10 Best Pet Insurance Companies of December 2023

Since 2016, our writers and editors have invested thousands of hours researching the best pet insurance companies. We vetted 19 insurers based on over 50 data points and reviewed the benefits, exclusions and restrictions of each plan. Based on this research, we settled on 10 top picks, including Lemonade, AKC and Pumpkin.

Money’s Main Takeaways

• Spot features unlimited coverage without age caps
• Figo offers 100% reimbursement and unlimited payouts
• AKC is the best option for pre-existing conditions
• Pumpkin offers excellent preventive care packages

Best Pet Insurance Company Reviews

Sample premiums are based on quotes for a 5-year-old Maine Coon and a 5-year-old German shepherd from Colombia, South Carolina.

Why we chose Spot

We picked Spot as the best pet insurance for unlimited coverage because it caters to pet parents who want to maximize their pet’s coverage, no matter the cost. Spot is also a fine choice for older pets since there’s no age limit for coverage.

Offering a full (100%) coverage option, Spot readily allows you to maximize your pet’s coverage, meaning you are not responsible for any co-payment. In addition, the company offers a very low ($100) deductible option, which further reduces your out-of-pocket payments for care.

That said, choosing one or both of a low co-payment and a low deductible will lead to higher premiums for the policy. And Spot’s prices are already higher than the norm for young pets, although the company has no upper age limit for insuring new animals — which may make it a good choice if your furry companions are elderly.

Read Spot Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Pumpkin

Pumpkin is our pick as the best pet insurance for puppies and kittens because it offers extensive insurance and non-insurance preventive care options tailored to junior animals at an affordable price point.

Pumpkin offers affordable plans with an option to add preventative care packs for young cats and dogs that aren’t included in standard coverage. For example, the company’s puppy preventive care packs include one annual wellness exam fee, four puppy vaccines and one yearly fecal test. The company will also refund the cost of up to four vaccines your puppy may have received prior to being insured under the preventive pack, as well as cover lab tests for parasites.

For dogs and cats of all ages, Pumpkin offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage with some standout benefits: microchip implantation, stem cell therapy and a pet poison control consultation fee. Pet owners are free to call the ASPCA Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline (and maybe save themselves a trip to the emergency room) without worrying about paying $85-$95 for the phone call.

Read Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose AKC

We picked AKC as the best pet insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions because it’s the only provider that covers illnesses and injuries sustained before the policy effective date or during the waiting period.

The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) pet insurance policy offers unprecedented coverage for pre-existing conditions. To qualify, you must keep the policy active for 365 days. Any pre-existing issue that was initially excluded will be fully covered once the waiting period elapses and the policy renews.

AKC’s policy covers diagnosis and treatment for eligible accidents and illnesses, including services such as:

• Labs
• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• MRI and CT scans
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Physical and alternative therapy
• Medication
• Chemotherapy
• Euthanasia

You can also pay extra for preventive care and coverage for end-of-life expenses, veterinary exam fees, behavioral therapy, hereditary and congenital conditions and issues related to breeding.

Pet owners should note some limitations regarding AKC’s coverage. There’s no coverage for dental illnesses, and hereditary and congenital conditions aren’t covered unless you purchase the HereditaryPlus rider. Residents of Florida, California and Washington must enroll their pet before its second birthday to qualify for this add-on.

Read AKC Pet Insurance Review>>

Why we chose Figo

Most competitors only offer up to 90% reimbursement. Figo stands out as the best pet insurance for reimbursement options because pet owners can choose up to 100% reimbursement without annual payout limits and avoid copayments entirely.

Figo offers pet owners the option to reduce their copayment to 0%, thanks to its 100% reimbursement option. (Generally, the lowest copayment provided by other insurers is 10%.)

Be prepared to pay higher than average premiums for a policy with 0% copay, unlimited payout benefits or both. Figo also enforces strict limits on its coverage for hereditary conditions such as hyperthyroidism, renal disease and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

Additionally, benefits such as the exam fee reimbursement and physical therapy are only available as separate riders — other providers include these benefits in their base policy.

Figo’s Pet Cloud app features comprehensive mobile support. With the app, you can contact a licensed veterinarian 24/7, manage your pet’s insurance documents and make payments, among other transactions.

Read Figo Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Embrace

We picked Embrace as the best pet insurance for international coverage because policyholders are free to use any licensed veterinarian worldwide and request reimbursement, even if they’re traveling for a long time.

