9 Companies That Provide The Best Pet Insurance For Dogs

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Choosing the best pet insurance for dogs is one of those tasks that’s easy to put off because it seems like a chore. But pet insurance plays an essential part in keeping your dog feeling their healthiest and happiest. When the vet bills are covered, you can focus on your pup’s care instead of stressing over how to pay.

Paying a low monthly premium for pet insurance is worth it when compared to dropping thousands of dollars to pay emergency vet bills. And in this day and age of stretched budgets and rising prices, unexpected bills can build a quick road to financial ruin. So, save your bank account and give your dog a better chance of surviving the unexpected by choosing a pet insurance plan for your dog today!

Wading through all the companies on the market can seem like an impossible task, but our list of the best pet insurance for dogs will make sorting the options far more manageable. But before we look at the best companies for pet insurance, let’s answer your pet insurance questions to start you on your way.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Pet Insurance for Dogs

What is Pet Insurance?

Like your health insurance policy, pet insurance offsets the cost of medical expenses related to your dog’s care. Policies typically include coverage for diagnostics and treatments related to accidents and illnesses. But many brands will provide you with plan options, such as accident and illness coverage, accident-only policies, and wellness plan add-ons for yearly health care costs.

Simply put, pet insurance is way less of a hassle than insurance for people because you’re not limited by frustrating networks, allowing your dog to see the vet of your choice. And paying a monthly premium means big vet bills become a thing of the past because you’ve got insurance covering you and your pup!

What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?

With accident and illness plans, you can expect coverage for injuries related to accidents and most sicknesses, including those caused by hereditary conditions and congenital conditions. Think cancer, broken bones, stitches, and even ingesting things like toys or socks.

In the end, plans tend to cover the majority of costs. And because most pet insurance providers want you to get your money’s worth, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised at what they will cover. Read over competitors’ websites and compare what they include in coverage and what they don’t as part of your pet insurance research.

What Isn’t Covered by Pet Insurance?

Do pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions? That was probably one of your first questions, and it’s a good one. Typically, pre-existing conditions are not covered, and that’s one reason it’s crucial to get a pet insurance plan for your puppy or adult dog as soon as you bring them home. That way, you’re staying ahead of expensive illnesses and getting more for your money when it comes to your pup’s plan. That said, some companies will decide to cover a pre-existing condition if it heals and dogs don’t require treatment for a year or more.

While pet insurance covers a lot of expenses outside of pre-existing conditions, there are a few things they typically don’t, including such services as:

• As mentioned, pre-existing conditions
• Exam fees
• Preventive or elective procedures
• Grooming services
• Breeding costs
• Food, vitamins, and supplements

But always check with a company to see what they do and don’t cover because you don’t want to be surprised when it comes time to make a claim.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet insurance is easy to obtain and maintain! Get started with our handy pet insurance quote tool to compare prices and find your ideal policy. Then, click through to your chosen provider’s website to sign up. Once you’ve decided the nuances of your policy, you’ll pay a monthly premium based on your dog’s breed, age, and zip code, as vet costs vary from region to region.

To use your coverage, most companies offer an easy digital experience via their app, where all you have to do is upload a photo of your vet bill, and the reimbursement process begins. Once you’ve made your claim, you sit back and wait for your payback.

After your pup is enrolled for services, be aware that most pet insurance companies will have a waiting period before coverage begins. Usually, these timeframes average a few days for accident coverage and roughly two weeks for illnesses. Some carriers also impose longer waiting periods for issues like hip dysplasia and other orthopedic problems.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost on Average?

The price of pet insurance for dogs varies, as costs are based on a range of factors, including your dog’s age, breed, and where you live. And with the ability to tailor options for annual maximum coverage, deductibles, and reimbursement amounts, prices will also vary. Some companies only offer unlimited yearly coverage, so you won’t find much wiggle room there. However, for pet insurance brands that offer choices in coverage amount, opting for the lower maximum coverage option can lower your policy price.

