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5 Best Pet Wellness Plans (2024 Guide)

We ranked Lemonade as having the best pet wellness plan due to its coverage customization and affordable pricing.

Author Image Written by Brenda Woods Updated 04/23/2024

In addition to standard accident-and-illness plans, some pet insurance providers offer an optional wellness plan to cover preventive care, such as wellness visits, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering. Wellness plans are an additional fee, but many pet owners find the add-on worth it to cover common pet health needs or frequent treatments. 

Wellness plans are most beneficial for pet owners who want to keep a close eye on their pet’s health, routinely getting their pets tested for heartworms, parasites, and other issues that may be common for their breed or age. We researched which pet insurers have the best pet wellness plans, looking at coverage, cost, and customer reviews. See which options are best for you and your pet below.

Key Takeaways

  • We found that Lemonade offers the best pet wellness plans after reviewing the top pet insurance providers nationwide.
  • Pet wellness plans generally cost $10–$30 but can cost up to $60, depending on the coverage that you choose.
  • It’s rare to find wellness coverage by itself. It must be added to a standard plan.
Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best pet insurance companies
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Companies Considered We carefully considered 22 companies to find the best pet insurance providers available.
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Pet Owners Surveyed We surveyed 1,000 pet owners to see what they care about most when in comes to pet insurance.
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Reviews Analyzed We went through 3,800 customer reviews of pet insurance companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
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Policies Compared We compared 51 policies to find the best pet insurance offerings on the market.

Who Offers the Best Pet Wellness Plan?

Lemonade offers the best wellness plan option in the industry according to our rating scale, though companies Spot, Figo, Embrace, and Pets Best are also worthwhile choices. We like Lemonade because of how easy it is to customize your coverage based on your pet’s age and needs. Plus, its quote process is fast and transparent, allowing you to see exactly how each selection impacts your monthly cost. 

We’ve included a close look at the pros and cons of each company on our list to help you see which pet wellness plan best fits your budget and your pet’s health needs.


How Do the Top Pet Wellness Companies Compare?

Compare the top pet wellness plan offerings at a glance, and read below for more details.

Company Star Rating Cost Range Visit Site
4.8
$15–$40 VISIT SITE
4.8
$14–$32.58 VISIT SITE
4.7
$18.75–$52.09 VISIT SITE
4.7
$9.50–$16.50 VISIT SITE
4.6
$9.95–$24.95 VISIT SITE
Lemonade Best Overall
4.8
Lemonade Pros and Cons
Pros Offers extra preventive care treatments for puppies and kittens under 2 years old Has a mobile app and chat feature for medical advice Gives a 10% discount for bundling your pet insurance policy with Lemonade home insurance or renters insurance Cons Is only available in 37 states Requires complete records from a recent veterinary exam to qualify for coverage Has an upper age limit of 14 years
Overview

Lemonade is a pet parent favorite for many reasons. The provider has three wellness plans to choose from, each with reimbursement rate options of 70%, 80%, and 90%.

Learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review

Lemonade Plans
  • Preventive Plan: Lemonade’s Preventive Plan covers one annual wellness exam, fecal exams or internal parasite testing, three vaccines, heartworm testing, and blood testing. It costs $15–$20 per month.
  • Preventive+ Plan: The Preventive+ is slightly more expensive but also includes flea, tick, and heartworm medications and routine dental cleanings. It costs $22–$27 per month.
  • Preventive+ Plan for Pets Under 2: Pets under 2 years old often need more care to start out on a healthy note, so this plan includes an extra wellness exam, three additional vaccines, an extra fecal or parasite test, spaying or neutering, and microchip implantation. It costs $35–$45 per month.
Why We Chose Lemonade

We scored Lemonade a 4.8 out of 5 due to its well-rounded coverage options, customer service, and mobile app capabilities that make filing and tracking claims easier. We also liked that there’s a preventive option specifically tailored to pets under 2 years old that covers the extra wellness care puppies and kittens often need.

Procedures

Blood work, flea/tick/heartworm medication, heartworm testing, parasite testing, routine dental cleaning, wellness exam

Pets Best Best Accident-Only Plan
4.8
Pets Best Pros and Cons
Pros Starts coverage the day after you enroll Offers the convenience of Vet Direct Pay Provides a 24/7 vet helpline Cons Varies plan pricing by location and pet age Charges processing fees Isn’t available to California pet owners
Overview

Pets Best offers customers two wellness coverage tiers for dogs and cats, allowing you to choose your annual benefit amount. You can add this coverage to your base plan for an extra cost when you enroll, within 30 days of enrolling, or at your annual renewal.

