Why Compare Pet Insurance Plans?
Choosing pet insurance can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of providers, and each offers different benefits, pricing, and terms. That’s why a side-by-side comparison like this one helps you make a smarter decision.
Whether you’re covering a playful pup or a curious cat, comparing monthly premiums, coverage types, and claim processes makes a big difference. Some plans offer full dental coverage and wellness add-ons. Others focus only on accidents or major illnesses.
This guide breaks everything down clearly so you can see which pet insurance plan fits your pet’s needs and your budget.
What to Look For in a Pet Insurance Plan
Not all pet insurance is the same. Here are a few things worth checking before you decide:
- Coverage: Does the plan include accidents, illnesses, dental care, or alternative therapies?
- Payout options: Can you customize the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limits?
- Waiting periods: These vary from 0 to 15 days, depending on the company.
- Claim speed: Some reimburse within days; others take a couple of weeks.
- Extra perks: Look out for wellness add-ons, vet exam coverage, and multi-pet discounts.
This table gives you all this info in one place — no need to open ten tabs and hunt down fine print.
Pet Insurance Comparison (Dogs & Cats)
Use the search box to filter providers or features. Click on any column header to sort the table. On mobile devices, scroll horizontally to view all information.
Feature | Nationwide | ASPCA Pet Insurance | Spot | Embrace | Pets Best | Trupanion | Healthy Paws | Fetch by The Dodo | Figo | Lemonade | MetLife Pet Insurance | Pumpkin | AKC Pet Insurance | ManyPets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National or Regional | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | National (most states) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states & Canada) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | National (most states) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | National (all 50 states) | Regional (available in most states; not in CA, MA, NY) |
Monthly Premium Range (Dogs) | ~$20–$80 | ~$30–$70 | ~$30–$80 | ~$18–$72 | ~$20–$60 | ~$50–$120 | ~$30–$90 | ~$30–$80 | ~$25–$70 | ~$15–$50 | ~$20–$70 | ~$40–$100 | ~$25–$90 | ~$25–$70 |
Monthly Premium Range (Cats) | ~$15–$50 | ~$15–$40 | ~$20–$50 | ~$8–$38 | ~$15–$30 | ~$20–$60 | ~$15–$40 | ~$15–$40 | ~$15–$30 | ~$10–$25 | ~$15–$30 | ~$20–$50 | ~$15–$50 | ~$15–$30 |
Deductible Options | $100 or $250 annual | $100, $250, $500 (annual) | $100–$500 (annual) | $100–$1,000 (annual) | $50–$1,000 (annual) | $0–$1,000 (per-condition) | $100, $250, $500 (annual) | $250, $300, $500, $700 (annual) | $100, $250, $500, $750 (annual) | $100–$500 (annual) | $0–$750 ($50 increments) or $1k+ | $100, $250, $500, $1000 (annual) | $100–$1,000 (annual) | $250, $500, $1,000 (annual) |
Reimbursement Options | 50% or 70% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | Up to 90% (fixed payout, typically 90%) | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 80% or 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 70% or 80% (max) |
Coverage for Accidents | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Coverage for Illnesses | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Coverage for Hereditary/Congenital | Yes (covered in comprehensive plans) | Yes (covered by default) | Yes (covered by default) | Yes (covered for genetic conditions) | Yes (covered if not pre-existing) | Yes (covered for all new conditions) | Yes (hereditary conditions covered) | Yes (covered by default) | Yes (covered by default) | Yes (covered by default) | Yes (no breed/age exclusions) | Yes (covered by default) | Optional (Hereditary conditions rider available) | Yes (covered by default) |
Coverage for Dental Illness | Yes (covered for accidents & illnesses) | Yes (covers periodontal disease, etc.) | Yes (covers dental illnesses and injuries) | Yes (up to $1,000/yr for dental illness) | Yes (covers periodontal disease, etc.) | Yes (covers injuries & illnesses to teeth) | Limited (covers dental injuries; illness coverage excludes routine gum disease) | Yes (covers non-routine dental issues) | Yes (covers dental illness and injury) | Yes (covers dental illnesses and accidents) | Yes (covers dental diseases and injuries) | Yes (covers dental illnesses and injury) | Limited (illnesses like gum disease not covered without routine care) | Yes (covers dental illness and injury) |
