If your dog or cat is sick or injured, pet insurance can help with veterinary expenses, including treatment for lacerations, broken bones, infections and even cancer.
Adding a wellness plan to your policy extends coverage to routine care, like checkups, vaccinations and flea and tick treatments. It can also cover one-time costs like microchipping and spaying or neutering.
CNBC Select has picked the best pet wellness plans to keep your pet healthy and your wallet happy. (Read more about our methodology below.)
Best pet insurance with wellness plans
Best for teeth cleaning: MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
MetLife offers an accident and illness plan and a wellness add-on. Policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and Metropolitan General (MetGen) Insurance Company
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Age limits
No age restrictions for enrollment
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for illnesses, 12 months for knee injuries
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Discounts
Discounts for buying online and enrolling multiple pets, as well as for animal care staff, military members and health care workers. Deductibles drop up to $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Covers birds, lizards, small mammals and other exotic pet
- Reimbursement for lost pet rewards
- Most claims processed within 10 days
- Covers burial/cremation
Cons
- Doesn’t cover microchipping
- No accident-only policy
- Coverage, waiting periods and discounts vary based on the underwriter
Who’s this for? While not all pet insurance plans cover dental cleanings, MetLife Pet Insurance‘s Preventive 365 plan reimburses up to $100 a year for teeth cleaning. The Preventive 575 plan ups. the limit to $150.
Standout benefits: MetLife wellness plans include gland expression and behavioral training, which many competitors exclude.
Best for affordability: Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Pumpkin Insurance offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
Accident-only: $250, Accident and illness: $50 to $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for accidents and illnesses
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Discounts
10% discount for insuring multiple pets
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Plans include exam fees and microchipping
- No upper age limits or breed restrictions
- Unlimited coverage standard
Cons
- Only 90% reimbursement available
Who’s this for? Pumpkin’s wellness plans are great for owners on a budget: Coverage start at just $14.95 a month for cats and $19.95 for dogs, lower than many competitors’ rates.
Standout benefits: Unlike most routine care plans, Pumpkin Wellness Club is available as a standalone plan without a traditional pet insurance policy. You’ll still be covered for vaccinations, screenings, exams and more, and get 24/7 access to Pumpkin’s pet health hotline.
Best for puppies and kittens: Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Embrace offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness policies
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses
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Discount
Healthy Pet discount reduces your deductible by $50 every year you don’t find a claim.
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Unlimited annual coverage is available
- Two-day waiting period for accidents
- Available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Cons
- Coverage limited to pets 14 and younger
- $25 policy activation fee
Who’s this for? Your pet can rack up lots of expenses in its first year. Embrace’s Wellness Rewards plans have annual limits of up to $700, enough to cover vaccinations, chipping, neutering and more.
Standout benefits: Embrace’s wellness plans include grooming, nail trimming and nutritional consultations, which most providers exclude. Its standard accident and illness policies cover periodontal disease, abscesses, gingivitis and other dental issues up to $1000 each policy term.
Best for medications and prescription food: CarePlus by Chewy
CarePlus® by Chewy Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
CarePlus offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans through Lemonade and Trupanion.
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Age limits
Pets from 8 weeks old to 14 years old can be enrolled
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Direct vet pay
Yes, with Trupanion policies
Pros
- Some plans have 100% prescription coverage
- Video consultations
- Direct vet pay option available
Cons
- Does not issue its own policies
- Trupanion policies don’t cover curable pre-existing conditions
- Lemonade not available in all states
Who’s this for? If your furry friend is prescribed medications or a special diet, Chewy’s CarePlus plan can cover the full cost of prescription food and drugs on Chewy.com, as well as flea, tick and heartworm prevention treatments.
Standout benefits: If you select a Trupanion plan through Chewy, you can have your veterinarians get paid directly by the insurer, saving you the trouble of having to get reimbursed.
