Spot Pet Insurance Review 2025

A relative newcomer, Spot pet insurance has only been on the scene since 2019. But it’s already one of our favorite pet insurances, with no upper age limit for enrollment (yay, senior dogs!) and a generous wellness plan that covers annual exams, nutritional consultations, flea and tick prevention treatments and more.
We also really like that you can pick an unlimited annual coverage limit, so you don’t have to choose between your wallet and your pet’s well-being.
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
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Pros and cons of Spot pet insurance
Pros
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- Covers exam fees
- 10% discount for additional pets
- Offers coverage for curable pre-existing conditions
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for accident coverage
- $2 per month processing fee for monthly payments
- No direct vet payment option
Spot pet insurance plans
Accident-only
This budget-minded option only covers expenses related to emergencies, such as broken bones, swallowed objects, snakebites and traumatic dental fractures.
Accident-only plans do not cover medical issues, such as parasites, cancer or cruciate ligament injuries. But Spot’s accident-only plans can cover alternative therapies to treat your pet’s injury, a rare benefit among insurers.
Accident and illness
Spot offers one accident and illness policy, which includes all accident-only benefits plus:
- Emergency care, hospitalization and surgery
- Veterinary exams (for most plans)
- Prescription medication
- Chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and arthritis
- Hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia and glaucoma
- Diagnostic, including bloodwork, MRIs and CAT scans
- Behavioral conditions
- Dental coverage
- Microchipping
- Euthanasia
Wellness
Spot offers two wellness plans as add-ons to accident-and-illness plans.
Gold plan: Includes annual wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, deworming and dental cleaning, with an annual benefit limit is $250.
Platinum plan: Same benefits as Gold, plus spaying/neutering, urinalysis and blood testing, and flea, tick and heartworm protection, as well as $25 for health certificates. The annual benefit limit is $450
Cost
As our sample pets, we chose a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat and a 1-year-old, 55-pound mixed-breed male dog, both with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and $5,000 annual coverage limit.
Accident and illness
For an accident and illness policy, we were quoted $56 per month for our dog and $26 a month for our cat. The quote for the dog is on par with the average rate cited by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association in 2023 (the most recent period for which data is available).
Spot’s quoted rate for our cat is significantly cheaper than the $32 national average cited by NAPHIA.
Wellness
- Gold plan: $9.95 per month
- Platinum plan: $24.95 a month
Discounts
Spot offers 10% off your second pet’s coverage when you enroll two pets.
Processing fees
Spot charges a $2 surcharge if you pay your premiums monthly. Paying for a year in full will avoid this fee.
Coverage options
Spot pet insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., though coverage limits and waiting periods may vary depending on where you live.
Annual coverage limits: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 or unlimited coverage
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%
Deductible: $100 to $1,000
Age limits: Pets must be at least eight weeks old but there is no upper age limit for enrollment
Waiting periods: As with most pet insurance plans, Spot’s accident and illness coverage isn’t available immediately. Waiting periods can vary by state but are typically:
- Accident coverage: 14 days
- Illness coverage: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions: 14 days
- Wellness plans: One day after enrollment
How does Spot compare to other pet insurance?
Pets Best | Spot | Healthy Paws | Lemonade | |
Availability | 50 states | 50 states | 50 states | 37 states |
Accident-only | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Accident and illness monthly rate | Dog: $36-$58, Cat: $22-$34 | Dog: $67, Cat: $30 | Dog: $46, Cat: $21 | Dog: $26 Cat : $25 |
Reimbursement | 70%–90% | 70%–90% | 50%–90% | 70%-90% |
Annual deductible | $50 to $1,000 | $100 , $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 |
$100 to $500 | $100, $250, or $500 |
Coverage limit | $5,000 or unlimited | $2,500–unlimited | Unlimited | $5,000 to $100,000 |
Direct payment | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Best for | Older pets | Customizable plans | More deductible options | Affordability |
Source: Rates and terms from insurers and are valid of May 2024
Spot vs. Pets Best
Neither company puts an upper age limit on enrollment, so senior pets are welcome.
