Pet Insurance for Dogs: 11 Best Plans to Consider

When you bring a new dog into your home, every pet parent wants to give them the best care possible to ensure a long and healthy life. So we take our dogs for regular veterinary visits, exercise our pups, and feed them a high-quality diet.

However, even if you do everything recommended to keep your dog healthy, accidents and illnesses may occur. And as your dog ages, they will face an increased risk of developing age-related medical conditions that could require some type of medical treatment.

Given the increasing price of veterinary care, such developments often cost pet parents more than they expect. If your dog injures a paw, for example, it could cost you up to $3,000 in medical bills. And this is just for one paw! If your pet requires an overnight hospital stay, that could run you $5,000 or more. 

Not only do pet parents often face the stress of caring for a sick or injured dog, footing the bill for unexpected pet health care costs often proves to be a stressful financial burden, too. That’s one of many reasons more dog parents are turning to pet insurance companies like Lemonade Pet Insurance for help managing pet health care expenses than ever before.

According to a North American Pet Health Insurance Association report, in the United States alone, the number of dogs covered by health insurance jumped a whopping 22 percent in 2020…a far bigger increase than any previous year.   

How Much Is Pet Insurance for Dogs?

So how much will it cost you to insure your dog? That’s the biggest question most pet parents have about pet health insurance. Though health care for dogs can be expensive, it’s important to make sure the monthly cost of insurance fits in your budget, too. Luckily, there are many pet health insurance providers to choose from, with plans to fit just about any budget. 

On average, the cost of pet health insurance for dogs can be as low as $10 a month to $100 or more a month. The reason there’s such a broad range is that pet health insurance costs vary widely based on each dog’s unique profile. Certain factors can increase or decrease the amount you’ll pay for coverage, including your dog’s breed, age, and whether they’ve been diagnosed with any specific illnesses or conditions before you apply for pet health insurance coverage.  

For example, a purebred dog like a Bulldog would be more expensive to insure than a mixed-breed dog. That’s because some breeds are predisposed to hereditary health problems, which can require more frequent visits to the veterinarian and increased care costs.

Most pet insurance companies will not insure a dog with preexisting conditions. So it’s a good idea to insure your dog when they’re still a puppy. The monthly premiums are often less expensive for younger dogs, and it’s a good way to secure coverage before any age-related conditions develop.

The cost of dog health insurance plans can also vary depending on the plan you choose and where you live. In a city like Los Angeles, it would be more expensive to insure your dog than if you lived in a rural town in Minnesota.

The other factors that affect the price of your insurance policy are the type of coverage you choose, the premiums, the deductible, reimbursement, and payout limits. Most dog owners start with a comprehensive coverage option because that covers almost all accidents, illnesses, and medical bills. But you can reduce the cost of pet insurance for your dog by selecting a policy that doesn’t cover as much. Or, you can opt for a higher deductible to lower your monthly premium. But keep in mind that means you will pay more out of pocket until you meet your deductible and the insurance coverage kicks in.

To learn how much it could cost to insure your dog, get started by using the insurance finder below to find a personalized plan for your pup: 

Is Pet Insurance Worth It for a Dog? 

In the eyes of some pet parents, pet insurance for dogs might seem like an unnecessary expense. After all, if you have a healthy dog, there could be months where you do not need to visit the veterinarian, yet you’d still be paying the monthly premium.

However, that logic falls apart the minute a dog experiences an unexpected (and costly) accident or illness. Then all those monthly premiums are well worth the expense if insurance can help shoulder the burden of your pet’s veterinary bills.   

You never want to wait until you need pet health insurance to get it. If you do, you’re likely to pay more for the coverage than you would have before your pet’s accident, injury, or illness. And even if you do end up paying more, think of it as an investment in your dog’s health and your own peace of mind. You always want to know that you have the resources to help pay for the care that your dog needs, and pet health insurance delivers just that. 

How to Compare Pet Insurance Plans for Dogs 

Once you’ve decided to invest in a pet health insurance policy for your dog, it’s important to do your homework and carefully research providers before requesting a quote from two to three of your top picks. 

