Pet insurance: It’s like health insurance for your furry (or feathered, or scaly) family members, because vet bills can be a real tail-biter! With so many options out there, picking the right pet insurance can feel like navigating a labyrinth. 

Fear not, pet ‘rents! We’ve got the lowdown from the experts to help you find the best pet insurance companies. We spoke with Dr. Jamie Richardson, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Small Door Vet, as well as Dr. Sara Bledsoe, DVM, CVA, CHPV, a veterinarian at Chewy to find out what makes a great insurance company and which ones are worth going for (check out our FAQs below).

Diving right in, here’s the scoop on who’s top dog (and cat, and lizard, and parrot…) in the world of pet insurance.

Chewy is the playful puppy in the pet insurance world: new, energetic, and eager to please. Known for their stellar customer service, they’ve quickly become a favorite among pet owners. With wellness plans and straightforward policies, Chewy is a great option for those looking to insure multiple pets under one roof.

Price: Plans start at $20 per month for cats and $30 per month for dogs, with multi-pet discounts available.

Healthy Paws is like the golden retriever of pet insurance: friendly, reliable, and always there when you need it. Their no-fuss approach and rapid claim payouts make them a favorite among experts. Plus, their unlimited coverage ensures your pet can get the care they need without you worrying about caps on reimbursements.

According to Dr. Richardson, Healthy Paws offers “solid comprehensive coverage, high reimbursement rates, and unlimited lifetime benefits.”

Price: Plans typically range from $25 to $45 per month for dogs and $15 to $25 per month for cats, depending on the age, breed, and location of your pet.

Embrace is like the lovable mutt with a little bit of everything. Their customizable plans and wellness rewards are a hit with pet parents who like to tailor coverage to their pet’s unique needs. They even cover exam fees, which many others don’t. Just be patient with the claims process — it’s worth it.

According to Dr. Richardson, “Embrace offers customizable plans and wellness rewards and helps balance coverage and cost.”

Price: Plans start around $13 per month for cats and $18 per month for dogs, with wellness rewards available for an additional fee.

Trupanion is the German shepherd of pet insurance: dependable, strong, and always on duty. Their direct vet payment system takes the stress out of expensive treatments, making it a top pick for those who don’t want to play the waiting game with reimbursements. Plus, their robust coverage is perfect for the varied health needs of dogs.

According to Dr. Richardson, Trupanion is “known for its comprehensive coverage, no payout limits, and direct vet payments (unique in the space).”

Price: Plans typically range from $60 to $90 per month for dogs, varying based on breed, age, and location.

Fetch is the (recently rebranded) wise old owl of pet insurance: knowledgeable and comprehensive. They cover treatments that others might balk at, like holistic therapies, and they welcome pets of any age. If you’ve got a feline friend, Petplan’s extensive coverage and fast reimbursements will keep your cat purring.

According to Dr. Richardson, Fetch “offers comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of cats, including dental and behavioral therapy, which are important for feline health.”

Price: Plans start at around $20 per month for cats, with premiums varying based on age, breed, and location.

Nationwide is the all-inclusive resort of pet insurance: they cover just about everything, including exotic pets. If you’ve got a menagerie at home, Nationwide’s multi-pet discounts and wellness plans can save you a bundle. They also offer a healthy pet discount, rewarding you for keeping your pets in top shape.

According to Dr. Richardson, “The discounts they offer for health pets make this a unique way to save on more routine care.”

Price: Plans typically range from $35 to $60 per month for dogs and $18 to $35 per month for cats, with discounts available for multiple pets.

Pet Assure is the gentle giant of pet care, accepting all pets regardless of their health history. While it’s a discount plan rather than traditional insurance, it provides immediate savings on vet visits, making it ideal for pets with pre-existing conditions.

According to Dr. Richardson, “Pet Assure is not traditional insurance but a discount program that covers pre-existing conditions, which is a significant benefit for pets with existing health issues.”

Price: Plans start at $9.95 per month for a single cat and $11.95 per month for a single dog. Family plans covering 2-4 pets are $16.95 per month.

Picking the right pet insurance is like finding the perfect leash: it needs to fit just right and keep your pet safe and secure. Whether you’re drawn to the comprehensive coverage of Healthy Paws, the value-packed plans of Embrace, the dog-centric policies of Trupanion, the cat-friendly options of Petplan, or the multi-pet focus of Chewy, there’s a perfect fit out there for every pet parent. So, go ahead, make the choice, and give your pet the gift of health and happiness!

A great pet insurance policy is one that is right for your financial needs and the health needs of your pet,” stated Dr. Bledsoe. “If you decide that pet insurance is right for you and your pet, don’t wait to purchase a policy. Pet insurance can benefit your pet at every life stage. Start researching policies once you have an idea of what type of coverage you need for your pet and how much you would like to pay.

“Speaking to a licensed representative who can have a conversation about pet insurance is the best way to answer all your questions along with reviewing the information provided online from the company’s website.

“There are many options out there, but when it comes to CarePlus by Chewy, pet parents have the option to select wellness and insurance plans provided by Trupanion or Lemonade. The most important thing is to review the various options carefully and consider what’s right for you and your pet!

“The first step to buying pet insurance is to know what you need. A great place to start is by asking yourself the following questions:

According to Dr. Richardson, who “would define ‘great’ pet insurance as including comprehensive coverage, flexible plans, and a solid record of excellent customer service,” some key features to look for are…

“It’s a great idea for puppy and kitten owners to look into pet insurance, continued Dr. Bledsoe. “After all, the first year of a pet’s life can be quite expensive with vaccinations, check-ups, spay/neuter procedures, fecal testing, etc. — and that’s just for wellness! If anything were to go wrong — for example, orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, overzealous chewers swallowing toys, kittens chewing on electrical cords — then at least you can be covered for any diagnostics, treatments or surgeries that may be required.

“In adulthood, different breeds age at different paces. Large breed dogs age much faster than smaller breeds, so a two-year-old Irish Wolfhound may have significantly different needs than a two-year-old Chihuahua. Getting pet insurance early on in your pet’s life allows you to provide the highest quality care possible for your young pet, which may just help them age more gracefully.

“Many pet parents have a pet savings account, and others rely on credit lines such as CareCredit or ScratchPay in more expensive situations. However, pet insurance may be much more affordable than many pet parents think (especially when compared with human health policies), so make sure you check out different policies before you decide against insurance.” 

“Most providers offer a unique selection of pet wellness and insurance plans, which you can buy standalone or together (coverage by state may vary),” commented Dr. Bledsoe.

“Insurance plans are designed to help in the event of accidents and illnesses. These plans cover new, unexpected healthcare needs from accidents to illnesses. Coverage can include surgeries, X-rays, medications, fees related to hospitalizations, and more. To make sure you get the most out of your coverage, it’s best to enroll in a pet insurance plan when your pet is young and healthy. If they get injured or sick before they are covered, treatments related to these issues would not be covered, since those conditions would be considered pre-existing.

“Wellness plans are affordable, annual packages designed to cover preventative care for your pet. These plans can help you cover your pet’s annual veterinary exam fee, vaccines, lab tests (e.g., annual heartworm test), dental cleaning, spay neutering, and flea, tick, and heartworm medications.”

“We partnered with Trupanion and Lemonade to offer leading pet insurance and wellness plans on the market exclusively for Chewy customers,” said Dr. Bledsoe. “We want you to understand the parties involved in offering these plans for you and your pet.”

Here’s a breakdown of CarePlus’s partnerships and how they work together:

According to Dr. Bledsoe, the answer is “yes, which partner you choose determines the type of discounts available for your eligible pet.” For example:

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