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Pet insurance works similarly to health insurance for people. It can help offset costs or reimburse you for a large portion of your vet bills if your dog or cat becomes sick or injured, giving you the peace of mind of knowing that you can give your pet the care they deserve. However, finding the right provider will depend on your pet’s medical history and age, as well as your budget.
The best pet insurance companies provide comprehensive coverage, affordable costs with add-on features, solid customer service, and favorable customer reviews. Here are our top choices to help you find the best coverage for your pets.
Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2022
- Best Overall: Pet Assure
- Best for Multiple Pets: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Best for Discounts: GEICO
- Best for Routine Care: MetLife
- Best for Emergencies: Embrace
- Best for Holistic Care: Figo
- Best for Older Dogs: Hartville
- Best for Chronic Conditions: 24PetWatch
- Best for Service Members: USAA
Best Overall : Pet Assure
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Pet Assure
- Coverage: Up to 25% discount on medical services from participating vets
- Starting Price: $8 per month
- Deductibles: N/A
Pet Assure may not save you as much as a pet insurance policy, but its low price, lack of waiting times, and unlimited use make it the best overall.
No deductible, waiting period, or use limits
All animals eligible for coverage
Covers pre-existing conditions
Discounts for multiple animals
Not pet insurance
Doesn’t cover medications or prescription food
No coverage for outsourced or specialist services
Limited number of providers by location
Pet Assure was founded in 1995 by a pet owner whose pet insurance denied a $3,000 hip surgery for his dog. The company offers up to a 25% discount on most vet services regardless of breed, age, or condition, making it the best pet coverage overall. Pet Assure receives high ratings from third-party review sites due to its ease of use and excellent customer service.
Best for Multiple Pets : ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Coverage: Accident-only, accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $100 to $500
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Pet Health Insurance offers a 10% discount on each additional pet you insure.
Accident-only coverage available
30-day money-back guarantee
10% discount on each additional pet
Flexible billing options
No zero-deductible options
Wellness plan caps at $450
Longer reimbursement period
Established in 1866 to foster animal welfare, the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has been offering insurance through Hartville Pet Insurance Group (now called Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group) since 2006. In addition to affordable policies and an optional wellness rider, the company also offers a 10% discount on each additional pet you insure, making it the best choice for multiple pets.
Read the full ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review.
Best for Discounts : GEICO
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Geico
- Coverage: Accident-only, accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $200 to $1,000
GEICO is our choice here because it offers multiple discounts that can be stacked up to take a significant amount off of your premiums.
Discounts are stackable
Wellness rider available
Accident coverage available in 48 hours
Policies not administered by GEICO
No option to bundle with other GEICO policies
Senior pets limited to accident-only coverage
A household name in car insurance, GEICO offers pet insurance for dogs and cats through a partnership with Embrace Pet Insurance. The company offers customizable pet insurance plans and wellness coverage, plus the ability to stack up to 25% in discounts, making it the best choice of pet insurance for discounts.
Best for Routine Care : MetLife
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MetLife
- Coverage: Accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 50% to 100%
- Deductibles: $0 to $2500
MetLife provides affordable pet insurance for dogs and cats plus additional routine care coverage for preventative pet care. Its add-on wellness rider offers several tiers of coverage limits to suit any budget.
Many options for annual limits
Tiered wellness plans
Discounts for multiple pets
Low annual limits
No accident-only plan
Six-month wait time for some health issues
Founded in 2004, PetFirst provides pet insurance for cat and dog owners in the U.S. and strongly commits to supporting humane societies and shelters. The company also offers multiple wellness plans to meet any budget, making it the best choice for routine care.
Best for Emergencies : Embrace
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Embrace
- Coverage: Accident-only, accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $200 to $1,000
Embrace offers pet insurance for cats and dogs with transparent pricing. Its customizable policies include prescriptions, homeopathy, and dental treatments, giving you a wider range of covered treatment options.
Discounts up to 25% available
Wellness coverage is available
Offers a vanishing deductible
No unlimited or zero-deductible options
Wellness plan caps at $650
Senior pets limited to accident-only coverage
After receiving capital funding by winning the 2003 Wharton Business Plan Competition, Embrace Pet Insurance sold its first pet insurance policy in 2006. The company offers policies that cover more treatments than most other providers, including prescriptions and homeopathic and dental treatments, so you have more options to treat your pet in emergencies.
