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Best Puppy Insurance Plans of 2024

Lisa Scott

Finding the right insurance coverage early on in your puppy’s life is one of the best ways to take care of their health long-term. Insurance coverage can give you confidence that your puppy will get treatment when it gets sick or injured. We’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.

Super-extensive accident & illness coverage

$20,000

Coverage Up To

90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.

Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.

What we like

  • Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
  • Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
  • No exclusion on breeds or older pets
  • Offers a Fur Family Discount on multiple pets
  • Healthcare coverage in Canada and the US

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Pumpkin only covers dogs and cats

Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.

Multiple options for wellness plans

$100,000

Coverage Up To

90% - 100%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Wagmo began by providing stand-alone pet wellness coverages. Today, it has expanded its portfolio to include customizable pet insurance coverage.

What we like

  • Customizable policies
  • Variety of wellness plans
  • Fast reimbursements
  • High incident limits
  • Visit a vet of your choice

What we don't

  • 15 day waiting period on accident policy

Affordable prices with a fast reimbursement process

$100,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.

What we like

  • Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
  • Claims are reimbursed in minutes
  • Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
  • Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
  • Pay deductible once per year and not per incident

What we don't

  • Lemonade is only available in 33 states
  • Certain hybrid breeds may be denied

Short waiting periods on accidental coverage

$25,000

Coverage Up To

50% - 100%

Reimbursement

Overview

MetLife Insurance offers pet insurance for cats and dogs and is known for the shortest waiting periods in the industry.

What we like

  • No restriction on breeds and pet age
  • Customizable annual benefit limits
  • Short waiting periods accidental coverage
  • Flexible deductibles from $50 to $2,000
  • No incident limits

What we don't

  • Wellness treatment not included (optional add-on)
  • Pay first out of pocket and reimbursed later

Quick claims process

$10,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Spot will insure older animals and provides a multi-pet discount when you insure two or more pets

What we like

  • Multi-pet discount
  • No upper age limit
  • Quick claims process
  • Fast and simple filing of claims
  • Optional no lifetime limits or caps on payouts

What we don't

  • Customer service limited to weekdays
  • 14 day waiting period

Pre-existing conditions and 6 pets covered for $24/m

$3,000

Coverage Up To

100%

Reimbursement

Overview

Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.

With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.

What we like

  • Monthly premiums as low as $24
  • Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
  • Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
  • 24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors

What we don't

  • Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
  • Does not offer wellness coverage
  • Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year

Provides holistic therapy coverage

$15,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Fetch covers various conditions and offers holistic therapy coverage.

What we like

  • Covers examination fee during vet visits
  • Holistic therapy coverage
  • Comprehensive dental coverage
  • No penalty for multiple claims
  • No upper age limit for the pets

What we don't

  • Offers a single plan
  • No preventive care plans
  • No multi-pet discount

No age limit on pets - older dogs and cats are covered

Unlimited

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.

What we like

  • Older cats and dogs are covered
  • Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
  • Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
  • Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
  • 10% multiple pets discount

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Wellness add-ons can get expensive

Is puppy insurance worth it?

When they are young, the possibility of your puppy getting sick or injured may seem far away, and you may think any major health issues they could encounter will more likely not happen. However, there is no way to predict whether your puppy may get sick or injured at any time in its life.

You can take plenty of actions to ensure your puppy stays safe and healthy throughout its life. Regular check-ups at the vet and being cautious with your puppy can prevent them from developing serious health issues, or encountering major injuries. But, there is no surefire way to prevent your puppy from ever getting sick in its lifetime.

It is inevitable that at some point in your puppy’s life, they will get sick or hurt. Some injuries or illnesses can get to be very serious, and require a great deal of medical attention and treatment to get them back to health. These medical procedures can end up being extremely costly, and in situations where you are unprepared to pay, you may be forced to choose between your finances and your puppy’s health.

This is a situation no one wants to find themselves in. You always want to ensure you can get your puppy the treatment it needs should they experience any medical issues. Getting puppy insurance is a great way to consistently ensure you can afford necessary medical treatment at any time.

What does puppy insurance cover?

Your insurance provider and specific plan will determine what medical treatments and procedures are covered. Generally, puppy insurance covers a range of treatments, and gives owners options to choose between injury-only, illness-only, or combination plans that cover both illness and injury treatments. Puppy insurance often covers:

  • Diagnostic treatments: Blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostics to help diagnose your puppy may be covered under your insurance plan.
  • X-rays and scans: X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other procedures may be covered under your puppy insurance plan to help diagnose and treat your puppy’s illness or injury.
  • Hospitalization and surgery: Should your puppy need to be hospitalized or undergo surgery, your insurance plan may offer coverage for costs associated.
  • Hereditary treatment and specialty care: Specialized care for more specific issues and treatments for hereditary conditions may also be covered.

Puppy insurance often does not cover pre-existing conditions that were diagnosed before your puppy got coverage. Cancer, heart conditions, and other issues that were discovered ahead of your puppy’s insurance coverage will often not be covered under the insurance plan.

Additionally, wellness and routine care treatments are often not covered under a standard puppy insurance plan. To get covered for wellness checks or preventive care procedures, you may need to either choose add-ons available through your insurance provider, or opt for a separate plan altogether. There are wellness and preventive care plans available for puppies to cover these costs.

How are puppy insurance premiums determined?

Insurance providers differ greatly in what they charge for monthly premiums under their various plans. There are a number of details that contribute to your overall monthly insurance premium:

  • Breed: Your puppy’s breed will contribute to your overall monthly premium cost. Some breeds are more likely to develop significant or specific health issues over time, which may result in a higher overall monthly premium.
  • Location: Depending on where you are located, you may be required to pay a higher monthly premium. This is based on the availability of vets and treatment options in your area that take your insurance coverage.
  • Plans details: If you choose a plan that combines injury and illness treatment coverage, you can expect to pay more than injury or illness-only plans. The more varied coverage your insurance plan provides, the higher your monthly premium will be.
  • Coverage details: Your plan’s deductible, reimbursement amount, and overall coverage cap will contribute to your monthly premium. A lower yearly deductible, and higher reimbursement and coverage cap will result in a higher premium to cover it all.

How to choose the best puppy insurance?

You have a lot of choices available when it comes to deciding the right puppy insurance for your pet. You will want to take a number of things into account as you navigate the best insurance plan:

  • Consider your puppy’s needs: Consider your puppy’s unique medical history, as well as their breed, to try to determine what kinds of treatments and procedures they may need in the future. You will want to confirm that your insurance provider covers everything your puppy may need.
  • Review your plan options: Many insurance providers will cover plans that allow you to customize your deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage cap. You will want to consider your budget and what you’re looking for in terms of coverage as you pick out a plan.
  • Compare available plans: Once you’ve picked out a few plans that meet your needs, compare and contrast what each of them offers. Just because a plan is the cheapest does not mean it covers everything you need in terms of treatment.
  • Read customer reviews: Review what customers have to say about the insurance plan. Try to see how they treat claims, what their customer communication is like, and how easy it is to get the reimbursements you need. We’ve also written a review on certain providers that can be helpful for you to decide on which insurer to go with.

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