Best Dog Insurance Providers of 2024

Why does my dog need pet insurance?

Dog health insurance is a service for pet owners seeking a financial safety net in the event that your dog gets sick or injured and requires expensive veterinary treatment. Dog owners pay a monthly premium for this service, with costs varying based on age and breed, what medical costs are covered under the policy, what annual or per-procedure deductible the policy includes, and what percentage of treatment the customer will be reimbursed for by the company.

When should you buy pet insurance for your pup? 

You will get the most value out of your policy if you purchase insurance when your dog is young. Providers may have a minimum age requirement, but it is advisable to insure your pet as soon as they pass this threshold, which should be no more than a couple months old. Insuring older dogs, who are often at greater risk for costly ailments, can still save you a lot of money in the long run, but monthly premiums will be higher. Treatment for serious diseases, such as cancer, can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. Getting your pet put down is unfortunate no matter the circumstance—but it’s preferable that it be for the sake of humane treatment, rather than because you can’t afford medical costs. It is important to insure your pet before they get sick, because it is unlikely that a policy will cover a pre-existing condition.  

How does pet insurance work? 

Pet insurance prices are specific to the animal in question and the type of coverage you want, so the signup process begins with you providing information on the provider’s website about the breed, age and basic medical history of your dog. You will then get a quote which you can adjust by changing your deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual limit, and coverage plan if the provider has a tiered pricing system.

Once you’ve purchased your policy, you’ll be able to call and get pre-approval for any medical procedure your dog is undergoing to make sure the provider covers it under the policy. Some providers, such as Trupanion, will pay the vet directly, while other providers will reimburse you after you pay the vet. The amount of time it will take to get reimbursed varies, however some providers, such as Pets Best, commit to processing claims in a matter of days.

Compare Our Top Dog Insurance Providers

Insurer	Waiting Period	Learn More
Spot	14 days	Spot Pet Insurance Get Quote
Pets Best	3-14 days	Pets Best Get Quote
ASPCA	14 days	ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Get Quote

What does pet insurance cover and how should you choose?

The extent of your pet insurance policy’s coverage will depend on the provider and plan that you choose. When choosing a plan, items that you may seek coverage for include:

• Preventative/wellness care
• Hereditary conditions
• Unexpected illnesses and injuries
• Dental care
• Diagnostic tests
• Surgeries
• Hospitalization
• Medication
• Supplements or prescription food

As a pet owner you’ve likely found that the most common costs you have for your dogs, particularly puppies, is their routine exams. While some insurers, such as Pets Best, cover exam costs, others do not. With some insurers, you may have to opt for a more expensive monthly premium to get them included. While such preventative treatment is a common expense, it’s worthwhile to do the math and see if it actually saves you any money. The money you have to add to your monthly premium may be more than your out-of-pocket cost for 1 or 2 annual checkups. 

As was mentioned above, it is very rare for any pet insurance provider to cover a pre-existing condition. However, some providers, such as ASPCA, will cover conditions that have been cured and have shown no symptoms for at least 180 days. 

If your dog is part of a breed that is at greater risk for a particular medical issue, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a provider, such as Embrace, that covers breed-specific and genetic conditions.  If you have a purebred dog, research the breed to see if there are any conditions you should know about.

An unexpected illness or injury that requires diagnostic tests, surgeries, overnight hospitalization and medication can cost more than many pet owners can afford. It’s worthwhile to invest in a plan that covers these costs and prevents a situation in which you are forced to euthanize your dog because you can’t afford treatment. As unpleasant as it is to think about, this should be your number one concern when choosing a pet insurance provider.

While these are things that you should insist that your plan cover, there are some other things that you’ll likely have to live without. In addition to not covering pre-existing conditions, it is common practice for insurers to exclude cosmetic procedures, like ear cropping, as well as breeding costs.

Our Top Dog Insurance Providers

1. Spot

Spot Pet Insurance is a pet insurance agency serving cats and dogs throughout the U.S. All plans are customizable, allowing ‘pet parents’ to select the right level of coverage to fit their needs and budget. Spot Pet Insurance has teamed up with world-renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan to provide customers with free tips on caring for pets.

• Preventative care add-on
• Microchip implantation included
• Choose your level of coverage

Spot Pet Insurance Visit Site

2. Pets Best

Pets Best allows you to customize your coverage, so you only pay for what you need. For example, it offers flat rate accident coverage for $9, or more comprehensive coverage that also includes routine exams. Pets Best is a trusted insurer with a 9.1 out of 10 on TrustPilot and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. In addition, Pets Best processes claims quickly, so you won’t have to chase down your reimbursement. Its plans cover both congenital and hereditary conditions, and it doesn’t require you to use its care providers—you can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or clinic.

• Reputation for good service
• No restrictions on vet, clinics or specialist
• Covers out of state expenses

Pets Best Visit Site

3. ASPCA

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Program offers Complete Coverage℠ including nearly any health concern you may have for your furry friends. Take care of your pets and receive up to 90% back with customizable coverage including cancer, hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, and dental disease.

• Covers exam fees for accidents and illnesses
• Freedom to visit any vet or specialist
• Multiple pet discount

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Visit Site

What are the Costs of Pet Insurance? 

Pet insurance costs vary widely, and depend on many factors, including:

• Breed
• Age
• Health
• Deductible
• Annual limit
• Reimbursement level
• Coverage level

To put it simply, the younger and healthier your dog is, the cheaper a premium you can expect to pay. And the more you pay, the higher your annual limit and range of coverage will be.

In addition, the amount of deductible you’re willing to pay, your reimbursement level and the amount of your annual limit will also affect your monthly payment. So it is important to understand what these terms mean:

• Deductible

This is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in. If you have an annual deductible of $1,000, you will pay all expenses up to $1,000, even if your policy covers the procedure. So if your dog’s medical care costs $5,000 in 2024, you will pay $1,000, and the insurer will pay the other $4,000, depending on your reimbursement level, as we will explain below. If you choose a lower deductible, say $50, you’ll pay only $50, and your insurer $4,950. However, paying a lower deductible will make your monthly premium go up. Below is an example of how changing the deductible on a Pets Best Plus Plan policy for a 1-year-old female Rottweiler affects your monthly premium:

• Reimbursement Level

The deductible isn’t the only cost that you will pay out-of-pocket. The insurer does not pay you back 100% of the cost of a covered procedure. It will generally pay you back somewhere between 70%-90% of the cost. If you choose 70%, your monthly premium will be lower, whereas it will be higher if you choose 90%. If you have $5,000 of annual dog medical costs and a $1,000 deductible, there is $4,000 remaining to be paid. If you chose a 70% reimbursement level, the insurer will only pay you back $2,800. If you chose a 90% reimbursement level, the insurer will pay you back $3,600. Let’s take the same example of a 1-year-old Rottweiler with Pets Best Plus Plan and see how reimbursement level affects your monthly premium. We’ll use a $500 deductible in this example: