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Pet insurance: It’s like health insurance for your furry (or feathered, or scaly) family members, because vet bills can be a real tail-biter! With so many options out there, picking the right pet insurance can feel like navigating a labyrinth.
Fear not, pet ‘rents! We’ve got the lowdown from the experts to help you find the best pet insurance companies. We spoke with Dr. Jamie Richardson, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Small Door Vet, as well as Dr. Sara Bledsoe, DVM, CVA, CHPV, a veterinarian at Chewy to find out what makes a great insurance company and which ones are worth going for (check out our FAQs below).
best pet insurance companies
Diving right in, here’s the scoop on who’s top dog (and cat, and lizard, and parrot…) in the world of pet insurance.
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Pros:
- New player with a strong customer service reputation
- Offers wellness plans
- Easy to use and understand policies
- Unlimited lifetime coverage without caps on select plans
- Access to Chewy’s Connect with a Vet telehealth service
- Free and unlimited with most plans.
- Discounts are available for multiple pets through Chewy’s partnership with Lemonade and Trupanion
Cons:
- Limited historical data on claim processing
- Coverage options may be less extensive than more established providers
Chewy is the playful puppy in the pet insurance world: new, energetic, and eager to please. Known for their stellar customer service, they’ve quickly become a favorite among pet owners. With wellness plans and straightforward policies, Chewy is a great option for those looking to insure multiple pets under one roof.
Price: Plans start at $20 per month for cats and $30 per month for dogs, with multi-pet discounts available.
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage with no annual or lifetime limits
- Lightning-fast claim processing (Zoom, zoom!)
- Excellent customer service with rave reviews from pet parents
Cons:
- No wellness plan or preventative care coverage
- Doesn’t cover exam fees
Healthy Paws is like the golden retriever of pet insurance: friendly, reliable, and always there when you need it. Their no-fuss approach and rapid claim payouts make them a favorite among experts. Plus, their unlimited coverage ensures your pet can get the care they need without you worrying about caps on reimbursements.
According to Dr. Richardson, Healthy Paws offers “solid comprehensive coverage, high reimbursement rates, and unlimited lifetime benefits.”
Price: Plans typically range from $25 to $45 per month for dogs and $15 to $25 per month for cats, depending on the age, breed, and location of your pet.
Pros:
- Customizable plans with flexible deductible options
- Covers exam fees and prescription medications
- Offers a wellness rewards program
Cons:
- Annual coverage limits
- Claims processing can be a bit slow
Embrace is like the lovable mutt with a little bit of everything. Their customizable plans and wellness rewards are a hit with pet parents who like to tailor coverage to their pet’s unique needs. They even cover exam fees, which many others don’t. Just be patient with the claims process — it’s worth it.
According to Dr. Richardson, “Embrace offers customizable plans and wellness rewards and helps balance coverage and cost.”
Price: Plans start around $13 per month for cats and $18 per month for dogs, with wellness rewards available for an additional fee.
Pros:
- Direct payments to vets (no waiting for reimbursement)
- 90% coverage on eligible claims
- Coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions
Cons:
- No multi-pet discount
- Higher premiums than some competitors
Trupanion is the German shepherd of pet insurance: dependable, strong, and always on duty. Their direct vet payment system takes the stress out of expensive treatments, making it a top pick for those who don’t want to play the waiting game with reimbursements. Plus, their robust coverage is perfect for the varied health needs of dogs.
According to Dr. Richardson, Trupanion is “known for its comprehensive coverage, no payout limits, and direct vet payments (unique in the space).”
Price: Plans typically range from $60 to $90 per month for dogs, varying based on breed, age, and location.
Best for cats: Fetch (formerly Petplan)
Pros:
- Covers a wide range of treatments including holistic therapies
- No age limit on coverage
- Fast claims reimbursement
Cons:
- Higher premiums for older pets
- No wellness or preventative care coverage
Fetch is the (recently rebranded) wise old owl of pet insurance: knowledgeable and comprehensive. They cover treatments that others might balk at, like holistic therapies, and they welcome pets of any age. If you’ve got a feline friend, Petplan’s extensive coverage and fast reimbursements will keep your cat purring.
According to Dr. Richardson, Fetch “offers comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of cats, including dental and behavioral therapy, which are important for feline health.”
Price: Plans start at around $20 per month for cats, with premiums varying based on age, breed, and location.
