If you want pet insurance for your dog, cat, or even an exotic pet like a potbellied pig or parrot in 2026, it can really help you avoid big vet bills. There are lots of providers with various plans and perks, so it can be hard to figure out which one to pick. Here’s a breakdown of the best pet insurance choices in the US for 2026 to help you protect your pet affordably.

Quick Comparison: Top Pet Insurance Providers in the US for 2026

  • Healthy Paws: Best overall for dogs and cats, full accident and illness coverage, no payout caps, and rapid claims processing.
  • Embrace: Great for customizable plans including accident, illness, and wellness coverage, with a diminishing deductible feature for good pet health.
  • Nationwide: One of the few insurers covering exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, and potbellied pigs, alongside dogs and cats.
  • Trupanion: Direct vet payment option and no payout limits, ideal for dogs needing expensive treatments or surgeries.
  • Figo: Strong mobile app with cloud-based medical records, offering comprehensive coverage and excellent customer service.
  • Pets Best: Affordable plans with optional wellness add-ons that cover routine care, selectively covers exotic pets.
  • ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Backed by a nonprofit organization, making it a budget-friendly choice for dog and cat owners.
  • Petplan: Covers hereditary and chronic conditions, suitable for older pets or breeds prone to genetic illnesses.
  • Hartville Pet Insurance: Full coverage on accidents and illnesses, no age limits on some plans, with multi-pet discounts available.
  • AKC Pet Insurance: Supported by the American Kennel Club, offering comprehensive coverage options for both dogs and cats.

1. Healthy Paws

Key Features: Healthy Paws offers unlimited lifetime coverage for accidents, illnesses, cancer treatments, emergency care, and hereditary conditions. Their straightforward plans exclude routine care but provide no annual or lifetime payout caps. They typically process claims in about five days, and you can submit them through their app or website.

Pros: Unlimited benefits mean you won’t hit a payout ceiling when your pet needs expensive care. They cover chronic and hereditary conditions, which many insurers exclude. The quick claims turnaround is a big plus for pet owners needing fast reimbursements.

Cons: No coverage for wellness or routine care, so you’ll pay out-of-pocket for vaccinations, dental cleanings, and annual check-ups. Coverage is limited to dogs and cats — no exotic pets.

Best For: Dog and cat owners who want robust accident and illness protection without worrying about payout limits. Especially good for breeds prone to hereditary conditions.

Pricing: Monthly premiums generally start around $30 for cats and $45 for dogs, but vary based on breed, age, and where you live. For example, a 5-year-old Labrador Retriever in California might pay about $55 monthly. There are no enrollment fees, and you can choose deductibles from $100 to $500.

2. Embrace

Key Features: Embrace provides accident and illness coverage plus optional wellness plans covering vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, dental cleanings, and more. Their plans let you customize deductibles ($200 to $1,000), reimbursement percentages (70%-90%), and annual limits (up to $30,000). Notably, Embrace offers a diminishing deductible: each year you don’t file a claim, your deductible drops by $50.

Pros: If you want routine care covered, the wellness add-on is a good option. Customizable plans mean you can balance cost and coverage. Their diminishing deductible rewards healthy pets and responsible owners.

Cons: Wellness coverage costs extra; base plans can be pricier than competitors. Doesn't cover exotic pets.

Best For: Dog and cat owners looking for flexibility and who want some routine care covered alongside accidents and illnesses.

Pricing: Monthly premiums start around $35 for cats and $50 for dogs, depending on breed and location. Wellness plans add about $15 to $30 per month. For an average 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat in Texas, expect around $38 monthly without wellness, $50 with it.

3. Nationwide

Key Features: Nationwide stands out for covering exotic pets — including birds, reptiles, potbellied pigs, and small mammals — alongside cats and dogs. Their Whole Pet with Wellness plan covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and routine care like vaccinations and dental cleanings.

Pros: Broad pet type coverage is rare among insurers. Wellness coverage is included in some plans. No upper age limits for some policies. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons: Higher premiums than average; some customers report slower claim processing. Limited coverage in a few states.

Best For: Owners of exotic pets who struggle to find insurance elsewhere, and dog or cat owners wanting wellness included.

Pricing: Monthly premiums for dogs start at roughly $40, cats at $30, and exotic pets vary widely — for example, a parrot might cost $50 to $70 monthly. Wellness coverage is bundled in Whole Pet plans, which can run $60 or more per month for dogs.

