All carriers at a glance
Lemonade
- Annual payout structure: $5,000 to $100,000 (selectable).
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $750.
- Waiting periods: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illness, 30 days for orthopedic conditions, 6 months for cruciate-ligament injuries
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; senior pets accepted with no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $17–$99/mo.
- State availability: 35 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses (cancer, diabetes, infections, etc.), Diagnostic tests (bloodwork, MRI, X-rays), Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Dental disease not caused by accident, Parasites and preventable conditions without wellness add-on, and others.
Structure fits: Tech-forward pet owners who want fast digital claims and transparent flat-rate pricing.
Structure does not fit: You need coverage in a state Lemonade doesn't serve, or want robust phone-based customer support.
Trupanion
- Annual payout structure: Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 90%.
- Deductible options: $0 / $200 / $500 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 5 days for injuries, 30 days for illness
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $30–$120/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Exam fees, Wellness and preventive care, Dental disease and routine dental cleanings, Elective or cosmetic procedures, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want unlimited coverage with no benefit caps and are willing to pay higher premiums for that certainty.
Structure does not fit: You want wellness coverage, multiple reimbursement options, or a lower monthly premium.
Healthy Paws
- Annual payout structure: Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $750 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 15 days for illness and accidents; hip dysplasia has a separate 12-month wait and is only covered if the pet is under 6 at enrollment
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; hip dysplasia coverage requires the pet to be under 6 at enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $20–$90/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Wellness and preventive care, Veterinary exam fees on every visit, Routine dental cleanings, Elective or cosmetic procedures, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want unlimited coverage at a competitive price and are comfortable with a streamlined, single-plan product.
Structure does not fit: You want wellness add-ons, the exam fee covered, or you are enrolling a dog 6 or older with hip-dysplasia risk.
Embrace
- Annual payout structure: $5,000; $8,000; $10,000; $15,000; $30,000.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $200 / $300 / $500 / $750 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: No accident waiting period (coverage begins on the policy effective date), 14 days for illness, 6 months for orthopedic conditions (reducible to as few as 14 days via the Orthopedic Exam and Waiver)
- Age eligibility: 6 weeks minimum; no upper age limit for enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $22–$105/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer, diabetes, and hereditary conditions, Dental illness, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Preventive care without Wellness Rewards, Grooming and boarding, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want broad coverage including dental illness and the flexibility of a diminishing deductible reward for staying claim-free.
Structure does not fit: You need unlimited annual coverage or want same-week claim reimbursement.
Nationwide
- Annual payout structure: $7,500 (Major Medical); $10,000 (Whole Pet).
- Reimbursement rates: 50% / 70%.
- Deductible options: $0 / $250.
- Waiting periods: 14 days for illness and accidents; cruciate-ligament and other orthopedic conditions carry a 365-day waiting period
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $25–$110/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Behavioral training, Experimental procedures, and others.
Structure fits: Owners of exotic pets (birds, reptiles, small mammals) or employees with access to Nationwide group benefit plans.
Structure does not fit: You want a fast digital claims experience or flexible deductible customization.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $3,000; $5,000; $7,000.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500.
- Waiting periods: 14 days for illness, 14 days for accidents; 14-day window for ligament and knee conditions
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $20–$95/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Dental disease not caused by an accident, Grooming and boarding, and others.
Structure fits: Animal welfare-conscious pet owners who want a recognizable brand with flexible coverage limits and an optional wellness add-on.
Structure does not fit: You want a 2-day accident waiting period or a best-in-class mobile app experience.
Spot Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $2,500; $3,000; $4,000; $5,000; $7,500; $10,000; Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $750 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 14 days for illness, 14 days for accidents
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $16–$85/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Grooming and boarding, Behavioral training, and others.
Structure fits: Budget-conscious pet owners who want flexible annual limit choices and low starting premiums.
Structure does not fit: You want a 2-day accident waiting period or need a provider with a long proven track record.
Fetch Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $5,000; $10,000; $15,000; Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $250 / $300 / $400 / $500 / $600 / $700.
- Waiting periods: 15 days for illness; cruciate-ligament and other orthopedic conditions carry a 6-month wait, waivable via a vet exam within the first 30 days
- Age eligibility: 6 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $25–$100/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Dental illness, Exam fees for covered visits, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions that are not curable (curable pre-existing conditions can become covered after a defined symptom-free and treatment-free period), Wellness and preventive care, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Grooming and boarding, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want broad standard coverage including dental illness and exam fees without paying for a wellness add-on.
