Best Cheap Pet Insurance Of 2025
Pet insurance can be incredibly helpful if your pet is injured or is diagnosed with a serious illness. But it’s another monthly expense — one that gets bigger as your furry family member gets older.
To help protect your budget, CNBC Select has named the most affordable pet insurance companies. (See our methodology for more information on how we made our picks)
Best for multiple pets: Spot
Spot Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, plus two tiers of wellness add-ons
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
$100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for accidents and injuries
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Discounts
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- no upper age limits for enrollment
- Exam fees covered
- 10% discounts for additional pets
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for accidents
- 30-day money-back guarantee not available in New York or Maine
- Average rate for cats is higher than competition
Who’s this for? Spot gives pet parents a 10% discount for adding more than one fur baby to a policy.
Standout benefits: Spot’s wellness plan starts 24 hours after purchase and includes spaying/neutering and dental treatments, which many other pet insurers exclude.
Spot sample rate
For dog: $36.00 per month
For cat: $18.92 per month
Best for older pets: Pets Best
Pets Best Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
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Age limits
Cats and dogs as young as seven weeks old can enroll and there is no upper age limit.
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
The waiting periods are 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries.
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Discounts
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Deductibles as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers direct-payment option
Cons
- Exam fees not included with basic plan
- Multi-pet discount is lower than other providers
- Only top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
Who’s this for? Pets Best doesn’t have an upper age limit for coverage, making it a good choice if you have a senior dog or cat.
Standout benefits: Pets Best offers an unlimited coverage option so you don’t have to worry about bumping up against an annual limit.
Pets Best sample rate
For dog: $34.56 per month
For cat: $22.51 per month
Best for Costco members: Figo
Figo Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Figo offers accident and illness and wellness plans.
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
1 day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for orthopedic injuries to dogs (may be waived by having vet examine your dog)
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Discounts
5% multi-pet discount, 15% discount for Costco members and 5% military discount (in most states). Your deductible drops by $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Costco members can save 15%
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- 100% reimbursement option available
- Claims close on average in under 3 business days
- Covers curable conditions that have been healed for 12 months
Cons
- Vet exam fee not covered by basic plan
- Doesn’t offer an accident-only plan
- Multiple-pet discount lower than many competitors
Who’s this for? Figo Pet Insurance offers 15% off for Costco members and waives the $15 enrollment fee for Costco Executive members.
Standout benefits: While most insurers cap reimbursement at 80% or 90%, Figo has a 100% reimbursement option.
Figo sample rate
For dog: $55.00 per month
For cat: $32.38 per month
Best for speedy claims: Lemonade
Lemonade Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Lemonade offers accident and illness and wellness policies in 38 states
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Age limits
At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on breed
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Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries
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Discounts
5% multi-pet discount, 5% off for paying annual premium in full and 10% for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- 10% bundling discount available
- 2-day waiting period for injury coverage
Cons
- Only available in 37 states
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than competitors
- Strict age limits may make it hard to enroll older pets
Who’s this for? Lemonade combines affordability and convenience with an AI-powered interface that it says settles nearly 40% of claims in seconds. Upload your claim on the website or mobile app and your reimbursement is wired directly to your bank account.
Standout benefits: Save up to 10% if you bundle your pet insurance policy with renters, homeowners or car insurance from Lemonade.
Lemonade sample rate
For dog: $57.01 per month
For cat: $42.34 per month
Best for birds, lizards and other pets: MetLife
MetLife Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
MetLife offers an accident and illness plan and a wellness add-on. Policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and Metropolitan General (MetGen) Insurance Company
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Age limits
No age restrictions for enrollment
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for illnesses, 12 months for knee injuries
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Discounts
Discounts for buying online and enrolling multiple pets, as well as for animal care staff, military members and health care workers. Deductibles drop up to $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Covers birds, lizards, small mammals and other exotic pet
- Reimbursement for lost pet rewards
- Most claims processed within 10 days
- Covers burial/cremation
Cons
- Doesn’t cover microchipping
- No accident-only policy
- Coverage, waiting periods and discounts vary based on the underwriter
Who’s this for? MetLife is one of just a few insurers that insurers exotic pets, including birds, snakes, turtles and rabbits
Standout benefits: There’s no waiting period for accident coverage and your deductible can drop by up to $50 every year you don’t file a claim.
MetLife sample rate
For dog: $40.60 per month
For cat: $25.83 per month
Best for prescription coverage: CarePlus by Chewy
CarePlus® by Chewy Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
CarePlus offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans through Lemonade and Trupanion.
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Age limits
Pets from 8 weeks old to 14 years old can be enrolled
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Direct vet pay
Yes, with Trupanion policies
Pros
- Standalone wellness policies available
- Some plans have 100% prescription coverage
- Video consultations
- Direct vet pay option available
Cons
- Does not issue its own policies
- Trupanion policies don’t cover curable pre-existing conditions
- Lemonade not available in all states
Who’s this for? CarePlus by Chewy reimburses up to 100% of costs for prescription medication, food and supplements.
