Dogs · Cats · Hip Dysplasia · Seizures · UTI · Pre-Existing Conditions · MetLife · Costco
More than 94 million U.S. households own a pet, yet only about 4% of dogs and 1% of cats are actually insured. One emergency vet visit can run $3,000 to $10,000 — and that gap is exactly what this guide is designed to close. Whether you’re looking through your employer benefits, searching for a senior pet plan, or trying to understand whether hip dysplasia is covered, here is what every pet owner needs to know before signing anything.
📰 Trending Now
Costco Launches Pet Insurance for Members — and 1 in 3 Pet Owners Now Spend More on Pets Than Their Own Health
Costco announced a partnership with Figo pet insurance in 2026, offering members a 15% discount on plans with no upper age limit, hereditary condition coverage, and up to 100% reimbursement. Separately, a 2026 U.S. News pet owner survey found that 1 in 3 American pet owners spend more on their pet’s health each month than on their own — a striking shift in how households are prioritizing animal care. Meanwhile, premium prices have stabilized nationally at a median of $43/month for dogs and $23/month for cats, though Alaska and Massachusetts remain the most expensive states by a wide margin.
🔍 How Pet Insurance Actually Works — Before You Read Anything Else
Pet insurance is not like human health insurance. There are no co-pays at the vet desk. You pay the vet bill in full at the time of service, then submit a claim to your insurer afterward. Your insurer reimburses a percentage of covered costs — typically 70% to 90% — after you meet your annual deductible. This reimbursement model means the financial benefit shows up weeks after the vet visit, not at the register. Three numbers determine how much you actually get back: your deductible (what you pay first), your reimbursement rate (the percentage the insurer covers), and your annual limit (the ceiling on total payouts). Getting those three numbers right for your specific pet and budget matters far more than the brand name on the policy.
📋 Key Questions — Answered Directly
These are the questions appearing most in searches right now — answered without the runaround.
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What is the best pet insurance in the USA? No single best — it depends on your pet’s age, breed, and whether conditions are pre-existing · Lemonade leads for speed and price · MetLife leads for employer access and family plans · AKC Pet Insurance is the only one covering pre-existing conditions after 365 daysThe “best” pet insurance is the one that matches your specific situation. Lemonade processes about 40% of claims instantly through AI and charges roughly $45/month for dogs and $22/month for cats — making it one of the more affordable and faster-paying options. MetLife is the dominant choice for people whose employer offers pet insurance as a voluntary benefit, with 10% group discounts and a unique family plan that covers up to three pets on one shared deductible. Costco members now get access to Figo’s plans with a 15% discount and no upper age limit. For a pet that already has a diagnosed condition, nearly every insurer excludes it — except AKC Pet Insurance, which will cover certain incurable pre-existing conditions including hip dysplasia and cancer after 365 days of continuous coverage.
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Does any pet insurance cover hip dysplasia? Yes — if your pet is enrolled before symptoms appear · Hip dysplasia costs $1,700–$10,000 to treat surgically · Almost every accident and illness plan covers it if it was not pre-existing · AKC Pet Insurance is the only option if your pet is already diagnosedHip dysplasia affects roughly 15.56% of all dogs — and significantly more in at-risk large breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, and Great Danes. The treatment cost for a total hip replacement runs $1,500 to over $7,000 per hip. Any comprehensive accident and illness policy will cover hip dysplasia as long as symptoms had not appeared before your policy became effective. The catch: even a vet note mentioning stiffness, limping, or reluctance to exercise before enrollment can trigger a pre-existing condition exclusion. Enroll young, ideally before age two. Some insurers also apply a “bilateral exclusion” — if one hip is treated before enrollment, they may exclude the other hip as well. Read that specific clause before signing. MetLife and Pumpkin include hip dysplasia coverage without breed or age restrictions for new diagnoses.
