A playful puppy and kitten were bound together in a bag and thrown into the mud.

When it comes to ensuring the health and happiness of our furry, feathered, or scaly friends, pet insurance is essential. With veterinary care costs on the rise, pet insurance provides crucial financial protection and peace of mind. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore top pet insurance companies in the market, their features, and how to find the best policy for your beloved pet.

Top Pet Insurance Companies Overview
After thorough analysis and evaluation, we have identified the following as the top pet insurance companies for 2024:

ASPCA: Best for broad coverage
Embrace: Best for various ways to save
Figo: Best for cats
MetLife: Best for dogs
Nationwide: Best for exotic pets
Pets Best: Best for flexible plans
Spot: Best for straightforward waiting periods

ASPCA: Best Pet Insurance for Broad Coverage
ASPCA offers extensive coverage and multiple plan options, including accident-only policies. Whether it’s dental illnesses, behavioral issues, alternative treatments, or even microchipping, ASPCA pet insurance likely has you covered. Unlike some providers, ASPCA also includes coverage for accident or illness exam fees.

Plans Available
ASPCA offers three main plans: Accident and Illness, Accident-Only, and Wellness. The Accident and Illness plan provides comprehensive coverage, while the Accident-Only plan is a more budget-friendly option. The Wellness plan can be added to either the Accident and Illness or Accident-Only plan to cover preventive care services.

Coverage Details
ASPCA’s Accident and Illness plan covers a wide range of conditions, including dental illnesses, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, prescription food, microchipping, and more. They have a shorter waiting period for cruciate injuries compared to most plans, at just 14 days. The waiting period for accident and illness coverage is also 14 days, while preventive care coverage starts immediately.

Cost of Pet Insurance
For a mixed-breed dog, ASPCA’s Accident and Illness plan with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage, and an 80% reimbursement rate would cost $30 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $68 per month for an 8-year-old pet. For a domestic shorthair cat, the same plan would cost $16 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $30 per month for an 8-year-old pet.

Embrace: Best Pet Insurance for Many Ways to Save
Embrace stands out for its numerous ways to save on your pet insurance policy. In addition to the standard 10% multi-pet discount, the company offers a 5% discount for active military members and veterans (except in New York and Tennessee).

Plans Available
Embrace offers Accident and Illness, Accident-Only, and Wellness plans. The Accident and Illness plan includes coverage for alternative therapies, exam fees, and behavioral treatments.

Coverage Details
Embrace’s Accident and Illness plan covers a wide range of conditions, including curable pre-existing conditions. However, it does not cover prescription food or supplements unless you purchase a Wellness plan.

Waiting Periods
Embrace has a 48-hour waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is typically a 180-day waiting period for orthopedic injuries, which can be reduced to 14 days with a vet exam.

Cost of Pet Insurance
For a mixed-breed dog, Embrace’s Accident and Illness plan with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage, and an 80% reimbursement rate would cost $42 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $77 per month for an 8-year-old pet. For a domestic shorthair cat, the same plan would cost $23 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $40 per month for an 8-year-old pet.

Figo: Best Pet Insurance for Cats
Figo offers extensive coverage for cats with no upper age limit for enrollment and the option for 100% reimbursement. Their mobile app, Pet Cloud, also provides a range of useful features beyond filing claims and paying bills.

Plans Available
Figo offers an Accident and Illness plan with three different annual reimbursement maximums ($5,000, $10,000, or unlimited). They also offer a Wellness plan that can be added to the Accident and Illness coverage.

Coverage Details
Figo’s Accident and Illness plan includes coverage for non-routine dental care, alternative treatments, and hereditary conditions. You can also add coverage for veterinary exam fees.

Waiting Periods
Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents, a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, and a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic injuries (which can be waived with a vet exam).

Cost of Pet Insurance
For a mixed-breed dog, Figo’s Accident and Illness plan with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage, and an 80% reimbursement rate would cost $22 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $52 per month for an 8-year-old pet. For a mixed-breed cat, the same plan would cost $10 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $19 per month for an 8-year-old pet.

MetLife: Best Pet Insurance for Dogs
MetLife stands out for its competitive rates for dogs, lack of age restrictions for enrollment, and coverage for holistic and alternative care.

Plans Available
MetLife offers Accident and Illness and Wellness plans for dogs, cats, and other pets in some states.

Coverage Details
MetLife’s Accident and Illness plan includes coverage for holistic and alternative care, without an extended waiting period for orthopedic issues like some other insurers.

Waiting Periods
Accident and wellness coverage with MetLife take effect immediately, while there is a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage.

Cost of Pet Insurance
For a mixed-breed dog, MetLife’s Accident and Illness plan with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage, and an 80% reimbursement rate would cost $42 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $78 per month for an 8-year-old pet. For a domestic shorthair cat, the same plan would cost $23 per month for a 2-year-old pet and $37 per month for an 8-year-old pet.

Nationwide: Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets
While most pet insurance companies focus on dogs and cats, Nationwide stands out by offering coverage for a wide range of exotic pets, including birds, rabbits, and other furry, feathered, or scaly friends.

Plans Available
Nationwide’s main plans are Whole Pet, Major Medical, and Modular. The Whole Pet plan offers the most comprehensive coverage, while the Modular plan allows you to customize your coverage.

Coverage Details
Nationwide’s exotic pet plan can cover a wide range of accidents and illnesses, though some plan options are available only by phone, not online.

Waiting Periods
Waiting periods vary by plan, but a 14-day waiting period may apply, with a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament coverage.

Cost of Pet Insurance
Nationwide’s pet insurance rates for dogs and cats are comparable to other leading providers, but you’ll need to contact the company directly for quotes on exotic pets, as online quotes are only available for cats and dogs.