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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.
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Table of contents
Spot Pet Insurance offers flexible, customizable plans to help you protect your pet — no matter their age. You can choose between accident-only and accident and illness coverage and adjust your annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates to match your budget.
Spot also offers optional wellness coverage as an add-on, which helps pay for routine care, like checkups, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations. Unlike some insurers, Spot doesn’t have an upper age limit for coverage, so you can even insure senior pets.[1]
The average monthly cost of Spot pet insurance is $27 for dogs and $13 for cats, according to our data.
We cover everything you need to know about Spot pet insurance in the sections below.
Spot may cover curable pre-existing medical conditions if your pet remains symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days.
If you insure more than one pet with Spot, you may be able to get a discount of 10% for each additional pet.
Spot doesn’t require you to get your pet examined by a vet before enrolling, but recommends you take them for a checkup at least once per year.
Our Take on Spot Pet Insurance
Offers various deductible and reimbursement options
Insures senior pets without age restrictions
Provides optional wellness plans
Requires 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses
Doesn’t offer direct payments to veterinarians
No 100% reimbursement option
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident and illness coverage, a lower-cost accident-only plan, and optional wellness add-ons for dogs and cats. Like most pet insurers, Spot doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. But if your pet recovers and remains symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days, the condition may be eligible for future coverage.
Spot doesn’t have an age limit, so you can enroll your pet at any stage of life.
With no upper age limit for enrollment and the possibility of getting coverage for some pre-existing conditions, Spot can be a good option for older pets that haven’t previously been insured.
It can also be good for pet parents who would like help paying for routine care. Its accident and illness policies cover prescription food and alternative therapies.
We also like that Spot offers a multi-pet discount – not many insurers do. But Spot doesn’t offer a 100% reimbursement option, or make direct payments to veterinarians.
Spot Pet Insurance Costs by Dog Breed
Spot covers dogs of all ages and breeds, but both factors can affect how much you pay for coverage.
Some breeds are more prone to certain health conditions, which can lead to higher average premiums. For example, large or flat-faced breeds often cost more to insure than mixed-breed dogs or breeds with fewer known medical issues.
The following table shows the average cost of Spot Pet Insurance for some popular dog breeds, according to our data.
Breed | Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|
Beagle | $36 |
Bernese mountain dog | $68 |
Bichon frise | $47 |
Border collie | $22 |
Cane corso | $42 |
Cavalier king | $30 |
Chihuahua | $62 |
Dachshund | $74 |
Doberman pinscher | $40 |
English bulldog | $57 |
French bulldog | $81 |
German shepherd | $43 |
German shorthaired pointer | $30 |
Golden retriever | $83 |
Goldendoodle | $48 |
Great dane | $47 |
Husky | $28 |
Labrador | $75 |
Mastiff | $41 |
Mixed | $38 |
Pit bull | $36 |
Pomeranian | $25 |
Poodle | $42 |
Poodle toy | $22 |
Rottweiler | $51 |
Shiba inu | $20 |
Shih tzu | $33 |
Yorkshire terrier | $37 |
Overall average | $27 |
Spot Pet Insurance Costs by Cat Breed
As with dogs, Spot covers cats of all ages and breeds. Still, your monthly premium will vary based on a few key factors, such as your cat’s age, breed, and where you live.
For example, older cats can be more prone to getting sick, while some breeds are more susceptible to certain hereditary health risks that can lead to higher costs.
The following table shows Spot’s average premiums for some popular cat breeds, according to our data.
Breed | Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|
American shorthair | $23 |
British shorthair | $23 |
Maine coon | $21 |
Mixed | $30 |
Persian | $21 |
Pure | $19 |
Ragdoll | $15 |
Siamese | $13 |
Overall average | $13 |
Spot Pet Insurance Policy Options
Spot Pet Insurance offers two main plans: accident-only and accident and illness coverage.
Accident-only coverage helps pay for emergency care, surgery, and rehab after unexpected injuries — like broken bones or swallowed toys. Generally, this is the cheapest type of pet insurance policy.
An accident and illness policy is more comprehensive and pays for diagnostics, treatments, and medications for both accidents and common illnesses. Although these policies cost more, they cover a wider range of health issues and provide more robust benefits.
Spot’s accident and illness policies cover things like:
Skin, ear, and eye infections
Cancer and growths
Behavioral issues
Hereditary conditions
Dental illnesses
Prescription food
Alternative therapies
You’ll also get coverage for vet exam fees, lab tests, MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, surgery, hospitalization, IV fluids, prescription medications, and medical supplies.
Spot also offers a wellness add-on that helps cover the cost of routine care. This optional wellness plan reimburses you for preventive services like annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, spaying or neutering, and flea or heartworm prevention.
And, if you insure more than one pet with Spot, you may be eligible for a 10% discount for each additional pet.[2]
What Spot’s pet insurance policies do and don’t cover
Like most pet insurers, Spot doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. That means if your pet shows symptoms of a certain problem before your policy starts (or during the waiting period), Spot won’t cover it. But, if your pet recovers from a pre-existing problem and remains symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days, Spot might cover it if the problem reoccurs in the future.