Start your research by asking friends and family to see if anyone has first-hand experience working with a reputable pet health insurance provider. Also, research companies online and check reviews. What you’re looking for is a company with a good reputation, satisfied customers, and a policy of reimbursing policyholders for medical expenses promptly. 

Next, make sure that the companies on your shortlist provide the kind of pet health insurance coverage you’re looking for. Be sure to read the fine print if coverage for specific conditions is a must. Most insurance plans will cover a wide variety of health issues, but certain breeds require different coverage.

For example, if you have a Labrador Retriever, they are predisposed to hip issues and can develop hip dysplasia later in life. Therefore, you should make sure you choose a provider that covers hip and joint issues and confirm that all breeds are eligible.  

If you have any questions about the coverage, call the company and they should be able to walk you through the best coverage for your dog and answer all your questions.

Which Pet Insurances Ranked in Our Top 11?

Considering price, coverage level, benefit limits, customer reviews, and overall satisfaction, we narrowed the best pet insurance plans down to eleven choices. Here’s what made our list:

• Best Overall Pet Insurance for Dogs: Lemonade Pet Insurance
• Best Affordable Pet Insurance for Dogs: MetLife Pet Insurance
• Best Comprehensive Pet Insurance for Dogs: Spot Pet Insurance
• Best User-Friendly Pet Insurance for Dogs: Fetch by The Dodo
• Best Pet Insurance for Rescue Dogs: Healthy Paws
• Best Pet Insurance for Large Breed Dogs: Figo
• Best Pet Insurance for Purebred Dogs: Embrace Pet Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance for Older Dogs: Pets Best
• Best Multi-Pet Insurance for Dogs: ASPCA
• Best Pet Insurance for Dogs with Pre-Existing Conditions: 24PetWatch
• Best Pet Insurance for Small Dogs: Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Best Pet Insurance for Dogs: 11 Plans to Consider

To help you get a head start on your research, we’ve compiled a list of top providers for you to consider when shopping around for pet health insurance. We considered a number of factors, including providers with the best prices, levels of coverage, benefit limits, customer reviews, and more.

The monthly premiums listed are what the average dog pet health insurance policyholder would pay. Actual premiums will vary depending on the age of your dog, breed, where you live, and the plan you choose.

Best Overall Pet Insurance for Dogs

Our pick: Lemonade Pet Insurance for Cats and Dogs

Lemonade, a brand that’s well-known for renters and homeowner’s insurance, first launched insurance plans just for pets in 2020. But it didn’t take long for this innovative, tech-forward brand to shoot to the top of our list as the best overall pet insurance brand out there.

With plans starting as low as $10 per month, super-simple sign-up, and super-fast claims payments powered by AI, Lemonade truly is at the head of the pet insurance pack.

Lemonade offers pet insurance plans with add-ons depending on your pet’s individual needs. You can build the exact plan you desire and add on optional coverage, as needed. Upon policy activation, there is a short waiting period until your dog or cat’s claims are eligible for submission and reimbursement.

The basic plans cover illnesses and accidents that occur or are diagnosed after the policy’s waiting period, including things like cancer, heart disease, injuries, skin conditions, poisoning, and more. Add-ons include vet visit fees, physical therapy visits, and preventative screenings.

Packages vary depending on your pet’s breed and age, where you live, and the plan you choose. Deductible options are $100, $250, or $500 per month with a reimbursement rate of 70, 80, or 90 percent. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. Benefit limitations range between $5,000 to $100,000.

Lemonade’s basic accident and illness policy includes:

• Diagnostics: Blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and laboratory work
• Procedures: Outpatient, specialty, and emergency care, hospitalization, and surgery
• Medications: Injections or prescription medications

Online reviews for Lemonade Pet Insurance are extremely positive. Policyholders pay an annual deductible and not per incident. There are no lifetime payout limits on their plans, and coverage is available for pets between 8 weeks old and 20+ years, depending on the breed.