Standout benefit: CarePlus offers direct vet pay with plans underwritten by Trupanion, so you don’t have to wait to be reimbursed.
CarePlus by Chewy sample rate
For dog: $41.75 per month
For cat: $27.25 per month
Best for pre-existing conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
AKC Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
AKC Pet Insurance offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, plus two wellness plans and breeding insurance. Pre-existing conditions are covered after 365 days of continuous coverage.
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Age limits
Pets 9 and older are only eligible for accident-only policies
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
$100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750 or $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for illnesses, 3 days for accidents, 30 days for hereditary and congenital conditions, 80 days for cruciate ligaments
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Discounts
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Pre-existing conditions covered after a year
- Offers breeding insurance
- Unlimited coverage available
Cons
- $3 monthly service fee if paying monthly
- Pets over 9 are restricted to accident-only policies
- Hereditary and congenital conditions cost extra
- No coverage for dental illnesses
Who’s this for? AKC Pet Insurance is the only pet insurance company we’ve found that covers incurable pre-existing conditions. (You’ll need to have your policy for 12 months for the benefit to kick in.)
Standout benefits: AKC also covers expenses relating to breeding, something most pet insurers won’t.
AKC Pet Insurance sample rate
For dog: $44.02 per month
For cat: $30.01 per month
More on our top cheap pet insurance companies
Spot
[ Return to summary ]
Pets Best
[ Return to summary ]
Figo
[ Return to summary ]
Lemonade
MetLife
CarePlus by Chewy
[ Return to summary ]
AKC Pet Insurance
| Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement limit | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100- $1,000 |
| Pets Best | $5,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90% | $50-$1,000 |
| Figo | $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90%,100% | $100-$1,500 |
| Lemonade | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $500- $750 |
| CarePlus by Chewy (through Trupanion) | $20,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80%, 90% | $250-$1,000 |
| AKC Pet Insurance | $2,500, $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $100-$1,000 |
| MetLife | $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 | 70%, 80%, 90% | $50-$500 |
How much is pet insurance?
For the pet insurance companies we selected for this list, the average monthly cost for an accident and illness plan was $42.04 a month for a dog and $26.15 a month for a cat.
What does pet insurance cover?
Depending on the type of plan, pet insurance can cover injuries, diseases and routine care. There are three main policy types:
Accident-only policy
The most basic policy, this covers injuries and accidents, including broken bones, bites, swallowed objects or substances. Depending on the plan, it may pay for hospitalization, blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, laboratory tests, surgery and prescriptions.
Accident and illness policy
The most common type of plan, accident and illness policies add coverage for diseases like respiratory infections, cancer, arthritis, hypothyroidism, ear infections and urinary tract infections. These conditions are generally covered only if they are diagnosed after your pet has been enrolled. Treatments for alternative and holistic therapies may be included, but read your policy to be sure
Wellness plan
Usually offered as an add-on to an accident and illness policy, a wellness plan covers routine care like vaccines, checkups, microchipping, preventative care and teeth cleaning. Some wellness plans include coverage for spaying and neutering new pets.
What doesn’t pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance rarely covers pre-existing conditions, or medical issues your pet had before enrolling in coverage and completing the waiting period. Some pet insurance companies will cover pre-existing conditions that have been “cured,” meaning they haven’t shown symptoms or required treatment for a set period of time. AKC Pet Insurance will cover incurable and chronic conditions after one year.
Pet insurance also rarely covers elective procedures like ear cropping, tail docking or declawing. In addition, most pet insurers won’t cover costs associated with pregnancy or breeding.
You should review your policy to determine if it covers end-of-life care including pain management, euthanasia and burial/cremation.
Cheap pet insurance FAQs
What is the average cost of pet insurance?
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, the average cost for an accident and illness policy in 2023 was $56.30 per month for a dog and $31.94 for a cat. For the companies we selected for this list, the average was $42.04 for a dog and $26.15 for a cat.
How can I pay less for pet insurance?
An accident-only policy is typically much cheaper than an accident and illness plan, although the coverage is much more limited. Raising your deductible can also lower your monthly premiums, but make sure you have enough to pay the additional out-of-pocket costs. If you have several pets, you can also look for an insurer that offers multi-animal discounts.
Do all vets accept pet insurance?
Since most pet insurance companies require you to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed, you can typically go to any licensed veterinarian. If you opt for direct vet pay, however, you’ll need to make sure the provider will work with your insurance company.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
To determine the most affordable pet insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed 15 leading pet insurance companies based on cost.
We collected quotes for two sample pets, a 1-year-old 50-pound mixed-breed dog and 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat, both residing in New York City.
We prioritized cost, but also reviewed multiple other data points including the types of policies offered, nationwide availability, the claims process, waiting periods and options for coverage limits, deductibles and reimbursement levels. We also considered providers’ policies regarding pre-existing conditions and age limits.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Our recommendations are organized by the best for multiple pets, senior pets, Costco members, speedy claims, prescription coverage, pre-existing conditions and exotic pets.
Premiums and policy structures listed for pet insurance companies are subject to change according to company policy.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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