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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 big vet bills without overpaying for coverage you will not use.

Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the TheSavvyAmericans editorial team

Important: Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums typically rise as your pet ages. Most plans are reimbursement-based, meaning you pay the vet first and get paid back later. Read the waiting periods and exclusions carefully, and enroll early, because conditions that appear before coverage starts will not be covered.

Key takeaways

  • 1Our top pick is Healthy Paws for its unlimited annual coverage and simple, fast claims; Trupanion stands out for chronic conditions and paying the vet directly.
  • 2Pet insurance never covers pre-existing conditions, and every policy has a waiting period before coverage starts, so enroll while your pet is young and healthy.
  • 3Most plans reimburse you after you pay the vet, based on a reimbursement percentage, annual limit and deductible you choose.
  • 4Compare the reimbursement rate, annual limit and what counts toward the deductible, not just the monthly premium.
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.

The 7 best pet insurance companies

We compared pet insurers on reimbursement rates, annual limits, waiting periods, wellness options and claims experience. Premiums depend on your pet’s species, breed, age and your location, so use this as a shortlist and get a quote for your specific pet.

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)
#1Rank
Editor's ChoiceBest overall

Healthy Paws

4.6 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts
  • Fast, simple claims process
  • 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
Visit Healthy Paws

Official site opens in a new tab

#2Rank
Best for chronic careBest for chronic conditions

Trupanion

4.4 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Unlimited payouts, no annual cap
  • Direct payment to participating vets
  • 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
Visit Trupanion

Official site opens in a new tab

#3Rank
Best extrasBest for added benefits

Embrace

4.3 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Diminishing deductible rewards claim-free years
  • Optional wellness plan for routine care
  • 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)
Visit Embrace

Official site opens in a new tab

#4Rank
Best valueBest for affordable digital coverage

Lemonade

4.2 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Fast, app-based claims
  • 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)
Visit Lemonade

Official site opens in a new tab

#5Rank
Best flexibilityBest for flexible plans

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

4.1 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Flexible plan and add-on options
  • Accident-only plan available
  • 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)
Visit ASPCA Pet Insurance

Official site opens in a new tab

#6Rank
Best for exotic petsBest for birds and exotic pets

Nationwide

4.0 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Covers birds and exotic pets
  • Wellness coverage available
  • 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)
Visit Nationwide

Official site opens in a new tab

#7Rank
Best customizableBest for customizable limits

Spot

4.0 / 5

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.

Pros

  • Customizable limits, including unlimited
  • Optional preventive-care add-on
  • 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)
Visit Spot

Official site opens in a new tab

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.

How pet insurance works

Most pet insurance is reimbursement-based: you pay the vet, file a claim, and the insurer pays back a percentage of covered costs after your deductible. Three settings control your coverage and 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: Enroll while your pet is young and healthy. Anything diagnosed before coverage starts (or during a waiting period) is treated as pre-existing and will not be covered.

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: Ratings are editorial assessments, not user reviews. Premiums depend on your pet and location and rise with age, so get a quote for your specific pet before enrolling.

Frequently asked questions

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Every pet insurer excludes conditions that showed symptoms or were diagnosed before your policy started or during the waiting period. That is why enrolling while your pet is young and healthy matters: it maximizes what will be covered later.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It can be, especially for a serious accident or illness that could cost thousands. Insurance trades a predictable monthly premium for protection against a large, unexpected bill. If you could not comfortably cover a multi-thousand-dollar emergency out of pocket, it is worth considering; otherwise a dedicated savings fund is an 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 commonly excluded. Some breed-specific or hereditary conditions may have limits. Always read the exclusions and waiting periods before buying.
How do I choose reimbursement and deductible levels?
Pick a reimbursement rate and annual limit high enough to protect you from a big bill, then set a deductible you can afford at claim time. A higher deductible lowers your premium but means more out of pocket per incident. Balance the monthly cost against how much risk you want to keep.

Keep reading

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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.
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