Golden puppy wearing a red collar

Lifestyle

Pet insurance for puppies: Compare coverage, costs & top plans

Pet insurance is becoming an important part of many people’s plans for a puppy’s long-term health, not just a way to prepare for emergencies. Enrolling early can help protect your puppy before an illness or injury develops and possibly becomes ineligible for coverage as a pre-existing condition.

Early coverage is becoming more valuable as veterinary care gets more expensive. Pet service prices have increased by 42% since 2019, and 52% of U.S. pet parents said they skipped or declined recommended veterinary care due to cost.

At Fetch Pet Insurance, we believe cost shouldn’t stand between your puppy and the care they need. This Fetch Pet-curated guide compares puppy insurance providers by coverage, cost and plan options to help you choose the right protection for your newest family member.

Key takeaways

  • Pet insurance can help cover eligible accidents, illnesses and hereditary conditions before future issues become pre-existing.
  • Enrolling your puppy while they are young can provide broader protection before new symptoms or diagnoses appear.
  • Fetch Pet offers the strongest overall coverage because its standard plan includes full-mouth dental, sick-visit exam fees and hereditary and congenital condition coverage.
  • Plan costs, deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates vary by provider, so the cheapest monthly plan may not offer the most complete coverage.
  • Fetch Pet is the best coverage for puppies at the best price according to a Canine Journal review in March 2025, based on a comparison of coverage, costs, and hidden exclusions among various pet insurance providers.

Why puppies have higher veterinary costs than many pet parents expect 

Puppies sometimes need more veterinary care during their first year than pet parents expect. Here are a few reasons for these higher-than-expected costs for a new puppy:

  • Preventive care: Vaccines, wellness exams, parasite prevention and growth checks often require multiple visits during a puppy’s first year.
  • Accidents and injuries: Curious puppies may swallow household objects, fall, get hurt while playing or need emergency treatment after an accident.
  • Illnesses and infections: Puppies can develop ear infections, stomach issues and other conditions while their immune systems are still maturing.
  • Hereditary conditions: Breed-related issues such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and heart disease may appear early and require ongoing care or surgery.

Best pet insurance for puppies at the best price: Fetch Pet Insurance

Black Fetch Pet logo with stylized lowercase lettering


Fetch Pet
is a top-rated pet insurance for comprehensive coverage. The standard plan covers accidents and illnesses, dental disease in every adult tooth and gums, sick-visit exam fees, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral therapy and vet-prescribed treatments such as acupuncture and physical therapy. Many competitors limit these benefits, exclude them or charge extra for them.

You can visit any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada, including specialists and emergency clinics. Members also receive 100% reimbursement for 24/7 online vet visits with no copay or deductible and 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications purchased through Fetch Pet Rx, subject to policy terms and limits.

For routine care, you can add Fetch Wellness to cover annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings and preventive treatments with no deductible or copay. You can also customize the deductible, reimbursement rate and annual coverage limit to fit your budget.

Deductible choices: With Fetch Pet Insurance, members can choose from three annual deductible options online. Available deductibles can range from $250 to $2,500, with additional options available when calling the sales team.

Maximum annual limit options: Annual coverage limits include $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000. Pet parents may also be able to request an unlimited annual limit when they call.

Reimbursement rate options: Customizable reimbursement rate, with reimbursement available up to 90% for eligible veterinary expenses, plus up to 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications purchased through Fetch Pet Rx.

Pros: 

  • Reviews online mention signing up is quick and informative, with knowledgeable reps available to answer questions
  • Customer service is helpful and patient, with reviewers often mentioning kind and professional staff during the claims process.
  • Claims are easy to submit, with some reviewers reporting fast reimbursements

Cons: 

  • Like most pet insurance plans, you must pay vet bills up front and submit claims within 90 days to avoid losing the opportunity to receive reimbursement

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.
Cost:
On average, plans cost about $34/month for dogs. Pricing depends on your pet’s age, breed, location and selected coverage.

Other pet insurance providers and how they stack up against Fetch Pet

Other pet insurance providers offer accident and illness coverage, but benefits, exclusions, reimbursement rules and add-ons can vary widely. Here’s how some other insurance providers compare with Fetch Pet across coverage, customization and real customer experiences.

All cost estimates are quotes based on a $10,000 annual limit, $500 deductible, and 80% reimbursement cost for a small, mixed-breed male puppy under one year old in the zip code 30040 (GA)

  1. Spot
Orange Spot Pet Insurance logo with heart-shaped “o”


Spot Pet Insurance
offers accident-only, accident and illness and optional preventive care plans for puppies. Its plans reimburse eligible vet costs for covered accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, treatments, prescriptions, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, hereditary conditions and microchipping. Pet parents can use any vet in the U.S. or Canada, submit claims online or through the app and receive reimbursement by direct deposit or check.

