Best Pet Insurance

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Updated: October 4, 2026

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Best Pet Insurance Companies Overview

As the best pet insurance for most dogs and cats, Pumpkin earns a score of 4.70 out of 5 for its service, affordability and coverage. It offers a smooth buying, policy management and claims experience, plus an urgent pay service that can speed up payment on eligible claims. It also provides broad coverage without add-ons for exam fees, hereditary conditions, prescription medications and alternative treatments, at an average rate that's 35% below the national benchmark.  

However, the following providers may be a better choice than Pumpkin if you’re looking for the cheapest coverage, direct vet payment or policy flexibility:  

  • ASPCA: I recommend ASPCA if you need broad coverage at the lowest price, with an average rate of $29 per month, which is 38% below the national benchmark. Its base plan extends coverage to exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues and alternative treatments, so you’re covered for these veterinary expenses without purchasing separate add-ons.
  • Pets Best: Pets Best may be a good fit if you want to reduce how much you pay upfront for a covered veterinary bill. Its Vet Direct Pay feature can send claim payments directly to licensed veterinarians after you submit a completed claim and signed veterinarian reimbursement release, so you only need to cover your deductible, coinsurance and any non-covered expenses at checkout.
  • Lemonade: Lemonade is worth considering if you want highly customizable policies. You can choose from four deductibles, five annual limits, four reimbursement rates and six optional add-ons, giving you more ways to tailor your coverage, premium and out-of-pocket costs to your needs.

Compare my recommended providers side by side across costs, service strengths and coverage features below.

Pumpkin

4.70
$31
Urgent pay service for same-day reimbursements, smooth claims process with consistently fair claim decisions
14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions, standalone wellness plans for dogs and cats

ASPCA

4.66
$29
Responsive customer support during the buying process, option for direct vet payment
Coverage for curable pre-existing conditions, 14-day waiting period for knee and ligament issues

Pets Best

4.66
$32
Service for paying licensed vets directly on request, transparent pricing during quotes process
Accident waiting period between 0 and 3 days based on state, waiver for orthopedic waiting period

Lemonade

4.51
$40
Fast claim approvals and payments, smooth billing and renewals experience
No waiting period for accidents, multiple coverage add-ons for various pet health needs

Best Pet Insurance for Dogs

Pumpkin is the best pet insurance company for dogs overall, with customer service features that simplify policy management and claims so you have more time to focus on your pet’s care. It also has a short 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions, which is valuable for medium-sized (35 to 50 lbs) and large-sized (50 to 100 lbs) dogs that have a higher risk of ligament and joint problems. Pets Best is a strong alternative if you want the added benefit of direct vet payment and the lowest rate, averaging $40 per month, 34% below the national average.

However, the best insurer may change depending on your dog’s life stage, as puppies, young dogs, middle-aged dogs and senior dogs can have different coverage needs.

  • Puppies and young dogs: Pets Best is my pick for most puppies and young dogs since its base plan covers hereditary and congenital conditions that may develop as dogs age. It also has a short accident waiting period of zero to three days, which can benefit active younger dogs that frequently play outdoors or interact with other animals and may be more likely to experience accidental injuries. Pumpkin is a good alternative for puppies and young dogs at higher risk of orthopedic conditions because it has a short 14-day orthopedic waiting period, along with excellent customer experience.
  • Middle-aged dogs: I recommend Pumpkin for most middle-aged dogs because it covers curable pre-existing conditions after your dog has been symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days. It also provides cancer coverage if the disease develops before your dog reaches its senior years. Pets Best may be more suitable if you prioritize a lower premium, averaging $40 per month, 34% below the national benchmark.
  • Senior dogs: Pets Best is my recommendation for most senior dogs because it combines high annual limits with direct vet payment for eligible expensive conditions, such as cancer and chronic diseases. AKC can be a good choice if your senior dog already has pre-existing conditions and you want coverage for them after a year of continuous enrollment, while MetLife is an affordable alternative if you’re considering its group policy and want eligible pre-existing conditions to receive coverage.
Pets Best

