According to MoneyGeek's analysis, MetLife offers the best pet insurance with no waiting period for dogs, while Embrace is the best option for cats. Both companies provide immediate accident coverage beginning on your policy's effective date.
Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period
Updated: October 13, 2025
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Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period: Key Takeaways
MetLife is the best pet insurance company with no waiting period for dogs, earning a score of 3.46 out of 5.0. Embrace is the best option for cats, with a score of 2.78 out of 5.0.
MetLife offers the most affordable pet insurance with no accident waiting period, at $57 monthly for dogs and $36 monthly for cats.
To get the best value for pet insurance with no waiting period, determine what coverage you need, compare multiple quotes, read the fine print and look for company reviews.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies With No Waiting Period?
Data filtered by:
Dog
| Met Life | 3.46 | $684 | 2 | 1 |
| Embrace | 3.19 | $874 | 1 | 2 |
MetLife
Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period for Dogs
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ 5
3.7/5Affordability
1.7/5Customer Experience
4.4/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Rate
$57Trustpilot Rating
4.5 out of 5.0Maximum Annual Limit
$25,000Most Unique Coverage Inclusion or Add-On
Family plan for multiple pets with shared deductible
Embrace
Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period for Cats
MoneyGeek Rating
2.8/ 5
1.7/5Affordability
3.5/5Customer Experience
3.5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Rate
$46Trustpilot Rating
4.1 out of 5.0Maximum Annual Limit
UnlimitedMost Unique Coverage Inclusion or Add-On
Curable pre-existing conditions covered after 12 symptom-free months
What Are the Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies With No Waiting Period?
Pet insurance costs differ between cats and dogs because dogs have higher veterinary expenses and experience more breed-specific health conditions. Based on our research, MetLife provides the cheapest pet insurance with no waiting period for accidents, averaging $36 monthly for cats and $57 monthly for dogs.
Cheapest Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period for Dogs
MetLife offers the cheapest dog insurance with no accident waiting period at an average of $57 monthly, followed by Embrace at $73 monthly. These rates reflect coverage for a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Met Life | $57 | $684 |
| Embrace | $73 | $874 |
Cheapest Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period for Cats
MetLife also provides the lowest rates for cat insurance with no waiting period for accidents, at $36 monthly on average. Embrace follows at $46 per month. These rates are for our standard 7-year-old Ragdoll profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Met Life | $36 | $437 |
| Embrace | $46 | $547 |
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period
Finding affordable pet insurance with immediate accident coverage requires comparing multiple providers and understanding which factors affect your premiums. Follow the steps below to secure quality coverage that fits your budget.
- 1Know what coverage you need
Decide on whether you need immediate accident coverage only or full accident and illness protection with a waiting period. Consider your pet's accident risk based on age and activity level when deciding on coverage limits and deductibles. Knowing your priorities helps you compare policies offering no accident waiting periods more effectively.
- 2Compare multiple providers
Request quotes from insurers that offer immediate accident coverage to identify the most affordable option. Premium rates for identical no-waiting-period policies can differ by $20 or more monthly between providers. Ask about discounts for multiple pets, military service or online enrollment, which can reduce your costs by 5% to 10%.
- 3Understand the fine print
Confirm that accident coverage begins immediately on your policy's effective date with zero waiting period. Review how long you'll wait for illness coverage to start, as this often requires 14 days even with no-wait accident policies. Check whether the policy covers exam fees and prescriptions, since immediate accident coverage means nothing if associated costs aren't included.
- 4Read company reviews
Research how quickly insurers with no waiting periods process accident claims filed shortly after enrollment. Look for feedback about companies honoring immediate accident coverage without disputes or delays. Customer reviews reveal whether providers deliver on their no-wait promises when pets need emergency care right away.
Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period: Bottom Line
MetLife is MoneyGeek’s pick for the best pet insurance with no waiting period for dogs, while Embrace is our top choice for cats. MetLife is also the cheapest insurer for immediate accident coverage, averaging $57 monthly for dogs and $36 monthly for cats. As always, getting the best value for pet insurance requires comparing quotes, reviewing policy terms and researching customer experiences before purchasing a policy.
Best Pet Insurance No Waiting Period: FAQ
We’ve answered frequently asked questions about the best pet insurance with no waiting period below:
What is the best pet insurance with no waiting period?
MetLife is the best pet insurance with no waiting period for dogs, earning a score of 3.5 out of 5.0 in MoneyGeek's analysis. Embrace leads for cats, with a score of 2.8 out of 5.0. Both providers offer 0-day waiting periods for accidents, meaning coverage begins immediately on your policy's effective date.
What is the cheapest pet insurance with no waiting period?
MetLife offers the cheapest pet insurance with no accident waiting period, averaging $36 monthly for cats and $57 monthly for dogs. Your actual premium varies based on your pet's age, breed, location and coverage choices.
What does "no waiting period" mean for pet insurance?
"No waiting period" for pet insurance means accident coverage begins on your policy's effective date, usually at midnight after enrollment. Both MetLife and Embrace offer 0-day waiting periods for accidents, so you can file claims for injuries right away. However, illness coverage requires a 14-day waiting period with both providers.
Can I get pet insurance that covers illnesses immediately?
No pet insurance company offers immediate coverage for illnesses. Both MetLife and Embrace require a 14-day waiting period before illness coverage begins, which is standard across the industry. This waiting period prevents people from enrolling only after their pet shows symptoms of sickness.
Does pet insurance with no waiting period cover pre-existing conditions?
Generally, no, but Embrace offers limited coverage for curable pre-existing conditions. If your cat had an ear infection before enrollment but remains symptom- and treatment-free for 12 consecutive months, Embrace will cover future occurrences. MetLife only covers pre-existing conditions if you switch from another provider through an employer group plan and the condition was covered previously.
Can I file a claim immediately after buying pet insurance with no waiting period?
Yes, you can file accident claims immediately after your policy's effective date, which starts at midnight on the day after enrollment. If your dog breaks a leg or your cat ingests something toxic on day one, you're covered. However, illness claims require a 14-day waiting period, so conditions like infections or cancer diagnosed within those first two weeks aren't covered.
What counts as an accident versus an illness for waiting periods?
Accidents are sudden, unexpected injuries like broken bones, torn ligaments, cuts requiring stitches, poisoning or foreign object ingestion. These qualify for immediate coverage with no waiting period. Illnesses are diseases or conditions that develop over time, including infections, cancer, diabetes, allergies and organ diseases. These require a 14-day waiting period before coverage begins.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period
MoneyGeek analyzed two major pet insurance providers in the United States that offer immediate accident coverage. We focused on affordability, customer experience and coverage details to identify the best and cheapest options for dogs and cats.
Our recommendations for the best pet insurance with no waiting period are based on our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
How We Score Each Provider
Affordability (50% of overall score): We gathered quotes across all combinations of coverage options, pet ages and breeds to compare costs between providers. We also considered available discounts, though this represented a minor component since discount offerings vary only slightly between companies.
Customer Experience (30% of overall score): We collected customer ratings from Trustpilot and analyzed Reddit comments to calculate customer satisfaction scores. This metric reflects real policyholder experiences with claims processing, customer service and overall satisfaction.
Coverage Options (20% of overall score): We reviewed complete contract details for every provider in all available states. Our analysis examined add-on options, standard inclusions, exclusions and restrictions to determine coverage breadth and flexibility.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.