How To Compare Pet Insurance Plans, Evaluate Top Providers, & Find The Best Policy At The Best Price
CEO & Co-Founder - Pawlicy Advisor
Struggling to compare pet insurance plans? Not sure which coverage you really need or what’s a good price? Too many providers to choose from? We understand — and we’ve partnered with several top providers to finally bring transparency to pet parents and make the pet insurance comparison process 100 times easier.
Whether you're looking for the best dog insurance or the best cat insurance, we will help break this down in a way that everyone can understand with our pet insurance comparison below (because our pet’s health may depend on it).
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Types of Pet Insurance
There are three central pet health insurance types you can consider:
- Accident-Only Plans
- Accident and Illness Plans
- Pet Wellness Plans
The cheapest plans only cover accidents. But a comprehensive pet insurance plan usually covers accidents, illnesses, breed-specific conditions, dental needs, and prescribed medications.
Most plans also provide the option to add a wellness or preventive care component for an extra cost. This typically covers routine veterinary care like tests and exams up to a certain amount.
What Each Pet Insurance Policy Covers
It can be a bit confusing to understand the differences between “accident” coverage, “illness” coverage, and “wellness” coverage. Here’s an explanation of what each type of coverage means so you can select the best plan for your pet.
Accident-Only Coverage
Accident coverage will reimburse you for every type of treatment associated with the physical injury of your pet, including certain exam fees. If your vet needs to determine whether your pet’s leg is broken, they may need to do an x-ray. If you have accident coverage, it will cover at least part of the cost of the x-ray as well as other costs related to treating the injury.
Accident & Illness Coverage
Accident and Illness coverage will reimburse you not only for treatments associated with physical injuries but also most infections, cancers, and other non-genetic illnesses. For example, if your pet is diagnosed with cancer or certain chronic conditions, they may need expensive treatment that won’t be covered by an accident-only plan.
Some plans also cover congenital conditions (conditions your pet is born with) and hereditary or genetic conditions that are common to specific breeds, such as hip dysplasia in large dog breeds.
Wellness and Preventive Care Coverage
Wellness coverage usually comes as an add-on option. For an extra monthly charge, most insurers can reimburse veterinary expenses associated with routine care, such as wellness exams, deworming, heartworm tests, blood tests, and other preventive care tests.
While this type of coverage isn’t necessary, it could be a good option if you plan to bring your pet in for routine vet visits every year, and may beparticularly useful for new puppy parents.
Dental Coverage
Teeth cleanings and dental X-rays are often covered as part of a wellness add-on, but you can also obtain dental coverage as part of an accident/illness plan. Dental coverage will cover costs associated with tooth extractions and cleanings related to dental illnesses like periodontal disease and others.
Prescribed Medication Coverage
Prescription medication coverage covers some of the costs of any medicines your vet prescribes. It may also cover the costs of prescription foods if your pet needs them because of a health condition.
Choosing the Best Pet Insurance for Dogs and Cats
There’s a lot to think about when shopping for a pet insurance plan. You don’t want to pay a high average cost for coverage you don’t need, but you don’t want to pay too little and find yourself in a tough spot financially when your pet gets sick.
Costs and Coverage
The cost of pet insurance directly impacts your coverage. In terms of price variables, there are four factors you need to pay attention to:
- Annual Deductible
- Reimbursement Rate
- Annual Limit
- Monthly Premium
Annual Deductible
Your annual deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your pet insurance kicks in. So, if your first vet bill of the year is $500 and your annual deductible is $500, you’ll have to pay the full $500. You’ll be reimbursed a percentage of every other covered expense for the rest of the year
Annual Limit
The aAnnual coverage limit is a cap on the amount you’ll receive in reimbursements from your insurance provider each year. Many pet insurance plans have unlimited annual coverage, so there is no cap. However, some plans will only provide reimbursement up to a certain amount, such as $15,000 per year.