4. Trupanion

Key Features: Trupanion offers accident and illness coverage with no payout limits, covering hereditary and congenital conditions. Its standout feature is direct vet payment, meaning Trupanion pays your vet directly, so you don’t have to front the full cost.

Pros: No payout caps and direct payments reduce stress and upfront costs. Coverage includes alternative therapies and prescription medications.

Cons: No routine care coverage. Only covers dogs and cats, no exotic pets. Monthly premiums tend to be higher than average.

Best For: Pet owners with dogs requiring expensive treatments or surgeries and who want hassle-free billing.

Pricing: Premiums average $45 to $70 per month depending on breed and location. For example, a 3-year-old German Shepherd in New York might pay about $65 monthly. Deductibles are fixed at $0, $100, $250, or $500.

5. Figo

Key Features: Figo emphasizes tech, offering a cloud-based medical record system and a mobile app where you can submit claims instantly. Their plans cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and some wellness options.

Pros: User-friendly app and digital records make managing your pet’s healthcare easy. 24/7 vet chat included. Coverage extends to dogs and cats.

Cons: No exotic pet coverage. Wellness plans cost extra. Some customers report higher premiums.

Best For: Tech-savvy pet parents who want easy claim submission and access to medical records on the go.

Pricing: Monthly premiums start around $35 for cats and $50 for dogs. Wellness add-ons add $10 to $20 monthly.

6. Pets Best

Key Features: Pets Best offers a range of plans from accident-only to full coverage, with optional wellness add-ons covering vaccines and dental care. They cover some exotic pets, such as birds and small mammals, selectively.

Pros: Affordable pricing with flexible options. Wellness coverage is available. Some exotic pet coverage is rare.

Cons: Limited exotic pet coverage. Some customers note claim denials on hereditary conditions.

Best For: Budget-conscious pet owners wanting flexibility and some exotic pet coverage.

Pricing: Accident and illness plans start around $25 monthly for cats and $40 for dogs. Wellness add-ons add about $15 per month.

7. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Key Features: Backed by the nonprofit ASPCA, this insurer offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, including hereditary conditions. Plans exclude routine care but offer affordable premiums.

Pros: Budget-friendly, with solid coverage for accidents and illnesses. Nonprofit backing appeals to many pet owners.

Cons: No wellness or routine care coverage. No exotic pet coverage.

Best For: Dog and cat owners seeking affordable plans without bells and whistles.

Pricing: Premiums start as low as $15 per month for cats and $25 for dogs, varying by breed and location.

8. Petplan

Key Features: Petplan covers hereditary and chronic conditions, illnesses, accidents, and offers unlimited lifetime coverage. They accept pets up to 14 years old and cover dogs and cats.

Pros: Good coverage for older pets and hereditary issues. No payout limits mean peace of mind.

Cons: No routine care coverage. Limited exotic pet options. Premiums can be high for senior pets.

Best For: Owners of older dogs and cats, or breeds with genetic health risks.

Pricing: Monthly premiums vary widely, typically $40 to $70 depending on age and breed.

9. Hartville Pet Insurance

Key Features: Hartville provides full accident and illness coverage with no age limits on some plans. They offer multi-pet discounts and cover dogs and cats.

Pros: No age caps means older pets can still get insured. Multi-pet discounts lower costs for households with more than one pet.

Cons: No routine care coverage. No exotic pet coverage. Some customers report slow claim processing.

Best For: Owners of senior dogs or cats who want full coverage despite age.

Pricing: Monthly premiums start around $35 for cats and $50 for dogs, with discounts for multiple pets.

10. AKC Pet Insurance

Key Features: Backed by the American Kennel Club, AKC offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, including hereditary conditions. Select plans include wellness coverage.

Pros: Trusted brand with specialized coverage for purebreds. Wellness options are available.

Cons: No exotic pet coverage. Pricing can be higher than average.

Best For: Dog owners involved with AKC activities or who own purebred dogs, and cat owners wanting reliable coverage.

Pricing: Monthly premiums start at $40 for cats and $55 for dogs, depending on breed and age.

Finding pet insurance in 2026 means balancing your pet’s needs, type, and your budget. Healthy Paws and Embrace lead for dogs and cats, offering comprehensive, customizable plans. Nationwide is the go-to for exotic pet owners, while Trupanion suits those wanting no payout limits and direct vet payments. Evaluate your pet’s age, breed, and health risks to pick the best plan.