Pet insurance has gotten genuinely affordable in the last two years — and the gap between the best and worst plans is wider than ever. We compared six of the most popular US pet insurers across the metrics that actually matter when you're standing in a vet's office with a $4,000 bill.
The short version
If you want the punchline first: Pumpkin won on overall coverage breadth, Lemonade won on price for healthy young pets, and Odie is the dark horse for pet parents who want a high annual benefit cap. The full reasoning is below.
Our six finalists
No breed or upper-age restrictions. Dental illness and hereditary conditions covered at no extra cost. Underwritten by Independence American or US Fire.
Accept any licensed vet in the US or Canada. Affordable accident-only plans available. Insured 600K+ pets since 1997.
Popular for affordable rates and a world-class digital experience. Donates unclaimed premiums to nonprofit organizations.
Pays up to 90% of unexpected vet bills, often within 2 days via direct deposit. Protects 400K+ dogs and cats. Excellent on Trustpilot.
Free 24/7 video chat with vets included. Real-time claims tracking via app. Underwritten by Independence American.
Free 24/7 vet video chat and a high annual benefit option up to $40,000. Underwritten by Trisura Insurance Company.
Quoted prices are for a standard plan with 90% reimbursement and a $10,000 annual benefit, based on a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog in a typical US zip code. Your quote will vary.
How to pick between them
If your pet is young and healthy
Go with Lemonade or Odie — their prices for low-risk pets are unbeatable, and you're unlikely to hit any of their exclusion clauses in the first few years.
If your pet has any pre-existing conditions or is a senior
Look at Pumpkin. They don't penalize for age or breed, and dental illness coverage (often excluded by others) is included by default.
If you want the smoothest claim experience
Fetch consistently gets the best Trustpilot scores for claim speed — reimbursements often hit your bank account within 2 days.
If you want vet advice on demand
Both Figo and Odie include free 24/7 video chat with licensed vets — great for the 11pm "should we go to the ER?" question.
What to check before you buy
- Hereditary & congenital coverage. If you have a purebred, this is the single biggest factor.
- The waiting period for orthopedic issues. Some insurers won't cover hip dysplasia or ACL tears for 6-12 months.
- The annual benefit cap. A $5,000 cap sounds fine until you get a $7,000 cancer treatment estimate.
- Reimbursement percentage. 90% is standard; 70% is cheap; 80% is the sweet spot.
- What "wellness" means in their plan. Some only cover vaccines; others include dental cleanings and bloodwork.
"The cheapest plan is almost never the best deal. Buy on coverage, not on price — you bought insurance precisely because you don't want to be making this decision under pressure."
Ready to compare?
Head to our pet insurance comparison page for a live side-by-side, or read our how-to-compare guide if you're new to this.