10 Best Pet Insurance for Dogs that Covers Everything
Dog insurance promises peace of mind—but many policies leave gaping holes when you need help most. Below, we answer the questions no other article does.
🔑 Key Takeaways: What You Really Need to Know
❓Critical Concern | ✅Quick Answer |
---|---|
Which plan actually includes everything? | ASPCA – standard plan covers exam fees, prescriptions, microchipping & more. |
Who pays the vet directly (no reimbursement wait)? | Trupanion – real-time checkout payment. |
What’s best if my dog has a chronic illness? | Trupanion – lifetime deductible saves thousands long-term. |
What’s the fastest claims processor? | Lemonade – AI bot pays out in minutes. |
Who’s best for low budgets without sacrificing coverage? | Figo – tech, flexibility, even 100% pay option. |
Can I get coverage for past problems like UTIs? | Spot – covers “curable” pre-existing conditions. |
Who skips the long wait for orthopedic issues? | MetLife or ASPCA – only 14-day waits. |
Who’s the best for modern, app-first users? | Figo – unmatched mobile platform and 24/7 vet chat. |
Who gives behavior & exam coverage up front? | ASPCA – includes these in its base policy. |
Who offers a one-plan unlimited payout? | Healthy Paws – no tiers, no caps, just coverage. |
🦴 Which Plan Truly Covers Everything? Hint: It’s Not the “Big Names”
ASPCA’s Complete Coverage℠ includes:
- Dental illness 🦷
- Vet exam fees 🩺
- Alternative & behavioral therapy 🧠
- Prescription food & microchip implants 🍲📡
Most insurers require costly add-ons for these. ASPCA bakes them into the base.
📊 At-a-Glance Table: Standard Inclusions
Provider | Dental Illness | Exam Fees | Behavioral Therapy | Prescription Food |
---|---|---|---|---|
ASPCA | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
Embrace | ✅ (limit $1k) | 🔄 Add-on | ✅ Included | 🔄 Add-on |
Spot | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
Trupanion | ✅ Included | 🔄 Add-on | 🔄 Add-on | ⚠️ Limited (50%) |
Healthy Paws | ❌ Not Covered | ❌ Not Covered | ❌ Not Covered | ✅ With Rx note |
🐾 Tired of Waiting for Reimbursements? Use a Plan That Pays the Vet Directly
Trupanion is the only major provider with a direct vet pay system. That means:
- The bill goes straight to them—no waiting.
- You only pay your portion (e.g., deductible + 10%).
💡 This is life-changing in emergencies where bills hit $3,000+.
🧬 What If My Dog Develops a Long-Term Condition Like Diabetes?
Trupanion’s per-condition deductible is perfect for:
- Chronic conditions that last for years
- Owners who want to pay a one-time deductible per illness
- Predictable monthly costs for long-term care
🧠 Most insurers make you hit a new annual deductible every year—not Trupanion.
⚡ Want Lightning-Fast Claims? Look for AI, Not Just Customer Reps
Lemonade uses AI to process simple claims in under 2 minutes:
- Snap a pic 🖼️
- Submit in the app 📲
- Get reimbursed before you close the fridge door
🧩 Caveat: Complex or disputed claims still require human review—so it’s best for healthy dogs with straightforward needs.
💸 Budget-Conscious? Go Custom Without Compromising
Figo lets you:
- Select $100–$1,500 deductibles
- Choose 70%–100% reimbursement
- Waive orthopedic waits with a vet form
- Add optional wellness and exam coverage
🧬 Best for tech-savvy, cost-sensitive dog parents who want choice without confusion.
📅 Had a Health Scare Before? One Provider Gives You a Second Chance
Spot covers past conditions (like a UTI or ear infection) if:
- Your dog is symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days
- The condition is deemed “curable”
🩺 This “curable clause” is a rarity and gives hope to rescues or pups with one-time issues.
🦿 Worried About Orthopedic Wait Periods? These Plans Don’t Make You Wait 6–12 Months
MetLife and ASPCA offer:
- 14-day wait periods (same for knees, hips, ligaments)
- No hidden clauses that delay coverage for TPLO or hip dysplasia
🐶 Essential for active breeds like Labs, GSDs, Goldens, and Pit Bulls.