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Does pet insurance cover seizures? Yes — seizures and epilepsy are covered by most accident and illness plans if not pre-existing · Ongoing medication for epilepsy is typically covered · If your pet was diagnosed with seizures before enrollment, it is classified as a pre-existing condition and excludedSeizures in dogs and cats can be caused by epilepsy, toxin ingestion, brain tumors, or metabolic disease. A comprehensive accident and illness plan covers diagnosis (MRI, bloodwork, spinal tap) and ongoing treatment (anti-seizure medications) for conditions that develop after your policy effective date. The problem many owners discover too late: epilepsy is classified as an incurable pre-existing condition if a vet documented even one seizure before enrollment — and it becomes a permanent exclusion at most providers. The exception is AKC Pet Insurance’s 365-day rule. If your dog currently has epilepsy under control, that is one of the very few plans where future treatment might eventually be covered, subject to their specific terms. Always disclose your pet’s full medical history honestly — insurers audit vet records when claims are filed, and undisclosed history is grounds for claim denial or policy cancellation.
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Does pet insurance cover UTIs? Yes — UTIs (urinary tract infections) are covered under most accident and illness plans · Urinary blockages are covered as emergencies but become permanent exclusions if they occurred before enrollment · Recurring UTIs may eventually be reclassified as a chronic pre-existing conditionUTIs are the most commonly treated medical condition in cats and rank among the top five in dogs. A standard illness policy reimburses the vet exam, urinalysis, antibiotics, and any follow-up diagnostics. The nuance here: a single UTI that fully resolved more than 180 days ago is considered a curable condition and is removable from your pre-existing exclusion list at many insurers (including ASPCA and Spot) after that symptom-free window. But a urinary blockage — which is a medical emergency requiring catheterization and hospitalization — is treated differently. Blockages can reflect bladder stones, kidney disease, or tumors, and insurers usually classify them as indicators of an underlying chronic condition. A pet that has had one blockage will typically have all urinary conditions excluded going forward. Cat owners especially should enroll early, before any urinary symptoms appear.
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How much does pet insurance cost per month? National median: $43/month for dogs, $23/month for cats as of mid-2026 · Range: $20–$70/month for dogs, $10–$40/month for cats · Most expensive states: Alaska and Massachusetts · Cheapest states: Mississippi, Arkansas, WyomingThe median national monthly premium has held steady at $33 across all pets in 2026, according to Insurify’s rolling data, but species and location move that number significantly. A 2-year-old mixed breed dog in Mississippi pays close to $30/month for solid accident and illness coverage. The same dog in New York City or Anchorage approaches $70/month. Breed adds another layer — Rottweilers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Great Danes carry some of the highest premiums because of their documented hereditary disease risk. Mixed breeds are typically the cheapest to insure because they lack the documented genetic predispositions of purebreds. Three levers lower your monthly premium: raising your deductible, lowering your reimbursement rate, or setting a lower annual limit. Just make sure the math still works in a real emergency before optimizing for the lowest monthly bill.
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What is NOT covered by pet insurance? Pre-existing conditions are the most common and consequential exclusion · Routine wellness visits are not covered by a base plan — add a wellness rider for those · Elective or cosmetic procedures are excluded · Breeding-related costs are excluded by nearly all providersUnderstanding exclusions before you buy matters more than understanding what is covered, because the exclusions are where claims actually get denied. Pre-existing conditions — any illness, injury, or symptom that existed before your policy’s effective date or within the waiting period — are excluded by every mainstream provider except AKC Pet Insurance’s limited exception. Dental illness (as opposed to dental injury) is excluded by most basic plans. Experimental treatments, supplements, vitamins, and procedures not recommended by a vet are excluded. Cosmetic procedures like ear cropping or tail docking are excluded. Preventive care items like vaccines, flea prevention, and annual wellness exams are only covered if you specifically add a wellness rider to your policy for an additional monthly cost. The bilateral condition clause is one that catches owners off guard most frequently — understand it before you choose a plan.