Learn more: Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Pets Best Plans
  • EssentialWellness: This plan covers blood work, microchipping, preventive medications, spaying and neutering, teeth cleanings, vaccinations, wellness exams, and more. The Essential level covers up to $305 of benefits per year. The plan costs from $14–$21.75 per month. The price varies based on your pet’s age and your location.
  • BestWellness: The top-tier plan covers all the same benefits as the Essential plan but with a $535 annual limit. It’s priced from $26–$32.58 per month.
Why We Chose Pets Best

Pets Best earned a 4.8 out of 5 for its direct-pay convenience, 24/7 pet helpline, and A+ Better Business Bureau rating, among other positives. Its wellness plans cover all the essentials needed to monitor pets’ health as they age. We like that you can choose your annual limit based on the coverage amount you need and that the plan kicks in the day after you enroll.

Overview

Blood work, microchipping, preventive medications, spaying and neutering, teeth cleaning, vaccinations, wellness exams.

Embrace Best Deductibles
4.7
Embrace Pros and Cons
Pros Reimburses 100% of costs up to the annual limit Provides online customer support via live chat Doesn’t have per-treatment limits like many competitors Cons Has limited customer service hours on weekends Is not available in Rhode Island Has a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
Overview

Embrace has also made our list of best pet insurance providers for its flexible deductibles, including options between $200 and $1,000. In addition to its standard plan, the company has one pet wellness plan called its Wellness Rewards program.

Learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Review

Embrace Plans

Users can choose from annual coverage caps of $250, $450, or $650. The program covers the following care and services:

  • Acupuncture
  • Anal gland expression
  • Chiropractic care
  • Cremation or burial fees
  • Dental cleanings
  • Fecal and routine blood tests
  • Flea/tick/heartworm prevention
  • Gastropexy
  • Grooming
  • Hip dysplasia exams
  • Medicated shampoos
  • Microchipping
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Prescription diet food
  • Radiographs and other OFA testing
  • Reiki
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Training
  • Toenail trimming
  • Vaccinations and titers
  • Wearable pet activity monitors
  • Wellness exam fees
Why We Chose Embrace

Embrace earned a 4.7 out of 5. Its preventive coverage is comprehensive, and the $650 annual limit option is great for pet parents of puppies and kittens that need more vet care. Note that if there’s a remaining balance in your Wellness Rewards allowance at the end of the year, it doesn’t roll over and is nonrefundable.

Figo Best Extra Coverage Add-On
4.7
Figo Pros and Cons
Pros Has relatively low wellness pricing Says most claims close within 2.6 business days Has a cloud-based app with 24/7 access to live vets Cons Can only remove or add wellness coverage at time of renewal or when you enroll Has low per-item limits Has a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
Overview

Figo stands out for its extra coverage add-ons, which reimburse circumstances many providers don’t. The company also has two wellness plan options: Basic and Plus. Each tier reimburses per item at a fixed amount.

Learn more: Figo Pet Insurance Review

Figo Plans
  • Basic: The Basic plan covers wellness exams ($20 per year), vaccines ($30), spaying/neutering ($40), dental cleaning ($40), routine testing ($20), microchipping ($15), a health certificate ($15), and deworming ($10). This plan costs $9.50 per month.
  • Plus: The Plus plan includes wellness exams ($40 per year), vaccines ($50), spaying/neutering ($75), dental cleaning ($75), routine testing ($45), microchipping ($30), a health certificate ($30), and deworming ($10). This plan costs $16.50 per month.
Why We Chose Figo

We scored Figo at a 4.7 out of 5. Figo’s per-item limits are low, but it offers numerous powerups (or add-ons) to tack additional coverage onto your standard plan. Not only can you get wellness coverage, but you can also choose add-ons to cover expenses related to cremation, burial, lost pet advertising, vacation cancellations, boarding, pet theft, and vet exams.

Procedures

Blood work, dental cleaning, grooming, parasite and heartworm prevention, urinalysis, vaccinations, wellness exams.

Spot Most Customizable Plans
4.6
Spot Pros and Cons
Pros Offers a 10% multi-pet discount Has low pricing compared to many competitors Covers microchipping and exam fees in its standard plan, so you can use your preventive coverage for additional care Cons Has a $450 annual coverage limit Doesn’t cover pets under 8 weeks old Doesn’t offer as many discounts as some competitors
Overview

Spot has consistently made our list of top pet insurance providers for its customizable standard plans, including numerous options for deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement rates. Whereas many providers only offer one wellness plan, Spot offers a choice between two plans with different annual coverage limits.

