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Best Dog Insurance Plans for 2024

  • Based on our review, the best dog insurance plans are offered by: MetLife, Lemonade, and ManyPets.
  • We chose these top providers because of their extensive coverage, flexible plans, and affordable pricing.
  • Dog insurance helps cover the cost of accidents, illnesses, and wellness care, potentially saving thousands of dollars over a dog’s lifetime.
Best for Same Day Accident Coverage

MetLife Pet Insurance
GET A QUOTE on MetLife's secure website
4.7
Maximum annual coverage 
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$50, $100, $250, $500
Best for Pup Parents on a Budget

Lemonade Pet Insurance
GET A QUOTE on Lemonade's secure website
4.8
Maximum annual coverage 
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$100, $250, $500
Best for Affordable, Unlimited Coverage

ManyPets
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
4.5
Maximum annual coverage 
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%
Deductible choices 
$250, $500, $1000

Dog insurance advice from a vet

We asked Dr. Stephanie Liff, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with over 15 years of experience, what she thought was most important when it came to pet insurance for dogs.

“With pet insurance, it’s important to focus on broad coverage for illnesses and accidents, rather than specific conditions. Dogs often face costly issues like cranial cruciate ligament tears, allergies, and foreign body ingestions.

As a vet, I have insurance for my dog. While I handle many medical needs at my practice, for situations beyond my expertise, like cancer treatments or torn ligaments, I value the peace of mind that insurance provides, knowing my dog is protected.” - Dr. Liff, DVM

Dr. Liff suggests choosing a comprehensive accident and illness plan with broad coverage for your dog. These plans can cover a range of needs, including vet visits, treatments, and surgeries for accidents and illnesses throughout your dog’s life.

Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans

Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin
Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin
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Top pet insurance plans for dogs

What is dog insurance?

Dog insurance helps cover your dog’s vet bills, including costly treatments like surgeries, when your pup gets sick or has an accident. Depending on the plan, it can cover a portion or, in some cases, all of the expenses.

It works similarly to human health insurance, with the type of coverage being key. A good plan covers illness, accidental injuries, and even routine care. Essentially, dog insurance protects you from the financial burden of unexpected vet costs, offering peace of mind for your dog’s health.

How does pet insurance for dogs work?

Dog insurance works similarly to human health insurance by helping cover a portion of your vet bills when your dog needs medical care.

When you buy a policy, you select coverage options, deductibles, and reimbursement levels. After a vet visit, you submit a claim, and the insurance provider reimburses you based on your plan’s terms. The best dog insurance plans cover services ranging from emergencies to ongoing care for chronic conditions.

Some plans pay the vet directly, but many require you to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. Always check for waiting periods, exclusions, and limits.

Our top picks for dog insurance

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Best for Same Day Accident Coverage

MetLife Pet Insurance
4.7
GET A QUOTE on MetLife's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We like that MetLife offers dog parents same-day accident coverage, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.

We also think it’s cool how they offer a variety of discounts, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you don’t file a claim!

MetLife is available in all 50 states for dog insurance. Their plans can be customized based on what coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement levels you’d like.

With MetLife, you don’t need an initial exam to enroll your pup, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan. Although traditional MetLife accident and illness policies don’t include wellness exams and dental cleanings, you can opt into their preventative care add-on to get coverage for these things and more.

Read our full MetLife review

PROS

  • Deductible as low as $50
  • Coverage for exotic animals
  • No initial exam required for enrollment
  • Super short waiting period of accident coverage

CONS

  • No unlimited coverage option
  • No vet-direct pay
  • Max 3 pets for multipet/family policy

Best for Pup Parents on a Budget

Lemonade Pet Insurance
4.8
GET A QUOTE on Lemonade's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Lemonade Pet Insurance is well known for providing affordable accident and illness coverage for dogs. They’re among the few providers that include an option for dental coverage, a valuable feature in pet insurance, and they’ve recently started covering recurring conditions.

