What is the best pet insurance for dogs?

By Louise Smith 6 insurers analysed NAIC regulator verified Updated July 23, 2026

Dog insurance in the US is priced on breed, age and zip code. The bills it has to absorb are known. Bloat surgery typically costs 8,000 dollars and reaches 25,000. Hip dysplasia typically costs 5,500 dollars, up to 14,500. A slipped disc averages 6,000 dollars. Cancer sits near 5,000 dollars and can hit 20,000. We read the US policy forms of the six insurers below to see which ones actually pay on those cases.

The pet insurance comparison

Recommended offer

#1

Healthy Paws

3.5

Reimbursement Flexible
Annual limit Flexible
Deductible n/a
Illness waiting 15 days

One uncapped accident and illness plan with two day claims, owned and underwritten by Chubb.

One uncapped accident and illness plan
Most claims processed within two days
Underwritten by Chubb

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about Healthy Paws

Is Healthy Paws trustworthy?

Healthy Paws is an established player. The risk carrier is Westchester Fire Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose Healthy Paws?

One uncapped accident and illness plan with two day claims, owned and underwritten by Chubb..

What are the waiting periods at Healthy Paws?

Accidents are covered after 15 days. Illness carries a 15 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does Healthy Paws cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is Healthy Paws for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

#2

Trupanion

3.5

Reimbursement 90 %
Annual limit n/a
Deductible $0
Illness waiting 30 days

The only US plan with no payout caps and a lifetime per-condition deductible

No annual or lifetime payout caps
Deductible applies once per condition, for life
Direct vet payment where clinics run its software

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about Trupanion

Is Trupanion trustworthy?

Trupanion is an established player. The risk carrier is American Pet Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose Trupanion?

The only US plan with no payout caps and a lifetime per-condition deductible. Reimbursement reaches 90 %. The everyday plus: Direct vet payment at checkout.

What are the waiting periods at Trupanion?

Accidents are covered after 5 days. Illness carries a 30 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does Trupanion cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. The annual deductible ranges from $0 depending on the plan. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is Trupanion for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

#3

MetLife

3.4

Reimbursement Flexible
Annual limit Flexible
Deductible n/a
Illness waiting 14 days

The most granular plan builder on the US market, with a rare zero deductible option and no upper age limit.

Deductible options down to $0
Limits from $500 up to unlimited
No upper age limit at enrollment

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about MetLife

Is MetLife trustworthy?

MetLife is an established player. The risk carrier is Metropolitan General Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose MetLife?

The most granular plan builder on the US market, with a rare zero deductible option and no upper age limit.. The everyday plus: Preventive care included (MetLife covers wellness).

What are the waiting periods at MetLife?

Accidents are covered after 0 days. Illness carries a 14 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does MetLife cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is MetLife for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

#4

Fetch

3.2

Reimbursement Flexible
Annual limit Flexible
Deductible n/a
Illness waiting 14 days

Broad everyday cover with sick-visit exam fees, full adult dental and telehealth in the standard plan.

Sick-visit exam fees included
Full adult dental in the standard plan
Distributed with AARP and Walmart

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about Fetch

Is Fetch trustworthy?

Fetch is an established player. The risk carrier is United States Fire Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose Fetch?

Broad everyday cover with sick-visit exam fees, full adult dental and telehealth in the standard plan..

What are the waiting periods at Fetch?

Accidents are covered after 0 days. Illness carries a 14 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does Fetch cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is Fetch for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

#5

Lemonade

3.2

Reimbursement 80-90 %
Annual limit $20,000
Deductible 100-$250
Illness waiting 14 days

Digital-first insurer with the market's lowest entry prices and AI claims paid in minutes.

Entry prices from $10 per month
AI claims, some paid in minutes
Dental illness and physical therapy excluded

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about Lemonade

Is Lemonade trustworthy?

Lemonade is an established player. The risk carrier is Lemonade Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose Lemonade?

Digital-first insurer with the market's lowest entry prices and AI claims paid in minutes.. Reimbursement reaches 80 to 90 %, up to $20,000 a year.

What are the waiting periods at Lemonade?

Accidents are covered after 0 days. Illness carries a 14 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does Lemonade cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. The annual deductible ranges from $100 to $250 depending on the plan. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is Lemonade for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

#6

Pets Best

3.1

Reimbursement 80 %
Annual limit $10,000
Deductible $200
Illness waiting 14 days

Vet-founded budget insurer with an unlimited option and rare direct payment to clinics via Direct Vet Pay.

