Dog insurance can save you thousands of dollars should your dog get sick or injured. Despite the many benefits, only about half of dog owners have some sort of insurance policy for their canine companion. Without pet insurance, dog owners may find themselves in a financial dilemma, especially if their dog needs expensive treatments. Dog insurance works much like human insurance but with a few caveats to watch for.

If you’ve considered getting an insurance policy for your dog, you’re in the right spot. In this guide, we’ll review 10 of the best dog insurance companies in the market today to help you understand the many options available. We’ll also explain how dog insurance works and what to look for in your search.

A Quick Look at the Best Pet Insurance Providers in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Insurance Companies

1. Lemonade Pet Insurance – Best Overall

Lemonade Pet Insurance offers affordable base plans for those seeking accident and illness coverage. The company also offers the option of adding a preventative package for a little extra per month that covers a certain number of wellness exams, vaccines, heartworm tests, parasite tests, and medications. You can customize your plan to fit your budget, such as choosing from 70%, 80%, or 90% of your vet bill to be paid, selecting an annual deductible from $100, $250, $500, or $750, and choosing your annual payout options from $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000, all of which alter your monthly premium.

There are waiting periods in place for coverage, including 2 days for injury, 14 days for illness, and 6 months for cruciate ligaments. This insurance does not cover dental care, spay/neuter, and pre-existing conditions, which is typical.

They offer a 5% discount for each additional pet you add to the policy and a 5% discount for paying annually instead of monthly. You can also cancel the policy at any time. You can submit claims via the app, and claims processing is quick. The only drawback we see is the company only covers basic and common health concerns and may not benefit doggies with more complex issues.

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2. Fetch Pet Insurance – Best Value

Fetch Pet Insurance offers affordable coverage to fit your financial needs. It also offers particular types of coverage that most other pet insurance companies do not, such as alternative and holistic care, extensive dental coverage (including full coverage for periodontal disease, trauma, oral tumors, and more), and exam fees that come with sick visits. It offers only one plan; however, the plan is customizable and provides excellent coverage. You can also add a routine and preventative package for an extra fee that covers routine wellness exams and vaccinations.

Unlike most pet insurance companies, they even cover boarding fees. They also offer virtual vet visits that cover up to $1,000 per year with no copay, as well as advertising fees of up to $1,000 per year should your pet go missing.

There is a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses and a 6-month waiting period for knee and hip injuries. However, you can waive the waiting period for knee injuries by having your vet examine your dog within 30 days of enrollment to prove your dog has no pre-existing knee issues.

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3. Trupanion Pet Insurance

Trupanion Pet Insurance offers unlimited payouts. It also offers the exceptional feature of paying your vet bill instantly with Direct Pay, which means your bill is paid at checkout at the vet’s office; however, your vet must have the Trupanion Vet Direct Pay software (most do, but not all). You can customize your deductibles, ranging from $0 to $1,000. You can also customize your percentage of coverage from 70% to 90%. Coverage begins after a 5-day waiting period for injuries and 30 days for illnesses. They provide coverage for hospital stays, behavioral issues, advanced dentistry, and even physical and alternative therapies with

They do not cover exam fees or wellness exams and do not offer add-on preventative packages for those types of visits. They also have an age cap of 14 and do not offer multiple pet discounts.

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4. Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance allows you to visit any licensed vet within the United States and Canada. Spot makes having pet insurance affordable by offering an accident and illness plan or an accident-only plan for a cheap monthly premium. You can customize your deductible, reimbursement rate percentage, and annual payouts, offering an unlimited payout amount if you choose. They also offer a $25 Amazon gift card upon signing up, which is a nice feature.

You can also add their Gold plan for a small additional fee, which offers up to $250 per year in additional benefits, like dental illnesses, wellness exams, vaccines, and deworming. You can even add the Platinum plan for even more benefits, which is beneficial for puppies.

Spot covers advanced treatments, such as chemotherapy and acupuncture, and provides a 10% discount for each additional pet. They also have a curated list of discounts on pet essentials at places like The Farmer’s Dog, BarkBox, and more. There is no age limit for enrollment, and you can enroll your pup as young as 8 weeks old.

A drawback is you have to pay your vet bill upfront; you do not get reimbursed until a claim is approved, which can take 7 days or less.

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5. Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance offers one full-coverage accident and illness plan, which simplifies the process of choosing a plan that is right for you and your pup. What’s more, Embrace covers exam fees associated with every vet visit for a small additional fee. If that weren’t enough, they offer a Wellness Rewards plan that covers routine wellness exams, dental cleanings, spay/neuter, grooming and nail trims, nutritional supplements, and flea, tick, and heartworm preventative. They also offer a 24/7 pet health line for emergencies or general questions.

There is an age limit of 15; however, dogs 15 years and over are still eligible for an accident-only plan. You choose your deductible, annual maximum, and reimbursement rates, and it’s easy to submit claims through their mobile app or website. However, processing claims can take up to 10 to 15 days. Embrace also offers a 10% discount for multiple pets.