Best for speedy claims processing: Lemonade
Lemonade Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Lemonade offers accident and illness and wellness policies in 39 states
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Age limits
At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on breed
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Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries
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Discounts
5% multi-pet discount, 5% off for paying annual premium in full and 10% for bundling pet insurance with other Lemonade policies
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- 10% bundling discount available
- 2-day waiting period for injury coverage
Cons
- Only available in 39 states
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than competitors
- Strict age limits may make it hard to enroll older pets
Who’s this for? Lemonade‘s AI-powered interface makes the claims process fast and easy: File through the website or app and your reimbursement is wired directly to your bank account. According to Lemonade, almost 40% of claims are settled in seconds.
Standout benefits: Through its Giveback program, Lemonade donates a portion of unused premiums to nonprofits, including animal rescue groups. In 2024, it donated more than $2 million to 43 charities.
Best for senior pets: Spot
Spot Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, plus two tiers of wellness add-ons
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Age limits
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
$100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for accidents and injuries
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Discounts
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- no upper age limits for enrollment
- Exam fees covered
- 10% discounts for additional pets
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for accidents
- 30-day money-back guarantee not available in New York or Maine
- Average rate for cats is higher than competition
Who’s this for? Spot doesn’t have an upper age limit for enrollment, making it a great option if you have an older dog. Wellness coverage starts 24 hours after purchase, so you can take advantage of benefits quickly.
Standout benefits: If you travel often with your pet, this plan offers up to $25 for travel health certificates per year.
Best for multiple pets: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
ASPCA offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans for cats, dogs and horses. There is a 10% multi-pet discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims are filed.
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Age limits
At least 8 weeks old to enroll with no upper age limit
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Coverage limit
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
14 days for accidents and illnesses
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Coverage for horses
Cons
- Bilateral conditions not covered
- Must call to get info on some plans
Who’s this for? If you have several furry friends at home, ASPCA offers a 10% discount for enrolling more than one pet.
Standout benefits: The Basic Preventive Care tier includes teeth cleaning, which many plans make a premium benefit or omit altogether.
Best for microchipping: Figo
Figo Pet Insurance
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Policy highlights
Figo offers accident and illness and wellness plans. Policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and coverage begins 12:01 a.m. the day after enrollment.
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Age limits
Minimum enrollment age is 8 weeks old and there is no maximum age
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Coverage limit
$5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
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Annual deductible
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Reimbursement rate
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Waiting period
1 day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for orthopedic injuries to dogs (may be waived by having vet examine your dog)
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Discounts
5% multi-pet discount, 15% discount for Costco members and 5% military discount (in most states). Your deductible drops by $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
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Direct vet pay
Pros
- Costco members can save 15%
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- 100% reimbursement option available
- Claims close on average in under 3 business days
- Covers curable conditions that have been healed for 12 months
Cons
- Vet exam fee not covered by basic plan
- Doesn’t offer an accident-only plan
- Multiple-pet discount lower than many competitors
Who’s this for? Figo‘s wellness coverage includes up to $30 for microchipping and a health certificate for traveling.
Standout benefits: Plans include up to $75 for spaying or neutering, which can go toward teeth cleaning in future years.
What do pet wellness plans cover?
Wellness (or preventive care) plans vary, but they typically cover expected costs, rather than accidents or illnesses. Most pet parents purchase wellness coverage in conjunction with an accident-only or accident-and-illness plan, but you can find standalone options.
Wellness plans may cover:
- Annual checkups
- Vaccinations
- Teeth-cleaning
- Vitamins and supplements
- Preventatives for fleas, ticks and heartworms
- Deworming
- FIV or FeLV testing (for cats)
- Microchipping
- Spaying/neutering
Wellness plans typically do not cover non-prescription food, obedience training, grooming, breeding or treatments related to pregnancy.
How does a pet wellness plan work?
A wellness plan is more like a membership than traditional insurance: You pay a monthly fee and, in return, your pet receives access to a set number of services, often with no deductible. The price of each vaccination, blood test or other treatment is then subtracted from your balance.
