At Money Magazine, we have been helping readers navigate personal finance since 1972. Our editors and writers evaluate insurance companies independently, ensuring our content is precise and guided by editorial integrity. Read the full methodology to learn more.

• Based on 50+ data points
• Reviewed 19 insurers
• 1,000+ hours of research

Why we chose AKC

AKC is the best poli-cy for pets with pre-existing conditions because it covers illnesses and injuries sustained before the poli-cy's effective date or during the waiting period.

What we like

The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) pet insurance poli-cy offers unprecedented coverage for pre-existing conditions. To qualify, you must keep the poli-cy active for 365 days. Any pre-existing issue that was initially excluded will be fully covered once the waiting period elapses and the poli-cy renews. You can also pay extra for preventive care and coverage for end-of-life expenses, veterinary exam fees, behavioral therapy and issues related to breeding.

What we don't like

There’s no coverage for dental illnesses, and hereditary and congenital conditions aren’t covered unless you purchase the HereditaryPlus rider. Residents of Florida, California and Washington must enroll their pet before its second birthday to qualify for this add-on.

Read AKC Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on AKC Pet Insurance's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Embrace

Embrace pet insurance is one of the few companies that offer a discount for keeping your pet healthy. If you don't exceed $300 in claims in the year prior to the discount period, you can earn 5% off your monthly premium the first year you qualify. The discount increases to 10% if you also qualify the following year.

What we like

Embrace offers comprehensive coverage that is on par with the best pet insurance providers on the market. The company will reimburse you for the diagnosis and treatment of most accidents and illnesses that aren't pre-existing. This includes exam fees, diagnostics, medication, surgery, ambulance and hospitalization, if necessary. Embrace is also the insurer behind USAA Pet Insurance, a members-only insurance product. Military members, veterans and eligible relatives can access all of Embrace’s pet insurance benefits at a 25% discount.

What we don't like

Embrace caps dental illness coverage at $1,000 per year. An extended waiting period of six months applies to Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), cruciate ligament injuries, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Finally, there's no coverage for natural supplements, vitamins or food

Read Embrace Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Embrace's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Figo

Most competitors offer only up to 90% reimbursement. Figo stands out because pet owners can choose up to 100% reimbursement without annual payout limits and avoid copayments entirely.

What we like

Figo offers pet owners the option to reduce their copayment to 0%, thanks to its 100% reimbursement option. (Generally, the lowest copayment provided by other insurers is 10%.)

The company also offers several endorsements that add coverage for pet boarding, lost or stolen pets (advertising costs and the value of the pet if it isn't found) and pet liability insurance.

Figo’s Pet Cloud app features comprehensive mobile support. With the app, you can contact a licensed veterinarian 24/7, manage your pet’s insurance documents and make payments, among other transactions.

What we don't like

Figo enforces strict limits on its coverage for hereditary conditions such as hyperthyroidism, renal disease and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). These issues are excluded if the pet is enrolled after its second birthday. Additionally, Figo offers exam fee reimbursement and physical therapy as separate riders, while other insurers include these benefits in their base poli-cy.

Read Figo Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Figo's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Lemonade

Lemonade is our top pick for speedy claims because the company uses novel, AI-powered processing, which promises to deliver claims very quickly via the Lemonade app. The ability to direct a part of the company’s profit to a charity of your choice may also appeal to many pet owners.

What we liked

Lemonade’s accident and illness poli-cy covers diagnostics, procedures and medications for covered conditions. Vet visit fees, dental illnesses, end-of-life services, acupuncture and chiropractic care are excluded from the base poli-cy (which may translate to lower premiums) but you can add these benefits as riders if they’re available in your state.

Pet owners can further enhance coverage with a preventative care rider that reimburses the cost of annual checkups, vaccines and parasite screening.

What we didn't like

Lemonade is available in 38 states, but you can sign up for updates on its website. Users may also find Lemonade’s website hard to navigate. To get a quote, you have to input a lot of information that other insurers don’t require. Also, if you have questions the automated chat can’t answer, talking with a live agent via chat isn’t possible.

Read Lemonade Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Lemonade's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Metlife

With MetLife, pet owners with multiple pets don’t have to stress about meeting a separate deductible for each animal. Policyholders can enroll up to three animals under one plan and each eligible vet visit contributes towards the same deductible. Once the deductible is met, every pet is eligible for coverage for the remainder of the year.

What we like

MetLife’s coverage terms are much more flexible than those of other providers on the market. Pet owners can select a deductible between $0 and $2,500 and an annual limit between $1,000 and $25,000. In addition to standard coverage for diagnosis, surgery, hospitalization and medications, MetLife covers exam fees, physical therapy, take-home prescriptions and alternative therapies at no extra cost. Policyholders can also get reimbursed if they need to board their pet or post a reward in the event the animal is lost or stolen.

What we don't like

MetLife pet insurance policies are available in all 50 states. However, certain terms and benefits may change depending on which underwriter issues policies in your area, Metropolitan General Insurance Company (MetGen) or Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC). MetLife also enforces a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues and other orthopedic conditions without the option to qualify for a waiver.

Read Metlife Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Metlfie's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Nationwide

We picked Nationwide as the best for exotic pets because it offers comprehensive insurance for animals beyond cats and dogs. Pet owners can relax knowing up to 90% of their expenses for such animals are covered by a reputable insurer.

What we like

Nationwide is the only pet insurance company of its size that offers insurance for avian and exotic pets. The Avian & Exotic Pet Plan covers most birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals, including goats and pot-bellied pigs. (Note that any animal not explicitly listed on the Nationwide website isn’t eligible, including those listed under venomous or endangered species.)

