Best Pet Insurance
of 2026
1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment at some point in their lives, and a single surgery can cost thousands of dollars with no warning. Pet insurance reimburses a portion of qualifying veterinary bills after you pay the vet, helping absorb the cost of accidents, illnesses, and in some plans, routine preventive care. This guide covers the best pet insurance companies of 2026 for dogs and cats — what each plan covers, the key policy decisions that determine what you actually get back, and how to choose the right coverage before your pet needs it.
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⚠️ Insurance Disclaimer
NME is not a licensed insurance agent or veterinary professional. The information on this page is for educational and comparison purposes only and does not constitute insurance or veterinary advice. Pet insurance coverage, premiums, waiting periods, exclusions, and availability vary by carrier, plan, state, species, breed, age, and health history. Most pet insurance products are reimbursement-based — you pay the vet first, then file a claim. Pre-existing conditions are excluded by virtually all pet insurance policies. Always read your full policy terms, including the definition of pre-existing condition and any breed-specific exclusions, before enrolling. Policy details cited reflect standard terms and may vary by state and enrollment date.
How NME ranks the best pet insurance plans: We evaluated pet insurance providers across five independent criteria — coverage depth (which conditions, treatments, and care types are covered in the base policy vs. requiring add-ons), policy flexibility (reimbursement percentage options, annual deductible range, annual limit options including unlimited), claim processing speed and payment method (how quickly claims are resolved and whether direct vet pay is available), key exclusions (what’s specifically excluded and how pre-existing conditions and waiting periods are handled), and use-case fit (which pet profiles, budgets, and coverage goals each plan serves best). Pet insurance is a reimbursement product — you pay the vet, then file a claim for covered expenses. Ranking reflects standard policy terms; actual coverage and premiums vary by pet’s age, breed, species, health history, and state of enrollment. NME does not use NAIC complaint data as a primary ranking metric for pet insurance since most pet insurers are administered by MGAs (Managing General Agents) whose complaint data is reported under underwriting carriers rather than the branded product name.
⭐ NME Top Pick — Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws earns the top position for best pet insurance based on its unlimited annual benefits — no cap per incident, no cap per condition, no annual limit on reimbursements — combined with a below-average NAIC complaint ratio for its underwriting carrier (Chubb’s Federal Insurance Company) and a consistently fast claims processing track record. The 70%, 80%, and 90% reimbursement options allow households to match the plan to their budget while maintaining unlimited coverage depth. Healthy Paws is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. for dogs and cats, with no annual or lifetime payout caps on any enrolled pet.
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Plans for 2026
Side-by-side look at coverage type, reimbursement options, annual deductible range, and annual limit across all ten reviewed pet insurance plans.
| Company | Coverage Type | Reimbursement | Annual Deductible | Annual Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Paws | Accident & Illness | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100–$500 | ⭐Unlimited |
| Trupanion | Accident & Illness | 90% (fixed) | ⭐$0–$1,000 (per condition) | ⭐Unlimited |
| Embrace | Accident & Illness + Wellness | 70%, 80%, 90% | $200–$1,000 | $5K–$30K or Unlimited |
| Lemonade | Accident & Illness + Add-ons | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100–$500 | $5K–$100K |
| Fetch | Accident & Illness (comprehensive) | 70%, 80%, 90% | $300–$500 | $5K–$15K |
| Pets Best | Accident & Illness + Wellness | 70%, 80%, 90% | ⭐$50–$1,000 (lowest minimum) | $2.5K–$10K or Unlimited |
| Pumpkin | Accident & Illness + Preventive | ⭐90% (standard, no reduction) | $100–$500 | $10K–$20K |
| Spot | Accident & Illness + Preventive | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100–$1,000 | $2.5K–Unlimited |
| Figo | Accident & Illness + Wellness | ⭐70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | $100–$1,500 | $5K–$10K or Unlimited |
| Nationwide | Accident & Illness + Wellness + Exotic | 50%–90% | $250 | $10K or Unlimited (Whole Pet) |
Coverage Type indicates what the base accident-and-illness policy includes. Wellness and preventive care add-ons are optional on most plans; Pumpkin and Nationwide include preventive plans as separate purchasable products. Trupanion’s deductible is per-condition for the life of the pet (once met, Trupanion pays 90% of covered costs for that condition indefinitely) rather than annual. Reimbursement percentage and deductible options affect both monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs per claim — higher reimbursement and lower deductibles produce higher premiums. All plans exclude pre-existing conditions. Annual Limit reflects maximum reimbursement per policy year across all claims; Unlimited plans have no cap on total reimbursements per year.
