Last updated September 2026

Best Pet Insurance of 2026

We compared coverage, claim speed, and real pet parent experiences across the biggest U.S. pet insurers, so you can find a plan that fits your pet and your budget without doing all the homework yourself.

  • Independent reviews
  • Routinely updated
  • Free quotes

Our top 6 picks

  1. Rank 2

    Trupanion Pet Insurance

    9.6Exceptional
    REIMBURSES
    90% on every plan
    BEST FOR
    Simple, no-limit plans
    STANDOUT
    Direct vet pay
    GET FREE QUOTE

    No annual or lifetime payout limits

    Why we like it: Refreshingly simple: 90% back, no annual limits, and a deductible you can set to the exact dollar.

    No payout limits
  2. Rank 3

    Embrace Pet Insurance

    9.5Exceptional
    REIMBURSES
    Up to 90%
    BEST FOR
    Customizable plans
    STANDOUT
    30-day money-back
    GET FREE QUOTE

    Save 10% when you insure multiple pets

    Why we like it: Covers accidents, illnesses, genetic conditions and prescriptions, with a $100 deductible option.

    Save 10% multi-pet
  3. Rank 4

    Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

    9.1Exceptional
    REIMBURSES
    Up to 90%
    BEST FOR
    Unlimited benefits
    STANDOUT
    Hereditary conditions
    GET FREE QUOTE

    No payout caps, ever

    Why we like it: Unlimited lifetime benefits, so there is no cap on how much you can claim over your pet’s life.

    No payout caps
  4. Rank 5

    Fetch Pet Insurance

    9.0Exceptional
    REIMBURSES
    Up to 90%
    BEST FOR
    Most things covered
    STANDOUT
    Exam fees included
    GET FREE QUOTE

    Get $1,500+ in Fetch Health Perks

    Why we like it: Covers what other plans quietly leave out: exam fees, dental illness and behavioral therapy.

    $1,500+ in perks
  5. Rank 6

    MetLife Pet Insurance

    8.8Outstanding
    REIMBURSES
    Up to 90%
    BEST FOR
    Any breed, any age
    STANDOUT
    Visit any licensed vet
    GET FREE QUOTE

    No breed or age restrictions

    Why we like it: Straightforward, customizable plans that cover chronic conditions and alternative therapies.

    No age limits

Other providers we compared that didn’t make our top 6: ASPCA, Nationwide, Pumpkin, Figo, Pets Best, Prudent Pet, ManyPets, Bivvy and Hartville.

BEST OVERALL

Still deciding? Start with Spot.

Flexible coverage that includes things many providers treat as extras: exam fees, prescription food, behavioral issues, alternative therapies and dental illness. Plus a 24/7 telehealth line and no upper age limit to enroll.

9.7Exceptional
GET MY SPOT QUOTE

Save 10% when you add more than one pet

OUR METHOD

How we rank pet insurance

  1. Brand reliability

    History, reputation, financial stability, and a consistent track record of paying claims.

  2. Real-world experience

    Real customer experiences, claim processing speed, and how easy the provider is to deal with day to day.

  3. Flexibility of coverage

    Whether every breed and age is covered, and how freely you can tune deductibles, reimbursement and limits.

Our rating scale

9.0 to 10Exceptional
8.0 to 8.9Outstanding
7.0 to 7.9Great
6.0 to 6.9Very good
5.0 to 5.9Good

THE BASICS

How pet insurance works

Pet insurance works a lot like a safety net for vet bills. You pay a small amount each month, and when something goes wrong, your insurer pays back a big share of the bill.

Smiling vet hugging a happy dog
  1. Choose a policy

    Pick accident-only or comprehensive coverage that suits your pet.

  2. Pay the premium

    Monthly or yearly, based on breed, age, location and coverage level.

  3. Visit the vet

    Pay the bill and keep your invoices and medical records.

  4. Submit a claim

    Upload the paperwork in the app or portal and get reimbursed.

Which type of coverage do you need?

  • Accident-only

    Covers: injuries like bites, broken bones and swallowed objects.

    Doesn’t cover: illnesses, checkups and preventive care.

  • Accident and illness

    Covers: accidents plus most illnesses and diseases.

    Doesn’t cover: routine wellness, elective procedures, pre-existing conditions.

  • Comprehensive (wellness)

    Covers: accidents, illnesses, plus vaccines, dental cleanings and annual exams.

    Doesn’t cover: pre-existing conditions and cosmetic procedures.

  • Add-on riders

    Covers: prescription food, behavioral therapy, acupuncture and other alternative care.

    Doesn’t cover: nothing extra, but they do raise your premium.

Is it worth it? The honest pros and cons

Pros

  • Financial security. Big, unexpected vet bills stop being a crisis.
  • Better treatment choices. You can choose the best option, not just the cheapest.
  • Preventive care. Some plans cover vaccines, dental and wellness visits.
  • Emergency and specialist care. Surgery, cancer treatment and ER visits become manageable.
  • Customizable. Tune the plan to your pet’s breed, age and needs.

Cons

  • Ongoing premiums. You pay even in years your pet stays perfectly healthy.
  • Exclusions and waiting periods. Pre-existing and some hereditary conditions may not be covered.
  • Reimbursement lag. Most plans have you pay the vet first and wait for your claim.
  • Payout limits. Some policies cap annual or lifetime payouts, so read the fine print.

GOOD QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

The things pet parents ask us most before they pick a plan.

Is pet insurance worth it?

If a surprise vet bill would strain your budget, usually yes. You might not use it much while your pet is healthy, but a single serious injury or illness can cost more than years of premiums.

Can I insure an older pet or one with pre-existing conditions?

Many insurers cover older pets, though premiums tend to be higher. Pre-existing conditions usually are not covered, which is the best reason to enroll sooner rather than later.

Do all vets accept pet insurance?

Yes. Most pet insurance reimburses you after you pay the vet, so you can visit any licensed veterinarian and file a claim afterward. Some providers, like Trupanion, can also pay the vet directly.

Is there a waiting period?

Most policies have waiting periods before accident and illness coverage kicks in, and the length varies by provider. Check each plan before you buy, especially if your pet has a vet visit coming up.

How do I keep costs down?

Choose a higher deductible or a lower reimbursement rate, skip add-ons you will not use, and compare a few quotes. Just remember that lower premiums mean more out of pocket if your pet needs major treatment.

Advertiser disclosure

Pet Parent Advisor is reader-supported and part of the Pawzitivity Pets family. When you get a quote through links on this page we may earn a commission. It never changes what you pay, and it never decides our ratings. Prices, coverage and terms are set by each insurer and can change, so always check the provider’s site for current details.

Embrace: Pet Health Insurance is administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC (Lic. No 0G89328) and underwritten by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA as American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8) and American Southern Home Insurance Company. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. CareCredit is a credit product offered by Synchrony Bank. Embrace does not own, administer, or make decisions regarding CareCredit. An affiliate of Synchrony Bank holds a minority equity interest in an affiliate of Embrace. For full terms and conditions, visit www.embracepetinsurance.com/coverage/embraceterms. Premiums are based on the current age of your pet. Premium may increase due to the age of your pet at renewal. Initial premiums may be impacted by the species or breed of your pet. Premium may change based on your home address. *Wellness Rewards is offered as an optional membership plan, non-insurance benefit administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC in the United States. Wellness Rewards not available in RI. © 2024 American Modern Insurance Group, Inc.