The best pet insurance companies of December 2024

Pets bring a lot of joy to our lives but their care can be quite expensive: An emergency visit to the vet can range from between $374 and $965 for cats and a whopping $534 to $1,285 for dogs, according to a 2024 study from CareCredit.

Pet insurance can absorb some of the financial impact: Accident-only insurance covers emergencies like broken bones or swallowed objects, while accident and illness policies can also include chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

There are also wellness plans for routine care like flea and tick treatments, vaccines and regular dental checkups.

“Wellness coverage tends to cover costs you can plan for," said Dr. Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet. "Insurance plans work well for situations that were unplanned."

CNBC Select analyzed dozens of pet insurance companies for providers with the best offerings in a variety of categories.

Who’s this for? Spot's Gold plan comes with a $250 annual reimbursement for preventive treatment, including vaccinations, teeth cleaning and deworming, testing for heartworm (for dogs) and for feline leukemia (for cats)

Standout benefits: Spot's telehealth line is available 24/7 and there's no maximum age limit for enrollment. 

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Who’s this for? Pets Best has some of the lowest rates we've found for felines. You only have two choices for maximum annual coverage — a $5,000 option and an unlimited option — but there are several deductible and reimbursement levels.  

Standout benefits: Pets Best is one of a small number of companies that will pay your vet directly, saving you the trouble of having to file a claim and be reimbursed. The company offer

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Who’s this for? Lemonade had affordable rates for accident and illness coverage. Owners of young dogs, in particular, may be drawn to the puppy package, which includes spaying/neutering, microchipping and vaccines. 

Standout benefits: Lemonade offers a range of insurance products, so policyholders can get a 10% discount for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies, including car insurance, homeowners insurance and renters insurance. There's also a 5% rate reduction if you pay your annual premium in full.

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Who’s this for? Figo doesn't have an upper age limit for enrollment and, if your older dog doesn't have orthopedic issues, you can get the six-month waiting period for coverage waived.

Standout benefits: If you don't select unlimited annual coverage, Figo will reimburse you at a rate of 100%. Figo will also pay vets directly.

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Who’s this for? Have a whole fur family? Pumpkin offers a 10% discount for each additional animal you cover after the first.

Standout benefits: While some insurers have waiting periods of six to twelve months for conditions like hip dysplasia, Pumpkin's is just 14 days, the same as with any illness. It also offers an uncommonly high 90% reimbursement level for senior pets.

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Who’s this for? Unlike other providers, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance may cover pre-existing conditions if they are curable and the animal has been symptom-free and not treated for 180 days.

Standout benefits: ASCPA's comprehensive accident and illness plan covers uncommon hereditary, congenital and breed-specific conditions. It also reimburses payments for behavioral therapy, alternative treatments and stem cell therapy. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you haven't filed any claims.

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Who’s this for? Healthy Paws only offers a single standard accident and illness policy, but there are no per-incident, annual or lifetime caps on payouts.

Standout benefits: Most claims are paid in two days, according to Healthy Pay, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed.

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Who’s this for? Embrace's healthy pet deductible means for every year you don't file a claim, your deductible drops by $50 the following year — all the way down to zero. (The counter resets when you submit a claim).

Standout benefits: Embrace's Wellness Rewards program works as a savings account for routine care like grooming and training. Members can also earn credits for treatments and discounts on popular pet brands.

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Who’s this for? Nationwide is one of the only providers that covers animals other than dogs or cats — including birds, reptiles, rabbits, miniature pigs and ferrets.

Standout benefits: You can see the vet of your choosing, even specialists and emergency veterinarians. Customers with Nationwide home, auto, life or other coverage can save 5% on pet insurance.

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Founded in 2019, Miami-based Spot Pet Insurance is available in all 50 states, with policies underwritten by the Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. In 2024, Independence Pet Holdings, which also owns Pets Best, acquired a majority interest in Spot Pet Insurance.

Type of pets covered: Dogs and cats

Age limits: The minimum enrollment age is eight weeks, but there is no maximum age limit.