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Is MetLife pet insurance available through Northwestern and other employers? Yes — Northwestern University and hundreds of other employers offer MetLife pet insurance as a voluntary benefit · Employer groups receive a 10% premium discount · Coverage works identically to individual MetLife plans · Enroll through HR — not the MetLife website directlyNorthwestern University (the Evanston, IL university) offers MetLife pet insurance to US-based faculty and staff as a direct-bill benefit — without payroll deductions, which is less common than the usual automatic paycheck deduction model. More broadly, MetLife is one of the most widely distributed employer-offered pet insurance products in the country, available as a voluntary benefit at many large employers and universities. The employer group discount is 10%, which is meaningful over a multi-year policy. One feature unique to MetLife’s employer-group enrollment: certain curable pre-existing conditions — including dermatological conditions and undiagnosed digestive issues — may be covered if you enroll through your employer. That option is not available on individually purchased MetLife plans. Check with your HR department before buying a plan on your own — you may already have access to a discounted group rate.
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Can I get pet insurance for an older pet or a pet with existing conditions? Yes — most insurers have no upper age limit for enrollment · Existing conditions will be excluded, but other conditions remain insurable · AKC Pet Insurance covers some pre-existing conditions after 365 days · Figo (including through Costco) has no upper age limitOlder pets can still benefit from pet insurance even with documented health history — because the risk of cancer, dental illness, organ disease, ligament tears, and other new conditions remains real and potentially very expensive. If your 9-year-old Lab has hip dysplasia already, a new policy excludes hip coverage but still covers cancer treatment, a torn cruciate ligament in the other leg, heart disease, kidney disease, dental illness, and infections. Whether those risks justify the monthly premium depends on a realistic estimate of what your pet’s next five years might cost at the vet. Run the math: if 70–80% of expected vet costs relate to the one excluded condition, insurance may not pencil out. If the excluded condition is well-managed and other risks are meaningful, it often does. Trupanion’s per-condition deductible model is particularly well-suited to older pets with one or two managed chronic conditions.
🏆 Top Pet Insurance Providers — Compared Honestly
Ranked by the situation they serve best — not by who pays the most for placement. Every provider listed covers accident and illness plans for dogs and cats. Read the exclusions before you commit to any policy.
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Lemonade Pet Insurance — Best for Speed and Price
Lemonade’s AI processes roughly 40% of claims the same day — often reimbursing you before you leave the vet parking lot. Monthly premiums run about $22 for cats and $45 for dogs at the national median, making it one of the most affordable comprehensive plans available. The bundling discount (10% off when combined with renters or homeowners insurance) adds meaningful savings for existing Lemonade customers. Customer satisfaction scores on Trustpilot (4.0) and Reddit (72% positive sentiment) lead the industry for claim speed. The bilateral condition exclusion is the most commonly cited complaint — if one knee or hip develops problems, the other may be excluded as well. Read the bilateral clause carefully if you have a large breed dog.
✅ Best for: Budget-conscious owners · Fast claimers · People who already use Lemonade for home or renters insurance
⚠️ Bilateral condition exclusion can catch large breed owners off guard · Some users report rate increases at renewal
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MetLife Pet Insurance — Best Through Employers and for Multi-Pet Households
The only mainstream pet insurer offering a true family plan — up to three pets under one shared deductible, which lets multi-pet households meet their deductible faster and start getting reimbursed sooner. No upper age limit and no breed restrictions for enrollment. Accident coverage starts at midnight after enrollment; illness coverage begins after 14 days. For employer-enrolled policyholders, certain curable pre-existing conditions may be eligible for coverage — a benefit not available on individual MetLife plans. Deductible decreases by $50 each claim-free year, rewarding healthy pets. MetLife handles claims for most cases within 5 business days.
