Overall, Lemonade is the best pet insurance company for cats and dogs in California due to its very affordable rates, great customer service experience and highly customizable coverage options. AKC, Rainwalk, Spot, ASPCA and Pets Best are strong alternatives in the state.
Best Pet Insurance in California
Updated: August 1, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
We know finding affordable, reliable pet insurance is a top priority for pet parents. Our analysis shows Lemonade offers the best pet insurance for dogs and cats in California, with monthly rates starting at $12. It combines competitive pricing with excellent customer service.
Budget-conscious pet parents will appreciate that ASPCA offers the cheapest pet insurance in California for dogs ($65 monthly), while Pumpkin provides the lowest cat rates at $27 monthly for standard coverage.
Find the best cheap pet insurance by comparing multiple plans, clearly defining your coverage needs and thoroughly researching provider reputation and pricing options.
Best Pet Insurance Companies in California
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Dog or Cat:Dog
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Pet Age Group:Middle Aged
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Annual Limit:$5,000
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Reimbursement %:80%
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Deductible:$500
| Lemonade | 4.45 | $65 |
| AKC | 4.35 | $81 |
| Rainwalk | 4.15 | $84 |
| Spot | 4.15 | $74 |
| ASPCA | 4.10 | $65 |
| Pets Best | 4.05 | $79 |
Lemonade
Best Overall
5/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
3.3/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$65Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$31Overall Reddit Sentiment
72% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$100,000
Best Pet Insurance by Dog Breed
Overall, AKC dominates the best pet insurance rankings for most dog breeds in California, with Lemonade and Rainwalk winning select breeds. Below, you can review which companies are best for your dog in the state.
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Breed:Affenpinscher
| Rainwalk | 4.35 | $57 |
| Pets Best | 4.35 | $35 |
| AKC | 4.3 | $69 |
| Lemonade | 4.25 | $40 |
| Spot | 4.05 | $52 |
Best Pet Insurance by Cat Breed
Our study found that Rainwalk and AKC offer the best coverage and customer experiences for all cat breeds at an affordable price.
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Breed:Abyssinian
| Rainwalk | 4.5 | $42 |
| AKC | 4.5 | $53 |
| Lemonade | 4.35 | $32 |
| Pets Best | 4.3 | $41 |
| Spot | 4.2 | $37 |
Cheapest Pet Insurance in California
ASPCA offers the cheapest overall pet insurance for dogs, with an average rate of $65 per month or $781 per year. Pumpkin provides the lowest premium for cats at $27 monthly or $327 annually.
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Dog or Cat:Dog
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Pet Age Group:Middle Aged
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Annual Limit:$5,000
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Reimbursement %:80%
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Deductible:$500
| ASPCA | $65 | $781 | -24% |
| Lemonade | $65 | $784 | -23% |
| Hartville | $72 | $867 | -15% |
| Spot | $74 | $886 | -13% |
| Pets Best | $79 | $954 | -7% |
| Pumpkin | $80 | $955 | -7% |
| AKC | $81 | $970 | -5% |
| Met Life | $82 | $978 | -5% |
| Rainwalk | $84 | $1,008 | -2% |
| Figo | $86 | $1,033 | 1% |
| Liberty Mutual | $93 | $1,113 | 9% |
| Embrace | $114 | $1,372 | 34% |
| Nationwide | $121 | $1,448 | 41% |
| Fetch | $133 | $1,598 | 56% |
Cheapest California Pet Insurance by Dog Breed
For most dog breeds, Lemonade, Pets Best and Pumpkin offer the most affordable pet insurance, with rates starting at $25 monthly.
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Breed:Affenpinscher
| Pets Best | $35 | $425 | -45% |
| Lemonade | $40 | $480 | -38% |
| ASPCA | $46 | $548 | -30% |
| Pumpkin | $47 | $567 | -27% |
| Hartville | $51 | $612 | -22% |
Cheapest California Pet Insurance by Cat Breed
Lemonade, Pets Best, and Pumpkin consistently offer California's lowest cat insurance rates. Standard coverage premiums start at $12 per month.
