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Last updatedNovember 2024

Top Pet Insurance Providers 2024

Get your vet bills covered

Your pets are part of the family, so it's important that they stay healthy and happy.

All Pets
All Pets
Cat
Cat
Dog
Dog
1
Fast Repayment
spot-pet-insurance logo image
9.6
Exceptional
BestMoneyscore
Popularity
Based on visits in the past 7 days
10.0
Brand Reputation
Based on web trends
8.8
Features & Benefits
Based on our editorial reviews
9.6

Spot Pet Insurance

Our Top Choice
Recommended by Cesar Milan
Your Choice of Vet
Up to 90% reimbursement
Optional preventative care coverage
Customize coverage based on your needs
VISIT SITE
855-677-8978
Read Review
2
pets-best logo image
9.1
Excellent
BestMoneyscore
Popularity
Based on visits in the past 7 days
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based on web trends
9.5
Features & Benefits
Based on our editorial reviews
9.2

Pets Best

Choose your own vet, cover multiple pets
30-day money back guarantee
Fast & easy claims process
5% off on multiple pet coverage
Read Review
3
pawp logo image
8.6
Great
BestMoneyscore
Popularity
Based on visits in the past 7 days
8.5
Brand Reputation
Based on web trends
8.6
Features & Benefits
Not Reviewed
--

Pawp

Protect your pet for a flat $19/month
Accidents & pre-existing conditions covered
Cover up to 6 pets at no extra cost
No deductible and no copay
Read Review

8,493 visitors

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BestMoney Total Score
Our product scores consist of a combination of the following 3 components:
Popularity
BestMoney measures user engagement based on the number of clicks each listed brand received in the past 7 days. The number of clicks to each brand will be measured against other brands listed in the same query. Therefore, the higher the share of clicks a brand receives in any specific query, the higher the Click Trend Score. BestMoney accepts advertising compensation from companies, which impacts their (and/or their products’) position, and in some cases, may also affect their Click Trend Score.
Brand Reputation
Semrush is a trusted and comprehensive tool that offers insights about online visibility and performance. The BestMoney Total Score will consist of the brand's reputation from Semrush. The brand reputation is based on Semrush's analysis of clickstream data, which includes user behavior, search patterns, and engagement, to accurately measure each brand's prominence, credibility, and trustworthiness. If a brand does not have a Semrush score, the BestMoney Total Score will be based solely on the Click Trend Score and Products & Features Score (read below).
Features & benefits
BestMoney’s editorial team researches and reviews financial products based on factors such as: range of products and services offered, ease-of-use, online accessibility, customer service, special awards, and more. Each brand is then given a score based on the offerings in each parameter. The specific parameters which we use to evaluate the score of each product can be found on its review page, which is updated every 3 months. If the editorial team cannot locate information relevant to a brand's Products & Services Score, it will not be included in its calculation.
Editorial Reviews
Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance
Read Review
View all reviews

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What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is a service for pet owners seeking a financial safety net in case their animal gets sick or injured and requires expensive veterinary treatment. Owners of dogs, cats, and, in some cases, exotic pets, pay a monthly premium for this service, with costs varying based on the age and breed of the animal, 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?

You will get the most value out of your policy if you buy insurance when your pet 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 is no more than a couple months old. Insuring older animals, 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 the medical costs are too high. 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 sign up process begins with you providing information on the provider’s website about the species, breed, age and basic medical history of your pet. 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 pet is undergoing to make sure the provider covers it under the policy. 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 the top pet insurance providers: 

Spot
  • Customizable plans
  • 70% - 90% reimbursement
Get Quote
undefined
  • Low-cost full coverage
  • Up to 90% reimbursement
Get Quote
Pawp
  • 1 policy covers up to 6 pets
  • Access up to $3,000 for emergency coverage 
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, coverage you may look for for includes:

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


As a pet owner you’ve likely found that the most common costs you have for your animals, particularly young pets, 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, depending on the insurance provider and it’s fees.

It is very rare for any pet insurance provider to cover pre-existing conditions.

If your pet is part of a breed that has a greater risk for a particular medical issue, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a provider, that covers breed-specific and genetic conditions. If you have a purebred pet, 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 pet 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. Emergency care gets costly, quickly, and pet insurance should cover most of the bill.

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 or claw removal, as well as breeding costs.

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 pet is, the cheaper a premium you’ll pay. 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 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 pet’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.

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 cat affects your monthly premium:

Annual Deductible Monthly Premium
$50 $33.22
$500 $15.94
$1,000 $9.07

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 pet 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 pay you back $2,800. If you chose a 90% reimbursement level, the insurer will pay you back $3,600.

Using the same example of a 1-year-old cat with Pets Best Plus Plan, see how the reimbursement level affects your monthly premium. We’ll use a $500 deductible in this example:

Reimbursement Level Monthly Premium
70% $15.94
80% $17.93
90% $19.92

Annual Limit

This is the maximum amount that the insurer will pay for treatment in a given year. If you have a low limit, like $5,000, and your animal ends up having $20,000 worth of treatment, you will have to pay $15,000 out-of-pocket. If you opt for unlimited coverage, the insurer will cover the full $20,000, minus deductible and uncovered reimbursement percentage.

Not every insurer allows you to choose a limit—some offer only one option. Pets Best does offer the option of a $5,000 limit, or unlimited coverage, and we can see below how that affects the monthly premium for the same policy example we used above:

Annual Limit Monthly Premium
$5,000 $14.41
Unlimited $15.94

Not every provider allows you the same range of customization, however you will at least have some degree of freedom in deciding how much you pay monthly, and what chance you take of incurring bigger personal costs for illnesses and injuries that occur throughout the year.

Best Pet Insurance Providers 2024

Spot

  • Preventative care add-on
  • More inclusions than most insurers 
  • Policy covers microchip implantation

Spot Pet Insurance became the newest player in the pet insurance market when it launched in October 2019. It specializes in customizable dog and cat insurance underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a 188-year-old insurance firm with an ‘Excellent’ financial strength rating by AM Best Company (2019). Spot Pet Insurance has teamed up with world-renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan to provide customers with free tips on caring for pets.

Spot Pet Insurance Spot Pet Insurance Visit Site

undefined

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

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 in 5 days or less, 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.

Pets Best Pets Best Visit Site

Pawp

  • One policy covers up to six pets
  • No duductible, no copay and no out-of-pocket payments
  • 24/7 access to Pawp veterinary team 

Pawp takes a unique approach to pet insurance, offering an emergency fund rather than reimbursement for standard vet visits. For $19 per month, you can access up to $3,000 in emergency coverage. The fund pays out at most once per year, but you can use it for any of six different pets in your household. There’s no deductible, no copay, and Pawp pays the vet directly so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement.

Pawp Pawp Visit Site

So, Which Pet Insurance is Best for You?

Insuring your pet is a smart move that can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars. It is essential to choose a reliable insurer that you know will pay your claim when the time comes. While it’s best to insure your pets while they’re young, it’s never too late to sign your furry friends up for a policy that will make sure they are cared for in the event of an unexpected accident or illness.

Your pets deserve pet insurance that will cover all their medical needs as they age, and you deserve the peace of mind of knowing you can afford any procedure they may require. See our in-depth reviews of the leading pet insurance providers to learn more about policies, plans, deductibles, and more.