Best Companies Offering Insurance for Pets in 2022
[Coverage, Limitations, Pricing, Reviews]
Have you been looking for the best pet insurance for your furbaby? Picking the right policy and provider can be difficult, that’s why we created a comprehensive analysis based on pros & cons, pricing & plans, coverage & exclusions, and their online reputation.
Fact-checked
Last Updated: May 23, 2022
1. Eusoh
Eusoh has only been around since 2017, so it’s still finding its place amongst the top companies offering insurance for pets. Still, the company has a BBB rating of B+ and positive customer reviews. Through its community-based funding structure, everything from cancer to surgery is covered. You don’t have to pay set monthly fees, but instead, rest easy knowing you’ll never pay more than $65. Full Review
- No set monthly premiums
- Peer-to-peer sharing business model
- No upper or lower age limits for cats or dogs
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Eusoh has only been around since 2017, so it’s still finding its place amongst the top companies offering insurance for pets. Still, the company has a BBB rating of B+ and positive customer reviews. Through its community-based funding structure, everything from cancer to surgery is covered. You don’t have to pay set monthly fees, but instead, rest easy knowing you’ll never pay more than $65. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
2. Pets Best
Pets Best has an A+ BBB rating, delivers fantastic customer support through a multitude of channels, and offers the best affordable insurance for pets available. There are no upper age limits and no lifetime limits on any of the numerous plans. You can submit claims online and there’s a direct deposit option too. Its 5% multi-pet discount and 30-day money-back guarantee also make this an attractive option. Full Review
- A range of plans available
- Short hip dysplasia waiting period (14 days)
- 5% discount for military and multiple pets
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Pets Best has an A+ BBB rating, delivers fantastic customer support through a multitude of channels, and offers the best affordable insurance for pets available. There are no upper age limits and no lifetime limits on any of the numerous plans. You can submit claims online and there’s a direct deposit option too. Its 5% multi-pet discount and 30-day money-back guarantee also make this an attractive option. Full Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
3. Pet Assure
The A+ BBB rated company provides animal insurance for every kind of animal, from birds to skunks and from horses to pot-bellied pigs. Also, the more animals you choose to sign up for this discount policy, the less you’ll pay per month. There are no waiting periods and limited exclusions - what’s not to love? Full Review
- No waiting periods
- Minimal exclusions
- 45-day money-back guarantee
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The A+ BBB rated company provides animal insurance for every kind of animal, from birds to skunks and from horses to pot-bellied pigs. Also, the more animals you choose to sign up for this discount policy, the less you’ll pay per month. There are no waiting periods and limited exclusions - what’s not to love? Full Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
4. PetFirst
This BBB-accredited company boasts an A+ rating with BBB. It has various plans to pick from, a 24-hour waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and hip dysplasia. Its customer service team is available during extended business hours. This company also offers various discount options that make premium care accessible to all. Sealing the deal is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
- Variety of plans
- Extended customer service hours
- Accidents are covered within 24 hours of enrolment
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This BBB-accredited company boasts an A+ rating with BBB. It has various plans to pick from, a 24-hour waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and hip dysplasia. Its customer service team is available during extended business hours. This company also offers various discount options that make premium care accessible to all. Sealing the deal is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
5. Petplan
Petplan is an A+ BBB rated company with a great reputation. It offers an assortment of premium insurance plans to cat and dog owners alike. What’s most impressive about Petplan is that after 365 days curable pre-existing conditions are covered. Its 24/7 customer service, intuitive online platform, and claims-submitting app are great additions to an already generous policy offering. Full Review
- 24/7 customer service
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Curable pre-existing conditions covered after 365 days
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Petplan is an A+ BBB rated company with a great reputation. It offers an assortment of premium insurance plans to cat and dog owners alike. What’s most impressive about Petplan is that after 365 days curable pre-existing conditions are covered. Its 24/7 customer service, intuitive online platform, and claims-submitting app are great additions to an already generous policy offering. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
6. Figo Pet Insurance
Figo Pet is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has a B+ BBB rating. It offers three different plans for you to pick from. It is largely regarded as one of the best dog insurance options available. Its plans are flexible and accommodate all budgets. You’ll also enjoy a 10% discount on every additional pet you cover. Still not sure? Give it a try and take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. Full Review
- Excellent reputation
- Highly customizable plans
- Waiting periods for different coverage (3 days, 14 days, 6 months)