Best Pet Insurance for Puppies and Young Dogs: Pets Best

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  • Cheapest option for puppies and young dogs

  • Covers hereditary conditions in the base plan

  • Accident waiting period between 0 and 3 days

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  • Add-ons for exam fee and physical therapy coverage

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Pets Best offers the best pet insurance for puppies and young dogs with hereditary and congenital health risks because its base accident and illness plan covers these conditions. The company also has the lowest average rate at $19 per month, 58% below the national benchmark. This combination of coverage and pricing can be valuable for breeds prone to hereditary conditions, such as Dachshunds with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and French Bulldogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), because these conditions can develop as dogs age and may be excluded as pre-existing conditions if signs or symptoms appear before enrollment.

If your French Bulldog puppy develops BOAS after the waiting period, treatment can cost $3,437 to $13,749, with a midpoint of $8,593. With a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate, Pets Best would reimburse about $6,474, so your out-of-pocket cost would be $2,119, equivalent to roughly 28.4 years of $19 monthly premiums.

Pets Best also has a short accident waiting period of zero to three days, depending on where you live. Puppies and young dogs can get coverage for veterinary care, including surgeries, hospitalizations and emergency vet visits, when an accident occurs after coverage begins. The shorter accident waiting period is particularly beneficial for active or social puppies and young dogs that frequently play outdoors or interact with other animals, increasing their risk of accidental injuries.

Pumpkin

Best Pet Insurance for Middle-Aged Dogs: Pumpkin

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  • Covers curable pre-existing conditions

  • Dental illness coverage in the base plan

  • Can provide same-day reimbursements

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  • Limited options for adjusting policy limits

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Mild, temporary upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common health issues in dogs that can be curable. As my recommendation for most adult dogs, Pumpkin can cover these conditions under its base plan if they recur after your dog has been symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days.

Pumpkin also provides coverage for dental illnesses that develop after enrollment, including periodontal disease, which is among the most common medical conditions in dogs over age 3. You can be reimbursed for treatments such as medically necessary dental surgeries, prescribed medications, post-operative care and teeth cleanings prescribed to treat a covered illness without purchasing an optional add-on.

If your middle-aged dog is diagnosed with cancer after the applicable waiting period, Pumpkin’s base accident and illness policy can cover expensive treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Its urgent pay service, Pumpkin Now, also helps reduce the amount you pay out of pocket at checkout by providing same-day reimbursements for eligible claims submitted at the vet during service hours, as long as your bank supports real-time payments.

Pets Best

Best Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs: Pets Best

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  • No upper age limits or breed restrictions

  • Direct vet pay option for lower upfront costs

  • Most affordable provider for senior dogs

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  • Less streamlined process for submitting claims

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Pets Best leads as the best pet insurance provider for senior dogs, offering the lowest average rate of $63 per month, 60% below the national benchmark. It covers cancer treatments and chronic condition management if conditions such as lymphoma, arthritis or kidney disease develop after the waiting period, with coverage for veterinary expenses such as diagnostic testing, prescription medications, surgeries, hospitalizations and emergency care. It also offers an unlimited annual limit, so you won't reach an annual coverage cap if your senior dog needs repeat vet visits during the policy year.

Additionally, Pets Best offers Vet Direct Pay, which can send approved claim payments directly to your veterinarian and limit the amount you pay upfront to your annual deductible, co-insurance and other non-covered expenses. If your senior dog is diagnosed with lymphoma after the 14-day waiting period, treatment can cost $3,639 to $18,198, making direct vet payment particularly useful for managing a large veterinary bill at the time of treatment. Pets Best also has no upper age limit for enrollment, so you can purchase a policy and access these benefits for your senior dog regardless of age.

