The Best Pet Insurance Companies in New York (2023)
Whether your puppy loves exploring Upstate New York or your house cat watches the streets of New York City from your apartment window, you and your pet can both benefit from a pet insurance policy. It can provide peace of mind that you’ll be able to afford unexpected treatments your companion needs after an emergency without breaking the bank.
To help pet parents in New York find the best pet insurance for their furry family members, we at the Guides Home Team read thousands of customer reviews and analyzed top players in the industry on their offerings, scoring them on factors such as customer service, coverage and pricing.
Best Pet Insurance in New York in 2023
After researching numerous pet insurance providers, we found the following companies to offer the best pet insurance in New York:
Coverage: Lemonade offers one standard policy that provides coverage on accidents and illnesses in addition to add-ons for vet visit fees, physical therapy coverage and preventive care if you want extra coverage. Its standard plan covers vet bills from diagnostic tests, surgery, emergency care, cancer treatments and more. It doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, elective procedures, dental care and behavioral treatments.
Add-Ons: Lemonade’s preventive care additional coverage options come at two levels and monthly prices. The less expensive option helps pay for a wellness exam, a fecal test, three vaccines, a heartworm test and a blood test. The more expensive option adds coverage for a routine dental cleaning and flea, tick or heartworm medication. Each treatment comes with specific per-item limits with a reimbursement rate equal to the one you choose for your standard plan.
Average Price: We pulled quotes to give you an idea of the average monthly price ranges for Lemonade pet insurance policies, based on various coverage caps, deductibles and reimbursement rates for 4-year-old mixed-breed dogs and cats in Albany, N.Y.:
- Dogs: $20–$45 per month
- Cats: $15–$35 per month
To Learn More: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Get a Quote: Use this online tool to get a free quote from Lemonade.
Coverage: Spot offers two standard pet insurance plans to choose from with optional coverage for preventive care. The accident-only plan includes coverage for incidents like injuries, swallowed objects and toxic ingestions, whereas the accident and illness plan covers those accidents plus illnesses and other conditions, including cancer, hip dysplasia, diabetes and more. Like its competitors, it doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, issues related to pregnancy or breeding and elective procedures, but it does cover exam fees and microchip implantation for your dog or cat.
Add-Ons: Its preventive care add-ons come at two monthly price points and coverage levels for treatments like dental cleanings, wellness exams, and vaccinations. Gold includes total per-item limits of $250 per year for covered treatments, and Platinum includes $450 per year of total per-item limits.
Average Price: Below are average monthly prices from quotes we received from Spot for mixed-breed dogs and cats in Albany, N.Y., based on differing deductibles, reimbursements, and coverage limits:
- Dogs: $30–$80 per month
- Cats: $15–$35 per month
To Learn More: Spot Pet Insurance Review
Get a Quote: Enter your pet’s information into this online form for a free quote from Spot.
Coverage: Embrace provides an accident and illness pet insurance policy to pet owners for coverage on vet bills for treatments, procedures, exam fees and other costs related to conditions like cancer, dental trauma, chronic conditions, allergies, genetic conditions, broken bones and ligament tears. It doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, organ transplants, cosmetic procedures and issues related to breeding.
Add-Ons: Embrace also provides an optional Wellness Rewards Plan for an additional monthly cost that pays for 100{95221ed7c1b18b55d17ae0bef2e0eaa704ccc2431c5b12f9d786c88d1acb538d} of the cost of routine care procedures, such as a wellness exam, vaccines, prescription diet foods, microchipping and more. It offers three annual coverage options of $250, $450 or $650 for costs between $18 and $52 per month.
Average Price: To give you an idea of Embrace’s monthly costs, we collected samples quotes based on 4-year-old medium mixed-breed cats and dogs in Albany, N.Y.:
- Dogs: $30–$95 per month
- Cats: $35–$50 per month
To Learn More: Embrace Pet Insurance Review
Get a Quote: Fill out this online form for a free quote from Embrace.
Coverage: Trupanion offers one base accident-and-illness plan covering incidents such as broken bones, toxic ingestions, cancer treatments, allergies and diabetes. The reimbursement rate is fixed at 90{95221ed7c1b18b55d17ae0bef2e0eaa704ccc2431c5b12f9d786c88d1acb538d}, and there is no cap on annual payouts. Pet owners can adjust their deductible, choosing any dollar amount (in $5 increments) between $0 and $1,000.