Now, is the amount of the deductible important? Yes! Both the deductible and reimbursement amounts you choose will make an impact on your monthly rate. The deductible, or how much of the bill you pay as your portion, can range anywhere from fifty dollars to one thousand. Reimbursement amounts are figured in percentages, and when setting up your plan, you typically have choices of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Some providers, however, offer amounts for reimbursement as low as fifty percent.

And when considering what differences the deductible and reimbursement amount options can create, remember these two factors:

• The higher the deductible option you choose, the lower your premium will be.
• Your premium will be higher if you opt for a higher reimbursement amount.

Certain factors will result in pet insurance plan discounts:

• Multiple Pet Discount – For families with more than one furry member, multiple pet discounts can save five to ten percent on policy costs.
• Pay Premiums Annually – Some pet insurance companies will offer a five to ten percent discount if your pay the entire premium amount in one yearly sum.
• No Claims Made for a Year – At the time of your annual renewal, some providers will offer a percentage off your policy after a year with no claims at renewal.
• Military Discount – Many of the best pet insurance companies offer discounts for military members and veterans.
• Bundle Discount – Insurance companies that provide insurance for other aspects of life, like home and auto, will usually offer a ten percent discount for bundling all your policies under their umbrella.

Find out how much pet insurance costs for your dog with our handy comparison tool!

Does My Dog’s Breed Affect the Cost of Pet Insurance?

Yes, breed matters concerning policy premiums because dog breeds suffer from various hereditary health issues. And treating certain genetic diseases can be expensive. So, when doing all the insurance math magic, providers consider this when calculating your dog’s monthly cost for coverage. But don’t worry about your dog being denied coverage because of their breed. Most companies will cover all breeds, from small to tall!

Do Indoor Pets Need Insurance?

All pets, whether they live solely indoors or frequent the outdoors, would benefit from a pet insurance policy because whether outside or inside, sickness and injury can happen anywhere and anytime.

What Are the Benefits of Having Pet Insurance for Your Dog?

For most dog parents, purchasing pet insurance comes down to peace of mind. Sadly, veterinarians report pets not covered by insurance are significantly less likely to survive a major emergency, as many families cannot afford a vet bill of thousands. Experts recommend setting aside at least $5,000 for your dog’s emergency care. But if that’s not possible, pet insurance can save the day financially so you can focus on your pup’s care and not stress over bills.

Now that we’ve answered your questions let’s get down to it! Who are the best pet insurance companies for dogs?

The 9 Best Pet Insurance Companies for Dogs

#1 – Embrace

Embrace allows you to choose annual coverage maximums between $5,000 – $30,000. Coupling this flexibility in max coverage with multiple options for deductibles and reimbursements, you can tailor your policy to your budget. Coverage for exam fees will also bring you average savings of $50-$250 every time you visit the vet. And having a healthy pup earns you discounts with Embrace because every year your dog makes it without insurance reimbursement, you’ll get $50 off your deductible. Pre-existing conditions that prove curable are eligible for coverage after twelve months of your dog being symptom and treatment free.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: Add Embrace’s optional Wellness Rewards and cover routine care for annual wellness exams, vaccination, spay/neuter surgery, flea, tick, heartworm preventatives, training, and grooming. A multi-pet discount will save you 10 – 15% on your policies.

Waiting Periods: All Embrace insurance policies have a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. Waiting periods for accidents are 48 hours. All dogs have a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions. You can reduce the waiting period for orthopedic conditions to fourteen days by submitting to the Orthopedic Exam and Waiver Process.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $42.35 per month

#2 – Many Pets

With Many Pets, you can visit any licensed veterinarian, and there are no caps on payouts, copays, or care. Bloodwork, lab work, imaging scans, medications, surgery, in-office procedures, and hospitalizations, including emergency care, are all covered with Many Pets. And unlike many of their competitors, they cover curable pre-existing conditions once your dog has been free of symptoms and without treatment for eighteen months, excluding cruciate ligament injuries or hip dysplasia.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: Many Pets Preventative Care Plan add-on covers costs for routine wellness visits, vaccines, parasite testing and prevention, dental cleanings and at-home dental care, vitamins, supplements, aromatherapy, and more. They also include supplements and treatments to help with stress, anxiety, skin, coat, bone, and joint care. Many Pets does not offer a multi-pet discount at this time.

