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Fact Checked
From food to boarding to routine vet bills, the cost of owning multiple pets adds up, especially if something catastrophic happens to them, like an injury or an illness. Pet owners can turn to pet insurance, including multi-pet insurance, to ease the financial burden of costly vet bills and help make sure pets get the care they need.
We evaluated 13 plans to help you find the best pet insurance for multiple pets.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Multi-pet discount | Reimbursement choices | Deductible choices | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embrace |  |
5.0 |  |
10% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100 | |
| ManyPets |  |
5.0 | |
None | 70% or 80% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $500 | |
| Paw Protect |  |
5.0 | |
10% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100 | |
| Pumpkin |  |
5.0 | |
10% | 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100, $250, $500 | |
| Spot |  |
5.0 | |
10% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | |
| Pets Best |  |
4.5 |  |
5% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | |
| Figo |  |
3.5 |  |
5% | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100, $250, $500, $750 | |
| Lemonade |  |
4.0 |  |
5% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100, $250, $500 | |
| Trupanion |  |
4.0 | |
None | 50% to 100% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | No deductible | |
| Fetch |  |
3.5 |  |
None | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $300, $500, $700 | |
| MetLife |  |
3.5 | |
5% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $50, $100, $250, $500 | |
| ASPCA |  |
3.5 | |
10% | 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $100, $250, $500 | |
| Healthy Paws |  |
3.5 | |
None | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | $50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 |
Reimbursement and deductible choices may vary by state.
Yes, you can buy pet insurance for multiple pets from any pet insurer. But most pet insurers sell pet insurance only for cats and dogs.
Many pet insurance companies offer a multi-pet discount if you insure more than one pet with the same company.
The phrase “multi-pet insurance” can be misleading, as you may think it means one policy for all of your pets, but that’s usually not the case. When you insure more than one pet, you will typically buy separate pet insurance policies for each one, although you can manage the coverage from one account. And you can often get a multi-pet discount. Apart from that, multi-pet insurance usually works the same way individual pet insurance policies work.
Pet insurance companies will usually determine the cost of coverage by taking into account a pet’s breed and age, and your location, among other factors. You will select a suitable plan that best fits a pet’s needs, and repeat the same process for the next pet you want to insure.
Each pet insurance policy you buy can have a separate reimbursement level, deductible, coverage cap and monthly premium payment. However, insurers will typically let you manage multiple plans from one account, essentially linking the policies together. Therefore, you can streamline pet claims and payments for multiple policies from one place.
MetLife’s pet insurance will let you cover multiple pets under one insurance policy, but it’s not common. Even if you have one policy for multiple pets, the insurer may let you choose separate deductibles and reimbursement levels for each pet.
Yes, you can customize a pet insurance policy for each pet, depending on your pet insurance company. For example, you may be able to buy an accident and illness plan for one pet and an accident-only policy for another pet.
Yes, you can buy multiple pet insurance policies from different insurance companies. While insuring multiple pets with one insurance company usually yields a discount, there are some situations where it may not make the most sense.
Suppose you want a comprehensive plan that includes wellness coverage for your new bulldog puppy and an accident-only plan for your 10-year-old Rottweiler. In this case, you might find it cheaper overall to buy accident-only coverage with one insurer and a more comprehensive policy with another.
“Coverage is usually the biggest driver, followed by price, as to why you may choose separate pet insurance policies with different insurers,” says Walter Haugland, a spokesperson for Pets Best pet insurance.
The average cost to insure two dogs is $110 per month, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of pet insurance costs. That includes unlimited annual coverage for each pet, a $100 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
This average does not include a multi-pet discount, which typically ranges from 5% to 10%. The average discounted cost to insure two dogs is $102 per month among insurers with a multi-pet discount.
The cost you pay for multi-pet insurance will vary depending on the insurance company and the coverage benefits within the plan. When calculating multi-pet insurance costs, insurance companies typically use several factors such as:
Age. Younger pets are cheaper to insure, but pet insurance costs will rise with age.
Breed. Some breeds are more prone to specific injuries and illnesses than others. For example, German shepherds are more likely to need expensive surgery due to hip dysplasia than other pet breeds like cocker spaniels. This is reflected in pet insurance costs.
Coverage cap. Some pet insurance plans can have annual coverage limits like $5,000, while other plans offer unlimited coverage limits for a higher price.
Deductible. A deductible is a sum you pay before your coverage reimburses you for health-related expenses. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium cost.
Number of pets. The more pets you insure, the more you will pay for coverage.
Policy type. Choosing a comprehensive plan like an accident and illness policy will likely cost more than purchasing an accident-only plan that exclusively covers accidental problems.
Reimbursement percentage. Most pet insurance companies let you select the reimbursement percentage for your policy. This amount is the portion of your vet bills the insurer will pay after your deductible. Common reimbursement levels are 70%, 80% or 90%.
ZIP code. The cost of veterinary care varies across the country. For this reason, insurers use your location as a factor when determining policy cost.
Many pet insurance companies offer a multi-pet discount of 5% or 10%.
