8 Questions to Ask When Considering Pet Insurance in 2026

Questions to ask when considering pet insurance include questions about cost and plan details. Pet insurance starts at $18 per month. Older pets will be more expensive to insure than young puppies and kittens, which is why it's important to secure rates early on in your pet's life.

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Farmers CSR for 4 Years

Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance...

Sara Routhier

Senior Director of Content

Sara Routhier, Senior Director of Content, has professional experience as an educator, SEO specialist, and content marketer. She has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. As a researcher, data nerd, writer, and editor, she strives to curate educational, enlightening articles that provide you with the must-know facts and best-kept secrets within the overwhelming world of insurance....

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Sara Routhier
Brandon Frady

Licensed Insurance Agent

Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...

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Brandon Frady

Updated March 2026

Before signing up for pet insurance, make sure you take the time to get answers to the most important questions to ask when considering the best pet insurance companies.

What You Should Know

  • Vet care in the U.S. averages over 15 billion a year
  • Pet insurance starts as low as $18/mo for cats and $35/mo for dogs
  • Nationwide also insures small exotic pets like rabbits

If you think going without a policy is a risk worth taking or an extra bill you can avoid, consider the cautionary tales of both veterinarians and pet owners who’ve incurred exorbitant costs. You wouldn’t sleep easily at night without homeowners’ insurance—why should protection for your pets be any different?

We turned to pet industry professionals from vets to insurance providers, as well as real-life pet owners, to explain how a customized insurance plan can help you avoid the heart-wrenching decision of foregoing treatment for your pet or going into debt.

Interested in shopping for pet protection today? Find the best quote for pet insurance by entering your ZIP in our free tool.

Top Pet Insurance Questions to Consider

You’ve welcomed your furry loved one to the family and have filled your home with toys, treats, and adorable pet accessories—or perhaps you’re considering it.

As the French novelist Collete explains, “Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet,” but the one thing that isn’t always so perfect is the potential pet healthcare costs associated with your beloved friends.

Just like a child, your pet will incur endless expenses throughout his or her lifetime, which is why more and more pet owners are turning to pet insurance policies to cover the veterinary costs of their dogs, cats, and other critters. See More: The Ultimate Insurance Cheat Sheet 

Read our answers to these pet insurance FAQs to learn more about how to choose the right pet insurance for your dog or cat.

#1 – How much does pet insurance cost?

Many pet owners believe one of the main pet insurance myths that pet insurance will break the bank, or aren’t convinced that proactively purchasing pet insurance is a smart move.

However, pet insurance is generally affordable for companion pets like cats and dogs, with rates starting as low as $20 per month.

Pet Insurance Monthly Rates: Felines vs. Canines
CompanyCatsDogs
Allstate: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$24$39
 Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$20$35
$26$41
Geico: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$28$44
Nationwide: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$27$43
Pets Best: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$22$35
Progressive: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$29$42
$50$80
Spot Pet: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$26$40
Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$30$45
Compare RatesStart Now →

Others simply wonder whether there are more cost-effective savings options that trump pet insurance, explains Dr. Doug Kenney, a general practice veterinarian, expert, and author on pet health insurance, in an article for PreventiveVet.com.

“I think that people often have the wrong attitude about pet insurance. For example, it’s not uncommon for someone to say they would rather just open up a savings account to pay their veterinary expenses rather than “waste” money on pet insurance premiums. This person doesn’t understand the purpose of pet insurance.”

Pet insurance protects your finances from unexpected pet illnesses that can put you in debt, something that a monthly insurance premium won't do.

Daniel S. Young Managing Editor

According to Rebecca Wallick, a contributing editor at The Bark.com and executive director of MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter in McCall, Idaho, the average cost of a typical corrective surgical procedure for canines will leave you working like a dog just to afford the cost of care.

Read our article for more details: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs

For example, take these prices of various medical procedures:

  • Gastric Torsion (Bloat): $1,955
  • Foreign-Body Ingestion (Small Intestine): $1,629
  • Pin in Broken Limb: $1,000
  • Cataract (Senior Dog): $1,244

And, if your furry friend is among the almost 12 million pets in the United States diagnosed with cancer each year, the cost of surgeries and treatments can surpass the thousands.