Waiting Periods: Many Pets has a 15-day policy waiting period that begins after purchase.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example – $30.00 per month

#3 – Lemonade

Lemonade makes our list of the best insurance for dogs because they’ve created a hassle-free insurance experience built for the 21st century. When you download the Lemonade app or visit their website, you can sign up in seconds and cover your dog with a plan tailored to your needs and budget. Maya, Lemonade’s virtual insurance agent, will walk you through the process, allowing you to customize payout percentages, annual deductible amounts, and max coverage limits. And with a choice of coverage caps that runs up to $100,000, you can create a budget-friendly pet insurance plan for your dog while creating financial peace of mind.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: In addition to wellness options for adult dogs, Lemonade offers a preventative care package designed especially for puppies and kittens with coverage for spaying or neutering, microchipping, flea medication, and up to six vaccines or boosters. And covering more than one pet with Lemonade will earn you a 5% discount. Plus, if you want to combine your monthly policy fees into one annual payment, you’ll enjoy an additional 5% discount.

Waiting Periods: Lemonade has three different waiting periods before you can file a claim: two days for accidents, fourteen days for illnesses, and six months for cruciate ligament events.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $20.00 per month

#4 – Trupanion

Trupanion gives you control by eliminating confusing deductibles and letting you choose the percentage of the covered costs. While they don’t cover exam fees, preventative care, or pre-existing conditions, they do cover expenses such as diagnostics, surgery, advanced dentistry, medications, supplements, rehabilitation, and more. Your policy with Trupanion will see you reimbursed for 90% of veterinary costs from illness and injury. And you can take your pup to any veterinary, emergency care, or specialty hospital in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia, including US and Canadian military installations. Coverage is open to all dogs and cats from birth to 14 years of age, regardless of breed.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: At this time, Trupanion does not offer wellness options or multi-pet discounts.

Waiting Periods: Trupanion policies have a 5-day waiting period for injuries and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $68.25 per month

#5 – Prudent Pet

Choose from an array of plan types, including Accident Only, Essential for injuries or illness, or Ultimate for illness and injury with unlimited annual benefits. Plans also cover hereditary and congenital conditions, dental disease, and destructive behavioral issues. And Prudent Pet never denies coverage to dogs based on their age or breed. You can also chat with a veterinarian 24/7 when you’re part of the Prudent Pet family. Plus, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: Prudent Pet offers two optional add-ons, one that covers veterinary exam fees and another for wellness coverage that includes vaccines and annual checkups. Insure all the furry family and get a multi-pet discount of 10%.

Waiting Periods: Prudent Pet institutes a 5-day waiting period for accident coverage and a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage. There’s also a 6-month waiting period for all knee and ligament issues.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $73.46 per month

#6 – Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws’ top-rated pet insurance plans for dogs cover accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, genetic and hereditary conditions, breed-specific conditions, and alternative care. With five options in deductible and reimbursement amounts, you can tailor policy costs to your budget with no problems. And with no caps on annual coverage and lifetime payouts, this best pet insurance for dogs option casts off worry over big bills while letting your pup stay with the doctor they know. Healthy Paws allows the use of any licensed veterinarian.

The claims process is insanely simple; just take a photo of your vet bill and submit it through the mobile app or online. Plus, most claims are processed within two days!

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: At this time, Healthy Paws does not offer wellness options or multi-pet discounts.