While a wellness plan may cover testing, it won’t pay to treat an illness if one is detected. That’s why most owners combine preventative coverage with an accident and illness plan.
How to choose the right pet wellness plan
Evaluate any wellness plan for a variety of factors beyond cost.
Availability
Is this plan offered in your state? Can you pick your veterinarian? Can a preventative care plan be bought by itself or is it attached to accident and illness coverage? These questions should be a part of your calculations when deciding on a wellness plan.
Coverage limits
Be sure to learn how many routine wellness visits you get a year and if medications, prescription food and vitamins are discounted or covered.
Exclusions
If you have a newborn puppy or kitty, you might want to see if the wellness plan covers essential services like microchipping and spaying/neutering. If you have an older pet, make sure there aren’t age caps on coverage.
Customer satisfaction
Look up the provider on TrustPilot or check its grade and reviews on the Better Business Bureau website. A major insurer with different lines may be ranked by J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners might have data on the volume of complaints it receives.
Is a pet wellness plan worth it?
A preventative care plan can be a good way to budget for pet care, with predictable monthly costs rather than surprise expenses.
Regular checkups can help keep your cat or dog healthy throughout their lives and enable vets to catch problems before they become more serious (and expensive). But they require a commitment: If you don’t think you’ll come in for checkups or cleanings, or your pet doesn’t need microchipping or spaying, it might not be the right choice.
Pros and cons of pet insurance wellness plans
Pros
- Often cheaper than paying out of pocket for routine care
- Encourages a holistic approach to pet health
- Early detection can prevent a more serious problem
Cons
- Added cost on top of traditional pet insurance
- Limits on frequency and type of care
- Requires commitment to routine veterinary visits
- Don’t cover accidents or illnesses on their own
More on the best pet insurance wellness plans
MetLife
MetLife has been in the insurance industry since the 1860s, but began protecting cats and dogs in 2020 when it acquired PetFirst. There is no upper age limit for enrollment.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive 365 | $21 | Up to $365 | Dental cleaning, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, parasite and heartworm prevention, supplements and vitamins, gland expression, microchipping and behavior training |
| Preventive 575 | $41 | Up to $575 | Same benefits with a higher coverage limit |
Source: Sample rates based on 1-year-old Labrador Retriever in New York
Pumpkin
Launched in 2020 by animal health brand Zoetis, Pumpkin was acquired by private equity firm JAB Holding Company in 2022. It offers just one accident and illness plan with wellness coverage available as an add-on or standalone.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
| Pumpkin Wellness Club | Starting at $14.95 per month for cats and $19.95 per month for dogs | Up to $460 | Wellness exams, vaccinations, health screening tests tick/flea/heartworm prevention, and spaying or neutering (or routine teeth cleaning) |
Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace has been offering pet insurance since 2006, with policies underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group. It’s earned praise for its quick claims processing and easy-to-use mobile app.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic wellness plan | $23 | Up to $300 | Wellness exam, vaccinations, gland expression, grooming, nail trimming, spaying/neutering, microchipping, blood/fecal tests, teeth cleaning, prescription food, supplements, alternative treatments, burial and cremation |
| Advanced wellness plan | $40 | Up to $500 | Same benefits with higher coverage limits |
| Puppy/kitten wellness plan | $56 | Up to $700 | Same benefits with higher coverage limits |
Source: Sample rates based on 1-year-old Labrador Retriever in New York
CarePlus by Chewy
Launched by Chewy in 2022, CarePlus offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, as well as one of the few wellness plans that can be bought on its own. CarePlus policies are underwritten by Trupanion and Lemonade, which have a maximum age limit of 14.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness Plan | Starting at $20 | Up to $290 | Annual checkup, bloodwork, vaccinations, spaying/neutering |
| Comprehensive Plan | Visit website for rate quote | Up to $455 | Same coverage as the Wellness Plan, plus preventive flea/tick meds purchased through Chewy and telehealth consults with vet |
Lemonade