Even the annual costs of routine pet care can add up. The American Pet Products Association’s 2015-2016 National Pet Owners Survey found that U.S. dog owners spend $235 each year on routine vet visits, while cat owners spend $196.

#2 – Which pets are the priciest?

Now that you have a general sense of how pet insurance works, here’s some good news: You do have some control over figuring out what your ideal insurance policy should look like based on the kind of pet you choose.

Older pets and certain breeds might necessitate higher pet insurance costs.

Cats versus dogs. Rob Jackson, cofounder and CEO of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Healthy Paws Foundation, attributes the higher cost of dog insurance vs. cat insurance to the fact that dogs tend to get into more mischief than their feline friends.

“Healthy Paws Pet Insurance average cat monthly premiums are around $25, whereas the average dog monthly premium is around $40,” he says. (Note: While most companies only insure cats and dogs, Nationwide also covers birds, rabbits, snakes, turtles, and other animals.)

Breed plays a big role. Mixed breeds tend to be healthier than purebreds, which are susceptible to hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, and cancer, all of which are costly to treat.

U.S. Pet Care Market Value from 2013-2018

Age matters. “Our pet insurance plans do not have an age limit for enrollment or continuing care, but the older the pet, the higher the premium cost due to older animals experiencing more illnesses and an increase in vet visits,” explains Liz Watson, chief marketing officer at Hartville Pet Insurance Group.

Where you live is a factor. Because pet insurance companies pay claims based on veterinary bills, they charge more for policies in high-cost-of-living areas, such as New York and California.

Vet surgery costs in New York are twice as much as they are in Topeka, Kansas.

Nick Braun Founder of PetInsuranceQuotes.com

Also worth noting is that many companies offer discounts for families with multiple pets. “For each additional pet, there is often a 10% savings,” says Watson. Be sure to inquire accordingly about such “pack” discounts.

#3 – What happens if I buy my pet insurance after my pet gets sick?

Jeanette Cereske, a pet owner from Pennsylvania, learned the hard way just how expensive a cancer diagnosis can be. In January 2013, her beloved cat Sugar, a domestic short hair, was diagnosed with mammary cancer.

Over the course of the next 16 months, Cereske’s 11-year-old cat underwent surgeries and five rounds of chemotherapy. The total cost: $16,000.

“That was a huge wake-up call,” says Cereske, an instructional designer for a small high-tech firm in San Francisco. At that point, she and her husband decided to insure all their cats. Because they didn’t have insurance for Sugar prior to her diagnosis, the costs of her specific treatments were not covered; her cancer was considered a pre-existing condition.

Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, so it’s important to sign up before your pet becomes ill or seriously injured, says Jackson.

Not sure if your pet’s issues fall under the category of a pre-existing condition? Take a look at how the term is typically defined:

“A pre-existing medical condition is any injury, illness, or irregularity noticed by you or your veterinarian before the end of your waiting period, even if your pet never went to see the veterinarian for it. No pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions.”

While no pet insurance company covers pre-existing medical conditions, it’s still worth considering insurance that will protect you from future unrelated health expenses.

They can still be covered for other conditions that develop while the pet is under the protection of the pet insurance policy.

Christie Long Chief Veterinarian for PetCoach.com

For Cereske, that proved to be the case with Sugar, who developed two additional illnesses that were covered by pet insurance, along with some dental work, before a final illness (lung cancer) ended her life in 2014.

“I wish more people had pet insurance, and I’m not sure why they don’t,” says Cereske. “Maybe they don’t realize how expensive it is when your pet has a serious illness.”

#4 – Are alternative treatments covered by pet insurance?

With advancements in medicine, more veterinarians are performing alternative treatments to help pets live healthier, more comfortable lives—but insurance companies may or may not cover the costs.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance covers alternative therapies for the treatment of a covered condition. Therapies include those that are well-known, widely researched, and generally accepted by the veterinary community, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, water therapy, and cold laser therapy, says Jackson.

One of the red flags of what to look for in insurance is exclusions and limitations in the fine print that eliminate common costs.

Dani Best Licensed Insurance Producer

Hartville Pet Insurance Group covers similar treatments, says Watson, including stem cell therapy.