Coverage for Behavioral Therapy | Yes (included in illness coverage) | Yes (covered if vet-prescribed) | Yes (covered for anxiety, etc.) | Yes (covered if vet-directed) | Yes (included in illness coverage) | Not Covered (behavioral therapy rider available) | Not Covered | Yes (covers anxiety, etc. up to limits) | Yes (included if vet recommends) | Yes (covered if related to illness) | Not Covered (behavioral training not in base policy) | Yes (covered for behavioral issues) | Optional (Behavioral issues rider available) | Not Covered (behavioral issues excluded) |
Coverage for Alternative Therapies | Yes (e.g. acupuncture, with vet care) | Yes (covers acupuncture, chiro, etc.) | Yes (covers acupuncture, rehab, etc.) | Yes (covers acupuncture, etc. by vet) | Yes (Elite plan covers; lower plans exclude) | Not Covered (optional add-on covers alt therapies) | Yes (covers acupuncture, hydrotherapy, etc.) | Yes (covers acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.) | Yes (covers alternative therapies) | Yes (covers alt therapies like acupuncture) | Yes (covers acupuncture, hydrotherapy, etc.) | Yes (covers alternative therapies) | Optional (Alternative therapy coverage rider) | Yes (covers acupuncture, etc. by vet) |
Prescription Medication Coverage | Yes (for covered conditions) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (for covered conditions) | Yes |
Annual Coverage Limit Options | $7,500 or $10,000 (varies by plan) | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 or Unlimited | $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 or Unlimited | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or Unlimited | $5,000 or Unlimited | Unlimited (no annual cap) | Unlimited (no annual limits) | Unlimited (no annual cap) | $5,000, $10,000 or Unlimited | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 or Unlimited | $500 – $25,000 (in $1k increments) or Unlimited | $7,000, $15,000 or Unlimited | $2,500 – $20,000 (choose annual cap) | Unlimited (no annual limit) |
Lifetime Payout Caps | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (unlimited lifetime) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) | None (no lifetime cap) |
Waiting Period for Accidents | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 2 days | 3 days | 5 days | 15 days | 15 days | 1 day | 2 days | 0 days | 14 days | 2 days | 15 days |
Waiting Period for Illnesses | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 30 days | 15 days | 15 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 15 days |
Are Vet Exam Fees Covered? | Yes (covered for sick visits) | Yes (exam fees for covered issues) | Yes (covered for sick visit fees) | Optional (can add exam fee coverage) | Yes (Plus/Elite plans cover exam fees) | No (exam/office visit fee not covered) | No (exam fees are not reimbursed) | Yes (covers exam fees for sick visits) | Yes (exam fees covered for accidents/illnesses) | Yes (exam fees for covered conditions) | Yes (up to 90% of exam costs covered) | Yes (exam fees for accidents/illnesses) | Optional (Exam fee coverage add-on) | Yes (exam fees for accidents & illnesses) |
Is Wellness/Preventive Care Available? | Yes (optional wellness add-on) | Yes (Preventive care add-on available) | Yes (2 wellness plan options) | Yes (optional Wellness plan) | Yes (routine care add-ons available) | No (wellness not offered) | No (wellness not offered) | No (wellness not offered) | No (wellness not offered) | Yes (preventive care add-ons) | Yes (optional routine care plan) | Yes (preventive care add-on) | Yes (preventive care add-on) | Yes (separate Wellness plan available) |
Claims Process (speed & format) | Online/Email claims; ~2 weeks reimbursement | Mobile app/website; claims in ~10–15 days | Online portal/app; typical reimbursement ~10 days | Mobile app/Email; claims ~5–15 days | Online portal/app; fast claims (~5–7 days) | Direct pay to vet available; or app/online (quick processing) | Mobile app/Online; claims processed in ~1 week | Mobile app/Online; claims in ~1–2 weeks | Mobile app/Online; quick claims (often within a week) | Mobile app/Online; very fast digital claims | Mobile app/Online; claims often in ~1 week | Online/Email; claims in ~10–14 days | Online/Email; standard processing (~2 weeks) | Online portal; claims in ~8–10 days |
