Best Pet Insurance Companies of November 2023

Pet insurance covers qualifying medical costs for insured pets. It can cover dogs, cats, and other animals, and policies may pay for accidents, illnesses, and routine care. Insurers generally reimburse pet owners directly for eligible veterinary bills after an animal receives treatment, though some companies may also pay the vet directly.

To find the right coverage for your furry or feathered family member, check out some of the best pet insurance companies and what they excel at.

Our picks for the best pet insurance companies are: 

• Best for reimbursement options: Wagmo
• Best for no lifetime limits: Healthy Paws
• Best for vanishing deductibles: Embrace¹
• Best for exotic pets: Nationwide
• Best for behavioral issues: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
• Best for older pets: Figo
• Best for paying the vet directly: Pets Best

The best pet insurance companies of 2023

Pet insurance policies may cover different things, depending on the insurer. Here are some of the best options.

	Best for	Maximum annual coverage	Wellness coverage	Alternative treatments
Wagmo	Reimbursement options	$100,000 lifetime limit, $10,000 per incident	Yes	No
Healthy Paws	No lifetime limits	Unlimited	No	Yes
Embrace1	Vanishing deductibles	$5,000 to $30,000	No	Yes
Nationwide	Exotic pets	$10,000 for Whole Pet plans	Yes	No
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance	Behavioral issues	$3,000 to $10,000	Yes	No
Figo	Older pets	$5,000 to unlimited	Yes	Yes
Pets Best	Paying the vet directly	$5,000 to unlimited	Yes	Yes

Best for reimbursement options: Wagmo

• Maximum annual coverage: $100,000 lifetime limit, $10,000 per incident
• Reimbursement options: 90%, 100%
• Deductible options: $250, $500, $1,000
• Wellness coverage: Yes
• Alternative treatment coverage: No

Wagmo is a newer pet insurance company that offers pet insurance and pet wellness plans. It’s unique in that it may reimburse you for up to 100% of covered expenses. It also has a lifetime limit rather than an annual one. Wagmo offers reimbursements using Venmo and PayPal, which also sets it apart from other insurance companies. 

Wagmo’s pet insurance plan covers emergency visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and more. It also covers some prescription medications and hip dysplasia.

Wagmo’s pet wellness plans are available separately and help to cover routine vet exams fees, vaccines, and routine bloodwork. Its higher-priced wellness plans cover up to $200 in flea, tick, and heartworm medications and up to $200 in grooming expenses.

Visit Wagmo, or

... Check out our full Wagmo review. 

Best for no lifetime limits: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

• Maximum annual coverage: Unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%
• Deductible options: $250, $500
• Wellness coverage: No
• Alternative treatment coverage: Yes

When a pet has a chronic or recurrent condition, you don't want to worry about maxing out your insurance coverage. With Healthy Paws, this isn't a concern for policyholders. Unlike some companies that impose strict limits on the amount of care they'll cover for specific medical problems, Healthy Paws doesn't have a per-incident cap, annual cap, or lifetime cap. It offers unlimited coverage.

Healthy Paws does have some of the same coverage exclusions as other pet insurers. For instance, you might not be able to get coverage if your pet has a pre-existing condition, and your pet probably won’t be covered for conditions that develop within the policy waiting period.

But Healthy Paws generally pays for hereditary and congenital conditions as long as symptoms manifest before your pet becomes insured. It also covers treatments such as physical therapy and acupuncture chiropractic care. It will also cover accidents and illnesses your pet may experience. The insurer's willingness to provide this protection sets it apart from some competitors that exclude hereditary problems or medical issues pets are born with.

Visit Healthy Paws, or

... Check out our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review.

Best for vanishing deductibles: Embrace Pet Insurance

• Maximum annual coverage: $5,000 to $30,000
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
• Deductible options: $200 to $1,000
• Wellness coverage: No
• Alternative treatment coverage: Yes

Embrace Pet Insurance could be a great choice for people whose pets are relatively healthy. Like many pet insurers, it provides wellness coverage. However, it also offers a vanishing deductible which is much less common.

A deductible is an amount of money you pay out of pocket before pet insurance covers expenses. Under Embrace's unique Healthy Pet Deductible, your deductible decreases by $50 each year you don't make a claim. If your deductible goes down to $0 due to many claim-free years, you could earn Healthy Pet Deductible Credits that help keep your deductible low after you make a claim.

You can also opt for Embrace's wellness plan. This wellness coverage can reimburse you for routine pet care such as chiropractic treatment, dental cleanings, wellness exams, and vaccines. Reimbursement for this routine care doesn't count against your Healthy Pet Deductible. 

Embrace also offers a 24/7 helpline that you can call for support. 

Visit Embrace Pet Insurance or

... Read our Embrace Pet Insurance review

Best for exotic pets: Nationwide

• Maximum annual coverage: $10,000 for Whole Pet plans
• Reimbursement options: 50%, 70% for Whole Pet plans
• Deductible options: $250
• Wellness coverage: Yes
• Alternative treatment coverage: No

Many pet insurance companies limit their coverage to cats and dogs. But those pets aren't the only ones people welcome into their homes and hearts. Nationwide is one of a limited number of carriers offering an exotic pet insurance plan.