As an added benefit, you can manage your pup’s policy and file claims through the easy-to-use mobile app. Some users see instant approval and reimbursement for their claims, while others see it within a few days to a week. Many users also find Lemonade’s customer service to be top-tier, with kind and personalized service.

In addition to basic coverage, Lemonade also offers add-ons for preventative care, vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life care and remembrance.

You can customize your coverage limits, but for the most comprehensive coverage for your pup, we recommend opting for the $100,000 limit with a 90% reimbursement and a dental & vet fee add-on.

With Lemonade, there is no waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. A 30-day waiting period applies for orthopedic conditions. Waiting periods vary by state, so check your policy details before purchasing.

Although Lemonade offers excellent coverage at an affordable price, they don’t offer telemedicine, don’t cover spay/neuter costs for pets over 2 years old, and exam fees are extra unless you purchase the add-on. You may also face certain age restrictions for certain dog breeds at enrollment.

Read our full Lemonade review

PROS

  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Discount for bundling with other policies from Lemonade
  • Various add-ons available

CONS

  • Age restrictions
  • Not available in certain states
  • No unlimited coverage option

Best for Affordable, Unlimited Coverage

ManyPets

 4.5
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%
Deductible choices
$250, $500, $1000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

With ManyPets dog insurance, your dog is protected with unlimited coverage, ensuring you never have to worry about exceeding an annual limit or handling unexpected vet bills on your own. What’s surprising is that this comprehensive coverage doesn’t raise the cost, making ManyPets an affordable choice for dog owners. ManyPets sets itself apart by not charging any sign-up fees, which helps make starting a policy more budget-friendly, especially compared to other companies that often have upfront costs. The policy they offer is an accident and illness plan. While there isn’t an accident-only option, you can add a wellness package to cover important preventative care like vaccinations, keeping your dog healthy year-round. For accidents and illnesses, there’s a standard 15-day waiting period, but if you’re switching from another pet insurance provider, this can be shortened to just 1 day, offering quicker coverage for your dog without long delays.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage on all plans
  • No sign-up fee
  • Affordable accident & illness plan

CONS

  • Less customizable than other plans
  • No accident-only option
  • Longer waiting periods for new policy holders

Best for Deductible Options

Pets Best Insurance
4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We like Pets Best as it offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options. This is great for dog owners on a budget as it allows you to tailor your plan to what you can afford. There is also no age limit for sign-ups, meaning you can purchase coverage for your pet later in life, and accident coverage kicks in 3 days from sign-up. You’ll also get unlimited access to a 24/7 emergency vet hotline for quick consultations at all hours of the day. Pets Best offers multiple plans including an Accident-only plan, as well as 3 tiers called Essential, Plus, and Elite. You can also opt for an add-on for wellness / routine care plans for an extra fee which offers good coverage versus other plans on the market.

Last, but not least, Pets Best is one of the few providers who can pay the vet directly for you. Simply download the reimbursement release form from their website and have your vet’s office sign and agree to receive payment directly from the provider and Pet’s Best will handle the rest.

Read our full Pets Best review

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Many deductible options
  • No age limit for enrollment
  • Vet-direct pay option

CONS

  • Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
  • Doesn’t cover breed-specific issues

Best for Paying the Vet Directly

Paw Protect
4.4
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Paw Protect is a relatively new provider but has taken the market by storm. One of its main draws is that it offers customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card that can be used to pay the vet directly, so you have no out-of-pocket expenses when your dog sees the vet for a covered reason. Most other providers require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed later.

Paw Protect offers an accident & illness plan for dogs, as well as an optional Wellness plan available as an add-on. Like some other providers, it comes with 24/7 telemedicine coverage which allows you to speak to a vet in case your pup has an emergency and you aren’t sure whether to take him in for a visit. It also offers considerable discounts if you have multiple pets (10% off) or are a military member (5% off).

We recommend opting for the unlimited plan with 90% reimbursement. However, if you are tight on cash, there are several other plan limits ($5,000, $10,000 & Unlimited) that offer great coverage at an affordable price.