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Figo Pet is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has a B+ BBB rating. It offers three different plans for you to pick from. It is largely regarded as one of the best dog insurance options available. Its plans are flexible and accommodate all budgets. You’ll also enjoy a 10% discount on every additional pet you cover. Still not sure? Give it a try and take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
7. Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws has an impressive A+ BBB rating and various deductible and reimbursement options. Its pricing structure is easy to understand and its online portal is incredibly user-friendly. What really makes it stand out are its extended customer support hours, lifetime coverage, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the fact that this company pays the vet directly. Full Review
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No annual or lifetime maximum limits
- Customer support with extended business hours
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Healthy Paws has an impressive A+ BBB rating and various deductible and reimbursement options. Its pricing structure is easy to understand and its online portal is incredibly user-friendly. What really makes it stand out are its extended customer support hours, lifetime coverage, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the fact that this company pays the vet directly. Full Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
8. Embrace Pet Insurance
This A+ BBB rated company has a great reputation and wonderful customer support. It offers numerous deductible and reimbursement options so you can customize your pet’s plan to your liking. There are no lifetime limits, and claims are processed promptly and properly with most being paid within 15 business days. A generous discount policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee seal the deal on this provider. Full Review
- Extensive discounts offered
- Quick claims processing and paying
- $50 off deductible for every claim-free year
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This A+ BBB rated company has a great reputation and wonderful customer support. It offers numerous deductible and reimbursement options so you can customize your pet’s plan to your liking. There are no lifetime limits, and claims are processed promptly and properly with most being paid within 15 business days. A generous discount policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee seal the deal on this provider. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
9. Trupanion
This A+ BBB rated company has a fantastic reputation - and for good reason! Its Pet Owner Assistance Add-On package is nothing short of innovative. While it is more expensive than other options if you don’t feel as though you’re getting your money’s worth, take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
- No annual limits
- One simple plan offered
- Flexible treatment options incl naturopathy and homeopathy
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This A+ BBB rated company has a fantastic reputation - and for good reason! Its Pet Owner Assistance Add-On package is nothing short of innovative. While it is more expensive than other options if you don’t feel as though you’re getting your money’s worth, take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
10. Nationwide
Nationwide is a popular plan for exotic pet owners since it’s one of the few animal insurance providers who cover anything other than cats and dogs. Industry-standard discounts, an A+ BBB rating, affordable monthly premiums, and a comprehensive coverage list all add to its popularity. It has a 10-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsure. Full Review
- 24/7 customer service
- 5-15 days average claims payment
- Covers an assortment of animals
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Nationwide is a popular plan for exotic pet owners since it’s one of the few animal insurance providers who cover anything other than cats and dogs. Industry-standard discounts, an A+ BBB rating, affordable monthly premiums, and a comprehensive coverage list all add to its popularity. It has a 10-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsure. Full Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
11. ASPCA
Its 10% per-pet discount and seamless administrative process make ASPCA a wonderful option for pet parents who have more than one fur baby. The A+ BBB rated company has a proven track record and a well-deserved reputation, and its ratings are very high. It has a 14-day waiting period for everything, an emergency hotline for pre-authorization, responsive customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
- Emergency hotline
- 180-day pre-existing condition classification
- 14-day waiting period for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament events
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Its 10% per-pet discount and seamless administrative process make ASPCA a wonderful option for pet parents who have more than one fur baby. The A+ BBB rated company has a proven track record and a well-deserved reputation, and its ratings are very high. It has a 14-day waiting period for everything, an emergency hotline for pre-authorization, responsive customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
How We Created This List – Our Methodology
We made numerous pet insurance comparisons in order to compile this list of 15 great providers of insurance for pets. We scoured websites, pored over company history, and analyzed customer reviews. Numerous factors were considered including the following:
✓ Reputation
Only companies with the very best reputations have found a spot on our list. We also considered company history and how long the company in question has spent building up its reputation.
