10 Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies in 2025 (Tested & Reviewed by a Real Pet Owner)

Okay, so—real talk—I used to think pet insurance was a scam. Like, one of those “nice-to-have” things that you never actually use, y’know? I figured I’d just stash a few bucks away every month in case something happened to my golden retriever, Luna. Big mistake. Huge.

Fast forward to last summer: Luna got sick. Real sick. One emergency vet visit, one overnight stay, and one blood transfusion later, I was $2,800 deep and googling "best affordable pet insurance" while crying into a microwaved burrito.

That was the moment I realized pet insurance wasn’t a luxury—it was a necessity. Especially if you’re like me and you treat your pets like actual family members who sleep on the bed and have their own Instagram account.

So, after that financial facepalm, I made it my mission to find the most affordable, actually useful pet insurance options out there. I tested a bunch. Canceled some. Called customer service way too many times. And now, here I am—your slightly traumatized guide to the 10 best cheap pet insurance companies in 2025.

Let’s break it down.

1. Lemonade Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: Starts around $10
Why It’s Great: Transparent pricing, fast digital claims, and bundles well with their home/renters insurance.
Downside: Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, and some breeds cost more (duh, but still).

Lemonade’s app is slick, like ordering DoorDash but for vet bills. They reimbursed me in less than 24 hours for a claim once. That was a first.

2. Fetch by The Dodo

Monthly Cost: Roughly $15–$20
Perks: Covers a ton—including behavioral therapy, holistic treatments, and even virtual vet visits.
Frustration Factor: Their waiting period is longer than most (15 days for illnesses).

I stuck with Fetch for about 8 months. Their coverage is generous, but be prepared for some back-and-forth with documents. Still, they paid out most of what I submitted, even for Luna’s anxiety meds. Yes, she's dramatic like me.

3. Paw Protect

Monthly Cost: Around $18–$25
Cool Feature: Offers interest-free “pay then claim later” options. Game changer when you’re broke but your dog ate a sock.
Cons: Not available in every state (ugh, insurance).

I didn’t end up using them personally, but a friend of mine swears by them. She has a boxer with the appetite of a goat and claims Paw Protect saved her marriage.

4. Figo Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: $10–$16 depending on breed and age
Unique Edge: Their 100% reimbursement option (if you're willing to pay a smidge more monthly).
Quirk: Their app is... not cute. But it works.

Figo was my insurance bae for a solid year. They covered an ear infection, tummy troubles, and one extremely suspicious limp that turned out to be Luna faking it for sympathy. (Yes, she’s manipulative.)

5. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Monthly Cost: Starts at $15
Trust Factor: Backed by a legit, well-known organization. Great for peace of mind.
Downsides: Claims processing can be slow as molasses.

They’re not the cheapest, but I trust ASPCA because they’re not just out for profit. One month it took three weeks to get reimbursed, though, which gave me ulcers.

6. Embrace Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: Around $13–$18
Why I Loved It: Covers alternative therapies and even exam fees, which a lot of plans don’t.
Annoying Bit: Annual deductible, not per incident—so you pay more upfront if your pet’s clumsy like mine.

When Luna sprained her leg running into a screen door (again—drama), Embrace paid 90% after my deductible. They even covered hydrotherapy, which I didn’t know dogs could do.

7. Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: Around $20+
Solid Choice For: Puppies and kittens. They offer preventive care add-ons that are actually worth it.
Not So Great: Pricier than others on this list.

My cousin uses Pumpkin for her Corgi and loves the preventive coverage—it paid for the entire vaccine series. But yeah, if you’re tight on cash, Pumpkin’s not the cheapest game in town.

8. Spot Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: $10–$15
Perk: Insanely flexible plans—you basically build your own.
Grumble: Deductible resets annually, and dental coverage is limited.

Spot feels very à la carte, which I like. They didn’t cover Luna’s chipped tooth, though, which I’m still salty about.

9. Pets Best Insurance

Monthly Cost: As low as $9
Big Win: Covers accidents and illnesses—even cancer—at a super affordable price.
Downside: Customer service can be hit-or-miss.

If you want bare bones but solid protection, Pets Best is... well, the best. Their accident-only plan is like $6/month, which is wild.

10. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Monthly Cost: $15–$25 depending on pet's age
Pros: Unlimited lifetime benefits (yup, no caps)
Watch Out: Doesn’t cover exam fees or preventive care.

These guys are OGs. When Luna had a growth removed (turned out benign, thank God), Healthy Paws paid out 90%. Fast, too. But yeah, don’t expect flea meds or vaccines to be included.

What I Learned the Hard Way (And You Hopefully Won’t)

1. Start Early

If your pet is already sick, no one’s gonna cover it. Harsh, but true.

2. Read the Fine Print

Some policies look cheap but exclude everything useful.

3. Budget for the Deductible

Most plans don’t kick in until after you pay $100–$500.

4. Don’t Rely on Just Reviews

Call the company, ask dumb questions, test the vibes.

5. File Claims Immediately

The longer you wait, the more confusing it gets.

Also: No matter how chill your dog is, they will eventually eat something weird and force you into a 2 a.m. vet trip. Trust me.

Final Thoughts: Is Cheap Pet Insurance Worth It?

Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes, if you pick the right one.

The trick is to find a balance between affordability and actual coverage. Some cheap plans are cheap because they cover basically nothing. Others are cheap and solid—if you know where to look. Hopefully this list saves you from spending hours comparing quotes, reading Reddit threads, and calling your vet in a panic.

Luna’s fine now, by the way. She’s currently snoring under my desk with her paw over her nose. We’re covered. And now, so are you.

Bonus Tip: Want Help Comparing Plans?

Want me to review your current policy or compare options based on your pet’s breed? Drop a comment below—I gotchu.