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Breed:Abyssinian
| Lemonade | $32 | $383 | -51% |
| Hartville | $37 | $436 | -44% |
| Spot | $37 | $444 | -43% |
| Figo | $40 | $474 | -39% |
| ASPCA | $41 | $487 | -38% |
How Much Is Pet Insurance in California?
California pet insurance costs around $114 monthly for dogs, and cat coverage runs about $58 per month. Both are more expensive than most states — about 26% to 27% above national rates.
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Annual Limit:$5,000
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Deductible:$500
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Reimbursement %:80%
| Cat | $58 | $689 | 26% |
| Dog | $114 | $1,368 | 27% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance in California
Finding the best cheap provider and coverage plan in California can be difficult. Want to find great pet insurance? Here's how to nail this decision:
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Decide on your coverage needs before buying
When making this decision, consider your financial situation, breed-specific risks and the coverage options. Consult your vet to see if you need insurance coverage for your pet.
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Research pet insurance costs and discounts
Start by getting a feel for costs — research insurance premiums for your pet and your preferred coverage level. Consider discounts you may qualify for, such as a multi-pet plan or military premium reduction.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
To make a balanced decision on the right company, understand what customers say about its services. Ensure the standard coverage and add-ons are available with providers for the best coverage possible.
- 4
Compare plenty of company quotes
Comparing pet insurance plans and providers with apples-to-apples coverage ensures you get the best deal possible. All providers offer an easy quote and buying process online, so getting pricing is straightforward.
- 5
Reassess your rates every year
As your pet ages, insurance rates go up exponentially, so your current provider may no longer be your best option. Repeat this review process every year to keep getting the lowest cost.
Best Pet Insurance in California: Bottom Line
Lemonade is our top pick for pet insurance in California, while Pumpkin and ASPCA top the list for those with the cheapest policies. While these are our recommendations, the right insurer depends on what works for you and your pet. Compare plenty of options, research and decide on coverage before buying for the best deal.
Pet Insurance in California: FAQ
Here are expert answers from our team to frequently asked questions about California pet insurance:
What are the best pet insurance companies in California?
California offers several good pet insurance options. MoneyGeek recommends Lemonade, AKC, Rainwalk, Spot, ASPCA and Pets Best as some of the top companies in the state.
Which company has the cheapest pet insurance in California?
The cheapest pet insurance depends on your pet type, but Pets Best, Lemonade and Pumpkin often have the lowest rates. For the most common plan selection, monthly rates start at $65 for dogs and $27 for cats.
How much is pet insurance in California?
For a standard policy, pet insurance costs about $689 for cats and $1,368 for dogs per year. However, annual rates range from $294 to $7,317, depending on your pet's profile and coverage needs.
What is the best way to find the right pet insurance provider?
Decide on your coverage needs before researching to ensure you get the best deal and don't get oversold. Research costs, company reputations and coverage options. Then, narrow your search to the best providers for your needs and compare quotes to get the lowest price.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Pet Insurance in California
We researched all 20 major pet insurance providers in the United States, compared their policies and gathered quotes for California residents. Here's the standard profile we used for our comparisons:
- $5,000 annual limit
- 80% reimbursement
- $500 deductible
- 6-year-old Labrador retriever if dog
- 7-year-old Ragdoll if cat
Our Company Rating System
To ensure our ratings are accurate to pet and pet owner's needs, we simplified our rating mechanism for easy understanding and comprehensive inclusion of all available information:
- Affordability (50% of score): We used proprietary quote data for all combinations of coverage, pet ages, and breeds owned in the U.S. to compare affordability scores for all providers. We also considered discounts and how each company calculates them into your premium.
- Customer experience (30% of score): Using customer ratings we scoured across the internet, industry scores from reliable agencies like AM Best, and Reddit comment sentiment for companies to get this score.
- Coverage options (20% of score): We considered all terms, add-ons and inclusions when determining this score. We also gauged these coverage restrictions and inclusions against the most commonly needed pet medical-related costs to assess their usefulness.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- Trustpilot. "Lemonade Reviews." Accessed July 30, 2025.