It’s important to note that Spot applies a 14-day waiting period for all policies.[3] That means your coverage starts on the 15th day after you buy a policy. If your pet gets injured or sick during the waiting period, Spot won’t cover your veterinary costs.[4]
Here’s a look at what Spot typically covers for common conditions and treatments, according to our research:
Condition/Treatment | Coverage |
---|---|
Skin, eye, and ear infections | |
Cancer and growths | |
Behavioral issues | |
Cosmetic procedures | |
Hereditary conditions | |
Pre-existing conditions | |
Dental illnesses | |
Vet exam fees and lab tests | |
MRIs, CT Scans, and X-rays | |
Surgery and hospitalization | |
IV fluids and medications | |
Medical supplies |
How Does Spot Pet Insurance Work?
Spot uses a reimbursement model, which means you’ll pay your vet bill up front and the company will reimburse you based on your policy details. You can customize your plan by choosing your deductible, annual coverage limit, and reimbursement rate.
Here’s how it works:
Let’s say your dog needs emergency surgery that costs $2,000, and your policy has a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement rate, and a $5,000 annual coverage limit.
You’d pay the $500 deductible out of pocket directly to your vet. Then, Spot would reimburse 90% of the remaining $1,500 — that’s $1,350 back in your pocket. After that claim, you’d still have $3,650 left in your annual limit for the year.
You can submit claims through Spot’s website or mobile app. To get reimbursed, you’ll need to upload proof of payment and medical records from your vet visit. Once Spot approves your claim, it will process your reimbursement based on your plan’s details.
It’s worth noting that Spot doesn’t apply any per-condition or lifetime caps to your payouts if you have an accident and illness policy.
Spot vs. Fetch, Nationwide, and Figo
It’s a good idea to compare pet insurance quotes from multiple companies before choosing the one that’s best for your needs. After all, coverage limits, age limits, breed limitations, deductibles, reimbursement rates, discounts, and more can vary significantly among insurers.
Here’s how Spot Pet Insurance stacks up against some top competitors.
Fetch
Covers sick-visit exam fees
No upper age limit for enrollment
Pays up to $1,000 to advertise a missing pet and offer a reward
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Doesn’t cover prescription food
Long waiting period for orthopedic conditions
Fetch offers comprehensive pet insurance that includes coverage for some health issues other insurers exclude, like full dental care. Annual payout limits range from $5,000 to $15,000, with reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90%. To get coverage for routine and preventive care, you can add Fetch Wellness.
Nationwide
Veterinarian advice available 24/7 through VetHelpline app
Prescription drug savings plans available through Walmart and Sam’s Club
5% discount available for multiple pets and for current Nationwide customers
No coverage for hereditary conditions
Doesn’t cover chronic conditions like hip dysplasia
No 100% reimbursement option available
Nationwide’s base plan only covers accidents. Illness and wellness coverage are optional add-ons. You can customize your Nationwide pet insurance policy by choosing a $5,000 annual coverage limit or unlimited coverage for accident and illness plans. Wellness plan limits are $450 or $800, and reimbursement options range from just 50% to 80%.
Figo
No upper age limit for new policies
Multiple reimbursement and deductible options
24/7 virtual vet visits included
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Many negative customer reviews about claims
No coverage for prescription food
If you’re looking for a customized pet insurance policy, Figo is worth considering. The insurer has no upper age limit for enrollment and offers reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%. You can choose unlimited coverage, and deductibles range from $100 to $750. Add-ons include coverage for vet exam fees and wellness plans.
Spot Pet Insurance FAQs
We’ve answered some common questions pet parents might have about Spot Pet Insurance.
Does Spot pet insurance have age restrictions?
No. You can enroll your pet as early as 8 weeks old, and there’s no upper age limit for coverage or enrollment. But keep in mind that insuring your pet at a young age could help you avoid an exclusion for a pre-existing condition later in life.
Does Spot pet insurance have waiting periods?
Yes, Spot has 14-day waiting periods for illnesses and accidents. But, in some states, Spot’s waiting period for accidents is as little as one day.
Do you have to visit a vet before you enroll in a Spot policy?
No, Spot doesn’t require a veterinary exam before you enroll your pet. But the insurer recommends your pet get a checkup at least once a year to keep them healthy.
How long does Spot take to reimburse a claim?
Spot typically processes claims within 10 days of receiving all necessary information. Most claims are processed in less than three days, and it pays reimbursements either via direct deposit or check.
Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative AI tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more about our editorial process.
Sources
- Spot Pet Insurance. "Compare Pet Insurance Providers."
- Spot Pet Insurance. "Frequently Asked Questions."
- Spot Pet Insurance. "Pet Insurance Waiting Periods: Everything You Need to Know."
- Spot Pet Insurance. "Sample Policy."