Best Pet Insurance Reviews: 10 Plans Evaluated
Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual benefits with no per-incident caps, no per-condition limits, and no lifetime payout maximum — the cleanest unlimited benefit structure of any plan in this review. Coverage includes accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, diagnostic tests, and alternative therapies. Reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, and 90% with annual deductibles from $100 to $500 allow premium-to-coverage calibration by household budget. Policies are underwritten by Chubb’s Federal Insurance Company; claims are processed quickly with reimbursement by check or direct deposit and a mobile app for claim submission.
Pros
- Truly unlimited annual benefits — no cap on any covered condition
- Hereditary and congenital conditions covered
- 70%, 80%, 90% reimbursement options; $100–$500 deductible
- Available all 50 states; Chubb underwriting
Cons
- No wellness or preventive care add-on available
- Exam fees not covered (treatment-only reimbursement)
Trupanion’s defining structural advantage is its per-condition deductible: you meet the deductible once per condition, for the lifetime of the pet, and Trupanion then pays 90% of covered costs for that condition indefinitely. For pets diagnosed with ongoing chronic conditions — allergies, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease — this structure prevents repeated annual deductible payments that compound costs over years of treatment. VetDirect Pay allows participating veterinarians to collect from Trupanion at checkout, eliminating the claims reimbursement cycle entirely for enrolled vet practices. Coverage is available in all 50 states for dogs and cats with unlimited annual benefits and no payout cap.
Pros
- Per-condition lifetime deductible — pay once per condition, not annually
- VetDirect Pay — vet collects at checkout with no claims filing needed
- 90% reimbursement; unlimited annual benefits
- Covers hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions
Cons
- 90% reimbursement only — no option to adjust to 70% or 80%
- No wellness or preventive care add-on; exam fees excluded from base
Embrace offers the most flexible policy structure in this review: reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90%; annual deductibles from $200 to $1,000; annual limits from $5,000 to $30,000 or unlimited; and a wellness rewards account as an optional add-on for routine care. The Healthy Pet Deductible is a standout feature — Embrace reduces the annual deductible by $50 for every year the policy renews without a claim, rewarding healthy pets with steadily lower out-of-pocket costs. Coverage includes accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative therapies, MRI and CT scans, and behavioral therapy. Available for dogs and cats in all 50 states with exam fee coverage available as an add-on.
Pros
- Diminishing deductible: $50 off per claim-free year
- Widest range of annual limit options ($5K–$30K or unlimited)
- Wellness Rewards account for routine care
- MRI, CT scans, and behavioral therapy covered
Cons
- Annual deductible starts at $200 — higher floor than some competitors
- Premiums can be above average for senior pets
Lemonade’s pet insurance is the most digitally accessible plan in this review — enrollment, claims submission, and policy management are entirely app-based, and approximately 40% of claims are reimbursed instantly through AI processing without human review. Coverage includes accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, and behavioral issues with no breed exclusions on base coverage. Optional add-ons include vet visit fee coverage, dental illness, physical therapy, and three wellness plan tiers. Available in 42 states and Washington, D.C. for dogs and cats with annual limits from $5,000 to $100,000; policyholders who bundle with Lemonade homeowners, renters, or auto can save up to 10% on pet premiums.
Pros
- ~40% of claims reimbursed instantly via AI — fastest in this review
- No breed exclusions on base coverage
- Multi-policy bundle discount up to 10%
- Optional wellness add-ons and dental illness coverage
Cons
- Available in only 42 states — not all 50
- Annual limit caps at $100K (not unlimited)
Fetch (formerly Petplan) provides the most comprehensive base coverage of any plan in this review — the standard policy includes dental illness coverage including periodontal disease (the most common disease in dogs and cats), lost pet advertising, theft protection, exam fees for accident and illness visits, and behavioral issue treatment without requiring add-ons that other carriers charge extra for. Mental health support for pet owners (grief counseling through a third-party service) is also included. Reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, and 90% with annual limits from $5,000 to $15,000 apply to covered conditions, and claims are processed in as little as 24 hours in many cases. Available for dogs and cats in all 50 states.