Deductible choices: Annual deductibles can range from $250 to $750.

Maximum annual coverage options: Annual coverage can range from $2,500 to unlimited benefits.

Pros:

  • Like Fetch Pet, Spot offers online claim submission for vet bills and supporting documents
  • Sends reimbursements through direct deposit after claim approval
  • Provides customer support for claim questions, coverage details and next steps

Cons:

  • Some customers report delayed reimbursements and repeated requests for medical records they already submitted
  • Claim emails can occasionally include unclear or conflicting status updates
  • Creates billing issues for some customers, including unexpected charges or policy changes

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
Dog insurance costs on ran $31.63 for puppies. Specifically, when getting a quote for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: While Spot offers some coverage depth, Fetch Pet offers broader built-in coverage, including sick-visit exam fees, comprehensive dental coverage (as opposed to Spot’s more narrowly capped dental coverage) and holistic therapies without requiring any expensive add-on riders. 

  1. Lemonade
Lemonade logo in cursive white text on black


Lemonade Pet Insurance
offers accident and illness coverage for puppies, with optional preventive care packages and add-ons. Its base plan can help cover diagnostics, procedures, medications and hospitalizations for new accidents and illnesses. Pet parents can use any licensed vet in the U.S., pay the vet upfront and submit claims through the Lemonade app.

Deductible choices: Annual deductibles can range from $100 to $750.

Maximum annual coverage options: Annual coverage maximums can range from $5,000 to $100,000.

Reimbursement rate options: Reimbursement rates can range from 70% to 90% for eligible veterinary expenses.

Pros: 

  • Offers an app-based claims process for uploading documents and submitting requests
  • Like Fetch Pet, Lemonade sends approved claim payments directly to customers’ bank accounts
  • Provides responsive support for claim questions and reimbursement updates

Cons: 

  • Add-ons may be needed for benefits that Fetch Pet includes in standard coverage
  • Claims can slow down when Lemonade requests more documents or medical records
  • Billing issues may require follow-up after cancellation or policy changes

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
A quote was $25.91. Specifically, when getting a quote for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Like Fetch Pet, Lemonade covers new accidents and illnesses, but it charges extra for several benefits that Fetch Pet includes in standard coverage. Fetch Pet includes sick-visit exam fees, dental illness in every adult tooth and gums, behavioral therapy, alternative care, online vet visits and 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications through Fetch Pet Rx.

  1. ASPCA
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance logo in orange text


ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
offers puppy insurance through customizable complete coverage, accident-only and preventive care options. Their plans can help cover eligible puppy costs for accidents, illnesses, exam fees, diagnostics, treatments, hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, dental disease and alternative therapies.

Deductible choices: $100, $250, and 500%

Maximum annual coverage options: $2,500 to $10,000

Reimbursement rate options: Reimbursements up to 80% or 90%, with coverage based on the selected plan.

Pros: 

  • Allows claims to be submitted through a simple online process
  • Sends reimbursements quickly for some approved claims
  • Provides quick customer service replies and high priority/emergency assistance for pet issues

Cons: 

  • Some claims may take longer to process when more records or claim details are needed
  • Some claims may be denied after a pet’s medical history is reviewed
  • Cancellations may require customer service support instead of app or email-only requests

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.
Cost:
A quote was $33.75 for puppies. Specifically, for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: ASPCA offers puppy coverage with accident, illness and preventive care options, while Fetch Pet includes full-mouth dental, online vet visits and 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications for more complete coverage.

  1. Pets Best
Pets Best logo with dog and cat icons


Pets Best
offers pet insurance with accident and illness, accident-only and optional routine care coverage. At check out, pet parents can build coverage around deductible, reimbursement and annual limit choices instead of using one fixed plan. Claims can be submitted through the mobile app, with reimbursement available by direct deposit, mailed check, CareCredit or optional Vet Direct Pay.

Deductible choices: Annual deductibles can range from $100 to $1,000.

Maximum annual coverage options: Annual coverage can range from $5,000 to unlimited.

Reimbursement rate options: Reimbursement rate options can range from 70% to 90%.

Pros:

  • Allows claims to be submitted through an online or app-based process
  • Offers multiple reimbursement options including direct deposit, Vet Direct Pay, mailed check and CareCredit
  • Provides financial support for major vet bills, including surgery, rehab and emergency care

Cons:

  • Some customers report high monthly cost increases
  • Unclear document requests from the provider can require repeated calls and resubmissions

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost: $25.92 for puppies. Specifically, when getting a quote for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Pets Best covers accident and illness care, but excludes the behavioral training and other alternative care options that Fetch Pet includes in the base plan.

  1. MetLife
MetLife pet insurance logo with blue and green shapes


MetLife
offers accident and illness coverage for puppies, including eligible care for injuries, infections, hereditary conditions, diagnostics and prescriptions. Like most providers, accident coverage has a zero-day waiting period, while optional preventive care can cover routine exams, vaccinations and spay or neuter procedures.

