Who Has The Cheapest Pet Insurance?

Our pet insurance team puts in the work others don’t, building guides around specialized research, transparent methods and independent editorial review. We focus on the factors that affect pet owners, including pet profile (species, age, breed), health risks, coverage needs, veterinary costs and differences between pet insurance providers.

• Research is grounded in authoritative sources: We use insurer policy documents, veterinary organizations, government data, actual pet insurance quotes and trusted consumer reviews to evaluate pricing, coverage, claims, customer experience and policy terms as accurately as possible.
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Pets Best offers the lowest rates most consistently in my study of 20 dog breeds across four age groups. It ranks as the cheapest provider in 52 of the 80 breed and age combinations (65%), with an average monthly rate of $25 across those groups. Lemonade and ASPCA are each cheapest in nine breed and age groups (11%), with Lemonade averaging $48 per month and ASPCA averaging $45 per month.

For example, French Bulldogs show how provider trade-offs can matter beyond the monthly premium at different life stages. Pets Best’s lower rates may appeal to owners of French Bulldog puppies because its base plan covers hereditary conditions, potentially including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) that develops after the applicable waiting period, subject to policy terms and pre-existing condition exclusions. Lemonade may be worth the higher premium if you want more flexibility to customize your policy’s annual coverage limit, deductible, reimbursement rate and optional add-ons. For middle-aged French Bulldogs, ASPCA is another option to consider because its 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions may be relevant for a breed prone to luxating patella, a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place.

Need help choosing? Use our quote tool to find cheap pet insurance coverage.

Based on my analysis, Pets Best is the cheapest pet insurance provider in nearly half of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. (49%), with the lowest average rate of $36 per month. ASPCA is the most affordable in 19 states (37%), averaging $37 per month, while Lemonade offers the lowest rate in four states (8%), averaging $38.

Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs, and treatment can cost thousands of dollars regardless of where you live, particularly when surgery and physical rehabilitation are needed. Pets Best can offer value beyond its lower premiums by paying licensed veterinarians directly for eligible claims, potentially reducing how much you need to pay upfront. ASPCA may be worth the extra $1 per month if you want a shorter orthopedic waiting period and broader base coverage, including exam fees for diagnosing hip dysplasia and physical rehabilitation to help restore mobility, which Pets Best requires as separate add-ons.

Which insurer is the most affordable in your state? Use our tool to find out.

Pumpkin has the lowest average rate for toy, small and giant mixed-breed dogs across the five size categories in my analysis, at $30 per month. ASPCA is the most affordable option for medium and large mixed-breed dogs, averaging $32 per month. Depending on your dog’s size and which of these providers offers the lower rate for that category, you could pay 26% to 44% less than the average rate among the providers I analyzed.

Your premium depends on how an insurer classifies your mixed-breed dog at enrollment. Most insurers use weight classes to price mixed-breed dogs, but their weight cutoffs vary. For example, one provider might classify a 25-pound dog as small, while another considers it medium, resulting in different premiums. If your dog’s ancestry is known, some insurers may instead use its dominant breed to determine the rate. This can increase or decrease your premium because breed-based pricing may account for health risks associated with particular breeds, such as hip dysplasia or heart disease.

Looking for cheap rates for your mixed-breed dog? Use our tool to get started.

Pets Best leads for the cheapest cat insurance, offering the lowest rate in 44 of the 80 breed and age groups (55%) at an average of $17 per month across those groups. Pumpkin is the lowest-cost option in 19 breed and age groups (24%), averaging $23 per month. Meanwhile, MetLife provides the most affordable cat insurance in nine breed and age groups (11%), costing an average of $44 per month.

Tonkinese cats offer a useful example of how coverage priorities can change which provider offers the best value. For budget-conscious owners, Pets Best combines lower average rates with an accident waiting period of zero to three days, depending on the state. MetLife takes a different approach by imposing no accident waiting period, regardless of location, which may appeal to owners of active, social Tonkinese cats who want accident coverage to begin without that delay. Both MetLife and Pumpkin also include exam fees and alternative treatments in their base plans, allowing cat owners to access these benefits without purchasing separate add-ons that raise premiums.  