Another benefit policyholders like: Lemonade’s speedy, no-hassle claims payments. One-third of Lemonade claims are paid algorithmically within three seconds.

Highlights 

•  Easily file claims through Lemonade’s AI-based user-friendly app
• Sign-up and claim processing are easy and fast
• No accident waiting periods
• No pre-approval of procedures or estimates in advance of your pet’s treatment
• 10 percent discount on pet insurance when bundled with your Lemonade renters, homeowners, car, condo, or co-op insurance
• Preventative+ package covers routine dental cleaning and heartworm medication.

Things to Consider

• The basic policy covers many of your pet’s health-related expenses, but add-ons available to cover more
• Pet insurance is not available in every state

Best Affordable Pet Insurance for Dogs

Our pick: MetLife Pet Insurance

Whether you’re shopping for car insurance, home insurance, life insurance for yourself, or pet insurance for Fido, most consumers want the best possible coverage at the lowest possible cost. And with MetLife Pet Insurance, that’s exactly what you get!

While most other pet insurance companies are new to the industry, MetLife is a longtime leader in the insurance arena, with a history stretching back over 150 years and a global reputation for excellence. All that experience adds up to award-winning insurance coverage for dogs of all breeds and ages (even seniors!) at surprisingly affordable prices for pet parents.

MetLife Pet Insurance plans are incredibly flexible and customizable, allowing pet parents to adjust plan options, deductible amounts, and reimbursement rates until they get the coverage they want at a price they can afford.

For example, you can set your maximum annual benefit between $2,000 to $10,000, choose a deductible as low as $50 and up to $500, and elect to be reimbursed for your pet’s covered healthcare costs at a rate of 70% up to 100%.

Plus, MetLife also stands out from industry newcomers by offering benefits that many of its competitors don’t, including no breed exclusions, no waiting period for injury coverage (and one of the shortest waiting periods for illness coverage), family plans that cover multiple pets under one policy, super-speedy claims payments, and no upper age restrictions.

Optional Preventive Care coverage, easy enrollment, a powerful mobile app, and the freedom to use whatever veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist you’d like round out MetLife’s stellar offerings, making it a flexible and budget-friendly option for dog parents seeking a proven pet insurance option.

Highlights

• Pet insurance policies for dogs start as low as $15 per month, depending on your pet’s risk, breed, species, and age.
• You can customize your deductible and reimbursement rates to get the coverage you want at a premium that works with your budget.
• MetLife Pet Insurance was named “Pet Insurance of the Year” at the 2022 Pet Independent Innovation Awards.
• Users rave about speedy reimbursement payments. Nearly all claims are processed within 10 days or less.
• Family Plan option lets you include all your pets under one policy…and one deductible. 
• 24/7 veterinary hotline.
• Get your custom quote in under 2 minutes.

Things to Consider

• There is a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage, whereas many other plans require a waiting period of 2-4 weeks.
• Some users say submitting a claim is easier to do online than through the mobile app.

Best Comprehensive Pet Insurance for Dogs 

Our pick: Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance is a relative newcomer to the pet insurance industry. The company launched in 2019 with pet insurance plans that soon started generating a lot of buzz. Spot offers extremely affordable, customizable plans.

Spot Pet Insurance also offers an extremely comprehensive accident and illness policy, as well as an accident-only policy. There is no maximum age limit on their pet insurance policies, which is great news for parents of senior dogs. You can also add competitively priced preventative care and wellness to your insurance plan for an additional fee. 

The average price for a dog on Spot Pet Insurance is $40 a month, though costs vary depending on the plan and options you choose. You can customize your plan by choosing a deductible level ranging from $100 to $1,000 and a reimbursement percentage of 70, 80, or 90 percent. Benefit limitations are also customizable ranging from $2,500 to unlimited. Spot is one of the few providers that offer unlimited payouts.

Online reviews for Spot Pet Insurance are very positive, and members commend their great customer service, customizable pricing, and speedy claims reimbursement.

