Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2025

We evaluated pet insurers across the country to find the ones with the best coverage, consumer experience and plan options. These are the ones we consider to be the best pet insurance companies in the U.S. All scored 5 out of 5 stars.

Why ASPCA is the best pet insurance overall

ASPCA had the highest raw score of all the pet insurers NerdWallet evaluated, thanks to its comprehensive plans. You name it, and ASPCA pet insurance probably covers it — including dental illnesses, behavioral issues and alternative therapies. It even covers microchipping and prescription food.

Other reasons to choose ASPCA

Accident-only plan. If you want less coverage and a lower rate, you can opt for an accident-only policy, which not all insurers offer. This type of plan pays for treatment if your pet gets hurt, but not if they get sick.

Policies for horses: ASPCA offers pet insurance plans for horses, a unique option in the industry.

• Policy details at a glance

  Age restrictions: There's no maximum age for enrollment, but pets must be at least 8 weeks old.

  Plans available: Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

  Waiting periods: 14 days for accident and illness coverage. Coverage for preventive care plans starts immediately.

» READ MORE: ASPCA pet insurance review

Best pet insurance for perks: Spot

Why Spot is the best for perks

Spot’s pet insurance comes with useful extras. The 24/7 vet telehealth line might come in handy if your pet gets sick at 3 a.m., for example. And the company has partnered with various retailers to offer discounts on pet food, medicine and more.

Other reasons to choose Spot

Quick claim reimbursement. Some pet insurers keep you waiting weeks for reimbursement, but Spot says it processes most claims within two days.

Broad coverage. Spot’s pet insurance plans are more comprehensive than most. They can pay for vet exam fees, alternative treatments and prescription diets, which not all companies cover.

• Policy details at a glance

  Age restrictions: The minimum age is 8 weeks. There’s no upper age limit.

  Plans available: Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

  Waiting periods: 14 days for accidents and illness.

» READ MORE: Spot pet insurance review

Best pet insurance for multiple pets: MetLife

Why MetLife is the best for multiple pets

MetLife has a unique family plan for multiple pets. You can cover up to three pets on the same policy, with all their vet bills going toward a shared deductible. You’ll get a family plan discount, too.

Other reasons to choose MetLife

Short waiting periods. MetLife stands out from most other pet insurers because it doesn’t have a waiting period for accident coverage. When you buy your policy, your coverage starts at midnight, allowing you to take your pet to the vet the next day if they’re hurt.

Discounts. MetLife offers discounts for first responders, health care workers, veterans, active military and staff at animal care facilities.

• Policy details at a glance

  Age restrictions: None.

  Plans available: Accident and illness, wellness.

  Waiting periods: Accident and wellness coverage take effect immediately. There's a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage.

» READ MORE: MetLife pet insurance review

Best pet insurance for waiting periods: Hartville

Why Hartville is the best for waiting periods

Hartville’s waiting periods are easy to understand. The company has a 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses, with no exceptions for orthopedic issues. The insurer's wellness plan takes effect the day after you enroll.

Other reasons to choose Hartville

Strong coverage. Hartville’s plans are administered by the same agency that offers ASPCA pet insurance, so they have similarly broad coverage. Plans include alternative and behavioral therapies, dental illness, and prescription food.

Vet helpline. You can speak with a vet professional 24/7 by logging into the Hartville member center.

• Policy details at a glance

  Age restrictions: The minimum age for coverage is 8 weeks.

  Plans available: Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

  Waiting periods: 14 days for accidents and illnesses.

» READ MORE: Hartville pet insurance review

Best pet insurance for quick claim payments: Pumpkin

Why Pumpkin is the best for quick claim payments

With Pumpkin, there’s no need to panic about how to pay a $2,000 surgery bill. PumpkinNow is an expedited claim service that can deposit money into your bank account even before you leave the vet’s office. It’s available for claims over $1,000.

Other reasons to choose Pumpkin

No upper age limit. Even senior pets are eligible to sign up for Pumpkin’s accident and illness plans.

Standalone wellness plan. Most companies offer preventive care coverage as an add-on to a standard plan. With Pumpkin, you can buy a separate wellness plan if all you want is coverage for routine care.