Best Pet Insurance for Cats

Ranking as the best pet insurance for cats overall, Pumpkin stands out for customer experience, with digital tools that can expedite claim reviews and provide same-day reimbursements, helping reduce the amount you may need to pay your vet upfront. Its base plan also covers exam fees, behavioral treatments, alternative therapies and prescription food in addition to veterinary care for accidents and illnesses. ASPCA may make more sense if you prioritize the lowest premium, averaging $18 per month, 44% below the national benchmark.

That said, the best provider for you may vary based on your cat’s age, since kittens and young cats, middle-aged cats and senior cats have different health risks and coverage needs.

  • Kittens and young cats: I recommend Pumpkin for most kittens and young cats because its base plan covers treatments for parasitic infections common at this life stage, such as hookworms and roundworms. It also offers wellness plans that cover routine care such as flea, tick and heartworm prevention, and vaccinations. Pets Best may be a good alternative if you want a short accident waiting period of zero to three days, which can benefit curious or social younger cats with higher risk for accidental injuries.
  • Middle-aged cats: As the best option for most middle-aged cats, Pumpkin offers a base plan that covers dental illnesses such as gingival hyperplasia and periodontal disease, which frequently affect adult cats. ASPCA is worth considering if you prefer a low-cost alternative, averaging $18 per month, which is 44% below the national average.
  • Senior cats: Pumpkin is my pick for most senior cats because it offers high annual limits for chronic condition management, along with an urgent pay service that expedites reimbursements for eligible claims. ASPCA may be a better fit if you want broad base coverage at a lower price, with an average rate of $42 per month, 50% below the national benchmark.
Pumpkin

Best Pet Insurance for Kittens and Young Cats: Pumpkin

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  • Covers treatments for parasites

  • Wellness plans for parasite prevention

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  • 14-day waiting period for accident coverage

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism is a common problem for cats, with prevalence reaching as high as 75% in kittens depending on the type of parasite. Ranking as the best pet insurance for kittens and young cats, Pumpkin offers a base accident and illness policy that provides coverage for parasitic infections, including heartworms, roundworms and other intestinal and external parasites. If your kitten develops intestinal worms after the 14-day waiting period, Pumpkin can cover treatments such as antiparasitic medications and deworming, treatments such as antiparasitic medications and deworming, even if your kitten missed a scheduled vaccine or dose of preventive medication.

Pumpkin also has optional wellness plans with annual benefits for parasite prevention and fecal testing, helping you prevent parasitic infections and identify intestinal worms before they cause health problems in your kitten or young cat.

Pumpkin

Best Pet Insurance for Middle-Aged Cats: Pumpkin

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  • Covers dental disease treatments in the base policy

  • Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days

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  • Only two reimbursement rate options available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Pumpkin is my recommendation for most middle-aged cats because it covers treatments for dental illnesses in the base plan rather than limiting coverage to dental injuries. This coverage matters for middle-aged cats because dental diseases affect 50% to 90% of cats older than 4 years of age. Pumpkin’s base policy can cover cleanings and other treatment related to stage 1 to 4 periodontal disease, tooth extractions and treatment related to other dental illnesses, such as FORLs, gingival hyperplasia and stomatitis.

Pumpkin also provides coverage for curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days. This can benefit cats that develop recurring respiratory infections after enrollment. If your cat had a mild infection before enrollment that recurred after being symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days, Pumpkin can treat the recurrence as a new illness and cover eligible treatments, from the veterinary exam used to diagnose the infection to the prescription medications needed to treat it.

Pumpkin

Best Pet Insurance for Senior Cats: Pumpkin

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  • Covers alternative therapy and prescription food in the base plan

  • Urgent pay service for same-day reimbursements

  • No upper age limits

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  • Limited policy flexibility

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Pumpkin ranks as the best pet insurance company for senior cats because it provides comprehensive coverage for eligible chronic conditions without requiring multiple add-ons. Its base accident and illness policy covers prescription pet food and supplements, which can support ongoing management of chronic illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes, as well as alternative therapies like acupuncture and physical rehabilitation for managing chronic pain and mobility problems associated with arthritis.

