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PetsHealthHub

2026 rankings

The best pet insurance of 2026

Eight insurers, four weighted criteria, one honest ranking. Every policy document read in full, every price checked against sample quotes in 12 US cities.

Reviewed by the PetsHealthHub editorial teamLast updated

Advertiser disclosure. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission. This never affects our rankings.

01Compare

All eight, side by side

Scroll horizontally on smaller screens. Prices are sample monthly premiums for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog at a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement.

Comparison of 8 US pet insurance companies, ranked by our score
InsurerOur scoreDogs fromDeductiblesReimbursementWaiting periodGet quote
01LemonadeEditor’s Choice4.7/5$26/mo$100 – $50070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 2 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote
02Embrace4.6/5$32/mo$200 – $1,00070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 2 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote
03Spot4.5/5$29/mo$100 – $1,00070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 14 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote
04Fetch4.4/5$34/mo$300 – $70070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 15 daysIllness: 15 daysGet quote
05Healthy Paws4.3/5$31/mo$100 – $50070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 15 daysIllness: 15 daysGet quote
06Odie4.3/5$29/mo$50 – $50070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 3 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote
07Pets Best4.2/5$27/mo$100 – $1,00070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 3 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote
08ASPCA4.1/5$28/mo$100 – $1,00070% / 80% / 90%Accidents: 14 daysIllness: 14 daysGet quote

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02Mini reviews

Who each plan is really for

The short version of every review. Full reviews are linked where available.

01

Lemonade

4.7/5

Best for: Young, healthy pets and owners who want a modern app with near-instant claims

Dogs from $26/mo · Cats from $14/mo

Lemonade keeps its base policy lean and lets you bolt on exam fees, physical therapy and wellness. Built that way, it undercut every competitor in our sample quotes while paying claims faster than anyone else.

Pros

  • Lowest sample premiums in 9 of our 12 test cities
  • Simple claims are often approved in minutes in the app
  • Bundling and multi-pet discounts stack
  • Optional preventive packages cover vaccines and annual bloodwork

Cons

  • Vet exam fees are an add-on, not included by default
  • 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries
  • Not available in every state
  • New enrollments close at age 14
Get my Lemonade quoteRead the full Lemonade review
02

Embrace

4.6/5

Best for: Owners who want broad coverage in one plan, including pets with a resolved health history

Dogs from $32/mo · Cats from $19/mo

Embrace includes exam fees, dental illness and rehabilitation in its base plan, and its diminishing deductible rewards claim-free years. It is also one of the few insurers that will cover curable pre-existing conditions after a symptom-free period.

Pros

  • Exam fees, dental illness and rehab included by default
  • Curable pre-existing conditions covered after 12 months symptom-free
  • Deductible drops $50 for every claim-free year
  • Orthopedic waiting period can be shortened with a vet exam

Cons

  • Pricier than Lemonade for young pets
  • Pets over 15 move to accident-only coverage at renewal
  • Claims take longer than the fastest competitors
Get an Embrace quoteRead the full Embrace review
03

Spot

4.5/5

Best for: Senior pets, large breeds prone to knee injuries, and owners who want to tune every setting

Dogs from $29/mo · Cats from $17/mo

Spot accepts pets of any age, includes exam fees, and in most states skips the separate orthopedic waiting period that other insurers impose. Its range of deductibles and limits lets you build a plan precisely to budget.

Pros

  • No upper age limit for enrollment
  • No separate orthopedic waiting period in most states
  • Exam fees, behavioral and alternative therapies included
  • Unlimited annual payout option

Cons

  • 14-day waiting period for accidents is longer than most
  • Claims processing is middle of the pack
  • Premiums climb steeply for pets over eight
Check Spot pricesRead the full Spot review
04

Fetch

4.4/5

Best for: Owners who want maximum coverage breadth and do not mind paying for it

Dogs from $34/mo · Cats from $20/mo

Fetch covers exam fees, dental illness for every tooth, behavioral therapy and even boarding fees if you are hospitalized. It is broad and thoughtful, but one of the more expensive plans in our sample.

Pros

  • Dental illness covered for all teeth, not just canines
  • Exam fees and behavioral care included
  • Covers boarding costs if you are hospitalized

Cons

  • Higher premiums than most competitors
  • 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses
  • Narrow deductible range
See Fetch pricing
05

Healthy Paws

4.3/5

Best for: Breeds with high cancer risk where unlimited payouts matter most

Dogs from $31/mo · Cats from $18/mo

Healthy Paws offers a single plan with no annual or lifetime payout caps and some of the fastest reimbursements we measured. It does not cover exam fees and restricts hip dysplasia coverage for older enrollees.

Pros

  • No annual or lifetime payout limits
  • Claims typically reimbursed in about 2 business days
  • One plan, very little to decode

Cons

  • Exam fees are never covered
  • Hip dysplasia excluded if enrolled after age 6
  • No wellness add-on available
Get a Healthy Paws quote
06

Odie

4.3/5

Best for: Owners who want a fully digital experience plus optional routine-care coverage

Dogs from $29/mo · Cats from $17/mo

Odie pairs a customizable accident-and-illness plan with 24/7 televet chat and optional wellness coverage. Quotes take under a minute and claims are processed in as little as five business days.

Pros

  • 24/7 televet chat included on every plan
  • Claims processed in as little as five business days
  • Wellness and accident-only options available
  • No upper age limit for enrollment

Cons

  • Younger company with a shorter claims track record
  • Six-month orthopedic waiting period
  • Annual limits top out below the unlimited rivals
Get an Odie quote
07

Pets Best

4.2/5

Best for: Owners who want the option of insurer-to-vet direct payment on large bills

Dogs from $27/mo · Cats from $15/mo

Pets Best is fairly priced and one of the few insurers that can pay your vet directly. Exam fees require the higher-tier plan, and claims take longer than the fastest competitors.

Pros

  • Direct vet payment available with clinic approval
  • No upper age limit
  • Low starting prices

Cons

  • Exam fees only on the upgraded plan
  • Claims slower than market leaders
  • 6-month cruciate waiting period
Quote with Pets Best
08

ASPCA

4.1/5

Best for: Cat owners and budget-conscious households who can wait on reimbursement

Dogs from $28/mo · Cats from $16/mo

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance includes exam fees, behavioral and alternative therapies, and is particularly competitive for cats. Claims processing was the slowest in our sample.

Pros

  • Exam fees and behavioral care included
  • Competitive cat pricing
  • No upper age limit

Cons

  • Slowest claims in our testing
  • Customer service wait times vary widely
  • Fewer digital tools than newer insurers
Check ASPCA prices

03FAQ

Before you buy

Lemonade earns our top score of 4.7 out of 5 for its combination of low prices and fast claims. Embrace is the best choice for the most complete standard coverage, and Spot is best for senior pets and large breeds.