Having two (or more) pets in your home means double the pleasure … and double the vet bills. Imagine, in the span of three weeks, one breaks their leg on a hike and the other receives a cancer diagnosis. Would you be able to afford the costs for surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing care?
Pet insurance for multiple pets can help save you from unexpected vet expenses and offer peace of mind should your pets need care.
Average monthly premium for dogs
$41.58
Average monthly premium for cats
$24.88
Accident waiting period
3 days
On CompareCoverage’s Website
Average monthly premium for dogs
$46.74
Average monthly premium for cats
$29.06
Accident waiting period
0 days
On CompareCoverage’s Website
Average monthly premium for dogs
$72.84
Average monthly premium for cats
$39.60
Accident waiting period
0 days
On CompareCoverage’s Website
Methodology
To choose our winners for the best pet insurance for multiple pets, we analyzed 12 of the top pet insurers. We gathered more than 170 premiums and judged each company across 10 categories essential to good policies. We analyzed more than 250 data points and used more than a dozen primary data sources during our research. Winners are chosen based on their overall scores and our editorial judgment. Read our full methodology here.
Show summary
-
Embrace
: Best all-around policies for multi-pet families
-
MetLife
: Best if you want to insure up to three pets under one policy
-
ASPCA
: Best multi-pet discount
-
Spot
: Excellent for pets with behavioral and dietary issues
-
Figo
: Excellent accident waiting period
Embrace
Best all-around policies for multi-pet families
Why we picked it
Embrace helps pet owners reduce costs by reimbursing exam fees for covered vet visits and offering better-than-average policy rates. Embrace offers a 10% multiple pet discount, the highest in our study. Additionally, your coverage for accidents begins on your policy’s start date with no waiting period.
However, Embrace reimburses eligible claims after you’ve paid the vet upfront, so you’ll still need access to funds to pay the bill initially. And, if your pets are 15 years or older, they’ll only be eligible for accident-only coverage. This means you’ll be responsible for any vet costs related to illnesses.
Pros
- Pet exam fees are included for covered visits
- Premiums were lower than our study’s averages for dogs and cats
- 10% multi-pet discount
- No waiting period for accident coverage
Cons
- Have to pay vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement
- Can only purchase coverage for accidents for pets 15 years or older
Who should use it
You’re a parent of multiple young pets and want a good discount along with coverage for exam fees.
Pets Best
Best premiums for dogs and cats
Why we picked it
Pets Best had the lowest average premiums for dogs and cats of the companies we analyzed. Its average monthly premium for dogs was $41.58 — about half of the group average of $78.93. For cats, Pets Best’s average premium was $17 below average at $24.88 per month.
Also, Pets Best uses direct pay, which means the insurer can pay your vet bill instead of making you pay upfront and then request reimbursement.
On the downside, its 5% multi-pet discount was half as much as the 10% that Embrace, Spot and ASPCA offered. Plus, if you opt for the cheapest accident and illness plan, Essential, you’ll have to pay the exam fees for covered conditions out of pocket.
Pros
- Premiums were the lowest in our study for dogs and cats
- Offers direct pay
- Two of its three plans include pet exam fees for covered visits
- Three-day waiting period for accident coverage in most states
Cons
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than some competitors’ discounts
- Cheapest accident and illness plan doesn’t cover pet exam fees for covered visits
Who should use it
You want to protect your pets without breaking the bank by choosing an insurer with the best premiums and a direct pay feature.
MetLife
Best if you want to insure up to three pets under one policy
Why we picked it
While many insurers require each pet in your home to have their own policy, MetLife offers a “family pet insurance plan” that covers up to three cats and dogs with one annual deductible and one plan to keep track of. The family plan has a zero-day waiting period for accidents and coverage for accident-and-illness exam fees, and you can insure both cats and dogs together.