Founded by a veterinarian in 2005
Unlimited option and Direct Vet Pay
Claims currently slower than the market

Our full take Full review →

5 things to know about Pets Best

Is Pets Best trustworthy?

Pets Best is an established player. The risk carrier is American Pet Insurance Company. As always, read the policy wording and exclusions before signing.

Why choose Pets Best?

Vet-founded budget insurer with an unlimited option and rare direct payment to clinics via Direct Vet Pay.. Reimbursement reaches 80 %, up to $10,000 a year.

What are the waiting periods at Pets Best?

Accidents are covered after 3 days. Illness carries a 14 days waiting period. Also check condition-specific waiting periods before committing.

How much does Pets Best cost?

Pricing depends on species, breed and age, via a personalised quote. The annual deductible ranges from $200 depending on the plan. Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.

Who is Pets Best for?

Dog and cat owners whose pet profile matches this plan. Our review shows when a competitor does better.

Our full take →

How to choose your pet insurance

Criterion	What we check
Match the annual limit to a real surgery bill	Bloat surgery reaches 25,000 dollars and hip dysplasia 14,500 in our US cost data. A 2,500 dollar annual cap covers neither. Price the limit against the worst bill your breed faces, not against an average vet visit.
Check the orthopedic wait, not just the illness wait	Healthy Paws covers hip dysplasia only after a 12-month wait, and only if the dog enrolled before age 6. Lemonade holds orthopedic conditions for 30 days. The generic 14-day illness wait tells you nothing about the joint claims that dominate dog costs.
Read the deductible structure, not only the amount	An annual deductible resets every year. Trupanion charges its deductible once per condition, for the life of the policy. On a chronic dog condition the per-condition version costs less over time. On one single bad year, the annual version wins.
Confirm exam fees are covered	The vet exam is billed on every sick visit. Healthy Paws excludes exam fees outright. Fetch includes sick-visit exam fees in its standard plan. On a dog with recurring skin allergies, 1,500 dollars typical, those exam lines add up faster than the treatment itself.
Enroll before the first symptom appears	Every US policy excludes pre-existing conditions, and a symptom counts even without a diagnosis. A limp noted in the file at age 3 can block a hip or knee claim at age 5. The cheapest year to buy dog insurance is always the first one.
Budget the year-eight premium, not the quote	Healthy Paws own sample rates move a dog from 57 dollars a month at age 2 to 136 at age 8. Pets Best policyholders report steps from 60 to over 90 dollars by year five, without a major claim. Compare the third-year price.

01

Trupanion for dogs: no payout cap, one deductible per condition

Trupanion is the only plan in our US panel with no annual limit at all. Reimbursement is fixed at 90 percent, and the deductible, from 0 to 1,000 dollars, applies once per condition for the life of the policy instead of resetting each year. On a chronic dog condition such as arthritis or diabetes, that structure pays. The clinic can be paid directly at checkout, so you avoid fronting an 8,000 dollar bloat surgery. The illness waiting period is 30 days, the longest in our US panel, and accidents wait 5 days. Preventive care and prescription food beyond 180 days are excluded. Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company. Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 across 11,886 reviews.

02

Healthy Paws for dogs: uncapped cover, but the joint clause matters

One plan, no annual limit on claims, and reimbursement up to 90 percent, with rate and deductible options restricted by age and breed at enrollment. Claim decisions are fast. Two clauses hurt dog owners specifically. Hip dysplasia is covered only after a 12-month wait, and only if the dog was enrolled before age 6. Exam fees are excluded, so the consultation line stays unpaid on every sick visit. Dental illness is excluded too. Both accident and illness waits are 15 days. Its own sample rates take a dog from 57 dollars a month at age 2 to 136 at age 8. Underwriter: Westchester Fire Insurance Company, Chubb group. Trustpilot: 4.1 out of 5 across 3,644 reviews.

03

MetLife for dogs: zero deductible option and no upper age limit

MetLife runs the most granular plan builder in our US panel. Deductibles start at a rare zero, and there is no upper age limit at enrollment, so a 12-year-old dog can still be insured. Preventive care and telemedicine are included rather than sold as add-ons, which is unusual in this market. Accidents are covered from day one and illnesses after 14 days. No orthopedic-specific wait is published on the pages we read, so confirm it on your own certificate before counting on joint cover. Underwriter: Metropolitan General Insurance Company. Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 across 10,866 reviews.

