Best Pet Insurance in California (2023 Review) – MarketWatch

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Whether you enjoy taking your dog on a summer stroll through Los Angeles or a hike through one of the nine national parks in California, there are plenty of dangers that could threaten your pet’s health. Pet insurance can help ensure your furry friend gets the veterinary care it needs without affecting your savings account or running up your credit card bill.
We at the Guides Home Team have researched the best pet insurance companies in California and compared them on factors such as customer care, customization options and covered treatments to help guide your decision on the best policy for you.
Here are the 9 top providers of pet insurance in California:

 
 
+ Consistently offers the most affordable premiums for accident and illness plans
+ Provides a 10% discount for bundling with Lemonade homeowners insurance or Lemonade renters insurance
+ Offers preventive care specifically for puppies and kittens
– Does not cover pets 14 years of age and older
– Excludes behavioral treatments from coverage
Coverage & Cost: Lemonade offers one plan that covers vet bills related to accidents and illnesses, such as diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgery, injections and prescription medications. It doesn’t cover behavioral treatments, spay or neutering, cosmetic procedures and pre-existing conditions that occur until after the two-day waiting period for accidents and 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
Add-Ons: Lemonade also offers three add-ons: one for vet visit fees, one for physical therapy coverage and one for preventative care, which includes one wellness exam, three vaccines, one blood test, one fecal test and one heartworm test.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some examples of monthly premiums from quotes we received in San Jose, Calif., for policies with $5,000 of annual coverage, 80% reimbursement rates and $250 deductibles:
To learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Get a quote: Use this online tool to get a free quote from Lemonade on your dog or cat’s policy.
 
 
+ Offers seven annual coverage limit options, ranging from $2,500 to unlimited
+ Provides affordable accident-only coverage plans
+ Includes coverage for exam fees and microchipping in standard policies
– Does not provide customer service on weekends
– Will not cover prescription pet food
Coverage & Cost: Spot has two plans available in California for either accident-only coverage on incidents such as injuries, swallowed objects and toxic ingestions or accident and illness coverage for those incidents plus other conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hip dysplasia, heart disease and behavioral issues. Pre-existing conditions, issues related to breeding and cosmetic procedures aren’t covered by either of Spot’s pet insurance plans.
Preventative Care Plans: Additionally, Spot provides two preventative care plans for extra coverage on routine care costs, such as dental cleanings, wellness exams, vaccinations, fecal tests and deworming. You can purchase the Gold Plan with a total of $250 of annual coverage or the Platinum Plan with a total of $450 of annual coverage.
Sample Monthly Premiums: To show you the value of Spot’s customizable accident-only coverage, here are some sample quotes — which don’t vary based on breed or age like other plans — we received for a policy with $2,500 of annual coverage, an 80% reimbursement rate and a $250 deductible on pets in San Jose, Calif.
To learn more: Spot Pet Insurance Review
Get a quote: Visit Spot’s website for a free insurance quote on a customized policy for your four-legged family member.
 
 
+ Offers a 10% multi-pet discount, 5% military discount and 10% discount through its employee benefits program
+ Provides the unique Healthy Pet Deductible, which credits your deductible with $50 each year you don’t file a claim, decreasing your deductible to as low as $0
+ Features an online chat on its website for customer service
– Considers ligament (CCL) tears a preexisting condition and therefore will not cover CCL in one leg if previously diagnosed in the other
– Does not cover supplements or prescription pet food
Coverage & Cost: Embrace pet insurance offers one accident and illness plan to pet owners in California that covers conditions such as cancer, congenital conditions, dental trauma, allergies, genetic conditions and more. It pays for medically necessary treatments and exam fees related to those covered incidents. It doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, alternative treatments, boarding and a few other items.
Wellness Plan: Embrace also provides the optional Wellness Rewards Plan for 100% reimbursement on your pet’s routine care, such as grooming, spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and teeth cleaning, up to $250, $450 or $650 per year, depending on how much coverage you want.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some sample monthly premiums from quotes we received on pets in San Jose, Calif., for accident and illness plans with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $200 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate:
To learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Review
Get a quote: Fill out this online form with your dog or cat’s information for a free quote from Embrace.
 