📱 Live on Your Phone? This Plan Feels Like an App Store Upgrade
Figo’s “Pet Cloud” ecosystem is built for mobile users:
- Store medical records
- Chat with live vets 24/7
- Submit claims in-app
- Track deductible progress in real-time
🧪 Designed for modern pet parents who want speed, data, and simplicity.
🧠 Is Behavioral Therapy or Exam Coverage Even an Option Without Upgrading?
Only a few providers cover these without an add-on:
- ASPCA: ✅ Exam fees & behavioral therapy included
- Spot: ✅ Both included in standard plan
- Embrace: 🟡 Behavioral included, exam fees optional
🚫 Most others make you pay more or exclude them altogether.
♾️ Hate Plan Tiers? One Provider Keeps It Simple
Healthy Paws offers one plan:
- Unlimited payouts 🏥
- 50%–90% reimbursement
- No confusing tiers or modules
Ideal for catastrophic illness protection, especially for younger pets enrolled early.
✅ Top Tier Summary: Who’s Best at What?
🔍 Need | 🐾 Best Provider | 🧩 Why |
---|---|---|
Broadest “included” benefits | ASPCA | No add-ons needed |
Pays vet directly | Trupanion | No reimbursements |
Best for chronic illness | Trupanion | Per-condition deductible |
Fastest claims | Lemonade | AI-powered |
Most customizable | Figo | Budget-friendly options |
Curable pre-existing covered | Spot | 180-day clause |
Short orthopedic wait | MetLife/ASPCA | 14 days only |
Most mobile-friendly | Figo | App, live vet chat |
Includes exam & behavior | ASPCA | Base plan benefit |
Simple unlimited payouts | Healthy Paws | One plan, no limits |
FAQs 🐶💡
❓“Why don’t more pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions, even if the issue was minor or resolved years ago?”
Because insurers assess risk, not recovery. Even if your dog’s ear infection was successfully treated three years ago, the mere history of that diagnosis raises a flag in the insurer’s algorithm. From their actuarial perspective, past issues suggest biological predisposition, not just an isolated event. To them, the risk of recurrence outweighs the lack of symptoms.
However, a few companies are starting to break that mold:
📊 Pre-Existing Condition Flexibility Overview
🐾 Provider | 🧬 Pre-Existing Policy | 🧯 Curable Clause? | ⚠️ Chronic Illness Eligible Later? |
---|---|---|---|
Spot | Excluded at first | ✅ 180-day symptom-free window | ❌ No chronic re-entry allowed |
Embrace | Excluded at first | ✅ 12-month clean record | ❌ Orthopedic still excluded |
AKC | Excluded but reviewed | 🟡 12-month rule (in some states) | ✅ Sometimes with vet review |
🧠 Tip: Always request full medical records before enrollment and review them with your vet. If there’s any mention of limping, inflammation, or “monitoring” language, ask if you can submit an addendum or clarification letter during underwriting.
❓“Why is orthopedic coverage delayed when those injuries are so common?”
Because they’re predictably expensive. TPLO surgery for a torn ACL (cruciate ligament) can run $4,000–$6,000. Hip dysplasia treatments and joint replacements push those costs even higher. Insurers use a delayed eligibility clause to prevent owners from enrolling after symptoms start, then immediately filing claims.
📊 Orthopedic Coverage Wait Times
🏥 Provider | 🦴 Cruciate Wait | 🕐 Hip Dysplasia Wait | 💡 Workaround |
---|---|---|---|
Figo | 6 months | 6 months | ✅ Waiver via vet exam |
Trupanion | 30 days | 30 days | ❌ No waiver |
Healthy Paws | 12 months | 12 months | ❌ No exceptions |
ASPCA | 14 days | 14 days | ✅ Shortest by default |
💡 Pro Insight: If your breed is predisposed (Labradors, GSDs, Goldens), go with a plan like ASPCA or complete a vet waiver form with Figo within the first 30 days to bypass the delay.
❓“Why do premiums jump so much as my dog ages—even if I’ve never filed a claim?”
