Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2023

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: Spot is our top pick for the overall best pet insurance plans because of its annual deductible and coverage limit options, lack of restrictions and affordable rates.

Spot pet insurance offers a lot of flexibility with few restrictions, making it one of the best pet insurance plans available. You can choose between comprehensive coverage for accidents and illnesses or accident-only coverage. Spot also offers two levels of preventive care coverage for services not typically covered under a pet insurance plan.

With Spot, you're not locked into the same coverage year after year. You can make changes anytime in your online portal or by calling or emailing Spot directly. If your pet's ownership changes, you can call Spot customer service to have the policy transferred. Spot also makes it easy to file claims online; just log in, upload the invoice and you’re on your way to reimbursement. Billing is done automatically monthly or annually, so you don’t have to remember to pay, and your pet is always covered.

As long as your cat or dog is at least eight weeks old, they can be covered through Spot, and there is no upper age limit. You also don’t have to worry about lifetime coverage caps with Spot. If you move to a new state, be sure to contact Spot customer service to transfer your policy, so you don’t lose your pet’s pre-existing conditions history.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Gold or Platinum preventive care coverage add-on available.
• 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses.
• Microchip implantation and exam fees are covered.
• Six-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions (except knee and ligament conditions, which aren’t covered if pre-existing).
• Claims can be filed online with a picture of the invoice.
• Can be billed annually or monthly through your bank account or credit/debit card.

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited.
• Deductibles — $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000.
• Reimbursement Pct — 70%, 80%, 90%.

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: When comparing rates, we found Pets Best has the best affordable pet insurance plan available, making it our preferred choice for the best cheap pet insurance.

At Pets Best, you can choose from a $5,000 or unlimited annual limit and a range of annual deductible limits to fit your needs and budget. You have your choice of Essential, Plus or Elite coverage. Plus coverage includes exam fees and, if you choose Elite, rehab and alternative care like acupuncture are also covered. Pets Best offers optional routine care coverage, with predetermined maximum limits for routine appointments.

The Essential wellness plan includes $305 worth of annual benefits, and the Best wellness plan has up to $535. There is no waiting period on routine care, and just three days on accidents, with illnesses covered after a standard 14-day waiting period. Cats and dogs can be covered from seven weeks, with no upper age cap. You can make changes, file claims, track your deductible, add new pets and more through your online account or the Pets Best mobile app.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Direct deposit claims reimbursed within two days, paper checks within 5–7 days.
• Three-day waiting period for accidents, 14 for illnesses, six months for cruciate ligament conditions.
• Optional add-on routine preventive care coverage only covered to certain dollar limits.
• Pets aged three years and older must have teeth cleaning within 13 months of coverage with no signs of periodontal disease for dental coverage.

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — $5,000, Unlimited
• Deductibles — $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
• Reimbursement Pct — 70%, 80%, 90%

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: Trupanion is our choice for the best high-end pet insurance plan because it offers the most comprehensive selection with a one-time per-incident deductible and 90% reimbursement.

If you want a high-end pet insurance plan with the most comprehensive coverage, consider Trupanion. This pet insurer has a standard 90% reimbursement on all covered claims, and you can choose any dollar amount deductible from $10–$1,000. Unlike most other best pet insurance companies, Trupanion has a per-incident lifetime deductible instead of an annual deductible. So, if you choose a $200 deductible, once your pet meets the deductible for a condition, it never has to be met again for that condition as long as you stay with Trupanion.

Another unique feature Trupanion offers is direct payment to your veterinarian, eliminating the need to submit a claim. However, this option is only available to vets using Trupanion's patented software. If your vet doesn't, you can still submit your claim online, by email/fax or by printing and returning the claim form with an invoice by mail. If your pet changes ownership, Trupanion will transfer the policy to the new owner so they can keep already-reached deductibles and pricing in place.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Lifetime per-incident deductible.
• Recovery and complementary care optional riders cover non-clinical procedures like naturopathy and physical therapy.
• Pet owner assistance package add-on includes lost pet advertising and reward, property damage liability, accidental death burial or cremation and holiday vacation cancellations.
• Five-day accident and 30-day illness waiting periods.
• Claims paid through direct deposit or mailed check.

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — Unlimited
• Deductibles — $0–$1,000
• Reimbursement Pct — 90%

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: When comparing wellness plan add-ons, we chose Nationwide as our best pet insurance pick. Nationwide offers two affordable choices for a standalone wellness plan, or you can include it as a medical plan rider.

Wellness exams are routine for pets to ensure they’re staying healthy, just like humans. Nationwide takes on some financial burden by offering a wellness plan add-on rider for its comprehensive pet insurance plan or as a standalone policy. Nationwide’s major medical with wellness plan features coverage for exams, vaccinations, flea and heartworm preventives, blood work and urinalysis. The price is built into the full plan and is based on pet type, age, breed and location.

