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Compare pet insurance plans side by side

An unexpected vet visit can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. See how three popular US providers compare on reimbursement, deductibles and waiting periods, then get free quotes for your dog or cat.

Compare plans

Last reviewed: October 2026

Our top picks

Each provider is strong in a different area. Pick the one that fits your pet, then check the exact price with a free quote. Prices depend on your pet's age, breed and ZIP code.

No upper age limit

Pets Best

  • Reimbursement: 70%, 80% or 90%
  • Deductible from $50 up to $1,000 per year
  • Annual limit: $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
  • Pets can enroll from 7 weeks, with no maximum age
Get a Pets Best quote

Free quote. No obligation.

Rewards claim-free years

Embrace

  • Reimbursement: 70%, 80% or 90%
  • Deductible drops by $50 for each year without a paid claim
  • Wide range of annual limits, up to unlimited
  • Enroll by age 14 to keep accident & illness coverage for life
Get an Embrace quote

Free quote. No obligation.

Exam fees included

Fetch

  • Reimbursement: 70%, 80% or 90%
  • Deductible from $250 to $2,500 per year
  • Sick-visit exam fees covered in the base plan
  • Optional wellness add-on for routine care
Get a Fetch quote

Free quote. No obligation.

Side-by-side details

The key terms that change what you actually get back after a vet bill.

Pets BestEmbraceFetch
Reimbursement70% / 80% / 90%70% / 80% / 90%70% / 80% / 90%
Annual deductible$50 – $1,000About $100 – $1,000, decreasing $50 per claim-free year$250 – $2,500
Annual limit$5,000, $10,000 or unlimitedSeveral tiers up to unlimitedSeveral tiers up to unlimited
Accident waiting period3 days in most statesAbout 2 days in most statesVaries by state; check your policy
Illness waiting period14 days14 daysAbout 15 days
Orthopedic / knee waiting period6 months for cruciate ligament issues6 months for dogs; can be shortened with a vet examAbout 6 months; knee wait can be waived with an early vet exam
Age limitsFrom 7 weeks, no maximumEnroll by 14 for accident & illness; 15+ accident-onlyCheck quote
Stand-out featureNo upper age limitDiminishing deductibleSick-visit exam fees covered

Summarized from publicly available plan information and independent reviews, October 2026. Terms vary by state and change over time. Always confirm the details in your quote and policy documents before you enroll.

How to pick the right plan in 3 steps

Start with your pet's age

Older pets have fewer options. If your pet is a senior, look for providers without an upper age limit.

Choose your deductible

A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means you pay more before coverage kicks in.

Compare two or three quotes

The same pet can get very different prices. Quotes are free and take a few minutes.

Read the full guide to choosing pet insurance →

Frequently asked questions

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Generally no. Conditions that appeared before coverage started, or during the waiting period, are usually excluded. Some providers, including Embrace, may cover curable conditions that haven't recurred for a set period. Check each policy.

How does reimbursement work?

You usually pay your vet first, then submit a claim. After your annual deductible is met, the insurer pays back your chosen percentage (for example 80%) of eligible costs, up to your annual limit.

When does coverage start?

Every plan has waiting periods: typically a few days for accidents and around two weeks for illnesses, with longer waits for some orthopedic conditions. Anything that starts during the waiting period is usually treated as pre-existing.

Is pet insurance worth it?

It depends on your budget and how you'd handle a large, unexpected vet bill. Insurance turns a possible bill of thousands of dollars into a predictable monthly cost. If you could comfortably pay a large bill from savings, you may need less coverage.

Does it cost more to get a quote through this site?

No. Quotes are free and the price is the same as going to the provider directly. We may receive a referral fee from the provider.

Ready to compare prices?

Get free quotes from two or three providers and pick the one that fits your pet and budget.

See the top picks