This insurance can cover a wide variety of eligible animals, including:

• Amphibians
• Birds
• Chameleons
• Ferrets
• Gerbils
• Goats
• Hamsters
• Iguanas
• Mice
• Potbellied pigs
• Rabbits
• Snakes
• Turtles and tortoises

Exotic pet insurance covers accidents and illnesses and pays for services including annual exams, laboratory fees, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and X-rays.

Of course, Nationwide also offers coverage for cats and dogs. And although premiums for this insurer tend to be a bit higher than some competitors’ premiums, many Nationwide Plans offer comprehensive coverage, including wellness care and coverage for chronic conditions. This peace of mind could be worth any additional cost.

Visit Nationwide

... Or read our Nationwide pet insurance review

Best for behavioral issues: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

• Maximum annual coverage: $3,000 to $10,000
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
• Deductible options: $100 to $500
• Wellness coverage: Yes
• Alternative treatment coverage: No

Pets sometimes need coverage for more than just accidents or illnesses. There may be circumstances when they need behavioral help, too. If that's the case, ASPCA might be a good option. Unlike competitors that exclude behavior modification coverage, ASPCA pet insurance may cover care from qualified pet behavioral specialists.

You’ll need to sign up for ASPCA Complete Coverage for your insurance to pay for this extra help, but your pet could be covered for both diagnosis and treatment of many issues including fur pulling, destructive chewing, and excessive licking.

ASPCA's pet insurance policies may also cover a variety of other treatments and services, including wellness care with an optional add-on policy. Complete Coverage may even pay for prescription food and supplements and alternative therapies.

Visit ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Best for older pets: Figo Pet Insurance

• Maximum annual coverage: $5,000 to unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
• Deductible options: $100 to $750
• Wellness coverage: Yes
• Alternative treatment coverage: Yes

Some pet insurers impose an upper age limit on which pets they'll cover, or they only offer accident coverage for senior animals but not illness protection. That's not the case with Figo. The insurer can cover any cat or dog over eight weeks old, and there's no maximum age limit.

Although Figo only offers dog insurance and cat insurance, it provides plenty of customizable coverage options. Plus, all plans require just a single annual deductible rather than a per-condition deductible imposed by some competitors.

And Figo includes coverage for conditions such as hip dysplasia and hereditary conditions, which some insurers exclude. Unfortunately, no wellness plan is available, so those looking for help covering the costs of routine pet care will need to look elsewhere.

Visit Figo

Best for paying veterinarians directly: Pets Best

• Maximum annual coverage: $5,000 to unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
• Deductible options: $50 to $1,000
• Wellness coverage: Yes
• Alternative treatment coverage: Yes

Most pet insurance companies require owners to pay out of pocket for veterinary care. The insurer then processes a claim and sends the owner a check as reimbursement for covered care. Pets Best is an insurance agency offering a unique alternative that most competitors don't provide. It's called Vet Direct Pay.

Vet Direct Pay is optional on all Pets Best Plans. When you opt for this coverage, Pets Best reimburses your veterinarian directly rather than requiring you to pay for care first. You can also arrange to have claims pre-authorized before receiving care so both you and your vet know what portion of the bills Pets Best will cover and what you are responsible for.

Pet Best is available for dogs and cats only, but you can choose from several different plans, including some offering unlimited annual coverage. And Pets Best even provides a 24/7 hotline you can call to get answers to questions at any time.

Visit Pets Best

Honorable mentions

While they didn't make our top picks, these companies are also worth a look when you're reviewing your pet insurance options:

• Lemonade
• Trupanion
• Spot Pet Insurance
  
• Fetch by The Dodo

How does pet insurance work?

Many pet owners purchase pet insurance for the same reason they buy other types of insurance. They believe their pets are part of the family and want to ensure they get the very best health care possible — without being concerned about how bills might be paid.

Depending on the insurer and the policy, pet insurance could cover part or all of the cost of:

• Routine medical care coverage, such as wellness exams, spaying and neutering, and vaccinations
• Accident and illness coverage, including emergency room care, lab tests and other diagnostic tests, and treatments ranging from chemotherapy to surgery to prescription medications

Virtually all pet insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, though some distinguish between curable and incurable conditions. Those are conditions that animals have before an insurance policy is purchased. An example of a curable pre-existing condition might be a urinary tract infection, which your pet has had in the past but has recovered from. Some policies also exclude certain chronic conditions as well as some congenital or hereditary defects.

Pet insurance providers may also have waiting periods for certain types of care. For example, an insurance company might have a six-month waiting period before orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament tears are covered.

Most pet insurance policies also require that pet owners pay out of pocket for their pet's medical services before submitting claims for reimbursement. The next step in the claims process is that insurers review the claims. In some cases, they may need additional information from you or medical records from the veterinarian.

If the claim is approved, insurers send owners a payout for covered services minus any deductibles or coinsurance costs. However, certain insurers might pay the vet directly.

Deductibles, reimbursement, and limits

Like health insurance for people, pet insurance typically has a deductible, which is the amount you pay before the insurance company starts covering care.

