Cheap Pet Insurance in December 2024

Pet ownership is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it can also be an expensive one. Pet insurance may seem like an unnecessary extra monthly cost to squeeze into your budget, but paying for coverage can save you a lot of money if your pet is involved in an accident or develops a serious illness.

While you might assume that pet insurance is expensive, it’s more affordable than you think. The best cheap pet insurance companies offer widespread coverage for a reasonable cost and are designed to fit more easily into your budget. Let’s take a look at what these providers offer.

Our recommendations

Best for annual coverage options

Spot Pet Insurance

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Best for annual coverage options

Spot Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$12.08

Annual coverage*

$2,500 to unlimited

Reimbursement rates*

70%, 80%, or 90%

Maximum enrollment age

No upper age limit

Best for lowest price

Pets Best Insurance

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Best for lowest price

Pets Best Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$8.61

Annual coverage*

$5,000 or unlimited

Reimbursement rates*

70%, 80%, or 90%

Maximum enrollment age

No upper age limit

Best for quick claims approval

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Best for quick claims approval

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$14.81

Annual coverage*

$5,000 to $100,000

Reimbursement rates*

60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%

Maximum enrollment age

N/A

Best for accident coverage

ASPCA Pet Insurance

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Best for accident coverage

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$18.14

Annual coverage*

$2,500 to $10,000

Reimbursement rates*

70%, 80%, or 90%

Maximum enrollment age

No upper age limit

Best for premium savings

Embrace Pet Insurance

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Best for premium savings

Embrace Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$27.38

Annual coverage*

$5,000 to unlimited

Reimbursement rates*

70%, 80%, or 90%

Maximum enrollment age

14 years accidents and illnesses; no upper limit accident-only

Best for dental coverage

ManyPets Pet Insurance

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Best for dental coverage

ManyPets Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$15.46

Annual coverage*

Unlimited

Reimbursement rates*

70% or 80%

Maximum enrollment age

14 years

Best for complete coverage

Figo Pet Insurance

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Best for complete coverage

Figo Pet Insurance

Sample monthly cost*

$12.78

Annual coverage*

$5,000 to unlimited

Reimbursement rates*

70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%

Maximum enrollment age

No upper age limit

Cheap pet insurance compared

*Website quote mechanism used to get figures for prices, annual coverage, reimbursement rates, and deductible choices. Prices are for a 4-year-old, male, medium-sized, mixed-breed dog in Dayton, Ohio.

Methodology

We requested quotes from a number of popular companies to determine the best cheap pet insurance providers. We obtained quotes for a 3-year-old male mixed-breed dog with no pre-existing health conditions. Once we had the quotes, we ranked them from cheapest to most expensive. We also considered the coverage offered by each provider to see which had the most extensive coverage at an affordable price. Once we had our finalists, we evaluated them to see what made them stand out among the competition.

How to determine which pet insurance policy is right for you

When you’re on a tight budget, cost will likely be your top concern when looking for pet insurance coverage. Still, cost is only one part of the story. Many pet insurance providers offer low prices, but their policies may not have the exact coverage you need for your pet.

Before considering the cost of pet insurance, determine what type of coverage you want. Would accident-only coverage be enough, or would you prefer accident and illness coverage? The more coverage offered, the more expensive the policy—but even then plenty of options offer comprehensive pet insurance coverage at a low price. Do your research and shop around with several providers before choosing the right policy for you.

More on cheap pet insurance

How are pet insurance costs determined?

Several factors go into the calculation of pet insurance costs. The main considerations are:

• Species. Pet insurance costs will differ for dogs and cats.
• Age. Older pets tend to cost more to insure than younger pets.
• Breed. Some breeds are prone to certain hereditary illnesses and injuries, which can make it more expensive to insure them.
• Amount and type of coverage. A basic plan that only covers accidents costs less than a more comprehensive plan that covers accidents and illnesses or adds wellness coverage to a basic policy.

How can I pay less for pet insurance?

The easiest way to get a cheaper pet insurance premium is to opt for a plan that has less coverage. Still, it’s important to note that while this will save you money each month, it will cover less if your pet is injured or ill, which means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you need to make a claim.

