Key Takeaways
- The best pet insurance companies to insure multiple pets are Lemonade and ManyPets. According to research by the MarketWatch Guides team, these companies offer a mix of coverage and value to multi-pet owners.
- The average dog owner spends more than $28,000 over their pet’s lifetime, which adds up to $56,000 for two dogs and even more if you have additional pets.
- Pet insurance can help offset annual and lifetime veterinary costs for multi-pet households, safeguarding your finances and ensuring your pets get necessary care.
What Is Pet Insurance For Multiple Pets and How Does It Work?
Having more than one pet increases your routine vet bills and the likelihood that you will have to pay emergency vet bills during your pets’ lifetimes. Getting a pet insurance plan for multiple pets can protect you from future financial burdens and provide peace of mind knowing your pets are covered in the event of an emergency.
When purchasing multi-pet insurance, you can typically select an option to add pets during policy enrollment. Most companies offer a 5% to 10% discount for having two or more pets on a single policy.
However, as a pet owner, you have the choice of purchasing a completely separate policy for additional pets. You may choose this option if you already have an insurance plan for an existing pet then get a new animal, or if your pet is beyond the age threshold for your preferred company.
MarketWatch Guides Tip
We recommend getting quotes for a multi-pet policy from at least three pet insurance providers. Each pet insurance company offers varying levels of coverage and multi-pet discounts. We suggest looking at the overall plan cost instead of just the multi-pet discount offered by a provider.
How Does Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets Work?
Pet insurance for multiple pets works similarly to a single-pet policy. You can expect the following process when you enroll in coverage and file a claim:
- Choose a provider and pick your first pet’s plan using the provider’s website. From there, you can choose to add more than one pet. If you already have a policy and would like to add a pet, call customer service to ensure your pet gets added correctly.
- Pick a deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate for each pet, which may vary depending on each animal’s age. If you enroll two or more pets under the same provider and that provider offers a multi-pet discount, you should see savings on each policy.
- You will pay for veterinary care at the time of service when you visit for an accident or illness or an annual exam if you have wellness benefits.
- Submitting a claim on a multi-pet insurance policy is similar to a single-pet insurance plan. The only difference is you will likely have to select which animal the claim is for and provide corresponding medical documentation.
- You should receive the reimbursement based on your policy parameters via direct deposit or a paper check delivered in the mail. So, for example, if you file a claim for a veterinary bill worth $1,500 and have a policy with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate, you would receive $1,000 back.
Why Get Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets?
Pet insurance can protect pet owners from surprise veterinary bills that could create financial hardship. According to our research, annual veterinary costs can total $855, including routine visits, emergency care, vaccines and medications. An unforeseen chronic illness or serious emergency could escalate annual pet costs into the thousands.
The more pets you have at home, the more likely you are to encounter large veterinary expenses. Pet insurance for multiple pets provides coverage for each pet in the household, offering a predictable monthly premium instead of risking a major veterinary bill each time one of your furry pals gets sick. Pet insurance can also help you cover routine care costs, including wellness exams, vaccines, screening tests, parasite preventives and dental care. These add-on plans can help spread out preventive care costs and save you money on the veterinary care your pets need every year.
Compare the Best Multi-Pet Insurance
Each pet insurance provider listed in this review offers slightly different pricing for multiple pets, with discounts ranging from 5% to 10% when you enroll more than one pet. So if you enrolled two pets in identical plans that each cost $50 per month, your monthly bill of $100 would decrease by $5 to $10 each month with a multi-pet discount.
How Much Does Multi-Pet Insurance Cost?
According to our team’s research, the average pet insurance policy costs $49 per month. For a plan with two enrolled pets and a multi-pet discount of 5% to 10%, your bill would drop to $88 to $93 total per month or $44 to $46 per pet.
Cost of Pet Insurance for Multiple Dogs
According to our extensive national quote-collection data, the average cost to insure two dogs is $132 per month. With a discount of 5% to 10% for insuring multiple pets, this cost drops to $119 to $125.