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
Spot does cover prescription food and supplements, however, which Pets Best doesn’t. And its 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets is twice Pets Best’s 5% discount.
According to quotes we received from both companies, Pets Best also has lower rates than Spot.
Company | Dog | Cat |
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Spot | $56 per month | $26 per month |
Pets Best | $35 per month | $23 per month |
Pets Best waiting period is also significantly shorter: Accident coverage kicks in three days from the policy date, compared to 14 days with Spot.
Spot vs. Pumpkin
Both Pumpkin and Spot include exam fees and prescription medication and foods in their accident and illness plans.
Pumpkin could be a better fit if you’re looking for higher coverage limits— it offers $10,000 and $20,000 caps, while Spot makes you choose between a $10,000 limit or unlimited.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Pumpkin Insurance offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
Accident-only: $250, Accident and illness: $50 to $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for accidents and illnesses
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Discounts
10% discount for insuring multiple pets
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Plans include exam fees and microchipping
- No upper age limits or breed restrictions
- Unlimited coverage standard
Cons
- Only 90% reimbursement available
If you’re concerned about routine care, though, Spot takes the lead: Both companies cover wellness exams, vaccines, and blood tests, but Spot also covers flea and heartworm prevention, urine testing, deworming, spaying/neutering and health certificates.
We did find a slight difference in monthly premiums for dogs, with Pumpkin coming in a few dollars cheaper. (The rates for our cat were comparable.)
Company | Dog | Cat |
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Spot | $56 per month | $26 per month |
Pumpkin | $49.68 per month | $23 per month |
How do I get Spot pet insurance?
You can get a rate quote and buy a policy on the Spot website.
After inputting your location, the kind of pet you have, its breed, gender, age and weight, you’ll need to choose your coverage limit, deductible and reimbursement rate.
If you approve of Spot’s rate quote, you’ll set up a payment method and decide whether you want to pay monthly or annually.
After you buy, you’ll be able to manage your policy, make claims and more on the brand’s mobile app.
Customer service
On the mobile app, you can submit claims, update your pets’ health records or chat with a live vet 24/7. You can also reach the customer service team at 800-905-1595, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Discounts are available for pet services and products but, while a growing number of pet insurance companies will make arrangements to pay your veterinarian directly, Spot doesn’t offer this option.
You’ll still need to pay out of pocket at the point of service and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
Is Spot pet insurance right for me?
Since there’s no age limit, Spot is a great option if you own an older dog or cat. And the unlimited coverage option is also a blessing if you fur baby needs a lot of care.
Its plans cover a variety of services other companies don’t, including exam fees, teeth cleaning and prescription medications and food.
But if cost is your chief consideration, Spot isn’t the cheapest option on the market.
Spot pet insurance FAQs
What kind of pet insurance does Spot have?
Spot offers three types of pet insurance: accident-only, accident-and-illness coverage, and a two-tier wellness policy that covers routine expenses.
Will Spot pay the vet directly?
At this time, Spot doesn’t offer to pay the vet directly. Customers pay for services, and then submit a claim for reimbursement. According to Spot, standard claims are processed in five to seven business days but preventive care claims take just two business days.
How do I cancel Spot pet insurance?
You can cancel your Spot pet insurance policy by logging onto the Spot website, going to the account dashboard and clicking the “Cancel subscription” link. You can also cancel via email, in writing or by calling customer service at 800-905-1595. There is no cancellation fee and you should receive a prorated refund based on the time left on your policy term. If you cancel within 30 days of your start date but haven’t filed a claim, you will be eligible for a full refund.
Can I just buy a Spot pet insurance wellness plan?
Spot only offers wellness plans as an add-on to an accident and illness plan. You can’t buy it as a standalone policy.
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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
We also incorporate findings from independent sources, including the North American Pet Health Association.
Pet insurance rates may come from the provider or other sources.
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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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