Waiting Periods: After enrolling with Healthy Paws, your pup will incur a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses before coverage begins and a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $26.25 per month

#7 – Pets Best

Pets Best offers plans that cover accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, and chronic, hereditary, and congenital conditions. And because their plans allow flexibility with customizable annual limits, annual deductibles, and 70, 80, or 90% reimbursement options, you can cover your pup’s medical bills while keeping your monthly rate low. They even offer a deductible option that’s only fifty dollars, and this ability to play with coverage options gives Pets Best an edge in the field, making them one of the best pet insurance options for dogs.

Plus, you can even choose to have them pay your vet directly, so you don’t even have to fuss with getting it done. You’ll also have access to the Pets Best 24/7 Emergency Vet Hotline. And when it comes to pre-existing conditions, issues like broken legs or kennel cough, once healed or cured, are no longer considered pre-existing conditions.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: Pets Best offers dog wellness plans that can be added to your dog’s medical coverage, helping dog parents cover regular vet visits, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and dental cleanings. And when you enroll more than one pet, you can earn a 5% discount on your policies.

Waiting Periods: Pets Best has waiting periods of three days for accidents, fourteen days for illness, and six months for cruciate ligament conditions. If you add a routine care plan, this coverage begins on your policy effective date.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $35.81 per month

#8 – FIGO

One of the best pet insurance companies on the market, FIGO offers plans that cover common illnesses, accidents, emergencies, cancer, hereditary and congenital disorders, chronic conditions, and so much more. And with a choice of $5,000 or an unlimited amount for the maximum annual coverage amount, you have the power to create a plan that fits your pup’s medical needs and your budget. And a range of deductible and reimbursement options lets you decide what you want to pay out of pocket or how much you’d like to get back from your claims. FIGO also covers pre-existing conditions considered curable if your dog shows no signs or symptoms within 12 months of treatment.

Plus, lightning-fast service means most claims close in an average of 2.6 working days. And as a customer with FIGO, you’ll have free 24/7 access to a licensed veterinary professional.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: FIGO Wellness Powerups options allow you the choice of three plan add-ons to help you cover more costs, including coverage for annual exams, vaccines, cremation/burial, lost pet services, vacation cancellation due to pet emergency, boarding fees, pet theft or loss, and more. You can also expect a multi-pet discount of five percent when you enroll all your furry ones for coverage with FIGO.

Waiting Periods: Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents related to an injury. They also offer an Orthopedic Conditions waiver to eliminate the six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions.  

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $69.30 per month

#9 – Wagmo

Wagmo offers a hassle-free digital experience for dog parents looking for affordable pet insurance that covers accidents and illness, plus the emergency and catastrophic care needed to treat them. And with flexible deductible options and reimbursement levels of ninety or one hundred present, you can mix and match to build your perfect package. Plus, their dog insurance plans start as low as $13 a month.

In addition to covering the usuals like emergency care, imaging, cancer treatments, and hereditary and congenital conditions, Wagmo also includes coverage for prescriptions, pet ambulances, and even hip dysplasia.

Wellness Add-Ons & Multi-Pet Discounts: Wagmo Wellness helps pay for routine care like annual vet exam fees, bloodwork, vaccines, and even grooming. Wellness plan pricing starts at twenty dollars per month. Save up to 10% off when you cover multiple pets and earn an additional 15% off after a year with no claims at renewal. Wagmo does not offer a multiple-pet discount at this time.

Waiting Periods: Wagmo has no waiting periods for wellness plans, but everyday accident and illness coverage plans have a waiting period of fifteen days. For cancer treatments, the waiting period is thirty days.

Sample pet insurance plan rate for a one-year-old male medium mixed breed dog using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example: $15.00 per month

The Best Pet Insurance for Dogs Is Just A Click Away

So, who’s the best pet insurance company for dogs? The answer depends on your furry friend’s needs and your budget, but surely, you’ll find the right choice for your dog’s health coverage on our list. Any of these nine companies offers a solid reputation, excellent customer care, and flexible plans to help you easily cover the vet bills.

And now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to compare the quotes. Use our handy tool to find out how much pet insurance for your dog will cost!

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