The average annual pet insurance cost for two dogs is $1,320 per year. With a 5% discount, you would save about $66 per year. With a 10% discount you would save $132 per year.
| Company | Monthly cost for two dogs with unlimited annual coverage | Multi-pet discount percentage | Multi-pet insurance cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ManyPets
|
$72
|
None
|
$72
|
|
Pets Best
|
$100
|
5%
|
$95
|
|
MetLife
|
$101
|
5%
|
$96
|
|
ASPCA
|
$112
|
10%
|
$101
|
|
Lemonade
|
$109
|
5%
|
$104
|
|
Embrace
|
$116
|
10%
|
$104
|
|
Figo
|
$110
|
5%
|
$105
|
|
Spot
|
$118
|
10%
|
$106
|
|
Pumpkin
|
$121
|
10%
|
$109
|
|
Healthy Paws
|
$112
|
None
|
$112
|
|
Trupanion
|
$119
|
None
|
$119
|
|
Fetch
|
$131
|
None
|
$131
|
Source: Forbes Advisor analysis of pet insurance costs based on data provided by PetInsurer.com for policies for two dogs with unlimited annual coverage, a $100 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available
No, there is no time limit to add a pet to your account. You can purchase another policy for another cat or dog at any time with the same pet insurance company.
For example, if you already have a pet insurance policy for a 5-year-old Goldendoodle and adopt a beagle, you can buy a new policy for the beagle and manage your policies for both dogs on one account.
Multi-pet insurance policies cover the same health-related expenses as coverage for one pet does. If you choose an accident and illness plan, you can expect coverage to pay for expenses like:
Selecting an accident-only plan will exclusively cover emergencies such as skin lacerations or ingesting foreign objects. And, if you add wellness coverage to your plan, expenses like vaccinations and routine check-ups are covered.
Pet insurance can help offset the costs of unexpected vet visits, which can quickly add up if you have multiple pets. A vet visit for an accident or illness can set you back thousands of dollars. For example, the average cost of treatment for a dog for an ingested foreign object is $3,500, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of vet visit costs.
Here are a few reasons why pet insurance for multiple pets can be so important.
It’s a good idea to have your pets examined by a veterinarian to identify and treat any health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes. Pet insurance doesn’t cover incurable pre-existing conditions (such as heart disease or diabetes). That’s why it’s important to buy a policy for multiple pets before they develop any conditions.
More: Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
Many pet insurance companies offer optional wellness plans that help cover expenses for routine care such as annual wellness visits, vaccinations and other treatments such as flea and heartworm prevention.
For example, our analysis of vet visit costs found that the average cost for a routine vet visit for two dogs is $108. If your dogs are due for one or more vaccinations, you could be looking at tacking on an additional $30 to $200 (or more), according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of dog vaccination costs.
Veterinarian treatment for an emergency such as a broken bone can be very expensive. Our analysis found that the average cost to treat a broken bone is $2,700 for a dog and $2,300 for a cat. Pet insurance can be a good way to take the financial stress off an emergency situation, so you can focus on your pet’s recovery rather than how you’ll pay for it.
The best way to find a multi-pet insurance policy that’s both affordable and meets your pets’ coverage needs is to compare pet insurance quotes. Since rates and coverage options vary, you can identify the best policy by shopping around. Typically, you can get quotes online.
If you decide to shop online, you can visit each insurance company’s website individually for quotes or use a comparison site that lets you review many options in one place.
If you feel more comfortable working with an insurance agent, you can usually speak with one about your options in-person, over the phone or through email.
To find the best pet insurance for multiple pets we used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score each pet insurance company based on the following:
Pet insurance rates: 40% of score. We calculated average rates for two dogs with unlimited coverage, a $100 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available.
Special waiting period: 10% of score. Many pet insurance companies have a special waiting period for problems such as cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. Plans that had no waiting period, a waiting period of fewer than six months or the ability to have the waiting period waived scored higher.
Direct payment to vet: 10% of score. Pet insurance companies that have the ability to pay a vet directly earned points.
24/7 vet health line: 10% of score. Insurers that provide access to a 24/7 vet health line scored in this category.
Routine wellness plans: 10% of score. Insurers that offer optional wellness plans earned points.
Pays veterinary exam fees: 10% of score. Not all insurers cover exam fees, even if the fee is for an illness or accident-related visit. Plans that cover the vet exam fee scored in this category.
Euthanasia or end of life expenses: 5% of score. Insurers that cover end of life expenses, such as euthanasia, cremation or burial fees, scored in this category.
Multi-pet discount: 5% of score. Many pet insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one pet. Insurers that offer a multi-pet discount earned points.
Compare Pet Insurance Plans
Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
The benefit of a multi-pet insurance policy is that you can have the convenience of managing all of your pet’s policies with one company. And you may be able to save on your premium. Some pet insurance companies offer multi-pet discounts when you insure more than one pet.
Pet insurance is cheaper for multiple pets if your insurer offers a multi-pet discount. You can often get a multi-pet discount of 5% or 10% if you insure more than one dog or cat.
Even then, a pet insurance plan without a discount could potentially be the cheapest pet insurance option. For example, ManyPets does not offer a multi-pet discount but it has the lowest rates among plans we evaluated, even compared to companies that offer multi-pet discounts.
Yes, some insurers will let you add more than one pet to a pet insurance policy. But most pet insurance companies require you to buy separate policies for each pet. The benefit is that you’ll have the convenience of managing all of your pet insurance policies with one company, and often get a multi-pet discount.
