Pets Best is the best pet insurance company of 2024, according to our in-depth analysis of accident and illness plans. Pets Best pet insurance gets top marks for its relatively low prices for unlimited annual coverage, discounts, 24/7 vet health line and availability of wellness plans for routine care. Pets Best Essential plan gets 5 stars in our rating, but you pay more for broader coverage with the Plus or Elite plan.
The best pet insurance companies of 2024
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Top-rated pet insurance companies of 2024
Best pet insurance for dogs
Heidi’s expert take:
“Pets Best is our top pick for best pet insurance because you get a lot of coverage for the price. Of the pet insurance plans with unlimited annual coverage we analyzed, the Pets Best Essential plan has the cheapest insurance for dogs and the second most affordable pet insurance for cats. I recommend getting a quote with the multi-pet discount if you have more than one pet, to see how much you could save.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for fast claims processing
Heidi’s expert take:
“Lemonade uses ‘AI Jim’ to handle claims processing through its app, to speed up the reimbursement process. Its goal is for most simple claims to be paid instantly, directly to your bank account. But it may take longer if a human has to manually process your claim. I recommend reading online reviews about Lemonade pet insurance claims that were denied so you understand how this process may work for you.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for quick accident coverage
Heidi’s expert take:
“Figo offers a lot of options to help you tailor your pet insurance plan to your budget. For instance, you can choose a rare 100% reimbursement percentage, if you opt for $10,000 in annual coverage with a $500 or $750 deductible. If you can afford it, I recommend paying a little extra to get coverage for vet exam fees. You may also want to add a wellness plan.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for multiple pets
Heidi’s expert take:
“Embrace is not the most affordable pet insurance in our rating, but its accident and illness plans cover complementary treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, behavioral therapy and specialist care. I recommend weighing the enhanced coverage you get with Embrace and deciding if it’s worth the higher price to you.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for alternative therapies
Heidi’s expert take:
“Paw Protect offers expansive coverage which includes dental injuries and accidents up to $1,000. Its plans also cover your service animal, mobility devices for your pet and alternative therapies like acupuncture. Embrace powers this pet insurance, but unlike Embrace, Paw Protect covers vet exam fees at no additional charge.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance for cats
Heidi’s expert take:
“Healthy Paws has the cheapest cat insurance of the companies in our rating. However, if you’re looking for an accident only plan, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Healthy Paws also doesn’t offer wellness plans, so if this coverage is important to you, I recommend shopping for a more comprehensive pet insurance plan.”
Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint
Best pet insurance companies comparison 2024
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | OUR RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE | AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE | Learn More | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48 | $28 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $50 | $27 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $59 | $26 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $76 | $37 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Paw Protect | $77 | $38 | ||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $54 | $21 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $76 | $39 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $50 | $30 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $124 | $59 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $97 | $46 | |||||||||
|
Average monthly pet insurance cost assumes unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement percentage for a dog insurance accident and illness plan. These top-rated pet insurance company rates are based on the average cost to insure dogs and cats of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes.
Best pet insurance for dogs in 2024
Pets Best offers the best dog insurance for the price. Of the plans we analyzed, the Pets Best Essential plan has the most affordable pet insurance for dogs, with an average rate of $48 per month for unlimited annual coverage. This is a monthly savings of $23 from the national average.
Best pet insurance for puppies
Pets Best has the best pet insurance for puppies of the companies we analyzed, based on the average cost of pet insurance premiums. The average rate for a Pets Best accident and illness plan with unlimited annual coverage, 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible for a 3-month-old puppy is $38 per month.
Pumpkin is also a good choice for puppy pet insurance if you’re interested in a wellness plan. Dogs under 6 months can get extensive preventative care through Pumpkin’s add-on Preventative Essentials plan.
Best pet insurance for senior dogs
Pumpkin has some of the best dog insurance for older dogs. It has no special waiting period for problems like knee injuries or hip dysplasia and it provides coverage for virtual vet visits. Pumpkin has no upper age restrictions and no reducing coverage as your pet ages.
Best pet insurance for cats
Healthy Paws has the best cat insurance of the pet insurance companies in our rating, based on cost. A Healthy Paws accident and illness pet plan for cats with unlimited annual coverage has an average pet insurance cost of $21 per month.
Best pet insurance for kittens
Healthy Paws offers the best cat insurance for young pets, based on the average rates we reviewed. Insuring a 3-month-old kitten with unlimited annual coverage from Healthy Paws will only cost about $16 per month.
Best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions
Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, including any symptoms your pet experienced or was treated for before pet insurance coverage starts or during a waiting period. If you read pet insurance reviews, you will find many consumers who are unhappy their pet insurance claims were denied because of a “pre-existing condition” like vomiting or diarrhea.
Some pet insurance companies advertise that they cover select “curable” pre-existing conditions, such as a paw fracture or upper respiratory infection, if your pet has been free of symptoms and treatment for a certain amount of time, often 12 or 18 months.
Embrace, Paw Protect and Pets Best are the best pet insurance companies in our ranking that cover certain curable pre-existing conditions. It’s important to understand which conditions each company considers curable, and how long it takes to be considered cured, before buying a plan.
Which conditions are covered? Best pet insurance companies for pre-existing conditions
How much is pet insurance?