✅ Best for: Employees with employer access (10% group discount) · Multi-pet households · Any breed or age
⚠️ Policy terms can only be adjusted at renewal · Virtual vet through the app cannot prescribe medications
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AKC Pet Insurance — Only Provider Covering Pre-Existing Conditions
AKC Pet Insurance is the only company that covers certain incurable, chronic pre-existing conditions — including hip dysplasia, cancer, and epilepsy — after 365 days of continuous coverage. That 12-month waiting period is real and non-negotiable, but for a pet that was diagnosed before you bought insurance, it is the only path to any coverage at all for that condition. AKC also covers breeding-related expenses, which nearly every other insurer excludes. The caveat: diabetes and Cushing’s disease are among the conditions excluded even under AKC’s 365-day rule. Read the specific condition list before enrolling.
✅ Best for: Pets already diagnosed with hip dysplasia, epilepsy, or cancer · Breeders · Owners who missed early enrollment
⚠️ 365-day wait is a full year of premiums before the pre-existing condition benefit kicks in · Not all chronic conditions qualify
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Costco Pet Insurance (via Figo) — Best Member Discount and No Age Ceiling
Costco’s partnership with Figo delivers a 15% member discount on already-competitive premiums with some of the broadest standard coverage in the industry — hereditary and congenital conditions, dental illness, alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy), and rehabilitation devices are all included in the base plan. 100% reimbursement is available on select deductible-and-limit combinations. No upper age limit makes it one of the few options for genuinely senior pets. The diminishing deductible feature — $50 off each claim-free year, potentially reaching $0 — rewards long-term healthy enrollments. Costco Executive Members also receive free enrollment in the 24 PetWatch lost pet recovery service.
✅ Best for: Costco members · Senior pets · Large-breed owners wanting hereditary and rehabilitation coverage built in
⚠️ Figo’s customer service scores lag behind Lemonade and MetLife · 6-month orthopedic waiting period (can be waived with vet exam within 30 days) · Claims take 7–10 days to process
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Trupanion — Best for Pets with Multiple Separate Conditions
Trupanion’s per-condition deductible model is genuinely different from every other insurer on this list. Instead of one annual deductible that resets every January, you pay a separate lifetime deductible for each new condition your pet develops. Once you meet the deductible for a specific condition — say, diabetes — you never pay it again for that condition for the life of the pet. This structure is especially powerful for pets that develop multiple chronic conditions over time. Trupanion also pays veterinary practices directly at enrolled clinics, meaning you may not need to front the full bill and wait for reimbursement at all.
✅ Best for: Pets that develop multiple conditions over time · Owners who want no annual coverage ceiling · Direct vet payment preferred
⚠️ Monthly premiums tend to be higher than competitors · Exam fees are not covered · Not available for preventive care
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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance — Best for Sensitive Stomach and Skin Conditions
ASPCA’s Complete Coverage plan is one of the only plans that explicitly covers behavioral conditions — fur pulling, destructive chewing, excessive barking — alongside standard accident and illness coverage. The 180-day curable pre-existing condition window is consistent with the industry standard, and ASPCA applies condition-specific rather than sweeping exclusions: if your dog had a resolved ear infection, they exclude ear infections — not all dermatological conditions. They are also one of the most generous providers for hereditary conditions including hip dysplasia, heart disease, and intervertebral disc disease. Preventive care coverage is available as an add-on that includes wellness exams without a separate deductible requirement.
✅ Best for: Pets with behavioral issues · Breeds prone to hereditary conditions · Owners who want a trusted nonprofit affiliation
⚠️ Exam fees for illnesses are not covered under the base plan · Customer wait times for claims can be slower than Lemonade
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Pumpkin Pet Insurance — Best Reimbursement Rate
Pumpkin’s standard reimbursement floor is 80–90% cash back on covered vet bills — higher than most competitors, which often start at 70%. Their condition-specific exclusion language is narrow: if your dog has left hip dysplasia documented before enrollment, Pumpkin excludes left hip dysplasia — not all musculoskeletal conditions, and not necessarily the right hip unless bilateral dysplasia was documented. This precision matters for breeds prone to unilateral joint conditions. The Pumpkin Wellness Club (from $20.95/month for dogs) covers vaccinations, exams, and flea/tick prevention separately from the main policy, so routine costs are handled without the base plan’s deductible.