Trupanion ranked highly with us due to its unlimited coverage and direct-to-vet payments. However, its monthly prices are typically higher than other providers on this list. If cost is no object and you’re in the market for no annual coverage caps, then Trupanion may align with your needs.
Like other pet insurance providers, Trupanion does not cover preexisting conditions, pregnancy issues, elective procedures or cosmetic treatments.
Add-Ons: While Trupanion does not have a preventive care add-on, it has two additional coverage options — the Pet Owners Assistance package and the Recovery and Complementary Care (RACC) rider.
The RACC rider covers acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy and behavior modification for an additional monthly fee. The Pet Owners Assistance package includes vacation cancellation fees, boarding fees if a pet owner is hospitalized, liability coverage for third-party property damage and cremation and burial fees (if the loss is accidental).
Average Price: We pulled sample quotes from Trupanion based on 4-year-old, medium mixed-breed dogs and cats from Albany, N.Y., using various deductibles:
- Dogs: $43–176 per month
- Cats: $30–116 per month
To learn more: Trupanion Pet Insurance review
Coverage: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is top pet insurance option in New York for pet parents looking for accident-only coverage or coverage on both accidents and illnesses through its Complete Coverage Plan, which includes dental disease, hereditary conditions, general illnesses, behavioral issues and more. It also pays for microchip implantation and exam fees related to your pet’s treatments. It doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, elective procedures and issues related to pregnancy and breeding.
Add-Ons: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance does offer two preventive care add-ons to help pay for your pet’s routine treatments, such as a dental cleaning, vaccines, a fecal test and a wellness exam. The Basic Plan comes with a total of $250 per year of per-item limits, and the Prime Plan comes with $450 per year.
Average Price: Below are sample monthly rates for 4-year-old mixed breed dogs and cats in Albany, N.Y., with varying reimbursement rates, deductibles and coverage limits:
- Dogs: $30–$90 per month
- Cats: $15–$35 per month
To learn more: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Review
Get a quote: Use this online tool for an instant quote from ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.
Coverage: Although Fetch doesn’t offer any coverage options for wellness and routine care, it provides comprehensive coverage on accidents and illnesses that includes reimbursements for lost-pet advertising, vacation cancellation fees if you need to cancel your trip due to your pet’s treatment and boarding if you need someone to care for your animal while hospitalized for more than four days. It covers a breadth of treatments, procedures, exam fees, and other vet bills related to your pet’s accident or illness, including cancer treatment, prescription medications, holistic therapies, surgery, rehabilitation and up to $1,000 for behavioral treatments. It doesn’t cover preexisting conditions or cosmetic procedures, and it requires regular vet exams and dental checks for your pet to continue coverage.
Average Price: We gathered sample quotes for 4-year-old, mixed-breed dogs and cats in Albany, N.Y., with varying reimbursement rates and deductibles:
- Dogs: $45–$125 per month
- Cats: $25–$40 per month
To Learn More: Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance Review
Get a Quote: Visit Fetch’s website to receive a free quote on your pet’s policy.
Coverage: Healthy Paws has one plan covering both accidents and illnesses and does not offer any optional wellness or preventive care. The company’s standard plan comes with unlimited coverage for diagnostic exams, prescription medications, surgeries and other expenses related to treating accidental injuries, diseases and chronic conditions. Unlimited coverage applies to each incident and means you won’t have an annual cap on reimbursements. However, there is a 60{95221ed7c1b18b55d17ae0bef2e0eaa704ccc2431c5b12f9d786c88d1acb538d} coverage cap for dogs and cats 8 years of age and older.
Healthy Paws doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, nor will it reimburse you for hip dysplasia care for pets 6 years old or older, even if the issue was not diagnosed before the start of your plan.
In addition to processing claims and issuing reimbursements, Healthy Paws has a direct payment option. If you cannot pay a veterinary bill at the time of treatment, Healthy Paws will pay it for you, provided the vet agrees to the payment arrangement.
Average Price: Healthy Paws’ monthly premium range for 4-year-old mixed-breeds of dogs and cats in Albany, N.Y. are as follows:
- Dogs: $38–$50 per month
- Cats: $13–$28 per month
To Learn More: Healthy Paws Review
Get a Quote: Find out how much it would cost for Healthy Paws to cover your pet by taking this quick online survey.
Which Is the Best Pet Insurance Company in New York?
When we analyzed and compared New York pet insurance providers, we were most impressed with Lemonade for its overall coverage options and affordability. However, depending on your situation, another top provider might make the most sense. Healthy Paws or Trupanion may be better for you and your pet if you want a comprehensive unlimited coverage plan.
