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10 Best Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Care for your furry baby without worrying about surprise vet bills. Find the best pet insurance for accidents, illnesses, emergencies, and wellness care.
Compare 2026's top-rated providers for accidents, illness, and wellness care.
See how each provider stacks up, from available plans and coverage options to exclusions, costs, and important policy details.
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5.0 / 5· 41,230 reviews
At a Glance
Starts at$20/month
Reimbursement90%
Annual capUnlimited
Multi-pet discount10%
Coverage Overview
Spot offers Accident-Only and Accident & Illness plans for dogs and cats with reimbursement levels of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Annual deductibles run from $100 to $1,000 and annual coverage limits range from $2,500 to unlimited. Plans cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, dental illness, behavioral issues, and prescription medications. An optional Preventive Care add-on reimburses routine wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and flea/tick prevention. Every plan includes 24/7 access to a vet helpline.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods are 14 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions (waivable with a vet exam). Cosmetic and elective procedures, breeding-related costs, and pet food are excluded.
Pets Best offers three coverage tiers — Accident Only, Essential (accident + illness), and Plus/Elite (accident + illness with broader benefits including exam fees, rehabilitation, and acupuncture). Reimbursement options are 70%, 80%, or 90% with annual deductibles from $50 to $1,000 and annual limits from $5,000 to unlimited. Optional Wellness routine-care add-ons (EssentialWellness and BestWellness) reimburse vaccines, dental cleanings, and bloodwork on a per-item allowance.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods are 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions. Cosmetic procedures, breeding, and pre-existing dental issues are excluded.
Lemonade Pet Insurance covers accidents and illnesses for dogs and cats with reimbursement at 70%, 80%, or 90%. Annual deductibles run $100 to $500 and annual limits range from $5,000 to $100,000. Optional add-ons include Preventive Care (routine wellness allowances), Vet Visit Fees, and Physical Therapy. The Lemonade app handles enrollment, claims (photos of the invoice submitted via the app), and reimbursement — most claims pay out instantly. Annual premiums earn additional discounts.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions, dental cleanings outside wellness, and elective/cosmetic procedures are excluded. Waiting periods are 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions. Hereditary conditions covered only if no prior symptoms.
Embrace covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer treatment, dental illness, prescription medications, alternative therapies, and behavioral therapy. Reimbursement is 70%, 80%, or 90% with annual deductibles from $200 to $1,000 and annual limits from $5,000 to unlimited. The Healthy Pet Deductible automatically drops by $50 each year you don't file a claim. Optional Wellness Rewards is a non-insurance routine-care allowance with no deductible.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions are not covered, though curable conditions may be re-eligible after 12 symptom-free months. Waiting periods are 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions (reducible to 14 days with a vet exam). Breeding-related and cosmetic procedures are excluded.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral issues, dental disease, prescription medications, and alternative therapies (including acupuncture). Plans offer 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement with deductibles from $100 to $500 and annual limits from $3,000 to $10,000. A separate Preventive Care plan reimburses vaccines, dental cleanings, and routine wellness exams on a per-item allowance.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods are 14 days for both accidents and illnesses. Cosmetic procedures, breeding-related costs, DNA testing, and pre-existing dental disease are excluded.
Progressive Pet Insurance is underwritten through Pets Best and offers accident-only, accident + illness, and accident + illness + routine care plans. Reimbursement levels are 70%, 80%, or 90% with annual deductibles from $50 to $1,000 and annual limits from $5,000 to unlimited.
Exclusions & Waiting Periods
Pre-existing conditions are not covered. 14-day waiting period for illnesses, 3 days for accidents, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.
Have questions about pet insurance?We've got answers.
Clear answers to common questions about pet insurance coverage, costs, and claims.
Is pet insurance worth it?
For most pet owners, yes — particularly if a $2,000–$5,000 vet bill would be hard to absorb. The math
works best when you enroll a young, healthy pet so pre-existing conditions are minimized and you build
years of premium discounts before you ever file a claim.
What is reimbursement percentage and why does it matter?
Reimbursement percentage is the share of each vet bill your insurer pays back after the deductible.
Most providers offer 70%, 80%, or 90%. We recommend 90% for maximum protection — the premium difference
is small but the cushion on a $5,000+ emergency is enormous.
What is an annual deductible?
Your annual deductible is what you pay out-of-pocket each policy year before insurance starts
reimbursing claims. Most providers offer $100 to $1,000 deductibles. A lower deductible raises your
monthly premium; a higher deductible cuts it. Pick the deductible you could comfortably write a check
for in one shot.
What does coverage cap or annual limit mean?
The annual coverage cap is the maximum your insurer will pay per policy year. Plans run from $5,000 to
unlimited. Unlimited is worth the small premium upgrade for long-term, expensive conditions like cancer,
hip dysplasia, or diabetes — single events can easily exceed $10,000.
What are waiting periods and which providers have the shortest?
Waiting periods are the gap between enrolling and when claims become eligible. Typical windows:
2–14 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions. Check the
comparison table — Embrace and ASPCA tend to have the shortest accident windows.
What does pet insurance NOT cover?
Almost every U.S. pet insurance policy excludes pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures (like ear
cropping), breeding costs, and certain experimental treatments. Routine wellness — vaccines, annual
exams, dental cleanings — usually requires a separate wellness add-on.
When's the best time to insure my pet?
As young as possible. Enrolling a puppy or kitten at 8 weeks locks in lower premiums and means no
health issue has had time to become "pre-existing." Most insurers will accept pets up to 14 years old,
but premiums climb steeply with age.
Can I use any vet, or do I have to stay in-network?
With traditional pet insurance, you can visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or
specialist in the U.S. — there is no network. You pay the vet up front and submit a claim for
reimbursement. Vet discount plans (like Pet Assure) work differently and require an in-network provider
for savings.
How much does pet insurance cost on average?
For accident and illness coverage, expect $20–$60 per month for dogs and $10–$40 per month for cats.
Cost varies by your pet's age, breed, location, and the deductible / reimbursement / annual cap you
pick. Adding a wellness rider typically costs $10–$25 more per month.
Spot: *Reimbursement percentage varies by plan selection (70%, 80%, or 90%) and is subject to policy terms, deductibles, exclusions, and waiting periods.
Pets Best: *Plan pricing varies by pet age, breed, ZIP code, and coverage selected. Plans starting at less than $1/day reflect the lowest available premium and may not represent your actual quote.
Lemonade: *AI-powered instant claim approval is not guaranteed for every claim. Processing times vary based on claim type and information provided.
Embrace: *Healthy Pet Deductible reduces the annual deductible by $50 only if no eligible claim is reimbursed during the prior policy year. Subject to plan terms.
ASPCA: *Reimbursement percentage varies by plan selection (70%, 80%, or 90%) and is subject to deductibles, annual limits, and policy terms.
PetSmart: *Pet insurance underwritten by Trupanion. Unlimited payout and same-day claim payment available only on qualifying plans at participating veterinary practices.
Progressive: *Pet insurance is underwritten by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC. Reimbursement percentage varies by plan selection and is subject to deductibles, annual limits, and policy terms.