Policies offered: Accident and illness, accident only and preventative care options

Waiting period: 14 days for all coverage

Multiple pet discount
10% for every animal after the first

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Pets Best Pet Insurance allows owners to choose from an unlimited or $5,000 annual coverage limit.  International Pet Holdings, which also owns Spot, acquired Pets Best from Synchrony in 2024.

Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats

Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is seven weeks but there's also no maximum age limit on accident and illness plans

Policies offered
Accident and illness, accident-only and wellness 

Waiting period
Varies based on the type of coverage and state

Multiple pet discount
5% per additional pet

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In addition to renters, homeowners and other types of insurance, Lemonade underwrites its own pet insurance policies — allowing customers to bundle their policies and save.

Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats

Age limits
The minimum enrollment age is two months and the maximum is typically 14 years old, though some higher-risk breeds have a lower maximum age.

Policies offered
Accident and illness, wellness

Waiting period
Two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and six months for cruciate ligaments. 

Multiple pet discount
5% per additional pet

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Figo pet insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company. Customers who have auto, home or other insurance with Auto-Owners are eligible for a 5% discount with Figo.

Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats

Age limits
Cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll but there is no upper age limit.

Policies offered
Accident and illness, wellness

Waiting period
One day for accidents, 14 days for most illnesses.

Multiple pet discount
5% multiple pet discount

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Pumpkin policies provide benefits automatically that other providers charge extra for, including prescription food, alternative therapies, microchip implantation and behavioral issues. However, the Better Business Bureau gave Pumpkin a B-, citing the length of time taken to reply to complaints. In addition, Pumpkin does not have a mobile app, telehealth feature or 24/7 customer service line.

Type of pets covered
Cats and dogs

Age limits
Cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll but there is no upper age limit.

Policies offered
accident and illness, wellness

Waiting period
14 days for all covered conditions

Multiple pet discount
10% discount for more than one pet

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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans are offered by PTZ Insurance Agency. In addition to dogs and cats, it provides coverage for horses.

Type of pets covered
Dogs, cats and horses

Age limits
Cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll but there is no upper age limit.

Policies offered
Accident-only, accident and illness, preventative care

Waiting period
No waiting period for preventative care and 14 days for accidents and illnesses

Multiple pet discount
10% discount for insuring multiple pets.

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Healthy Paws keeps things simple with one standard accident and illness policy, unlimited coverage and no annual or lifetime cap. It earn high marks for its speedy claims processing and regular donations to animal shelters with every quote and referral. There is no multiple pet discount but owners can choose any licensed vet for treatment.

Type of pets covered: Dogs and cats

Age limits: Cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll, while the maximum age is 14

Policies offered: Accident and illness

Waiting period
15 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for hip dysplasia.

Multiple pet discount
N/A

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Embrace's accident and illness policies have an annual unlimited coverage option, while accident-only coverage has predetermined deductibles, coverage limits and reimbursement rates. In 2019, Embrace was was acquired by JAB Holding Company, parent company of Independence Pet Holdings, which owns Embrace, Pumpkin, Figo, Sot and Pets Best, among others

Type of pets covered
Dogs and cats

Age limits
Dogs and cats under 15 can enroll in accident-only or accident and illness coverage. Pets 15 or older are only eligible for accident-only policies.

Policies offered
Accident and illness, accident-only and wellness plan

Waiting period
48 hours for accident coverage, 14 days for illness coverage and six months for orthopedic conditions (can be waived)

Multiple pet discount
A 10% discount when insuring more than one animal.

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Nationwide is still a standout for its customizable plans and coverage for exotic pets, easy-to-use mobile claims process and prescription discounts at Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies. In 2009, Nationwide acquires Veterinary Pet Insurance, which introduced pet insurance to the U.S.in 1982.

In June 2024, Nationwide announced it would not renew approximately 100,000 policies over the following 12 months, citing the rising cost of veterinary care.