✅ Best for: Owners who want higher reimbursement rates · Precise exclusion language for breed-specific risks
⚠️ Premiums are higher than Lemonade to offset the higher reimbursement rate · Wellness Club is a separate subscription
💰 What Pet Insurance Actually Costs — By State and Situation
Monthly premiums as of mid-2026. Rates assume accident and illness coverage with a $250 deductible and 80–90% reimbursement. Individual quotes will vary by breed, age, and exact ZIP code.
| Situation | Dog (avg/mo) | Cat (avg/mo) | Key Consideration |
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| National median (all states) | $43 | $23 | Stable since start of 2026; minor fluctuations only |
| Most expensive states (Alaska, Massachusetts) | $60–$75+ | $32–$40 | High vet costs + limited provider availability in Alaska |
| Least expensive states (Mississippi, Wyoming, Arkansas) | $30–$36 | $19–$22 | Lower cost of living and veterinary fee structures |
| Employer group benefit (MetLife) | ~10% less than individual | ~10% less | Payroll deduction or direct bill depending on employer |
| Costco member (Figo) | 15% off Figo rates | 15% off Figo rates | Must be an active Costco Business or Gold Star member |
| High-risk breeds (Bulldog, Rottweiler, Great Dane) | $70–$120+ | N/A (breed-specific) | Genetic predispositions drive underwriting cost up significantly |
| Senior pet (age 8+) | $80–$150+ | $35–$60+ | Premiums rise sharply after age 7–8; enroll young |
| Adding a wellness rider | +$15–$40/mo | +$10–$25/mo | Covers annual exams, vaccines, dental cleaning — no deductible required at most providers |
✅ What Pet Insurance Covers — and What It Does Not
| Condition / Expense | Covered? | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | ✅ Yes — if not pre-existing | Enroll before symptoms appear. Bilateral exclusion may apply. |
| Seizures / epilepsy | ✅ Yes — if not pre-existing | AKC covers it after 365 days even if pre-existing |
| Urinary tract infections (UTIs) | ✅ Yes — typically covered | Resolved UTIs may be removed from exclusion after 180 symptom-free days |
| Cancer (surgery, chemo, radiation) | ✅ Yes — most plans | One of the most valuable benefits; cancer care can exceed $10,000 |
| Cruciate ligament (ACL/CCL) tear | ✅ Yes — if not pre-existing | Fetch imposes a 6-month wait; bilateral exclusion applies at some providers |
| Dental illness | ⚠️ Sometimes — varies | Most base plans exclude dental illness (not injury). Figo includes it. |
| Wellness exams / vaccines | ❌ Not in base plan | Add a wellness or preventive care rider — $15–$40/mo extra |
| Pre-existing conditions | ❌ Almost never — except AKC | AKC covers selected incurables after 365 days of continuous enrollment |
| Breeding / whelping costs | ❌ Nearly all exclude it | AKC Pet Insurance is a notable exception |
| Alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic) | ⚠️ Varies by plan | Figo (Costco), ASPCA, and Pumpkin include it; others require an add-on |
| Behavioral conditions | ⚠️ Rare — ASPCA includes it | Fur pulling, destructive chewing, excessive barking covered under ASPCA Complete Coverage |
⚠️ The Mistakes That Cost Pet Owners the Most
🚫 Waiting Until Your Pet Gets Sick to Buy Insurance
Pet insurance is only useful for conditions your pet develops after your policy is active. Once a condition is diagnosed — even if your pet has never had a claim — it becomes a pre-existing exclusion. The lowest-risk moment to enroll is during puppyhood or kittenhood, when the medical slate is completely clean. The second-best time is right now, before the next vet visit documents a new finding. An otherwise healthy senior pet can still be enrolled with meaningful future coverage. What you cannot do is retroactively cover a diagnosis.