Highlights

• Affordable, customizable options.
• Training articles from renowned dog behaviorists.
• A 30-day guarantee and the ability to cancel anytime.
• 10 percent multi-pet discounts as well as a 24/7 vet hotline.
• Coverage for alternative therapies such as acupuncture.
• A $25 Amazon gift card when you sign up!

Things to Consider

• There is a 14-day waiting period for accident coverage, whereas some other plans cover accidents in a few days.
• If a dog has a knee injury before enrolling in their plan, Spot won’t cover the other leg if another injury occurs. 

Best User-Friendly Pet Insurance for Dogs

Our pick: Fetch by The Dodo

When it comes to managing your dog’s health, the last thing pet parents need is the headache of dealing with an overly-complex insurance company. That’s why Fetch gets our vote for ease of use and stellar customer service. Fetch is also a solid option for pet parents who want a large breadth of coverage with a higher reimbursement amount (and no headaches)! 

Future accidents and illnesses are Fetch’s specialties. Anything you can foresee or plan for is covered by Fetch, such as ingesting a foreign object, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears, broken teeth, or kidney disease. 

Unlike some pet insurance plans, Fetch does not require using a specific network of veterinarians. Policyholders may choose to use their existing veterinarian or any other licensed veterinarian in the United States or Canada, including emergency clinics and specialists.

A unique perk Fetch offers is reimbursement of up to $1,000 for virtual veterinary visits. The policyholder can use any virtual veterinarian they choose.

One simple plan from Fetch covers things like virtual veterinary visits, breed-specific conditions, specialist veterinary visits, cancer treatment, surgery and rehabilitation, imaging and ultrasound, holistic and chiropractic care, and much more.

Highlights

• Supplements recommended by your veterinarian for a covered condition are covered.
• Pet parents who travel to different states or across the Canadian border will have coverage, as Fetch can be used with any licensed veterinarian in the United States or Canada. 
• If your pet gets sick with anything from vomiting to diarrhea, heart disease to cancer, Fetch covers it.
• Fetch covers specialty visits like oncologists, cardiologists, and orthopedists, along with emergency veterinary visits.
• Fast turnaround time with claims processing and most payments made within 15 days.

Things to Consider

• Routine and preventive care are not covered. This includes things like teeth cleaning, spaying or neutering, routine checkups, and vaccinations.
• Any pre-existing conditions and prescription food are not covered. 
• Things that happen to your pet before or during the 15-day waiting period for the policy to take effect are not covered. 

Best Pet Insurance for Rescue Dogs 

Our pick: Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws is one of the more popular pet insurance companies and has been in business since 2009. They are often ranked in the top five best pet insurance companies annually.

Healthy Paws offers unlimited benefits on all of their plans, which is very rare in the pet insurance marketplace. When you rescue a dog and aren’t sure of the dog’s breed or origin, having unlimited benefits can save you a lot of money on pet health payments if an unexpected medical condition arises.

The average cost for a dog on Healthy Paws insurance is $35 a month, though a variety of factors can affect your monthly premiums. Healthy Paws offers deductible options of $100, $250, or $500, and reimbursement rates of 70, 80, or 90 percent. The higher deductible that you choose, the lower your premium will be on your vet bills. The best perk about Healthy Paws is that they offer unlimited benefits for all of their plans! This isn’t just annual but for the lifetime of your pet. 

Healthy Paws reimburses its members on the actual vet bill and claims are processed within 30 days. All claims can be processed through their online portal or app.

Highlights

• Great customer reviews.
• Unlimited benefits on all of their plans.
• Comprehensive offerings.
• No restrictions for hereditary/congenital conditions.
• Offers alternative therapy treatments.

Things to Consider

• No wellness program option.
• Dogs older than 13 are not covered.

Best Pet Insurance for Large Breed Dogs

Our pick: Figo

Figo has emerged as one of the more popular pet insurance companies among tech-savvy pet parents. Figo started selling policies in 2012 and is a part of Google’s Tech Hub Network, which offers a range of convenient, tech-enhanced benefits. 

