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The 7 best pet insurance companies

We compared pet insurers on reimbursement rates, annual limits, waiting periods and wellness options, so you can protect against the big vet bills without overpaying for coverage you will probably never use.

Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the TheSavvyAmericans editorial team

The 7 best pet insurance companies

We compared pet insurers on reimbursement rates, annual limits, waiting periods, wellness options and claims experience. Premiums swing a lot with your pet's species, breed, age and your location, so use this as a shortlist and get a quote for your specific animal rather than trusting a headline figure.

01
Our top pick

Healthy Paws

Reimbursement: 50-90%

Best overall

  • Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts
  • Fast, simple claims process
4.6 / 5
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Healthy Paws offers a single, simple accident-and-illness plan with unlimited annual and lifetime payouts and a reputation for fast claims. Its straightforward structure makes it a strong default for most pet owners.

Also worth knowing

  • One clear plan, easy to understand
  • Covers hereditary and chronic conditions (if not pre-existing)

Cons

  • No wellness or routine-care add-on
  • Older pets may face higher premiums
  • No option to cover exam fees separately
Reimbursement
50-90%
Annual limit
Unlimited
Waiting period
Short (accidents)
Wellness add-on
No
02
Best for chronic care

Trupanion

Reimbursement: 90%

Best for chronic conditions

  • Unlimited payouts, no annual cap
  • Direct payment to participating vets
4.4 / 5
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Trupanion offers unlimited payouts with a per-condition deductible and can pay participating vets directly, so you may not have to front the bill. It is well suited to pets with ongoing or chronic conditions.

Also worth knowing

  • Per-condition deductible can help chronic cases
  • Covers hereditary and congenital conditions

Cons

  • No wellness add-on
  • Per-condition deductible model is different
  • Premiums can be higher
Reimbursement
90%
Annual limit
Unlimited
Waiting period
Standard
Wellness add-on
No

Every pick on this page: independently researched · ranked on our published methodology · compensation never sets the order

03
Best extras

Embrace

Reimbursement: 70-90%

Best for added benefits

  • Diminishing deductible rewards claim-free years
  • Optional wellness plan for routine care
4.3 / 5
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Embrace offers accident-and-illness coverage with a diminishing deductible that shrinks each claim-free year, plus an optional wellness plan for routine care. It is a good all-rounder with useful extras.

Also worth knowing

  • Covers exam fees and some extras
  • Flexible limits and reimbursement

Cons

  • Wellness plan costs extra
  • Annual limits are capped (not unlimited)
  • Age limits for new enrollment
Reimbursement
70-90%
Annual limit
Up to a set cap
Waiting period
Standard
Wellness add-on
Yes (optional)
04
Best value

Lemonade

Reimbursement: 70-90%

Best for affordable digital coverage

  • Competitive pricing
  • Fast, app-based claims
4.2 / 5
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Lemonade offers competitively priced accident-and-illness policies with a fast, app-based claims experience and optional wellness and preventive add-ons. It suits budget-conscious owners who want a simple digital experience.

Also worth knowing

  • Optional wellness and preventive add-ons
  • Bundling discounts with other Lemonade policies

Cons

  • Not available in every state
  • Younger company in pet insurance
  • Some conditions have longer waiting periods
Reimbursement
70-90%
Annual limit
Up to a set cap
Waiting period
Varies by condition
Wellness add-on
Yes (optional)
05
Best flexibility

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Reimbursement: 70-90%

Best for flexible plans

  • Flexible plan and add-on options
  • Accident-only plan available
4.1 / 5
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The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program offers flexible accident-and-illness plans, an accident-only option and optional preventive care, covering cats, dogs and even some exotic-friendly needs through its underwriter.

Also worth knowing

  • Optional preventive-care coverage
  • Covers microchipping and some extras

Cons

  • Annual limits are capped
  • Preventive care costs extra
  • Reimbursement options are more limited
Reimbursement
70-90%
Annual limit
Up to a set cap
Waiting period
Standard
Wellness add-on
Yes (optional)
06
Best for exotic pets

Nationwide

Reimbursement: Up to 90%

Best for birds and exotic pets

  • Covers birds and exotic pets
  • Wellness coverage available
4.0 / 5
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Nationwide is one of the few insurers that covers birds and exotic pets in addition to cats and dogs, and offers plans that can include wellness. It is the go-to for owners of less common companions.

Also worth knowing

  • Established, large insurer
  • Whole-pet plan options

Cons

  • Some plans have longer waiting periods
  • Reimbursement can be benefit-schedule based
  • Pricing varies widely
Reimbursement
Up to 90%
Annual limit
Plan-dependent
Waiting period
Standard
Wellness add-on
Yes (some plans)
07
Best customizable

Spot

Reimbursement: 70-90%

Best for customizable limits

  • Customizable limits, including unlimited
  • Optional preventive-care add-on
4.0 / 5
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Spot offers highly customizable accident-and-illness plans, including unlimited annual-limit options and optional preventive care, with no upper age limit for enrollment. It suits owners who want to tailor coverage.