Monthly Premium
Finally, your monthly premium is how much you pay each month to keep your plan active. Most pet parents want a low monthly premium because it won’t add as much to their monthly bills. Keep in mind that lower insurance premiums usually mean lower rates of coverage.
NOTE: Premiums will increase over time as your pet ages, so understanding how much you can expect the premium to increase is an important factor in total cost. You can use Pawlicy Advisor to scan the fine print in policy variations across top pet insurance providers to understand which plan is best in terms of lifetime costs vs. coverage value.
Other Factors
Of course, there are other factors to look at when selecting insurance. You can read customer reviews of specific insurance pet insurance companies to find out if their customer service is top-notch.
Do keep in mind that reviews can skew your perception as many negative reviews may simply be the result of a bad fit rather than a bad product (which is why the Pawlicy Advisors pet insurance comparison tool personalizes recommendations based on breed and cost data, not random reviews).
If you want to be sure you’ll get reimbursed quickly, you can shop providers based on their average reimbursement speeds. You may also want to consider the pet insurance company’s history or even what initiatives they have in place to help animals in need.
Companies That Offer Pet Insurance For Dogs and Cats
There are about 20 pet insurance companies in North America, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). You might already be familiar with companies like the ASPCA and Trupanion.
Use the links below to find extensive guides detailing everything you need to know about pet insurance plans offered by the following companies:
- Embrace Pet Insurance
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Pets Best Pet Health Insurance
- Figo Pet Insurance
- Fetch Pet Insurance
- Hartville Pet Insurance
- MetLife Pet Insurance
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance
- Lemonade Pet Insurance
NOTE: We also have detailed reviews for Costco Pet Insurance, Walmart Pet Insurance, and many others on our site!
Top Pet Insurance Providers
The leading providers may have different histories, but they all have one thing in common that makes them worth it: they are dedicated to the welfare of animals and the well-being of their customers.
Embrace® Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance was named the top Pet Insurance Provider by Forbes in 2022. The company reports that it paid out 92% of the claims submitted in 2021 and offers plans that can reimburse customers up to 90% of their vet bills. After a six-month waiting period, Embrace covers dental illnesses, congenital conditions, and orthopedic conditions.
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance
The ASPCA is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a non-profit organization founded in 1866. It was the first humane society established in North America.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers accidents, illnesses, and other health issues in dogs and cats through its Complete Coverage℠ plan. You can also include preventive care coverage as an addon feature.
Pets Best Pet Health Insurance
Pets Best Insurance Services was founded in 2005 by Dr. Jack Stephens, who launched the first pet insurance company in North America. Many of the people who work at Pets Best Insurance have a veterinary background and are involved in animal rescue.
Pets Best Pet Insurance offers fast claim reimbursement, typically in five days or less, as well as the option to pay your vet directly. The company offers plans for dogs and cats that cover unexpected vet bills and treatment costs for injuries, illnesses, and other health issues.
Figo Pet Insurance
Figo was founded in 2013 by Rusty Sproat. It has since become one of the largest pet insurance providers in the market and has won multiple awards for its coverage.
The key feature of Figo Pet Insurance is the optional 100% reimbursement rate that pays for all vet costs covered by your policy after you've met your deductible. You'll get comprehensive Accident & Illness coverage with any policy you choose, including both their lower- and higher-tiered plans.
Fetch Pet Insurance
Formerly known as Petplan, Fetch is the largest pet insurance provider in the world and has operated in the U.S. since 2006. The company offers flexible pet insurance policies that cover the cost of medical treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries. All domestic dogs and cats in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for coverage through their plans, provided their age falls within the enrollment requirements.
Hartville Pet Insurance
Founded in 1997, Hartville is one of the longest-operating insurance companies in the U.S. The brand has a long history of prioritizing community outreach and supporting animal charity organizations.