 
+ Offers plans with unlimited annual coverage that typically cost less than other providers’ unlimited coverage options
+ Has an annual limit of up to $15,000 for behavioral disorders
+ Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee
– Has limited coverage for hip dysplasia
– Gives lower reimbursements for older cats and dogs
Coverage & Cost: Healthy Paws offers one plan for accident and illness coverage with no lifetime, per-incident or annual coverage caps. The plan covers treatments, procedures and other costs, such as diagnostic treatments, emergency care, alternative treatments, specialty care and more. It doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, behavioral issues, exam fees, any preventative care of your pet and hip dysplasia within the first 12 months of the policy.
Deductibles: Although Healthy Paws typically limits customization options to two to three deductibles and reimbursement rates for customers in other states, we found that it offers more choices to pet owners in California who have animals less than 6 years old. We were able to choose from five deductibles between $100 and $1,000 and five reimbursement rates between 50% and 90%.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some examples of monthly premiums from quotes we received in San Jose, Calif., for policies with a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage when possible:
To learn more: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
Get a quote: Enter your pet’s information into this online form to get an instant, free quote from Healthy Paws.
 
 
+ Does not deny coverage based on age
+ Has a Pet Cloud app that includes 24/7 virtual vet visits
+ Includes an option for 100% reimbursement
– Does not offer preventive care
– Only covers pet eight weeks of age and older
Coverage & Cost: Figo has three plans: Essential, Preferred and Ultimate. Each plan covers illnesses and accidents but the plans vary in terms of annual coverage caps. The Essential Plan has a $5,000 limit, while Preferred comes with a $10,000 cap. There is no annual cap on the Ultimate Plan. 
Figo’s plans all include coverage for surgeries, diagnostic testing and prescriptions. Chronic and hereditary or congenital conditions are included, provided they are not preexisting. Customers can choose a reimbursement rate of 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% rate on any of the company’s plans. Figo is the only provider on our list that offers a 100% reimbursement option.
Wellness Plans: Figo has a Wellness Basic Plan and a Wellness Plus Plan. Both plans cover items like spaying and neutering, teeth cleaning, certain vaccines and annual exams but at different amounts. The Basic Plan is an additional $9.50 per month and provides up to $135 in total reimbursements, while the Plus Plan provides $250 in total reimbursements at an added monthly cost of $16.50. Figo’s optional Extra Care Pack pays a portion of burial costs (up to $250) and will compensate you for the cost to advertise for a lost or stolen pet. 
Sample Monthly Premiums: The cost to cover pets in San Jose, Calif., are as follows, according to Figo’s online instant quote tool:
The above rates are based on selection of the Essential Plan with an 80% reimbursement rate and $250 deductible. 
Get a quote: For a free quote from Figo, take this brief questionnaire.
 
 
+ Offers more wellness plan options than any other provider on this list
+ Gives 10% discount when you cover multiple pets
+ Has option of 100% reimbursement rate
– Unavailable in Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Rhode Island
– Takes up to two weeks to be reimbursed for Pet Insurance claims once claim is approved
Coverage & Cost: Wagmo has a standard accident-and-illness plan covering typical expenses, from surgeries and emergency vet visits to prescription medications and X-rays, if your pet becomes sick or has an accident. Wagmo will cover up to $100,00 in claims over your pet’s lifetime and up to $10,000 per incident. Plus, the provider is one of the few that offers a 100% reimbursement rate, as well as a 15% discount upon renewing coverage after a year with no claims.
Wagmo stands apart with its wellness plan options. Where most providers have just one or two preventive coverage options to choose from, Wagmo offers three, each with varying degrees of coverage. Here’s what you can expect with each level:
Deductibles: Wagmo offers a standard $20,000 of coverage. You can choose a deductible of $250, $500 or $100. Reimbursement rate options are 90% and 100%.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some sample monthly premiums from quotes we received on pets in San Jose, Calif. for accident and illness plans with $20,000 of annual coverage:
Get a quote: Fill out this online form with your dog or cat’s information for a free quote from Wagmo.
 
