To find out if cheap pet insurance is worth it, we recommend looking at the pet insurance coverage benefits you want versus focusing solely on price. Our analysis found that the average price of a policy for dogs with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level is $66 per month. You can find several pet insurers that cost lower than the monthly average, but they don’t all offer the same benefits.
I recommend pet parents understand how coverage works when it comes to the pet insurance deductible. Does the plan have an annual deductible that is reset every year or is there a deductible per medical issue for life? Both have benefits, though I prefer the latter for my own pets. But most importantly, it’s best to have a plan that has unlimited illness and emergency coverage after your deductible is hit.
– Dr. Alison Mason, Advisory Board Member
For example, Lemonade pet insurance has the second cheapest rates ($46 per month) among the insurers we looked at, but you won’t find coverage for vet exam fees, or behavioral or alternative therapy included in its base coverage. That means you’ll have to pay out of pocket for these expenses. You also won’t find a 24/7 vet telehealth line with Lemonade.
If these coverage benefits are important to you, we’d recommend going with a more expensive company like Embrace pet insurance ($76 per month) that includes these benefits in its base coverage. Embrace also has a 24/7 vet telehealth line which can be invaluable if your pet gets sick in the middle of the night on a weekend.
Ask an expert
We Answer Your Questions
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
Does pet insurance cover cremation?
Wilson P., Fremont, Ohio
Yes, some pet insurers include coverage for cremation and other end-of-life expenses, such as euthanasia, burial, urns and keepsakes. But not all insurers include end-of-life expenses as part of their base policies. Some insurers offer this as add-on coverage, such as Lemonade and AKC pet insurance.
Can I keep my vet if I buy pet insurance?
Emily S., Long Beach, California
Yes, pet insurance works with any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., as well as emergency clinics and specialists. Some insurers like Pets Best will also pay claims for bills from licensed vets in Canada.
Is it true that pet insurance pays for acupuncture?
Noah V., Chesapeake, Virginia
Yes, some pet insurance policies cover acupuncture and other types of holistic and alternative therapy, such as hydrotherapy and chiropractic care. Most pet insurers include alternative therapy in their coverage, but some companies such as ManyPets and Lemonade don’t. Other insurers offer coverage as an add-on, such as Trupanion’s Recovery and Complementary Care package.