This is one of the least transparent areas in pet insurance. Most policies are age-banded, meaning your premium resets into a higher risk pool once your pet reaches a specific age (e.g., 6, 8, 10). Even if your pet is healthy, their actuarial “age profile” reflects statistically higher costs to the company.
📊 Average Premium Increases by Age Bracket
🎂 Age Bracket | 💵 Typical Monthly Premium (Labrador) | 📈 Avg. Annual Increase |
---|---|---|
1–5 years | $35–$50 | ~8% |
6–8 years | $50–$70 | ~12% |
9+ years | $70–$120 | ~20% |
🧠 Tip: Look for providers with predictable pricing models like Healthy Paws, which publishes how age affects premium over time, or opt for Trupanion, which avoids age-based pricing fluctuations once your policy is locked in—though their base rate is high.
❓“Why are wellness plans often called ‘budgeting tools’ rather than insurance?”
Because they cover expected costs, not unexpected risks. Insurance exists to protect against catastrophic events that you can’t plan for—like a sudden ACL tear or a cancer diagnosis. Wellness plans, on the other hand, simply reimburse you for routine services you would likely pay for anyway.
📊 What’s Covered: Insurance vs. Wellness
🔍 Type | 🩺 Exam | 💉 Vaccines | 🐶 Spay/Neuter | 💔 TPLO Surgery | 🧪 Cancer Treatment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wellness Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Often | ❌ Not Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
Accident & Illness | ✅ Sometimes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
💡 Tip: Treat wellness as a convenience, not a value play. Unless your provider offers discounted rates through the plan (e.g., Embrace’s flat reimbursements or Lemonade’s bundled pricing), you may break even or lose a few dollars annually.
❓“Can you combine plans to get full-spectrum coverage?”
Yes, but it’s not always cost-effective. Some owners stack a core policy (accident + illness) with a wellness rider and prescription drug add-on to approximate “full” coverage. Just be mindful of overlapping exclusions.
📊 Sample Combo Plan Stack (Embrace)
📦 Plan Component | 💰 Avg. Monthly Cost | 🚫 Not Covered Without It |
---|---|---|
Accident & Illness Core | $38 | Emergency, cancer, arthritis |
Wellness Rewards ($500/yr) | $30 | Exams, vaccines, microchip |
Rx Drug Add-On | $12 | Long-term medications |
Total Monthly | $80 | – |
🧠 Caution: Review each rider’s fine print. For example, Figo’s wellness option doesn’t cover dental cleaning, whereas ASPCA’s Prime Preventive Care does. If dental is important, the plan with lower base premiums but poor wellness terms may cost you more in the long run.
❓“Which providers offer coverage for things like acupuncture, chiropractic, or behavior therapy?”
These services fall under complementary or alternative care, and are surprisingly excluded by many mainstream providers—despite their popularity in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and recovery.
📊 Therapeutic Add-On Availability
🐶 Provider | 🧘 Alternative Therapies | 🧠 Behavior Therapy | 💵 Included or Add-On? |
---|---|---|---|
ASPCA | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Included |
Embrace | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Included |
Figo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (up to $500) | ✅ Included |
Trupanion | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 🔄 Add-on Required |
Healthy Paws | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not Covered | ✅ (only alt. care) |
💡 Tip: These therapies are often used for pain management post-surgery or for aging dogs with mobility issues. If your dog is prone to joint disease, this can save hundreds annually.
❓”Is it true some providers deny claims just because of ‘notes’ in vet records—even without a diagnosis?”
Yes, and it’s one of the most overlooked pitfalls in pet insurance. Insurers assess claims based not only on diagnoses but on subjective terminology in your dog’s medical history. Terms like “suspected,” “monitor,” or “possible mass” can trigger exclusions—even if your vet never confirmed an issue.
📊 Risky Language That Can Cost You Coverage
📝 Vet Record Term | 🚫 Insurance Interpretation | ❗Why It Matters |
---|---|---|
“Monitor a lump” | Pre-existing mass = exclusion | Cancer denial risk |
“Possible allergy flare” | Chronic condition flagged | Lifetime exclusion possible |
“Mild lameness” | Potential orthopedic issue | 6–12 month wait resets |
“Owner-reported vomiting” | GI instability | Delays coverage for pancreatitis or IBD |
🧠 Expert Tip: Before applying, ask your vet to review the past 12 months of notes for ambiguous language. A brief clarification letter can prevent future denials. Some insurers accept these documents at underwriting—but only if submitted proactively.
