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5 Best Affordable Pet Insurance Providers for Dogs & Cats in 2024

Simplify your search for budget-friendly pet health coverage with our top 5 best-value pet insurance providers of the year

Diana Bocco - Writer for DailyTails
By Diana Bocco
Davor Štefanović - Editor for DailyTails
Edited by Davor Štefanović

Updated November 30, 2023.

A dog and a cat playing with their owner, both covered by affordable pet insurance

Every pet owner yearns for their dogs and cats to thrive, sharing joy and companionship throughout their lives. But, along with the licks, wags, and purrs comes significant financial responsibility. Studies suggest that pet owners could spend as much as $55,000 on a dog or $45,000 on a cat over their lifetime. Food alone can rack up as much as $7,000 if you choose quality options. These expenses can range from feeding nutritious diets to managing health complications.

One effective strategy to manage these costs is investing in inexpensive pet insurance. With options ranging from accident and illness coverage to comprehensive wellness plans, there's a perfect balance of protection and budget. However, navigating through a sea of policies to find the best cheap pet insurance can seem daunting.

Top 5 Best Affordable Pet Insurance Providers in 2024

  • Best affordable pet insurance for multiple pets - Lemonade
  • Best affordable pet insurance for senior pets - Pumpkin
  • Best cheap pet insurance for unexpected incidents - Fetch
  • Best affordable pet insurance for congenital conditions - MetLife
  • Best cheap pet insurance for puppies and kittens - Embrace

To simplify your search for the perfect blend of affordability and comprehensive coverage, we've compiled reviews of 2024's top 5 best-value pet insurance providers.



Pawsitive Protection: Finding the Right Pet Insurance for Your Budget

Whether you're a multi-pet household or a parent to a bouncy new pet (or even a bouncy senior one), there's a reasonable pet insurance policy out there to help you handle the financial side of pet parenting with ease. Knowing that a sudden illness or an unexpected accident won’t cause financial stress will allow you to focus on what matters—helping your pet get better.

Pet insurance doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. You can protect your furry family members while still being kind to your wallet.

Best affordable pet insurance for multiple pets

1


Outstanding
9.9
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance, diagnostics covered by Lemonade
Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Affordability and comprehensive care

Read the review

Waiting Period

2 days for accidents; 14 days for illnesses


Age restrictions

Minimum 2 months old; Maximum age limits vary by breed


Maximum annual coverage

$5,000 to $100,000


Plans available

Accident and illness; Wellness

Brief overview

Housing multiple pets translates to multiplied joy but also amplified expenses. This is where Lemonade Pet Insurance stands out.

Costs like check-up fees, emergency vet visits, and vaccinations mount quickly when more than one furry friend shares your home. Finding budget-friendly pet insurance for multiple pets like Lemonade becomes crucial to ensure they receive top-notch care while shielding your bank balance.

Why we chose Lemonade

Lemonade shines as an economical yet comprehensive pet insurance provider. Their basic policy covers both accidents and illnesses, coupled with three wellness plan choices. This allows you to tailor coverage to each pet's unique needs. Lemonade appreciates the individuality of every family, offering plentiful policy customizations for your multi-pet household.

Pros and cons

Affordable rates for multiple pets

Best insurance for preventive care

Donates a portion of premiums to nonprofit organizations

Not available in all states


Best affordable pet insurance for senior pets

2


Outstanding
9.8
Pumpkin Pet Insurance for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, and Puppies.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, and Puppies.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, and Puppies.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, and Puppies.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, and Puppies.

Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Senior pet health champions

Waiting Period

14 days for accidents and illnesses


Age restrictions

Minimum 8 weeks old; No upper age limit


Maximum annual coverage

$7,000 to unlimited


Plans available

Accident and illness

We recommend Pumpkin as the best insurance provider for senior pets. Even healthy pets can benefit from insurance as they age due to increased risk of breed-specific conditions and severe health issues.

Because older pets are at an increased risk of health issues, getting pet insurance for them can be expensive. This doesn’t mean you can’t find cheap cat insurance for your aging feline friends—with some research, you can find the cheapest pet insurance for cats in the market without sacrificing quality.

Pumpkin's policy generously covers hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions with 90% reimbursement—essential for aging pets. They also support you during your pet's final journey, covering end-of-life services like euthanasia, cremation, and burial.

No lifetime limits

90% reimbursement rate for all plans

10% discount for each additional pet

No coverage for most pre-existing conditions


Best cheap pet insurance for unexpected incidents

3


Outstanding
9.8
Fetch Pet Insurance by Dodo
Fetch Pet Insurance by Dodo
Fetch Pet Insurance by Dodo
Fetch Pet Insurance by Dodo
Fetch Pet Insurance, picture with two dogs and two cats

Fetch Pet Insurance

Covering the unexpected

Waiting period

15 days for accidents and illnesses; 6 months for hip and knee injuries, waivable with a vet exam within first 30 days of policy


Age restrictions

Minimum 6 weeks old; No upper age limit


Maximum annual coverage

$5,000 to unlimited


Plans available

Accident and illness

Fetch is an excellent choice when considering costs—it offers wide-ranging coverage at a surprisingly affordable rate. Unique features include up to $1000 each for lost pet recovery and boarding fees if hospitalization prevents you from caring for your pet.

