The Cheapest Pet Insurance Plans of April 2024
Pet insurance can save you from the financial burden of large or unexpected veterinary bills, but only if you find a plan that fits your monthly budget. According to our research and pricing data, the cheapest pet insurance plans are offered by ManyPets, Wagmo, and Lemonade.
The best pet insurance plans are not only comparatively cheap, but also offer quality coverage and value for your money. We collected sample quotes from top providers to determine which plans were the cheapest, then evaluated each plan to help pet owners choose one that meets their needs.
The Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies
According to our research and hundreds of sample quotes, the following pet insurance companies offer the cheapest monthly premiums:
- ManyPets: Cheapest full-coverage plans
- Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursement
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
- AKC: Best for breeders
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
Compare The Best Affordable Pet Insurance Plans
Each affordable pet insurance provider on our list offers slightly different plan types, pricing, and coverages. We recommend pet owners obtain several quotes to compare and read the fine print before signing the dotted line. Our table details basic plan features and compares popular providers as a starting point for your search.
| Monthly Cost | BBB Rating | Annual Limits | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets |  | $16–$30 | B- | Unlimited | Compare Quotes |
| Wagmo |  | $18–$28 | D | $20k | Compare Quotes |
| Lemonade |  | $16–$30 | C- | $5,000–$100,000 | Compare Quotes |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance |  | $18–$44 | A+ | $2,500–$10,000 | Compare Quotes |
| AKC Pet Insurance |  | $27–$48 | A+ | $2,500–$20,000 | Compare Quotes |
| Healthy Paws |  | $24–$54 | A+ | Unlimited | Compare Quotes |
| Figo |  | $25-$54 | B | $5,000–unlimited | Compare Quotes |
| ManyPets | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| Annual Limits | Unlimited |
| Wagmo | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $18–$28 |
| BBB Rating | D |
| Annual Limits | $20k |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| BBB Rating | C- |
| Annual Limits | $5,000–$100,000 |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $18–$44 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Annual Limits | $2,500–$10,000 |
| AKC Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $27–$48 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Annual Limits | $2,500–$20,000 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $24–$54 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Annual Limits | Unlimited |
| Figo | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $25-$54 |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Annual Limits | $5,000–unlimited |
How We Evaluated Pet Insurance Costs
We evaluated pet insurance costs by researching 14 top providers and obtaining sample quotes in each state to arrive at average figures. We used four sample pets, two dogs and two cats, to provide relevant data. Sample pets included a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed male dog, a 2-year-old female golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed male cat, and a 2-year-old female Siamese cat.
What Is The Cheapest Pet Insurance?
The most affordable pet insurance provider for dogs is Wagmo, with an average cost of $28 per month for accident and illness coverage. Lemonade and ManyPets were close runners-up, each costing an average of $30 per month for our canine friends.
The most affordable pet insurance providers for cats are ManyPets and Lemonade, each costing an average of $16 per month for accident and illness coverage. Runners-up include Wagmo and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, each costing an average of $18 per month.
How To Make Pet Insurance Cheaper
Although some providers offer consistently lower pricing than others, the plan options you choose also influence monthly premiums. Here are a few ways you can lower your premiums regardless of the provider you choose.
Lower Your Reimbursement Rate and Annual Limits
The reimbursement rate is the percentage of covered claims a pet insurance provider will reimburse. The annual limit is the maximum amount a provider will reimburse in a given policy year. Lowering these parameters reduces the chances of the company having to offer you a large payout, so your premiums cost less.
Increase Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you pay each year before reimbursements begin. Higher deductibles mean you’ll likely get less in reimbursements each year, so the provider will lower your premiums.
Look for Discount Options
Discount options are a great way to lower your premiums. You can get discounts from various providers for keeping your pet healthy, participating in an employer benefit program, enrolling multiple pets, or being a current or former military member.
Compare Plans Between Companies
Comparing plans can be difficult because of variable features. To ensure you’re comparing apples to apples, get quotes from several companies using consistent parameters, including deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual limits. This will give you a baseline for pricing, then you can use the quote tool to see how adjusting parameters changes cost.
Opt for an Accident-Only Policy
Accident-only pet insurance policies cover accidental injuries but exclude coverage for illnesses and preventive care. Excluding coverage for expensive illnesses means you pay less for an accident-only plan, but you can use it only in limited situations.