Plus, MetLife offers a discount if you opt for the family plan. For example, we requested two quotes with an 80% reimbursement rate, $5,000 annual coverage limit and $250 deductible: one for a three-year-old dog and cat and one for two three-year-old dogs. Both family plans were about $20 per month cheaper than the combined premiums for individual policies.
However, under the family plan, both pets would share one annual limit. While you’d have a total of $10,000 of coverage under the separate policies ($5,000 for each pet), you’d only have $5,000 for both with the family plan. This may not be enough to cover all your vet bills in a year. MetLife extends a multi-pet discount of up to 5% if you choose individual policies, but it only applies to one pet. You’ll also have to pay the vet upfront, and then request reimbursement from MetLife.
Pros
- Can insure up to three dogs and cats under one family pet insurance plan with a shared deductible
- No waiting period for accident coverage
- Pet exam fees are included for covered visits
Cons
- Annual coverage limit is shared between all pets under the family plan, which may be insufficient
- 5% multi-pet discount for individual plans is lower than some competitors’ discounts and only applies to one pet
- Have to pay vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement
Who should use it
You have three or fewer pets and want to insure them under one policy with one deductible and coverage limit.
ASPCA
Why we picked it
ASPCA’s 10% multi-pet discount puts it in a rare class of insurers. The group average in our study was 5%, meaning ASPCA’s 10% rate was double what you could expect from almost every other insurer in our analysis.
In addition to its yearly savings potential, ASPCA helps reduce the bottom line further by offering competitive pricing. Its average monthly premiums of $38.46 for a cat and $77.78 for a dog were below our study’s averages. ASPCA also includes pet exam fees in its coverage, lowering your out-of-pocket responsibility for covered claims.
On the downside, you’ll have to pay for your vet services up front and wait for reimbursement from ASPCA. Also, its 14-day waiting period for accident coverage was one of the longest among the insurers we reviewed.
Pros
- 10% multi-pet discount
- Premiums were lower than our study’s averages for dogs and cats
- Pet exam fees are included for covered visits
Cons
- Have to pay vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement
- 14-day waiting period for accident coverage
Who should use it
You don’t have a lot of cushion in your budget and want the best multi-pet discount you can find.
Spot
Excellent for pets with behavioral and dietary issues
Why we picked it
Spot set itself apart for offering coverage for prescription food and behavioral therapy, which is a huge advantage for pet owners with cats, dogs or both that are on a special diet or need specialty care for behavior issues. Most other insurers only cover one of these expenses automatically or require an add-on (either for one or both).
Additionally, Spot provides a 10% discount for insuring more than one pet and includes exam fees for covered claims as part of its reimbursement.
Spot’s excellent coverage for special treatments comes with a price tag, though; its average rates for dogs and cats were higher than the group averages. Its waiting period for accidental injuries is also one of the highest in our study at 14 days.
Pros
- Offers coverage for prescription food and behavioral therapy automatically
- 10% multi-pet discount
- Pet exam fees are included for covered visits
Cons
- Premiums were higher than our study’s averages for dogs and cats
- 14-day waiting period for accident coverage
- Have to pay vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement
Who should use it
Your beloved pet family has members that need behavioral therapy, require a special prescription diet or both.
Figo
Excellent accident waiting period
Why we picked it
Figo offered one of the shortest waiting periods for accident coverage: one day. This is an excellent benefit if you and your pets often find yourself running, hiking and exploring and you’re worried about future injuries. After your policy from Figo officially starts, you only have to wait one day before eligible accidents are covered. In other words, your accident coverage will fully take effect on the second day of your policy period. Figo’s quoted premiums were also below our study’s averages for both dogs and cats.
On the downside, Figo’s plans don’t cover pet exam fees unless you purchase an add-on. Its multi-pet discount of 5% is also lower than what’s available with other insurers we studied.
