Best Pet Insurance Companies for Dogs

A few months ago, my Golden Retriever swallowed a sock. What followed was a $3,000 emergency surgery to remove it. Dogs easily get into trouble, and vet bills aren't cheap. A simple ear infection can cost $200. Cancer treatments can easily cost over $10,000. 

Instead of scrambling to pay thousands out of pocket, get a pet insurance cover. You pay a monthly premium, and the insurance company covers a big chunk of the bill. But here's the tricky part: some insurance companies focus on cats, others on exotic pets, and some just don't cover the stuff your dog actually needs. 

I spent weeks researching, reading reviews and comparing deductibles, reimbursement rates and coverage limits to figure out which companies actually deliver. After all that work, I've narrowed it down to the best pet insurance companies for dogs.

Best Pet Insurance Companies for Dogs

Did you know that one in three pets will need unexpected veterinary care every single year? And vet costs are skyrocketing. According to an April 2024 article in USA Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 7.9% increase in urban veterinary service prices in just one year. A simple broken leg can cost you $2,000 to $5,000. 

Meanwhile, most pet owners can only afford about $1,500 out of pocket for vet bills at any given time. But what happens when the bill is $5,000 or $10,000 for emergency surgeries, cancer treatments, or chronic illness management?  That's why you definitely need an insurance cover for your furry friend. 

Now, pet insurance doesn't work like human insurance. Most policies operate on a reimbursement model. You pay the vet upfront, submit the bill to your insurer, and they pay you back for covered expenses. It's a simple system, but with so many insurance companies out there, finding the right plan for your dog is difficult. According to a 2024 report by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 6.25 million pets in North America were insured by the end of 2023. 

The market itself was valued at $4.99 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at nearly 21% annually, reaching $15.71 billion by 2030. The boom has made more companies jump in, and now there are more options. But that doesn't always mean better options. Policies vary widely. Some cover accidents but not illnesses. Some exclude hereditary conditions, which can be a big problem if you own a breed prone to hip dysplasia, heart disease, or cancer. 

Then, there are premiums that depend on your dog's age, breed, and location. A plan that's affordable for a young Labrador in Ohio might be sky-high for an older French Bulldog in California. So, with all these variables, which companies actually offer the best coverage for dogs? Here's a list of the best options out there.

ASPCA Pet Insurance

If you're looking for a plan that doesn't discriminate based on age, then ASPCA Pet Insurance is the best option. Unlike some insurance companies like Embrace, which cut off older pets from full coverage, ASPCA offers its Complete Coverage plan to dogs of any age. The company offers three main plans: 

• Complete Coverage: This is their flagship plan. It covers both accidents and illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, and hereditary conditions. It also includes alternative treatments like acupuncture, prescription food for covered conditions, and end-of-life expenses.

• Accident-Only: This is a budget-friendly option for accidents like bites, broken bones, or torn ligaments. But it doesn't cover illnesses, so keep that in mind.

• Preventive Care: An optional add-on that covers routine care like dental cleanings, vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, and flea prevention. No deductible or coinsurance applies to this plan. Note that you can't buy it alone. It's an add-on to the other plans.

Like most pet insurance plans, ASPCA won't cover pre-existing conditions unless curable and symptom-free for 180 days. It also excludes elective procedures, boarding fees, and experimental treatments. So, if you're looking for prescription food for general health or weight loss, this isn't the option for you. However, the best thing about ASPCA is customization. They let you tailor your policy with the following:

• Deductibles: Choose from $100, $250, or $500.

• Reimbursement rates: Get back 70%, 80%, or 90% of your vet bills.

• Coverage limits: Set an annual limit between $2,500 and $10,000. You can even get higher limits if you call them.

Then, filing a claim is easy. You can submit it online, via the ASPCA app, or by fax. Most claims are processed within 9 days, though it's not uncommon to take up to 30 days. Note that there's a 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses. But this is way shorter compared to companies like Nationwide Pet Insurance. 

Pros

• Deductible options as low as $100

• 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed

• Covers alternative treatments, behavioral care, and hereditary conditions

• A shorter waiting period of two weeks

• No lifetime payout limits

• Multi-pet discounts available

Cons

• Doesn't pay vets directly. You have to cover costs upfront and get reimbursed.

• Unlimited annual coverage requires a phone call to get a quote.

Lemonade

Lemonade is a tech-driven pet insurance provider that makes the process fast and simple. The company uses AI to handle claims efficiently, so you won't be bogged down by paperwork and long processing times. 

For instance, about 40% of claims are handled instantly, and most are paid within 48 hours. Lemonade covers dogs and cats in 38 states, so you need to check whether coverage is available in your area. The company offers accident-and-illness coverage with optional wellness add-ons as follows: 

• Accident & Illness Coverage: Covers vet bills related to injuries, illnesses, cancer, infections, and hereditary conditions.

• Vet Visit Add-On: Covers exam fees for covered conditions.

• Physical Therapy Add-On: Covers rehabilitation treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care.

• Preventive Care Add-On: Covers routine care, such as vaccines, flea prevention, and wellness exams.