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6. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance sets itself apart by covering hip dysplasia for pets under 6 years of age at the time of enrollment. As with most pet insurance, you can customize your deductible and reimbursement percentage rates to adjust your monthly premium to suit your budget. This insurance is provided with no maximum limits or claims payouts, meaning there are no per-incident, annual, or lifetime caps for coverage, and rates are reasonable.

Alternative care and genetic conditions coverage are included in all plans, and most claims are processed within 2 days. They offer one easy-to-understand plan that offers excellent coverage, such as injuries, cancer, genetic conditions, and emergency care. However, they do not cover preventative care or exam fees.

Healthy Paws gives back with its grant programs, which have already donated over $2 million to shelters and rescues that help fund food, medicine, and other essentials. These programs are funded through the simple act of requesting an instant pet insurance quote, so when you request a quote, you are helping save an animal in need. Moreover, Healthy Paws will donate $25 to a non-profit animal shelter or rescue on your behalf when you refer a friend.

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7. MetLife Pet Insurance

MetLife Pet Insurance sets itself apart by offering coverage for up to three pets under one single plan with a single deductible. That means you don’t have to add each additional pet for a 5% or 10% discount like other insurance. As with most pet insurance companies, you can customize your deductible, add extras to your plan, and choose your reimbursement percentage rate. Reimbursement time typically takes up to 10 days, and submitting claims is easy through the mobile app.

MetLife even offers counseling for grief and stress that is helpful upon the loss of a beloved pet. You can also apply a 10% discount to your policy if you are a veteran, military, first responder, healthcare or veterinary worker, or animal shelter personnel. If you’re looking for preventative care coverage for wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, etc., you can add these services to your plan, which will increase your monthly premium. There are also no age restrictions.

A drawback we see is there is no option to pay your vet clinic directly. This insurance is also a little pricey per month unless you choose a high deductible.

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8. ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance offers a complete coverage plan that covers illnesses, dental illnesses, accidents, hereditary conditions, and more. However, you must add a preventative plan if you would like routine wellness exams and vaccines covered. You can also choose an accident-only plan at a low cost.

All plans are customizable to fit your budget; however, they have a maximum annual payout of $10,000, as other pet insurance companies offer no maximum payout if you choose. ASPCA pet insurance also covers cats and even horses if you’re an equine owner. They also have a mobile app available to submit claims easily.

A downfall is it takes up to 30 days to pay a claim. You can add multiple pets at a 10% discount. However, each pet will have an individual policy and premium. Coverage also does not decrease as your dog ages, but you will see an increase in your premium as your dog gets older.

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9. Figo Pet Insurance

Figo Pet Insurance offers customizable plans to suit your needs and budget at an affordable price. For a little extra per month, you can add coverage for exam fees and two wellness packages: Wellness Plus and Wellness Basic, also known as “power-ups.” The Wellness Basic offers unlimited payouts per year, covering wellness exams, vaccines, deworming, and more. The Wellness Plus plan covers everything the Wellness Basic covers but pays more toward those services.

Figo covers various conditions and illnesses, such as surgeries, emergencies, diagnostic testing, chronic conditions, prescriptions, and more. However, there is a 6-month waiting period for hip and knee issues, and they do not offer an accident-only plan.

You’ll receive a 5% discount for each additional pet, and they have a 24/7 live vet chat feature from the website. There is no age limit for enrollment, and you can choose a 100% coverage rate (at a higher premium). The mobile app also has many useful features, and each year you do not file a claim, your deductible may be decreased by $50.

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10. Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers an extensive list of accidents and illnesses, including dental illnesses (excluding routine dental cleanings), behavioral issues (anxiety, OCD, aggressive behavior), and congenital and hereditary conditions, all of which are nice additions that other pet insurance companies do not offer. They will also cover 90% of your vet bill, and you can customize your deductible and annual payouts. You also receive a 10% discount for covering multiple fur babies.

They do not offer coverage for wellness exams, vaccines, and other preventative care unless you add them to your plan for an additional fee. There is also a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage. They do not have a mobile app; however, the website is 100% mobile-optimized and accessible from your smartphone, desktop, or tablet. Claim processing and reimbursement are also quick and easy.

This pet insurance is more expensive compared to the others on our list, but the extensive coverage is tempting if it fits into your budget—they even cover end-of-life services that include euthanasia, cremation, and burial.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pet Insurance

What to Look for in Pet Insurance for Dogs

It may seem overwhelming to shop for pet insurance for your canine pal. It’s important to understand the policies and procedures of any pet insurance company you’re considering in order to know what you’re paying for and prevent unpleasant surprises when paying your vet bill. In this section, we’ll break down specifics to give you more clarity about what to look for.

Policy Coverage

Understanding what your policy will cover is of utmost importance. For example, if you choose an accident-only plan, these plans will only cover accidents and will not cover illnesses should your dog get sick. While an accident-only plan is affordable, you will only receive reimbursement for approved services.