Deductible choices: $250 - $2,500

Maximum annual coverage options: $500 - $25,000

Reimbursement rate options: 50% to 90%

Pros: 

  • Offers online account access through the MyPets portal
  • Provides pet insurance alongside other MetLife insurance products

Cons: 

  • Claim delays with reports of customers waiting weeks for updates or payments
  • Repeated follow-up needed through calls, emails and online claim tools

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
$51.70 for puppies. Specifically, when getting a quote for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: MetLife Pet Insurance covers eligible dental illnesses and may cover behavioral treatment when a veterinarian diagnoses a new condition and recommends it. Fetch Pet includes up to $1,000 per year for behavioral therapy in its standard coverage, with 100% reimbursement, no copay and no deductible.

  1. Embrace
Embrace pet insurance logo with dog and cat icon


Embrace offers pet insurance with accident and illness coverage and optional Wellness Rewards. The platform combines customizable policy settings with coverage for exam fees, dental illness, behavioral therapy and other eligible vet costs. Pet parents can submit claims online or through the app, use free 24/7 pet telehealth and visit any licensed vet in the U.S.

Deductible choices: Annual deductibles can range from $200 to $1,000.

Maximum annual coverage options: Annual coverage can range from $2,000 to unlimited.

Reimbursement rate options: Reimbursement rate options include 70%, 80% and 90%.

Pros:

  • Provides helpful customer support for policy questions, renewals and claim help
  • Processes some claims quickly after medical history review and document submission
  • Sends timely reimbursements for many eligible claims after approval

Cons:

  • Claims are sometimes categorized incorrectly, requiring follow-up to correct the reimbursement
  • Requires some customers to follow up with vets for medical records

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
A quote for puppies was $39.74. Specifically, for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040). 

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Embrace caps dental illness reimbursement at $1,000 per policy term while Fetch Pet covers dental illness in every adult tooth and gums with no sublimit.

  1. Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pet Insurance logo on bright yellow background


Pumpkin offers pet insurance with accident and illness coverage plus optional wellness packages. Pet parents can visit any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada, submit invoices through their phone and use PumpkinNow™ for eligible urgent pay before checkout.

Deductible choices: $100 to $1,000

Maximum annual coverage options: $5,000 to unlimited

Reimbursement rate options: 80% or 90%

Pros:

  • Processes many claims quickly after customers upload itemized vet bills
  • Sends timely reimbursements for eligible claims after approval
  • Provides helpful customer support for coverage questions and claim help
  • Offers PumpkinNow, allowing customers to receive eligible urgent pay for vet expenses

Cons:

  • Confuses some customers with unclear coverage start dates and waiting periods
  • Denies some wellness claims when vet invoices bundle services together

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
A quote was $36.24. Specifically, for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040). 

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Pumpkin covers accident and illness care, exam fees, alternative therapies and use of any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada. Fetch Pet includes more standard benefits, including online vet visits, full-mouth dental and 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications through Fetch Pet Rx.

  1. Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws pet insurance logo in green and gray


Healthy Paws offers pet insurance with accident and illness coverage and access to Airvet virtual vet care. Like most providers, plans can help cover eligible vet costs for accidents, sudden illnesses, surgeries, hospital stays, chronic conditions, diagnostics, medications and breed-specific issues.

Deductible choices: Up to $5,000

Maximum annual coverage options: $5,000 to unlimited

Reimbursement rate options: 50% to 90%

Pros:

  • Sends reimbursements quickly after eligible claims receive approval
  • Provides clear claim status updates through its online portal and app

Cons:

  • Raises premiums for some customers over time while reducing reimbursement levels
  • May require follow-up calls when requested documents don’t link to active claims

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.


Cost:
A quote was $29.75. Specifically, for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Healthy Paws doesn't cover dental disease, behavioral therapy or exam fees, all of which are included in Fetch Pet's standard plan.

  1. Figo
Figo pet insurance logo with dog tag icon


Figo
offers pet insurance with flexible accident and illness plans and optional Power Ups. Like most providers, their plans can help cover eligible vet costs for emergencies, surgeries, specialists, diagnostics, prescriptions and chronic conditions. You can use the Pet Cloud app to submit claims, track claim status, access Live Vet and manage pet records.

Deductible choices: $100 to $750

Maximum annual coverage options: $5,000 to unlimited

Reimbursement rate options: 70% to 100%

Pros:

  • Offers an app-based claims process for uploading receipts and tracking claim status
  • Provides helpful customer support for policy questions and claim updates

Cons:

  • Delays some claims when medical notes or supporting documents need review
  • Requires follow-up for some payment issues, appeal updates and claim communication

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost: A quote was $20.25. Specifically, for a $10k annual limit, a $500 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040). 