❓”What’s the actual difference between $10,000 annual coverage and an unlimited plan in real cancer cases?”
The difference is catastrophic or contained debt. Cancer treatment for dogs can easily surpass $15,000 in a single year, especially for aggressive forms like osteosarcoma or lymphoma that require chemotherapy, surgery, and advanced diagnostics.
📊 Real Cancer Cost Breakdown (Average U.S. Prices)
🏥 Treatment Component | 💰 Cost Range |
---|---|
Biopsy + Imaging (CT/MRI) | $1,800–$3,500 |
Surgery (mass removal) | $2,500–$5,000 |
Chemotherapy (multi-rounds) | $3,000–$10,000 |
Radiation therapy (if needed) | $4,000–$6,500 |
Palliative care (6–12 months) | $2,000–$3,500 |
Total Estimate (Year 1) | $13,000–$28,000 |
🧠 Rule of Thumb: For cancer, anything less than unlimited coverage or a minimum of $20,000/year creates a high probability you’ll max out mid-treatment. Healthy Paws, Embrace, and Spot offer strong unlimited options with fewer sublimits or loopholes.
❓”Can insurance deny a second diagnosis if it’s related to the first?”
Absolutely, and it happens often. Many providers have what’s called a “bilateral condition exclusion” or “related condition clause.” If your dog tore one ACL, the insurer may automatically exclude the opposite leg—even if it fails a year later.
📊 Common Bilateral or Related Conditions Excluded
🔄 First Condition | ⚠️ Excluded If Later Occurs |
---|---|
Cruciate ligament (left) | Right cruciate (auto-excluded by many) |
Hip dysplasia (left) | Right hip (if one side pre-exists) |
Cataract (one eye) | Second eye (some limit or deny) |
Ear infection (chronic) | Opposite ear (if “recurrent”) |
Bold Providers That Don’t Auto-Exclude:
- Embrace: Only excludes bilateral if one side is documented before enrollment.
- ASPCA / Spot: Review case individually—no blanket exclusions.
- Trupanion: Bilateral conditions typically share one deductible but are not auto-excluded unless noted.
🧠 Action Step: Ask for clarification on how “related” is defined in your plan’s terms. Some insurers use vague phrasing that opens the door to denial later.
❓”Are there insurers that help cover costs even if your pet dies during treatment?”
Only a few. These fall under end-of-life care or remembrance benefits, and are often omitted unless purchased as a rider. If your dog passes during cancer care, costs like euthanasia, cremation, and grief support are not always reimbursed—even if the disease was covered.
📊 End-of-Life Care Comparison
🌈 Provider | 🕊️ Euthanasia | ⚱️ Cremation/Burial | 🫂 Grief Counseling |
---|---|---|---|
ASPCA | ✅ Covered | ✅ Included | ❌ Not specified |
MetLife | ✅ Covered | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
Lemonade (add-on) | ✅ Covered | ✅ Included | 🟡 Support materials |
Embrace (Wellness) | ✅ Covered | ✅ Memorial items | ❌ Not included |
Healthy Paws | ✅ Covered | ❌ Not covered | ❌ Not included |
🧠 Emotional and Financial Support Tip: MetLife stands out by offering grief support—a thoughtful but rare benefit. If your dog is older or in palliative care, confirm these costs are covered under your policy.
❓”Is it better to enroll before spay/neuter or wait until after?”
Enroll before if your dog is otherwise healthy. Why? Because some providers exclude complications from spay/neuter if your dog develops issues before surgery or has uncorrected congenital defects (like cryptorchidism).
📊 Pros and Cons: Timing Your Enrollment
🐶 Timing | ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
---|---|---|
Before surgery | Covers unexpected complications 🏥 | Premiums may be higher for intact dogs |
After surgery | Possibly lower premium 💸 | If issues occurred pre-op, they’re excluded |
🧠 Strategy: Choose a plan like Figo or ASPCA, which doesn’t penalize for intact pets, and enroll before your pre-op exam to avoid “pre-existing” tagging from benign findings like retained testicles or mild infection.