Insure Your Pet At An Early Age
No pet insurance provider can cover pre-existing conditions, which are issues that occurred in your pet before you enrolled in a plan or during the plan’s waiting period. Pet insurance providers use symptoms, not only official diagnoses, to determine pre-existing conditions, and can use this information to exclude legitimate claims later. The earlier in life you insure your pet, the less likely you’ll have a long exclusion list.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
According to our extensive sample quote collection process, the average cost for an accident and illness pet insurance policy can range from $23 to $98 per month, depending on species and location. Overall, plans average around $49 per month.
The cost of veterinary care varies by region, state, and city, which causes variations in pet insurance costs. The table below shows the average cost of a pet insurance plan in each state.
| State | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $43 |
| Alaska | $49 |
| Arizona | $58 |
| Arkansas | $38 |
| California | $63 |
| Colorado | $62 |
| Connecticut | $70 |
| Delaware | $61 |
| Florida | $46 |
| Georgia | $50 |
| Hawaii | $53 |
| Idaho | $50 |
| Illinois | $54 |
| Indiana | $43 |
| Iowa | $43 |
| Kansas | $49 |
| Kentucky | $46 |
| Louisiana | $42 |
| Maine | $61 |
| Maryland | $62 |
| Massachusetts | $75 |
| Michigan | $40 |
| Minnesota | $47 |
| Mississippi | $42 |
| Missouri | $41 |
| Montana | $40 |
| Nebraska | $44 |
| Nevada | $38 |
| New Hampshire | $52 |
| New Jersey | $58 |
| New Mexico | $51 |
| New York | $59 |
| North Carolina | $57 |
| North Dakota | $40 |
| Ohio | $49 |
| Oklahoma | $42 |
| Oregon | $50 |
| Pennsylvania | $48 |
| Rhode Island | $40 |
| South Carolina | $45 |
| South Dakota | $43 |
| Tennessee | $43 |
| Texas | $51 |
| Utah | $45 |
| Vermont | $43 |
| Virginia | $49 |
| Washington | $49 |
| West Virginia | $42 |
| Wisconsin | $44 |
| Wyoming | $41 |
What Impacts Your Pet Insurance Premium?
Pet insurance premiums are based on risk, which is assessed by each provider’s underwriter. Because each underwriter uses a different formula to assess a particular pet’s risk for health problems, similar plans are priced differently across providers. Some factors that may influence rates include:
- Species: Dogs cost more to insure than cats because they are more likely to suffer from accidental injuries and hereditary diseases. Most dogs are also larger than cats, which influences the cost of medications and treatments for illness.
- Breed: Purebred dogs and cats suffer from genetic health problems more frequently than mixed breeds. Notoriously unhealthy breeds, such as the French bulldog, are more expensive to insure. Breed size may also play a role in pricing.
- Age: Insurance premiums will go up over time because of a pet’s advancing age. The older the pet, the more likely they will develop serious health issues, regardless of their previous health history.
- Location: The cost of veterinary care in your zip code and region heavily influences premiums. The more expensive your area, the more you’ll pay.
- Reproductive status: Some providers consider sex and reproductive status when determining rates because intact pets are at greater risk for some cancers, infections, and accidents.
How Much Can You Save With Pet Insurance?
Owning a pet has many benefits, but veterinary care can be costly. Although costs vary depending on the state and city in which you live, our research shows pet owners spend an average of $855 per year at the vet, or up to $995 during a pet’s first year. Using our sample quotes, we determined the average pet insurance plan costs $579 annually, but pet owners can save around $276 per year by purchasing a pet insurance plan.
Pet insurance policyholders can save even more if—or more likely, when—their pet develops a major health issue. For example, say you took out an insurance policy on your puppy and paid the average of $579 in premiums for the year. Your plan has a $250 deductible, an 80% reimbursement rate, and a $10,000 annual limit.
Now, say your puppy swallowed a sock and needed emergency surgery, sticking you with a $2,000* veterinary bill. After submitting the claim to insurance, you would be reimbursed 80% of the $2,000 bill, less your deductible. $2,000 – $250 = $1,750 in eligible expenses; 80% of $1,750 = $1,400. Assuming no other veterinary expenses for the year, having pet insurance saved you $821 on your puppy’s emergency.
*Listed prices are estimated and for demonstration purposes only.
The Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies Reviewed
Learn more about each of the cheapest pet insurance providers by reading our reviews below.
ManyPets
Cheapest full-coverage plans
Wagmo
Best for immediate reimbursement
Lemonade
Most affordable
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Most experienced
AKC Pet Insurance
Best for breeders
Healthy Paws
Best for chronic conditions
Figo
Most flexible reimbursement rates
Who Didn’t We Pick?