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet: Figo requires paid add-ons for exam fees and behavioral therapy. Fetch Pet includes both in its standard plan, along with dental illness coverage for every adult tooth and gums with no sublimit.

  1. Trupanion
Trupanion logo with pet icon


Trupanion
offers pet insurance with one main accident and illness plan. Like most providers, their coverage can help pay for new illnesses, injuries, accidents, diagnostic tests, medications, advanced dentistry and chronic conditions. Trupanion can pay participating vets directly through VetDirect Pay™, so some pet parents don’t have to pay the full covered bill upfront and wait for reimbursement.

Deductible choices: $0 to $1,000

Maximum annual coverage options: Trupanion offers unlimited coverage, with no annual, lifetime or per-condition payout limits.

Reimbursement rate options: Trupanion offers up to 90% coverage for eligible veterinary costs, excluding deductibles, exam fees and other ineligible costs.

Pros:

  • Pays some vets directly through VetDirect Pay at checkout
  • Offers 24/7 customer support for coverage questions and claim help
  • Processes many claims promptly after vets or members submit invoices

Cons:

  • Customers may have to call support when website or app issues prevent account changes
  • Charges a deductible per condition before reimbursement applies

Pros and cons based on recent Trustpilot customer reviews.

Cost:
A quote was $49.51. Specifically, when getting a quote for an unlimited annual limit, a $500 deductible and an 90% reimbursement rate for a small male, mixed-breed dog under one year in Georgia (30040).

How their coverage stacks up against Fetch Pet Pet: Trupanion offers unlimited payouts and direct vet payment at participating hospitals, but it excludes several benefits Fetch Pet includes in standard coverage. Fetch Pet includes sick-visit exam fees, online vet visits, full-mouth dental, behavioral therapy, alternative care, optional wellness coverage and 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications through Fetch Pet Rx.

Choose the right protection for your puppy 

The right pet insurance plan should protect your puppy through more than one emergency. It should cover the accidents, illnesses and hereditary conditions that may appear as they grow, while giving you flexibility over your deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit.

It also gives your puppy more years of coverage at a stage when premiums are often lower — and during those early years when your pup is more likely to chew things they shouldn’t.

Fetch covers more of the care puppies may need throughout their lives, including dental illness, sick-visit exam fees, hereditary conditions, behavioral therapy and alternative treatments. You can also visit any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada without network restrictions.

Fetch Pet Insurance is designed to help pet parents afford eligible care throughout their puppy’s life and spend more healthy years together.

Pet insurance for puppies FAQs

Is pet insurance worth it for puppies?

Pet insurance can be worth it for puppies, as enrolling early helps protect against unexpected accidents and illnesses before they develop pre-existing conditions that may not be covered.

Puppies are curious, active and still developing, so injuries, infections and hereditary conditions can appear early. One emergency visit or surgery can cost thousands of dollars, while coverage can reimburse eligible care based on your deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate.

The team at Fetch Pet recommends choosing coverage while your puppy is young and healthy. Early enrollment can provide broader protection over their lifetime and reduce the risk that a future condition falls outside coverage.

Do pet insurance providers have networks?

Most pet insurance providers don’t use provider networks. You can usually visit any veterinarian, specialist or emergency clinic, then submit the bill for reimbursement based on your plan.

Fetch Pet has no network restrictions in the U.S. or Canada. You can choose the vet that’s right for your puppy without needing a referral or checking whether the clinic participates in a specific network.

Does any pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?

Yes, some pet insurance plans cover hip dysplasia that develops after enrollment, subject to any required waiting period. Coverage usually won’t apply if your pet had symptoms or a diagnosis before the policy began.

Fetch Pet includes coverage for hip dysplasia and other hereditary conditions at no extra charge. Eligible care can include sick-visit exam fees, diagnostic tests, surgery, medication and follow-up treatment, with reimbursement of up to 90%.

Does pet insurance cover rescue dogs?

Yes, pet insurance can cover rescue dogs for new accidents and illnesses that develop after enrollment.

Over 50% of adopted pets suffer from one or more health issues just two days after leaving the shelter. That’s why Fetch gives dogs and cats Pre-Ex Protection™ at no extra cost. This includes coverage to treat 7 common pre-existing conditions starting on day one of your policy’s effective date (there’s no waiting period for newly adopted pets).

How do you file a pet insurance claim?

Filing a pet insurance claim is usually a straightforward process. With most providers, you pay your veterinarian first, then submit a claim for reimbursement based on your policy.

With Fetch Pet, you can file a claim through the app in less than a minute — just snap a photo of your paid invoice, answer a few questions and submit your claim. You can track its status in the app and receive reimbursement by direct deposit in less than 10 days.

The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.

Save up to 90% on unexpected vet bills

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