❓”Is cancer more likely to be excluded for senior dogs?”
Not automatically—but it’s complicated. While most insurers cover cancer regardless of age, the real barrier is when coverage starts. If your senior dog has any symptom—even mild weight loss or a suspicious lump—before the end of the waiting period, any future diagnosis is excluded.
📊 Senior Dog Enrollment Rules
🐾 Provider | 📅 Max Age to Enroll | 🧪 Cancer Covered if Diagnosed After Wait? | 👀 Red Flag Symptoms That Void Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Embrace | 14 years | ✅ Yes | Weight loss, masses, lethargy |
Figo | No age cap | ✅ Yes | Pre-enrollment vomiting or mass |
Trupanion | 14 years | ✅ Yes | Any sign of illness in 30-day window |
Healthy Paws | 14 years | ✅ Yes | Limping, fatigue, anorexia |
🧠 Bottom Line: Senior dogs are insurable for cancer—but only if enrolled while symptom-free. Always get a clean vet checkup within 30 days of enrollment for protection.
❓“Can pet insurance be used at any vet or are there ‘network’ restrictions like human health plans?”
Pet insurance operates on a reimbursement model, not a provider network system. This means you can go to any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist across the U.S. (and in many cases, Canada). You’re not bound by in-network limitations—a major advantage over human insurance plans.
However, what matters is licensing, not brand affiliation. A vet must hold valid credentials in the state of service, and services must be deemed medically necessary to be reimbursable.
📊 Where You Can Use Pet Insurance: Quick Overview
🏥 Vet Type | ✅ Covered? | 🧠 Notes |
---|---|---|
General practice clinic 🩺 | ✅ Yes | Standard exams, diagnostics, preventive |
Emergency/24-hr ER 🚨 | ✅ Yes | Covered under accident/illness plans |
Board-certified specialist 🧬 | ✅ Yes | Includes oncology, cardiology, neurology |
Mobile vet or house calls 🚗 | 🟡 Sometimes | Must be licensed and issue itemized invoice |
Telehealth vets 📱 | 🟡 Varies | Not all insurers reimburse unless follow-up is in person |
Overseas vets 🌍 | 🟡 Some do | Trupanion and Figo offer global coverage (limits apply) |
🧠 Insider Tip: Keep detailed, itemized invoices and ensure the vet includes procedure codes (CPT or their equivalent). Lack of clarity in invoices is a top reason claims get delayed.
❓“How do I know if a provider is ‘tricky’ with their exclusions? They all say they’re transparent.”
What separates ethical insurers from evasive ones isn’t just marketing—it’s how clearly they define pre-existing conditions, bilateral exclusions, and recurrence clauses.
🚫 Some companies apply retroactive denials, pointing to vague or undocumented symptoms in vet records after a claim is filed. The most “tricky” policies:
- Use generalized language like “signs, symptoms, or conditions related to…”
- Deny secondary symptoms that weren’t originally connected to a diagnosis
- Enforce lifetime exclusions for resolved, one-time issues (like isolated UTIs)
📊 Common Exclusion Triggers (and How to Spot Them)
🧾 Documented Term in Records | ⚠️ May Exclude Future… | 🛠️ What to Ask the Insurer |
---|---|---|
“Lethargy — monitor” | Liver, endocrine, or cancer | Do you cover unexplained fatigue if no diagnosis followed? |
“Rear-end weakness” | Neurological or orthopedic | Is this considered a pre-existing neuro issue? |
“Allergy suspected” | Skin, GI, or immune conditions | Will a confirmed allergy later be denied if this is noted? |
“Benign lump, no biopsy” | Tumor/mass-related conditions | Will any future growth be excluded if not diagnosed? |
🧠 Safeguard Strategy: Request a Pre-Enrollment Medical Review. Embrace and Fetch offer this service—they’ll flag potential exclusions before you sign up, removing guesswork and future friction.
❓“If my dog has already had ACL surgery on one leg, is there any way to get the other side covered?”