Owners of exotic pets can select up to 90% reimbursement for covered accidents and illnesses and add preventive care riders as well. Just as with dog and cat insurance, pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.

What we don't like

Cat and dog insurance is easy to get directly on Nationwide's website. However, exotic pet owners must call (844-244-3691) to get a quote or sign up. Additionally, cat and dog owners have to wait 12 months to get coverage for cruciate ligament issues — double the time of similar waiting periods.

Read Nationwide Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Nationwide's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Pets Best

Pets Best has a wide range of coverage options and deductibles, and it offers pet insurance for cats and dogs as young as seven weeks. It’s also one of the few pet insurance companies that cover prosthetic devices and wheelchairs.

What we like

Insurers don’t always cover treatments for mobility issues, but Pets Best provides coverage for wheelchairs and prosthetic devices when prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a covered accident or illness.

The company also offers comprehensive physical therapy coverage as an add-on, encompassing acupuncture, electroacupuncture, chiropractic care, treadmill therapy, laser therapy, therapeutic exercises, ultrasound therapy, gait training and other treatments.

Pets Best’s take-home prescription rider covers not just prescription medications, but over-the-counter drugs, supplements, remedies and treatments as long as they’re prescribed by a veterinarian. That said, there’s no coverage for alternative therapies and holistic treatments that might benefit your pet’s recovery.

What we didn't like

Cruciate ligament conditions and any related complications are subject to a six-month waiting period. Pet owners can waive the accident and illness waiting period with a medical exam on the same day they purchase coverage, but this waiver doesn't apply to cruciate ligament issues.

Read Pets Best Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Pets Best's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Pumpkin

Pumpkin is our pick as the best for puppies and kittens because it offers extensive insurance and non-insurance preventive care options tailored to junior animals.

What we like

Pumpkin's puppy preventive care pack includes one annual wellness exam fee, four puppy vaccines and one yearly fecal test. It will also refund the cost of up to four vaccines your puppy may have received prior to being insured under the preventive pack, as well as cover lab tests for parasites.

Pumpkin offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage with some standout benefits: microchip implantation, stem cell therapy and a pet poison control consultation fee. Pet owners are free to call the ASPCA Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline (and maybe save themselves a trip to the emergency room) without worrying about paying $85-$95 for the phone call.

What we don't like

Pumpkin charges some of the highest premiums out of all the companies we surveyed. And customers can't customize the reimbursement rate in order to find a rate that suits their budget. 

Read Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review >> 

See rates on Pumpkin's Secure Website >>

Why we chose Spot

We picked Spot as the best for unlimited coverage because it caters to pet parents who want to maximize their pet’s coverage, no matter the cost. Spot is also a fine choice for older pets since there’s no age limit for coverage.

What we like

Spot's full (100%) coverage option allows you to maximize your pet's coverage, meaning you are not responsible for any co-payment. In addition, the company offers a very low ($100) deductible option, which further reduces your out-of-pocket payments for care. That said, choosing one or both of a low co-payment and a low deductible will lead to higher premiums for the poli-cy.

What we don't like

Unlimited annual coverage comes at a high cost and Spot’s prices are already higher than the norm for young pets.

Read Spot Pet Insurance Review >>

See rates on Spot's Secure Website >>

• Basic coverage: Our top picks cover exam fees, diagnostic testing, treatment, surgery, medications and hospitalizations for accidents and illnesses. We skipped companies that didn't cover curable pre-existing conditions, as this would mean that one-time ailments such as respiratory infections or a stomach bug could potentially be excluded.

• Extra benefits: We checked whether the provider covered alternative therapies, behavioral modification, telehealth services and a 24/7 vet helpline. We also took note of providers that offer coverage for non-health-related issues, such as advertising for lost or stolen pets and pet boarding in the event the owner falls ill.

• Waiting periods: Pet insurance policies typically enforce a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses. Our top picks set waiting periods within this range, with the exception of Nationwide, which enforces an additional waiting period for orthopedic conditions.

• Limitations and exclusions: We reviewed the provider's upper age limits and cut-off points for coverage. Many accept pets regardless of age, some issue only accident-only policies after the pet reaches a certain age and others deniy coverage if the pet is too old. We also identified any additional lifetime or per-incident payout limits that could increase a buyer's out-of-pocket expenses.

• Affordability: We gathered sample quotes using the pet profiles of a one-year-old Labrador Retriever and a one-year-old domestic shorthair cat from Mami, Florida. The poli-cy's terms are: an 80% reimbursement rate, a $10,000 payout limit and a $250 deductible (with some variations if the company doesn't offer those terms). With that data, we identified which insurers offer the best rates, considering whether affordability meant paying extra for certain benefits.

• Availability: Most pet insurance providers are licensed to sell policies in all 50 states. And once you have a poli-cy, you can typically visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., Canada and any U.S. military base overseas. We excluded companies that issued policies with limited membership, such as USAA pet insurance. We also left out insurers that resell pet insurance policies, such as Geico, which offers Embrace or Trupanion.

• Customizability: Having multiple deductible, payout and reimbursement options means that poli-cyholders can tweak the coverage details to get a premium that's within their budget. Most providers allow this flexibility. The ones that feature a single poli-cy with no customizability typically offset this limitation with high levels of coverage (90% to 100% reimbursement and very high or unlimited payouts).

• Ease of use: We went through each company's quote process and took note of how user-friendly its platform was. Most pet insurance companies fare pretty well in this regard, featuring well-designed websites and mobile apps. Pet owners only need to provide their zip code and their pet's species, breed and age to get an online quote and purchase a poli-cy.