Best for Holistic Care : Figo
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Figo
- Coverage: Accident and illness, wellness rider, exam fee rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
- Deductibles: $100 to $1,500
Figo combines pet insurance with technology to create an easy-to-use platform and community resources for pet owners. It offers some discounts, and covers acupuncture and chiropractic care.
24/7 online access to vets
Social app for pet owners
Short waiting periods
30-day money-back guarantee
Rider required to cover exams
No accident-only policy
Figo was founded in 2015 and leverages technology to build an online network that lets pet owners find one another, discover pet services, and access veterinarians online at any time. Where other companies stick to FDA-approved treatments, Figo offers coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic care, making it our choice as the best for holistic care.
Best for Older Dogs : Hartville
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Hartville Pet Insurance
- Coverage: Accident-only, accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $100 to $500
Hartville will never drop or reduce coverage due to a pet’s age or illness.
Accident-only coverage available
Accident and illness coverage for pets of any age
Unlimited annual coverage limit
Steep premiums for older pets
Limited reimbursement for preventive care
Founded in 1997, Hartville Pet Insurance is the only pet insurer to partner with the ASPCA. Unlike other companies that have age limits or force older pets into an accident-only policy, Hartville will never drop your coverage due to age or illness, making it the best choice for older pets.
Best for Chronic Conditions : 24PetWatch
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24PetWatch
- Coverage: Accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 80%
- Deductibles: $100 to $1,000
24PetWatch provides pet insurance with optional preventative care coverage for cats and dogs, and it offers continual coverage for chronic conditions.
Next-day accident coverage
Short waiting periods
Lost pet recovery subscription available
Covers trip cancellation and boarding fees
Complicated pricing plans
Pets can age out of coverage
Limited reimbursement for preventive care
24PetWatch offers pet insurance policies and wellness plans for cats and dogs, including reimbursement for boarding and lost pet recovery fees. The company also offers continual coverage for chronic conditions making it our choice as the best insurance for chronic conditions.
Best for Service Members : USAA
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USAA
- Coverage: Accident-only, accident and illness, wellness rider
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $200 to $1,000
USAA offers pet insurance to its members through Embrace Pet Insurance with discounts up to 25% and additional wellness coverage.
Discounts stackable up to 25%
Wellness coverage available
Accident coverage available in 48 hours
Policies not administered by USAA
Only available to members of the military and their families
No option to bundle with other USAA policies
USAA is best known for partnering with companies to offer discounts on banking, insurance, and investment solutions for military families. Through its partnership with Embrace Pet Insurance, USAA offers its members pet insurance and routine care coverage at 15% off Embrace’s normal premiums. You also get 10% off for insuring multiple pets and a 10% discount if your employer offers Embrace Pet Insurance as a benefit.
Final Verdict
While most pet insurance works pretty much the same way, it can be hard to choose a policy. You’ll need to carefully review all of the costs, exclusions, reimbursement processes, and other options to see how they stack up with your budget and your pet’s needs.
Pet Assure is our top choice for the discounts on most vet bills without making you deal with deductibles, exclusions, and claims. You can focus on taking care of your pet, not wading through a sticky financial situation.
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies
Company | Coverage | Emergency Coverage | Preventative Care | Waiting Period | Network Size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pet Assure Best Overall | 25% discount on medical services from participating vets | Yes | No | None | Thousands |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Best for Multiple Pets | Accident-only, accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 14 days | Any licensed vet in the U.S. and Canada |
GEICO Best for Discounts | Accident-only, accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S. |
PetFirst Best for Routine Care | Accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 24 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S. |
Embrace Best for Emergencies | Accident-only, accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S. |
Figo Best for Holistics Care | Accident and illness | Yes | No | 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada |
Hartville Best for Older Dogs | Accident-only, accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 14 days | Any licensed vet in the U.S. and Canada |
24PetWatch Best for Chronic Conditions | Accident and illness | Yes | Yes | Next day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S. and Canada |
USAA Best for Service Members | Accident-only, accident and illness | Yes | Yes | 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses | Any licensed vet in the U.S. |
What Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Work?