Embrace offers coverage for your pet’s vet care outside the country for up to six months, provided it’s given by a licensed veterinarian. This is relatively uncommon, as other companies only reimburse claims when the care was dispensed by a licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada.

Another benefit of Embrace pet insurance is its healthy pet discount program. Every year you don't exceed $300 in claims reimbursements, Embrace will apply a 5% discount to your monthly premium. The discount increases to 10% if you also qualify the following year.

Embrace doesn’t offer wellness benefits as a separate policy. Instead, pet owners can sign up for the Wellness Rewards plan and contribute a specific amount to cover preventive care expenses. Make sure your annual contributions match the expected level of preventative care, as unused funds don’t roll over for the following year.

Embrace is also the insurer behind USAA Pet Insurance, a members-only insurance product. Military members, veterans and eligible relatives can access all of Embrace’s pet insurance benefits at a 25% discount.

Note: This product is not for sale in the international market.

Read Embrace Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Pets Best

Pets Best has a wide range of coverage options and deductibles, and it offers coverage for pets as young as seven weeks. It’s also one of the few pet insurance companies that cover prosthetic devices and wheelchairs.

Pets Best pet insurance offers accident and illness plans and sells multiple wellness add-ons to cover your pet’s routine care. There’s a short 3-day waiting period for accidents and the standard 14-day waiting period for illnesses.

Insurers don’t always cover treatments for mobility issues, but Pets Best provides coverage for wheelchairs and prosthetic devices when prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a covered accident or illness.

Additionally, the company offers comprehensive physical therapy coverage as an add-on, encompassing acupuncture, electroacupuncture, chiropractic care, treadmill therapy, laser therapy, therapeutic exercises, ultrasound therapy, gait training and other treatments.

Pets Best’s take-home prescription rider is also noteworthy. The add-on covers not just prescription medications, but over-the-counter drugs, supplements, remedies and treatments as long as they’re prescribed by a veterinarian. That said, there’s no coverage for alternative therapies and holistic treatments that might benefit your pet’s recovery.

Read Pets Best Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Lemonade

We picked Lemonade as the best pet insurance for speedy claims. The company uses novel, AI-powered processing, which promises to deliver claims very quickly via the Lemonade app. The ability to direct a part of the company’s profit to a charity of your choice may also appeal to many pet owners.

Lemonade’s accident and illness policy covers diagnostics, procedures and medications for covered conditions. Vet visit fees, dental illnesses, end-of-life services, acupuncture and chiropractic care are excluded from the base policy (which may translate to lower premiums) but you can add these benefits as riders if they’re available in your state.

Pet owners can further enhance coverage with a preventative care rider that reimburses the cost of annual checkups, vaccines and parasite screening.

Lemonade is available in 38 states, but you can sign up for updates on its website. However, users may find Lemonade’s website hard to navigate. To get a quote, you have to input a lot of information that other insurers don’t require. Also, if you have questions the automated chat can’t answer, talking with a live agent via chat isn’t possible.

Read Lemonade Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Trupanion

Usually, pet owners have to pay the vet bill in full before receiving reimbursement from pet insurance providers. With Trupanion’s direct payment software, your vet can file a claim in-office and receive payment almost immediately.

Trupanion offers a single insurance plan for cats and dogs. In addition to standard benefits, Trupanion covers alternative treatments, dental illnesses, prosthetic devices and prescription food. You can also purchase this plan through GEICO pet insurance or State Farm pet insurance.

Trupanion features several unique benefits: direct payment to vets, coverage for breeding and working pets in select categories and a lifetime deductible per condition. If your veterinarian uses Trupanion’s direct payment software, you don’t need to file a claim; Trupanion pays the vet directly. Policyholders, then, need not worry about making costly upfront payments or submitting reimbursement claims, which are standard for most of the pet insurance industry.

Trupanion lacks affordability and flexibility – premiums are high and there’s only a single policy option. However, its coverage is comprehensive. If you can afford higher-than-average premiums, your pet will benefit from 90% reimbursement on all eligible claims and no payout limits per incident, year or lifetime.

Read Trupanion Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Nationwide

We picked Nationwide as the best pet insurance for exotic pets because it offers comprehensive insurance for various unconventional animals. Pet owners can relax knowing up to 90% of their expenses for such animals are covered by a reputable insurer.

Nationwide is the only pet insurance company of its size that offers insurance for avian and exotic pets. The Avian & Exotic Pet Plan covers most birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals, including goats and pot-bellied pigs. (Note that any animal not explicitly listed on the Nationwide website isn’t eligible, including those listed under venomous or endangered species.)

