Best Pet Insurance of January 2026

Pet insurance helps cover veterinary costs for your pet's accidents, illnesses, and sometimes routine care. It works similarly to human health insurance, with premiums, deductibles, and coverage limits.

Coverage varies by plan but typically includes accidents, illnesses, surgeries, medications, and sometimes routine care like vaccinations and checkups. Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded.

Pet insurance premiums typically range from $20-$60 per month for dogs and $15-$40 per month for cats, depending on the pet's age, breed, location, and coverage level.

The best time to get pet insurance is when your pet is young and healthy, as pre-existing conditions aren't covered. However, you can enroll pets of any age, though older pets may have higher premiums.

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage begins. Deductibles can be annual (per year) or per-incident (per condition). Lower deductibles typically mean higher premiums.

Reimbursement percentage is the portion of covered costs the insurance company pays after you meet your deductible. Common percentages are 70%, 80%, or 90%. Higher percentages mean higher premiums.

No, pre-existing conditions are typically excluded from coverage. A pre-existing condition is any illness or injury that occurred before coverage started or during the waiting period.

Most pet insurance plans allow you to use any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. You pay the vet directly, then submit a claim for reimbursement. Some plans have preferred provider networks.