Pumpkin doesn’t have an upper age limit for enrollment, so you can get coverage for your senior cat. It also offers Pumpkin Now, which can expedite reviews of claims over $500 submitted during service hours and deposit same-day reimbursements, provided your bank supports real-time payment processing. This urgent pay service can be particularly useful for chronic conditions such as hyperthyroidism, which can cost $515 to $5,156 to treat and may require ongoing veterinary care. With Pumpkin Now, you can receive eligible claim reimbursements the same day and use the funds to pay your vet instead of covering the entire bill out of pocket.

Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets

ASPCA is my recommendation for horse owners looking for pet insurance. It covers treatments for accidents, colic and illnesses that occur after the 14-day waiting period, and also offers optional wellness plans that cover routine tests and vaccinations. MetLife is a good alternative if you own birds, reptiles or small mammals like rabbits or ferrets, since it offers coverage for these exotic pets along with service features that let you get quotes over the phone and manage your account from your device.

ASPCA

Best Pet Insurance for Horses: ASPCA

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  • 14-day waiting period for colic, ligament and tendon issues

  • Covers tooth extractions and dental illness treatments

  • Optional wellness plans for vaccinations and routine tests

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  • Doesn’t cover arthritis or degenerative joint disease

  • Excludes alternative treatments from coverage

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

ASPCA is the only pet insurer in my analysis that covers horses, offering coverage that takes effect after 14 days for accidents, colic, illnesses, and ligament and tendon conditions. Its base plan includes examinations, prescription medications, hereditary conditions, cancer treatments, surgeries and hospitalizations without needing optional add-ons. ASPCA also covers dental treatments such as tooth extractions and dental cleaning or floating when prescribed for an eligible condition, which is particularly relevant because dental problems are common in horses due to chewing and grazing.

ASPCA also offers optional wellness plans for horses that cover routine tests such as the Coggins test and vaccinations for conditions such as tetanus or rabies and herpesvirus, with annual reimbursements varying by tier. These preventive benefits can help identify certain health risks early and protect horses against infectious diseases before they lead to more serious health problems.

MetLife

Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets: MetLife

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  • Covers a wide range of exotic animals

  • No waiting period for accidents

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  • Need to call for quotes

  • Not available in all states

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MetLife offers the best pet insurance for exotic pets, including birds, ferrets, rabbits, pigs, small mammals and reptiles. The company provides accident coverage with no waiting period, so accident-related care, such as exams, diagnostic testing, treatments and medications, is eligible for coverage if your exotic pet gets injured after enrollment. MetLife also provides digital tools that make it easy and convenient to manage your policy online, as well as responsive customer support, which is particularly important because you need to call to get an exotic pet quote or learn more about its coverage.

How to Buy the Best Pet Insurance for Your Companion

Buying pet insurance starts with understanding what your pet may need coverage for, then finding a policy that can pay for those treatments at a price you can afford. Dogs, cats and exotic pets generally have different health risks, so the best provider for one animal may not be ideal for another. Follow the steps below to purchase a policy that matches your pet’s potential veterinary needs and your budget.

  1. 1
    Identify your pet's specific health risks

    Talk with your veterinarian about your pet's breed, current age, weight and lifestyle, and ask which conditions or health risks your pet may be more likely to develop. For example, your veterinarian may identify orthopedic risks in a large-breed dog, dental or urinary health concerns in a cat, or colic in a horse.

  2. 2
    Determine how much coverage you need

    Use the health risks you identified with your veterinarian to decide which veterinary expenses your policy should cover, then choose a deductible, annual coverage limit and reimbursement rate that fit both your potential costs and your budget. A deductible is the amount you pay toward eligible veterinary expenses before the insurer begins reimbursing you, the annual limit is the maximum amount the policy will reimburse during a policy year, and the reimbursement rate is the percentage of eligible expenses the insurer pays after your deductible. 

    If your pet has a higher risk of expensive or recurring treatment, you may want a higher annual limit or reimbursement rate to reduce your share of eligible veterinary expenses. Use MoneyGeek’s pet insurance coverage needs calculator to get a baseline recommendation.