Owners of exotic pets can select up to 90% reimbursement for covered accidents and illnesses and add preventive care riders as well. Just as with dog and cat insurance, pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.

For exotic pets, Nationwide offers three accident and illness policy options and two wellness care packages. Exotic pet owners must call (844-244-3691) to get a quote or sign up. However, cat and dog insurance is easy to get directly on Nationwide’s website.

Read Nationwide Pet Insurance Review >>

Why we chose Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws is the best pet insurance for alternative therapies because it covers treatments such as acupuncture chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, laser therapy and massage therapy at no extra cost.

Healthy Paws offers just one accident and illness policy for cats and dogs. It has no per-incident, annual or lifetime benefit caps, and you can choose from a $100, $200 or $500 deductible.

The company provides quick claims processing through its mobile app, and states that most claims are processed in just two days. It also offers a direct payment option instead of reimbursement if you can’t afford the upfront veterinary bill.

Healthy Paws is best for pets that are enrolled while they’re young, as coverage options are more limited and reimbursement rates less generous for senior pets.

Read Healthy Paws pet insurance review >>

Pet Insurance Comparison

Our pet insurance comparison table can help you choose a plan that fits your pet's needs, whether you want to compare dog insurance plans or explore options for other cherished pets.

We also include companies that stood out in some respects but didn’t quite match the strengths of our top picks. Read our full reviews to learn more: ASPCA Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance, Many Pets Pet Insurance, MetLife Pet Insurance and Wagmo Pet Insurance.

Pet Insurance Guide

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What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is an insurance product that covers part of your pet's vet bills if they get sick or injured. It's designed to protect owners from the financial impact of costly, unforeseen issues such as emergency vet care or chronic medical conditions.

In some ways, pet insurance is similar to a car or homeowners insurance. These policies won't cover your car's oil change or your roof's maintenance, but they can pay out in the event of an emergency such as a car crash or house fire.

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Types of pet insurance

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How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance works much like other insurance policies. You pay a monthly premium and the insurance carrier agrees to reimburse you part of your pet's medical expenses if they suffer a serious injury or illness.

Here's what you should know:

• Policyholders must pay the vet bill in full, submit their claim and receive reimbursement at a later date.

• There are no network restrictions; you can take your dog or cat to any licensed vet or specialist nationwide.

• Premiums won't increase after you file a claim, but they can increase after the policy renews to match your pet's age and the cost of veterinary care in your zip code.

"If a dog tears its knee, that's a $4,500 surgery. Pet insurance may cover more than half of the cost of the surgery," remarks Dr. Lindsay Butzer from Clint Moore Animal Hospital. "But one thing they all have in common is there is a deductible to be met annually and then they are reimbursed up to 80-90% on their pet's medical bills for that year."

Pet insurance policies set deductibles anywhere from $100 to $1,000. Coinsurance (what you'll have to pay after you meet your deductible and insurance coverage kicks in) ranges from 0% to 50%.

There are also annual limits to consider. Once your claims reach a dollar amount, pet insurance stops paying out and you're responsible for any outstanding payments.

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What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers the diagnosis and treatment of accidents and illnesses such as poisoning, bite wounds, cancer, hereditary conditions, diabetes and orthopedic conditions (these last two being common in overweight pets). Most policies also cover behavioral therapy and physical therapy.

Does pet insurance cover surgery?

Yes, surgery coverage includes diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scans, X-rays or blood tests), anesthesia, intravenous fluids and medications. It also covers medical supplies such as bandages, casts and splints.

Read our guide for more information on pet insurance surgery coverage

Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

Basic cat or dog pet insurance doesn't cover vaccines or preventive medications for heartworm, fleas ticks and parasites. Vaccines are eligible for reimbursement only if you get a preventive care package.

Does pet insurance cover dental?

Pet insurance covers fractured or broken teeth caused by dental accidents and illnesses such as periodontal disease and infections. Covered services include tooth extractions, surgery, medication and even root canals and crowns.

Check out our pet dental care guide for more information.

Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?

Pet insurance doesn't cover teeth cleaning or dental exams, unless you add a preventive care rider to the base policy. This add-on typically reimburses $150 for one in-office dental cleaning (also called dental prophylaxis) a year.

Does pet insurance cover spaying?

Pet insurance doesn’t cover spaying or neutering unless you purchase a preventive care rider, which reimburses you a fixed amount for the procedure. Most wellness riders cap reimbursement at $150 for spay and neuter services and group this benefit with dental cleanings.