Hartville provides insurance plans for cats and dogs, covering your pet’s unexpected veterinary bills and treatment costs. All domestic dogs and cats in the U.S. (aside from exotic pets) are eligible for the Hartville Complete Coverage plan.
MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife recently acquired PetFirst, which became one of the fastest-growing administrators of pet health insurance in North America after its founding in 2004. The company continues to offer health insurance coverage for all pet parents with several favorable coverage options.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin is newer company founded by Zoetis, one of the largest animal health company in the world, in 2018. They offer comprehensive coverage for dogs and cats, and have a strong focus on preventive care.
Their plans are straightforward and a team of veterinary professionals helped inform the coverage model, ensuring adequate coverage for the most common conditions in pets
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Before they began offering coverage for pets in last few years, Lemonade was known for its innovative approach to home, renters, and auto insurance products. The company harnesses the power of technology to bring you a simple app where you can manage your plan and file claims, 50% of which are instantly approved.
How to Compare Pet Insurance Plans
Comparing pet insurance the smart way will require extensive research into the coverage and pricing you need for your unique breed, location, and financial situation. You can create a special spreadsheet to manage all your research, filling out the quote form for each and every provider you’re interested in.
Or, simply use Pawlicy Advisor's free comparison charts. Just enter a few details about your pet, like their age and breed, and easily compare and shop for pet insurance all in one place.
Pawlicy Advisor will instantly analyze options for you across top providers simultaneously.
You’ll receive a data-driven recommendation based on your pet’s breed risks, location, lifetime cost expectations, and more.
Below your top recommended plan, you’ll see a long list of additional quotes to browse through in a matter of seconds, and you’ll be able to choose the best plan for your pet based on monthly cost, reimbursement percentage, annual coverage rate, and more.
There’s several options to sort your results, too. You can sort quotes by best recommendation, lowest cost, best lifetime cost, and/or best coverage.
You can filter your results by annual deductible, reimbursement percentage, and rate of coverage. If you have a specific provider brand in mind, you can search for their plans exclusively.
Once you see a plan you like, just click on the quote to get more details. You can see what is covered and what isn’t, as well as the Pawlicy Advisor "Coverage Score” and "Lifetime ValuePrice Score" (which ranks plans based on how comprehensive their coverage is for your specific pet and how much we expect each plan to increase in price over your pet's lifetime).
Create a custom comparison chart, the smart way
After talking to many pet parents, it's clear that people wanted a solution to compare their recommended plan and other interesting options quickly and easily from within a comparison chart.
This makes a lot of sense. There's just so much information to digest; the easiest way to simplify the comparison process is to view plans side by side - highlighting key differences in pricing and coverage.
So, we upgraded the Pawlicy Advisor tool to help pet parents generate custom pet insurance comparison charts on the fly.
The above screenshot is just a fraction of what you can learn by comparing pet insurance at Pawlicy Advisor.
In total, you'll be able to compare costs and the following coverage details side-by-side:
- Illnesses
- Cancer
- Accidents
- Breed-specific conditions
- Dental treatments
- Alternative therapies
- Behavioral issues
- Prescribed foods and medications
- Exam fees
- Poison consultation
- Supplements
- Stem cell therapy
- LASER therapy
- Lost pet advertising
- Cremation or burial
- and more…...
Purchasing your ideal plan
Once you're confident that the plan is the best fit for you at the right price, you'll want to purchase your pet insurance through Pawlicy Advisor.
- It's free.
- You'll gain peace of mind that you've made the right choice by comparing real-time quotes from top providers simultaneously.
- You'll see important alerts about breed-specific coverage needs, ensuring your chosen plan is indeed the best plan for your unique pet.
- You can customize the plan and see actual price changes instantly (see video below).
- You'll receive personalized reminders throughout the year to make sure you don't leave any value already paid for on the table.
- You'll receive breed-specific health tips/advice.
- Did I mention it's free? $0 extra. All perks above are included as a bonus for Pawlicy Advisor customers.