Read our full Paw Protect review

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Wellness plan add-on available
  • Pays vet directly

CONS

  • Max age for full coverage
  • Doesn’t cover boarding

Best for Range of Reimbursement Options

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
4.8
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Healthy Paws has excellent customer reviews and is one of the few providers on the market that can pay the vet for you directly. This is a huge draw for many dog owners as it means next to no out-of-pocket costs to you. The only caveat is that you must call and request a simple authorization before the vet treats your dog. Otherwise, you can pay and be reimbursed.

Healthy Paws also offers lots of choices for coverage levels and deductibles, which is great for those wanting to tailor a plan to fit their budget. Healthy Paw offers only an accident & illness plan with unlimited coverage and no wellness options. As long as you don’t mind handling your dog’s wellness needs (like vaccines) on your own, you’ll get the highest level of inclusions and peace of mind that all vet bills for covered illnesses will be reimbursed regardless of the cost.

Read our full review

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage
  • Affordable plans
  • Five reimbursement levels to choose from

CONS

  • Max age limit for enrollment
  • Doesn’t cover dental disease
  • No wellness add-on available

How much does dog insurance cost?

There are three main types of dog insurance policies:

Accident & Illness Plans

Average monthly cost: $45 to $70

Accident-Only Plans

Average monthly cost: As low as $15

Wellness Plans

Average monthly cost: $20 to $60

The cost of dog insurance is typically higher than insurance for cats. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $90 per month for a dog insurance policy. However, various factors can influence the final cost.

The cost of pet insurance depends on a variety of factors, including:

To best understand how much pet insurance will cost for your dog, you’ll need to get a quote from pet insurance providers.

Which dog breeds are the most expensive to insure?

Certain dog breeds come with higher insurance costs due to their predisposition to specific health issues.

Here are five of the most expensive breeds to insure and the reasons why their premiums tend to be higher:

These breeds often face chronic health conditions that can drive up insurance premiums, especially as they age.

Which dog breeds are the cheapest to insure?

Mixed-breed dogs are often the most affordable to insure, as they generally have fewer inherited health problems.

Below are some of the cheapest dog breeds to insure:

What does dog insurance cover?

What dog insurance covers will depend on the type of plan you have. For a more in-depth look, you can check out our guide on what pet insurance covers.

Accident-only coverage

Accident-only plans cover injuries like broken bones or poisoning, but they don’t include illnesses.

Examples:

  • X-rays to find out if your dog broke a bone in a fall
  • Surgery to repair injuries if your dog is hit by a vehicle
  • Medications and treatments to combat poisoning if your dog accidentally ingested household cleaner.

Accident and illness coverage

This is a comprehensive insurance policy for your dog. It covers treatment for injuries due to accidents as well as treatments for illnesses and related symptoms. Some policies may even include pet dental coverage.

Examples:

  • All of the situations mentioned above under accident-only coverage
  • Treatment for kennel cough
  • Treatment for Lyme disease
  • Surgery to treat an abdominal infection
  • Tooth extraction due to periodontal disease

Wellness coverage

Wellness plans are usually optional add-ons to an accident & illness or accident-only pet insurance policy. They focus on preventative care like vaccinations and dental cleanings.

Examples:

  • Spaying/neutering
  • Annual wellness checks for your dog
  • Dog vaccination costs (such as rabies shots)
  • Preventative care, such as heartworm medication
  • Routine care, such as dog teeth cleaning to help maintain healthy teeth and gums

What isn’t covered by pet insurance for dogs?

While a dog insurance plan covers many types of expenses, it doesn’t typically cover regular day-to-day expenses, kennel or boarding fees, and costs for breeding or grooming.

Most pet insurance companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions either. Therefore, it’s important to purchase insurance early in your dog’s life to ensure they are adequately covered.

Some common dog insurance exclusions include:

Dog owners should carefully review the details of their pet insurance policy to fully understand what is covered and what isn’t.

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Compare dog insurance coverage from different providers

GET A QUOTE
Spot Pet Insurance Paw Protect
GET A QUOTE
Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Plan
Available
Available
Accident-Only Plan
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

How can I choose the best pet insurance for my dog?