We evaluated 14 total providers and included the seven cheapest in our review. The following seven providers aren’t on this list because of their higher average monthly premiums:
- Pets Best: $44 per month
- Spot: $54 per month
- Pumpkin: $55 per month
- Embrace: $56 per month
- Paw Protect: $56 per month
- Fetch: $67 per month
- Trupanion: $88 per month
Types of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance comes in several different varieties, each with variable coverage. The plan type you choose determines how much and how often you’ll be reimbursed for your pet’s veterinary care.
Accident-only Plan
Accident-only plans are generally the cheapest options available to pet owners, but they cost less because they provide coverage for accidental injuries only. All illnesses, from ear infections to cancer, are excluded from coverage. However, an accident policy is better than no coverage at all and can provide good protection against major catastrophic events starting for less than $10 per month.
Accident-and-illness Plan
Accident and illness plans are the most common insurance types. They cover diagnostics and treatments for accidents and illnesses, including acute ailments, chronic diseases, orthopedic issues, hereditary diseases, and more. Accident and illness plans are more expensive than accident-only plans, but the providers in this review offer good value for the money.
Preventive Care Plan
Most preventive care plans are offered as add-ons to base accident or accident and illness plans, although a select few can be purchased as standalone products. Preventive care plans provide partial reimbursement for routine care, such as wellness examinations, screening diagnostic tests, parasite control, dental care, and spay or neuter. The cost of a preventive care plan may not be worth the added benefits unless you plan to use all listed services each year.
How To Buy Pet Insurance
Purchasing pet insurance is easy in today’s digital age. Most providers have clear explanations of their plans listed on their websites and can provide you with an instant quote. We recommend pet insurance shoppers read up on how pet insurance works and decide which features are most important to them to narrow down their choices.
Once you have a short list of providers, do your due diligence by reading customer reviews and checking the BBB website to see how the provider handles serious complaints. All providers will have some negative reviews, but the company’s response can tell you a lot about its values. Get quotes from your top choices for comparison and don’t forget to account for the effect of add-ons and discounts during your search. You can also call the company if you have questions or concerns during the signup process.
Is Cheap Pet Insurance Worth It?
When provided by a reputable company like those listed in this review, purchasing a cheap pet insurance policy is a good investment for the average pet owner. Veterinary expenses can add up quickly and some bills reach into the thousands, while cheap insurance plans start at less than $20 per month.
When shopping for a cheap pet insurance plan, try to avoid choosing the lowest annual limits or highest deductibles. These options result in lower monthly premiums, but you may find they don’t offer good value when the time comes to use them if your reimbursements total less than you paid in premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth shopping around for pet insurance?
Each provider has different pricing strategies dictated by their underwriter. The same or similar coverage will have variable pricing across providers, so plan to shop around to find the lowest prices. Keep in mind that price shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision—you should thoroughly evaluate each company to determine if their cheap plans meet your pet’s needs.
Can you negotiate with pet insurance?
Insurance policy pricing is determined using a strict, non-negotiable formula that evaluates your pet’s individual risks. You can’t haggle for a lower insurance price unless you’re willing to reduce or eliminate certain coverages. The best way to get a good deal on insurance is to shop around and look for providers that offer discounts and incentives.
What is the cheapest cat breed to insure?
Mixed breed cats, also called domestic short hair, medium hair, or long hair cats, are the cheapest to insure. This is because mixed cats are less likely than purebred cats to develop expensive genetic health issues, such as heart disease, eye disorders, or orthopedic problems.
What is the shortest waiting period for pet insurance?
Pet insurance providers usually stipulate different waiting periods for different conditions, including one for accidents, one for illnesses, and another for orthopedic conditions. The shortest waiting periods are usually for accidents, starting at only one day and ranging up to two weeks. A handful of states have strict pet insurance laws in place that eliminate waiting periods for accidents and limit other waiting periods to 30 days.
Our Methodology
Other Pet Insurance Resources
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Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets (2024 Review)
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Emergency Pet Insurance: What’s Covered? (2024 Review)
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Best Pet Insurance For Hip Dysplasia (2024 Review)
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Best Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs (2024 Review)
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Best Pet Wellness Plans for Routine Care (2024 Review)
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Best Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions (2024 Review)
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Best Pet Insurance Companies for Cats (2024 Review)
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Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental?
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Pet Insurance Cost: The Definitive 2024 Guide