Pros
- One-day waiting period for accident coverage
- Premiums were lower than our study’s averages for dogs and cats
Cons
- Pet exam fees aren’t included for covered visits without an add-on
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than some competitors’ discounts
Who should use it
You love taking your pets out for adventures but are concerned about them accidentally getting injured.
Lemonade
Why we picked it
Lemonade makes it easy to manage your insurance policy through your mobile device. Its app had the highest score for iPhone users — 4.9 stars — of the winning insurers in our study. You can make important changes to your policy through the app, including changing your address or canceling your policy and getting a new one. You can file claims from Lemonade’s app, too.
In addition to its highly rated digital features for iOS, Lemonade’s average monthly premiums were below average for cats and dogs, and it doesn’t have a waiting period for accidents in most states.
However, keep in mind that pet exam fees aren’t covered in Lemonade policies without an add-on, and the insurer requires you to pay the vet first and then file a claim via the mobile app.
Pros
- iPhone app had a 4.9-star rating
- Premiums were lower than our study’s averages for dogs and cats
- No waiting period for accident coverage in most states
Cons
- Pet exam fees aren’t included for covered visits without an add-on
- Have to pay vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement
- Maximum 5% multi-pet discount is lower than some competitors’ discounts
Who should use it
You’re an iPhone user and want an insurer that lets you do all of your important policy tasks in-app rather than over the phone or through a website.
Our picks at a glance
Why is pet insurance for multiple pets important?
Buying multi-pet insurance has several important features that can benefit your finances and your pets’ health.
- Cost savings: If more than one of your pets has a medical emergency at the same time, pet insurance can help offset the vet bills. And, even if you don’t have to use your coverage for each pet throughout the year, having one claim covered can still help you manage your finances overall. By helping reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for the covered vet visit, you can allocate those savings and pay for other regular pet care costs you’re responsible for.
- Securing coverage before preexisting conditions occur: Taking out a policy when your pet is young and healthy helps ensure conditions that arise will be covered and not excluded as preexisting.
- Less likely to delay treatment: Insured multi-pet owners may be less afraid of high vet bills and less likely to delay visiting the vet or agreeing to costly procedures.
- Routine care: Regular checkups and vaccinations add up, especially for multi-pet owners. Purchasing a pet wellness plan to help with these costs can allow you to maintain routine care without financial concerns.
How does multi-pet insurance work?
Owners with multiple pets can bundle their pets under one insurance policy or have individual policies for each pet, depending on the specific insurer’s options. A one-policy plan usually has one shared annual deductible and monthly premium, whereas individual policies require owners to pay multiple monthly premiums (although, you may be able to have the policies on the same billing account so there’s only one charge or withdrawal per month) and meet separate deductibles.
While both options allow owners to customize coverage based on their pets’ ages, breeds and sizes, individual plans let you choose coverage limits, reimbursement rates and add-on options for each pet based on their specific needs. A one-policy plan usually applies the same limits and features to all pets insured under the plan, and you may be limited on the number of pets you can bundle together.
Most providers offer a 5% to 10% discount when you have multiple insured pets.
Whether you opt for one policy or separate policies, the claims and reimbursement process works the same. You’ll either pay your vet and then your insurer reimburses you, or your insurer pays for the covered services upfront (“direct pay”).
Your policy or policies will also have a deductible. You’ll typically see two types:
- Annual: You’ll pay out of pocket for care until you hit your deductible, at which point your reimbursement percentage (which is like coinsurance and determines what amount of the bill you’re responsible for and what your insurer is responsible for) will apply to all future bills until your policy renews the following year.
- Per-incident: Similar to auto insurance, you’ll pay a set deductible every time you make a claim. Your policy’s reimbursement rate applies to any balance left over after you pay the deductible.
What’s covered under multi-pet insurance?
Generally, multi-pet insurance offers the same coverage that single-pet policies from the same insurer do. You can select accident-only, accident and illness or pet wellness plans, in most cases. And, depending on which policy type you choose, you’ll get coverage for injuries, emergencies, illnesses, chronic conditions or routine care.