Best for healthy pet discounts: Nationwide
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage including exotic pets
- Wellness plans available
- Discounts for multiple pets
Cons:
- Higher premiums for comprehensive plans
- Some exclusions apply
Nationwide is the all-inclusive resort of pet insurance: they cover just about everything, including exotic pets. If you’ve got a menagerie at home, Nationwide’s multi-pet discounts and wellness plans can save you a bundle. They also offer a healthy pet discount, rewarding you for keeping your pets in top shape.
According to Dr. Richardson, “The discounts they offer for health pets make this a unique way to save on more routine care.”
Price: Plans typically range from $35 to $60 per month for dogs and $18 to $35 per month for cats, with discounts available for multiple pets.
Best for pre-existing conditions: Pet Assure
Pros:
- No exclusions for pre-existing conditions
- Instant discount at participating veterinarians
- No annual limits or deductibles
Cons:
- Only offers a discount plan, not insurance
- Limited to participating vet networks
Pet Assure is the gentle giant of pet care, accepting all pets regardless of their health history. While it’s a discount plan rather than traditional insurance, it provides immediate savings on vet visits, making it ideal for pets with pre-existing conditions.
According to Dr. Richardson, “Pet Assure is not traditional insurance but a discount program that covers pre-existing conditions, which is a significant benefit for pets with existing health issues.”
Price: Plans start at $9.95 per month for a single cat and $11.95 per month for a single dog. Family plans covering 2-4 pets are $16.95 per month.
The verdict
Picking the right pet insurance is like finding the perfect leash: it needs to fit just right and keep your pet safe and secure. Whether you’re drawn to the comprehensive coverage of Healthy Paws, the value-packed plans of Embrace, the dog-centric policies of Trupanion, the cat-friendly options of Petplan, or the multi-pet focus of Chewy, there’s a perfect fit out there for every pet parent. So, go ahead, make the choice, and give your pet the gift of health and happiness!
FAQs
What makes great pet insurance?
A great pet insurance policy is one that is right for your financial needs and the health needs of your pet,” stated Dr. Bledsoe. “If you decide that pet insurance is right for you and your pet, don’t wait to purchase a policy. Pet insurance can benefit your pet at every life stage. Start researching policies once you have an idea of what type of coverage you need for your pet and how much you would like to pay.
“Speaking to a licensed representative who can have a conversation about pet insurance is the best way to answer all your questions along with reviewing the information provided online from the company’s website.
“There are many options out there, but when it comes to CarePlus by Chewy, pet parents have the option to select wellness and insurance plans provided by Trupanion or Lemonade. The most important thing is to review the various options carefully and consider what’s right for you and your pet!
“The first step to buying pet insurance is to know what you need. A great place to start is by asking yourself the following questions:
- Is my pet young and healthy, or getting to an age where health problems start to develop?
- Has my pet been diagnosed with any underlying health conditions? Do they take any current medications? Is my pet’s breed prone to certain health conditions?
- What’s my budget for pet insurance? How much can I afford each month?
- How much can I afford to spend out of pocket in a health emergency if you had to meet a higher deductible?”
According to Dr. Richardson, who “would define ‘great’ pet insurance as including comprehensive coverage, flexible plans, and a solid record of excellent customer service,” some key features to look for are…
- “Comprehensive Coverage: Covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions (important if you have a pure breed!), chronic conditions, and emergency care.
- High Reimbursement Rates: A higher percentage of vet bills covered, ideally 80-90%.
- No or Low Deductibles: Lower out-of-pocket costs before insurance kicks in.
- Fast Claims Processing: Quick, low-stress claim reimbursement process with minimal bartering. Some insurance companies will even pay your vet directly (Trupanion).
- Lifetime Coverage: No limits on payouts over the pet’s lifetime. This is an important one if you have a pet that suffers from any chronic illness!
- No Exclusions for Breed-Specific Conditions: Covers conditions that are common in specific breeds.”
Why is having pet insurance important?
- Peace of mind: According to Dr. Bledsoe, “When surveying Chewy customers about why they choose pet insurance, those who have a wellness or insurance plan cite the top reason is peace of mind — almost half (48%) of survey respondents agreed that is the primary reason for purchasing pet insurance is knowing they can take care of their pets if something happens to them.
- Financial stability: “People who opt for pet insurance have weighed the risks of waiting for a multi-thousand-dollar medical event against the average monthly cost for pet insurance (which is around $30 for cats and $50 for dogs), and budgeted accordingly. With CarePlus by Chewy, there are options that work for everyone’s budget and give pet parents the confidence that the coverage is there if and when they need it. According to Dr. Richardson, “Having insurance reduces the financial stress on pet owners when having to make treatment options, especially for unexpected emergencies or major surgeries. It can provide peace of mind knowing that your pet is covered and allows you to focus on their health.”