Another way to save is to ask about discounts. You may save on your premiums by using one of the following:

• Bundling discount. If you have additional insurance coverage through the same provider, you may be eligible for a discount. For example, Lemonade offers customers a 10% bundling discount with any combination of its insurance products, including pet, car, homeowners, renters, and term life insurance.
• Multiple-pet discount. You could get a discount if you insure multiple pets with the same provider. For example, Spot offers a 10% discount for each additional pet added to a customer’s coverage.
• Spay/neuter discount. Dogs and cats that are spayed or neutered may be eligible for a pet insurance discount through some providers.
• Annual pay discount. Some insurance providers offer a discounted rate to customers who pay their entire annual premium up front rather than in monthly installments.
• Military discount. Many insurers will offer a discount to active and former members of the U.S. military. For example, Embrace has a 5% military discount (though it’s not offered in New York or Tennessee).
• Employee discount. Your employer may have an agreement with one or more pet insurance companies to provide coverage at a discount. Check with your human resources department to see if this is an option.

At what age is pet insurance the cheapest?

Pet insurance premiums are typically lower for younger pets and more expensive for older ones, as health issues increase with age. Getting insurance when your pet is quite young is a good idea, as a puppy or kitten may not have developed health problems yet. As pre-existing conditions are not covered by many insurers, or cost extra, covering your pet before a condition develops is smart.

How to find affordable pet insurance

The best way to find affordable pet insurance is to shop around and compare quotes. The above list is a good starting point. You can request quotes from as many providers as you like and then compare them against one another to see which has the best coverage for the lowest price.

How to buy a pet insurance plan

Once you’ve decided which pet insurance plan works best for your budget, you can purchase coverage in one of several ways.

• Online. This is usually the easiest and quickest way to get coverage. You’ll need to provide information about your pet via the provider’s website and can get them covered immediately.
• Over the phone, via email, or in person. This is a good option if you’re unsure what coverage you need or prefer working with an actual person rather than navigating a website.

TIME Stamp: When buying pet insurance, weigh cost and coverage

Our research suggests that Pets Best, Spot, and Figo are the cheapest pet insurance providers. The exact cost of coverage will depend on your pet’s age and breed, as well as the type and amount of coverage you choose. Shopping around with several providers can give you a clearer picture of the costs you can expect to pay for pet insurance coverage.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is pet insurance worth it?

In most cases pet insurance is worth it. If your dog escapes from your yard and is hit by a car, or if your cat develops cancer, the veterinary costs can quickly reach thousands of dollars. If you have insurance, you’ll only need to pay the deductible for covered vet bills rather than the entire bill, which can make a huge difference. Still, pet insurance does mean an additional monthly cost added to your budget. Ultimately, only you can decide what’s right for you.

What are the different types of pet insurance plans?

There are several types of pet insurance coverage.

• Accident and illness plans. These are designed to cover vet bills associated with accidents, such as a broken bone or laceration, and illnesses, such as ear or urinary tract infections. This type of plan is the most expensive, because it offers the most coverage.
• Accident-only plans. These cover vet expenses related to accidents but not illnesses. This type of plan is cheaper than an accident and illness plan, because it offers less coverage.
• Wellness plans. These cover routine vet expenses, including annual checkups, vaccinations, and flea and tick preventive medications. Wellness plans are usually offered as add-ons to accident and illness plans rather than as a stand-alone policy.

How can I save money on my pet insurance?

There are several common ways to save money on pet insurance, including the following:

• Ask about discounts. Most pet insurance companies will offer various discounts for military members, owners of multiple pets, and policyholders who bundle pet insurance with another type of insurance under the same provider.
• Opt for a higher deductible. By choosing a higher deductible, your monthly premiums will decrease, though if you make a claim, you’ll pay more out of pocket.
• Choose a lower annual maximum reimbursement amount. Unlimited coverage will always cost more than a policy that caps coverage at $5,000 or $10,000.
• Select a lower reimbursement percentage. Most pet insurers give you the choice of a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement percentage. Opting for a lower percentage means more affordable coverage, though your out-of-pocket costs will be higher if you make a claim.
• Shop around. Get quotes from several pet insurance providers to compare the rates and coverage and determine the best fit.