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John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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Table of contents
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers flexible coverage options through two pet insurance plans — “Complete Coverage” and an accident-only policy. Complete Coverage provides accident and illness coverage, while accident-only coverage works as the name suggests, covering only certain accidents. You can also add optional wellness coverage to either plan.
While the insurance company shares a name with a well-known animal advocacy organization, the non-profit ASPCA doesn’t underwrite your policy. ASPCA Pet Insurance is the “exclusive pet insurance partner” of the charitable organization, but the non-profit isn’t an insurance company. Your ASPCA pet insurance plan will come from an independent insurance underwriter.[1]
And the coverage definitely isn’t free, either. The average cost of ASPCA Pet Insurance is $32 per month for dogs, and $16 per month for cats, according to Compare.com data.
Here’s what to know about ASPCA pet insurance, what it covers, its average costs, and how it compares to competitors.
Our Take on ASPCA Pet Insurance
Covers alternative therapies like acupuncture
Includes coverage for hereditary and congenital issues
10% discount for each additional pet
Won’t cover pre-existing conditions
No coverage for prescription food
Must call to get a quote for unlimited coverage
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers customizable plans that cover accidents, hereditary and congenital issues, other illnesses, and even some preventive care. You can choose your deductible, a reimbursement rate from 70% to 80%, coverage limits to fit your budget, and add-ons like preventive care. ASPCA insurance also offers a 10% discount per pet for each additional pet.
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers moderately priced accident-only and accident and illness plans. It stands out for its openness to enrolling senior pets. It has no upper age limit and doesn’t reduce coverage during a pet’s golden years. We also like its multi-pet discount and coverage for alternative therapies.
But ASPCA plans don’t cover prescription food, which your pet could require depending on its medical condition and age. And while the insurer makes it easy to file a claim, you’ll have to call to get a quote if you want 100% reimbursement.
ASPCA Pet Insurance Costs by Dog Breed
ASPCA Pet Insurance covers dogs of all breeds and ages, with monthly premiums that vary based on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. One of ASPCA’s stand-out features is that doesn’t have an upper age limit — you can enroll your dog as early as 8 weeks old and keep coverage into their senior years without reduced benefits.[2]
Here are average insurance rates from ASPCA for some popular dog breeds to give you a better idea of what you might pay.
Breed | Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|
Beagle | $41 |
Bernese mountain dog | $81 |
Bichon frise | $53 |
Border collie | $31 |
Cane corso | $46 |
Cavalier king | $33 |
Chihuahua | $62 |
Dachshund | $93 |
Doberman pinscher | $50 |
English bulldog | $82 |
French bulldog | $97 |
German shepherd | $40 |
German shorthaired pointer | $35 |
Golden retriever | $95 |
Goldendoodle | $83 |
Great dane | $58 |
Husky | $34 |
Labrador | $72 |
Mastiff | $48 |
Mixed | $45 |
Pit bull | $36 |
Pomeranian | $31 |
Poodle | $51 |
Poodle toy | $32 |
Rottweiler | $56 |
Shiba inu | $28 |
Shih tzu | $34 |
Yorkshire terrier | $26 |
ASPCA Pet Insurance Costs by Cat Breed
Just as for dogs, ASPCA Pet Insurance covers cats of all breeds and ages. Your premium will depend on your cat’s breed, age, and where you live. Plan options include accident and illness policies, accident-only policies, and a wellness add-on. And ASPCA insurance allows you to visit any vet or specialist in the U.S. or Canada.[3]
Check out ASPCA’s average cat insurance rates based on your cat’s breed, according to Compare.com data:
Breed | Average Monthly Premium |
---|---|
American shorthair | $19 |
British shorthair | $35 |
Maine coon | $23 |
Mixed | $28 |
Persian | $31 |
Ragdoll | $19 |
Siamese | $14 |
Pet Insurance Policies ASPCA Offers
ASPCA Pet Insurance gives you two main options: Complete Coverage and accident-only.
Complete Coverage is the more robust plan. It helps pay for everything from minor illnesses to major health issues, such as:
Injuries like broken bones or swallowed toys
Illnesses ranging from ear infections to cancer
Hereditary conditions such as heart disease or hip dysplasia
Behavioral problems like excessive barking or scratching
Dental diseases caused by accidents or illness
Alternative therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy
Accident-only coverage is a more basic plan that covers only injuries from unexpected accidents — think car accidents or cuts from rough play.
You can also add preventive care coverage to help with routine expenses like vaccines, dental cleanings, annual exams, and spaying or neutering. But keep in mind that adding wellness coverage will increase the overall cost of your ASPCA pet insurance policy.