✓ Price
While our list covers everything, from the cheapest up to the most expensive insurance policy for pets, all of the options on our list are reasonable and the pricing of certain plans aligns with the level of coverage offered.
✓ Accepted Pets
At the very least all of the companies on our list offer coverage to both pets and dogs while a handful of them offer animal insurance to exotic pets including the likes of iguanas and pot-bellied pigs!
✓ Inclusions
All the companies we have chosen have a list of inclusions that are actually worth paying for. Some of them offer insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.
✓ Exclusions
As you’ll learn later on, most companies exclude the same line items in their policies. We’ve only included those that have a fair and reasonable list of exclusions such as the costs related to breeding, grooming, and feeding. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find insurance for pets that covers spaying.
✓ Customer Service
Customer service is always important, and the companies that made it on our list either have great customer service agents, have various customer service channels or operate during extended business hours.
Detailed Reviews
- Fairly new company, so it still needs to gain momentum and earn its reputation
- Earn $40 for every member you sign up through the ambassador program
- No upper or lower age limits for cats or dogs
- 30-day waiting period for any claim
- Peer-to-peer sharing business model
- Covers both cats and dogs
- If you’re an active group member you must stay in your group for 1 year (or forfeit your deposit)
- No networks to work within
- No set monthly premiums
Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, along comes Eusoh – the peer-to-peer health crowd-sharing system. Essentially, whenever you have an expense you’d like to be reimbursed for, the Eusoh community sorts it out. The same applies to the next person who needs help paying their vet’s bills and others after them.
Through its innovative approach to pet healthcare, Eusoh covers:
- illnesses, injuries, congenital conditions, hereditary conditions
- annual checkups
- cancer, surgeries, prescribed medications
- alternative treatments and wellness care
The only exclusions are those relating to food, supplements, grooming, breeding, spaying or neutering.
So instead of trying to find the best pet medical insurance policy, you share costs with a community of other pet owners.
How it works is simple:
- Pay a $48 deposit to sign up
- Pay the $17 monthly subscription fee per pet and check in with your group (sub-communities of like-minded people within the Eusoh community) and contribute to their pets’ medical needs that month.
You can either join a dedicated cat or dog group, join a community group, or band together with your colleagues, family members, or neighbors to start your own.
A $250 annual deductible, an annual limit of $8,500, a 30-day waiting period, zero age limits, and a promise to never have to pay more than $65 per month seal the deal on this alternative to insurance for pets.
- Inexpensive
- A range of plans available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- $2 transaction fee in some states
- 5% discount for members of the military and those with multiple pets
- Alternative, herbal and holistic therapies aren’t covered
- Claim payment takes longer than other companies
- Short hip dysplasia waiting period (14 days)
Pets Best is often referred to as the cheap insurance provider for pets on the market and we’re inclined to agree since its accidents-only plan costs a mere $6 for cats and $9 for dogs.
It offers a range of plans covering:
- illnesses
- accidents
- preventative care
You have a choice of 90%, 80% or 70% reimbursement percentages and deductibles of $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000 with annual limits of $5,000 or unlimited.
Apart from offering the cheapest pet insurance policy imaginable, Pets Best will cover your pet for all sorts of conditions and services, depending on the plan you pick. Surgery, specialist visits, outpatient care, emergency visits, prescription medications, behavioral treatments, and acupuncture are just a few examples of the coverage.
Organ transplants, pre-existing conditions, and stem cell therapy are a few of the exclusions.
- accidents have a 3-day waiting period
- illness and hip dysplasia have a 14-day waiting period
- cruciate ligament injuries have a 6-month waiting period
If you opt for the routine care add-ons, those are available from the policy effective date onwards. All claims must be submitted within 180 days and repayments average between 25 to 40 days.
- No waiting periods
- Covers all kinds of animals
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Covers all conditions (even pre-existing ones)
- Customer service only available via phone on weekdays
- Limited to vets within the Pet Assure network
- Minimal exclusions
Pet Assure is essentially a discount-network that allows pet owners to receive 25% discounts off every visit. Because it is not an insurance policy it works a little differently if you compare it to the pet insurance plans discussed up until now. Here, all in-house medical care is discounted.