• Policy details at a glance

  • Age restrictions: The minimum age for coverage is 8 weeks. There’s no upper age limit.

  • Plans available: Accident and illness, wellness.

  • Waiting periods: 14 days for accidents and illnesses.

» READ MORE: Pumpkin pet insurance review

Still can’t decide which insurer is right for you? Check out how our best pet insurance companies compare at a glance.

Rates for accident and illness coverage

Below are average monthly rates from each insurer, based on quotes gathered for six sample dogs living in Katy, Texas.

Below are average monthly rates from each insurer, based on quotes gathered for six sample cats living in Katy, Texas.

Customer support features

Most of the companies on our list offer a 24-hour vet helpline where you can get advice about your pet’s health. Two of them provide customer support via live chat, which can be handy if you have questions about your policy.

Most animals with pet insurance are dogs — more than 75%, according to NAPHIA[1] — so there’s not much difference between the best dog insurance companies and the best pet insurance companies overall. But if you’re looking for the right plan for your pup, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Conditions common to your dog’s breed

Many breeds are prone to certain health conditions, so it’s a good idea to make sure the plan you’re considering will cover them. Also, check whether any waiting periods apply.

For example, some small breeds are more likely to develop bladder stones, which could require a prescription diet to help manage. Many pet insurers won’t reimburse you for prescription food, but companies like Spot and ASPCA will.

Breeds such as German shepherds and Labrador retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, a hereditary problem with the hip joints. Most pet insurers cover hip dysplasia as long as your dog wasn’t diagnosed prior to the start of your policy. But Healthy Paws won’t pay to treat this condition for the first 12 months of your policy in many states, and won’t cover it at all if you enroll your pet at age 6 and up.

Your dog’s energy and activities

A dog who loves to wrestle with buddies at the dog park might be more prone to accidental injuries than one whose only exercise is a leisurely morning walk. If your pup is on the active side, consider a plan that covers rehabilitative therapies in case your furry pal overdoes it and needs surgery.

Wellness expenses

Between vaccinations, flea/tick medicine and annual blood work, your dog’s wellness care costs can add up. If you want a pet insurance company to help with these expenses, research which insurers offer wellness plans and how much they cost.

It’s important to do the math. If you don’t use all the covered services in a given year, you may end up paying more for the wellness coverage than you get back.

» MORE: Does pet insurance cover surgery?

Cats make up a small but growing part of the pet insurance market. Here’s what to consider when choosing a cat insurance policy.

Decide whether your cat needs insurance

Research has shown that cats go to the vet less often than dogs and rack up smaller medical bills. In fact, nearly a quarter of cat owners spend nothing at all on vet care for their pets in a given year, according to a study published in 2020[2]. If your cat has doesn't have many health problems throughout its life, pet insurance might not be worth it.

The flip side is that pet insurance for cats is less expensive, too. For some cat owners, having coverage can offer peace of mind and a safety net in case of a pricey diagnosis.

Buying pet insurance may be a wise idea if your cat spends any time outdoors, which can lead to a higher risk of disease, parasites and injury.

Wellness expenses

Many vets recommend annual checkups for healthy adult cats, with more frequent visits for kittens and seniors. Wellness plans, which many pet insurers offer as add-ons, can help you pay for the exam fee plus vaccines and screenings. But make sure you’ll use all the benefits, or you could end up paying more for the coverage than you get out of it.

» MORE: The best cheap pet insurance

The costs and types of pet insurance plans vary by company, so consider options from several providers before choosing. Here are some tips for buying pet insurance.

• 1. Check whether your pet is eligible

  Puppies and kittens often must be a minimum of 6 to 10 weeks old to be insured, depending on the company. Senior pets may not be eligible for enrollment with some companies, or they may qualify for accident coverage only. Once the pet is enrolled, though, most plans will offer coverage for life as long as you continue paying the premiums.

• 2. Research what's covered

  Most pet insurance plans cover expenses like surgery, hospitalization and medication if your pet gets sick or hurt. However, there are certain things that some companies charge extra for or won’t cover at all. Here are a few examples:

  • Exam fees. Say your dog breaks her leg. Some plans will reimburse expenses like X-rays, surgery and pain medication, but not the vet’s exam fee.