Pet insurance also doesn’t typically reimburse you 100% of what you paid for care. Instead, it reimburses you a percentage of what you paid. For example, if the plan you choose offers 80% reimbursement, you would be reimbursed for 80% of what you paid. If your pet’s care costs $1,000, your plan would reimburse you for $800.

Many plans also have an annual limit, which is the most the plan will pay out in claims for the year. If your plan has a $5,000 annual coverage limit, you would be reimbursed for up to $5,000 in covered costs. You’re responsible for any costs beyond the annual limit.

All of these factors influence how much you pay for a policy. Lower deductibles, higher reimbursements, and higher annual limits (or unlimited care) result in higher policy premiums but lower potential out-of-pocket costs.

Types of pet insurance

Pet insurance policies can be broadly divided into a few different kinds of coverage, including:

• Pet wellness coverage: Sometimes called preventive care plans, this generally pays for routine vet visits up to certain annual limits. It typically covers wellness exam fees, vaccines, deworming, flea and tick prevention, microchipping, and heartworm prevention. Many policies also include teeth cleaning.
• Accident coverage: Accident-only plans typically pay for covered medical services if pets are injured in an accident, such as having a broken bone from being hit by a car or falling from a high surface. It typically includes emergency care, diagnostic services, and any ongoing medical assistance necessary to help pets recover, such as medications to treat pain and inflammation. Accident policies may be sold as standalone coverage or part of a comprehensive accident and illness plan. Accident-only policies typically have a lower monthly cost than more comprehensive policies. 
• Illness coverage: Illness coverage generally provides payment for eligible medical services when pets get sick. This type of policy typically includes coverage for cancer, heart disease, allergies, hypothyroidism, UTIs, and other chronic and acute illnesses.
• Dental insurance coverage: Dental illness coverage might pay for broken, chipped, or fractured teeth, tooth extractions, and other dental accidents and illnesses.

Common pet insurance exclusions

Pet insurance companies vary when it comes to vet care exclusions. Most will not cover pre-existing conditions. Other common exclusions include:

• Elective procedures such as declawing, nail trimming, tail docking, ear cropping, and anal gland expression.
• Pregnancy or birth
• Grooming
• Vitamins
• Behavioral therapy

How to pick the best pet insurance company

There are many pet insurance providers, so finding the perfect one can be challenging. Some factors you should consider when comparing insurance providers include the following:

• Type of pet: Many pet insurers offer coverage only for cats and dogs. If you have an exotic animal, you'll need to find a provider that offers protection for that type of pet. Costs may also vary depending on the pet's breed.
• Your pet's age: Some insurers set upper age limits or may provide only accident coverage to senior pets, excluding them from illness coverage. If you have an older pet, shop around carefully for an insurer that offers the coverage you need.
• Your pet's health: Pet insurers generally don’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, though some distinguish between curable and incurable conditions. Some insurers also exclude hereditary, chronic, or congenital conditions. If your pet has had past health problems or might be in jeopardy of them due to genetics, consider shopping carefully for an insurer offering comprehensive coverage with few exclusions.
• Plan types: Virtually all pet insurers offer accident and injury plans, but not all provide wellness coverage for routine checkups. If you need protection for preventative care or other specific types of care like behavioral training or acupuncture, you'll need to find an insurer offering those types of protection.
• Monthly premiums: Pet insurance premium pricing varies dramatically among pet insurers. While you don't want to shop via price alone, it pays to get several quotes from different insurers to find the coverage you need at the most affordable price.
• Annual deductible: A lower deductible means you won't have to pay as much out of pocket before getting insurance coverage. Some insurers offer lower deductibles than others or provide a vanishing deductible option so your deductible goes down when you go a year without a claim.
• Reimbursement rate and methods: Some insurers have coverage caps or a set reimbursement level for specific conditions. In most cases, your insurer will repay you for care after you've paid for covered treatment upfront. However, some insurance companies provide direct reimbursement to veterinarians so you don't have to pay out of pocket before your insurance covers treatment.

• Annual limits: A higher annual limit will result in a higher premium. 

• Discounts: You may be eligible for a discount if you’re a member of certain organizations like AARP, are a veteran, or have a therapy or support pet. You may also receive a discount if you have other policies with the same insurance company such as car or homeowners insurance. Ask insurance companies you’re considering about potential discounts. 

Our methodology

In determining our list of the best pet insurance companies, we looked at six popular pet insurance providers and evaluated them according to a set of criteria we consider critical to the consumer. We did not evaluate all pet insurance companies in the category. We used editorial judgment to determine what use or user each insurer would be best for.

FinanceBuzz evaluation criteria include:

• Types of animals the insurance plans cover
• Customizable plan options
• Types of covered care
• Age of pets that the insurer covers
• Reimbursement methods the insurer offers
• Premium prices

FAQ

Bottom line

With any type of insurance, it's a good idea for pet parents to compare policies among different providers while focusing on price, comprehensive coverage, and quality. By shopping around and getting quotes from several pet insurers, you can find the best rate and get the protection your animal companions deserve.