For standalone wellness plans, Nationwide offers two choices: wellness basic and wellness plus. Each plan covers the same things as the major medical with wellness plan and includes nail trims, microchip, health certificates, deworming, fecal tests and one additional health test, like x-rays or an EKG. Each coverage has a maximum annual limit, with a total allowable benefit of $400 for the basic plan and $500 for the plus plan. The basic plan costs between $12 and $18 per month, while the plus plan costs $17–$22 per month. If you buy the wellness plan only, there is just a one-day waiting period before you’re eligible to collect reimbursement.

Coverage & Other Details:

• 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses.
• 24-hour waiting period for wellness plan without medical.
• No coverage for boarding, grooming, pre-existing conditions, taxes or waste.
• Accident and illness coverage for avian and exotic pets.

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — $10,000 for whole pet plan, defined annual per-condition benefits for others.
• Deductibles — $250.
• Reimbursement Pct — 50%, 70% (whole pet only).

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek’s Take: Our pick for the best pet insurance for cats is Figo. This pet insurer offers up to 100% reimbursement, with coverage for rehab, behavioral issues and holistic treatments built into its basic policy.

Offering one of the most comprehensive pet insurance plans, Figo has dogs and cats covered from nose to tail, with few exceptions. Cat owners can get some of the best affordable pet insurance rates from Figo for their feline companions, with reimbursement of up to 100% of covered claims. Though consultation and vet exam fees are not covered by Figo’s wellness plan, you can get optional coverage for as little as $3 per month.

Figo also offers a wellness plan add-on for blood work, vaccines, heartworm and flea preventives and more. The basic plan covers up to $135 per year, or you can buy the plus plan for $250 in annual coverage. While riders can only be added during renewal, you can change your plan at any time online or by calling Figo directly.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Waiting periods are one day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, six months for orthopedic conditions in dogs.
• Optional Extra Care Pack includes coverage for lost pet advertising and reward, pet emergency vacation cancellation fees, pet theft or loss and up to $10k in pet property damage liability coverage.
• Optional Veterinary Exam Fees coverage includes consultation and exam fees for accidents and illnesses and up to $250 in prescription diet food.
• Medication and training for behavior issues are covered up to $500 annually (or $1,000 annually if Exam Fee coverage is purchased).

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — $5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
• Deductibles — $100, $250, $500, $750
• Reimbursement Pct — 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: Pet owners with older pets can have a more difficult time getting pet insurance coverage, but Embrace doesn’t have a cap on age, making it our top pick for the best insurance plan for older pets.

If you're looking for the best pet insurance for older pets, Embrace is one of the best pet insurance companies without an upper age limit for enrollment. All pets enrolled who are 14 or younger can be covered for accidents and illnesses, with the option to add wellness plan benefits. As long as the policy stays in force, coverage will continue for the life of your pet. However, if you wait to enroll your pet until they are 15 or older, they are only eligible for accident coverage with the option for wellness coverage.

Embrace offers a unique feature in its Healthy Pet Deductible, which can lower your out-of-pocket costs for vet care. Every calendar year that you don’t get an accident or illness reimbursement from Embrace, you get a $50 credit towards your deductible. This continues until your deductible reaches $0 and is free for all Embrace policyholders.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Waiting period: Two days for accidents, 14 days for illness, six months for orthopedic conditions (but can waive with exam down to 14 days).
• Healthy pet diminishing deductible feature: Each year that Embrace doesn’t reimburse a claim, your deductible diminishes by $50.
• Up to 25% off in stackable discounts for multi-pet, military and employee benefits.
• Claims processed for accident or illness typically take up to 15 business days (five business days for wellness claims).

Policy Types & Details:

• Coverage Amounts — $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $13,000, $30,000
• Deductibles — $200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000
• Reimbursement Pct — 70%, 80%, 90%

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's Take: As the only major pet insurer offering coverage for exotic pets, Nationwide is our choice for the best pet insurance plans for avian and exotic pet owners.

Nationwide offers coverage to pet owners with a wide range of exotic pets, including amphibians, reptiles, chinchillas, goats, potbellied pigs and turtles. Exotic pet insurance covers exam and lab fees, prescriptions diagnostics, hospitalizations and more for accidents and illnesses.

To get a quote for exotic pet insurance from Nationwide, you must call 1-800-874-0651. Coverage cost is based on the type of exotic pet you own, their size, and your location. With Nationwide, you pay a per-incident deductible rather than an annual policy deductible. Bird owners can purchase an optional avian routine care plan, which offers parasite testing and treatment, trims and some blood work coverage.

Coverage & Other Details:

• Rate based on type of exotic pet.
• Routine care coverage for birds only includes parasite testing and treatment, bloodwork and beak, nail and wing trims.
• Coverage includes surgery and treatment for accidents, diseases and illnesses.

Policy Types & Details:

• $50 deductible per incident