Learn more: Spot Pet Insurance Review

Spot Plans
  • Gold Preventive Plan: Spot’s Gold plan covers an annual wellness exam, dental cleaning, two vaccines, one fecal test, one heartworm or FELV test, and deworming. The maximum annual coverage limit for this plan is $250. It costs $9.95 per month.
  • Platinum Preventive Plan: The Platinum plan includes dental cleaning, spaying or neutering, an annual wellness exam, flea/heartworm prevention, three vaccines, one fecal test, one heartworm or FELV test, one blood test, urinalysis, deworming, and a health certificate. The annual limit for this plan is $450. It costs $24.95 per month.
Why We Chose Spot

We gave Spot a 4.6 out of 5. Unlike Lemonade, Spot covers spaying and neutering under its Platinum plan, which is something many pet owners want. However, Spot’s annual coverage caps are a bit low, especially if you have a puppy or kitten that needs more vaccines and vet visits.

Procedures

Blood work, dental cleaning, deworming, parasite and heartworm prevention, spaying and neutering, urinalysis, vaccinations, wellness exams


How Much Do Pet Wellness Plans Cost?

Pet wellness plans generally cost $10–$30, though some top-tier plans offer more coverage or higher annual caps and are considerably more expensive. These plans can be as high as $60 per month. Some pet insurance companies offer just one wellness plan option, while others have two or three with varying coverage levels. You can save money by choosing the most basic option, though this will limit what your plan covers. Consider which treatments you’ll most likely use for your pet. Weigh how much you’d pay out of pocket versus with a plan to see which coverage level makes the most sense for you. Some companies also vary the price based on pet age. Puppies and kittens need more preventive care, such as vaccinations, so your provider may recommend a more comprehensive plan.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

Remember that preventive care is an add-on. Your wellness plan price will be in addition to your standard plan price. If you don’t already have a standard accident-and-illness plan for your pet, here’s a look at what you can expect to pay with the pet insurance companies on our list.

CompanyMonthly Cost for Dogs*Monthly Cost for Cats*
Lemonade$33.69$13.32
Pets Best$31.3818.23
Embrace$65.15$53.43
Figo44.7916.36
Spot$38.44$21.53

*Costs are for four-year-old, mixed-breed, male pets in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Learn more about average pet insurance costs in our guide.


Is a Pet Wellness Plan Worth It?

A pet wellness plan can be worth it if you have a reason to keep a close eye on your pet’s health, have a younger pet, or just want to take advantage of preventive measures. For instance, if your pet’s breed is one that’s prone to certain illnesses, you may want more frequent wellness exams and diagnostic testing to catch signs early. The costs of these frequent veterinary visits add up, making wellness coverage useful.
Vets recommend scheduled vaccinations and more frequent exams for puppies and kittens, and many pet owners choose to spay or neuter and microchip their pets in their first year of life. Having wellness coverage while your pet is young and can cover many of these early life costs.
A wellness plan may not be worth it for a senior pet, as most useful preventive coverage won’t be as relevant. You can still enroll, though, if you want things such as dental cleanings and grooming covered, as long as the provider doesn’t have an upper age limit.

Keep these factors in mind before buying a pet wellness plan:

Prices vary among providers and plan tiers. Do the math to see if a wellness plan will actually help you save money on the preventive care your pet needs. If a wellness plan seems worth it, choose a provider that fits within your budget to ensure you ease your financial burden instead of increase it.

Not all wellness plans cover the same treatments. Embrace, for example, covers far more in its plan than most other providers. Read the fine print to make sure you’ll get coverage for the care you want for your pet and won’t be blocked by exclusions.

If a plan has an annual limit, calculate whether it’s high enough to be worth it versus paying out of pocket. For example, if you know you just want grooming, dental cleanings, and parasite prevention treatments, and it costs $400 for the year, you may not find it helpful to pay monthly for a wellness plan that costs you more than that to have. Also, you should check to see if a plan has per-item limits or just an annual limit.


What’s the Difference Between Pet Insurance and a Pet Wellness Plan?

A pet wellness plan is different from standard pet insurance. A standard pet insurance plan covers unexpected vet costs related to accidents and injuries. This includes treatments and special care for broken bones, lacerations, illnesses, infections, skeletal issues, and more. Accident-and-illness plans typically range from $25–$55 per month, though some can be higher. Your monthly premium will vary depending on the deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement rate you choose. 

Pet wellness plans are separate from this standard coverage. Not all providers offer wellness coverage since it’s intended for routine preventive vet care that you can plan and budget for. However, having a wellness plan is beneficial because you’ll be reimbursed for the routine vet care your pet needs to stay healthy and catch issues early.


What Is a Pet Wellness Plan?

A pet wellness plan can be combined with your standard pet insurance plan to cover your pet’s routine care. Pet parents with puppies and kittens may find having a wellness plan especially helpful since it’s geared toward vaccinations, prevention treatments, wellness exams, and much of the veterinary care young pets need to avoid health issues as they get older.

