Best pet insurance for multiple pets (2024)

Best pet insurance for multiple pets

• Pets Best: Best for direct vet payments.
• Spot: Best for annual coverage options.
• Embrace: Best for a diminishing deductible.
• Figo: Great for 100% reimbursement.
• Lemonade: Best for fast claims processing.
• MetLife: Best for discounts and perks.
• Pumpkin: Best for preventative care.

Top-rated pet insurance for multiple pets

Compare the best multi-pet insurance

_{Average monthly cost assumes unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage for an accident and illness plan. These average rates are based on dogs of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes. This cost is for the first pet insured; a multi-pet discount will apply to a second pet. Source: PetInsurer.com.}

How insurance for multiple pets works

When buying multi-pet insurance from the same company, you’ll typically pay the full amount for the first pet and receive a discount for insuring additional pets. Each pet gets its own policy, but you can manage all policies from a single account.

“This is great for multi-pet owners because each pet is unique, so pet parents aren’t forced to choose the same exact coverage for all of them,” said Scott Taylor, president of Spot Pet Insurance.

You can choose the right annual limit, reimbursement level and deductible that best meets each pet’s individual needs.

MetLife is the only pet insurance company that offers a family plan for up to three pets. You can insure dogs and cats in one family plan and all of your insured pets will share the same annual deductible and reimbursement level. If you don’t need different coverage options for each pet, MetLife may be the right fit for your pet family. The multi-pet discount you receive with MetLife will depend on which family plan options you choose.

What multi-pet insurance covers

Multi-pet insurance covers the same pet health expenses as single pet insurance covers. If you buy a comprehensive accident and illness plan, it will cover veterinary costs such as:

• Allergies.
• Biopsies.
• Breed-specific, congenital and genetic conditions.
• Chronic health conditions.
• Cancer.
• Dental illness.
• Diabetes.
• Emergency vet visits.
• Hospitalization.
• Ligament tears.
• Physical therapy.
• Prescription medication.
• Specialist care.
• Surgery.
• X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds.

If you choose an accident-only plan, only accidental injuries are covered. This can include:

• Bee stings.
• Broken bones and lacerations.
• Eye and teeth injuries.
• Snake bites.
• Toxin and foreign body ingestion.

Routine care like vaccinations, annual checkups and heartworm medication are typically onlycovered if you add a wellness plan to your accident and illness plan, for an additional cost.

Is there a time limit for adding another pet to your insurance?

There is no time limit for buying pet insurance for a second pet. If you have two pets, you can buy a policy for both on the same day. Or if you get a new pet, you can add a policy to your existing pet insurance account. You’ll be eligible for the pet insurance company’s multi-pet discount on your second pet’s policy either way.

Average cost of pet insurance for multiple pets

With multi-pet insurance, you typically pay the full amount for the first pet and get a discount on the cost of additional pets you enroll.

The average cost of pet insurance is $45 per month for a dog for $5,000 of annual coverage, or $55 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage.

If you insure two dogs with unlimited annual coverage, you could save around $33 per year with a 5% multi-pet insurance discount or $66 annually with a 10% discount.

How much you pay for multi-pet insurance will depend on several factors, including the coverage you select and the insurance company you choose. Insurance companies will also consider the following when determining pet insurance costs for multiple pets.

Annual coverage limit

The annual coverage limit is the most the insurance company will pay per year toward covered expenses. You can typically choose between $2,000 and $10,000, though some companies offer higher coverage limits. Lemonade, for example, offers coverage options up to $100,000 per year, while Embrace, Figo, Pets Best, Pumpkin and Spot offer an unlimited coverage option.

The higher the annual limit, the more you’ll pay for coverage. Your annual limit will roll over each policy year.

Breed

Pet breeds with certain dispositions for health issues will cost more than heartier breeds. For instance, Labrador retrievers are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, while Yorkshire terriers are known for digestive problems and portosystemic shunts, which are hereditary.

If you’re a cat person, some of the healthiest breeds are the Balinese, Havana brown, Russian blue and Siamese. Choosing a healthier breed can keep your pet insurance premiums lower than insuring a breed with common problems.

You might also get a cheaper pet insurance rate if you own a mixed breed instead of a purebred dog or cat. This is because the gene pool is more diverse with mixed breeds than purebreds, providing a greater chance health issues will have disappeared after a generation.

Deductible

Your pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay toward your pet’s eligible vet costs before the insurer starts to pay. A deductible can range from $50 to $1,000, with a higher deductible costing less per month than a lower deductible.

Number of pets

Your pet insurance costs will increase with the more pets you insure. Costs will depend on the coverage you select for each pet, plus their age, breed and species. A multi-pet discount will offset some of the cost of insuring multiple pets.

Pet’s age

Pet insurance costs typically increase as pets age. The younger your pet is, the cheaper it is to insure. The older your pet gets, the more likely it is to incur vet costs, so the more you’ll pay for coverage.

Pet size

Your pet’s size may also affect your pet insurance cost. Large dog breeds are known for certain health problems, like heart conditions or hip dysplasia. Bloat, or stomach flip, is also more prevalent in large breeds such as Great Danes and Saint Bernards.

Policy type

An accident-only pet insurance plan costs less because it doesn’t cover illnesses like an accident and illness pet insurance policy does. You’ll also pay more if you add a wellness plan to your accident and illness plan.

Reimbursement percentage

The reimbursement percentage is the amount the pet insurance company will pay toward your vet costs once you meet your deductible. Most providers offer either 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement coverage. Figo is one of the few carriers that offers 100% reimbursement. Higher reimbursement levels come with a higher monthly cost since the insurer pays more toward each claim.

ZIP code

Where you live impacts how much you pay for pet insurance. Veterinarian costs differ by location, with urban areas costing more than rural areas. You can expect the same difference in pet insurance costs by location.

Can I insure my pets with different pet insurance companies?

Yes, you can have multiple pet insurance policies with different insurance companies. If you go this route, you won’t be eligible for a multi-pet discount. But you might find that separating the plans for individual pets is in your best financial interest.

While each pet insurance company generally covers the same accidents and illnesses, you might find one with different coverage options that better suit one of your pets. For instance, in its comprehensive plan, Embrace offers alternative treatments, like laser therapy and acupuncture, while Pets Best and Lemonade exclude these therapies from coverage.

If you have one pet that might require alternative therapies, consider an insurer with this coverage. However, if you only want basic coverage, another insurance company might better suit your needs.

How do I find a multi-pet insurance policy?

The best way to find a multi-pet insurance policy is to gather quotes from several companies and compare them. To get quotes, you’ll go to each company’s website and enter your pet’s age, breed, species, size and other details.

If you prefer to speak with an insurance agent who can answer any questions you have, you can also call to get a quote. Companies like Nationwide offer in-person service through its network of local agents selling Nationwide pet insurance.

Comparing pet insurance quotes can help you find the best coverage options for multiple pets that work with your budget.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)