Best Pet Insurance For Multiple Pets 2024
Americans love their pets: Virtually all U.S. pet owners (97%) consider them part of their family, according to a 2023 study from the Pew Research Center. And over a third (35%) have more than one furry family member.
More pets means more accidents, illnesses and maintenance — and more vet bills. Fortunately, there are pet insurance companies that offer discounts for multiple pets.
Have more than one pup or kitty? CNBC Select has picked the best multiple pet insurance companies in a variety of categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we made our list.)
Best for pre-existing conditions: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
ASPCA covers common accidents and injuries, as well as hereditary, congenital and breed-specific conditions. Coverage is available to animals as young as 8 weeks old and there is no maximum age limit.
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App available
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Standout features
A 30-day money-back guarantee is available if no claims are filed. Reimbursement is available by direct deposit. ASPCA pet insurance also offers coverage for horses.
Pros
- 10% discount for additional pets
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Coverage for horses
Cons
- No direct-pay option
- Bilateral conditions not covered
Who’s this for? Pet insurers typically exclude pre-existing conditions, but ASPCA Pet Health Insurance considers coverage for curable conditions if your pet has been treatment- and symptom-free for at least 180 days.
Multiple pet discount: 10%
Standout benefit: The Complete Coverage plan covers alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropody as well as treatments for behavioral issues. Veterinary professionals get a 10% discount.
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Best for wellness coverage: Spot
Spot Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident and illness and accident-only coverage for cats and dogs. It has a variety of choices of reimbursement rates, annual limits (including an unlimited policy), and deductibles to cater your coverage to your needs and budget. The option to cover preventative care procedures and exams (including a dental cleaning and wellness exam) for an extra fee is available.
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App available
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Standout features
There are no upper age limits for new enrollments and plans include microchipping. Spot offers a 24/7 veterinary helpline to address wellness and health concerns.
Pros
- no upper age limits for new enrollments
- 24/7 veterinary helpline
- Covers prescription food and behavior therapy
- 10% discounts for additional pets
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for accidents
- Average rates for cats is higher than competition
Who’s this for? Spot’s comprehensive wellness plans include teeth cleanings, preventative testing, microchipping and spaying/neutering costs.
Multiple pet discount:10%
Standout benefits: Enrollment doesn’t require a veterinary exam and wellness coverage begins 24 hours after purchase.
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Best for affordability: Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
A variety of maximum annual limits, reimbursement choices and deductibles allow you to tailor coverage to your needs and budget. A two-day waiting period for accident policies can also help get your pet covered sooner, though illnesses have a 14-day waiting period.
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App available
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Standout features
Embrace offers the option of unlimited annual coverage limits. It also offers coverage for non-invasive treatments, like chiropractic care, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.
Pros
- Unlimited annual coverage is available
- Shorter two-day waiting periods for accident coverage
- Available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Cons
- Accident and illness coverage is limited to pets under age 15
- No option for wellness insurance coverage
Who’s this for? Embrace offers a healthy pet discount that can really help you save. If your total reimbursements are under $300, you can receive 5% off the following year. Two years in a row and that discount jumps to 10%.
Multiple pet discount: 10% off each additional pet
Standout benefits: Embrace policies cover pet exam fees, which can range from $50 to $200 and aren’t always covered by insurance.
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Best for exotic pets: Nationwide
Nationwide Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that insures exotic pets. It offers accident-only coverage as well as a comprehensive Whole Pet with Wellness plan. Policies are underwritten by National Casualty Company or Veterinary Pet Insurance Company.
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App available
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Standout features
Nationwide may cover curable conditions if your pet has been symptom-free for six months. Multi-pet and multi-policy discounts are available.
Pros
- One of the only companies to cover exotic pets
- Discount for bundling, enrolling multiple pets
- Vet helpline is available 24/7
- Preferred pricing for prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- 70% maximum reimbursement rate is low
- One-year waiting period for coverage of cruciate ligament injuries.
- No coverage for end-of-life expenses
- No direct payment option
Who’s this for? Own a collie and a chinchilla? A cockatoo and a calico? Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that insures exotic pets — including birds, reptiles, rabbits and other small mammals.
Multiple pet discount: 5% off two or three pets, 10% off four or more pets
Standout benefit: Nationwide offers preferred pricing and convenient automatic claims on pet prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies.
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Best for paying vet directly: Pets Best
Pets Best Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
Available in all 50 states, Pets Best is a standout for its affordable rates. Pet’s Best focuses on accident-only and accident and illness policies, although a wellness plan is available, .
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App available
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Standout features
Pet’s Best offers coverage to cats and dogs as young as 7 weeks with no maximum age limit.
Read our review of Pets Best pet insurance
Pros
- Affordable accident-only and accident and illness coverage
- Deductible options as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers direct-payment option
Cons
- Only two levels of maximum coverage
- Multi-pet discount is smaller than other providers
- Doesn’t cover alternative or behavioral therapies
Who’s this for? Pets Best’s Vet Direct Pay option reimburses the veterinarian directly so you don’t have to max out your credit card paying for a surprise bill.
Multiple pet discount: 5% off BestBenefit accident and illness plans
Standout benefits: Access to a 24/7 pet emergency helpline staffed by vet techs and veterinarians is standard with all policies.
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Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
Pumpkin’s pet insurance plans don’t have an upper age limit and have no breed exclusions. Its coverage includes exam fees for covered accidents and illnesses and also includes coverage for dental illnesses, behavioral conditions, alternative therapies and prescription foods for covered conditions.