  • Wellness plans are only for preventive pet needs. They won’t cover surgeries, hospitalization, X-rays, or any treatment related to accidents and illnesses. They’re purely to help curb the cost of routine care, such as grooming, parasite prevention, and annual exams.

How Do Pet Wellness Plans Work?

Pet wellness plans work similarly to standard accident-and-illness plans. With most plans, you’ll pay for the treatment out of pocket at the vet, then file a claim with your insurer to be reimbursed.

Some pet insurance companies handle their wellness programs a little differently. For example, some providers give subscribers a card to use at the vet that’s preloaded with their coverage amount. Others allow direct pay, meaning you can scan your membership card at the vet, and the insurance company will handle the claim with the vet directly.


What Do Pet Wellness Plans Cover?

Wellness coverage varies slightly across companies, but most wellness plans cover the following:

  • Blood work and other diagnostic testing
  • Dental cleanings
  • Deworming
  • Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
  • Grooming
  • Microchipping
  • Routine wellness exams
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Urinalysis
  • Vaccinations

Plans typically state how many treatments of a certain kind they’ll cover during a policy year and/or a maximum annual coverage amount.

What Don’t Pet Wellness Plans Cover?

Since pet wellness plans are only geared toward preventive routine care, they don’t cover anything related to accidents or illnesses. You’ll need an accident-and-illness or accident-only plan to get any reimbursement for those health needs. And, like with all plans, you’re not covered for anything related to preexisting conditions.

You’re also not covered for experimental treatments or anything that’s not veterinary, such as waste disposal services or dog walking.


Is a Pet Wellness Plan Right for You?

Routine vet visits and wellness treatments can help detect and address health problems before they become severe, but these costs can add up quickly when paid for out of pocket. A pet wellness plan lets you know which treatments you have the option of and the maximum amount you’ll need to pay monthly, so you won’t have to constantly budget for your pet’s preventive care. 

A pet wellness plan is right for you if the plan cost is less than what you would spend out of pocket on routine care. If your pet gets frequent preventive treatments, buying a wellness plan makes financial sense. This is especially true if you have a young pet that still needs vaccinations, spaying and neutering, or other treatments to get it started on the right foot. If you don’t think you’ll use many of the treatments offered under a wellness plan’s coverage, you may come out cheaper just to pay per vet visit. 

We suggest carefully reviewing each company’s policy details, reading customer reviews, and getting quotes from multiple providers to compare pricing before enrolling in a plan.


FAQ About Pet Insurance Wellness Coverage

What is considered a wellness visit for a dog?

A wellness visit for a dog is an annual physical or checkup. These exams are preventive measures to evaluate a dog’s development, bones, blood work, major organs, coat, and other health indicators. These are for healthy dogs and are administered routinely, as opposed to vet visits focused on treating a specific injury or illness.

How often should my dog get a wellness check?

Most vets recommend monthly visits for puppies until they’re fully vaccinated. Adult dogs need wellness checkups once a year, and senior dogs should go every six months.

Is it good to have pet insurance?

It’s good to have pet insurance to cover your pet’s unexpected medical costs. Some accidents or illnesses require urgent treatment that could cost several thousands of dollars. In those cases, it’s valuable to have a pet insurance plan that will reimburse you for the majority of the expenses.


Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. We aim to be transparent about our review standards and research process. We’ve broken down our rating methodology for pet insurance providers below.

Factors Evaluated to Compare Pet Insurance

The This Old House Reviews Team is dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale based on the following factors:

Coverage (25)

Does the pet insurance provider offer standard accident-and-illness and accident-only coverage? How limiting is its preexisting condition policy? 

Plan Options (20)

Does the pet insurance provider offer premium and deductible customizations? What about wellness plan add-ons? 

Company Reputation (15)

Does the pet insurance provider have high customer satisfaction on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews? Do they reimburse claims quickly and communicate policies clearly? 

Customer Service (10)

Does the pet insurance provider have easily reachable, helpful customer service? Is there an app that makes filing claims and receiving support easier? 

Species Eligibility (10)

Does the pet insurance provider offer coverage for older pets or exotic animals?
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.


About the This Old House Reviews Team

The This Old House Review Team is an independent editorial team of subject matter experts who champion the categories and home services we recommend. From the beginning stages of research to the published review articles, our team works diligently to center the reader’s interests by identifying common pain points, connecting with people with first-hand knowledge and experience, and crafting content that meets the needs of our audience. We aim to help first-time pet owners, potential pet owners, and budget-conscious pet owners streamline their decision-making process for selecting their home services.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.