Also worth knowing

  • No upper age limit to enroll
  • Covers exam fees for covered conditions

Cons

  • Preventive care costs extra
  • Premiums rise with customization
  • Newer brand
Reimbursement
70-90%
Annual limit
Up to unlimited
Waiting period
Standard
Wellness add-on
Yes (optional)

Side by side

Pet insurers compared at a glance
#ServiceBest forRatingReimbursementAnnual limitWellness add-on
1Healthy PawsBest overall4.6 / 550-90%UnlimitedNo
2TrupanionBest for chronic conditions4.4 / 590%UnlimitedNo
3EmbraceBest for added benefits4.3 / 570-90%Up to a set capYes (optional)
4LemonadeBest for affordable digital coverage4.2 / 570-90%Up to a set capYes (optional)
5ASPCA Pet Health InsuranceBest for flexible plans4.1 / 570-90%Up to a set capYes (optional)
6NationwideBest for birds and exotic pets4.0 / 5Up to 90%Plan-dependentYes (some plans)
7SpotBest for customizable limits4.0 / 570-90%Up to unlimitedYes (optional)

Ratings are TheSavvyAmericans editorial scores based on the criteria in the methodology section below, not user reviews or paid placements. Features and pricing change often, so confirm the current details on each provider’s official site before you sign up.

Important: Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums usually climb as your pet ages, which is worth budgeting for now rather than being blindsided by later. Most plans are reimbursement-based, so you pay the vet first and get paid back afterward. Read the waiting periods and exclusions carefully, and enroll early, because anything that shows up before coverage starts simply will not be covered.

Advertising disclosure: TheSavvyAmericans may receive compensation when you apply for or open a product through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial evaluations. Products are reviewed using a documented methodology. Learn how we make money.

Key takeaways

  • 1Our top pick is Healthy Paws for its unlimited annual coverage and refreshingly simple, fast claims. If your pet has chronic issues, Trupanion is worth a look for its per-condition model and paying the vet directly.
  • 2Two rules shape everything else: pet insurance never covers pre-existing conditions, and every policy has a waiting period before coverage kicks in. Which is really just a long way of saying enroll while your pet is young and healthy.
  • 3Most plans reimburse you after you pay the vet, based on a reimbursement percentage, an annual limit and a deductible you choose. Knowing that going in saves a nasty surprise at the counter.
  • 4Compare the reimbursement rate, the annual limit and what actually counts toward the deductible, not just the monthly premium. The cheapest premium can quietly be the weakest coverage.

How pet insurance works

Most pet insurance is reimbursement-based, which surprises a lot of first-time buyers: you pay the vet, file a claim, and the insurer pays back a percentage of covered costs after your deductible. Three settings quietly control both your coverage and your price.

  • Reimbursement rate: the share of the covered bill you get back (often 70, 80 or 90 percent). Higher means more back but a higher premium.
  • Annual limit: the most the plan pays per year. Unlimited plans cost more but protect against major bills.
  • Deductible: what you pay before reimbursement begins, either annual or per condition.

Good to know: The single most important move here: enroll while your pet is young and healthy. Anything diagnosed before coverage starts, or during a waiting period, gets treated as pre-existing and will not be covered, no matter how unfair that feels later.

How we picked and scored these insurers

  • Coverage: reimbursement rates, annual limits and what conditions are included.
  • Waiting periods and exclusions: how soon coverage starts and what is left out.
  • Extras: optional wellness or preventive care and useful perks like direct vet pay.
  • Claims experience: speed and ease of getting reimbursed.
  • Value: price relative to the coverage for a typical pet.

Good to know: These ratings are editorial assessments, not user reviews. Premiums depend on your pet and location and climb with age, so get a quote for your specific pet before enrolling.

Frequently asked questions

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, and this is the rule that catches new owners off guard. Every pet insurer excludes conditions that showed symptoms or were diagnosed before your policy started or during the waiting period. That is exactly why enrolling while your pet is young and healthy matters so much: it maximizes what will actually be covered down the line.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It can be, especially for a serious accident or illness that could run into the thousands. Insurance trades a predictable monthly premium for protection against a large, unexpected bill. The honest test: if you could not comfortably cover a multi-thousand-dollar emergency out of pocket, it is worth considering. If you could, a dedicated pet savings fund is a legitimate alternative.
What does pet insurance usually not cover?
Pre-existing conditions, routine or preventive care (unless you add a wellness plan), grooming, breeding and often dental cleanings are the usual exclusions. Some breed-specific or hereditary conditions may carry limits too. None of this is hidden, but you do have to read the exclusions and waiting periods before you buy.
How do I choose reimbursement and deductible levels?
Pick a reimbursement rate and annual limit high enough to shield you from a genuinely big bill, then set a deductible you can actually afford in the moment a claim happens. A higher deductible lowers your premium but means more out of pocket per incident. It really comes down to how much risk you are comfortable keeping yourself.

Keep reading

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