Need help comparing cheap cat insurers? Try our quote tool

ASPCA has the lowest average cat insurance rates in the most states, ranking as the cheapest provider in 27 of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. (53%), at $16 per month. Pumpkin follows closely, offering the lowest rates in 23 states (45%) at an average of $17 per month.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is one example of a common health condition in cats that can lead to costly veterinary care in any state, particularly when a urinary blockage requires emergency treatment. Pumpkin may be worth the extra $1 per month if you value a smoother customer experience and Pumpkin Now, its urgent pay service that can expedite reviews for eligible claims submitted during service hours and deposit approved reimbursements within 20 minutes if your bank supports real-time payments.  

Looking for affordable coverage in your state? Use our quote tool to get started.

Pets Best leads mixed-breed cat insurance for affordability, averaging $15 per month, or 48% below the $30 national breed average. It also offers the lowest average rates across every age group in my analysis, ranging from $8 to $37 per month and saving owners 45% to 63% compared with the national breed average.

If you don't know your cat's breed or ancestry, your cat may be classified as a Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Mediumhair or Domestic Longhair based on its coat length. These classifications generally describe cats without a documented pedigree rather than a specific recognized breed.

Want to find the lowest rates for your mixed-breed cat? Try our quote tool.

ASPCA charges owners with two dogs an average of $78 per month for pet insurance, the lowest rate in my analysis and 33% below the $116 national average. Pets Best ($79), Pumpkin ($81), Lemonade ($97) and Figo ($107) round out the five cheapest pet insurance providers for multi-dog households. 

For multi-dog households, paying slightly more than ASPCA’s lowest rate may be worthwhile if it helps manage veterinary bills for several pets. Pets Best offers Vet Direct Pay for eligible claims, which can reduce the amount owners need to pay upfront rather than covering each bill in full and waiting for reimbursement. Pumpkin costs just $3 more per month than ASPCA and offers Pumpkin Now, which can deposit same-day reimbursements for eligible claims that can be used to pay at checkout, provided that the owner's bank supports real-time payments.  

Need help choosing? Use our tool to find cheap coverage for multiple dogs.

ASPCA’s average monthly rate of $34 is the most affordable for owners of multiple cats, coming in 45% below the $62 national average for a two-cat household. Pumpkin costs $36 per month, just $2 more, while Pets Best ($46), Figo ($57) and Lemonade ($57) round out the list. 

ASPCA’s lower premiums may appeal to multi-cat households looking to minimize insurance costs, but Figo and Lemonade offer shorter accident waiting periods. Figo’s is one day, while Lemonade has no accident waiting period, compared with 14 days for ASPCA. With multiple cats in the same home, there are more opportunities for an unexpected mishap involving one or more pets, so getting accident coverage sooner may be worth the extra monthly cost.

Need help choosing? Use our tool to find cheap coverage for multiple cats.

A low-cost policy can make sense if you need affordable financial protection against unexpected veterinary bills without committing to a high monthly premium. Remember that most pet insurance works on a reimbursement basis, so you'll generally pay the vet first and wait for the insurer to reimburse eligible expenses.

• Meets the criteria: You can afford the monthly premium and have enough savings or available credit to pay veterinary bills upfront. You can also cover your deductible, coinsurance and expenses the policy excludes while waiting for reimbursement.
• Doesn’t meet the criteria: Even if the premium fits your budget, you may struggle to pay a large veterinary bill upfront or cover costs the insurer won't reimburse. A low monthly rate may not be financially manageable if you lack the funds or credit to access care when your pet needs it.

Your pet's age, breed and health history can help you decide how much annual coverage to buy. A lower limit may suit a generally healthy pet with fewer known breed-related risks, but it can leave you responsible for large veterinary expenses if your pet needs costly surgery or ongoing treatment.

• Meets the criteria: Your young, generally healthy mixed-breed pet has no known health issues or elevated breed-related risks. You choose a $5,000 annual limit because it fits your budget and the level of financial protection you want for unexpected accidents and illnesses.
• Doesn’t meet the criteria: You have a purebred pet like a Pug, which is predisposed to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), and choose a low annual limit without considering the potential costs of diagnostic tests, treatment or follow-up care. A low limit could leave you paying more if an expensive condition requires extensive veterinary care.

Your pet's breed, age, size and lifestyle can affect its veterinary needs. Compare the policy's coverage for illnesses and accidents, along with benefits for veterinary exam fees, prescription medications, emergency care and alternative treatments. A cheaper plan may cover fewer services or require add-ons for benefits another insurer includes in its base policy.  