Figo is one of the few providers that offer a paperless claim process. Figo’s Pet Cloud, their mobile app, makes covering a claim quick and efficient. You can upload your pets’ medical records on their app and get customer service questions answered. Pet Cloud can also send you reminders about upcoming veterinary appointments and even connect with other pet owners that are nearby or on their network.

Figo does not offer a wellness program option, but they do offer alternative therapies and reimbursement for annual vet visits. This can be a great option for large breed dogs who can benefit from acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and other alternative therapy options.

Another stand-out perk: As part of their top-tier plan, Figo offers a lost pet reward if your pet ever gets lost.

Figo’s prices are a little higher than most; their average premium for dogs is approximately $48 a month. You can choose a range of different deductibles from $50 to $500 and reimbursement rates of 70, 80, 90, or even 100 percent — Figo is one of the only pet insurance providers that offers a 100 percent reimbursement option. They also give you several benefit limit options: $10,000, $14,000, and unlimited…with the no-cap option only offered in the most expensive plan.

Figo’s claims are typically processed in a few days and reimbursed immediately if you have signed up for direct deposit.

Highlights: 

• Geared toward the tech-savvy. 
• 100% reimbursement rate option.
• No deductible or co-pay for lifesaving care.
• There is no upper age limit.

Things to Consider:

• More expensive than most other providers.
• The unlimited benefits option is only available on their most expensive plan.

Best Pet Insurance for Purebred Dogs 

Our pick: Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace pet insurance has top customer reviews and an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. They were founded in 2003 and are always mentioned among the best pet insurance providers.

What makes Embrace unique is they offer alternative therapies as well as prosthetics even in their most basic plan. Their wellness plans include spaying and neutering, dental visits, annual vet visits, and other wellness options. Embrace also covers hereditary and congenital conditions with no per-incident or per-condition limits at no added cost. That’s what makes Embrace a great choice for purebred dogs, especially those at risk of developing breed-specific congenital conditions.

The average Embrace premium for dogs is approximately $35 a month. Wellness plans with a stipend of $250 to $650 can be added for $18 to $59 a month. Embrace offers deductible choices of either $200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000 and reimbursement choices of 65, 70, 80, or 90 percent. Embrace gives you a few choices of annual benefit limits that range from $5,000 to $30,000. You can also opt for unlimited benefits, but only when enrolling over the phone.

Embrace’s claim process is easy and can be done through their MyEmbrace online account. They also have a 24/7 pet helpline where you can get advice any time from a vet in real time!

Highlights: 

• Flexible plans.
• $50 off the next policy year for a healthy pet.
• Well-rounded coverage.
• Wellness plan options for an additional cost.
• Have access to a 24/7 pet helpline.

Things to Consider:

• More expensive than other providers.

Best Pet Insurance for Older Dogs

Our pick: Pets Best 

Pets Best has been in business since 2005 and is a well-known customer favorite. They also have an A rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The average premium for dogs is approximately $30 a month. Pets Best offers two wellness program options that can be added to their basic plan for an additional $16 a month. They also cover alternative therapies, but only on their top-tier plan. And there is no upper age limit for dogs!

Pets Best offers per-incident deductible choices from $50 to $1,000 and reimbursement options of 70, 80, and 90 percent. You can choose a basic plan with a $5,000 benefit limit all the way up to unlimited benefits on their Elite plan. Keep in mind: $5,000 is a pretty low limit considering an injured or sick pet can rack that up in just one hospital visit.

Pet’s Best claims can be uploaded on their site or their mobile app and are typically reimbursed quickly and within five days. They also have a 24/7 pet helpline with questions about your pet, which is a nice addition.

Highlights: 

• Offers wellness programs at an additional cost.
• Three different choice plans from an inexpensive accident-only plan to their pricey Elite plan.
• Low premiums.
• 24/7 vet help hotline.
• No age limits on dogs.

Things to Consider:

• Their basic plan has a low $5,000 cap on benefits.

Best Multi-Pet Insurance for Dogs

Our pick: ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a long history of protecting the interests of animals. And in 2006, the organization extended those services to include pet insurance policies for cats and dogs.