However, the company doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, medical waste fees, bilateral conditions, experimental treatments, or illnesses occurring before the waiting period ends. Also, the company doesn't offer coverage for pets over 14 years old. So, if you have a senior dog, Lemonade isn't the best pick. Another downside is that, unlike ASPCA Pet Insurance, Lemonade does not offer an accident-only plan. On the good side, you can customize the plan as follows: 

• Deductibles: Choose from $100, $250, $500, or $750.

• Reimbursement rates: Pick 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses.

• Annual limits: Options range from $5,000 to $100,000

Note that Lemonade does not offer an unlimited annual payout option. When I consider the company's pricing and coverage, I think it's the best pick for dog owners on a budget. The company has the lowest monthly premiums on this list, going as low as $10 per month. 

Then there are the discounts. If you insure multiple pets, you'll receive a 5% discount. If you bundle Lemonade Pet Insurance with another Lemonade policy, such as renters, homeowners, or car insurance, you save up to 10% on both policies. Also, paying your premiums annually instead of paying per month gives you another 5% discount.  

Pros

• Super fast claims processing 

• Affordable premiums

• Simple, app-based experience 

• Multiple discounts 

• Their plans cover curable pre-existing conditions after 12 months in most states

Cons

• No unlimited coverage

• Not available everywhere

• No accident-only option

• Alternative treatments cost extra 

Pets Best

Pets Best was founded in 2005 by Dr. Jack Stephens, the father of pet insurance in North America. The company was created to help pet owners afford veterinary care and prevent economic euthanasia. Pets Best has built a solid reputation for offering flexible, customizable plans,  with policies underwritten by reputable companies like Independence American Insurance and American Pet Insurance. The company insures pets as young as seven weeks old, with no maximum age limit.

Plans

The company offers three main types of coverage: Accident and Illness, Accident-Only, and Wellness Add-Ons. Their Accident and Illness Coverage comes in three tiers: Essential, Plus, and Elite. The Essential plan covers the basics like accidents, illnesses, and prescription meds. The Plus plan adds coverage for exam fees and alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care. The Elite plan is the most comprehensive, covering everything in the Plus plan with higher annual limits. 

For those on a tighter budget, Pets Best offers an Accident-Only plan. This covers treatments for accidents like broken bones or bites but doesn't include illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, or infections. Note that even if Pets Best provides comprehensive coverage, it does not cover pre-existing conditions. However, some curable conditions, such as upper respiratory infections or broken bones, may be covered if they heal completely and do not return. 

Other exclusions include parasite treatment, elective procedures, and non-veterinary expenses. Routine and preventive care are also excluded unless you purchase a wellness plan. The waiting periods for coverage vary by condition: accidents are covered after three days, illnesses after 14 days, and cruciate ligament issues after six months. Wellness plans have no waiting period, allowing you to use them right away. 

Customization

One of the best aspects of Pets Best is its high level of customization. You can select an annual deductible ranging from $50 to $1,000 for accident-and-illness plans, while the accident-only plan has a fixed $250 deductible. When it comes to reimbursement, Pets Best offers 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement options. Accident-only plans automatically reimburse 90% of covered expenses. 

Also, the company offers two wellness plan add-ons: EssentialWellness, which provides $305 in annual benefits, and BestWellness, which offers $535 per year. These wellness plans do not require a deductible and can help cover costs for vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, spaying/neutering, and routine dental cleanings. 

Claims Processing and Reimbursement

Simply submit your claim through the Pets Best website or through the company's mobile app. Most claims are processed within five days. Unlike insurers like ASPCA, Pets Best offers direct vet payments in certain states. That means that instead of paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement, your vet can bill Pets Best directly.

Pros

• Can pay vets directly in some states, reducing out-of-pocket costs

• No maximum age limit

• Fast claims processing, with most resolved within five days

Cons

• Periodontal disease coverage is only available for pets under three years old and only if they've had a professional dental cleaning in the past year

• Reimbursement rates are capped at 90%. No 100% coverage option

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance is one of the most popular pet insurance providers out there, and big-name insurers like Allstate, Geico, and USAA trust it as a third-party provider. The company  offers three main types of coverage: Accident and Illness, Accident-Only, and Wellness Rewards. 

Accident and Illness Coverage

Accident and Illness Coverage is Embrace's flagship plan. It covers everything from emergency treatments, hospitalization, surgery, and diagnostic tests to specialist care and behavioral therapy. It also includes dental illnesses, such as gingivitis, with up to $1,000 per year in coverage. 

The plan also pays for alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and laser therapy. However, you must opt to receive coverage for exam fees and prescription medications, as these are not included by default. This policy remains in effect for life as long as the pet is enrolled before age 14. 

Accident-Only

For senior pets enrolling at age 15 or older, Embrace offers an accident-only plan, which covers emergency situations like broken bones, swallowed objects, and bloat. The accident-only plan has a fixed $100 deductible and reimburses 90% of eligible expenses, with a $5,000 annual limit.