Some providers will include your pet’s exam fees in your claim reimbursement, and some may cover preexisting conditions that are curable and treatment-free for a specified period of time. Check your policy details for what’s covered under your pet insurance.
Additionally, just like single-pet policies, you’ll have a chance to change your coverage every year during the renewal period.
What are the coverage limits for multi-pet insurance?
Your coverage limit is the amount your insurer will reimburse you for claims filed in a given timeframe or, in some cases, for a specific condition. Annual coverage limits can range from $2,500 to $15,000, though the exact amount will vary based on the insurer and the plan you choose. Some may offer an unlimited coverage option, but you may be subject to a lifetime limit.
Other insurers may also set condition-specific limits. For example, an insurer may limit its coverage for dental injuries and diseases to $1,000 per year.
The coverage limits you receive for multiple pets will depend on whether you purchase one policy or separate policies.
The challenge of setting coverage limits on a single multi-pet policy is that if one pet has a costly medical issue, it can lower the coverage for your remaining pets. This could put you in a difficult financial position if one of your other pets gets sick or injured before your coverage limits reset.
One way to avoid this problem is to look for a pet insurance company that offers unlimited coverage reimbursement. Pets Best, Embrace, MetLife, Spot and Figo all offer plans with unlimited coverage, though they may be subject to state availability. Lemonade doesn’t offer unlimited coverage, but you can choose coverage limits as high as $100,000. However, keep in mind that your premiums may be significantly higher for unlimited or larger-than-average coverage limits.
If you decide to go the one-policy-per-pet route, you can choose your coverage limits for each pet based on their health and lifestyle. For example, you could choose unlimited coverage for your dog who loves to go hiking and select a $10,000 limit for your indoor cat.
How much does multi-pet insurance cost?
The cost of multi-pet insurance depends upon various factors, including your pets’ ages and breeds, your location, the number of pets you insure, whether you buy one policy or multiple and the deductibles, coverage limits and reimbursement levels you choose.
For example, say you buy pet insurance for your dog and cat through Pets Best. The monthly premiums for your dog and cat are $41.58 and $24.88, respectively, before your 5% multi-pet discount. After the discount, the total monthly cost to insure both pets is $63.14.
Is there a discount for multi-pet insurance?
Most pet insurance companies offer a 5% to 10% discount if you insure multiple pets. This discount can help you save money and possibly afford more robust coverage for all of your pets. In some cases, you may also save more if you choose to cover them under one policy, but you may have a lower total coverage limit than you would have with separate policies.
How is multi-pet insurance different from single-pet insurance?
In general, “multi-pet insurance” simply refers to pet insurance for multiple pets. With some insurers, it may refer to one insurance plan that covers several different pets. With others, it refers to purchasing a single plan for each dog or cat you want to insure. Both types of coverage work slightly differently and have their benefits and drawbacks.
Single-pet insurance plans for multiple pets
Let’s say you have three different pets: one dog whose breed is susceptible to certain health issues and two indoor cats — a three-year-old and an eight-year-old. Because each pet has their own unique needs, you choose to buy a single-pet insurance plan for each animal so you can customize their coverages.
You buy a plan for your dog that focuses on the areas of coverage you’re concerned about and has a larger coverage limit to help cover potentially greater health care costs. Then, you opt for a plan for your younger cat that has a smaller limit and less add-ons and a plan for your older cat that has a slightly larger limit to address the increased risk of health issues that comes with age.
Most insurers follow this one-policy-per-pet setup but extend a multi-pet discount, typically ranging from 5% to 10%. However, each pet will have their own deductible, so if both of your cats have to visit the vet for a covered condition and each has a $500 deductible, you would be responsible for covering $1,000 before their plans kick in.
One multi-pet insurance plan
Though rare, some insurers offer one pet insurance plan that covers all of your pets together. Since you’ll only have one deductible and won’t have to keep track of multiple policies and renewal dates, this route can be more convenient.