Structure does not fit: You want preventive care coverage or the fastest possible claims turnaround.
Pets Best
- Annual payout structure: $5,000; $10,000; Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $50 / $100 / $200 / $500 / $1000 / $1500 / $2000.
- Waiting periods: 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness
- Age eligibility: 7 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $18–$95/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer, diabetes, and chronic conditions, Periodontal disease and other dental issues, Accident and illness exam fees, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Grooming and boarding, Behavioral training.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want maximum deductible flexibility and tiered wellness add-on options to tailor their monthly cost.
Structure does not fit: You are enrolling a cruciate-prone breed needing fast orthopedic cover or expect premiums to remain stable as your pet ages.
MetLife Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $2,000; $5,000; $10,000; Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 50% / 70% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $0 / $500 / $1000 / $1500 / $2000.
- Waiting periods: 0 days for accidents, 14 days for illness; no separate orthopedic waiting period
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit
- Premium range (modeled): $20–$100/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Dental illness, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Behavioral training, Experimental procedures, and others.
Structure fits: Employees with access to MetLife group benefits who want dental illness included in a standard plan from a name-brand insurer.
Structure does not fit: You will default to the 50% reimbursement tier or want the fastest digital claims experience.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: Dogs: $5,000 / $10,000 / $20,000 / Unlimited; Cats: $5,000 / $7,000 / $15,000 / Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 14 days for accidents, 14 days for illness; cruciate-ligament injuries and hip dysplasia share the same 14-day wait with no separate extended orthopedic period
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit for enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $20–$110/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and hereditary conditions, Dental illness, Veterinary exam fees for covered visits, Behavioral issues, Diagnostic tests and imaging, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Herbal and non-prescription supplements, Routine preventive care without the Preventive Essentials package, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want exam fees, dental illness, and behavioral coverage in the base plan and value fast payout on large emergency claims.
Structure does not fit: You want a 70% budget reimbursement tier, a long carrier track record, or the Preventive Essentials package in a state where it is unavailable.
Figo Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $5,000; $10,000; Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90% / 100%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $750.
- Waiting periods: 1 day for accidents, 14 days for illness, 6 months for orthopedic conditions (waivable via a vet exam within the first 30 days if no pre-existing signs)
- Age eligibility: 8 weeks minimum; no upper age limit for enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $18–$100/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and chronic conditions, Hereditary and congenital conditions, Dental illness and injury (non-routine), Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions that are not curable (curable pre-existing conditions can become covered after a 12-month symptom-free and treatment-free period), Routine preventive care without the Wellness powerup, Veterinary exam fees without the exam-fee powerup, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, and others.
Structure fits: Pet owners who want flexible reimbursement up to 100%, an unlimited annual option, a fast 1-day accident wait, and a strong mobile app.
Structure does not fit: You want exam fees covered in the base plan without a powerup, or need orthopedic conditions covered without the 30-day waiver window.
ManyPets
- Annual payout structure: Unlimited (no annual or lifetime payout cap).
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80%.
- Deductible options: $250 / $500 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 15 days for accidents and 15 days for illness in most states; 7 states (DE, LA, ME, MS, NE, NH, WA) have no accident waiting period due to local regulation; hip dysplasia is treated as pre-existing if the pet is 6 or older on the effective date
- Age eligibility: Hip dysplasia coverage is unavailable if the pet is 6 or older at the policy effective date; no upper age limit for general enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $18–$95/mo.
- State availability: 42 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and chronic conditions, Dental injuries and dental illnesses (non-preventive), Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Preventive care such as dental cleanings and dental products without the Wellness Plan, Hip dysplasia for pets 6 or older at the effective date, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, and others.
Structure fits: Owners who want an uncapped annual payout in a simple single-plan product, especially in the seven states with no accident waiting period.
Structure does not fit: You want a 90% reimbursement tier, a $0 or $100 deductible, or coverage in a state ManyPets does not yet serve.
