Key takeaways
ASPCA is the best pet insurance company in New Jersey overall.
Pumpkin is the best budget option for dog owners.
Lemonade is our budget pick for cat owners.
Prudent Pet is our choice for quick claim processing.
ASPCA offers some of the most comprehensive pet insurance coverage on the market.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100-$750
Policy highlight
Broader coverage than most other plans.
Why we picked it: ASPCA had the highest raw score of all the companies we analyzed. Its pet insurance policy covers more than most, including alternative therapies, prescription food and treatment for dental diseases.
Standout feature: ASPCA will cover certain curable pre-existing conditions. These conditions must have been symptom- and treatment-free for at least 180 days.
Don’t choose ASPCA if: You prefer using a mobile app to manage your policy. Both iPhone and Android users rate ASPCA’s app poorly.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $46/month
Age 8: $110/month
Cats
Age 2: $27/month
Age 8: $49/month
» READ MORE: ASPCA pet insurance review
Pumpkin stands out for comprehensive coverage and the ability to reimburse you for big vet bills almost immediately.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100 - $1,000
Policy highlight
PumpkinNow service can reimburse you while you’re still at the vet.
Why we picked it: Pumpkin offered some of the cheapest rates for our sample dogs. Aside from its affordable prices, Pumpkin has generous accident and illness coverage. The plan pays for advanced care like stem cell therapy and acupuncture, plus prescription food. Pumpkin has no breed restrictions or upper age limits.
Standout feature: We like Pumpkin’s urgent pay service for claims $500 and up. If you have a bank account that can receive real-time payments, Pumpkin may be able to reimburse you before you leave the vet’s office.
Don’t choose Pumpkin if: You want coverage for herbal supplements, which Pumpkin’s plans won’t pay for.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $40/month
Age 8: $96/month
Cats
Age 2: $23/month
Age 8: $42/month
» READ MORE: Pumpkin pet insurance review
Lemonade boasts a seamless online experience and quick claims, but its default coverage is more limited than some other plans.
Annual max coverage
$100,000
Reimbursement rates
60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100 - $750
Policy highlight
Pays some claims almost immediately.
Why we picked it: Lemonade had the lowest rates for our sample cats in Jersey City. The company keeps rates low with a plan that covers the basics — like surgery, hospital stays and prescription medicine. Then it has optional add-ons for things like exam fees, dental illnesses and physical therapy.
Standout feature: The company uses artificial intelligence to process about 40% of claims immediately. (Human adjusters review the rest.)
Don’t choose Lemonade if: You want a comprehensive plan without having to pay for lots of extras.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $49/month
Age 8: $95/month
Cats
Age 2: $23/month
Age 8: $39/month
» READ MORE: Lemonade pet insurance review
Prudent Pet boasts a broad range of coverage options for pets of all ages. Although it has a live chat customer support option, it lacks a mobile app to manage your policy.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100 - $1,000
Policy highlight
Processes most claims within 24 hours.
Why we picked it: Prudent Pet won’t usually keep you waiting for reimbursement after you pay your vet bills. The company says it processes 75% of claims within 24 hours. (Some insurers take weeks.)
Standout feature: All plans include access to a 24/7 vet chat feature. So if your pet gets sick on the weekend when your regular vet isn’t available, you can chat with a professional to get advice.
Don’t choose Prudent Pet if: You’re looking for short waiting periods. Prudent Pet generally won’t cover knee or ligament issues for the first 180 days of your policy. (You may be able to shorten this waiting period with a vet exam.)
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $2,500 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. (The $5,000 annual limit we used for our other sample quotes wasn’t available from Prudent Pet.)
Dogs
Age 2: $50/month
Age 8: $105/month
Cats
Age 2: $26/month
Age 8: $55/month
» READ MORE: Prudent Pet insurance review
Compare the best pet insurance companies in New Jersey
Below you can compare our top picks at a glance. The monthly rates in the table are based on the average of our four sample pets in Jersey City. Unless otherwise noted, the sample plans had an 80% reimbursement rate, a $250 deductible and $5,000 of coverage.
Below are sample rates for 2-year-old mixed-breed dogs and cats in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average monthly rate | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|
$58 | Best overall | ||
$50 | Best budget option for dogs | ||
$51 | Best budget option for cats | ||
$59 | Best for quick claims | ||
*The Prudent Pet plans had a $2,500 annual coverage limit. | |||
» MORE: The best pet insurance companies
Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in New Jersey for dogs and cats, based on quotes we gathered in Jersey City. Some of these companies didn’t make our list of the top picks above because they didn’t rate as highly for coverage or consumer experience. But they may be right for your pet, depending on your budget and coverage needs.