What ASPCA Pet Insurance Covers
What your ASPCA plan covers depends on which policy option you purchase and if you add on wellness coverage. Here’s a quick look at what ASPCA plans cover by policy option:
Condition/Treatment | Complete Coverage | Accident Only | Preventive Care Coverage Preventive care can only be purchased as an add-on to an accident and illness, or an accident-only plan. |
---|---|---|---|
Accidents (e.g., broken bones, swallowed objects) | |||
Illnesses (including cancer) | |||
Hereditary conditions | |||
Behavioral issues | |||
Dental diseases | |||
Alternative therapies | |||
Preventive care (e.g., vaccines, annual checkups) | |||
Pre-existing conditions | |||
Microchip implantation |
Keep in mind that all ASPCA pet insurance plans come with a 14-day waiting period. During the waiting period, your policy won’t pay to diagnose or treat accidents, illnesses, or ligament and knee conditions.[3] If your pet develops an illness during the waiting period, the insurer will treat it as a pre-existing condition going forward, which means ASPCA won’t cover it.
What ASPCA pet insurance doesn’t cover
Like most pet insurers, ASPCA doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is anything your pet showed symptoms of or was treated for before your policy began or during the waiting period. But, if your pet’s pre-existing condition is curable, and they remain symptom- and treatment-free for 180 days, your ASPCA policy will cover a recurrence as a new condition.
And if you want coverage for routine care like vaccinations and checkups, you’ll need to add preventive care to your comprehensive or accident-only policy.
How does ASPCA’s Pet Insurance Work?
Like most pet insurance, your ASPCA policy will reimburse you for a covered veterinary expense per your reimbursement rate and limits. That means you’ll need to pay out of pocket for treatment and then submit a claim to get reimbursed.
Here’s an example: Let’s say your dog needs treatment for an unexpected illness, and the vet bill comes to $1,000. Your plan has a $250 annual deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate.
You pay the full $1,000 to your vet at the time of service.
You file a claim through ASPCA Pet Insurance’s website or mobile app. You’ll need to include the itemized invoice and any relevant medical records. You can also have your vet file a claim on your behalf and have the insurer pay the vet directly.
ASPCA reviews your claim, usually within 30 days or less.
If approved, ASPCA would calculate your reimbursement like this:
$1,000 (vet bill) – $250 (your deductible) = $750
80% of $750 = $600 reimbursement
You’ll get that $600 back via check or direct deposit, depending on what you choose when you set up your account.
Keep in mind that annual payout limits also apply. If your total claims for the year come close to that limit, it could affect how much you’re reimbursed.
ASPCA vs. Pets Best, Lemonade, and Pumpkin
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers competitive rates for both dogs and cats and ample opportunities to customize your coverage. But it’s not the cheapest pet insurance available, and some competitors might offer better coverage options depending on your pet’s unique health needs.
Here’s how it stacks up to the competition:
Pets Best
No upper age limit for enrollment
Acupuncture care coverage available
Unlimited coverage option available
No 100% reimbursement option
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Doesn’t cover behavioral conditions
Pets Best offers customizable accident and illness plans with annual coverage limit options of $5,000, $10,000, and unlimited. Reimbursement levels range from 70% to 90%. Depending on the plan level you choose, exam fees and therapies like acupuncture can be covered. Wellness plans are available as add-on coverage.
Lemonade
Premiums start as low as $10 per month
Discount available if you bundle pet and home insurance
File claims through Lemonade’s mobile app
Behavioral treatment only covered with an add-on
Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
Not available in every state
Lemonade offers some of the lowest premiums of any pet insurance company. It also offers a good range of plan types with varying coverage, including add-ons for preventive and wellness care. Reimbursement options range from 70% to 90%, and annual coverage limits can be as high as $100,000.
Pumpkin
Covers behavioral issues and dental illnesses
Includes an optional wellness package
No upper age limit for coverage
Higher premiums than some competitors
Preventive care only available as add-on
14-day waiting period for illnesses
Pumpkin offers accident and illness coverage with the option to add wellness benefits for routine care. It covers some things other companies exclude, like behavioral issues, tooth extractions, and prescription food for covered conditions. Pumpkin has a 4.5-star rating (out of 5) on Trustpilot.
ASPCA Pet Insurance FAQs
More than two dozen companies sell pet insurance in the U.S., according to market research company IBISWorld.[4] With that many choices, it’s important to get as much information as possible before choosing a pet insurance policy.
Here’s some additional information about ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Does ASPCA pet insurance have age restrictions?
ASPCA Pet Insurance has no upper age limit for enrolling your pet. But your dog or cat will need to be at least 8 weeks old to get coverage from ASPCA insurance.
Does ASPCA pet insurance have waiting periods?
Yes, ASPCA pet insurance has a 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses. That means your policy won’t cover any conditions that show up during the first two weeks after you enroll your pet.
Do you have to visit a vet before you enroll in an ASPCA policy?
No. A vet visit isn’t required to sign up, but ASPCA recommends regular checkups to help spot health issues early. You’ll need to provide medical records when you file a claim.
How long does ASPCA take to reimburse a claim?
Once you submit a claim with all the required documents, ASPCA Pet Insurance typically processes it within 30 days. You can request reimbursements via direct deposit or check.
What states does ASPCA offer pet insurance in?
You can get ASPCA Pet Insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative AI tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more about our editorial process.
Sources
- ASPCA. "ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance."
- ASPCA Pet Insurance. "Senior Dog Insurance."
- ASPCA Pet Insurance. "Cat Insurance."
- IBISWorld. "Pet Insurance in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)."