Wellness Rewards

Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional savings plan that reimburses for preventive care expenses. This add-on has no deductible or copay and covers services like vaccinations, spaying and neutering, flea and tick prevention, teeth cleaning, microchipping, grooming, and training sessions. Wellness Rewards also covers cremation or burial costs, which is a rare benefit. 

Since this plan functions more like a reimbursement program than traditional insurance, it won't contribute toward a policy's deductible or out-of-pocket maximums. As with most pet insurance providers, Embrace does not cover pre-existing conditions unless they are curable and have not recurred for over a year. 

It also excludes coverage for breeding-related expenses, cosmetic procedures, injuries caused by fighting or mistreatment, and experimental treatments like DNA testing or cloning. Prescription food and supplements are also not covered unless the pet owner has added Wellness Rewards to their plan.

Customization

One of Embrace's strengths is its flexibility in customizing coverage. You can choose an annual deductible between $100 and $1,000, with reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Annual coverage limits range from $2,000 to unlimited. Then there are the discounts. The company offers a 10% multi-pet discount, a 5% military discount, and a 10% discount for employees who sign up through workplace benefits. 

You can also save up to $12 per year by paying your premium upfront.  Another standout feature is the diminishing deductible, which lowers a pet's deductible by $50 every year if no claims are reimbursed. This unique perk is beneficial for parents with younger, healthy dogs, as it helps reduce long-term out-of-pocket expenses. 

Enrollment and Waiting Period 

Embrace Pet Insurance accepts pets as young as six weeks old and has an enrollment age cap of 14 years for accident and illness policies. The waiting period for coverage is two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and six months for orthopedic conditions. However, you can reduce the orthopedic waiting period to just 14 days by completing an orthopedic exam. There's no waiting period for routine care under Wellness Rewards. 

To enroll, the dog must have had a veterinary exam within the past 12 months or within 14 days of starting the policy. Embrace charges a one-time $25 enrollment fee and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, provided no claims have been filed. You can file a claim online, through the mobile app, or via email, fax, or physical mail. 

However, claims processing takes 10 to 15 business days, which is slower compared to companies like Lemonade. For quicker reimbursement, it's advisable to opt for direct deposit instead of receiving a check by mail. 

Pros

• 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed.

• Covers exam fees, prescription meds, and dental disease.

• Diminishing deductible

Cons

• 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions unless you complete an orthopedic exam waiver.

• No Accident & Illness coverage for dogs older than 14 years

Hartville Pet Insurance

Hartville Pet Insurance has been around since 1997, making it one of the older players in the pet insurance game. It's a solid, budget-friendly option with monthly rates starting as low as $12 for dogs. However, only dogs that are at least 8 weeks old are eligible.  

Plans

The company offers two main plans: Accident and Illness and Accident-Only, along with two optional preventive care packages. The accident and illness plan is comprehensive, covering vet exam fees, dental disease, hereditary conditions, and behavioral treatments.  On the other hand, the accident-only plan offers protection for medical supplies, poison control consultations, tooth extractions, MRIs, and end-of-life expenses. 

To help pet owners manage routine care expenses, Hartville offers two preventive care add-ons: Basic and Prime. The Basic plan covers things like dental cleanings, vaccinations, and fecal tests, while the Prime plan offers higher annual maximums and includes coverage for spaying or neutering. These plans work differently from traditional pet insurance, as they don't have deductibles or copayments. Instead, they offer a set annual budget for specific treatments. 

However, Hartville doesn't cover breeding or pregnancy-related expenses, cosmetic procedures, or experimental treatments. Also, like most insurers, Hartville excludes pre-existing conditions. But there's a silver lining: if your pet shows no signs of a condition for 180 days, it may no longer be considered pre-existing. 

Customization

One of their standout features is their flexibility in pricing and reimbursement options. You can choose an annual deductible of $100, $250, or $500, with reimbursement levels set at 70%, 80%, or 90%. Just like Embrace, Hartville subtracts the deductible from the total vet bill before applying the reimbursement percentage. This leads to higher payouts compared to insurers that do it the other way around. 

Coverage limits range from $2,500 per year to unlimited. Other than the low premiums, Hartville provides a 10% multi-pet discount and offers $24 in savings per year for policyholders who pay annually instead of monthly. 

Enrollment and Waiting Period

The waiting period is 14 days for both accidents and illnesses. You can submit claims online, through the mobile app, or via email, fax, or mail. One major advantage is that you have up to 270 days from the vet visit to submit a claim. This gives you enough time to gather paperwork and process the request. Another benefit is that filing a claim does not cause an increase in policy price. This gives you better financial stability.

Pros

• No price hikes just because you filed a claim.

• Deductibles are as low as $100 annually

• Generous claim window of 270 days

• Multi-pet discounts

• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• No direct vet payments: You'll need to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement

• Doesn't offer coverage for herbal supplements 

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, the best pet insurance company for dogs doesn't mean the cheapest. You need to consider your dog's age, breed-specific health conditions, location, and, of course, your lifestyle. For instance, if your furry friend usually accompanies you on hunting adventures, I recommend getting accident cover from a company that offers unlimited coverage. If your dog is above 10 years old, it's only prudent to get cover from a company that doesn't have a maximum age limit.