  • Alternative treatments and rehabilitation. Some companies include coverage for things like acupuncture and physical therapy in their standard plans. Others charge extra.

  • Behavioral therapies. Not all policies cover veterinary treatment for aggression or other behavioral issues.

  • Prescription food. Certain plans won’t cover food or supplements at all, even if your vet prescribes them for a covered condition.

  • Dental care. Pet insurance plans vary widely when it comes to caring for your pet’s teeth. For example, your policy may not cover dental illnesses such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. Alternatively, it may cover them only if your pet has had a recent tooth cleaning. Some add-on wellness plans pay for cleanings. See the best companies for pet dental insurance.

  Pet insurance policies rarely cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures or breeding expenses. For more information, see our guide to pet insurance coverage.

  Did you know...

  Many pet insurance plans will cover “curable” pre-existing conditions that haven’t shown any symptoms for a set period of time.

  » MORE: The best pet-friendly hotel brands

• 3. Decide how much coverage you want

  Most pet insurance plans cap the amount they pay out per year, although some have no annual limit. Only you can decide the amount that gives you reasonable peace of mind for paying vet bills.

  If your dog or cat is relatively healthy, you might go years without paying for anything but routine care. But an unexpected surgery or serious illness could add up to thousands of dollars in expenses.

• 4. Understand reimbursements and deductibles

  Most cat and dog insurance plans reimburse you for a percentage of your vet bill. You can generally choose a reimbursement level — such as 70%, 80% or 90% — when you buy the plan.

  Most plans also have a deductible — the dollar amount you pay out of pocket before the policy pays. You can usually choose from a range of deductibles, such as $100, $250 or more. Some plans apply deductibles to each injury or illness that’s treated. Most have you pay the deductible every year.

  Generally, the lower your out-of-pocket costs are, the more you’ll pay for coverage. A lower deductible and higher reimbursement rate can lead to a higher premium, and vice versa.

  » MORE: Is pet insurance worth it?

• 5. Check waiting periods

  Most plans include short waiting periods after you buy the policy for accident and illness coverage, such as 14 days. Your plan won't pay for any treatment during the waiting period.

  Some plans include longer waiting periods for certain conditions, such as cruciate ligament injuries — a common orthopedic problem for dogs. The cruciate ligaments help stabilize the knee; when injured, it can make it difficult for a dog to walk.

  » MORE: Pet insurance waiting periods: What you need to know

• 6. Examine extra costs

  Some pet insurance companies offer coverage for routine services such as checkups and vaccines. While this may sound tempting, it may not be worth the extra cost. Compare the annual price of the wellness insurance plan with the amount you’d pay each year on your own for services the plan covers. Read the details, because the items covered for “wellness” vary by pet insurance company.

  Did you know...

  Some wellness plans will pay up to a set amount toward the cost of spay or neuter surgery.

• 7. Compare quotes

  The cost of insurance for dogs and cats varies by carrier and the amount of coverage. Some pet insurers offer discounts; you might be able to save money by insuring more than one pet, for example. But a discount doesn’t guarantee the plan is the best deal.

  The only way to find the best insurance for your pet is to dig into the details and get quotes for several plans. For a fair comparison, compare similar coverage amounts, deductibles and reimbursement limits.

  Understand the plan before you buy, so when your beloved pet is sick as a dog, you will know what the insurance covers and won’t be taken by surprise.

  » MORE: Nibbles, the credit card that comes with pet insurance

Your pet's price will vary depending on factors such as: 

• Where you live. Pet insurance companies take the cost of vet care in your area into account when pricing your policy.

• Your pet’s age. Because older animals are more likely to have health problems, their premiums are generally higher.

• Your pet’s breed. Certain breeds are more prone to health issues. For example, bulldogs and Boston terriers often develop breathing problems, while German shepherds are more likely to have hip dysplasia. These potential problems may be reflected in the cost of your pet insurance plan.

• Your deductibles, coinsurance and coverage limits. The less you’re willing to pay out of pocket for your pet’s care, the higher your pet insurance premium will be. For instance, choosing a $100 deductible instead of a $500 one means your plan will start your vet bills sooner — but it’ll cost you more in premiums.