 
+ Pays your vet directly, so you are only responsible for your portion at checkout
+ Offers unlimited coverage
+ Flexible deductible where policyholders choose any dollar amount between $0–$1,000
– Does not have a wellness add-on
– Does not cover exam fees

Coverage & Cost: Trupanion has one comprehensive plan for accidents and illnesses, covering any related injuries or illnesses that are not preexisting. Pet parents are reimbursed at a 90% rate across the board, and there is no cap on the total amount Trupanion will reimburse you. 
Additionally, customers have the flexibility to select their own deductible, anywhere between $0 and $1,000. While a $0 deductible may mean a higher monthly premium, it is the quickest way to begin receiving reimbursements for vet care (after the waiting period is over). 
We like Trupanion for its unique features, particularly the direct payments to the veterinarian. However, this provider loses points for its higher prices for dog insurance than other pet insurance providers. Nevertheless, if price isn’t a concern for you, and you are looking for a comprehensive pet care plan, Trupanion is an option to consider.
Preventive Care Plans: Trupanion does not offer a preventive or wellness care add-on. However, it does have two additional packages available for a separate monthly fee. The Recovery and Complementary Care rider (or RACC) covers nonclinical, alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, behavior modification, chiropractic care, homeopathy, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more. The Pet Owner Assistance package is helpful for incidents unrelated to sickness or injury, such as the costs for advertising and reward for a lost pet, boarding fees if pet owners are hospitalized and cremation or burial costs for accidental pet loss. 
Sample Monthly Premiums: To give you an idea of the average monthly costs of a Trupanion policy, we obtained sample quotes based on a 4-year-old medium mixed-breed dog and cat in San Jose, Calif., with a $250 deductible:
Get a quote: Visit Trupanion’s website for a free pet insurance quote for your furry friend.
To learn more: Trupanion Pet Insurance review
 
 
+ Covers non-routine veterinary exam fees
+ Includes accidents, illnesses, alternative medicine, behavioral treatments and a variety of perks and benefits in one comprehensive plan without the need to purchase add-ons
+ Can be used at all veterinary offices in the United States and Canada
– Does not offer a discount for enrolling multiple pets
– Requires annual medical and dental check-ups to maintain coverage
Coverage and Cost: Fetch offers one standard plan that covers injuries and illnesses. Fetch’s plan also covers chronic, hereditary and congenital conditions, provided they aren’t preexisting, and alternative medicine like hydrotherapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture. Fetch’s standard plan will pay all vet exam fees related to injuries and illnesses such as ultrasounds and diagnostic testing. Emergency and specialist vet visits are covered, as well.
The company includes comprehensive dental coverage with its standard plan and treatments for behavioral disorders and breed-specific conditions. Customers can modify their plan to include a payout option of $5,000, $15,000 or unlimited. Annual deductibles can be set at $250, $300 or $500, and reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90%.
Wellness Plan: Fetch’s standard plan does not include any wellness-related services or routine vet visits. This means preventive care like annual check-ups, teeth cleanings, spay and neuter surgeries and grooming are not covered.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Below are sample monthly premiums from Fetch for a plan in San Jose, Calif., with a $5,000 maximum annual payout, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate:
Get a quote: Take this quick online survey to get your free instant quotes from Fetch.
 
 
+ Administered by Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, which has been in this industry since 1997
+ Includes coverage for exam fees and microchipping in standard policies, which isn’t typically provided by other pet insurance companies
+ Features helpful online resources about various pet breeds and their health conditions
– Has a lower maximum annual limit ($10,000) than most providers in this review
– Caps deductibles at $500
Coverage & Cost: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers two pet insurance plans to pet parents: the Accident-Only Coverage Plan and the Complete Coverage Plan. While the former covers only your pet’s accidents, such as broken bones, toxic ingestions and cuts, the latter covers both accidents and illnesses, including hereditary conditions and conditions like cancer, hip dysplasia, digestive illness and more. Neither plan covers pre-existing conditions, breeding costs or cosmetic procedures.
Preventative Care Plans: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance also provides two preventative care plans that can be added to your policy for reimbursement on items such as dental cleanings, wellness exams, deworming and fecal tests. You can choose coverage levels by selecting the Basic Plan totaling $250 per year or the Prime Plan totaling $450 per year.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Below are some sample monthly prices from quotes on pets in San Jose, Calif., with selected coverage of $5,000 per year, a reimbursement rate of 80% and an annual deductible of $250:
To learn more: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Review
Get a quote: Visit the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance website for a free quote on your Complete Coverage or Accident-Only Coverage plan.
 