Online insurer Lemonade also offers auto, renters, condo, homeowners and life insurance, so customers can earn 10% off when they bundle policies. New enrollments are capped at age 14, however.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade Preventative Care | $17.58 | Not stated | One wellness exam, three vaccinations, fecal or parasite test, bloodwork, heartworm or FeLV/FIV test |
| Lemonade Preventative+ Care | Visit website for rate quote | Not stated | Same as Preventive Care plus dental cleaning and flea, tick and heartworm medication |
| Lemonade Preventative Care for Puppies and Kittens | $48.41 | Not stated | Two wellness exams, six vaccinations, fecal or parasite test, bloodwork, heartworm or FeLV/FIV test, spaying/neutering and microchipping |
Spot
Spot is available in all 50 states, with policies underwritten by the Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. There is no upper age limit for enrollment or coverage.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Preventive Care Gold | $9.95 | $250 | Annual wellness exam, vaccinations, deworming and dental cleaning. |
| Spot Preventive Platinum | $24.95 | $450 | Same as Gold plan plus spaying/neutering, flea/heartworm prevention, blood tests and urinalysis. |
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Pet insurance from the ASPCA is offered through PTZ Insurance Agency and underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and United States Fire Insurance Company. There is no age limit for coverage and, in addition to dogs and cats, the ASPCA has policies for horses.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Preventive Care | $9.95 | Up to $250 | Annual wellness exam, dental cleaning, vaccines, deworming, heartworm testing, fecal test, feline leukemia testing |
| Prime Preventive Care | $24.95 | Up to $450 | Everything in Basic plan plus blood tests, urinalysis, additional vaccines, spaying/neutering, health certificates and tick, flea and heartworm prevention |
Figo
Figo’s pet insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company. It offers pet owners the ability to add coverage for wellness plans and vet exam fees in addition to accident and illness coverage.
| Plan | Average monthly cost | Annual coverage limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figo Wellness Powerup | $16 | Up to $250 per year | Wellness exams, routine tests, vaccines, spaying/neutering, teeth cleaning and microchipping |
Source: Sample rates based on 1-year-old Labrador Retriever in New York
FAQs
What does wellness dog insurance cover?
A wellness plan for a dog can cover annual treatments like teeth-cleaning, checkups, vaccinations, deworming and preventative flea and tick treatments. It may also cover one-time expenditures like microchipping and spaying or neutering.
What are the benefits of pet insurance?
In general, pet insurance is good for providing a financial cushion if your pet requires unexpected medical treatment, whether because of an illness or accident. A wellness plan, however, can save you money on more expected costs, whether annual or one-time.
Does pet insurance cover flea treatments?
Many wellness plans cover flea and tick treatment for dogs and cats.
Do pet wellness plans cover pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing condition is any illness or disability your pet was diagnosed with before you bought your policy. Pet insurance (including wellness plans) rarely covers them. There are, however, plans that cover pre-existing conditions if your pet has been “cured” for a certain amount of time, like a respiratory infection or a broken paw.
How much does a pet wellness plan cost?
The average cost for a pet insurance wellness plan is about $25 a month, but prices can vary greatly depending on the provider, the animal, the benefits, your location and other factors.
Are pet wellness plans worth it?
If you intend to invest in routine care for your cat or dog, a wellness plan can help you save on one-time or annual treatments. Price out what you’d pay for vaccinations, teeth cleanings and other expenses to see if a plan is cost-effective.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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Our methodology
To determine the best pet wellness plans, CNBC Select analyzed more than two dozen pet insurance companies with routine care coverage.
Carriers were reviewed based on:
- Cost
- Coverage limits
- Nationwide availability
- Deductibles
- Reimbursement rates,
- Exam fees
- Customer satisfaction (based on ratings from the Better Business Bureau).
Rates were based on an accident and illness policy with a wellness add-on for a 1-year-old, 50-pound mixed-breed dog living in New York City. The plan had a $10,000 annual coverage limit, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
From there, we sorted our winners into the best for the following categories:
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