This includes:
- wellness visits
- sick and routine visits
- preventative care such as vaccinations
Surgical procedures, dental care, X-Rays, hospitalization, spaying and neutering, and more are all included.
The only things that aren’t covered are routine grooming, boarding, outsourced services, food, medication, or mileage fees.
- No upper age limits
- Various plans to pick from
- Covers both cats and dogs
- Short accident waiting period
- Extended customer service hours
- Accidents are covered within 24 hours of enrollment
- Per incident deductible
- Expensive
- No behavioral training
PetFirst is a company that offers insurance for pets that is part of the MetLife Company’s brand umbrella.
You have reimbursement options of 90%, 80% or 70% and annual limit options of $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000. Pick from $50, $100, $250 or $500 deductibles.
Accidents, illnesses, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, prescription medications, orthotic devices, and exam fees are all covered.
No pre-existing conditions are covered and costs relating to routine exams, grooming, cosmetic procedures, breeding, behavioral training, and other types of pet care are not included under PetFirst’s insurance.
Claims are typically processed within a 14-day period.
Just 24 hours after enrollment, your pet is covered for accidents.
Illnesses and cases of hip dysplasia have a 14-day waiting period.
PetFirst offers:
- 5% discount to those who own two pets
- 10% discount to those who own more than three
- $10 – $20 discount off online policy purchases
- 5% to 10% corporate employee discount
- 10% veterinary staff discount
- 5% military discount
- 24/7 customer service
- Covers both cats and dogs
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Lots of coverage terms and conditions
- Curable pre-existing conditions covered after 365 days
- Pets must have annual check-ups to be covered
- $3.50 payment-processing fee
- No multi-pet discount
Petplan is an option worth considering if you’re looking for insurance for your pets.
It has annual price limits of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, $25,000 or an unlimited annual price depending on the plan you pick. You have a choice of an annual deductible of $250, $500, or $1,000, and reimbursements of 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Petplan covers:
- injuries, accidents, illnesses
- non-routine veterinary exam fees, sick visits
- emergency care, specialist visits, dental-related diseases and treatments
- behavioral therapy, imaging, hereditary and chronic conditions
- cancer treatment, prescription medications and more.
It is one of the few companies that offer pet dental insurance.
The company doesn’t offer coverage for: wellness, routine care, preventative care, prophylactic teeth cleaning, non-curable pre-existing conditions, or elective treatments.
Claims must be submitted within a 90-day period and claim repayments take place within a 30-day period.
- Accidents and illnesses have a 15-day waiting period
- Cruciate ligament and patella injuries have a 6-month waiting period
- After 365 days, Petplan pet insurance will cover a curable pre-existing condition
- Multiple-pet discount
- Highly customizable plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Provides both cat and dog insurance
- Established company with an excellent reputation
- Different waiting periods for different coverage (3 days, 14 days and 6 months)
- 7-day waiting period for pre-authorization for certain procedures
- One-time administration fee charged in some states
- No preventative care (not even as an add-on!)
Figo Pet was officially established in 2013 and has earned a reputation as one of the very best pet health insurance providers available today. The award-winning company offers three different plans:
- illness plan
- injury plan
- unlimited lifetime benefit plan
All plans cover the same ailments and treatments, including chronic conditions, behavioral issues, hospitalization and testing, and more.
Figo Pet pet insurance excludes a number of conditions: preventive care, pregnancy, pre-existing conditions, vaccinations, neutering or spaying, cloning, cosmetic procedures, and experimental procedures.
The waiting periods differ according to the condition:
- 3 days for accidents
- 14-day waiting period for illness coverage
- 6 months for knee injuries and hip dysplasia
Pick a reimbursement level of 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% and deductibles of $100, $250, $500 and $1,000.
- Essential Plan has an annual limit of $5,000
- Preferred Plan has an annual limit of $10,000
- Ultimate Plan has no annual cap
Figo Pet Cloud is undoubtedly one of Figo Pet’s best features and is one of the best online platforms out of all the options on this list. On it, customers have 24/7 access to a Live Vet, can view appointment reminders, can access a “Find My Pet” functionality, and more.