Cost of Pet Insurance for Multiple Cats
According to our data, the average cost to insure two cats is $64 per month. With a discount of 5% to 10% for insuring multiple pets, this cost decreases to $58 to $61.
Best Pet Insurance Companies For Multiple Pets
Below are the top pet insurers that offer multi-pet discounts:
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$41-$52
Lemonade is our top pick for multiple-pet households because it provides the cheapest average rates, plus a 5% discount on policies covering multiple pets, which lowers costs even more. Lemonade plans are consistently affordable, and the company offers a range of add-ons for policy customization. Pet owners may also enjoy the company’s user-friendly mobile app and the ability to bundle policies with other Lemonade insurance products.
Pros
5% discount for multiple pets
10% discount for bundling your pet insurance policy with Lemonade home insurance or renters insurance
Cons
Not available in 15 states
Doesn’t cover pets over 14 years old
Lemonade offers one accident and illness plan that covers related diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, surgery, cancer treatments, broken bones and sprains, prescription medications and more. Lemonade does not cover pre-existing conditions, behavioral treatments, elective or cosmetic procedures.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost of a Lemonade plan is $23 per month. Factoring in Lemonade’s 5% multi-pet discount, the price for a household with one dog and one cat is $44 per month.
Average Monthly Cost
$35-$37
ManyPets made our list of the best multiple pet providers because it features affordable monthly rates, simple and comprehensive policies, and unlimited annual coverage. Although ManyPets does not offer a multiple-pet discount, it still came in second based on our cost data. Also, the company has an optional wellness plan that provides more flexibility than other providers.
Pros
Offers the second-cheapest cost for a plan with multiple pets of the providers we reviewed
Extends unlimited coverage on all policies
Features a wellness add-on with more flexibility than most other providers
Cons
Has limited plan customization options with only two reimbursement rates and three deductibles
No multi-pet discount, which many other providers on our list offer
ManyPets provides a standard accident and illness policy with unlimited coverage, offering a choice between two reimbursement rates and three deductibles. Coverage is comprehensive and simple, so policyholders should not have to weed through a list of optional add-ons. The company also offers wellness coverage.
According to our sample quotes, the average ManyPets plan costs $23 per month. Since there is no discount for multiple pet policies, a household with one dog and one cat would pay $46 per month.
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$38-$50
Why We Picked ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
With more than 15 years of experience, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is one of the most well-known and established providers in the pet insurance industry. It offers multiple customization options to fit your needs and budget. It also offers a 10% multi-pet enrollment discount. However, ASPCA caps coverage at $10,000 per year, which is low compared to other providers.
Pros
Extends a 10% multi-pet enrollment discount
All plans include microchipping, which you typically must purchase for an extra cost
Accident-only plan is available for a low monthly premium
Cons
Transaction fee required for monthly payments
Maximum annual coverage limit of $10,000, which is lower than most providers
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance’s accident-only plan covers emergencies related to accidents and injuries. Its Complete Coverage Plan covers accidents, illnesses, dental diseases, behavioral issues, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions and more. Like other companies, pre-existing conditions, breeding costs and cosmetic procedures are not covered by any ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost of an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan is $31 per month. Factoring in the 10% multi-pet discount, a household with one dog and one cat would cost $56 per month.
Annual Limits
$5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-100%
Average Monthly Cost
$22-$27
Most companies reimburse only up to 90% of a veterinary bill, but Figo offers a 100% reimbursement option. Figo also offers unlimited annual coverage and a variety of useful wellness plan add-ons for more comprehensive coverage, such as liability coverage for damages or injuries your pet causes. Figo offers a 5% multi-pet enrollment discount.
Pros
5% multi-pet enrollment discount
One-day waiting period, which is shorter than most competitors
No upper age limit for enrollment
Cons
Coverage excludes behavioral training (without a wellness add-on)
Additional monthly charge for exam fee coverage (unless you purchase an optional veterinary exam fee coverage add-on)
Figo offers three tiers of accident and illness coverage. Their Essential plan provides $5,000 of coverage annually, while the Preferred plan offers $10,000 of coverage. Its Unlimited plan has no annual caps, so you’ll never run out of coverage.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost of a Figo plan is $39 per month. Factoring in the provider’s 5% multi-pet discount, a household with one dog and one cat would cost $74 per month.