Make sure to do your research into what is covered at your company, whether you have PetMed insurance or National General pet insurance.

#5 – Should I start a savings account instead of pet insurance?

According to Dr. Judy Morgan, an author, speaker, and holistic veterinarian in New Jersey, a pet savings account is only beneficial for the most disciplined and dedicated savers. And even then, bills can easily skyrocket beyond what you have saved thanks to the high cost of diagnostics and surgery.

“You never know how much you might have to spend,” she says. “I just spent $6,500 for a dog with cancer in a period of two months.” Had her dog survived, she says the costs would have continued to mount.

Plus, due to the high cost of diagnostics and surgery, it would take a long time to build up a savings account to cover unexpected costs, says Long. “If you want to make sure you can afford the best vet care, your best bet is pet insurance,” she says.

#6 – Which insurance plan is right for my pet?

With so many companies to choose from, pet insurance experts encourage you to do your research before making a decision. In the same way you’ve prepared your home for your pet, you should also take the same care in researching your options.

We really want people to understand what they’re purchasing.

Watson

Companies like the Hartville Pet Insurance Group offer two basic plans: the Accident Plan and the Complete Coverage Plan (which includes accidents and injuries), along with the option to select your annual deductible and reimbursement level. Related: Insurance Deductibles

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers one plan that covers all accidents and illnesses, including cancer, as well as hereditary and congenital conditions. “We don’t want pet parents to have to choose which accidents and illnesses to cover—that’s like playing roulette with your four-legged family member,” says Jackson.

Like the Hartville Pet Insurance Group, this plan allows for adjustments to premiums and reimbursement levels to fit the consumer’s budget.

Most pet owners will likely want an accident and illness plan, rather than an accident-only plan. Whatever plan you choose, choosing types of pet insurance coverage that cover more than just wellness visits and vaccinations is in your best interest.

Pet Insurance Coverage Breakdown
CategoryWhat’s CoveredDetails
AccidentsBroken bones, poisoningIn most plans
Alternative TherapiesAcupuncture, hydroLimited availability
Behavioral TherapyTraining, behaviorSelect insurers only
Dental CareCleanings, extractionsPreventive excluded
Diagnostic TestsX-rays, MRIs, labsVaries by plan
End-of-Life CareEuthanasia, cremationCoverage varies
Genetic/CongenitalHip dysplasia, heartActive policy required
HospitalizationER, surgery, overnightUsually included
IllnessesCancer, arthritis, GIWaiting period applies
PrescriptionsAntibiotics, pain medsSupplements excluded
Preventive CareVaccines, flea/tickOptional add-on rider
SpecialistsOncology, cardiologyMay need referral
Compare RatesStart Now →

Additionally, check if the pet insurance policy has a waiting period between enrollment and the start of coverage. Also, be sure to inquire about the reimbursement timeframe after you pay the bill and submit the claim. For example, with the Hartville Pet Insurance Group, Watson says it takes approximately 14 days for a check to arrive.

No matter what plan you choose, it’s important you understand the policy thoroughly, including the proper procedure for filing claims and any specific requirements the company might have.

#7 – What questions should I ask the company before buying?

There’s a lot to consider when researching pet insurance providers. One of the top pet insurance basics you should ask a company before buying a policy is what its limitations and exclusions are.

A red flag to watch out for is multiple exclusions that render your pet insurance useless for most vet bills. For example, if you’re buying kitten insurance for congenital conditions on day one, your insurance may only cover your kitten if its condition is curable.

Pet Insurance Coverage Limitations
CategoryExclusionsDetails
Age RestrictionsPolicy ends at age 14Puppies 6-8 wks
Behavioral IssuesTraining or therapyIncludes add-on
Bilateral ConditionsHip and ligamentMay skip 2nd side
Breeding/PregnancyRelated issues or careRarely covered
Dental CareCleaning, cosmeticCovers illness/injury
Elective ProceduresEar/tail docking, declawNot covered
Experimental TreatmentsTrial drugs/careUsually excluded
Pre-Existing ConditionsIssues pre-coverageCovered if curable
Routine/Preventive CareVaccines, flea/tick, foodWellness add-on
Waiting Periods5 days to 6 monthsVaries by plan
Compare RatesStart Now →

Elective procedures, such as tail docking or cosmetic care, also won’t be covered by an animal insurance policy.

