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Best pet insurance companies for February 2025
Owning a pet is expensive to begin with, so adding skyrocketing vet expenses to the bill can break the bank (and possibly your heart) if you're not prepared. The right pet insurance policy for yourpet is more than a financial safety net to cover vet bills when you least expect them; it's a resource that empowers you to provide your pet with proactive, comprehensive care without vet bills exhausting your financial and emotional resources.
Whether you're after extensive coverage or a simple accident-only plan, choosing the right pet insurance policy can give you peace of mind that your pet will get the best possible care in their time of need.
The Bankrate team has compiled a list of the best pet insurance companies for 2025 with options to suit various needs and budgets. You may find a specific plan perfect for your pet, or you could take a customizable approach. Either way, below, we cover pet insurers worth looking into based on coverage, plan affordability and key considerations to find the best fit for your pets.
Best pet insurance companies
The best way to decide whether pet insurance is worth the cost is by shopping around for an insurance provider with a policy that suits your pet's needs (and your budget). To help you find the right policy, we've put in the legwork and reviewed the top pet insurance providers on the market.
Lemonade
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Lemonade offers pet insurance coverage with a focus on simplicity and transparency. With its user-friendly platform and innovative technology, the insurer provides a seamless digital insurance experience for pet owners. The company prioritizes quick and easy claims processing, streamlining the process of protecting your pet.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250, $500 or $750
- Reimbursement percentage
- 60, 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 2–4 days
- Enrollment age
- 2 months–14 years
- Annual maximum coverage
- $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
- Direct vet pay
- No
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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is dedicated to providing compassionate coverage and exceptional service to pet owners. With customizable plans and comprehensive benefits, the company prioritizes the well-being of pets and their owners.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250 or $500
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- Up to 30 days
- Enrollment age
- 8 weeks–no upper age limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $2,500, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000
- Direct vet pay
- No
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Embrace
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Embrace Pet Insurance stands out for its commitment to offering flexible coverage options tailored to the diverse needs of pets and their owners. Pet owners can tailor their coverage with optional add-ons such as wellness rewards and prescription drug coverage.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 10–15 days for accidents or illness and up to 5 days for Wellness Rewards claims
- Enrollment age
- 6 weeks–no upper age limit*
- Annual maximum coverage
- $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited
- Direct vet pay
- No
*Pets over 15 are eligible for the accident-only plan
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Figo
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Figo Pet Insurance stands out for its comprehensive coverage and swift claim turnaround time, ensuring pets receive the care they need without delay. With customizable plans and competitive rates, Figo provides pet owners with peace of mind and financial security.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250, $500 or $750
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80, 90 or 100 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 2–3 working days
- Enrollment age
- 8 weeks–no upper age limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
- Direct vet pay
- No
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Hartville
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Hartville Pet Insurance prioritizes reliability and customer satisfaction, making it a great option for pet parents on the hunt for dependable coverage and attentive service. With efficient claim processing and responsive customer support, Hartville hits the mark in terms of streamlining the process and ensuring positive results (for eligible claims) for pet owners.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250 or $500
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 30 days or less
- Enrollment age
- 8 weeks–no upper age limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000
- Direct vet pay
- No
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MetLife
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MetLife Pet Insurance is a great option for pet owners who are after swift coverage and comprehensive protection. With customizable plans and a commitment to meeting the diverse needs of pets, MetLife ensures peace of mind for pet owners at every stage of their pet's life. It's also one of the few insurers to offer coverage for exotic pets.
- Annual deductible options
- $50, $100, $250, $500 or $2,500
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 5–10 days
- Enrollment age
- No age limits*
- Annual maximum coverage
- $2,000, $5,000 or $10,000
- Direct vet pay
- Yes
*Pet age restrictions may apply to some benefits.
**Unlimited payouts are subject to availability -
Pets Best
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Pets Best Pet Insurance is a standout provider renowned for its comprehensive coverage options and exceptional service. Pets Best offers a range of customizable plans designed to meet the diverse needs of pet owners.
- Annual deductible options
- $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 5 days or less
- Enrollment age
- 7 weeks minimum-no upper age limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
- Direct vet pay
- Yes
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Progressive
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In partnership with Pets Best, Progressive Pet Insurance offers innovative coverage options and seamless service to pet owners. With customizable plans and user-friendly technology, Progressive prioritizes peace of mind and protection for pets throughout their lives.
- Annual deductible options
- $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 5–7 days
- Enrollment age
- 7 weeks–no upper age limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
- Direct vet pay
- Yes
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Spot
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Spot Pet Insurance stands out for being one of the most affordable pet insurance companies, offering straightforward coverage options tailored to pets' essential needs. With a wide range of deductible options and reimbursement percentages, Spot Pet Insurance ensures pet owners can find a plan that fits their budget and coverage needs.
- Annual deductible options
- $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000
- Reimbursement percentage
- 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Claim turnaround time
- 80 percent of direct payments made within 5 minutes
- Enrollment age
- 8 weeks minimum-no upper limit
- Annual maximum coverage
- $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 or unlimited
- Direct vet pay
- No
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Do you need pet insurance?