Unless otherwise stated, our sample pets were mixed-breed dogs and cats with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. Your own prices may be different.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old dogs.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$35
$40
$41
$42
$42
$44
$46
$48
$49
$49
*The MetLife plan had a $2,000 annual coverage limit. The Fetch plan had a $300 deductible.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old dogs.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$55
$72
$93
$95
$96
$96
$100
$100
$105
*Annual coverage limits were $2,000 for the MetLife plan and $2,500 for the Prudent Pet plan.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old cats.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$23
$23
$23
$23
$24
$24
$24
$25
$26
$26
*Annual coverage limits were $2,000 for the MetLife plan and $2,500 for the Prudent Pet plan.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old cats.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$34
$39
$40
$42
$42
$44
$44
$48
$49
*The MetLife plan had a $2,000 annual coverage limit.
What to know about buying pet insurance in New Jersey
Vet care is on the pricey side in New Jersey. The average cost of a vet visit is $101 for dogs and $72 for cats, according to 2024 data from CareCredit. Those prices are above the national average.
Costs can skyrocket if your pet gets seriously sick or hurt. For example, it costs more than $2,000 on average to treat a problem with a dog’s cruciate ligament, while feline leukemia virus costs an average of $633 to treat, according to CareCredit.
Pet insurance can help with these types of expenses, as well as with issues common to pets in New Jersey. For example, dogs with breathing issues or thick coats may be at risk for heat stroke during the state’s hot, humid summers. Illnesses spread by mosquitoes and ticks are also a risk.
More Nerdy Perspective
Many pet insurers offer wellness packages you can add to an insurance plan. They can help you pay for services like vaccines and flea/tick preventives to keep your pet healthy. However, they may not save you money if you don’t use all the services in the plan.
Many pet insurers offer wellness packages you can add to an insurance plan. They can help you pay for services like vaccines and flea/tick preventives to keep your pet healthy. However, they may not save you money if you don’t use all the services in the plan.
Sarah Schlichtersenior writer on Insurance» MORE: Is pet insurance worth it?
How to choose the best pet insurance
Look beyond price. Cost is important, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Say Plan A costs $10 more a month than Plan B, but it includes coverage for exam fees and alternative therapies. If you have to pay extra to get these types of coverage with Plan B — or they’re not available at all — you might find Plan A a better value. See the table below to get an idea of which services are typically covered.
Expense | Covered? |
|---|---|
Alternative or behavioral therapies | Sometimes. Some companies charge extra for this coverage or don't offer it at all. |
Checkups and vaccines | No, unless you have a wellness plan. |
Congenital and hereditary conditions | Usually. Most companies cover these issues, but occasionally there are limits or restrictions. |
Dental care | It depends. Dental coverage varies widely. See our guide to pet dental insurance. |
Emergency care | Yes. You can generally count on pet insurance plans to cover emergencies. |
Prescription medicine | Usually. A handful of pet insurers charge extra for this coverage, but most companies include it in their standard plans. |
Prescription food and supplements | Sometimes. There may be limits or extra charges for this coverage. Learn more about pet insurance and prescription food. |
Pre-existing conditions | Usually not. If your pet was sick or hurt before you bought the plan, the condition typically won't be covered. See our guide to pre-existing conditions. |
Spaying or neutering | No, unless you have a wellness plan. Learn more about spay and neuter coverage. |
Surgery and hospitalization | Usually. It depends on the underlying condition, but pet insurance often covers these expenses. Learn more about pet insurance and surgery. |
Vet exam fees | Sometimes. It can be an unpleasant surprise to find that some companies will cover other treatments but not the vet's exam fee for a sick visit. |
» MORE: What does pet insurance cover? Read our complete guide
Learn about the claims process. If one pet insurer generally processes claims within two days while another takes up to a month, you may want to go with the quicker one. That way you’re not waiting for weeks to get reimbursed. Even better, keep an eye out for pet insurers that can pay your vet directly.
Read reviews. NerdWallet has researched dozens of pet insurance companies so you don’t have to. Read our pet insurance reviews to see our star ratings and get coverage details.