• Meets the criteria: Your cat's policy covers eligible treatment for hereditary conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), if relevant to its breed, without requiring an optional add-on. The base plan also includes benefits you value, such as veterinary exam fees and prescription medications.
• Doesn’t meet the criteria: Your pet has a breed-related health risk, but the policy excludes the condition or its treatment, limits the amount it will pay, or requires costly add-ons for benefits you need. Those extra costs can narrow or erase the savings from a lower starting premium.

The value of pet insurance depends on more than the policy's coverage. When your pet needs veterinary treatment, accessible customer service, clear claims instructions and timely updates can make it easier to manage the reimbursement process. Review the insurer's claims process, communication options and available payment services before enrolling.

• Meets the criteria: You choose a low-cost policy from an insurer with accessible customer support, clear instructions for submitting claims and straightforward communication about reimbursement. You understand what documentation to submit and what to expect after your pet receives care.
• Doesn’t meet the criteria: You find consistent reports of communication problems or difficult claims handling, and the insurer offers limited ways to get help. This may be especially concerning if you need clear updates about a claim to manage your veterinary expenses.

Pet insurance prices can vary between providers, even when you compare similar coverage. In my analysis, ASPCA averages $29 per month for pet insurance overall, 38% below the $47 national average. For dogs, Pets Best averages $40 per month, compared with the $61 national average. Cat owners can find even lower rates with ASPCA at $18 per month, versus the $32 national average.

These differences show why it's worth getting quotes from multiple insurers before enrolling. Compare premiums using the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate, then check whether each policy covers the conditions and treatments your pet may need. A cheaper quote can offer good value if the coverage is comparable, but a lower starting price may not save you money if you need to purchase add-ons for important benefits.

You don't necessarily need the highest annual limit for your pet's veterinary needs. A lower limit may suit a generally healthy pet with fewer known breed-related risks. However, choosing too little coverage could leave you with a large bill if your pet needs expensive surgery or ongoing treatment.

Look at the available annual limits before paying extra for more coverage. Some providers, like Lemonade and Rainwalk, offer multiple annual limit options, giving pet owners room to tailor coverage to their budgets and needs. For example, if a $15,000 limit provides the level of protection you want, an unlimited plan may cost more than you need to spend. Compare the premiums for both limits and consider your pet's breed, age and potential veterinary costs before deciding.

Don't lower your limit simply to get the cheapest quote if your pet has a higher risk of costly hereditary conditions or you couldn't afford expenses beyond the policy limit.

Your deductible and reimbursement rate affect both your premium and the amount you pay when your pet needs care. A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but requires you to pay more before reimbursement begins. A lower reimbursement rate can also reduce the premium, but it leaves you responsible for a larger share of eligible veterinary expenses.

Compare different combinations before choosing a policy. For example, if you can comfortably cover a $500 deductible and a 20% share of eligible costs, a plan with an 80% reimbursement rate may balance affordability and financial protection. If paying a large bill upfront would be difficult, a lower deductible or higher reimbursement rate may be worth the additional premium.

Choose the combination you can manage during an emergency, not just the one with the lowest monthly price. Remember that most pet insurance policies require you to pay the veterinarian upfront and wait for reimbursement, and you'll still be responsible for excluded expenses and any costs beyond your policy's limits.

Some insurers offer pet insurance discounts that reduce premiums without requiring you to lower your annual limit or reimbursement rate. Depending on eligibility, you may qualify for savings by insuring multiple pets, paying annually, becoming a member of a participating organization or enrolling through an employer program.

For example, Figo offers a 15% discount to eligible Costco members who enroll through its Costco program, subject to availability. Figo also offers discounts for insuring multiple pets and having a military background. These savings can make a policy more affordable without changing its core coverage benefits. 

Check the requirements and availability of each discount before relying on it in your budget. Compare the final premium after discounts with other providers' quotes, and confirm whether the discount applies at renewal.

Your pet's breed can affect your premium because some breeds are more prone to hereditary conditions and expensive veterinary needs. If your dog or cat has mixed ancestry, make sure the breed information on your application reflects what you know about your pet rather than automatically selecting a purebred category.

A DNA breed test may help document your pet's ancestry, but it doesn't guarantee a lower premium. Insurers use different rating rules, with some allowing you to select a primary breed and identify the pet as a mix, while others price a mixed-breed pet using the breed they consider most representative. 

Before paying for a DNA test, ask the insurer how it determines breed and whether test results can change the quote. Report your pet's ancestry accurately and follow the insurer's application instructions. Don't choose a mixed-breed category solely to obtain a lower rate if it doesn't reflect the insurer's classification rules.