Compare Top Pet Insurance Companies Side-by-Side
Use Pawlicy Advisor to get personalized quotes from leading brands and see how each plan stacks up — instantly.
100% free to use. No fees. No commitment.
Find the Best Plan for Your Pet Dog or Cat
Comparing pet insurance plans for your dog or cat doesn’t have to be difficult.
Use Pawlicy Advisor to instantly analyze hundreds of policies and create pet insurance comparison charts.
We help veterinarians navigate pet insurance. We're transforming the industry.
We want to help pet parents do the right thing — because no pet should have to suffer due to unaffordable treatment costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pet insurance is best?
The best insurance for your pet is the one that works within your budget and provides the best coverage over their lifetime. Accident/illness plans are the most popular, as they cover the most expensive types of treatment. Pawlicy Advisor assigns each plan a “Coverage Score” and a “Lifetime Value Score.” You can even create instant comparison charts.
What is the best affordable pet insurance?
It depends on your pet's breed, location, age, and the type of coverage you’re looking for. Pawlicy Advisor will provide you with a “Top Recommended Plan” based on the information you provide about your pet and your budget. This plan provides the best level of coverage and the best lifetime price at the lowest cost to you.
Is there dog or cat insurance that covers everything I would need?
It depends on your pet's breed, location, age, and the type of coverage you’re looking for. Pawlicy Advisor will provide you with a “Top Recommended Plan” based on the information you provide about your pet and your budget. This plan provides the best level of coverage and the best lifetime price at the lowest cost to you.
What is the top-rated pet insurance?
The top-rated pet insurance providers in the industry include ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Hartville Pet Insurance, Embrace Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance, Pets Best Pet Insurance, and MetLife Pet Insurance, all of which receive high marks from customers and industry analysts — and all are partnered with Pawlicy Advisor to make your shopping experience easier.
Does any pet insurance cover routine visits?
Yes, but only if you sign up for a wellness plan on top of your general pet insurance policy. Wellness plans are optional, but they can cover routine costs like vaccines, wellness exams, and preventive care. Most wellness plans are very affordable.
What companies offer pet health insurance?
Some traditional insurers offer pet insurance packages, but many companies were launched specifically to provide accident & illness insurance. You can currently compare and purchase plans from ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Hartville Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance, Pets Best Pet Insurance, and MetLifePet Insurance through Pawlicy Advisor.
Which pet insurance companies allow enrollment at any time?
Most pet insurance companies require your pet to reach a minimum age (usually 6 to 8 weeks) before they can be insured. Otherwise, you can sign up for pet insurance at any time. Also, none of the insurance companies on Pawlicy Advisor have age limits on their pet insurance, so you can sign up even if you have an older pet.
What should you avoid in a pet insurance provider?
It helps to avoid very new providers as their premiums are likely to fluctuate while they figure out their business economics. A company’s online customer reviews can also provide helpful context into customer service experiences, but they shouldn't be the deciding factor as many poor reviews may very well be due to poor fit. Check their reimbursement speeds and compare their coverage details based on your pet's breed risks, age, and locations to find the best fit.
Pawlicy Advisor only partners with leading insurance providers, which helps you avoid the common pitfalls of shopping for pet insurance.
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Analyze My PetAbout Pawlicy Advisor
The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. By comparing personalized coverage and pricing differences we can save you a ton of money, up to 83% in some instances!
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CEO & Co-Founder - Pawlicy Advisor
Woody Mawhinney, CEO and Co-Founder of Pawlicy Advisor, was relieved when his pet insurance covered his Shar Pei’s monthly prescription costs. However, many veterinarians and pet parents in his community shared with him the difficulties they faced when evaluating options. As a licensed insurance producer nationally, he launched Pawlicy Advisor as the first U.S. pet insurance marketplace actively endorsed by veterinarians, aiming to improve the pet insurance experience by providing objective analysis, more thorough comparison, and a streamlined educational experience.