However, your policy’s coverage limit applies to all insured pets, so filing a claim for one pet can reduce the coverage available to your others.
So, in following the example above, let’s say you insure your dog and two cats under a shared pet insurance plan with an annual coverage limit of $10,000.
Your dog has an emergency vet visit that results in a claim payout of $7,000, so you only have $3,000 remaining until your plan renews. If your older cat has a $4,000 claim two weeks later, the insurer would pay the remaining $3,000, leaving you responsible for the leftover $1,000 balance. Once your policy renews for the next year, the full $10,000 limit would be restored.
What is the claims process for multi-pet insurance?
To file a multi-pet insurance claim, you’ll start by logging into your account either online or through the mobile app and choosing which pet the claim is for.
If your insurer requires you to pay the vet first, then you’ll provide a copy of the bill along with the vet’s notes detailing your pet’s condition. You may also be asked to provide a copy of your pet’s medical records.
Once you’ve filed the claim, you’ll be reimbursed based on your policy limits and reimbursement rate and whether you’ve already met your deductible.
If your insurer will pay the vet directly, then the process to report a claim will vary. Some require you to still submit a claim as usual and include a payment release form signed by your vet, while others may have software that allows your vet to bill the insurer automatically. You’ll be responsible for paying your deductible and any costs that aren’t covered by your policy to the vet.
How do I find a multi-pet insurance policy?
You can search the internet for multi-pet insurance policy providers and compare quotes and coverages to find the best option for your family’s needs. You can obtain quotes directly from insurers’ websites or over the phone, or you can use a comparison tool like Pawlicy Advisor to generate multiple options at once.
Is there a time limit for adding a pet to my account?
No, you can add a pet to your existing coverage at any time. Doing so might get you a multi-pet discount, too. Just remember that some policies have age limits for covered pets. For example, some policies won’t cover a pet for the first time if the pet is 10 or older.
Methodology
To choose our winners for the best pet insurance for multiple pets, we analyzed 12 of the top pet insurers. From there, we judged each company across 10 categories essential to good policies.
During our research, we gathered more than 170 premiums, analyzed over 250 data points and used more than a dozen primary data sources. The following sections describe the category we scored and the weight we gave that category in our scoring model.
Multi-pet discount (25%)
If you own more than one pet, veterinary care can be even more expensive and managing costs can be more difficult. We researched which insurers offer a multi-pet discount and what the maximum percentage is, if applicable.
Average dog premium (15%)
For the average monthly dog premiums, we gathered quotes from PetInsurer.com for a medium mixed-breed dog across three different ZIP codes and three different age groups. We used a $250 deductible (or the closest option offered by each company, which included $0, $200 and $300), a 90% reimbursement percentage when available and annual coverage limits of $5,000 and unlimited. If a $5,000 option was not available, quotes were not gathered for this coverage limit. If an unlimited option was not available, we chose the highest limit offered. We then calculated the average of all quotes gathered for each insurance company.
Average cat premium (15%)
For the average monthly cat premiums, we gathered quotes from PetInsurer.com for a domestic shorthair cat across three different ZIP codes and three different age groups. We used a $250 deductible (or the closest option offered by each company, which included $0, $200 and $300), a 90% reimbursement percentage when available and annual coverage limits of $5,000 and unlimited. If a $5,000 option was not available, quotes were not gathered for this coverage limit. If an unlimited option was not available, we chose the highest limit offered. We then calculated the average of all quotes gathered for each insurance company.
Pet exam fee (10%)
Not all pet insurance companies cover the exam fees for covered accidents and illnesses, which can increase your out-of-pocket costs. For this category, we looked to see if this coverage is automatically included with each insurer.