Unfortunately, not with most providers. The cruciate ligament is part of what insurers classify as a bilateral structure—meaning if one side fails, they assume the other is likely to as well. For breeds like Labradors, Boxers, and Goldens, this risk is statistically high.
Once one side is diagnosed, the opposite limb is typically excluded for life, even if it was healthy at the time of enrollment.
📊 Bilateral Condition Exclusion Policy
🐶 Provider | 💡 Bilateral Cruciate Rule | 🧬 Applies to Hips/Eyes Too? |
---|---|---|
Trupanion | ✅ One-side = both excluded | ✅ Yes |
Healthy Paws | ✅ Same | ✅ Yes |
ASPCA | 🟡 Case-by-case | 🟡 Possibly, if noted in records |
Figo | 🟡 Less rigid | 🟡 Based on symptom timing |
Embrace | ❌ Only excludes diagnosed side | ❌ No blanket bilateral rule |
🧠 Workaround Tip: If the first ACL was fixed over a year ago, and no symptoms have occurred since, Embrace may cover the opposite leg. You’ll need a clean orthopedic exam and full medical documentation.
❓“How do I contest a denied claim? Are appeals even worth trying?”
Yes—and many are overturned if you understand how to frame your appeal. Most denials are due to:
- Documentation issues
- Misinterpretation of vet notes
- Ambiguous or missing invoices
Here’s how to fight back effectively.
📋 Step-by-Step Appeal Blueprint
🛠️ Action | 📌 Why It Works |
---|---|
Request written denial explanation | You need specific CPT codes or diagnosis explanations |
Have your vet draft a clarification letter | Shows condition was new, unrelated, or resolved |
Submit diagnostic test results | Objectively rebuts “pre-existing” assumptions |
Reference policy language directly | Corner them into honoring their contract |
Be polite but persistent 💼 | Claims reps are more cooperative when approached professionally |
🧠 Bonus Tool: Ask the provider for your Claims Audit Report. This internal document shows how your claim was processed, coded, and categorized—giving you leverage in your rebuttal.
❓“Is there an ideal age to enroll to avoid exclusions but still get value from the plan?”
The window between 6 weeks and 3 years offers the greatest long-term protection. Most dogs at this age:
- Are past congenital issue detection
- Haven’t developed chronic diseases yet
- Qualify for lower premiums and shorter wait periods
📊 Best Enrollment Windows by Coverage Type
🐾 Age Range | 💡 Ideal For | 💰 Value Return Over Lifetime |
---|---|---|
6–16 weeks 🍼 | Coverage before spay/neuter + vaccine reactions | High—builds clean record |
4 months – 2 years 🐕 | Behavioral, orthopedic, allergies start | Highest—locks in pre-condition status |
3–5 years 🐾 | Cancer, arthritis, skin disease onset | Moderate—some exclusions possible |
6+ years 🧓 | Major exclusions apply without exception | Low unless accident-only policy |
🧠 Enrollment Sweet Spot: If your dog is under 3 years old and healthy, you’re at the peak insurability window—maximize it with unlimited coverage and low deductible locking (available from Trupanion and Healthy Paws).
❓“Does breed really matter that much for premium pricing and exclusions?”
Breed is one of the top pricing determinants, alongside age and ZIP code. It also determines likelihood of exclusions, sublimits, and sometimes restricted orthopedic benefits.
📊 High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Breed Pricing
🧬 Breed | ⚠️ Monthly Avg (Age 3) | 💉 Top Risk Category |
---|---|---|
French Bulldog 🐶 | $90–$110 | Respiratory + GI |
German Shepherd 🐕 | $70–$90 | Hip/elbow dysplasia |
Golden Retriever 🐕🦺 | $80–$100 | Cancer + skin disease |
Beagle 🐾 | $40–$60 | Epilepsy + allergies |
Mixed Breed 🐕🦺 | $35–$50 | Generalized risk |
🧠 Underwriting Reality: Even if your specific dog hasn’t shown breed-related issues, insurers still use breed-wide statistics to calculate premium and risk thresholds. That’s why a healthy Frenchie costs more than a senior Lab in many ZIP codes.