- Fantastic customer support available during extended business hours
- 30-day money-back guarantee (“free look period”)
- Direct vet payments
- Covers both cats and dogs
- No annual or lifetime maximum limits
- Must sign your pet up before they’re 14 years old
- Upper age limit
- No pet behavioral care is offered in any of their insurance plans
- $25 administration fee
Operational since 2009, this is one of the most established insurance providers on our list. Amidst an incredibly long list of benefits, Healthy Paws is a rare company that pays the vet directly.
Mixed accident and illness coverage is offered for everything:
- emergency and specialty care
- diagnostic and alternative treatment
Healthy Paws’ doesn’t cover neutering or spaying, dental health care, parasite control, special diets, elective procedures, microchipping, preventable disease, behavioral therapy, breeding, preventative care, and more.
- Owners of pets aged 5 years and younger can pick from 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement percentages, and a $100, $250 or $500 deductible.
- Pets aged 6 to 7 years have the options of 60%, 70% or 80% reimbursement percentages and deductibles of $250, $500, or $750.
- Dogs over 8 years old don’t have as many options with a 60% reimbursement percentage and a $750 deductible.
The pricing is determined by a personalized quoting system that considers everything from your ZIP code to your pet’s breed. With monthly premiums starting at a mere $15, Healthy Paws offers some of the greatest insurance options for cats on the market. Their puppy insurance prices start at $25.
- Discounts available
- Covers both cats and dogs
- Quick claims processing and paying
- Option to minimize waiting time for orthopedic conditions
- Healthy pet deductible ($50 off deductible for every claim-free year)
- Extensive discounts offered, which can significantly decrease the overall pet insurance cost
- $25 enrollment fee
- Upper age limit of 14 years for both cats and dogs
With Embrace Pet insurance you have a multiple choice of reimbursement and annual deductibles: 90%, 80% or 70% reimbursement percentages and annual deductibles of $200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000.
Depending on the plan you pick you’ll be limited to a different annual maximum: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000.
There is a plan that allows you to have no annual policy caps but this needs to be arranged via telephone.
Embrace Pet does not cover:
- pre-existing conditions, breeding-related costs
- avian flu, deliberate injury, injury or illness stemming from neglect or cruelty
- cosmetic procedures, DNA cloning, or stem cell therapy
It covers pretty much everything else including but not limited to:
- breed-specific and genetic conditions, congenital conditions
- chronic conditions, cancer, exam fees
- rehabilitation fees, behavioral therapy, and ER care
There’s also a plan that includes preventive care and a wellness add-on program.
Waiting periods:
- 2 days for accidents
- 14 days for illnesses
- 6 months for orthopedic conditions
However, if you submit your pet’s orthopedic report card when you enroll them then this turns into a 14-day waiting period.
Embrace Pet offers multiple discounts:
- 5% to 10% discounts for two or more pets
- 5% military discount
- 10% veterinary staff discount
- 15% USAA discount
- 90% reimbursement with no payout limits
- No annual limits
- 24/7 customer support
- Option for the company to pay the vet directly
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Flexible treatment options including naturopathy and homeopathy
- Expensive if you consider the average cost of insurance for pets
- Upper age limit of 14 years for both cats and dogs
- No multi-pet discount
- One simple plan offered
- Long illness waiting period
Trupanion is a company that aims to simplify insurance for pets as a whole.
Trupanion has a 90% reimbursement with no payout limits.
You can choose a deductible between $0 to $1,000, however, note that the deductible isn’t annual but rather per incident. You must submit claims within 90 days and your claim will be processed in 69 days and paid in 14.
It covers everything from hereditary conditions to hospital stays and many instances in between. It’s also one of the few providers of pet insurance that covers dental care and that pays the vet directly should you need this service.
The two things that make Trupanion stand out are its optional packages:
- Pet Owner Assistance – covers the boarding fees of your pet in the event that YOU are hospitalized and the advertising costs and rewards for lost pets
- Recovery and Complementary Care Rider – covers hydrotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, and other alternative therapies
On the other hand, it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, preventative care, or exam fees.