Here are Jackson’s top five pet insurance questions to ask when comparing policies:

  1. What does the pet insurance policy cover? Does it cover cancer and hereditary conditions?
  2. Are there any limits on benefits (per-incident limits, annual limits, or lifetime limits)?
  3. Is the claim payment based on the actual vet bill, or will the insurance pay pre-determined amounts for each accident or illness?
  4. How fast and easy is the pet insurance policy’s claims process? Can I submit my vet bill online or via smartphone?
  5. What do actual customers say about their pet insurance in online reviews?
  6. Does the pet insurance policy cover diseases or problems specifically associated with certain breeds?

“For example, if you have an English Bulldog, you can bet it’s going to have some problems with its respiratory system—it’s just common in the breed,” says Long. “I know, for example, that Petplan does not exclude certain conditions common in certain breeds.”

#8 – Who are the major pet insurance players?

Looking at a pet insurance comparison chart can help you see which pet insurance companies are the largest in the market. If you have a dog, some of the most popular companies are Trupanion and Nationwide.

Trupanion holds 43% market share in the dog insurance industry, making it the leading provider of insurance for dog owners.

Most of these top companies for dogs are also great for cat owners, with the most popular companies being Nationwide, Trupanion, and Healthy Paws.

If you want a company that specializes solely in pet insurance, then companies like Healthy Paws may be your top choices. You can get a Healthy Paws insurance quote to see what you’ll pay for your pet.

If you want to keep all your insurance in one place, Nationwide offers a range of other coverages besides pet insurance, including auto, home, and business insurance.

Free Pet Insurance Comparison

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Evaluating Pet Insurance

The main consideration when evaluating providers’ answers is how the coverage pays out. Just as with human health insurance, the cost of coverage can vary.

Costs vary depending on your pet’s breed (i.e., purebreds cost more to insure because they’re more prone to some hereditary conditions); age (plans may cost more as your pet gets older); the rising cost of veterinary care; and the coverage options you choose, such as your deductible amount.

Pet Insurance Coverage Details by Provider
CompanyDeductibleReimbursementAnnual Limit
Allstate: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$100–$1K70–90%Unlimited only
Farmers: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$50–$1K70–90%$5K–Unlimited
 Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$250–$2.5K70–90%$5K–$15K
$100–$75070–100%Unlimited only
Geico: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$100–$1K70–90%Unlimited only
Healthy-Paws: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$100–$75070–90%Unlimited only
Nationwide: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$250–$1K50–90%$10K–Unlimited
Petplan: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$250–$50070–90%$5K–Unlimited
Pets Best: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$50–$1K70–90%$5K–Unlimited
Progressive: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$50–$1K70–90%$5K–Unlimited
$100–$1K70–90%$2.5K–Unlimited
Spot-Insurance-TP-Logo$100–$1K70–90%$2.5K–Unlimited
Travelers: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$100–$50070–90%$2.5K–$10K
Trupanion: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$0–$1K90% Unlimited only
Compare RatesStart Now →

Ultimately, what to look for in pet insurance comes down to a numbers game. You might choose the most popular pet insurance policy that covers just accident and illness (81% of pet insurance policies are accident and illness plans for dogs), or you could go with blanket coverage that also includes wellness visits and routine care.

Some insurers pay a flat percentage of covered costs after your deductible is met, while others calculate reimbursements based on the “usual and customary costs” of vet care in your area. Your monthly premium will also be determined by the annual maximum coverage amount you choose ($5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, etc.).

Pet Care Costs

Of course, if you’re considering paying for pet insurance, you want to see real-life results in dollars and cents. Enter Consumer Reports, which did a pet insurance survey.

The independent, nonprofit organization compared the vet bills of Guinness, an almost 12-year-old Labrador mix from New York, and Freddie, an almost 9-year-old mixed-breed cat from Connecticut in one of its guides to pet insurance.

Guinness’ owners have paid for two surgeries and follow-up care for the dog’s skin cancer, and Freddie’s owners have paid for a dental cleaning under anesthesia as well as prescription cat food and medication to treat infections.

