Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Some plans can be costly, so we looked into them—and other ways to protect your pet
When someone asks if I’m a dog or cat person, my answer is yes.
We’ve got one of each at my house: Logo, who’s been our good boy for four years now, and Phoebe, who arrived at the door as a stray kitten five years ago. They are both happy, healthy, and uninsured. And according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, we’re not alone in not insuring our pets. Of the estimated 89.7 million dogs and 73.8 million cats in the U.S., only 5.6 million of them were insured in 2024.
- Pet Insurance: What to Know Is it Worth It? Alternatives
At Consumer Reports, we rated eight pet insurance providers: ASPCA, Banfield, Embrace, Fetch, Healthy Paws, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Pets Best, and Trupanion. The ratings are based on a survey of 2,061 CR members with insured pets, looking at such things as satisfaction with the prices paid, the availability of different types of coverage, reimbursement options, and coverage based on preexisting conditions, a pet’s age, and other characteristics. We found that most people weren’t that satisfied with their coverage. In fact, of the eight pet insurance providers we looked at, six earned just a midrange Overall Satisfaction Score and two received unfavorable ratings.
In our pet insurance buying guide, we explain the category’s nooks and crannies further to help you decide whether to invest in the coverage.
Your Guide to the Best Pet Products