Is Multi-Pet Discount Available? | Yes (5% off for 2+ pets) | Yes (10% multi-pet discount) | Yes (10% off each additional pet) | Yes (10% multi-pet discount) | Yes (5% multi-pet discount) | No (no multi-pet discount) | No (no multi-pet discount) | No (no multi-pet discount) | Yes (5% multi-pet discount) | Yes (5% multi-pet discount) | Yes (family plan option for multiple pets) | Yes (10% multi-pet discount) | Yes (5% multi-pet discount in some states) | No (no multi-pet discount) |
Minimum Enrollment Age | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 6 weeks | 7 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 6 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks | 8 weeks (10 weeks for cats) | 8 weeks |
Maximum Enrollment Age | ~8 years (illness plans; no drop after) | No upper age limit | No upper age limit | 14 years (15+ eligible accident-only) | No upper age limit | 14 years (no new enrollments ≥14) | 14 years (no new enrollments ≥14) | No upper age limit | No upper age limit | Breed-based limits (~10–14 years) | No upper age limit | No upper age limit | 9 years (illness plans; 9+ accident-only) | No upper age limit |
Customization Flexibility | Moderate (choose plan with set deductible & reimburse) | High (deductible and annual limit can be customized) | High (deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement % selectable) | High (flexible deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement options) | High (deductible, annual limit, reimbursement all customizable) | Low–Moderate (per-condition deductible choice; payout % fixed) | Low–Moderate (deductible and reimbursement options available; unlimited payout) | Moderate (deductible and reimbursement choices; unlimited coverage standard) | High (deductible, reimbursement up to 100%, and annual limit flexible) | Moderate (some choice of deductible and annual limit; fixed high reimbursement) | High (very flexible: many deductible options, annual limit up to unlimited) | Low–Moderate (limited choices: fixed 90% reimbursement, a few deductible/limit options) | Moderate (base plan plus many optional coverage riders to customize) | Moderate (deductible options available; reimbursement capped at 80%, unlimited payout standard) |
Note: “Not Covered” means the feature is not included under the standard policy. “Optional” indicates it can be added via an additional rider or plan. All plans exclude pre-existing conditions. Premium ranges are approximate and vary by breed, age, location, and chosen coverage.
Still Not Sure Which Pet Insurance Is Right for You?
If the table felt a bit much, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Picking a pet insurance plan isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about how much peace of mind you want and what kind of care you expect for your pet.
Some people just want help with emergency bills. Others want full coverage, including regular checkups, dental work, and even acupuncture. That’s why it’s worth thinking about your pet’s lifestyle and health history before choosing.
Older pets might need plans with more health coverage. Young and active pets may benefit more from accident-focused plans. And if you have multiple pets, a provider with a multi-pet discount might save you quite a bit.
Is Pet Insurance Really Worth It?
If you’ve ever had a surprise vet bill, you probably already know the answer.
Pet insurance helps spread out costs and saves you from making hard choices in a crisis. One surgery or hospital stay can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. With the right plan, most of that could be covered.
Plus, having insurance means you’re more likely to visit the vet when your pet shows early signs of illness — which can make treatments easier, cheaper, and more successful.
Final Thoughts
Pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for someone else’s dog might not be right for your cat. That’s why this full comparison table is your best starting point. Look at what matters to you most — monthly cost, claim speed, coverage type — and go from there.
Still stuck? Start by picking three providers from the table that seem close to what you want. Then visit their sites (or check reviews) to dig a little deeper.
Your furry friend deserves the best. And with the right plan, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.