U.S. Pet Market Sales from 2011-2017

While food is the highest cost in a pet owner’s life, vet care is a close second. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of several different conditions treated by vets.

For example, the most common dog insurance claims are claims for prescription drugs, making up 30% of claims.

Treatment for digestive issues is another common claim for dog owners, accounting for 26% of claims.

The usage of pet insurance for cats is slightly different than the usage of pet insurance for dogs. Related: Best Pet Insurance for Cats

Prescription drug coverage isn’t used as much for cats as for dogs, accounting for only five percent of coverage usage.

Cat owners use pet insurance the most for illnesses and accidents. Illness coverage accounts for 44%, and accident coverage for 28%.

Pet Insurance Premiums by Age

The sooner you buy pet insurance, the better, as pet insurance is cheapest for healthy young pets. Pet insurance for cats starts at $18 per month for a two-year-old cat.

If you buy pet insurance for an eight-year-old cat, however, quotes for cat insurance start at $26 per month. That’s an extra $96 more per year on average.

Pet Insurance Monthly Rates for Cats by Age
CompanyAge: 2Age: 4Age: 6Age: 8
Allstate: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$21$23$26$29
Farmers: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$22$24$27$31
Geico: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$20$22$25$29
Healthy-Paws: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$24$26$29$34
Nationwide: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$23$25$28$32
Petplan: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$25$27$30$35
Pets Best: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$19$21$24$28
Spot-Insurance-TP-Logo$23$25$28$33
Travelers: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$18$20$23$26
Trupanion: Best Pet Insurance for Cats$26$28$31$36
Compare RatesStart Now →

Some of the cheapest companies for cats of all ages are Travelers and Pets Best. Travelers also offers traditional insurance for individuals, such as auto and home insurance. Our review of Travelers found that it offers a significant bundling discount for customers who buy both home and auto coverage.

The increase in rates also applies to dogs, with the average dog insurance price starting at $35 per month for a two-year-old dog. However, pet insurance rates start at $54 per month for an 8-year-old dog.

Pet Insurance Monthly Rates for Dogs by Age
CompanyAge: 2Age: 4 Age: 6 Age: 8
Allstate: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$39$44$50$58
 Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$35$40$47$57
$44$49$55$64
Geico: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$37$42$48$56
Nationwide: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$43$48$54$62
Pets Best: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$38$43$49$57
Progressive: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$35$40$46$54
$80$95$115$135
Spot Pet: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$40$45$51$59
Best Pet Insurance for Dogs$45$50$56$65
Compare RatesStart Now →

Some of the cheaper companies for dogs include Progressive, Pets Best, Geico, and Fetch Pet Insurance.

If you aren’t sure what company to pick, it can be helpful to do a dog insurance quotes comparison to see which of your top companies offers the best rate. You can get pet insurance quotes quickly today with our free tool.

Securing the Best Insurance for Your Pet

The reality is that illness can come suddenly, like when Braun’s 7-year-old Labrador mix collapsed unexpectedly. Before he and his wife had a clear diagnosis, their bill was more than $3,000—and that was just from testing.

Their final bill was double that amount. Fortunately, having pet insurance gave them peace of mind, knowing they could afford to do everything possible to help their furry child.

As a veterinarian, I am always happy when a client says, 'No problem, I have insurance,' when a pet needs a big procedure or a life-saving surgery.

Dr. Judy Morgan Holistic Veterinarian

If you want to provide your dog or cat with high-quality healthcare throughout his/her life, pet health insurance deserves a serious look. You can compare insurance to find the best deal for your pet. Related: Best Insurance Comparison Sites

Do you have pet insurance for your furry best friend? How is it working out? Any horror or heartwarming stories to share with us? Please let us know in the comments below.

If you want to find great coverage for your pet today, use our free quote tool to compare rates at pet insurance companies in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when comparing pet insurance plans?

One of the key factors to consider when choosing pet insurance is what type of coverage you want. You’ll want to look into whether the company has optional wellness add-ons (e.g., dental care), what their deductibles are, annual or lifetime limits, reimbursement rates, waiting periods, claim turnaround times, and exclusions (like pre-existing or breed-specific conditions).