- Stellar reputation
- 24/7 customer service
- Three plans to pick from
- Incredibly quick payments
- 5 to 15 day claims payment average
- Covers a wide range of different pets
- Covers an assortment of animals from puppies to pigs
- Certain elements of coverage aren’t available in all states
- $2 transaction fee
- 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries
- Complicated policy
If you’re a fan of Lassie, you’ll be impressed to know that she was Nationwide’s first-ever customer.
Nationwide doesn’t just cover cats and dogs but also a whole range of exotic pets. It offers animal health insurance for most bird species as well as amphibians, chinchillas, mice, snakes, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, opossums, geckos, goats, gerbils and more!
Nationwide offers an assortment of plans covering injury, accident, and pet wellness. It has three different plans for you to pick from and a 90% reimbursement or fixed benefit option. It is extremely specific about what it does and does not cover, so we suggest reading through their policy coverage documentation with a fine-tooth comb.
The company doesn’t cover anything relating to pre-existing conditions, grooming, or boarding.
Some plans only partially cover certain conditions. For example, skin tumors are fully covered in the Major Medical and Whole Pet plans but not in the Pet Wellness insurance plan while ACL is fully covered by the Whole Pet plan, partially covered by the Major Medical plan and not covered at all by the Pet Wellness plan.
It’s also one of the only providers that covers spaying and neutering.
- 14-day hip dysplasia waiting period
- 12-month cruciate ligament waiting period
- 14-day waiting period for all conditions covered by the Whole Pet and Major Medical plans
Claims must be submitted within 90 days and you can expect to receive payment within 30 days, although most receive theirs in 5 to 15 days!
- Emergency hotline
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Offers both cat and dog health insurance
- 180-day pre-existing condition classification
- $2 transaction fee
- 14-day waiting period for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament events
- No unlimited claims option
ASPCA is yet another great company that is incredibly popular and has processed over 1.6 million claims in its 20-year run.
What it’s most loved for is its multiple-pet offer – all pets are listed under a single policy and each pet receives a 10% discount. It has plans that cover
- illnesses
- accidents
- preventative care
You have a choice of 90%, 80% or 70% reimbursement, and deductibles of $100, $250, or $500.
You can also pick between annual limits of $3,000, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000.
ASPCA is very generous when it comes to what it covers:
- all kinds of accidents and illnesses
- alternative therapies, behavioral issues
- hereditary conditions, and congenital conditions
- microchip implantation as well as prescription medication, food, and supplements
It does not cover:
- pre-existing conditions
- cosmetic procedures
- breeding costs
While this is not technically a company that covers pre-existing conditions, if no symptoms are displayed in a 180-day period, then the condition is no longer classified as pre-existing.
It has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament events.
Claims must be submitted within 270 days and the average claim repayment typically takes around 14 to 16 days.
How to Choose a Pet Insurance? — The Guide
The way insurance for pets works is simple. Take your pet to the vet as and when needed. Pay your bill. Send your bill to the pet insurance provider. Depending on your plan and their policy, they’ll reimburse you anything from 70% of the bill to the full amount.
Are you asking yourself, “Should I get pet insurance?” The answer is yes. There are a number of incredible insurance providers for pets that aim to make the lives of pets and their owners easier, so picking the right one can be a challenge. It’s also a good idea to consider the following before making a final decision:
- Pricing
- Coverage
- Exclusions
- Average claims processing time
- Average repayment time
- Customer service offered (hours and platforms)
- Brand reputation
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Additional benefits
What Is Typically Included in the This Type of Insurance?
Coverage “Cans”
While it varies from provider to provider and plan to plan, the following conditions, situations, and services are frequently covered in insurance policies for pets:
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Emergencies
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Hereditary conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Prescription medication
- Cancer treatment
- Microchip implantation
What Is Typically Excluded?
Limitations: The Fine Print
As you can no doubt tell, there are many conditions and services that are typically excluded from insurance policies for pets. The main and most common exclusions that you’ll find with almost all providers are pre-existing conditions as well as conditions relating to breeding, cosmetic procedures, grooming, and cloning.