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App available
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Standout features
Pumpkin offers 90% reimbursement rates on all of its pet insurance plans, with three options for coverage limits including an unlimited option. It also offers a 10% discount for insuring multiple pets.
Pros
- Coverage includes exam fees and microchip implantation.
- No upper age limits or breed restrictions
Cons
- Only 90% reimbursement rate available
Who’s this for? Pumpkin’s pet insurance policies have a 90% reimbursement rate, higher than many competitors. Annual coverage limits range from $5,000 per year to an unlimited option.
Multiple pet discount: 10% off each additional pet
Standout benefits: Pumpkin plans don’t have an upper age limit, so it’s friendly to owners with senior pets.
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More on pet insurance for multiple pets
| Pet insurance company | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement | Deductible | Multiple pet discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | $2,500, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000 | 70%, 80% or 90% | $100, $250 or $500 | 10% |
| Embrace | $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80% or 90% | $100, $250 or $500 | 10% |
| Pets Best | $5,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80% or 90% | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000 | 5% off accident and illness plans |
| Pumpkin | 5,000, $7,000, $15,000 or unlimited | 80% or 90% | $100, $250, $500 or $1000 | 10% |
| Nationwide | $10,000 | 50%-80% | $250, $500 or $1,000 | 5% for two or three pets, 10% for four or more |
| Spot | $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 or unlimited | 70%, 80% or 90% | $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 | 10% |
ASPCA
Policies: Accident-only, accident and illness, preventative care
Age limit: Minimum age 8 weeks, no maximum
Waiting period: 14 days for accident and illness coverage
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Spot
Policies: Accident only, accident and illness, preventative care
Age limit: Minimum 8 weeks, no maximum
Waiting period: 14 days
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Embrace
Acquired by German conglomerate JAB Holding Company in 2023, Embrace was made part of Independence Pet Holdings, which also owns Pumpkin, Spot, Pets Best and other top pet insurance providers. Embrace partners with USAA, Allstate and Geico to offer policies to their customers. and other insurance companies.
Policies offered: Accident and illness, accident-only, preventative care
Age limit: Minimum 6 weeks, maximum 14 years (pets ages 15 and older are eligible for accident-only policies)
Waiting period: 48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for orthopedic conditions (waivable)
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Nationwide
Policies offered: Accident and illness, preventative care
Age limits: Minimum 8 weeks, maximum 10 years old for accident and illness
Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament injuries
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Pets Best
Policies offered: Accident only, accident and illness, preventative care
Age limits: Minimum 7 weeks, no maximum
Waiting period: Typically 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.
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Pumpkin
Pumpkin automatically covers things other insurers charge extra for, including prescription food, microchipping and end-of-life care. There’s also no maximum age for enrollment, making it a good option for older pets. However, the Better Business Bureau gave Pumpkin a B-, citing the length of time it takes to reply to complaints.
Policies offered: Accident and illness, preventative care
Age limits: Minimum 8 weeks, no maximum
Waiting period: 14 days for all covered conditions
What does pet insurance cover?
Depending on the policy you choose, pet insurance can cover a variety of conditions and injuries, as well as routine care. There are three main pet insurance options:
- Accident-only policy: Pays for injuries, like lacerations, broken bones or swallowed objects.
- Accident and illness policy: Adds coverage for cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections and other conditions (provided they’re not pre-existing).
- Wellness plan: Covers expenses for routine pet care, including vaccines, testing and teeth cleaning
Pet insurance policies rarely cover pre-existing conditions — illnesses or injuries diagnosed before your cat or dog is enrolled. Some insurers will cover specific conditions deemed “cured,” however, after a set period without treatment or symptoms.
How much does pet insurance cost?
In 2023, accident-only pet insurance for dogs averaged $17 a month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, and a little less than $10 a month for cats.
Accident and illness policies averaged a little more than $56 a month for dogs and about $32 a month for cats.
Your premiums will vary based on your pet’s age and breed, where you live, the policy you select and other factors. All the insurance companies on this list provide a discount of up to 10% for insuring more than one animal.
FAQs
What is the best pet insurance for multiple pets?
The best pet insurance for multiple pets depends on the type of animal, age, breed, where you live, the coverage you want and other factors. CNBC Select has named ASPCA, Spot, Embrace, Nationwide and Pets Best as the best options if you have several pets.
How much does pet insurance cost?
Accident-only pet insurance for dogs averages $17 a month, according to NAPHIA, while an accident and illness policy averages about $10 a month for an accident-only policy and $32 a month for accident and illness. In general, pet insurance is the cheapest when your cat or dog is young, before they develop a pre-existing condition.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Whether pet insurance is worth it depends largely on your pet’s health, your finances and your dedication to your pet’s wellbeing. If you have limited savings or credit, the monthly premiums could be a lot easier to afford than a $5,000 vet bill. And, since providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions, a policy may make more sense if you’re enrolling a puppy or kitten. If you have more than one cat or dog, a multiple-pet discount could make your rates more economical.
Can I get a multiple pet discount if I already have one animal covered?
Yes, most pet insurance companies will let you add additional pets to an existing policy and use the discount. Check with your provider to confirm.
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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 best pet insurance companies for multiple pets, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of pet insurance companies.
We restricted our picks to ones that offer a multi-pet discount, then looked at numerous data points, including the available policies, deductibles, reimbursement levels, coverage limits, waiting periods and customer reviews from the Better Business Bureau.
From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best for pre-existing conditions, best for wellness coverage, best for affordability, best for exotic pets and best for paying the vet directly.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Premiums and policy structures listed for pet insurance companies are subject to change in accordance with company policies.
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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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