04

Fetch for dogs: exam fees and full adult dental in the base plan

Fetch puts in its standard plan what rivals charge extra for: sick-visit exam fees, full adult dental and telehealth. It also covers boarding fees, advertising and reward, theft or straying, and a death benefit. The deductible is per condition per policy period rather than one annual figure, so several unrelated problems in the same year each carry their own. Enrollment opens at 6 weeks with no upper age limit. Accidents are covered from day one, illnesses after 14 days. Complaint files document renewal increases of 40 percent one year and 50 percent the next. Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company, Chubb group. Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 across 7,293 reviews.

05

Lemonade for dogs: the lowest entry price, with real gaps

Lemonade advertises policies from 10 dollars a month, and its own policy example insures a three-year-old dog for 168 dollars a year at 80 percent, a 20,000 dollar annual limit and a 250 dollar deductible. An unlimited option exists at 90 percent with a 100 dollar deductible. Claims run through an app and can pay in minutes. The exclusion list is the price of that: all dental illness, all physical therapy, all behavioral care and all alternative treatment, at any age, on any configuration. Orthopedic conditions wait 30 days, illnesses 14, accidents none. Lemonade Insurance Company is its own carrier, which is rare here. Trustpilot: 4.2 out of 5 across 6,242 reviews.

06

Pets Best for dogs: cheap entry, and direct payment to the clinic

Pets Best sells four annual limits: 2,500, 5,000, 10,000 dollars, or no annual limit. Reimbursement runs 70, 80 or 90 percent, with deductibles from 50 to 1,000 dollars. Documented quote: 32 dollars a month for a 2-year-old mixed dog in Katy, Texas. Direct Vet Pay can settle with the clinic instead of reimbursing you afterwards. The catch is what sits outside the base plan, since exam fees, prescriptions, dental illness and rehab are all paid add-ons. Accidents wait 3 days, illnesses 14. Multi-pet gets 5 percent off. Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company. Trustpilot: 3.6 out of 5 across 6,282 reviews, the weakest score of the six here.

Frequently asked questions

How much does dog insurance cost in the US?

Lemonade advertises policies from 10 dollars a month, and Pets Best accident-only starts at 9 dollars for dogs. A documented accident and illness quote sits at 32 dollars a month for a 2-year-old mixed dog in Texas. Healthy Paws own sample rates reach 136 dollars a month by age 8. Breed, age and zip code decide the rest.

Which pet insurance is best for dogs?

Trupanion for uncapped payouts on a chronic condition, Fetch for the broadest base plan including exam fees and dental, Lemonade for the lowest entry price, MetLife for a zero deductible and an older dog. There is no single winner, because the right plan follows your dog's age and breed risk.

Does dog insurance cover hip dysplasia?

Usually yes, but under conditions. Healthy Paws covers it only after a 12-month wait and only if the dog enrolled before age 6. Lemonade applies a 30-day orthopedic wait. Any symptom noted before enrollment makes it pre-existing and permanently excluded. Typical US cost is 5,500 dollars, and up to 14,500.

What is not covered by dog insurance?

Pre-existing conditions everywhere, plus preventive care, elective and cosmetic procedures, breeding and pregnancy. Beyond that it varies by insurer. Healthy Paws excludes exam fees and dental illness, Lemonade excludes all dental illness and physical therapy, the Figo contract sold at Costco excludes dental illness. Read the exclusions list, not the marketing page.

At what age should I insure my dog?

As early as possible. Every US policy excludes anything already diagnosed or showing symptoms, so a clean medical file is the real asset you are insuring. Premiums also climb with age: the Healthy Paws sample dog goes from 57 dollars a month at age 2 to 136 at age 8.

Can I insure an older dog?

Yes. MetLife, Spot, Pumpkin, Fetch, Pets Best and ASPCA all publish no upper age limit at enrollment. Trupanion enrollment offers run to fourteen years. The real limit is medical, not administrative, because only conditions appearing after enrollment are ever paid.

Do dog insurance plans cover the vet exam fee?

Not always, and it matters because the exam is billed on every sick visit. Fetch includes sick-visit exam fees in its standard plan. Healthy Paws excludes them outright. Pets Best sells them as a paid add-on. On a dog with recurring allergies, that line is claimed several times a year.

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