Annual Limits
$5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$33-$41
Pets Best covers pets of all ages, but it stands out for its coverage of older pets. Pets Best has no upper age limit, so you can enroll your furry friend anytime. Pets Best also offers a 5% multi-pet enrollment discount and provides coverage for prescribed prosthetic devices and wheelchairs, which can benefit aging pets with mobility issues.
Pros
Extends a 5% multi-pet enrollment discount
No upper age limits for coverage
24/7 Pet Helpline with access to veterinary experts
Cons
Claims take an average of 30 days to process
Limited annual coverage cap options ($5,000 or unlimited)
Pets Best provides several coverage options, including three tiers of accident and illness coverage: Essential, Plus and Elite. Each tier increases the annual coverage amount and monthly premium cost.
Pets Best also offers an accident-only plan with a $10,000 annual limit, $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement rate. The accident-only plan is the most budget-friendly option, starting at $6 per month for cats and $9 per month for dogs.
It also offers an accident-only plan with a $10,000 annual limit, $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement. The accident-only plan is the most budget-friendly option, starting at $6 per month for cat insurance and $9 per month for dog insurance.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost of a Pets Best plan is $44 per month. Factoring in the provider’s 5% multi-pet discount, the monthly cost for a household with one dog and one cat is $84.
Annual Limits
$2.5k-Unlimited
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$51-$68
Spot Pet Insurance offers more customizable plans than many competitors, with annual limit options ranging from $2,500 to unlimited. It also covers some items many providers exclude, such as exam fees and microchipping. The company provides a 10% discount for multi-pet coverage.
Pros
10% discount for multiple pets
Unlimited annual coverage option
No upper age limit for enrollment
Cons
Has a 14-day waiting period, which is longer than some competitors
Offers no customer service on weekends
Spot offers a low-cost accident-only plan and an accident and illness plan with more comprehensive coverage. Like other pet insurance providers, Spot excludes pre-existing conditions.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost of a Spot plan is $54 per month. Factoring in the provider’s 10% multi-pet discount, the total cost for a household with one dog and one cat is $97 per month.
Annual Limits
$10k-Unlimited
Average Monthly Cost
$74-$102
Pumpkin markets on providing comprehensive coverage without hidden fees. The provider’s base plan covers exam fees, supplements, rehab, dental treatments, microchipping and behavioral care without requiring customers to purchase any add-ons or riders. The company also offers a 90% reimbursement rate for all policies and a 10% multi-pet policy discount.
Pros
Includes a 90% reimbursement on all policies
Covers prescription food and supplements
No upper age limit for enrollment
Cons
No accident-only plan option
Has a 14-day accident waiting period, which is longer than some competitor plans
Pumpkin offers a comprehensive accident and illness policy and a wellness plan is available for pet owners seeking routine care coverage. The base plan covers 90% of veterinary care costs after a $100 to $1,000 deductible. Pumpkin’s costs are on the high end but compare favorably to other top providers such as Spot and Embrace.
The average cost of a Pumpkin plan is $55 per month. With the provider’s 10% multi-pet discount, the monthly cost for a household with one dog and one cat is $99.
Reimbursement Rates
70%-90%
Average Monthly Cost
$53-$64
Embrace is ideal for pet parents searching for cheap pet insurance. The company provides considerable savings opportunities, including a 10% discount for each additional pet you enroll, a 5% military discount and a 10% discount for employees of companies that offer Embrace as a benefit.
Pros
10% discount for each additional pet enrollment
Online customer support via live chat
Your deductible drops by $50 each year you don’t file a claim
Cons
Excludes supplements and prescription food coverage (unless you purchase a Wellness Rewards plan add-on)
Includes a $650 annual limit for its wellness plan add-on
Embrace offers one accident and illness plan covering injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions, hip dysplasia and other conditions. It also covers alternative therapies, cancer treatments, emergency care, surgery, diagnostic procedures, physical therapy and more. Embrace excludes pre-existing conditions and elective procedures — as do most providers.