Check out our pet insurance coverage guide for more information.

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What pet insurance won't cover

Pet insurance coverage exclusions vary slightly per provider, so it’s best practice to read the sample policy thoroughly before enrolling. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are the six most common items pet insurance won't cover.

• Pre-existing conditions
• Routine care (vaccinations, annual checkups and dental cleanings)
• Veterinary exam fees
• Obedience training
• Injuries or illnesses caused by the owner's negligence
• Illnesses caused by lack of preventive care

Pet insurance won't cover the financial value of your pet, either. High-value pets such as service dogs, show pets or the most expensive dog breeds may need a different insurance product: pet life insurance.

Much like human life insurance, cat or dog life insurance can cover end-of-life expenses and reimburse owners the value of the pet if it's stolen, lost or dies.

Read our guide for more information on what is not covered by pet insurance.

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Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions

As a general rule, pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

There's only one exception to this rule, and it depends on whether the carrier makes the distinction between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. Fortunately, most do.

The following providers will cover curable pre-existing conditions if the pet remains symptom- and treatment-free for a defined period of time.

Trupanion and Healthy Paws are the only providers in our list that make no such distinction. Any illness that can be traced back to when the pet wasn’t insured is excluded.

Here are a few examples of curable and incurable pre-existing conditions

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Pet insurance for bilateral conditions

Bilateral conditions — those that affect the body on both sides — are another important subset of pre-existing conditions. Let’s say your pet tore a joint on its right knee a few months before you purchased pet insurance. Pet insurance will consider that injury a pre-existing condition, but there’s another catch: The policy won’t cover the left knee if it develops the same problem in the future.

Examples of bilateral conditions include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cruciate ligament issues such as ACL tears
• Cataracts
• Cherry eye

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Pet insurance cost

How much is pet insurance?

NAPHIA’s State of the Industry Report states that the average cost of pet insurance is $29 a month for cats and $49 a month for dogs. To better illustrate this, we compared pet insurance plans for a cat and a dog in Miami, Florida.

Some companies charge significantly more than the averages reported by NAPHIA. You’ll also notice that monthly rates increase to inordinate prices as the pet gets older, no matter the company or the type of pet.

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How much is pet insurance for dogs?

Monthly cost for a Labrador retriever from Miami, Florida

How much is pet insurance for cats?

Sample quotes for a domestic shorthair from Miami, Florida

Sample quotes correspond to an accident and illness policy with 80% reimbursement, $10,000 payout limit and a $250 deductible, except in the case of Trupanion, Figo and Pumpkin. Please note that your quote may be different from the rates above.

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Additional out-of-pocket expenses to remember

The cost of pet insurance is not limited to premium payments. Unless you purchase a policy with 100% reimbursement, unlimited payouts and no deductibles, you’ll have to cover some expenses yourself.

• Exam or office fees: Veterinarians and emergency clinics charge an exam fee that's separate from diagnostic or treatment costs. Most insurers exclude this fee from coverage, which then amounts to a hidden deductible of $30 to $100 for each visit.

• Deductible: You’ll need to meet the policy's deductible before the insurance company starts reimbursing you. It might take a few vet visits to reach the deductible amount, especially if you set a high deductible in order to lower your premium rate.

• Copay: Once you file for reimbursement, plans typically pay 70% to 90% of eligible veterinary services. The remaining 30% to 10% comes out of your own wallet.

• Payout caps: Pet insurance won't pay once you’ve reached the policy’s maximum coverage amount for the year. Some insurers also set individual coverage caps for behavioral modification, dental illness and end-of-life expenses.

If you’re on a tight budget, check out our reviews of the best cheap pet insurance. In our sample of providers, the cheapest pet insurance quotes were $15 per month for cats and $40 for dogs.

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Factors that determine what your pet insurance costs:

• Type of policy: Accident and illness policies cost more than other types of pet insurance (wellness plans or accident-only policies).

• Type of animal: Dog insurance costs twice as much as pet insurance for cats. Bird insurance premiums typically start at less than $21 a month, while horse insurance starts at over $80 a month.

• Pet’s age: Premiums increase with age and do so sharply for very old animals. In addition, after your dog or cat reaches the age of 10 or 12, your options for insurance providers will significantly diminish.

• Pet’s breed: Purebreds prone to congenital or hereditary conditions usually cost more to insure than mixed breeds.

