Lemonade provides the best overall pet insurance for emergency vet visits, scoring highest for dogs and cats in MoneyGeek’s analysis. Pumpkin, AKC, Spot and Pets Best also offer solid emergency coverage options.
Best Emergency Pet Insurance
Lemonade, Rainwalk and AKC are the best pet insurance companies for emergency care. Plans start at $20 monthly for cats and $41 monthly for dogs.
Find the best cheap pet insurance with emergency coverage below.

Updated: January 29, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Lemonade offers the best pet insurance for emergency care, with a score of 4.73 out of 5. for dogs and 4.48 out of 5 for cats.
Lemonade offers the cheapest pet insurance for dogs needing emergency care at $41 monthly, while Pumpkin has the lowest premiums for cats at $20 monthly.
Before purchasing emergency coverage, compare pet insurance costs from multiple insurers, review policy terms and read company reviews to ensure you’re getting the best value.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies for Emergency?
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Best Overall
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$41Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$23Overall Reddit Sentiment
72% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$100,000
- pros
Lowest average for dogs
Covers emergency surgeries, hospitalization and diagnostics
Optional vet visit fee add-on for emergency exams
consOnly available in 41 states plus Washington, D.C.
Pets must be under 14 years old to enroll
Lemonade ranks first in our analysis for emergency pet insurance, combining the lowest rates with great customer service. The company provides comprehensive accident and illness coverage that includes emergency surgeries, hospitalization and diagnostic procedures, plus an optional vet visit fees add-on for emergency exams. However, Lemonade is only available in 41 states and limits enrollment to pets below 14 years old.
Lemonade leads the affordability rankings for cat insurance and places second for dog insurance nationwide. Monthly premiums range from $9 to $101, depending on your pet's age, coverage limit, deductible and reimbursement rate. Review the table below to compare Lemonade's costs based on your emergency coverage preferences.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$52 $626 27% Our analysis ranks Lemonade third in customer experience among emergency pet insurance providers. The company has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, with 72% positive sentiment on Reddit based on the 32 comments we reviewed.
Lemonade offers accident and illness policies with annual limits from $5,000 to $100,000, deductibles between $100 and $750 and reimbursement rates of 60% to 90%, providing flexible options for emergency veterinary expenses. Its base policy covers emergency care diagnostics, procedures and medications, with optional add-ons for vet visit fees and physical therapy following accidents. Waiting periods include two days for accidents in most states, 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, while pets must be under 14 years old to enroll.

Best Customer Experience
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$60Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$30Trustpilot Ratings
4.7 out of 5Maximum Annual Limit
$20,000
- pros
Fast claim reimbursements
Free 24/7 virtual vet access
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days
consHigher premiums than many competitors
Available in 45 states
No accident-only coverage
Rainwalk ranks highest for customer experience among emergency pet insurance providers in our review. Policyholders frequently point to fast claim payments and responsive support when dealing with urgent care situations.
The company covers accidents and illnesses and extends coverage to curable pre-existing conditions once pets remain symptom-free for 180 days. Rainwalk also includes unlimited 24/7 virtual vet consultations at no added cost, though availability remains restricted to 45 states.
Compared with other providers in our review, Rainwalk ranks eighth for cat insurance affordability and tenth for dog insurance. Monthly premiums range from $11 to $128, based on your pet’s age and selected coverage settings. Costs change with your deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement rate, giving flexibility around emergency care needs.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$69 $828 4% Based on customer feedback, Rainwalk maintains a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a 71% positive Reddit sentiment from the seven comments we examined. Many pet owners point to responsive support and efficient claims handling during urgent situations. Our analysis ranks Rainwalk highest for customer experience among emergency pet insurance providers.
Rainwalk offers accident and illness coverage with annual limits ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Deductibles fall between $100 and $750, with reimbursement options from 70% to 90%. Policies include a 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses, including emergency treatment.
Rainwalk also covers curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days and offers optional add-ons for exam fees, breeding coverage and veterinarian-approved holistic treatments tied to emergency care.