According to our sample quotes, the average Embrace plan costs $56 per month. Factoring in the provider’s 10% multi-pet discount, the monthly cost for a household with one dog and one cat is $101.
Providers That Did Not Make the Cut
Some of the providers we typically recommend as the top pet insurance companies did not make this list because they do not offer multiple pet discounts or perks. Those providers are:
- Trupanion: This company does not offer multi-pet discounts. The company claims that providing a discount on multi-pet plans results in households with one pet paying more in premiums. However, Trupanion offers accident and illness plans with unlimited coverage limits. Read our Trupanion review to learn more.
- Healthy Paws: This provider does not offer a multi-pet discount or other benefits that some companies provide, such as military discounts. We named Healthy Pets as one of our most affordable providers for offering one type of plan with unlimited annual coverage limits. Read our in-depth Healthy Paws review to learn more.
- Fetch: Fetch pet insurance does not offer multiple-pet discounts. If you have more than one animal, the company requires you to enroll each pet under individual policies with separate premiums. However, Fetch covers more conditions than most other providers and has a 30-back money-back guarantee. Read our Fetch review to learn more.
What Does Multi-Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance for multiple pets covers diagnostic and treatment costs for accidents and illnesses. The plan reimburses pet owners for covered care after subtracting the plan’s deductible and applying the reimbursement rate, which determines the percentage of the bill the insurer will cover.
Examples of treatments and services pet insurance commonly covers include:
- Alternative medicine
- Diagnostic imaging
- Hospitalization
- Laboratory tests
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Sick pet exams
Examples of covered accidents and illnesses include:
- Bilateral conditions
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Chronic diseases
- Congenital diseases
- Digestive upset
- Hereditary conditions
- Infections
- Organ diseases
- Orthopedic conditions
- Toxin ingestion
Additional Multi-Pet Insurance Coverage Options
For an added monthly fee, some pet insurance plans cover routine wellness care, such as vaccines, parasite preventives or dental cleanings. Few pet insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions or health issues that first appeared before your pet was enrolled in coverage. Other exclusions apply to each policy but differ between providers, making it important to carefully read and understand a policy’s fine print before enrolling.
Can I Customize My Policy for Each Pet?
Most pet insurance providers allow you to customize your pet insurance plan for multiple pets. For example, Spot allows you to select an annual coverage limit, reimbursement rate and deductible, and you can add preventative care coverage for each pet before purchasing your policy.
However, some companies that offer unique pet care coverage, like Pawp, do not have options for customizations for individual pets.
Can I Have Multiple Pet Insurance Plans with Different Providers?
Some pet owners use different insurance providers for different pets. This makes sense if the pet owner is not happy with their first pet’s provider and wants to try another company or when the second pet’s breed or age inhibits enrollment. In some cases, you’ll get better rates for each pet from two different providers since each company has different algorithms for determining prices.
“Pet insurance costs can vary widely based on a pet’s breed,” said Pruss. “If a pet owner enrolls a cat in a plan with one company because it offered the best pricing or plan value, that same company might provide a poor value for the family’s newly acquired French bulldog, which is more likely to need expensive veterinary care than a cat. In that case, it makes sense to shop around and make sure you aren’t overpaying for a plan instead of assuming the multi-pet discount is enough to offset higher costs.”
How To Buy Multi-Pet Insurance
How you buy multi-pet insurance depends on whether you already have a pet enrolled in a plan. If you would like to add a pet to an existing policy, call your provider’s customer service line or visit your plan’s online management portal.
To enroll two or more pets in a new multi-pet policy, go to your chosen provider’s website. Start the process with one pet, filling out all required fields on the quote and registration pages. You’ll choose a deductible, coverage limit and reimbursement rate for the first pet. Then, look for a question or checkbox asking if you would like to add more pets to obtain a multi-pet discount.