When choosing pet insurance, you’ll want to do a full pet insurance comparison. Start by identifying the coverage you need (accident-only vs. illness vs. extras), and then compare pet health insurance quotes using trusted tools. You can use our free quote tool by entering your zip code to get started.

Once you’ve identified a few affordable companies with the coverage you need, inspect policy terms by looking at the limits, exclusions, deductibles, and reimbursement. You’ll also want to read reviews to assess claim experiences and customer support.

What factors affect choosing a pet insurance company?

Not sure what to look for when buying pet insurance? Whether you are looking into how to choose dog insurance or cat insurance, you’ll want to consider the following: coverage options (accidents, illness, hereditary issues), policy fine print (exclusions, waiting periods, maximum payouts), and cost variables (premium rates, deductibles, reimbursement levels).

Make sure to also look into a company’s flexibility, like its ability to customize coverage and its customer support for claims and other issues.

What questions should I ask when getting a pet insurance quote?

Questions to ask pet insurance companies should include coverage for pre-existing conditions, waiting or affiliation periods before coverage starts, breed-specific or congenital exclusions, deductibles, reimbursement rates, any annual limits, and whether wellness care is included or available as an add-on.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Veterinary costs, especially for emergencies and chronic care, continue to rise, and pet insurance can offer financial peace of mind. Make sure you enroll early if you have a new pet—young, healthy pets typically risk fewer exclusions and offer better rates.

Getting pet insurance early could make the average lifetime cost of pet insurance for a dog in the United States well worth it if your pet develops a serious condition or has an accident.

How much does pet insurance cost per month?

Pet insurance starts at $35 a month for dogs and $18 a month for cats. You can get quotes for pet insurance to see how much you’ll pay for your pet. Whether you want to see how much is pet insurance in Ontario or Oregon, use our free quote tool to see pet insurance costs at your ZIP code. It will help you find the cheapest quote on pet insurance.

How much is dog insurance?

The average monthly cost for a dog starts at $35 per month. Secure coverage early to help you lock in favorable terms on the best pet insurance for dogs and avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.

Not sure how to shop for pet insurance for your dog? You’ll want to use comparison tools to quickly compare quotes and coverage tiers. Make sure to evaluate policies based on coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, and reimbursement rates. You should also read reviews and check insurers’ claim histories.

What pet insurance companies are available?

Listed out in alphabetical order are the top 12 major companies for pet insurance.

All of these companies are members of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

  • Embrace Pet Insurance: (800) 511-9172
  • Hartville Pet Insurance Group: (800) 799-5852
  • Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation: (855) 898-8991
  • Nationwide: (800) 872-7387
  • PetFirst Pet Insurance: (855) 270-7387 (PETS)
  • Pethealth Inc: (866) 275-7387
  • PetPartners: (866) 774-1113
  • Petplan: (866) 467-3875
  • Pets Best: (877) 738-7237
  • Pets Plus Us: (866) 376-3019
  • Trupanion: (855) 210-8749
  • Western Financial Insurance Company: (800) 268-1169

Several of these companies are exclusively pet companies, meaning they offer only pet insurance.

If you want to get quotes on pet insurance from companies that are available in your area, use our free quote tool to quickly compare rates.

Is accident-only pet insurance enough?

For the majority of pet owners, accident-only pet insurance won’t cover much of their costs. Accident-only plans only cover vet care for injuries like broken bones or accidentally ingesting toxins. They do not cover conditions such as cancer or diabetes.

However, an accident-only pet insurance plan can benefit owners who don’t want to spend much on pet insurance but still want some coverage for expensive, unplanned accident-related bills.

What is not covered by pet insurance?

Pet insurance will only cover what is specified in your plan. So if you have an accident-only plan, pet insurance won’t cover illness-related bills. Pre-existing conditions, such as congenital issues, are also excluded from pet insurance plans.

What makes pet insurance more expensive?

Pet insurance will be more expensive for older pets, and plans with more add-ons will cost more than a basic accident-only plan. It can be helpful to compare companies like Healthy Paws vs. Nationwide to see which company offers the best deal for your needs.

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