⚠️ Optimizing Only for the Lowest Monthly Premium
A $15/month accident-only plan looks appealing until your dog is diagnosed with cancer ($8,000–$15,000 in treatment costs) and you realize illness is not covered. Similarly, a $250/month plan with 50% reimbursement and a $1,000 deductible may require $2,000 out of pocket before you see a dime. Run the math for a realistic emergency — pick a $3,000 vet bill and calculate exactly what you would receive under the plan’s specific deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit before you compare monthly costs.
⚠️ Not Understanding the Bilateral Condition Clause
Several major insurers — including Lemonade and Fetch — apply what is called a bilateral exclusion. If your pet develops a problem in one leg, knee, hip, or eye before your policy’s waiting period ends, the insurer may exclude the same condition on the other side as well. For a Golden Retriever already limping slightly on the left hind leg before your policy starts, this could mean zero coverage for hip or knee issues on either side. Understand this clause explicitly before enrolling any large breed dog or cat breed prone to joint disease.
⚠️ Switching Insurers After a Diagnosis
If your pet was diagnosed with a condition while enrolled with insurer A, and you switch to insurer B, the new insurer treats that condition as pre-existing and excludes it permanently — even if insurer A was actively covering it. Switching means losing all future coverage for any condition that developed during your old policy. The only reason to switch after a diagnosis is if the premium increase at your current insurer becomes genuinely unaffordable and the one excluded condition is the only thing generating claims. Otherwise, staying put and protecting your continuous coverage record is almost always the right call.
📍 Find Veterinarians and Pet Services Near You
Use the buttons below to locate veterinarians, pet insurance agents, and emergency pet clinics near you.
🔑 Quick Reference Contacts and Resources
📋 NAIC Pet Insurance Guide — naic.org/insurance-topics/pet-insurance
🐾 MetLife Pet — metlifepetinsurance.com · 1-800-GET-MET8
🛒 Costco / Figo — (844) 738-3446
🐕 AKC Pet Insurance — akcpetinsurance.com
📊 NAPHIA Industry Data — naphia.org
⚡ Lemonade Pet — lemonade.com/pet
🌿 ASPCA Pet Insurance — aspcapetinsurance.com
💊 Trupanion — trupanion.com · 1-888-733-2685
✅ 5-Step Checklist Before You Buy Any Pet Insurance Policy
- Step 1: Check whether your employer or university offers pet insurance as a voluntary benefit before buying individually. MetLife is the most commonly offered employer plan — a 10% group discount and access to curable pre-existing condition coverage are both only available through employer enrollment. Ask your HR department first.
- Step 2: Pull your pet’s full vet records before you shop. Insurers audit vet records when claims are filed. Any condition, symptom, or finding documented in your pet’s medical history before your policy start date can become a pre-existing exclusion. Knowing what is in those records before you apply lets you understand what will and won’t be covered from day one.
- Step 3: Run the real-claim math before comparing premiums. Take a $3,000 hypothetical emergency bill and calculate your actual out-of-pocket cost under each plan: subtract the deductible, then multiply the remaining amount by the reimbursement percentage, then check the annual limit. The plan with the lowest monthly premium is often not the plan that saves you the most money in an emergency.
- Step 4: Read the bilateral condition clause and any breed-specific exclusions before signing. If you have a large breed dog prone to joint problems, confirm explicitly whether the policy excludes both sides if one side shows symptoms during the waiting period. This clause is in the fine print and is rarely explained during enrollment.
- Step 5: Once enrolled, stay enrolled continuously and never let coverage lapse. Every condition your pet develops while actively insured is covered as long as you maintain continuous coverage with the same insurer. Letting coverage lapse — even briefly — or switching insurers resets that protection. The longer you are enrolled without a gap, the more valuable your policy becomes.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or veterinary advice. Coverage terms, exclusions, premiums, and eligibility requirements vary by insurer, state, and individual policy. Always read your policy documents in full and consult with a licensed insurance professional before purchasing. Product information is based on publicly available data current at the time of publication and may have changed. No financial relationship with any insurer mentioned in this guide.