Compare Pet Insurance Plans

Pet Insurance Rates by Provider and Pet Type

What to Look for When Comparing Pet Insurance

Reimbursement Percentage

Most pet insurers offer reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90% after your deductible is met. Choosing 90% reimbursement means you pay only 10% of covered vet bills above your deductible. Higher reimbursement means higher premiums — choose based on your financial capacity to absorb out-of-pocket costs after a major claim.

Annual Deductible vs. Per-Incident Deductible

Most insurers use an annual deductible — you pay a set amount once per year before coverage kicks in for any claims. Trupanion uses a per-condition deductible — you pay the deductible once per condition, and all future treatment for that condition is covered. Per-condition deductibles are better for pets with ongoing chronic conditions.

Annual Benefit Limit

Some policies cap payouts at $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000 per year. Others offer unlimited annual benefits. For pets at risk for expensive conditions — cancer, orthopedic issues — an unlimited benefit plan provides the strongest protection. Figo and Trupanion both offer unlimited benefit options.

Waiting Periods

All pet insurers have waiting periods before coverage begins. Accidents typically have 1–3 day waiting periods. Illnesses usually require 14 days. Orthopedic conditions may have waiting periods of 6–12 months. Enrolling your pet before they develop any conditions is critical to avoiding pre-existing condition exclusions.

Hereditary and Congenital Condition Coverage

If you have a purebred dog or cat, hereditary condition coverage is essential. Breeds like Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Maine Coons are prone to expensive hereditary conditions. Embrace, Figo, and Trupanion all cover hereditary conditions as long as they weren't present before enrollment.

Ways to Lower Your Pet Insurance Premium

• Enroll young: Premiums are significantly lower for young, healthy pets. Every year you wait increases your cost.
• Choose a higher deductible: Increasing your annual deductible from $250 to $500 or $1,000 can substantially reduce your monthly premium.
• Select 80% instead of 90% reimbursement: Dropping from 90% to 80% reimbursement reduces premiums while still covering the majority of large bills.
• Consider accident-only coverage: If budget is very tight, an accident-only plan costing $10–$18/month still provides crucial protection against the most expensive unexpected events.
• Look for multi-pet discounts: Several insurers offer 5–10% discounts when you insure multiple pets under the same policy or with the same company.
• Annual payment discount: Paying your annual premium in full rather than monthly typically saves 5%.

Frequently Asked Questions