Understand your policy options. The following elements of your plan determine how much of your vet expenses your pet insurer covers. You can usually customize these options when you first buy your plan.
Most plans have a limit on how much they'll reimburse each year. It's often a fixed amount such as $5,000 or $10,000, though many companies also offer an unlimited option. If you spend more than the limit in a given year, you'll have to cover the rest yourself.
A pet insurance deductible is the amount of vet expenses you need to pay before you’re eligible for reimbursement. For example, if you have a $500 deductible but spend only $300 at the vet one year, your insurer won't reimburse anything. Most companies have an annual deductible that resets each year.
Once you've met your deductible, you and the insurance company will split your vet bills. The insurer will typically reimburse 70%, 80% or 90% of your bill, while you pay the rest. The amount you pay is sometimes called your coinsurance.
How we choose the best pet insurance companies
👋 I’m Sarah Schlichter, a senior writer and content strategist covering pet insurance. I built NerdWallet’s pet insurance rubric and did the research for this page to find the best pet insurance options. I gathered and analyzed data across three major categories:
Companies score higher if they include more types of coverage in their standard plans.
We evaluate pet insurance plans based on their default accident and illness coverage, which types of coverage cost extra and which types of coverage aren't available at all.
Plan types
In addition to accident and illness plans, we look at whether companies also offer accident-only and wellness plans.
Animals covered
Companies get extra credit for insuring animals besides just dogs and cats.
Coverage for specific services and conditions
Some of the biggest differences between pet insurance plans have to do with how they cover the following services and conditions. Companies rank higher if they offer more of these types of coverage, especially if they're included at no extra cost:
Vet exam fees.
Congenital and hereditary conditions.
Behavioral therapies.
Prescription food.
Supplements.
Alternative and complementary treatments.
Dental illnesses.
Pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are medical issues your pet had before you bought your policy. We reward companies that will cover certain pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
Companies score well when they have consumer-friendly features such as live chat or the ability to pay your vet directly.
We evaluate each pet insurer's customer experience based on the following factors:
Direct vet pay
Most pet insurance companies reimburse you for vet bills you've already paid, but some are able to pay your vet directly. That means you'll have to put out less of your own money upfront.
Live chat
Pet insurers get extra credit if they offer a live chat for customer service.
Vet helpline
We reward companies that have a 24-hour vet helpline for questions about your pet's health.
Claim calculation
The way a pet insurer calculates your claim payouts can influence how quickly you meet your deductible and start getting paid. We reward companies that use a more generous method.
Companies earn points based on how customizable their pet insurance plans are.
Being able to customize your plan makes it easier to find the coverage and price that are right for you. We look at the following factors:
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount of vet care you need to pay for before your insurer will start reimbursing you. We reward companies that offer more deductible options.
Reimbursement rates
Once you've met your deductible, the insurance company will reimburse a certain percentage of your vet bills, such as 70% or 80%. The more options for your reimbursement rate, the better.
Coverage limits
Most pet insurers will reimburse you up to a certain annual limit, such as $5,000 or $10,000. Some offer plans with no limit. We reward companies with a broad range of limits to choose from.
Frequently asked questions
Shop around with at least three companies to get a range of pricing options. Look for discounts, too. Some companies will offer savings if you’re in the military or insuring multiple pets. Raising your deductible or lowering your coverage limits can also reduce your price.
It depends. We found rates ranging from $23 to more than $150 a month for pets living in Jersey City, but your own rates will vary. Where you live, your pet’s age and breed, and how much coverage you want will all affect your price.
Pet insurance generally won’t cover issues your pet had before you bought your policy, but there are exceptions. Some companies will cover curable issues that haven’t shown symptoms for a certain period of time. And AKC will cover even incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days. See the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.CareCredit. Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs. Accessed May 1, 2026.
Pet insurance star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s pet insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including consumer experience, scope of coverage and the ability to customize your plan. We give higher ratings to companies that cover a wide range of medical treatments and that offer perks such as live chat support and direct vet pay. To calculate each insurer’s star rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. See our full pet insurance methodology.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around. Comparing several insurance quotes can help you find the best rate for your pet. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Pet insurance sample rate methodology
To find sample rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and don't include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons.
Each plan had a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. We customized the plans as necessary when those limits weren’t available. Our sample pets were a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog and a domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat. We gathered rates for pets aged 2 and 8 years old.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets in a select ZIP code. Your own rates will be different.
