance companies. You can collect quotes from individual insurers’ websites or use a quote-comparison site to save time. Make sure to compare policies with the same details, and check whether the coverages you need are included or cost extra.
As you compare pet insurance companies, pay attention to:
Pre-existing condition coverage: Some companies cover cured conditions after just six months, while others look back further. AKC Pet Insurance is the only major insurance company to cover chronic conditions after a year, according to our research.
Age limits and breed restrictions: Some pet insurance companies won’t cover senior pets or breeds prone to expensive health conditions. Other insurers, like Pumpkin and ASPCA, have no upper age limits or breed restrictions.
Customer reviews and ratings: Check Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau ratings, as well as the underwriter’s NAIC Complaint Index to see whether current customers are satisfied.
Claims process: Check mobile app ratings and evaluate the company’s digital claim process and timeline.
Virtual care: Some policies include virtual vet visits or access to a 24/7 vet helpline at no charge, which may help you avoid unnecessary vet visits and save you money.
Discounts: Some pet insurance companies offer a multi-pet or annual payment discount, which can save you money on your insurance premiums.
Pet insurance companies set premiums based on your pet’s age and breed, your location, and the coverage and policy parameters you choose. You may find that one pet insurer offers a cheaper premium than another for the same coverage.
Here’s a look at the average pet insurance costs for dogs and cats from some top companies, according to our data.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Premium for Cats | Average Monthly Premium for Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Pets Best | $13 | $22 |
| Spot | $13 | $27 |
| Lemonade | $15 | $26 |
| ASPCA | $16 | $32 |
| Healthy Paws | $21 | $43 |
| Fetch Pet | $23 | $66 |
| Figo | $25 | $57 |
| Pumpkin | $29 | $67 |
| Prudent Pet | $31 | $54 |
If a pet insurance policy isn’t right for you, you still have several options to choose from. Popular alternatives include:
Veterinary discount plans: Vet discount plans like Pet Assure offer savings on veterinary care from participating providers for a monthly membership fee.[5]
Stand-alone wellness packages: Some companies offer stand-alone wellness plans that reimburse you for routine care services at any vet.
Vet office wellness plans: Some animal hospitals, like Banfield and VCA, offer wellness plans to save you money on preventive care at their locations. Unlike stand-alone packages you can use at any vet, these typically include unlimited exams.
Emergency protection and virtual care: Emergency Protection from Pawp is an add-on to the company’s virtual care membership plan.[6] It offers up to $3,000 for one life-threatening veterinary emergency per year.
Self-insurance: Rather than paying pet insurance premiums, you can deposit money into a savings account for future pet emergencies. But you may not be able to save enough to cover chronic conditions like cancer.
Auto insurance pet coverage: Some car insurance companies, like Progressive, include pet injury coverage when you add collision coverage to your auto policy. This provides limited coverage for vet bills if your pet is in your car during a car accident and gets hurt.
Protecting your pet can take just minutes.
Pet insurance can be a great way to manage your pet’s healthcare expenses. Before you choose a policy, here’s some more information to help you decide what plan is right for you and your pet.
Pet insurance provides partial reimbursement for your veterinary bills when your pet suffers an accident or illness that your policy covers. To maintain the coverage, you pay a monthly premium. You’ll also likely be responsible for deductibles and co-insurance any time you take your pet to the vet.
It depends. It’s a personal decision to get pet insurance for your four-legged friend. If your cat or dog needs emergency surgery or develops a chronic illness, those pet insurance premiums will pay off. There’s always a chance that you won’t need to use your pet insurance coverage, but having a policy provides peace of mind by ensuring you can afford your pet’s care.
A pet insurance deductible is a flat amount you’re responsible for paying before your insurer reimburses you for an eligible claim. Most pet insurance companies use annual deductibles, but some insurers use lifetime or per-condition ones. A higher deductible means lower monthly premiums and vice versa.
Most pet insurance companies require you to pay your vet for your pet’s care and submit your receipt when filing a claim. But some insurers will pay your veterinarian directly if you visit a vet who participates in their direct payment program. Direct vet pay is a great option for pet parents who don’t have significant savings or a high-limit credit card.
Most pet insurers reimburse you for a percentage of your eligible veterinary expenses. You can typically choose from reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%, and some companies offer up to 100% reimbursement. You need to file a claim with the company to receive the money in your bank account.
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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.
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