Pros
- Dental illness coverage including periodontal disease — included standard
- Exam fees, lost pet, theft, and behavioral treatment included in base
- No add-ons required for comprehensive coverage
- Claims processed within 24 hours in many cases
Cons
- Annual limit caps at $15K — no unlimited option
- Annual deductible starts at $300 — higher floor than some competitors
Pets Best offers the lowest annual deductible minimum in this review at $50 — meaningful for households who want coverage to activate quickly on lower-cost claims without a large annual out-of-pocket threshold. Direct vet payment is available at participating clinics, removing the reimbursement waiting period for covered expenses at enrolled practices. Base accident-and-illness coverage includes hereditary conditions, congenital disorders, cancer, orthopedic conditions after the waiting period, and alternative therapies; optional wellness add-ons cover routine care including exams, vaccinations, and dental cleanings. An unlimited annual limit option is available for dogs and cats in all 50 states.
Pros
- $50 minimum annual deductible — lowest of any plan reviewed
- Direct vet payment at participating practices
- Wellness add-ons available; unlimited limit option
- Available all 50 states for dogs and cats
Cons
- Base annual limits max at $10K without upgrading to unlimited tier
- Exam fees not covered in base policy
Pumpkin standardizes at 90% reimbursement — policyholders cannot reduce it to 70% or 80% to lower premiums — which means every Pumpkin plan returns 90 cents on every covered dollar above the deductible, regardless of plan tier. Coverage includes microchip implantation, stem cell therapy, pet poison control consultation, and a pet poison control hotline, going beyond the standard accident-and-illness coverage most competitors offer. The Preventive Essentials add-on covers annual wellness exams, vaccines, heartworm tests, flea prevention, and screenings — and for puppies and kittens, Pumpkin refunds the cost of vaccines and fecal tests the pet received before enrollment. Available in all 50 states for dogs and cats with annual limits of $10,000 to $20,000.
Pros
- 90% reimbursement standard — no reduction option
- Microchip, stem cell therapy, and poison control included
- Preventive Essentials add-on refunds pre-enrollment puppy/kitten vaccines
Cons
- No ability to lower reimbursement to reduce premiums
- Annual limit caps at $20K — no unlimited option
Spot stands out for having no upper age limit for enrollment — dogs and cats of any age can enroll — making it the strongest option for owners of senior pets who haven’t previously purchased pet insurance and want to start coverage late in their pet’s life. Annual limits range from $2,500 to unlimited, giving budget-sensitive buyers a lower-cost entry point alongside comprehensive coverage for those who want uncapped benefits. Preventive care add-ons are available to cover routine care, and the accident-only plan starts at accessible premium levels for owners who want basic protection without full illness coverage. Available in all 50 states for dogs and cats.
Pros
- No maximum enrollment age — senior pets welcome
- Annual limits from $2,500 to unlimited
- Accident-only plan available for budget entry
- Preventive care add-on available
Cons
- Higher premiums for older pets at enrollment vs. younger competitors
- Premiums among the higher end for equivalent coverage
Figo is the only pet insurance plan in this review offering a 100% reimbursement option — meaning the full covered cost above the deductible is reimbursed with no copay, a structure that is particularly valuable for high-cost procedures where even a 10% copay can represent hundreds of dollars. The Figo Pet Cloud app stores veterinary records, provides 24/7 live vet access, and includes a personalized pet tag that helps locate lost pets — digital tools that extend value beyond the core insurance product. Coverage includes accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, congenital disorders, chronic conditions, and emergency boarding, underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company. Most Figo claims close in less than three days, with annual limits of $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
Pros
- Up to 100% reimbursement — only plan in this review with no copay option
- Pet Cloud app: medical records, 24/7 live vet, lost pet tracking
- Claims close within 3 days in most cases
Cons
- 100% reimbursement option carries significantly higher premiums
- Annual limit max of $10K without upgrading to unlimited tier
Nationwide is the only pet insurance provider in this review that covers exotic pets — birds, rabbits, reptiles, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other small mammals — alongside cats and dogs, making it the only viable option for owners of non-dog/non-cat household animals. The Whole Pet plan provides accident-and-illness coverage with unlimited annual benefits and integrated wellness coverage for routine care. The Major Medical plan offers budget-focused accident-and-illness coverage at lower premiums with a $10,000 annual limit. Nationwide’s pet insurance is sold at petinsurance.com (not nationwide.com) and is underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, a Nationwide subsidiary with over 45 years in the pet insurance market.