ASPCA’s coverage varies depending on the plan that you choose. The average premium for dogs is approximately $40 a month for their most comprehensive plan. If you have more than one pet, you can save 10 percent off the base plan premium for each additional pet that you insure. That makes ASPCA pet insurance a great choice for multi-pet households…over a year, those premium savings really add up!  

ASPCA offers four different plan options. Level One is a basic accident-only plan. Level Two covers accidents and illnesses. Level Three covers hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative therapies, and even behavioral issues. And their Complete Coverage plan offers the most comprehensive coverage, with no incident caps or separate limits on hereditary and congenital conditions.

ASPCA offers three deductible choices of $100, $250, and $500, as well as reimbursement options of 70, 80, or 90 percent. The more basic plans have a per-incident benefit limit, which means that there is a cap on each new accident, illness, or ailment. This can be problematic if your pet has a chronic disease such as cancer that needs continuous treatment.

ASPCA claims can be processed via fax, mail, or online. The typical reimbursement time is two weeks.

Highlights: 

• Four different coverage plans. 
• No waiting period for coverage.
• 30-day money back guarantee.
• 10 percent discount on each pet you enroll.

Things to Consider:

• Their per-incident limit on basic plans is too low for dogs with long-term illnesses.
• Their premiums are slightly higher than others in the market.

Best Pet Insurance for Dogs with Pre-Existing Conditions

Our pick: 24PetWatch

24PetWatch offers dog insurance with flexible and affordable plans. We like that due to the very extensive accident and illness coverage, it can be a great option for dogs with pre-existing conditions.

Further, because they offer a per-incident coverage option, dogs with pre-existing conditions can get other conditions covered that were not existing prior to signing up. Plus, additional coverage applies to such things as boarding, trip cancellation, and lost pet recovery costs. 

24PetWatch offers a few different plans and deductible options:

• The Extra Plan offers deductibles of $100 or $250 and up to $3,000 of annual payouts.
• The Classic Plan has deductible choices of $100, $250, or $500 and up to $5,000 annual payouts.
• The Super Plan has deductible choices of $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 and up to $10,000 in annual payouts.
• The Champion Plan has deductible choices of $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 and up to $20,000 in annual payouts.

Of course, the coverage you choose will affect the monthly premium rates. However, the average monthly premium for dogs is approximately $40 a month.

Highlights: 

• The different coverage options offer a lot of flexibility.
• There is extensive coverage for accidents and illnesses.
• Getting quotes and claims repaid are very simple and efficient.
• The payout is based on the actual vet bill.

Things to Consider: 

• The pricing is a bit higher than most due to the limitations of coverage.
• Dogs only up to 11 years old can be insured.

Best Pet Insurance for Small Dogs

Our pick: Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin Pet Insurance is our choice for the best provider for small dogs because their monthly premiums are very reasonable. And since smaller dogs are, in general, less likely to rack up expensive medical care bills than larger dogs, budget-friendly Pumpkin insurance is a great pick. A Pumpkin pet insurance plan can help you keep your dog covered against unexpected accidents and illnesses without breaking the bank.  

Pumpkin is another relatively new provider of pet insurance as it started to offer policies in 2019.

Their coverage includes the standard services most insurers cover. Similar to most, dental illness is covered but not dental cleaning. Though they offer a preventative care package for vaccinations, dental cleanings, and testing for parasites.

The average monthly premium for dogs is $45 for dogs. Pumpkin offers deductible options of $100, $250, or $500. The only reimbursement option available is for 90 percent. And their annual payout limit options are either $10,000 or $20,000 for dogs.

Highlights: 

• Package tailored for puppies is very affordable.
• Multi-pet discount.
• Covers chronic conditions and dental disease.

Things to Consider:

• Only two annual coverage limits.
• Only one reimbursement choice.

Of course, the best pet insurance for your dog depends on the dog’s breed, your budget, and what each provider offers. Make sure to get a quote from at least two to three different pet insurance companies to find the best pet insurance for your dog.