Pet insurance can reimburse you for most of your vet bills if your dog or cat suffers a sudden illness or accident. Most companies require you to pay your bills out of your pocket until your annual deductible is met before your coverage kicks in. This can be anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the provider and policy you choose. In general, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payment will be.
Once you’ve paid off your deductible, your insurance will reimburse you for about 70% to 90% of any future vet visits for an accident or illness, as long as the service is covered under your policy. Most providers also have an annual limit of what they will pay out in claims, typically between $5,000 to $30,000 or more.
Although pet insurance only covers the cost of vet services for accidents and illnesses, many providers also offer a paid add-on rider that will reimburse you for the cost of common preventive and routine care, like annual vaccines and checkups.
When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
The best time to purchase pet insurance is when your cat is still a kitten, or your dog is still a puppy. Rates are much lower for younger animals, and some providers won’t cover or just offer limited coverage for older pets. As your pet ages, it’s also more likely to develop a pre-existing condition which will make it ineligible for pet insurance.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Typically Cost?
The price of pet insurance varies by the type, age, and breed of the pet, as well as where you live. It will also change based on what deductible, annual coverage limit, and reimbursement percentage you chose.
With that said, the cost to insure a two-year-old dog with a $15,000 annual coverage limit, 80% reimbursement, and a $500 deductible could be around $30 per month. Adding a wellness rider for preventive care coverage can bring this total to between $45 and $100 per month.
Can I Insure a Pet with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
Nearly every pet insurance company will deny coverage for any accident or illness resulting from a pre-existing condition. Your pet can still be covered for other types of accidents or illnesses, however.
A handful of pet insurance providers will cover accidents and illnesses resulting from what it considers “curable” pre-existing conditions. These are usually defined by strict rules regarding how long a pet must be free from signs or symptoms of that condition to be eligible.
How Does Age Affect Pet Insurance Coverage?
Age typically determines how much you’ll be paying for your coverage. In general, the older your pet, the higher your monthly premium.
Older pets can also develop pre-existing conditions, making them ineligible for coverage if they become sick or hurt due to their condition. Finally, many providers won’t even offer policies or will offer policies with limited coverage for pets 10 years or older.
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Include?
Pet insurance reimburses you for the cost of medically necessary vet services resulting from an accident or illness. This typically includes exams, office visits, prescriptions, diagnostic testing, specialists, limited dental work, emergency services, surgery, imaging, hospitalization, cancer treatments, and more.
Some companies require that you purchase an add-on rider to be reimbursed for exam fees and office visits, while others offer coverage for additional dental work, prescription food, and holistic care and treatments.
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Exclude?
Pet insurance will not cover accidents and illnesses resulting from pre-existing conditions. Most will also exclude services that are not medically necessary, including cosmetic and elective procedures, breeding, grooming, spaying or neutering, and preventive and wellness care, like vaccines, teeth cleanings, and parasite treatments.
Pet insurance also won’t reimburse you for the cost of accidents or illnesses resulting from abuse, neglect, intentional fighting, or natural and manmade disasters.
How Do I Choose the Best Pet Insurance Company?
Choosing the best pet insurance requires estimating how much coverage you would need to cover the vet bills if your pet becomes sick or injured. While there’s no way to predict the future, you can assess your coverage needs based on your lifestyle and your pet’s activities.
Pets with quieter indoor lifestyles are less prone to accidents or illnesses and thus can get by with a more affordable high-deductible policy. Outdoor dogs that belong to active owners might find themselves at the vet a few times a year, making a lower-deductible policy more desirable. Finally, pet owners with multiple animals will want to consider a provider with good preventive care to help head off potential future health problems.
Methodology
We looked at nearly two dozen pet insurance companies for this review. Providers that let customers customize their policies to meet their budget and needs were at the top of our list. We also made sure to pick companies that offered comprehensive coverage with no glaring omissions or offered affordable riders to cover those gaps.
We also looked at companies that offered quick and easy claims service since no one wants to jump through hoops or wait months to get reimbursed. Alongside this concern, we carefully combed through customer reviews to get a real picture of the type of claims and customer service each truly offered.
Finally, we looked at the types of discounts and add-on coverage each company offered. Sometimes, adding a single covered service or a discount could mean a savings of hundreds of dollars.
Read our full pet insurance review methodology.