While this doesn’t apply to all, the majority of providers exclude the following:
- Costs and services relating to preventative care
- Pet dental insurance
- Dietary foods and supplements
- Exam fees
- Boarding costs
- Behavioral therapy or training
- Spaying or neutering
- Vaccines
How Much Does Insurance for Pets Cost?
As you can see from the insurance plans of the companies we introduced you to today, different policies come with different price tags attached. Thankfully, insurance for pets as a whole is an affordable expense – especially when compared to veterinary bills! What is the average cost of pet insurance per month? Anything from a couple of dollars a month up to around $50-$60 dollars max.
The different factors that contribute to the cost of premiums include the following:
-
Type of pet
The type of pet you have largely contributes to the premiums you can expect to pay. Dogs are more expensive to insure than cats are, simply because their treatment costs are generally much higher.
-
Breed
For certain types of pets, like dogs, the breed also impacts insurance costs. Some dog breeds are predisposed to a certain condition and they’re more likely to contract it, which makes the premiums higher. If your dog is a mixed breed, you can expect to pay much less for even a top-rated dog insurance plan than if you owned a purebred.
-
Age
As your pet ages, your insurance premiums go up. This means that the older your pet is at the time of enrollment, the higher the fees you’ll pay initially.
-
Health
If your pet has a poor health record or suffers from a pre-existing condition you should be prepared to pay more – and that’s if your pet qualifies for coverage in the first place.
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Deductible
As is the case with other types of insurance, the higher the deductible on the plan you select, the lower your monthly premiums. The same is true for the reverse: the lower the deductible, the higher your premiums will be BUT you’ll have to pay your vet less.
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Reimbursement Level
Similar to the above, the lower your reimbursement rate, the lower your premiums will be. Again, although this may sound like a money-saving option, in the long run, it may end up costing you more.
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Coverage Level
If it’s cheap pet insurance you want, you’ll need to look at something with a low level of coverage such as accident coverage only. On the other hand, the best lifetime pet insurance typically covers accidents and illness and sometimes even wellness too. The more coverage you want, the more you must be prepared to pay.
Best Pet Insurance at a Glance
- Eusoh: Best for Most Flexible Payment Options
- Pets Best: Best Cheap Option
- Pet Assure: Best for Sicky (Uninsurable) Pets
- PetFirst: Best for Accidents
- Petplan: Best Value
- Figo Pet Insurance: Best Overall
- Healthy Paws: Runner-Up – Best Overall
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Best Routine Care
- Trupanion: Best for Flexibility
- Nationwide: Best Exotic Insurance for Pet
- ASPCA: Best for Multiple Pets
Summary
Just like vehicle insurance and health insurance, insurance for your pet is a necessity and is something you’d rather be caught WITH than without. We recommend that all pet owners consider taking a policy out for their pet – especially those whose pets are accident-prone or belong to breeds that are known for falling sick often and easily.
But is pet insurance worth it? In the grand scheme of things, absolutely. The premiums are affordable compared to other expenses, the policies are generally easy to understand, and there’s a plan for every budget and every pet – fluffy, furry, scaly, or feathered.
FAQ
No, not at all. However, your choice of animal health insurance providers will be somewhat limited as most companies cater to cats and dogs. If you’re looking for rabbit pet insurance or insurance for a horse or hedgehog you’ll be limited to providers like Nationwide and insurance alternatives like Pet Assure.
Yes, absolutely. Generally speaking, most companies also provide wellness coverage typically by extending their level of coverage to include routine visits to your vet, too.
The earlier, the better! You never know when or if your pet will need medical attention and so it’s always best to have them insured from the beginning. Most companies have an 8-week lower age limit although many allow you to cover your pets from the date of their birth.
It depends. When it comes to the best of the best, lifetime insurance for pets is definitely it, because this level of coverage insures your pet for any injury or illness that occurs throughout their lifetime. It’s up to you to examine your options and pick the best pet insurance to meet your furry friend’s needs.
Unfortunately, the companies that offer insurance do not cover the cost of CBD oil for pets. However, if you’re still set on getting it for your furry friend, we’ve made a list of some of the best choices.