Type of pets covered
Dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets

Age limits
New enrollments are accepted for pets between 8 weeks and 10 years old

Policies offered
Accident and illness, wellness plan

Waiting period
14 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament injuries

Multiple pet discount
 5% discount for additional animals

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Each policy and provider is different, so read the fine print before buying a policy. Depending on the plan you choose, these are what is covered.

Exclusions vary by company, but pet insurance companies rarely cover pre-existing conditions your pet had before you enrolled. Some will cover pre-existing conditions that have been cured for a certain amount of time, such as broken bones or respiratory infections.

Elective procedures, grooming and costs relating to breeding, pregnancy or birth are typically excluded. While most plans don't cover hereditary disorders or euthanasia and funeral expenses, both Pets Best and Embrace include them in certain accident and injury policies.

Many carriers cap the age a pet can be to enroll for a new policy, but some have no age limit.

The cost of pet insurance can vary greatly based on the kind of animal, its breed, size, gender and age — as well as the type of coverage you're getting and where you live.

In 2023, the monthly average for accident-only pet insurance in the U.S. was $9.68 for cats and $17.01 for dogs, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. For accident and illness insurance, it was $56.30 for dogs and $31.94 for cats.

First, you’ll need to decide what type of coverage is right for you. There are generally three tiers of coverage: 

• Accident-only coverage: Only reimburses for emergencies like broken bones, swallowed objects, bite wounds, poisoning and traumatic dental fractures. Services can include x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, bloodwork, medication and hospitalization.
• Accident and illness coverage: Also covers hospitalization, surgery, exams and prescription to treat chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and arthritis, hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, behavioral conditions and dental issues. May also cover euthanasia and burial.
• Wellness coverage: Generally an add-on to an accident-only or accident and illness policy, a wellness plan often covers microchipping, routine exams and diagnostics, teeth cleaning and preventative medication. Some plans may cover spaying or neutering.

Once you know the type of policy you want, you can start shopping for a provider. Satchu suggests checking any company you're considering for: 

• Deductible: Your deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before the insurer kicks in. A $500 deductible means you'll have to spend $500 before getting reimbursed for anything . 
• Exclusions and limitations: “Coverage of pre-existing conditions is limited in pet insurance, so ask very specific questions if your pet has a documented health challenge in their medical history," Satchu said "You might want to ask your vet for your pet's medical records to see what has been noted in the past."
• Coverage gaps: Make sure you understand what procedures or treatments your policy will and won't cover. “As with any contract, it's important to thoroughly read the policy terms and conditions and ask questions to fully understand what is covered and what is not,” Satch said.
• Waiting period: Coverage for your pet begins after a predetermined waiting period. It's normally two weeks but varies depending on the carrier and the condition. Some providers have a yearlong qualifying period

• Claims process: In most cases, policyholders pay for treatment out of pocket and submit for reimbursement, minus the deductible. Some plans allow providers to directly pay vets, but arrangements must be made in advance.

At CNBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. For this story, we interviewed Dr. Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

To determine the best pets insurance, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of providers based on the types of coverage offered, the maximum annual coverage limits, reimbursement and deductible choices, waiting periods, nationwide availability, the availability of discounts and Better Business Bureau scores and reviews 

Sample premium data was based on two different example pets, a dog and a cat. The sample dog we gathered data for was: 

• Mixed breed
• 55 pounds
• Male 
• One year old
• Lives in the 80123 zip code

The sample cat was: 

• Domestic shorthair 
• 8 pounds
• Male
• One year old
• Lives in the 80123 zip code

We collected data for these sample policies with the following qualities (or as close to them as possible): 

• $500 deductible 
• 90% reimbursement rate 
• $15,000 annual limit 

From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best for preventative care, for cars, for dogs, for senior pets, for multiple pets, for accident-only coverage, for accident and illness coverage, for low deductibles and for coverage of exotic pets.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Premiums and policy structures listed for pet insurance companies are subject to change in accordance with company policies. 

Have a new pet? Check out NBC Select's Best for Your Pet Awards.

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