Pros
- Only plan in this review covering exotic pets (birds, reptiles, small mammals)
- Whole Pet plan includes unlimited annual benefits + wellness
- 45+ year veterinary pet insurance history
Cons
- Annual deductible set at $250 — no option to customize
- Reimbursement percentages lower than average (50%–90% depending on plan)
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance
Six decisions that determine what you actually get back when your pet needs care.
Buy Before Your Pet Has a Health Problem
All pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions — any health issue that shows clinical signs before the policy’s effective date or during the waiting period will not be covered. This makes timing critical: the younger and healthier your pet is at enrollment, the more conditions will be eligible for coverage throughout the pet’s lifetime. A puppy enrolled at 8 weeks has no pre-existing conditions to exclude. A 7-year-old dog with a history of joint issues will have those joints excluded from coverage permanently. The most common and expensive mistake in pet insurance is waiting until a health issue has already appeared before shopping for coverage.
Unlimited vs. Annual Limit — Know the Ceiling
An annual limit is the maximum total the insurer will reimburse across all claims in a policy year. A $5,000 limit means a single major surgery can exhaust your annual benefits. A $10,000 limit provides more buffer but still creates a ceiling. Unlimited annual benefits (Healthy Paws, Trupanion, and unlimited tiers from Embrace, Pets Best, and Spot) mean no cap on total reimbursements per year — meaning a pet with a complex illness requiring multiple hospitalizations is covered for the full insured percentage of all costs. For breeds prone to expensive conditions — English Bulldogs, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Maine Coons — unlimited coverage is generally the safer long-term structure.
Annual Deductible vs. Per-Condition Deductible
An annual deductible resets each policy year — you pay it once, then the insurer reimburses covered costs for the rest of the year. A per-condition deductible (Trupanion) is met once per condition for the lifetime of the pet — after meeting the deductible for a specific diagnosis, Trupanion reimburses 90% of that condition’s covered costs forever. Annual deductibles favor healthy pets that have one or two large claims in a year. Per-condition deductibles favor pets with chronic ongoing conditions requiring recurring treatment. If your pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition, Trupanion’s structure eventually pays significantly more than annual-deductible plans that reset the deductible every January.
Reimbursement Percentage — The Math Behind Your Payout
Reimbursement percentage is the share of covered costs the insurer pays after the deductible is met. A 90% plan pays $900 on a $1,000 covered bill after the deductible; a 70% plan pays $700. Pumpkin standardizes at 90% with no lower option. Figo uniquely offers 100% reimbursement — no copay — at higher premium cost. The right percentage depends on how much out-of-pocket cost you want to absorb per claim: lower reimbursement percentage means lower monthly premiums but more out-of-pocket at claim time. For high-frequency care scenarios, higher reimbursement percentages are more financially protective despite their higher monthly cost.
Waiting Periods — When Coverage Actually Starts
Most pet insurance policies have waiting periods after enrollment before coverage activates. Standard periods are 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months to 12 months for orthopedic conditions including cruciate ligament injuries. This means a dog that sprains a leg during the accident waiting period or tears a cruciate during the orthopedic waiting period won’t have that claim covered. Accident coverage beginning immediately at enrollment is available from a small number of plans. The orthopedic waiting period is the most financially consequential — cruciate ligament surgery is among the most common and expensive claims in pet insurance, and waiting periods up to 12 months effectively exclude the most expensive claims window in a dog’s first year of coverage.