• Pet’s size: Buying pet insurance for larger dogs or cats is more expensive compared to small or toy-sized animals. That said, smaller breeds tend to live longer, which means you’ll pay more over the animal’s lifetime.

• Where you live: Pet insurance costs more in states where vet care is more expensive. On average, residents of California and New York pay the most.

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Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance can be prohibitively expensive. There are several companies under recent scrutiny for rate increases, and policyholders frequently denounce claim denials and long waits for reimbursement. In this landscape, it's worth questioning whether pet insurance is worth paying for.

A pet owner whose dog lived a long and healthy life may regret paying for pet insurance. After all, they likely paid thousands in premiums over the life of an animal that (fortunately) never got sick enough to need the policy. In hindsight, setting money aside in a savings account may have been a better investment.

But what about pets that aren't as lucky?

"[Insurance] can be a lifesaver for pet owners," says Dr. Karen Halligan, host of Collars and Cents and author of 'Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know.' "We now have the ability to do stem cell transplants [which cost] $35,000. We can do open heart surgery; a lot of things that you can do for humans, we can do for pets, and the big difference is the insurance. There's no medical [insurance] for pets, right? So it's really up to the owner, who unfortunately has to assume financial responsibility."

"If a pet gets hit by a car accidentally because they aren't neutered and you end up with a fractured pelvis or front leg, it's $20,000 dollars," she adds. "The right policy can pay upwards of 70, 80 or 90% of that bill. It just depends on the policy. It's a real advantage for these unforeseen, kind of catastrophic things that happen."

Having a pet insurance policy is useful if you want to avoid the difficult decision of choosing between your own financial stability and your pet's health.

Dr. Butzer recalls having to euthanize a lot of dogs because people waited so long to bring them in [to treat a bite wound, a common injury] because they didn't have money. "They're not gonna pay for their dog over their groceries," she explains.

Other patients simply couldn't afford the cost of the necessary procedure. "A lot of people make the choice of putting them to sleep if they can't pay for a $10,000 back surgery," she adds.

Pet insurance can be a financial safety net, especially since vet care prices keep trending upward. That being said, there are certain details pet owners should know before buying a policy:

• Enroll while your pet is young and healthy to avoid pre-existing condition exclusions

• Be prepared to pay monthly premiums plus any copays and the yearly deductible

• Be ready to pay the vet bill upfront and wait for reimbursement

• Know that premiums will increase yearly

• Be diligent with your pet's preventive care

How to choose the best pet insurance

Pet owners don’t need to wonder which is the best dog insurance or the best pet insurance for cats. A good insurance policy will cover both pet types equally.

The first step is to identify reputable pet insurance carriers. We recommend you read the pet insurance best practices established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Then it's time to do some comparison shopping. The best way to compare pet insurance plans is to look at the policy’s benefits and compare the cost versus value.

Check out our guide on how to buy pet insurance for more information.

1. Pick a policy type

Decide between an accident and illness plan or an accident-only policy. Consider the value of wellness coverage, as well. Is it worth the monthly expense or are you better off setting money aside for your pet's basic needs?

"You don't have to buy the most expensive policy," states Dr. Halligan. "You can try to err more on the ones that cover more of the things you wouldn't foresee. It's pretty much what I recommend. I don't know if you get your money's worth [buying a policy that covers everything] because [pets] don't really live that long compared to us."

2. Research providers

Many pet insurance carriers share the same insurance underwriter but offer different coverage options and services, such as 24/7 vet helplines, direct payment to vets and behavioral modification.

And remember to ask around. "You've got to compare policies," adds Dr. Halligan. "You've got to ask other pet owners ad nauseam about their policies and what they didn't like because there are a lot of pet insurance companies that aren't worth the expense."

3. Compare pet insurance quotes

You’d be surprised at how much variability there is from one provider to the next. Some insurers may quote double the price of others for the same pet so it pays to do some comparison shopping. And comparing multiple plans at once is fairly easy through a pet insurance comparison site such as Petted Insurance, Pawlicy Advisor or Pet Insurer.

4. Compare coverage benefits

Take a close look at what is and isn’t covered before you buy pet insurance, especially when it comes to dental illnesses, orthopedic conditions and hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions.

For Dr. Halligan, reading and understanding the policy thoroughly is paramount. If you aren't well-versed in insurance terms, get someone else to look into the policy for you. Or better yet, go to the source.

She advises pet owners to "just get on the phone with the insurance company and say: 'I need you to go through these points with me.' You're paying for a service so why wouldn't you get them on the phone? And if they don't want to help you, do not choose that pet insurance company. There's 20 others you could go to."