Prudent Pet
- Annual payout structure: Accident Only: $10,000; Essential: $10,000; Ultimate: Unlimited.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $500 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 5 days for accidents, 14 days for illness, 6 months for all knee and ligament conditions (the knee and ligament wait can be waived if a vet exam within the first 30 days documents no pre-existing knee conditions)
- Age eligibility: No age or breed denial for dogs and cats; no upper age limit for enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $18–$100/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and chronic conditions, Hereditary and congenital conditions, Dental disease, Behavioral issues, Diagnostic tests and imaging, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Cosmetic or elective procedures, Veterinary exam fees without the exam-fee add-on, Routine wellness without the wellness add-on, Breeding and pregnancy, and others.
Structure fits: Owners who want a choice of three plan tiers, an unlimited annual option, and the ability to waive the knee and ligament wait with an early vet exam.
Structure does not fit: You need orthopedic conditions covered immediately, want exam fees in the base plan, or prefer a carrier with a long track record.
AKC Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $2,500 to $20,000 (selectable).
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 80% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $100 / $250 / $300 / $400 / $500 / $600 / $750 / $1000.
- Waiting periods: 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness, 180 days for cruciate ligament conditions, 12 months for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD); pre-existing conditions become eligible after 365 days of continuous coverage on accident-and-illness plans
- Age eligibility: Hereditary and congenital coverage requires the pet to be under 2 at enrollment; no upper age limit for general enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $20–$100/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and chronic conditions, Hereditary and congenital conditions (pets under 2 at enrollment), Extraction of broken adult teeth due to an accident, Breeding-related complications, Diagnostic tests and imaging, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions before 365 days of continuous coverage, Elective procedures such as preventive gastropexy, dew claw removal, and ear cropping, Planned cesarean sections and artificial insemination, Cremation and burial without the optional add-on, Routine wellness without a Defender or DefenderPlus add-on, and others.
Structure fits: Owners who value the rare post-waiting-period pre-existing eligibility and want a wide deductible ladder from a long-running AKC-branded provider.
Structure does not fit: You need fast orthopedic or IVDD coverage, want an unlimited annual limit, or are enrolling a pet 2 or older with hereditary-condition risk.
Odie Pet Insurance
- Annual payout structure: $10,000; $40,000.
- Reimbursement rates: 70% / 90%.
- Deductible options: $250 / $500.
- Waiting periods: 15 days for accidents and 15 days for illness in most states; some states use a shorter accident wait and a 6-month cruciate wait, and a few states have no waiting period (varies by state and underwriter)
- Age eligibility: No upper age limit for enrollment
- Premium range (modeled): $15–$85/mo.
- State availability: 49 states.
Covers: Accidents and injuries, Illnesses including cancer and chronic conditions, Diagnostic tests and imaging, Surgeries and hospitalization, Emergency and specialist care, Prescription medications, and others.
Key exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, Elective or cosmetic procedures, Breeding and pregnancy, Routine and preventive care without a wellness plan, Behavioral training, and others.
Structure fits: Budget-minded owners who want a simple two-choice deductible and reimbursement structure with a high $40,000 limit option.
Structure does not fit: You want an 80% reimbursement tier, an unlimited annual limit, a long carrier track record, or live in Idaho or Minnesota where Accredited-underwritten policies are unavailable.
Pet Assure
- Annual payout structure: No annual limit (flat discount, not an insurance benefit).
- Reimbursement rates: 25% discount on in-house vet services (not a reimbursement rate).
- Deductible options: $0.
- Waiting periods: None; the discount applies from the day membership starts
- Age eligibility: Pets of any age accepted, including pets with diagnosed and pre-existing conditions
- Premium range (modeled): $8–$22 (membership fee, not an insurance premium)/mo.
- State availability: 51 states.
Covers: 25% discount on in-house veterinary medical services at participating providers, Routine and preventive in-house services, In-house emergency services at participating providers, Discount available for pets with pre-existing conditions, Discount available for any non-human species, Optional separate Mint Wellness reimbursement plan.
Key exclusions: This is not insurance and does not reimburse a share of vet costs, Services performed by outside labs, specialists, or referral hospitals not in the network, Products such as food, medications, and retail items unless the provider applies the discount, Charges already discounted or covered by insurance, Non-participating veterinary providers.
Structure fits: Owners of pets that traditional insurers decline (older pets or pets with pre-existing conditions), or owners who want to reduce routine in-house vet costs as a supplement to insurance.
Structure does not fit: You need protection against large emergency or specialist bills; a discount plan does not reimburse a percentage of major costs and only applies to in-house services at participating providers.