Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Some plans can be costly, so we looked into them—and other ways to protect your pet
When someone asks if I’m a dog or cat person, my answer is yes.
We’ve got one of each at my house: Logo, who’s been our good boy for four years now, and Phoebe, who arrived at the door as a stray kitten five years ago. They are both happy, healthy, and uninsured. And we’re not alone in not insuring our pets: Of the estimated 80.1 million dogs and 66.9 million cats in the U.S. in 2023, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association says only 5.7 million were insured.
- Pet Insurance: What to Know Is it Worth It? Alternatives
At Consumer Reports, we rated 14 pet insurance providers: ASPCA, American Kennel Club, Embrace, Fetch, Figo, Healthy Paws, Lemonade, Liberty Mutual, MetLife Pet Insurance, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Pets Best, Pumpkin, Spot, and Trupanion. The ratings are based on a nationally representative survey of 3,583 policyholders reporting on their current carriers, and look at such things as satisfaction with the prices paid, the availability of different types of coverage, reimbursement options, and coverage based on preexisting conditions, a pet’s age, and other characteristics.
Our ratings of pet insurance companies show that while a majority of policyholders feel their coverage was worth what they paid for it, they’re not very enthusiastic about the particulars. In fact, of the 14 pet insurance providers we looked at, all but one earned a midrange Overall Satisfaction Score and the last one received unfavorable ratings.
In our pet insurance buying guide, we explain the category’s nooks and crannies further to help you decide whether to invest in the coverage.
Your Guide to the Best Pet Products
