Best Pet Insurance

Since many of us consider our animal companions family, it's no surprise that more than three million pets in the United States are covered by pet health insurance.¹ We reviewed pet insurance companies on what matters to pet parents, such as coverage for preexisting conditions, waiting periods, and annual deductibles—pet insurance premiums are a bit harder to research since they vary so much.

Figo came out as top dog with three levels of insurance coverage that offer comprehensive pet insurance. Figo not only covers vet exam fees for injuries and accidents but also waives your copays for lifesaving treatments. Figo pet insurance plans also don’t exclude hip dysplasia, a common congenital condition for large breed dogs.

We also loved Figo’s cloud-based approach to storing your pet’s medical records and the way it uses the latest technology to coordinate reimbursing claims. All of these perks let pet owners stop worrying about the cost of vet bills and start focusing on helping pets enjoy a better quality of life.

Figo has three plans, each with a different annual deductible. No matter which plan you choose, Figo waives the copay in the event your pet needs life-saving treatment.

Figo also offers cloud-based, paperless medical records, with automatic reminders for immunizations and streamlined reimbursements. Figo’s pet cloud even has geolocation in case your microchipped furry friend goes missing.

Figo has a relatively short waiting period until coverage kicks in and a wide range of discounts available for service pets, military and veteran animals, and adopted shelter pets. And as long as your dog’s congenital or preexisting condition has been cured for 12 months, they won’t be excluded from coverage.

You’ll also be impressed with Figo’s exceptional customer service and stellar industry reputation. Figo does have higher priced premiums for basic coverage, a 30-day reimbursement turn around, and no wellness care coverage. But given all the perks your tail-wagger will receive, Figo premiums pack exceptional value.

This pet insurance company also has a unique deductible that lets you pay a lifetime amount per condition. Once your deductible is met, Trupanion coverage will kick in for the rest of your dog’s life. This can be particularly useful for dog breeds prone to chronic conditions like allergies or hip dysplasia. 

Trupanion offers only one plan, but it pays 90% of eligible expenses with no lifetime or annual limits. However, exam fees and preventative care aren’t eligible for reimbursement.

While Trupanion has slightly higher premiums, you’ll save in the long run if you have a young pup or a purebred dog prone to certain conditions that require regular treatment.

Read more in our full Trupanion review.

Lemonade's core pet insurance policy covers prescription medication, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, non-elective surgeries, and treatments for conditions like hip dysplasia, cancer, and diabetes. There's also a variety of optional riders to choose from, including a wellness cash-back plan and end-of-life coverage. 

The only catch? Lemonade pet insurance is not available in these states:

Read more in our full Lemonade review.

There's plenty more to love about MetLife thanks to its affordable deductibles ($50 to $500) and thorough coverage. MetLife also offers outstanding discounts for two- or three-pet families. Active military members, veterans, healthcare workers, and animal care workers also get discounted MetLife pet insurance policies.

Healthy Paws boasts awards as the best-rated cat insurance for the past several years. However, the significant limitations on hip dysplasia make Healthy Paws an unattractive choice for dog owners, especially those with large breeds.

Despite the limitations on common dog conditions, this pet insurance company has a excellent industry reputation and solid customer service ratings. Healthy Paws also provides fast claims processing with about a two-day turnaround for most reimbursements.

While there is a longer initial waiting period after enrollment compared to other pet insurance providers, we think you’ll find the comprehensive coverage from Healthy Paws worth the wait. 

You'll wait just three days for accident coverage and 14 days for illness coverage with a new Pets Best policy. But read the fine print extra carefully with this company—lots of things aren't covered, including prescription diets and cremation. Add-ons are available for anything other than basic coverage, but Pets Best is one of the few pet insurance companies without a wellness plan. 

When we conducted our pet insurance cost research, Pets Best came back with some of the most affordable cat insurance quotes. But overall, we think other pet companies offer better coverage and perks. Pets Best is worth looking into if you want direct-to-vet payments, but that's about it. 

The ASPCA's equine insurance plans cover colic care and surgery regardless of cause, plus accident-related care like cuts, poisoning, and hoof abscesses. You can upgrade to illness coverage to get reimbursed for cancer treatment, among other illnesses. There's also an optional preventative plan that offers limited reimbursement for teeth floating, vaccinations, and annual exams. 

When it comes to dogs and cats, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers impressive benefits. Pets are covered as young as 8 weeks and there's no upper age limit. Exam fees, microchipping, prescription medicine, physical therapy, behavior treatment, alternative therapies, and end-of-life services are all covered. Cured congenital diseases are also covered, except for ligament injuries.

Dog and cat deductibles range from $100 to $500, and the plans cover 70% to 90% of eligible expenses. Quotes for ASPCA pet insurance ran on the high side when we conducted cost research, but you do get thorough coverage. 

The cost of your pet insurance policy is going to depend on a few variables, but the most significant will be the age and breed of your pet. Just like people, older animals are prone to more serious health problems and cost more to insure. Certain dog breeds can also have high incidents of chronic conditions that mean a lifetime of prescription medications and recurring surgeries. Shop around to find the best rate, but be aware that some pets are more expensive to insure than others.

If your dog or cat has a preexisting condition, they can probably still get coverage, but any costs associated with that condition will not be covered by pet insurance. Look for policies that have exceptions for congenital conditions that have been cured for a certain time period and dig into what you’ll have to provide to prove your pet is in good health.

As with most pet insurance costs, the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium and vice versa. Look to strike a balance between a monthly payment you can afford and an annual deductible that won’t break the bank when an accident or illness occurs. Monthly premiums and deductibles can also vary considerably depending on the rate of reimbursement you select.

While it’s not standard in most pet insurance policies, wellness and preventative care is a key factor in controlling costs and keeping your pet healthy. If you’re caring for a young dog or cat you expect to be a lifetime companion, paying a bit more for wellness coverage from an insurance provider may reap dividends through a longer and better quality of life for your pet.

As pet parents, we appreciate that pets are family, so we approached finding the best pet insurance plans with that in mind. We screened for the best pet insurance companies that were widely available across the United States with solid reputations via Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.

Using expert advice about coverage and deductibles, we worked to find not just the best value but the best care for your animal companion. Want to bite off more than you can chew? You can find our full methodology here.

• How Much Is Pet Insurance?
• Do Pets or Babies Cost More?
• Top Pet Cameras to Keep Your Pets out of Trouble
• The Best Pet GPS Trackers and Collars

1. North American Pet Health Insurance Association, State of The Industry Report 2021,
   "Section #2: Total Pets Insured," May 2021. Accessed on May 15, 2023.
2. North American Pet Health Insurance Association, State of The Industry Report 2021,
   "Section #3: Average Premiums," May 2021. Accessed on May 15, 2023.