Best Pet Insurance Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$59Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$35Overall Reddit Sentiment
86% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$10,000
- pros
Covers curable and incurable pre-existing conditions
Nationwide availability
24/7 vet helpline access
consHigher premiums
Add-on required for hereditary conditions
AKC ranks first in our emergency pet insurance review for its approach to pre-existing condition coverage. After 365 days of continuous enrollment, policies extend to both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions, which offers meaningful protection during emergencies.
Hereditary and congenital issues such as cherry eye, heart disease and hip hip dysplasia require optional add-on coverage. AKC operates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and includes a 24/7 vet helpline for emergency guidance.
Compared with other providers in our review, AKC ranks ninth for affordability for both dogs and cats. Monthly premiums range from $14 to $235, based on your pet’s age and selected coverage settings. Deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates account for most pricing differences.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$66 $788 9% AKC ties with Lemonade for third place in customer experience among the emergency pet insurance providers we reviewed. Reddit feedback shows 86% positive sentiment, with six of seven comments reflecting favorable experiences. AKC’s Trustpilot rating sits at 3.2 out of 5, which suggests mixed experiences with customer support.
AKC earns our top spot for coverage options and policy terms due to its pre-existing condition coverage after 365 days of enrollment. Plans offer annual limits from $2,500 to $10,000, deductibles between $100 and $1,000, and reimbursement rates ranging from 70% to 90%.
Optional add-ons cover breeding, hereditary conditions and exam fees. Coverage begins after a two-day waiting period for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 180 days for cruciate ligament conditions and IVDD, which affects when certain emergency claims qualify.
What Are the Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies for Emergency?
Lemonade offers the most affordable pet insurance with emergency coverage for dogs at $41 monthly on average, while Pumpkin provides the lowest rates for cats at $20 monthly, according to our analysis. We also identified Pumpkin, Pets Best, AKC and Rainwalk as budget-friendly alternatives for emergency veterinary coverage.
Cheapest Dog Insurance for Emergency
Lemonade provides the cheapest emergency dog insurance at $41 monthly ($492 annually), followed by Pumpkin at $46 monthly ($548 annually). These rates are based on our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Lemonade | $41 | $492 | 32% |
| Pumpkin | $46 | $548 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $53 | $643 | 11% |
| AKC | $59 | $705 | 3% |
| Rainwalk | $60 | $717 | 1% |
Cheapest Cat Insurance for Emergency
Our study found monthly premiums as low as $20 ($238 annually) from Pumpkin for cat insurance with emergency coverage, making it the most affordable option. Lemonade ranks second at $23 monthly ($274 annually). We based these rates on a 7-year-old Ragdoll with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Pumpkin | $20 | $238 | 37% |
| Lemonade | $23 | $274 | 28% |
| Spot | $23 | $284 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $28 | $329 | 13% |
| Rainwalk | $30 | $359 | 5% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance for Emergency
Get pet insurance that suits your budget without compromising emergency coverage quality using the step-by-step process below.
- 1Decide on your coverage needs
Review your budget and your pet’s health risks to choose the right pet insurance coverage. Emergency care such as surgery or overnight hospitalization often drives costs, so annual limits between $5,000 and $20,000 provide practical protection.
Select a deductible you can handle at the time of an urgent vet visit. A higher reimbursement rate of 80% to 90% raises monthly premiums but lowers what you pay when emergencies happen.
- 2Compare multiple quotes
Request quotes from at least three insurers using the same deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate to compare emergency care costs accurately. Look for available pet insurance discounts, such as multi-pet pricing, annual payment options or bundled policies, which often reduce premiums by 5% to 10%. You can also check eligibility for pet insurance low-income programs that focus on emergency coverage.
- 3Understand the terms and conditions
Review sample policies to see which emergency situations qualify for coverage and which do not. Pay close attention to waiting periods for accidents and illnesses, pre-existing condition rules and breed-related exclusions that affect emergency claims. Confirm whether exam fees, diagnostic testing and specialty care come with the base policy or require add-ons.
- 4Look for company reviews
Read customer feedback that discusses emergency claims and reimbursement speed. Trustpilot ratings and state insurance department complaints help show how insurers respond during urgent situations. Focus on reviews that mention support during nights, weekends, or holidays, when emergency care often occurs.
- 5Reassess coverage annually before renewing
Review your pet insurance policy each year before renewal. Changes in your pet’s age or health may justify adjusting your deductible, reimbursement rate or coverage limits to better align with emergency care needs.
Best Pet Insurance for Emergency: Bottom Line
Lemonade offers the best overall pet insurance for emergencies, combining the most affordable rates for dogs with solid customer service. Pumpkin provides the cheapest emergency pet insurance for cats. Compare multiple quotes, review policy terms and check company reviews to find emergency care coverage that balances cost with comprehensive financial protection.
Learn more about the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pets:
Best Pet Insurance for Emergency Care: FAQ
To help you make informed decisions, we’ve answered common questions about the best emergency pet insurance below:
What is the best pet insurance for emergency care?
Lemonade is the best pet insurance for emergency care, according to MoneyGeek's analysis, providing affordable premiums and great customer service.
What is the cheapest pet insurance for emergency vet visits?
Lemonade offers the cheapest emergency pet insurance for dogs at $41 monthly, while Pumpkin provides the lowest cat rates at $20 monthly. These rates are based on 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with $5,000 annual limits, $500 deductibles and 80% reimbursement.
Does pet insurance cover emergency vet visits?
Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits for accidents and illnesses after waiting periods end. Coverage includes emergency surgeries, hospitalization and diagnostic procedures.
What's considered a pet emergency?
Pet emergencies include accidents requiring immediate treatment like toxin ingestion, bite wounds, broken bones and hit-by-car incidents. Sudden illnesses such as difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, bloat or seizures also qualify as emergencies. Emergency coverage applies to overnight hospitalizations, urgent surgeries and specialty care visits outside regular veterinary hours.
Can I use pet insurance at any emergency vet?
You can use pet insurance at any licensed emergency veterinarian or specialty clinic in the United States. You won't need referrals or network approvals before seeking emergency treatment. Simply pay the emergency vet bill upfront, keep itemized receipts and submit a claim afterward.
How do waiting periods affect emergency coverage?
Waiting periods mean emergencies occurring immediately after enrollment won't be covered. Accidents usually have a waiting period between 1 and 14 days, while illnesses require 14 days or longer. Any conditions showing symptoms during waiting periods become pre-existing and remain excluded from coverage.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Emergency Pet Insurance
MoneyGeek analyzed 20 major pet insurance providers across the United States to identify the best and most affordable emergency pet insurance. Our evaluation focused on affordability, customer experience and coverage details.
We collected quotes using standardized policy parameters to ensure accurate comparisons across all providers. Our sample profiles included a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and a 7-year-old Ragdoll, both with $5,000 annual limits, $500 deductibles and 80% reimbursement rates.
How We Rate Every Provider
Affordability (50%): We gathered quotes from all providers and compared rates against competitors within each state. Available discounts contributed minimally to this score, as variation between companies remains limited.
Customer Experience (30%): We evaluated customer satisfaction by analyzing ratings from Trustpilot and Reddit sentiment across user comments. This provided insight into real-world experiences with claims and customer service responsiveness.
Coverage Options (20%): We reviewed complete policy documents for every provider in each state, examining add-on availability, coverage inclusions, exclusions and restrictions specific to emergency care situations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

