Best Pet Insurance For Dogs 2025
Veterinary bills for dogs are considerably higher for dogs than cats, according to the ASPCA, averaging $410 a year for canines compared to $300 for felines.
Dogs are more likely to need medical treatment and live shorter lives. And because they are outdoors frequently, they’re more likely to be exposed to risks that can cause an injury or illness.
To make caring for your pup easier on your wallet, CNBC Select has chosen the best pet insurance companies for dogs. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)
Best for senior dogs: Pets Best
Pets Best Pet Insurance
-
Policy highlights
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
-
Age limits
Cats and dogs as young as seven weeks old can enroll and there is no upper age limit.
-
Coverage limit
-
Annual deductible
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
-
Reimbursement rate
-
Waiting period
The waiting periods are 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries.
-
Discounts
-
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 has low rates for older dogs and no upper age limit for coverage. In addition, its basic plan covers periodontal disease and hereditary conditions that affect senior dogs, like hip dysplasia and glaucoma.
Standout benefits: Pets Best covers pre-existing curable conditions like broken bones and upper respiratory infections after 180 days without symptoms or treatment.
[ Jump to more details ]
Best for puppies: Lemonade
Lemonade Pet Insurance
-
Policy highlights
Lemonade offers accident and illness and wellness policies in 38 states
-
Age limits
At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on breed
-
Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
-
Annual deductible
-
Reimbursement rate
-
Waiting period
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries
-
Discounts
5% multi-pet discount, 5% off for paying annual premium in full and 10% for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies
-
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’s wellness plan for puppies includes spaying/neutering, microchipping and vaccines, plus more wellness exams and testing for parasites and coverage for flea/tick and heartworm medication.
Standout benefits: Lemonade boasts one of the fastest claims processes in the industry, with 40% of submissions handled instantly.
[ Jump to more details ]
Best for pre-existing conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
AKC Pet Insurance
-
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.
-
Age limits
Pets 9 and older are only eligible for accident-only policies
-
Coverage limit
-
Annual deductible
$100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750 or $1,000
-
Reimbursement rate
-
Waiting period
14 days for illnesses, 3 days for accidents, 30 days for hereditary and congenital conditions, 80 days for cruciate ligaments
-
Discounts
-
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 a standout for covering both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage, including diabetes, cancer, cruciate ligament illness, hip and elbow dysplasia, Cushing’s disease and arthritis.
Standout benefit: AKC covers costs associated with breeding, including pregnancy whelping and breastfeeding.
[ Jump to more details ]
Best for wellness coverage: MetLife
MetLife Pet Insurance
-
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
-
Age limits
No age restrictions for enrollment
-
Coverage limit
-
Annual deductible
-
Reimbursement rate
-
Waiting period
14 days for illnesses, 12 months for knee injuries
-
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.
-
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’s preventative care plan includes vaccines, spaying/neutering and heartworm prevention, behavioral training and up to $150 toward teeth cleaning, among other benefits
Standout benefits: Claims can be filed online and reimbursed within 10 days.
Age limits: No maximum age limit
[ Jump to more details ]
Best for multiple dogs: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance
-
Policy highlights
ASPCA offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans for cats, dogs and horses. There is a 10% multi-pet discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed.
-
Age limits
At least 8 weeks old to enroll with no upper age limit
-
Coverage limit
-
Annual deductible
-
Reimbursement rate
-
Waiting period
14 days for accidents and illnesses
-
Direct vet pay
Pros
- 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Coverage for horses
Cons
- Bilateral conditions not covered
- Must call to get info on some plans
Who’s this for? ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers a 10% discount if you enroll more than one dog or cat.
Standout benefits: Unlike some competitors, ASPCA policies include exam fees. Policies come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
[ Jump to more details ]
More on our top pet insurance companies for dogs
Pets Best
Coverage limit: $5,000 or unlimited
Annual deductible: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%.
Waiting period: 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, six months for cruciate ligament issues
Direct vet pay option: Yes
[ Return to summary ]
Lemonade
Coverage limit: $5,000 to $100,000
Annual deductible: $100, $250 or $500
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
Waiting period: Two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and six months for cruciate ligament issues.