While pet insurance can give you peace of mind and soften the financial blow of sky-high vet bills, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution that suits everyone. For example, if your budget allows you to cover unexpected vet bills out of pocket or from a pet savings account, you may not need pet insurance. However, some pet owners view it as a valuable investment because they need that financial safety net the pet insurance offers. Consider pet insurance if:
- Your pet's breed is prone to hereditary conditions.
- You have concerns about your ability to cover emergency expenses.
- You want access to comprehensive and ongoing care options.
How do you pick a pet insurance company?
When choosing a pet insurance provider, consider your pet's breed, age and health status. These factors impact the premiums you'll pay and, of course, the type of insurance plan you choose.
Apart from the financial considerations of choosing a pet insurance policy that works for you and Fido, look closely at details like the insurer's reputation for transparency of terms and conditions and what clients are saying about their customer service experience.
While doing your research, it's worth looking into some of the following factors:
- Location: Confirm the insurer operates in your state to ensure coverage at nearby vets, specialists or emergency clinics. Regional availability often varies by the provider (and in some cases the underwriter).
- Pet age: Young puppies or kittens and furry senior citizens may have more healthcare needs.
- Pet breed: Certain breeds are prone to specific health conditions. Look for policies that address breed-related needs, such as genetic or congenital conditions.
- Plan options and costs: Choose a plan that fits your budget. Options range from accident-only and comprehensive to wellness plan add-ons and optional riders, all with varying deductibles, reimbursement rates and coverage limits.
- Pre-existing conditions: Look into the insurer’s stance on pre-existing conditions. Some may cover "treatable" or "curable" pre-existing conditions after a specified symptom-free period.
- Special needs: If you are looking to insure an exotic pet or horse, verify that policies cover these types of pets, as most plans focus on cats and dogs. Breeding and pregnancy-related or complementary treatment costs are also not commonly covered by pet insurance companies.
- Waiting periods: Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy's waiting periods so you know exactly when the coverage begins for specific conditions, injuries or illnesses.
In a nutshell, you need to shop around and compare to find a company and policy that fits. Look for flexible plan options, transparent terms and a solid reputation for customer service to ensure you're making the best choice for your wallet and your pets.
How to get the most bang for your buck
There are numerous cheap pet insurance companies whose goal is to make pet insurance more accessible. However, apart from finding a cheap pet insurer, a few tricks of the trade can save you even more money on pet insurance:
- Annual vs. monthly payments: Paying annually often comes with a slight discount compared to monthly premium payments.
- Multi-pet discounts: These are commonly offered to families with more than one pet, lowering overall premiums.
- Military discounts: These may apply to veterans or those in active service.
- Veterinary or employer partnerships: Some insurers work with specific vets or through employer benefit programs to offer savings.
Shopping around and asking about available discounts can help you reduce costs and get the most value from your policy.
Consult your veterinarian for recommendations
Veterinarians and their staff deal with pet insurance claims regularly. They can give you valuable insight as to which insurers they find easier to work with, which are more likely to accept a claim and which companies offer a fair exchange in value. They may even know some loopholes that can help get procedures covered.
Pro tip: You should also consider expert pet insurance reviews and customer experiences to understand how a company handles claims.
Pros and cons of pet insurance
When deciding whether pet insurance is right for you, it's critical to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing coverage.
Pros
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Accessible care: Pet insurance often allows you to see any licensed veterinarian, specialist or emergency clinic.
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Add-ons and riders: Some add-ons or riders cover things like dental illnesses or procedures, prescription medications or food and complementary treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral training.
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Comprehensive treatment options: Insurance lets you consider a wider range of treatment options without financial stress.
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Financial protection: Insurance helps mitigate high veterinary costs, especially for emergencies and chronic conditions.
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Flexible coverage: Many insurers let you customize policies, from accident-only to wellness packages covering routine care. Look into whether the policy or add-on you're considering includes coverage for things like microchipping and spaying or neutering.
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Predictable costs: With a fixed premium, budgeting for your pet’s health becomes easier.
Cons
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Complex policies: Pet insurance policies can be challenging to understand, with some treatments excluded or capped.
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Exclusions and limitations: Policies often exclude pre-existing, hereditary or breed-specific conditions.
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Premium increases: As pets age, premiums often increase, making the plan more costly over time.
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Upfront costs: Most pet insurance requires you to pay the vet and then file for reimbursement.
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Waiting periods: New policies come with waiting periods that are strictly enforced (unless the insurance provider offers a waiting period waiver).
Why the right pet insurance is important
Choosing the right pet insurance provider and policy is crucial because it can determine whether or not your pet receives the best possible care without causing financial strain during emergencies or unexpected illnesses. The right coverage can help you avoid difficult decisions based on costs, giving you the flexibility to prioritize your pet’s health. Knowing you're prepared for any medical issues that may arise throughout your pet’s life also provides peace of mind.
To fully reap the benefits of pet insurance, it’s essential to thoroughly read and understand your policy and any available add-ons. Pay close attention to the fine print explaining the terms and conditions. Those little asterisks you see on the website pages? Scroll to the bottom of the page and see what they say because the devil is in the details.
When setting out to find the best pet insurance company and policy, start by assessing your pet's potential needs and consider your finances. Take the time to shop around until you find the perfect match that offers appropriate coverage at a price you can afford.