  3. 3
    Research pet insurance providers

    Look for insurers that offer coverage for your type of pet and compare the conditions, treatments and services included in their online sample policies. Dogs and cats generally have the widest range of pet insurance options, while only a few insurers offer horse insurance and exotic pet insurance, so your choice of providers may depend on whether you own a dog, cat, horse or exotic pet. 

    Check whether each provider covers the health risks relevant to your pet, including hereditary conditions, cancer, dental illnesses, chronic conditions, prescription medications and other treatments your veterinarian identified as potential needs.

  4. 4
    Read customer reviews

    Customer reviews can show how an insurer handles claims, policy changes, billing, customer service and other parts of the pet insurance experience that may not be apparent from the policy documents or provider's website. Check multiple sources, including Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Reddit, and look for recurring patterns rather than relying on a single positive or negative review. Pay particular attention to reviews about claim processing, reimbursement delays, coverage disputes, premium changes and customer support because these experiences can affect how quickly and easily you receive benefits when your pet needs veterinary care.

  5. 5
    Get quotes

    Get quotes from several providers using the same deductible, annual coverage limit and reimbursement rate so you can compare premiums for similar levels of financial protection. Using different policy terms can make one provider appear cheaper simply because you’re accepting a higher deductible, lower annual limit or lower reimbursement rate, so keep these terms consistent when collecting quotes. 

    Also compare what each provider includes in its base accident and illness plan, such as veterinary exam fees, prescription medications, hereditary conditions or dental illnesses, against providers that require optional add-ons for those benefits because an apparently cheaper policy can cost more once you add the coverage your pet needs.

How We Chose the Best Pet Insurance Companies

My team and I analyzed 18 major pet insurers to identify the best pet insurance companies that balance affordable pricing, reliable customer service and comprehensive coverage for pet-specific health risks. 

Our analysis is based on standardized pet profiles representing common coverage needs:

  • Providers analyzed: 18 major pet insurers
  • Pet profiles analyzed: Over 67,000
  • Standard profile used: 6-year-old Labrador Retriever for dogs, 7-year-old Ragdoll for cats
  • Geography: All U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
  • Breeds covered: Mixed breeds and purebreds
  • Policy baseline: $500 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, 80% reimbursement rate

Each insurer received a composite score based on the weighted categories below:

  • Affordability (50% of overall score): We measured how competitively an insurer prices coverage compared to competitors for a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement policy across different breeds and states.
  • Customer experience (30% of overall score): We evaluated how well insurers support pet owners throughout the policy lifecycle from purchase to claims. We evaluated online forum reviews (75%), Reddit customer sentiment (15%) and app reviews (10%).
  • Coverage options and terms (20% of overall score): We analyzed each insurer's coverage options, including coverage waiting periods, terms and restrictions (10%), policy flexibility for deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates (5%), and options for coverage add-ons (5%).

About Ritchel Mendiola

Ritchel Mendiola, Pet Insurance Writer

Ritchel Mendiola is a Pet Insurance Content Writer at MoneyGeek. She produces coverage guides, provider comparisons and cost analyses so pet owners can understand their options and avoid overpaying.

Ritchel spent over four years as a News and Feature Writer at Asian Journal Publications, where she reported for the Asian Journal newspaper and Balikbayan Magazine, conducted interviews and covered media events. At MoneyGeek, she covers policy terms, exclusions, waiting periods and reimbursement structures the way she treated news facts. They're sourced, verified and reported accurately rather than summarized from marketing copy.

She joined MoneyGeek in late 2021 in the loans vertical and moved to pet insurance content, which she now leads. Her published work includes provider comparisons, breed-specific cost guides, age-specific coverage analyses and state-level pricing studies, all from the vertical's 5 million pet insurance profiles across 18 major providers and all U.S. states.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianmendi/

Contact Email: ritchel.mendiola@moneygeek.com

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