- Highest quality care: “When a pet parent already has insurance, veterinarians can deliver necessary care without compromises or having to worry about the customer’s ability to afford it,” says Dr. Bledsoe. “When veterinarians are working with people in financial distress, they run many risks including less preventative care upfront, not to mention debt, competing client loads, and the emotional challenges that come with that territory.” According to Dr. Richardson, “insurance can enable you to opt for more advanced or extensive treatment options.”
“It’s a great idea for puppy and kitten owners to look into pet insurance, continued Dr. Bledsoe. “After all, the first year of a pet’s life can be quite expensive with vaccinations, check-ups, spay/neuter procedures, fecal testing, etc. — and that’s just for wellness! If anything were to go wrong — for example, orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, overzealous chewers swallowing toys, kittens chewing on electrical cords — then at least you can be covered for any diagnostics, treatments or surgeries that may be required.
“In adulthood, different breeds age at different paces. Large breed dogs age much faster than smaller breeds, so a two-year-old Irish Wolfhound may have significantly different needs than a two-year-old Chihuahua. Getting pet insurance early on in your pet’s life allows you to provide the highest quality care possible for your young pet, which may just help them age more gracefully.
“Many pet parents have a pet savings account, and others rely on credit lines such as CareCredit or ScratchPay in more expensive situations. However, pet insurance may be much more affordable than many pet parents think (especially when compared with human health policies), so make sure you check out different policies before you decide against insurance.”
What is the difference between wellness and insurance plans?
“Most providers offer a unique selection of pet wellness and insurance plans, which you can buy standalone or together (coverage by state may vary),” commented Dr. Bledsoe.
“Insurance plans are designed to help in the event of accidents and illnesses. These plans cover new, unexpected healthcare needs from accidents to illnesses. Coverage can include surgeries, X-rays, medications, fees related to hospitalizations, and more. To make sure you get the most out of your coverage, it’s best to enroll in a pet insurance plan when your pet is young and healthy. If they get injured or sick before they are covered, treatments related to these issues would not be covered, since those conditions would be considered pre-existing.
“Wellness plans are affordable, annual packages designed to cover preventative care for your pet. These plans can help you cover your pet’s annual veterinary exam fee, vaccines, lab tests (e.g., annual heartworm test), dental cleaning, spay neutering, and flea, tick, and heartworm medications.”
Can you provide a brief description of CarePlus and how it works with Trupanion and Lemonade?
“We partnered with Trupanion and Lemonade to offer leading pet insurance and wellness plans on the market exclusively for Chewy customers,” said Dr. Bledsoe. “We want you to understand the parties involved in offering these plans for you and your pet.”
Here’s a breakdown of CarePlus’s partnerships and how they work together:
- “Chewy is us.” Dr. Bledsoe stated. “We are offering these wellness and insurance plans through Chewy Insurance Services, LLC., our licensed insurance agency. CarePlus is Chewy’s pet wellness and insurance brand that has curated these plans for you.
- Trupanion is one of our program partners and an affiliate of the American Pet Insurance Company. Trupanion administers the policy and manages claims on APIC’s behalf. Once you enroll in an insurance or wellness plan, you will begin to receive communications from Trupanion regarding your plan(s).
- Lemonade is one of our program partners, and a certified B Corp and Public Benefit Corporation. Lemonade administers the policy and manages claims. Once you enroll in an insurance plan, you will begin to receive communications from Lemonade regarding your plan(s).
- American Pet Insurance Company or ZPIC Insurance Company are the underwriters for Trupanion that issue the wellness and insurance plans and are responsible for collecting your monthly premium and paying customer claims.
- Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company are the underwriters for Lemonade that issue the wellness and insurance plans and are responsible for collecting your monthly premium and paying customer claims.”
Are there any discounts available if you bundle Wellness and Insurance plans with CarePlus?
According to Dr. Bledsoe, the answer is “yes, which partner you choose determines the type of discounts available for your eligible pet.” For example:
- Trupanion multipet: if you insure 2 or more pets with a Trupanion plan, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your monthly premium for all pets (inclusive of wellness and Insurance plans).
- Lemonade multipet: if you insure 2 or more pets with a Lemonade plan, you’ll receive a 5% discount on your monthly premium for all pets (the discount only applies to the Accident & Illness portion of your policy).
- Lemonade bundling discount: If you’re also covered with Lemonade homeowners, renters, term life, or car insurance, you’ll receive a 10% discount on each policy.
- Lemonade annual discount: if you choose to pay for a whole year of Lemonade pet insurance upfront, you will receive a 5% discount.”
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