Understanding how pet insurance works is key to choosing the right pet insurance policy.

Here are a few tips to find the best pet insurance plan for your pup:

1

Check whether your dog is eligible.

Not all pet insurance companies cover all types of dogs. Some may also have an upper age limit, so your senior dog may not be eligible for any of those plans.

 See More See Less
2

Decide on a type of pet health insurance and how much coverage you want.

Think about how much you are likely to spend on vet bills for your dog throughout the year. You may need less coverage for a puppy or a healthy younger dog than for a senior dog with age-related health conditions.

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3

Ensure you understand how reimbursements and deductibles work with the plan.

For example, if a plan has a reimbursement rate of 80%, you will get $80 back for every $100 you spend on eligible claims. If you have a deductible of $1,000, however, you have to pay $1,000 in eligible claims and file them before you receive any reimbursement.

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4

Read the fine print for exclusions and waiting periods.

Ensure you understand if any pre-existing conditions are excluded. Hip dysplasia is a common example, as it may be an excluded condition if your dog already has it or if the breed is known for developing it.

 See More See Less
5

Consider any extra costs.

It’s important to take a big-picture approach to pet insurance costs. Consider normal pet expenses you pay each year and add them up, considering what the insurance may cover, how much deductibles are and what you’re left paying for out-of-pocket.

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6

Compare quotes for pet insurance.

Using the information you gathered in the previous step, compare the total expected costs with various policies to find one that seems right for your budget.

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7

Routinely review your policy.

Never set and forget any type of insurance, even pet insurance plans. Review your situation and your policy at least annually and decide if you can make any changes to get cheaper pet insurance. You may also want to get periodic quotes to see if a competitor now offers a better deal.

 See More See Less

Is dog insurance worth it?

Dog insurance is worth it if your policy premiums and veterinary costs balance out. Even opting for a cheap pet insurance plan can work out saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Ultimately, dog insurance is worth it if it helps you avoid major financial strain during emergencies. If you’d struggle to cover unexpected high vet bills, insurance can be a valuable safety net.


For a more in-depth evaluation, check out our guide on if pet insurance is worth it.

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Dog insurance FAQs

When is the best time to buy dog insurance?

The best time to buy insurance for your dog is before you need it. If you purchase insurance as soon as you bring your furry friend home, you typically get the most comprehensive coverage. That’s because your dog could develop pre-existing conditions over time that won’t be covered by insurance if you buy it later.

Does dog insurance cover vaccinations?

Some policies cover preventative care, including vaccinations, while others don’t or only cover certain vaccinations. Read the benefits information for your pet’s plan to understand what is covered.

For a more detailed guide on the cost of dog vaccinations and what vaccines your dog will need, read our article: How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost?

Does dog insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Most insurance for dogs does not cover pre-existing conditions. Always read the benefits information for a plan to understand what is covered for your pet and whether there are any exclusions.

Is prescription dog food covered by insurance?

Some policies will cover prescription dog food that is deemed medically necessary by a vet. Look at the details of your pet’s plan to see if food is ever covered.

Does dog insurance cover service dogs?

Yes, you can buy pet insurance to cover your service dog. In fact, since a service dog provides a valuable service and has a unique relationship with its owner, it can be important to invest in its health and wellness. Insurance can help you do that.

Can I use any veterinarian?

In most cases, you can use any vet you want. You don’t use insurance at the vet like you would at your own doctor’s appointment. Instead, you typically pay for the vet care costs yourself and file for reimbursement with your pet insurance.

On the other hand, some providers offer pet insurance that pays the vet directly. This type of coverage may require your vet to have specific software (as is the case with Trupanion), so be sure to check on this before purchasing a plan.

About the Author

Sarah Stasik
Sarah Stasik Personal Finance

Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.

With more than a dozen years of writing experience, Sarah has tackled niches that range from technical advances in fintech to personal budgeting challenges. She has covered topics such as insurance and the economics of private healthcare, small business management and accounting, and credit and savings. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful and relevant resources for readers.

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