Pet insurance premiums vary sharply between providers, with cover for the same dog costing more than twice as much depending on the policy chosen. Quotes for a 55lb mixed-breed dog in Los Angeles ranged from $45.34 a month with Fetch to $121.33 with MetLife, while the most expensive plan did not necessarily offer the greatest protection.
The gap was narrower for cats. Monthly quotes for domestic shorthair cats ranged from $31.53 with Embrace to $54.68 with MetLife. In both cases, the prices were based on accident-and-illness policies with a $500 excess and 80% reimbursement.
Pet insurance prices are also rising. Average accident-and-illness premiums increased by 11.5% for dogs and 12.6% for cats in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
Pet insurance premiums vary widely
Fetch was the cheapest option for dogs in the comparison, followed by Prudent Pet at $54.43 a month and Embrace at $55.97. Healthy Paws averaged $66.55, while Pumpkin came in at $74.48 and Pets Best at $76.75.
Spot and ASPCA both cost $88.24 a month for the sample dogs. Lemonade was higher at $97.97, while MetLife stood apart at $121.33.
For cats, Embrace offered the lowest average premium at $31.53 a month, narrowly ahead of Healthy Paws at $32.20. Fetch cost $37.45, followed by Pets Best at $38.61 and Lemonade at $40.11.
Prudent Pet averaged $40.29 for cats, while Spot and ASPCA were both priced at $41.59. Pumpkin cost $42.64 and MetLife was again the most expensive, at $54.68.
The comparison found that a high premium did not guarantee a higher annual limit. MetLife was the costliest provider for both animals, but online quotes offered a maximum annual limit of $10,000. All eight of the cheapest dog plans included an unlimited annual limit option.
Spot and ASPCA produced identical quotes because their policies are underwritten by the same insurance companies. Customers considering either brand would therefore need to compare waiting periods and additional benefits rather than price alone.
The figures were based on quotes collected over two days in September 2026 for one-year-old and six-year-old pets. The sample included large, 55lb mixed-breed dogs and domestic shorthair cats, with both male and female animals represented, all in the same Los Angeles postcode.
What the leading pet insurance plans offer
Fetch was the lowest-priced dog option in the comparison and includes exam fees, dental disease and behavioural therapy within its main accident-and-illness policy. It also offers up to $1,000 towards boarding costs if the owner or pet is admitted to hospital. The trade-offs include no accident-only plan and a six-month waiting period for hip and knee conditions, although the knee waiting period may be waived after an early veterinary examination.
Pumpkin was positioned as a more comprehensive option. It covers exam fees, dental illness, behavioural problems and prescription food, with reimbursement set at either 80% or 90%. Its 14-day waiting period applies to all conditions, including knee injuries and hip dysplasia, but its average monthly price was among the higher quotes for cats and sat mid-range for dogs.
Spot offers extensive choice, with annual limits ranging from $2,500 to unlimited cover, deductibles between $100 and $1,000 and an accident-only policy. It also covers prescription food, behavioural treatment and microchipping, but its dog premium was one of the highest in the comparison.
Healthy Paws had the second-lowest average price for cats, at $32.20 a month, and offers unlimited annual cover. However, it does not include exam fees, behavioural treatment or prescription diets, while hip dysplasia is excluded for pets enrolled at six or older.
Lemonade allows customers to build cover through optional extras. Its basic policy covers diagnostics, procedures and medication, while exam fees, dental illness, behavioural conditions, physical therapy and end-of-life costs cost more. It does not offer unlimited annual cover, although discounts may be available for customers who bundle policies, insure multiple pets or pay annually.
Prudent Pet was the second-cheapest option for dogs, with an average monthly premium of $54.43. Its plans range from accident-only protection to unlimited cover, and the company says most claims are processed within 24 hours. Exam fees are an additional cost and there is no mobile app.
Embrace had the lowest average cat premium and the third-lowest dog premium. Its cover includes exam fees, dental illness and alternative therapies, while a claim-free discount can reduce the excess by $50 each year. Accident-and-illness cover is available only to pets enrolled by the age of 14.
MetLife offered the widest range of excess and reimbursement combinations, including a $0 excess and reimbursement levels as low as 50%. It also provides family policies covering up to three pets under one policy and one excess. However, it was the most expensive provider for both species in the sample.
Pets Best was among the middle-priced providers and has no upper age limit for enrolment. It offers a flat-priced accident-only policy, a three-day waiting period for accidents in most states and, in some cases, the ability to pay a vet directly. Exam fees are included only on higher-tier plans.
What pet insurance usually covers
Most pet insurance policies reimburse owners for eligible treatment after they have paid the veterinary bill. Cover commonly includes accidents, injuries, diagnostic tests, medication, hospital stays and emergency care.
Routine check-ups, vaccinations, grooming, cosmetic procedures, dental cleaning, spaying and neutering are usually excluded from standard policies. Some providers offer wellness or preventive-care add-ons, but these increase the overall cost.
Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered. In some cases, an illness that has fully healed and remained free of symptoms or treatment for a specified period may become eligible for cover again, depending on the provider. Knee and ligament conditions may be subject to separate restrictions.
Owners should also check for bilateral exclusions, which can prevent a policy from covering the same condition on the other side of the body if it has already affected one eye, leg or another paired part.
When pet insurance may be worthwhile
Insurance can provide a financial buffer against expensive treatment and may be particularly valuable for owners who would struggle to meet a large emergency bill. It can also make monthly costs more predictable, although the excess and any uncovered portion of a claim will still need to be paid.
The value of a policy depends on the pet’s age, breed, medical history and the owner’s ability to cover treatment from savings. Older animals are generally more expensive to insure and may have fewer options, while existing conditions are unlikely to be covered.
Buying cover earlier can reduce the risk of conditions being classed as pre-existing. Waiting periods also mean that taking out a policy after an animal becomes ill will not usually provide immediate protection for that problem.
Owners comparing policies should match the same animal details and cover levels when requesting quotes. Premiums, excesses, reimbursement rates, annual limits, exclusions and waiting periods can all materially alter the apparent price of a policy.
Most vets can be used with pet insurance, although the owner will normally need to pay first and then submit a claim. A small number of providers may be able to pay a vet directly, but reimbursement remains the standard model.
