The top pet insurance options for dogs in 2025.

The ASPCA reports that veterinary bills for dogs are significantly higher than for cats, with an average annual cost of $410 for canines and $300 for felines. This is due to the fact that dogs are more likely to require medical treatment and have shorter lifespans. Additionally, their frequent outdoor exposure increases their risk of injury or illness.

To simplify dog care and save money, CNBC Select has identified the top pet insurance companies. (Learn more about our selection process in our methodology.)

Best for senior dogs: Pets Best

Pets Best offers low rates for older dogs and has no age limit for coverage. Its basic plan covers periodontal disease and hereditary conditions that affect senior dogs, such as hip dysplasia and glaucoma. Notable benefits include coverage for pre-existing curable conditions like broken bones and upper respiratory infections after 180 days without symptoms or treatment.

Best for puppies: Lemonade

Lemonade offers a wellness plan for puppies that includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, vaccines, and additional wellness exams and testing for parasites, as well as coverage for flea/tick and heartworm medication.

Lemonade is renowned for its rapid claims process, with 40% of submissions being handled promptly.

Best for pre-existing conditions: AKC Pet Insurance

AKC Pet Insurance stands out for covering both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage, including diabetes, cancer, cruciate ligament illness, hip and elbow dysplasia, Cushing's disease, and arthritis.

The AKC offers financial assistance for breeding, including expenses related to pregnancy, whelping, and breastfeeding.

Best for wellness coverage: MetLife

What benefits does MetLife's preventative care plan include?

Standout benefits: Claims can be filed online and reimbursed within 10 days.

Age limits: No maximum age limit

Best for multiple dogs: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

If you enroll more than one dog or cat, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance provides a 10% discount.

Unlike some competitors, ASPCA policies include exam fees and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pets Best

Since its inception in 2005, Pets Best has insured over 750,000 animals, with annual deductibles as low as $50 and the option for unlimited annual coverage. The company offers three types of coverage: accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness.

What is the coverage limit, annual deductible, and reimbursement rate for a health insurance plan?

The waiting period for accidents is three days, for illnesses it is fourteen days, and for cruciate ligament issues it is six months.

Direct vet pay option: Yes

Lemonade

Lemonade stands out as one of our top picks for pet insurance due to its quick claims process and user-friendly mobile app. However, it's important to note that there are breed-specific age limits ranging from 10 to 14 years old and policies not available in certain states, including Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Coverage limit: $5,000 to $100,000

Annual deductible: $100, $250 or $500

Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%

The waiting period for accidents is two days, for illnesses it is 14 days, and for cruciate ligament issues it is six months.

Direct vet pay option: No

AKC Pet Insurance

Independence American Insurance Company underwrites accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverage offered by AKC Pet Insurance. However, dogs over 9 are not eligible for accident and illness policies.

Coverage limit: $2,500 to $10,000

Deductible amounts: $100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750, or $1,000.

Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%

The waiting period for accidents is two days, 14 days for illnesses, and 180 days for cruciate ligament issues.

Direct vet pay option: No

MetLife

MetLife covers a variety of pets, including birds, lizards, and exotic animals. Your deductible decreases by $50 each year you do not file a claim, and up to three pets can be covered under one plan with a single deductible. However, MetLife does not offer accident-only policies.

Coverage limit: $500 to unlimited

Annual deductible: $0 to $2,500

Reimbursement rate: 50% to 90

Waiting period: No waiting period for accidents and 14 days for illness

Direct vet pay option: No

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

The ASPCA offers three types of pet health insurance policies for cats, dogs, and horses: accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans. These policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. Accident and illness plans cover behavioral therapy, alternative treatments, prescription food, and microchipping.

Coverage limit: $2,500 to unlimited

Annual deductible: $100, $250, $500

Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, 90%

Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses

Direct vet pay option: Yes

What pet insurance covers

There are three fundamental types of pet insurance coverage, although the scope may differ among providers.

Emergencies such as broken bones, bites, swallowed objects, and traumatic dental fractures are covered under accident-only plans, while diseases, parasites, and cruciate ligament injuries are not included.
Insurance plans for accidents and illnesses cover conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia and glaucoma. These plans may also include medications, specialized diets, treatments for behavioral problems, and alternative therapies like acupuncture.
Routine care such as checkups, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, teeth cleaning, and parasite testing are typically included in wellness plans. These plans usually need to be bought along with an accident and illness policy.

How much is pet insurance for a dog?

The average monthly premium for an accident and illness policy for a dog in 2023 was $56, or approximately $676 annually, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. On the other hand, the cost of an accident-only policy drops to around $17 per month or $204 annually.

The cost of pet insurance increases as your dog ages and requires more care, and the specific plan's cost will depend on your pet's overall health and the policy limits you choose.

Pros and cons of pet insurance for a dog

Is pet insurance worth it for a dog?

Having pet insurance can help manage unforeseen veterinary expenses, such as when your dog ingests something harmful, develops a respiratory illness, or is diagnosed with cancer.

Routine care for your dog's health can be facilitated by a policy that covers checkups, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and heartworm and parasite testing.

Although pet insurance usually does not cover pre-existing conditions, it becomes more expensive as your dog ages. If your premiums exceed the value of the coverage, you might want to save money in a high-yield savings account.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our goal at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Each pet insurance review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. At CNBC Select, we take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics, and we ensure that our content is free from any commercial influence or external third-party input. While we do earn a commission from our affiliate partners on many offers and links, our editorial team remains independent and uninfluenced by any commercial considerations.

Our methodology

CNBC Select evaluated leading pet insurance providers for dogs by examining various data points, such as average rates, policy options, deductible choices, reimbursement levels, and coverage limits.

We took into account breed limitations, age constraints, waiting times, and guidelines for pre-existing health conditions.

We took into account CNBC Select audience data, including demographics and engagement with our content and tools, when possible.

We have organized our recommendations based on the most suitable plans for older dogs, puppies, dogs with pre-existing conditions, wellness plans, and households with multiple dogs.

The policies and premiums for pet insurance companies may vary and are subject to change based on company policies.

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