The average cost of pet insurance for a dog is $852 per year for an accident and illness policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage. The average dog insurance cost per month is $71.
How much you pay for your pet insurance premium will depend on the pet insurance plan options you choose, your pet’s breed, age and gender and other factors such as where you live.
To find the most affordable pet insurance for your needs, request multiple pet insurance quotes. Compare pet insurance quotes side by side to make sure you’re getting the same, or better, coverage for the cost
Average pet insurance cost per month for dogs
Pet insurance for dogs costs an average of:
- $51 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage.
- $71 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage.
Average pet insurance cost per month for cats
Pet insurance for cats costs an average of:
- $26 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage.
- $37 per month for unlimited coverage.
Factors that affect your pet insurance cost
How much you pay for pet insurance will depend on several factors.
- Animal: Dog insurance is typically more expensive than cat insurance.
- Breed: Some breeds cost more to insure because they are more prone to illnesses and hereditary issues.
- Age: Older pets cost more to insure because they are more likely to have health issues that require veterinary care.
- Gender: Female pets are about 5% cheaper to insure, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Location: If you live in a city where vet expenses are higher, that will be factored into the cost of your pet insurance.
- Coverage: The annual coverage limit, deductible and reimbursement level you choose will impact your pet insurance premium.
Pet insurance discounts
Vet care can break your budget if you haven’t planned ahead by saving or buying affordable pet insurance that meets your pet’s needs. Many pet insurance companies also offer discounts that can make insurance more affordable.
- Multi-pet discounts: If you enroll two or more pets, you may qualify for a discount. To find the best pet insurance for multiple pets, get several quotes to compare savings across pet insurance companies.
- Upfront payment discounts: If you pay your pet insurance in one lump sum rather than opting for monthly or quarterly payments, you may qualify for a discount.
- Military discount: If you are a military service member or veteran, you may qualify for a discount.
How to buy pet insurance
To find the best pet insurance, you should compare pet insurance quotes from several insurers. You can do this:
- Online. Many pet insurance company websites will give you a quote after you answer a few questions about your pet. You can also use a pet insurance comparison site to compare pet insurance plans and prices from multiple companies.
- By phone, email or in person. You can work with a representative from an insurance company to get a pet insurance quote, or with an independent insurance agent to compare quotes from several pet insurance companies.
Is pet insurance worth it?
If you consider how quickly vet bills could add up in an emergency, you may decide that pet insurance is worth it to you.
“Accidents can happen to any pet, regardless of age,” said Brian Jorgensen, head of MetLife Pet Insurance. “In the U.S., a pet receives medical care every 2.5 seconds, and 1 in 3 pets need emergency veterinary treatments every year.”
Top pet insurance claims paid
The table below shows the most expensive pet insurance claims paid so far this year by Embrace.
2024 claims data from Embrace Pet Insurance.
Average pet insurance claim amount
While most pet insurance claims won’t be in the tens of thousands of dollars, Embrace data shows that average claim costs have risen 17.54% since 2021.
Here are the average pet insurance claim amounts in the U.S.
- 2021 average claim cost: $382.
- 2022 average claim cost: $406.
- 2023 average claim cost: $437.
- 2024 year-to-date average claim cost: $449.
States with the highest average claims
Claims data from June 2024 made available by Embrace Pet Insurance.
Find the best pet insurance by state
To find the best pet insurance, we analyzed 13 pet insurance companies. Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs with the highest annual coverage limit available, a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement percentage.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an annual reimbursement level of $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan scored full points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Multipet discount: 5 points. Pet insurance companies that offer a discount for insuring more than one pet received full points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, we gave the company points in this category.
Best pet insurance FAQs
What is the best dog insurance?
Pets Best has the best dog insurance for the price. The average cost of dog insurance with the Pets Best Essential plan is $48 per month for unlimited annual coverage. This is quite a bit lower than the national average of $71 for a similar plan.
Shopping for coverage? How to find the best pet insurance
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, some companies will consider certain pre-existing conditions “cured” if the pet is symptom-free for a certain number of days. This will vary by insurer, so make sure you understand the terms and conditions before committing to a plan.
Does pet insurance cover wellness exams?
Pet insurance covers unexpected injuries or illnesses, not routine care. Wellness exams aren’t covered unless you purchase a wellness plan or rider to your accident and illness plan.
Is pet insurance expensive?
The average cost of pet insurance is $51 per month for dogs for $5,000 of annual coverage or $71 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage.
The average cost is $26 per month for cats for $5,000 in annual coverage or $37 for a plan with unlimited coverage.
Is pet insurance tax deductible?
Pet insurance is not tax-deductible, but you may be able to write off a portion of your pet’s medical expenses if your pet is a certified service animal, like a guide dog.
You might also be able to claim vet bills on your taxes if:
- You are fostering a pet for a nonprofit organization that is registered with the IRS.
- Your pet is established as a business animal such as a guard dog if you are self-employed.
- Your pet generates income for you, like a show dog or pet influencer with a monetized YouTube channel.
Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Pet insurance accident and illness plans do not typically cover spaying and neutering, but you can often get coverage through a wellness plan.
One exception may be if your pet develops a condition that makes spaying or neutering a medical necessity. If your pet is already enrolled in pet insurance, and the medical condition is not pre-existing, desexing might be covered.
More pet insurance ratings
Pet insurance reviews
Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:
