Dog insurance costs pet owners an average of $56.30 monthly in 2023. The good news is that providers like Lemonade now offer plans starting at just $26.83 per month.
Most pet owners pay between $50 to $85 monthly for premium coverage, but we found several affordable options that fit your budget. Some accident-only plans cost as little as $9 per month. You can save 5-10% more with multi-pet discounts. We compared seven budget-friendly plans that give you the best value in 2025, from simple coverage to detailed protection.
Lemonade Pet Insurance: Most Affordable Overall
“Lemonade Pet Insurance reimburses 70, 80, or 90% of your eligible veterinary expenses up to $100,000 per year (after your deductible has been paid).” — Pawlicy Advisor, Pet insurance comparison platform
Lemonade’s base dog insurance plans are affordable at just $10 per month. The company provides detailed accident and illness coverage with an open-peril policy that covers most medical conditions unless specifically excluded.
Lemonade Dog Insurance Coverage Details
The base policy has coverage for diagnostics, procedures, and medications for accidents and illnesses. Pet owners can boost their coverage with five optional add-ons: vet visit fees, physical therapy, dental illness (up to $1,000), behavioral conditions (up to $1,000), and end-of-life care (up to $500). The preventative care packages take care of routine wellness visits, vaccinations, and annual tests.
Monthly Premium Cost Analysis
Dog owners typically pay around $47 per month for coverage. Different breeds have different premium rates:
- French Bulldog: $42.14 per month
- Labrador Retriever: $39.82 per month
Available Discounts and Savings
Pet owners can save money through multiple discounts:
- 5% multi-pet discount for insuring additional pets
- 10% bundle discount with other Lemonade policies
- 5% discount for annual payments
Policy Customization Options for Lower Rates
Monthly costs can be reduced by adjusting several policy components. Annual deductibles range from $100 to $750. Annual coverage limits can be set between $5,000 and $100,000. Higher deductibles or lower annual limits can reduce monthly premiums by 10% to 15%.
Coverage changes can be made within 14 days of purchase or during renewal. Most states allow coverage reductions anytime during the policy period. Pet owners can choose reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Pets Best: Best Budget-Friendly Accident Coverage
Pets Best makes pet insurance affordable with their accident-only plan that costs just $9 per month for dogs. This budget-friendly option gives pet owners essential coverage for unexpected injuries.
Pets Best Dog Insurance Plans Overview
The company’s insurance lineup features several tiers, with a straightforward accident-only plan that comes with a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement rate. Pet owners get $10,000 in annual benefits, so they won’t have to worry about huge emergency vet bills.
Cost Comparison with Competitors
Pets Best shines with its competitive rates for dogs of different ages:
- 2-year-old dogs: $32 monthly
- 8-year-old dogs: $71 monthly
Their prices are the second-lowest among leading pet insurers. Pet owners can tailor their coverage with these options:
- Annual deductibles: $50 to $1,000
- Reimbursement rates: 70% to 90%
- Annual limits: $5,000 to unlimited
Accident-Only Coverage Benefits
The accident-only plan protects your pet in many emergency situations:
- Broken legs and bone injuries
- Snake bites and toxic ingestions
- Accidental swallowing incidents
- Traumatic dental fractures
- Oral trauma
Your plan covers diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood work. Most states have a three-day waiting period for accident coverage, while Maine residents get immediate coverage.
Pets Best’s Vet Direct Pay feature lets eligible vets receive payment directly from the company. This helps pet owners avoid large upfront costs during emergencies. Regular claims get paid quickly – within two days through direct deposit or five to seven days by check.
Dogs can join from seven weeks old with no upper age limit, ensuring lifelong accident protection. Your premium stays the same even after filing claims. Washington state residents can save 5% by adding a second pet to their accident-only plans.
Figo: Best Value for Multiple Dogs
Figo’s insurance offerings provide substantial value to pet owners with multiple dogs. The company stands out because of its tech-forward approach and flexible policy options that fit different budgets.
Figo’s Multi-Pet Discount Structure
Pet parents get a 5% discount for each additional pet enrolled in a Figo policy. This discount works the same way in all states, making it available to pet owners nationwide. Costco members can save even more with an extra 15% discount. These savings add up when combined with the multi-pet discount.
Coverage Options and Limits
Figo has three insurance tiers – Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate. These plans cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses, with yearly benefits from $5,000 to unlimited. The company also offers “Powerups” – optional add-ons to improve protection:
- Wellness coverage for preventive care
- Extra Care Pack for lost pet advertising and burial costs
- Veterinary Exam Fee coverage
Premium Customization Features
Pet owners can customize their policies through several options:
- Annual deductibles from $100 to $1,500
- Reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%
- Waiting periods of just one day for accidents
The policy includes a diminishing deductible feature that lowers the yearly deductible amount after terms without accident or illness claims.
Claims Process and Reimbursement Speed
Figo handles claims in 2.6 working days, making it one of the fastest in the industry. The Pet Cloud mobile app makes the claims process simple. Pet owners can:
- Submit claims directly through the app
- Track claim status with up-to-the-minute updates
- Access 24/7 veterinary support
The first claim usually takes 7-14 business days while medical records get reviewed. Later claims move substantially faster and need only the date of service records. Pet owners receive reimbursements through direct deposit.
Embrace: Most Cost-Effective for Young Dogs
Embrace Pet Insurance stands out with its cost-saving features that young dogs can benefit from. The company’s approach pairs diminishing deductibles with wellness benefits to create great savings for pet owners who take care of their pets.
Healthy Pet Deductible Benefits
Embrace created a revolutionary feature that cuts the annual deductible by $50 automatically [link_1] when pet owners don’t file claims. A pet’s $200 annual deductible could drop to $100 after two years without claims. The company improved this program by switching to a Healthy Pet Premium Discount program. Pet owners now get a 5% monthly premium discount in their first qualifying year and 10% in the second year.
Wellness Rewards Program Savings
The Wellness Rewards program works as a flexible savings tool for routine care with three yearly allowance options:
- $250 allowance at $18.75 monthly
- $450 allowance at $35.42 monthly
- $650 allowance at $52.09 monthly
This program covers preventive care without deductibles or copayments. Pet owners get a $25 bonus they can use for eligible preventative services. You can get reimbursed for wellness exams, vaccinations, training, grooming, and preventative dental cleaning.
Age-Based Premium Structure
Accident and illness coverage costs between $15 to $40 monthly. A standard dog policy’s base premium averages $39.56 per month. Pet owners can customize their coverage with these options:
- Deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000
- Reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Annual limits from $5,000 to $15,000 or unlimited
Young dog owners can save money through multiple discount options. The company gives a 10% multi-pet discount and a 5% military discount. The waiting periods are competitive at two days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Claims processing is quick with three business days for direct deposit reimbursement and about ten business days for paper checks.
MetLife: Best Military and Healthcare Worker Discounts
MetLife stands out in the pet insurance market with big savings through its WeSalute program. The program gives stackable discounts to military members, veterans, and healthcare workers.
Available Discount Programs
Active military members and veterans get a 10% base discount. Healthcare workers can also get an extra 10% off, which adds up to 20% in total savings. Animal care facility staff members get special discounts too, but New York residents can’t access this benefit.
Pet owners can save even more with MetLife’s MyPets rewards program. Eligible policyholders can redeem up to five rewards worth $25 each every year. These rewards help cut costs on pet care purchases at select businesses.
Coverage Features and Benefits
MetLife’s standard plan covers accidents, illnesses, and exam fees during the coverage term. The policy has coverage for:
- Hereditary conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Alternative therapies
- Holistic care
Coverage limits range from $500 to unlimited, giving pet owners plenty of choices. You can customize your policy by picking:
- Deductibles from $0 to $2,500
- Reimbursement rates between 50% and 90%
MetLife’s family plan sets it apart by letting up to three pets share one deductible. This helps pet owners meet their deductible faster when they insure multiple pets.
Premium Payment Options
Pet owners can choose from several payment methods that fit their needs:
- Direct billing arrangements
- Credit or debit cards
- Online portal payments
Dog insurance plans start at $16 monthly, while cat insurance begins at $7. Your pet’s breed, age, and coverage choices determine the final premium.
MetLife’s mobile app makes filing claims easy, and most claims get processed within five days. The app also gives you access to 24/7 live vet chat support, adding extra value beyond your insurance coverage.
Spot: Most Affordable Unlimited Coverage
Spot’s unlimited annual coverage makes it stand out in the dog insurance market. We designed this plan to give complete protection with no per-incident caps and no lifetime limits. This makes it perfect for pet owners who need extensive coverage.
Unlimited Annual Benefits Structure
The policy lets you claim any eligible expenses during your policy term. You’ll get reimbursed for costs once you meet the annual deductible, and there are no maximum payout limits. Coverage options range from $2,500 to unlimited. This flexibility helps pet owners pick the right level of protection.
Deductible Options and Savings
Spot shines with its range of deductible choices. Annual deductibles run from $100 to $1,000, which changes your monthly premium costs. You can choose reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90% to customize your premium further.
A 10% discount applies when you enroll a second pet and any additional pets after that. Pet owners also get access to a 24/7 pet telehealth helpline for their pet’s health or behavior questions.
Preventive Care Add-On Costs
Two preventive care packages can boost your base policy:
- Gold Plan: $9.95 monthly covers basic preventive care like annual wellness exams and vaccinations
- Platinum Plan: $24.95 monthly includes extra benefits like spaying/neutering
Your preventive care coverage starts right away with no waiting period. The base accident-and-illness coverage has a 14-day waiting period.
Monthly premiums begin at $49.33 for dogs. Rates change based on your dog’s age, breed, and location. You can modify your policy within 14 days of purchase or when you renew. Claims go through the company’s online portal or mobile app, and you’ll get reimbursed quickly after meeting the deductible.
AKC Pet Insurance: Best for Pre-existing Conditions
AKC Pet Insurance stands out in the pet insurance market as the only provider that covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions[link_1]. This unique approach revolutionizes complete pet health coverage.
Pre-existing Condition Coverage Details
The company’s standout feature becomes active after 365 days of continuous coverage. To cite an instance, your dog’s allergy treatments won’t qualify for coverage during the first year if symptoms appeared before the policy started. Your policy renewal makes all allergy-related treatments eligible. Coverage applies to curable conditions like respiratory infections and incurable ones such as joint deterioration or hip dysplasia.
Premium Cost Analysis
Monthly premiums for AKC’s accident and illness coverage begin at $10. You can customize your policy through several options:
- Annual deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000
- Reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Annual coverage limits from $2,500 to $20,000
- Per-incident limit of $500
Your pet’s age, breed, and location determine the final premium. The company keeps pricing consistent, and your premium rates won’t increase after filing claims.
Available Discounts
Pet owners receive a 5% multi-pet discount when they insure additional pets. AKC breeders get a special benefit with a 10% premium discount for puppies from the AKC Breeder of Merit Program or the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program. These discounts apply automatically at checkout, though state availability varies.
Policy Limitations and Exclusions
New policies require a mandatory waiting period before coverage starts. Different conditions have specific waiting periods:
- Two days for accidents
- Fourteen days for illnesses
- Six months for orthopedic conditions
The policy doesn’t cover cloned and hybrid pets, cosmetic procedures, and some bilateral conditions. On top of that, it excludes dental illnesses, behavioral modification, and breeding costs. You need a veterinary examination within 12 months before the policy’s start date or within fourteen days of initiation.
Optional add-ons are a great way to get extra flexibility through exam coverage, hereditary condition coverage, and final respects coverage. The company’s 24/7 vet helpline service provides extra support for your pet’s health concerns.