 
There are a few things you should consider to help you decide on which of these California pet insurance companies is best for you and your pet.
According to our 2021 survey of 1,000 pet owners, 45% felt that a pet insurance policy should cost less than $25 per month. If you fall into that category, if you’re looking for the most affordable policy, you should check out Lemonade for its affordable prices or explore Embrace and its unique savings opportunities.
On the other hand, if choosing a provider with unlimited coverage options is more important to you, you might lean toward Fetch, Trupanion, Spot or Healthy Paws.
Since pricing varies depending on your pet’s age, species and breed, our biggest recommendation is to get quotes from at least three companies to make your own comparison.
Provider
Monthly Cost*
Waiting Period for Accidents
Waiting Period for Illnesses
Multi-Pet Discount
Mobile App
Spot
$49.14
14 days
14 days
10%
✔
Lemonade
$24.92
2 days
14 days
5%
✔
Embrace
$37.43
2 days
14 days
10%
✔
Wagmo
$56.12
15 days
15 days
10%
✔
Fetch
$47.95
15 days
15 days
None
✔
Healthy Paws
$64.13
15 days
15 days
None
✔
Figo
$49.42
1 day
14 days
5%
✔
ASPCA
$49.14
14 days
14 days
10%
✔
*Each provider’s monthly cost is based on accident-and-illness policy premiums from quotes we received on 4-year-old medium mixed dogs in San Jose, Calif.
 
Pet insurance gives you peace of mind that you’ll be covered for expensive veterinary bills related to common but unexpected pet accidents and illnesses. Here are the different types of pet insurance plans offered by pet insurance companies:
According to one of Hepper’s pet experts, veterinarian and behaviorist Paola Cuevas, “Having a wellness package is highly recommended as it promotes being up to date with vaccines and parasite prevention. Having these regular veterinary visits is a great way to prevent any future issues and early detect developing conditions before it’s too late.”
You’ll also be able to customize your pet insurance plan’s coverage and pricing by choosing an annual deductible, a reimbursement rate and an annual coverage limit. Your annual deductible is the amount you owe during a claim before you’re reimbursed for the vet bill. Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of the vet bill your provider agrees to pay. Your annual coverage limit is the total amount your provider agrees to pay out in claims through one year of coverage.
 
 
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the pet insurance provider that will work best for your needs. You’ll want to consider items like the conditions of the plan, your ability to customize coverage, and what other pet owners are saying about the company. Important factors include:
 
 
Your pet insurance policy’s monthly cost will vary depending on your pet’s age, species and breed, in addition to your chosen customization options. For instance, choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium. Similarly, you’ll pay less per month for choosing a lower annual coverage limit.
Here are some averages from sample premiums we received for common breeds of dogs and cats:

 
 
State laws offer protections for pet insurance buyers in California. Specifically, California law requires pet insurance companies to disclose the following:
While we’ve extensively researched the coverages and exclusions of each provider in this review, we encourage you to look over all coverages, limitations and exclusions before purchasing pet insurance.
 
 
In general, you can expect to pay around $20–$100 per month for pet insurance on your dog or $15–$50 per month for cat insurance. However, the cost of pet insurance depends on your dog or cat’s breed, age and location. Some breeds, such as golden retrievers and Maine coons, are more prone to illness and require higher premiums on a policy. Additionally, older pets are considerably more expensive to insure. Your premiums can also be higher in certain areas where local vets charge higher than average.
Related: Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies
When comparing with other states, pet insurance is most expensive in California. Location is one of the factors that can contribute to the price of your policy. Other factors include the age, breed, and healthiness of your pet.
Yes. Many veterinarian offices are open and safely taking appointments. Since they likely have procedures in place to keep pet owners safe during the coronavirus pandemic, such as curbside service and telehealth appointments, we recommend calling your vet ahead of time to find out what exactly to expect.
Yes. Pet insurance policies always have waiting periods between your initial enrollment for the plan and when coverage officially begins. The industry standard is around 14 days for accidents and illnesses, but some companies, including Lemonade and Embrace, shorten that to two days for accidents.
 
 
 
Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, simulating the quote and purchasing process, speaking to representatives on the phone to assess the customer service experience and surveying 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. We have scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements.
Here are more details about each factor and how they’re weighted: 
We use our rating system to compare and contrast each company against key factors to help us determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. Additionally, we keep our research up to date and revisit our reviews on a regular basis.
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