Since pricing can vary widely depending on your pet’s details and location, it’s important to get a few quotes from various providers to see which offers the best deals and coverage for your specific animal.
Cost of Pet Insurance in New York
Pet insurance costs vary by state and can depend on several factors such as pet age, breed, annual coverage limits, deductible, reimbursement rate, and more. When secretly shopping for quotes, our team observed that pet insurance quotes were more expensive in the city, like Manhattan, than in rural areas like Upstate New York.
The tables below show the average pet insurance cost for cats and dogs in New York.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans
Pet insurance coverage comes in two primary types to meet the needs of pet owners: accident-only coverage and accident and illness coverage. Many providers offer preventive care coverage as an endorsement or add-on. Here are more details about each plan type:
- Accident-only plans: These plans cover accidents that happen to your dog or cat, such as broken bones, bite wounds, toxic ingestions and more. These plans are less expensive and less comprehensive than accident and illness plans since they don’t cover illnesses or other conditions your pet may contract.
- Accident and illness plans: For more comprehensive coverage for your animal’s general illnesses and other conditions, which typically include congenital, hereditary and chronic conditions, consider purchasing an accident and illness plan. All pet insurance providers offer it, and is ideal for pet owners who want complete coverage.
- Preventive care add-ons: If you want preventative coverage for vet bills related to the routine care of your pet’s health, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, blood tests and more, you can purchase a preventive care add-on. These endorsements typically cover up to a certain amount per covered treatment, costing anywhere from $10 to $50 extra per month.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider in New York
Before landing on the best pet insurance provider for you and your pet, consider the following factors:
- Plan type: If you’re just looking for accident-only coverage, your options will be limited to providers that offer those plans, including Prudent Pet, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Spot. You can purchase from any providers in this review if you need accident and illness coverage.
- Coverage limits: Your policy’s annual coverage limit is the total amount your provider agrees to pay for vet bills annually. If you need unlimited coverage, you can narrow your search to providers such as Trupanion.
- Wellness coverage: Looking to add coverage for wellness and preventive care can help you narrow down your search since some providers don’t offer that option.
- Policy customization: You can customize your policy by choosing lower annual coverage limits, a higher deductible and a lower reimbursement rate — this is the best way to get the cheapest premium. For instance, Embrace quoted us $70.53 per month for a policy with a $30,000 annual limit, a $200 deductible and a 90{95221ed7c1b18b55d17ae0bef2e0eaa704ccc2431c5b12f9d786c88d1acb538d} reimbursement rate to cover a mixed dog. However, it costs only $18.15 per month when customizing those options to $5,000 of annual coverage, a $1,000 deductible and a 70{95221ed7c1b18b55d17ae0bef2e0eaa704ccc2431c5b12f9d786c88d1acb538d} reimbursement rate.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Pet Insurance Companies
Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, scoping quotes and purchasing processes by secret shopping, 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 scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements. We then divided this final score by 20 to calculate an overall star rating out of 5.0 stars.
Here are more details about each factor and how it’s weighted:
- Monthly pricing (25 points): The best pet insurance companies combine comprehensive coverage and plan options with affordable rates.
- Plans (15 points): The top pet insurance companies offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans and wellness or preventive care add-ons to give customers the option to choose a plan that’s best for their pet.
- Covered treatments (15 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Companies with a breadth of included treatments and unique coverages received more points than providers with more standard or general policies.
- Customization options (10 points): Providers with more annual-limit, deductible and reimbursement-rate options earned the highest scores.
- Customer care (10 points): We scored companies on their website accessibility and overall usability, customer service availability, mobile apps (if any), money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options, awarding points to the insurers with more customer experience offerings.
- Industry reputation (10 points): We reviewed up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and scored companies on their years of experience in the industry and their state availability.
- Waiting periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident, illness and orthopedic waiting periods between the sign-up and coverage start date scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
- Eligible age (5 points): Some companies don’t offer policies for pets that are over a certain age. We deducted points from providers that have age limits for covered pets.
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. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
Hilary Snow is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She has worked for a number of well-regarded outlets and content marketing companies local to North Carolina, including The Greater Wilmington Business Journal and ZillaMetrics.
Parker King is a writer, editor and SEO content strategist with a master’s degree in professional communication from Clemson University and years of experience in the digital marketing industry. She specializes in writing, editing and optimizing personal finance, home services and insurance content.