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How to save on pet insurance

There’s not much you can do about your zip code, your pet’s breed or age when it comes to premiums but you can tweak coverage levels to fit your budget:

• Payout caps: Choosing the highest coverage limit increases premiums. To pick the right payout cap, check the average cost of vet treatment in your area for breed-specific illnesses and common injuries.

• Reimbursement percentage: A low reimbursement percentage means you’ll pay less in premiums. However, this also means you’ll have a higher copayment.

• Deductibles: The higher the deductible, the lower your policy’s premium will be. If your pet remains healthy, choosing a higher deductible can pay off and save you money, but you’ll pay more out of pocket if anything unexpected happens.

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Pet insurance discounts

Pet owners can shave 5 to 10% off their policy's monthly rate if their pet insurance carrier offers any one of these discounts:

• Annual pay discount: Lower rates if you pay for the policy annually instead of monthly

• Multipet discount: Discounted rates for each additional pet you enroll with the same provider

• Bundle discounts: Discounted rate for bundling with homeowners or renters insurance under the same provider

• Spay/neuter discount: Reduced premium if you spay/neuter your pet upon enrollment

• Military discounts: Discounts for active and former members of the armed forces

• Group discounts at work: Lower rates for employer-provided pet insurance

You can also save money on pet insurance by adopting through a shelter. Trupanion offers 30 days of free insurance at participating shelters and vets, and you can continue coverage after the trial ends (terms and conditions apply).

Check out the best places to adopt a pet and ask if they participate in similar programs.

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How We Chose the Best Pet Insurance Companies

To identify the best pet insurance companies of 2023, we reviewed 19 pet insurance companies based on over 50 data points, which can be grouped into the following categories:

• Basic coverage: We reviewed each policy's coverage for diagnostic testing, treatment, surgery, medications and hospitalizations related to eligible accidents and illnesses.

• Extra benefits: We checked whether the provider covered exam fees, alternative therapies, behavioral modification, telehealth services and a 24/7 vet helpline. We also took note of providers that offered coverage for non-health-related issues, such as lost or stolen pet advertising and pet boarding if the owner falls ill.

• Waiting periods: Pet insurance policies typically enforce a 14-day waiting period for illness. We looked closely at sample policies to identify which providers enforce additional waiting periods for specific issues and which offer remarkably short waiting periods for accidents (one to three days).

• Limitations and exclusions: We reviewed the provider's upper age limits and cut-off points for coverage. Many accept pets regardless of age, some issue only accident-only policies after the pet reaches a certain age, and others deny coverage if the pet is too old. We also identified any additional lifetime or per-incident payout limits that could increase your out-of-pocket expenses.

• Affordability: We gathered sample quotes for cats and dogs and identified which insurers offered the best rates, considering whether affordability meant paying extra for certain benefits. We also took note of any available discounts, such as multi-pet discounts and diminishing deductibles.

• Availability: Most pet insurance providers are licensed to sell policies in all 50 states. And once you have a policy, you can typically visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., Canada and any U.S. military base overseas. We excluded companies that issued policies with limited membership, such as USAA pet insurance. We also left out insurers that resell pet insurance policies, such as Geico, which offers Embrace or Trupanion pet insurance.

• Customizability: Having multiple deductible, payout and reimbursement options means that policyholders can tweak the coverage levels to get a premium that's within their budget. Most providers allow this flexibility. The ones that feature a single policy with no customizability typically offset this limitation with high levels of coverage (90% to 100% reimbursement and very high or unlimited payouts).

• Ease of use: We went through each company's quote process and took note of how user-friendly the platform was. Most pet insurance companies fare pretty well in this regard, featuring well-designed websites and mobile apps. Pet owners only need to provide their zip code and their pet's species, breed and age to get an online quote and purchase a policy.

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Summary of Money’s Best Pet Insurance Companies of December 2023

• Spot - Best Pet Insurance for Unlimited Coverage
• Pumpkin - Best Pet Insurance for Puppies and Kittens
• AKC - Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
• Figo - Best Pet Insurance for Reimbursement Options
• Embrace - Best Pet Insurance for International Coverage
• Pets Best - Best Pet Insurance for Treatment of Mobility Issues
• Lemonade - Best Pet Insurance for Fast Claims Processing
• Trupanion - Best Pet Insurance for Direct Payment to Vets
• Nationwide - Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets
• Healthy Paws - Best Pet Insurance for Alternative Therapies