When it comes to covering those unexpected incidents, Fetch is the ideal insurance provider. Pet insurance is more than just great coverage for regular check-ups and medical conditions—the right policy can also cover unexpected incidents such as a broken leg or an emergency visit to the vet because Fido decided to swallow something he shouldn’t have. The real value of a cheap but good pet insurance plan really comes into play when dealing with unexpected illnesses, accidents, and other unforeseen scenarios.

Coverage for unexpected incidents

Includes holistic treatment options and sick exam fees

Discounts available for rescued or adopted pets from a shelter

No accident-only plans or wellness coverage


Best affordable pet insurance for congenital conditions

4


Outstanding
9.7
MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance

MetLife Pet Insurance

Comprehensive congenital condition care

Waiting period

Midnight EST for accidents; 14 days for illness coverage


Age restrictions

None


Maximum annual coverage

$1,000 to $25,000


Plans available

Accident and illness; Wellness

While many pet insurance companies offer coverage for congenital conditions, we think MetLife goes way beyond the basics by offering comprehensive protection for congenital, chronic, and hereditary conditions. Conditions such as patella luxation, pancreatitis, cancer, and abscesses—all of which can require expensive treatments—are usually covered by MetLife.

Although it's possible for some congenital conditions not to cause serious issues or to resolve on their own, you can't rely on it. Whether hereditary or the result of action or exposures during pregnancy or birth, these conditions often require long-term, expensive medical treatment.

Coverage for a range of congenital conditions

No waiting period; accident coverage starts immediately

Coverage for holistic and alternative care included

No sample policies on the website


Best cheap pet insurance for puppies and kittens

5


Outstanding
9.6
Embrace Pet Insurance woman embracing cat
Embrace Pet Insurance for Cats and Dogs
Embrace Pet Insurance vet with dog
Embrace Pet Insurance Mobile
Embrace Pet Insurance for Dogs

Embrace Pet Insurance

Securing puppy and kitten health

Waiting period

14-day waiting period for illnesses; 48 hrs waiting period for accidents; 180-day for orthopedic injuries, reducible to 14 days with a vet exam


Age restrictions

Minimum 6 weeks old; Up to age 14, accident and illness coverage; Age 15+, only accident coverage


Maximum annual coverage

$5,000 to unlimited


Plans available

Accident and illness; Accident-only; Wellness

We think Embrace Pet Insurance deserves a gold star when it comes to coverage for the youngest four-legged members of your family. While other companies out there also offer wellness coverage, Embrace’s Wellness Rewards program has some unique perks perfect for kittens and puppies. From the first vaccinations to preventives and microchipping, Embrace's got your back (and your wallet's).

It’s hard not to get excited when new playful purrs and wagging tails join the family. But while bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is a lot of fun, the expenses that tag along with your new furball aren’t quite as exciting. This is where Embrace will set your mind at ease.

Depending on the breed of your new furry friend, they might require frequent visits to the beauty salon (grooming), as well as boarding during family trips, a healthy diet, and regular vet check-ups. Even essential vet expenses like puppy vaccinations to protect against life-threatening diseases can quickly add up to a small fortune.

Offers a special policy called the Wellness Plan for young puppies and kittens

Accident-only plan for pets 15+

Customizable plans

No coverage for prescription food or supplements



DailyTails: Your Gateway to Pet Health & Insurance Wisdom

Discovering the best affordable pet insurance for your beloved dogs and cats involves careful consideration and comparison. Exploring sites like DailyTails offers invaluable insights into pet health and insurance, guiding you through the process of securing coverage tailored to your pet's needs.

FAQs

At what age is pet insurance the cheapest?

It costs less to insure a young pet. Most of the time, it’s more expensive to insure an older dog. That's why many experts typically recommend that you start insuring your pet when they're still a puppy or a kitten. There are, however, excellent coverage options for senior pets that will fit within your budget.

What is the least expensive pet insurance?

Lemonade is considered one of the cheapest pet insurance providers in the US. They offer competitive monthly premiums starting at $31.01 for dogs and $16.63 for cats, making their policies affordable for pet owners. However, it's important to note that the actual cost may vary depending on factors such as the pet's age, breed, location, and the specific coverage options chosen.

How do you pick the best pet insurance?

To pick the best pet insurance, consider coverage options, cost, exclusions, claim process, customer reviews, waiting periods, additional benefits, and provider stability. Review the policy terms and consult with your veterinarian for recommendations.