Wellness Plans — Separate Product, Separate Decision
Wellness or preventive care plans reimburse routine care costs — annual exams, vaccinations, heartworm and flea testing, dental cleanings — that standard accident-and-illness policies don’t cover. Wellness coverage is typically sold as an add-on to an accident-and-illness policy and is a pre-paid routine care plan rather than traditional insurance (you’ll generally get back close to what you pay in). The decision is simple: if you reliably spend the annual wellness plan cost on routine care anyway, the plan pays for itself. If your pet’s routine care costs are below the wellness plan’s annual premium, the math doesn’t favor adding it. Calculate your actual annual routine vet spending before enrolling in a wellness add-on to confirm the coverage produces a net benefit.
Also Worth Considering
Three additional pet insurance options for specific situations not fully covered by the top 10.
Other Pet Insurance Options Worth Knowing
Five additional pet insurance carriers and tools that serve specific needs or pet profiles outside the top 10.
- AKC Pet Insurance — The American Kennel Club’s branded pet insurance product, underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America; notable for covering pre-existing cruciate ligament injuries after a 365-day waiting period — a provision no other carrier in this review offers — making it specifically relevant for dogs with a history of ACL/cruciate issues that would otherwise be permanently excluded from coverage everywhere else.
- Prudent Pet Insurance — An independent pet insurance carrier offering accident-and-illness coverage with an unlimited annual limit option, hereditary condition coverage, and optional wellness add-on; frequently cited in multi-carrier comparisons alongside Fetch, Embrace, and Spot; available for dogs and cats in most states through online enrollment with coverage for breeding and pregnancy complications — a rare provision in the pet insurance market.
- Odie Pet Insurance — A newer entrant in the pet insurance market offering accident-and-illness coverage with a simplified enrollment process and competitive pricing for younger dogs and cats; Odie allows policyholders to use any licensed veterinarian nationwide with no network restrictions and processes reimbursements quickly; a growing option worth including in a multi-carrier quote comparison for owners of young pets who want simple, affordable coverage.
- Wagmo — A pet wellness subscription service that reimburses routine care costs — exams, grooming, vaccines, dental cleanings, and flea/heartworm prevention — without requiring an accident-and-illness policy as a prerequisite; useful for pet owners who primarily want routine care covered rather than catastrophic coverage, or who want to add wellness reimbursement on top of a different carrier’s accident-and-illness policy; not a substitute for accident-and-illness coverage.
- Petco Pet Insurance — Petco’s branded pet insurance offering, underwritten by Nationwide (the same Veterinary Pet Insurance Company behind petinsurance.com), provides accident-and-illness coverage for dogs and cats with optional wellness add-ons; available for purchase through Petco’s retail and online channels, making it accessible for Petco shoppers who want to add coverage alongside routine pet care purchases; most useful for Petco loyalty program members who want to manage insurance through the same retail relationship as their pet supply purchases.
Best Pet Insurance Awards — NME 2026
Three editorial awards recognizing standout pet insurance performance based on NME’s independent research and evaluation criteria.
Answers to the most common pet insurance questions from NME’s editorial team.
What does pet insurance cover?
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
What’s the difference between annual and per-condition deductibles?
Is pet insurance worth it?
When should I enroll my pet in pet insurance?
How does NME evaluate the best pet insurance plans?
Sources & Citations
- Figo Pet Insurance — “1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment at some point in their lives.” figopetinsurance.com
- American Pet Products Association (APPA) — 2025–2026 APPA National Pet Owners Survey: approximately 90 million U.S. households own a pet. americanpetproducts.org
- U.S. News & World Report — Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2026: plan comparisons, sample premiums, and coverage analysis. usnews.com
- Healthy Paws Pet Insurance — Policy documentation: unlimited annual benefits, coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions. healthypawspetinsurance.com
- Trupanion — Policy documentation: per-condition deductible structure and VetDirect Pay program. trupanion.com
- Fetchpet.com — Coverage comparison with Lemonade: dental illness coverage including periodontal disease as standard. fetchpet.com
- Nationwide / petinsurance.com — Whole Pet plan documentation: exotic pet coverage and 45+ year veterinary pet insurance history. petinsurance.com
Find the Best Pet Insurance for Your Dog or Cat
Enroll while your pet is young and healthy — before any condition can become pre-existing. For unlimited coverage, start with Healthy Paws. For chronic conditions, price Trupanion. For comprehensive coverage without add-ons, look at Fetch. Use Pawlicy Advisor to compare quotes side by side.