For example, the Embrace enrollment tool asks about multiple pets right away:
Each pet gets a policy, and you can customize details separately. We recommend choosing the highest possible coverages you can afford because you can lower these parameters later, but raising coverage triggers an underwriting review that can cause coverage issues with pre-existing conditions.
Is Pet Insurance For Multiple Pets Worth It?
Pet insurance for multiple pets is worth it because it could save you thousands of dollars in emergency vet bills. Additionally, combining pet insurance policies can help you save 5% to 10% on premiums and help streamline the process of submitting claims.
“Pet owners can save themselves money and emotional energy by purchasing pet insurance for all household pets, which not only helps pay for veterinary bills but also ensures you get discounts to keep each pet’s policy affordable.”
Pruss often sees pet owners with multiple pets struggle to prioritize which pet gets what care according to their budgets.
If you only have one pet, even if you plan on adopting another one soon, it’s better to get single-pet coverage and add any new additions to your plan down the line. You can usually call your pet insurance company’s customer service line to add a pet to your policy and get a multi-pet discount added.
Did You Know?
Our research team recently surveyed 1,000 pet owners, and nearly 40% of respondents also said they do not have savings set aside specifically for their pet. If this sounds like your position, pet insurance may be a worthwhile investment.
Multi-pet policies are also not ideal for pet owners with exotic pets, such as birds or snakes. Since only a few pet insurance companies cover exotic pets, it’s usually cheaper for a pet owner to get a plan for their dog or cat and then find a different policy for their exotic pet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets
What is the best multi-pet insurance?
Lemonade is the best multi-pet insurance provider in our 2024 pet insurance study. ManyPets and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance also finished near the top of the list of pet insurance companies with multi-pet options.
Can I have more than one pet insurance plan?
Yes, you can have multiple pet insurance policies at the same time. However, you can’t file a claim for the same incident on both policies. Finding a provider that offers coverage that fits your pet’s needs rather than trying to combine coverage from two different companies is the most cost-effective approach.
What is the discount for insuring multiple pets?
Most pet insurance companies offer a 5% or 10% discount for insuring multiple pets. Reach out to your provider of choice to learn more about its specific discount offerings.
Can you get pet insurance if your pet is already sick?
Yes, you can get pet insurance if your dog or cat is already sick. However, your provider likely won’t cover any veterinary costs associated with your pet’s current condition since it will be considered preexisting. Your pet will still be covered for future accidents or non-related illnesses. It’s best to enroll your pet in a policy while they are young and healthy to ensure future veterinary costs will be covered.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance Companies
Many pet insurance companies offer high-quality coverage options for pet owners, but a select few offer policies for people who have more than one furry friend. We used the following factors to help rank our top pet insurance providers for multiple pets:
- Multi-pet discounts: All top providers on our list offer a multi-pet discount when you enroll two or more pets. We ranked companies offering a discount higher than 5% higher on our list. For example, some providers offer 10% or 15% discounts.
- Number of pets allowed on a policy: Companies that allow six or more pets on one policy scored higher than those that only cover two or three pets per policy.
- Two or more plan options: Providers that offer more than one type of plan to choose from ranked higher than those with only one plan option. This allows multi-pet owners to have more flexibility in their premiums and coverage amounts.
- Customizable coverage levels: Providers that allow you to customize coverages for each individual pet scored higher than those that only allow you to choose one option that applies across your policy.
- Cost: Since cost is an important factor, pet insurance companies with cheaper monthly premiums ranked higher on our list. Our team analyzed four different types of pets across all 50 U.S. states to determine the average cost of each company. Cost figures are up-to-date as of November 2023.
- Special perks: Companies that offer more perks to pet owners, such as covering neutering and behavioral therapy, rank higher than those with basic coverage.
- Our rating: Our team reviewed over 35 pet insurance companies using our objective rating methodology. Pet insurance providers that had a higher overall score ranked higher on this list.
For more information on how we review and score pet insurance providers, read our editorial guidelines.
