The average pet insurance cost is about $42–$62/month for dogs and $23–$32/month for cats for an accident-and-illness policy. Enrolling when your pet is young and healthy locks in lower rates and avoids pre-existing condition exclusions. Here are the top providers.
Pets Best
AM Best: A+ (Superior, via parent)Pets Best offers the lowest average premiums in multiple studies while still providing comprehensive accident-and-illness coverage. They also have accident-only plans starting at just $9/month for dogs. Direct vet payment is available in some cases.
Pros
- Lowest average rates for both dogs and cats
- Accident-only plans from $9/month
- Can pay your vet directly in some cases
- Claims processed within 3–7 days
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions
- Wellness add-ons cost extra
- Customer service reviews are mixed
Lemonade
AM Best: A (Excellent, Demotech)Lemonade's pet insurance mirrors its renters insurance approach: fast app-based quotes, instant claims processing via AI, and charitable Giveback program. Among the cheapest options for cat owners specifically.
Pros
- Cheapest option for cat owners in many areas
- AI-powered claims — some paid instantly
- Bundling discounts with other Lemonade policies
- 10% multi-pet discount
Cons
- Only available in 29 states
- No phone-based customer support
- Newer pet insurance product (less track record)
- Vet exam fees not included in base plan
Pumpkin
AM Best: N/A (underwritten by United States Fire Ins., rated A by AM Best)Pumpkin covers things most competitors don't include in their base plan: dental illness, behavioral conditions, alternative therapies, and vet exam fees. If you want the most thorough coverage and don't want to worry about exclusions, Pumpkin is the pick.
Pros
- Dental illness covered (most competitors exclude it)
- Vet exam fees included in all plans
- Behavioral condition coverage
- No upper age limit for enrollment
Cons
- Higher premiums than budget-focused competitors
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses
- 6-month cruciate ligament waiting period
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
AM Best: A- (Excellent, via Crum & Forster)ASPCA offers two tiers of accident-and-illness coverage plus two levels of wellness add-ons, giving you flexible ways to build a plan. No upper age limit, and multi-pet and employer discounts are available.
Pros
- Two policy tiers for flexible coverage levels
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- Wellness coverage available as add-on
- 10% multi-pet discount
Cons
- Mid-range pricing (not the cheapest)
- Claims can take up to 30 days to process
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses
Embrace
AM Best: A+ (Superior, via parent)Embrace's standout feature is the Healthy Pet Deductible: your deductible decreases by $50 each year you don't file a claim. They also offer a unique Wellness Rewards program that reimburses routine care costs.
Pros
- Deductible decreases $50/year with no claims
- Wellness Rewards reimburses routine care
- Covers international travel (up to 6 months)
- Zero or 2-day accident waiting period (varies by state)
Cons
- Higher average premiums for dogs
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- Annual premium increases can be significant for older pets
The Bottom Line
If price is your priority, Pets Best and Lemonade offer the lowest rates. If you want the most comprehensive coverage with fewer exclusions, Pumpkin is worth the premium. Embrace rewards you for staying claims-free with a shrinking deductible. And ASPCA gives you the most flexibility to customize your plan.
The most important advice: enroll while your pet is young and healthy. Pre-existing conditions are universally excluded, so waiting until your pet develops problems means those problems won't be covered.