Direct pay (10%)
Most pet insurers require you to pay the vet first and then submit a claim to receive reimbursement for eligible expenses, which may be difficult for some since you’ll need access to a larger sum of money or a line of credit to make the initial payment. However, some insurers offer an option to pay the vet directly (“direct pay”). In this category, insurers with a direct pay feature were scored higher than those without.
Accident waiting period (7%)
Almost all pet insurance policies include a waiting period for accidents before coverage kicks in. Since an accident can occur at any time, finding a pet insurer with a smaller waiting period can be beneficial to ensure claims will be covered as soon as possible. For this category, we looked to see how long the accident waiting period is for each insurer.
Illness waiting period (7%)
Almost all pet insurance policies include a waiting period for illnesses before coverage kicks in. Since an illness can occur at any time, finding a pet insurer with a smaller waiting period can be beneficial to ensure claims will be covered as soon as possible. For this category, we looked to see how long the illness waiting period is for each insurer.
Routine wellness (5%)
Pet insurance policies don’t generally cover routine wellness or preventative care. However, many pet insurers offer separate plans or add-ons to help pay for these costs. As part of our research, we looked to see if a routine wellness plan was available with each insurer.
Euthanasia/end-of-life coverage (3%)
Some pet insurance companies don’t cover euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, although an add-on may be available. After figuring out which insurers automatically provide this coverage, we determined whether or not a covered condition was required.
24/7 vet helpline (3%)
Some pet insurance companies offer a 24/7 vet helpline to answer and discuss health-related questions and concerns. This can be helpful for pet owners in managing their pet’s health and determining what the next steps are, so the insurers that offered this service to their policyholders for free received a slight scoring boost.
What didn’t make the cut
Of the 12 pet insurance companies we analyzed for our final rankings, five did not win a category: Pumpkin, ManyPets, Fetch, Healthy Paws and Trupanion. Pumpkin and ManyPets had overall scores that met our 3-star criteria for selection but didn’t stand out in any area we studied. The other three insurers had overall scores below our 3-star threshold.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why might multi-pet insurance be a better option than individual policies for each pet?
Combining pets under one policy allows owners to have one deductible per year and one policy to manage, which can make it easier to track your spending, expenses and renewals.
Are all types of pets eligible for multi-pet insurance, or is it limited to certain species?
Most pet insurance policies, including those for multiple pets, typically apply to cats and dogs only, although some insurers will cover exotic pets like rabbits, birds and reptiles.
How do claims work when I have multiple pets insured under one policy?
The claims process for a multi-pet policy is mostly the same as an individual policy. You’ll pay the vet directly for care, file a claim with the insurer, wait for approval and then receive the reimbursement (or, if you have direct pay, the insurer will pay the vet for you). The only difference is that you must specify which pet you are submitting the claim for.
If one of my pets has a preexisting condition, will it affect the coverage or premium for my other pets?
If you have separate insurance policies for each pet, then one pet’s preexisting condition won’t affect the coverage or premium for another pet. If you have one policy for multiple pets, then a preexisting condition may be factored into the overall policy premium and coverage options.
Can I customize the coverage for each pet under a multi-pet insurance policy?
If you have one policy for multiple pets, then no, you can’t have different coverage types and amounts for each pet. For example, MetLife’s single-policy-for-multiple-pets option has a shared deductible and the same coverage for every pet, including add-on options like for wellness or preventative care. If you want to customize coverage for each of your pets, you’ll have to get separate individual policies.
If one of my pets passes away, how does that affect my multi-pet insurance policy?
Every provider handles policies differently. If you have two pets with separate policies and one passes away, it won’t affect the other policy, but you will no longer receive a multi-pet discount.
If you have one policy for more than two pets and one passes, then your insurer will likely lower your premium but maintain the multi-pet discount. But, if you had a two-pet plan, it’ll change you to a single-pet plan and remove the multi-policy discount. Keep in mind that any revisions to your policy might reset your annual limits and deductible.
Additional reporting by Jamie Johnson