While shopping, it’s extremely beneficial to understand what you need in a pet insurance company. If you feel your dog will benefit from extra dental coverage, ensure the company offers an add-on for such services. If you’re looking for behavioral or hereditary condition coverage, ensure the company offers those as well, as not all do. If you would like exam fees and wellness exams covered, those services are typically add-ons that will increase your monthly premium.

Customer Service & Reputation

A company’s reputation is another important factor to consider. Ensure you read customer reviews about the company, and if you see more negative reviews than positive ones, it will do you good to keep searching. The last thing you want is to deal with an unpleasant customer service representative, especially when disputing a bill, so ensure you study up on their customer service ratings.

Claim Repayment

Most pet insurance companies allow you to customize your plan. For example, you can typically choose your deductible, which usually ranges from $100 to $250, $500 to $750, or even $1,000. A rule of thumb is the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. The same goes for annual payout amounts and reimbursement percentages, which usually range from 70%, 80%, 90%, or even 100%. So, if you choose a plan that will cover 80% after you’ve met your annual deductible of $250, the plan will cover 80% of your vet bill.

You should also review the company’s claims processing times. Some companies may pay as quickly as 2 days, while others may take up to 30 days. Another factor to look for is whether the company pays your vet directly or will send you a check for reimbursement.

Price of Policy

There are many factors that will fluctuate the price of your policy, such as choosing your customizable options. Some companies, like Embrace, offer one single plan that takes the confusion out of choosing the best policy, with add-ons available for preventative care. Remember that the higher the deductible, the lower your premium.

Keep in mind that some homeowner and car insurance companies offer bundles for adding pet insurance to your current policies, which may be financially beneficial.

Plan Customization

Plan customization is a favorable option; however, it may make choosing a plan a little more confusing. It may be difficult to decide what type of plan will benefit your dog, but a good option is normally an accident and illness plan with the option to add preventative care, like wellness exams and vaccines. Still, you can always put funds away for yearly exams if you do not want to pay an extra $10 or more a month for this added-on service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Bear in mind that most pet insurance companies (if not all) do not cover pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are conditions your dog had before you acquired a policy, meaning services for the condition will not be covered under the plan. However, some cover “curable” pre-existing conditions if there is no recurrence for at least 12 months from the start of the last problem. Curable conditions apply to ear infections, bladder infections, UTIs, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and vomiting.

“Incurable” conditions include cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, heart disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and orthopedic conditions. However, if your dog develops any of these conditions after you acquire a policy, services will be covered under an accident and illness plan. Keep in mind that hip dysplasia and knee issues typically have a 6-month waiting period for coverage, but all companies have their own timelines.

Can I Get Pet Insurance Outside the U.S.?

Most pet insurance companies offer coverage in the U.S. and Canada, and you can see any licensed veterinarian of your choosing. As for international services, some may offer coverage while traveling, and others do not. If you plan to travel with your dog, it’s imperative to understand if the company covers international services or if you should acquire a separate pet travel insurance policy before you leave the country.

Will My Premium Change as My Dog Ages?

Every pet insurance policy differs regarding your dog’s age. For example, some have no age limit for enrollment, and some do. Note that the older your dog is, the more you’ll pay for coverage, so it’s best to acquire a policy when your dog is younger. Regarding price changes, some will raise your premium as your dog ages, and some will not, making it imperative to understand the policy before enrolling.

What the Users Say

As we’ve mentioned, reading user reviews helps you get an idea of how the company operates. Let’s examine what pet parents say about dog insurance in general.

Which Dog Insurance Provider Is Best for You?

No dog insurance policy is a one-size-fits-all option, as many factors may influence which policy is right for you and your pooch. It’s crucial to assess what you’re looking for in dog insurance so that you can select the best policy.

One way to help you determine what’s best is to evaluate your dog’s breed. Is the breed prone to particular medical issues? If so, an accident and illness plan will be better than an accident-only plan.

The price of monthly premiums is also a factor. If you’re on a budget, selecting insurance that allows customization will fare better than a single policy with no variations or customization options. All the pet insurance companies we reviewed offer free quotes; once you receive the quote, you can alter your deductible, percentage rates, and payout limits per year to determine your monthly premium. Remember that some offer discounts if you pay yearly rather than monthly.

You can also look for companies that offer a 30-day money-back guarantee should you change your mind about the policy, which is a nice feature to look for.

Conclusion

Having dog insurance can make a world of difference, especially when you’re looking at a $5,000 vet bill. As dogs age, so does their medical status, and having a policy can mean the difference between financial hardship and paying a small amount for services. All policies are different yet, by contrast, work relatively in the same ways. As the best overall we chose Lemonade Pet Insurance as it’s affordable and offers good basic plan, followed by Fetch Pet Insurance as out best value choice. Evaluate your needs and look for companies that offer customizations to fit your budget. Ensure you understand the policy before purchasing, and remember to read consumer reviews to give you an idea of how the company operates.

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Featured Image Credit: Viktor Gladkov, Shutterstock