Direct vet pay option: No
[ Return to summary ]
AKC Pet Insurance
Coverage limit: $2,500 to $10,000
Annual deductible: $100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750 or $1,000
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%
Waiting period: Two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 180 days for cruciate ligament issues
Direct vet pay option: No
[ Return to summary ]
MetLife
In addition to dogs and cats MetLife covers birds, lizards and other exotic pets. Your deductible drops $50 each year you don’t file a claim and up to three pets can be covered by one plan with a single deductible. MetLife does not offer accident-only policies.
Coverage limit: $500 to unlimited
Annual deductible: $0 to $2,500
Reimbursement rate: 50% to 90
Waiting period: No waiting period for accidents and 14 days for illness
Direct vet pay option: No
[ Return to summary ]
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Coverage limit: $2,500 to unlimited
Annual deductible: $100, $250, $500
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, 90%
Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
Direct vet pay option: Yes
[ Return to summary ]
What pet insurance covers
Coverage varies by provider, but there are three basic types of pet insurance coverage.
- Accident-only plans cover emergencies like broken bones, bites, swallowed objects and traumatic dental fractures. Diseases, parasites and cruciate ligament injuries are not covered.
- Accident and illness plans add coverage for diseases like cancer and diabetes and hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia and glaucoma. They may also include medications, prescription food, treatments for behavioral issues and alternative therapies like acupuncture.
- Wellness plans cover routine care like checkups, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, teeth cleaning and testing for parasites. They must usually be purchased with an accident and illness policy.
How much is pet insurance for a dog?
Premiums for an accident and illness policy for a dog averaged $56 per month in 2023, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, or about $676 a year. For an accident-only policy, the cost drops to about $17 a month or $204 annually.
However, pet insurance rates go up as your dog gets older and needs more care. And the cost of a specific plan will depend on your pets overall health, and the policy limits you select.
Pros and cons of pet insurance for a dog
Pros of pet insurance
- Helps you budget for unexpected veterinary bills
- Can be used with any licensed veterinarian
- Often covers alternative therapies, holistic care and other treatments
Cons of pet insurance
- Incurable pre-existing conditions and other issues may be excluded
- May have an age limit that restricts coverage for senior dogs
- Not cost-effective if you don’t meet the deductible
- Cost of premiums rise as your dog gets older
Is pet insurance worth it for a dog?
A policy can also help with routine care that keeps your dog healthier longer — including checkups, vaccinations, teeth cleaning and testing for heartworms and other parasites.
Pet insurance typically doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, however, and it becomes more expensive the older your dog gets.
If your premiums are costing more than the benefit you receive from coverage, you may want to consider putting money aside in a high-yield savings account instead.
Pet insurance for dogs FAQs
Can you get pet insurance for an older dog?
Does pet insurance lower vet bills?
Pet insurance doesn’t lower your vet bill, but it can help pay them if you don’t have sufficient funds on hand. Standard pet insurance reimburses between TK and 90% of eligible costs after you reach your deductible.
Do all vets accept pet insurance?
You can use your pet insurance with any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. Typically, you’ll pay the vet out of pocket and then submit a claim with your provider for reimbursement. Some insurance companies will pay the vet directly, although arrangements must be made in advance.
What is the best pet insurance for dogs?
The best pet insurance for your dog depends on which brands are available in your area, as well as what you’re looking for as far as covered treatments, coverage limits, deductibles, reimbursement rates and more. We’ve selected Pets Best, Lemonade, AKC Pet Insurance, MetLife and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance as the best options for a variety of dog owners.
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
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 find the best pet insurance companies for dogs, CNBC Select analyzed top providers companies based on numerous data points, including average rates for dogs, the types of policies available, the choice of deductibles, reimbursement levels and coverage limits.
We considered breed restrictions, age limits, waiting periods and policies regarding pre-existing conditions.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Our recommendations are sorted by the best plans for older dogs, for puppies, for dogs with pre-existing conditions, for wellness plans and for households with multiple dogs.
Premiums and policy structures listed for pet insurance companies are subject to change according to company policies.
Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
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.
link
