Owning multiple pets can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you love watching your dogs play or have a cat and a dog that are best buddies, having more than one animal in your home brings immense joy. However, it can also be expensive. From food and toys to vet bills, the costs can quickly add up. That’s where multiple-pet insurance comes in.
By taking out a multiple-pet insurance policy, you can help cover the vet bills resulting from accidents and illnesses, and potentially save a significant amount of money. Many insurance providers offer discounts for insuring more than one pet, making the coverage even more affordable. To help you choose the right policy, we’ve compiled a list of the best multiple-pet insurance providers for January 2024.
Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets Compared
Website quote mechanism used to get figures for annual coverage, reimbursement rates, and deductible choices.
Our Recommendations for the Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets
Best for Diminishing Deductible: Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance is our top pick for multiple-pet coverage for several reasons. One notable feature is its diminishing deductible. For every year you don’t file a claim, Embrace will decrease your deductible by $50 until it reaches $0. This can result in significant savings over time.
Embrace also offers additional coverage for senior pet office visits, which can be a huge benefit for owners of older animals. Furthermore, Embrace covers hip dysplasia, a hereditary health condition that can be expensive to treat. Despite a longer waiting period for orthopedic conditions, Embrace’s 10% multiple-pet discount makes it a solid choice for owners of multiple pets.
Best for Fast Claims Processing: Lemonade
Lemonade is a pet insurance provider with a unique business model. Using artificial intelligence, Lemonade can approve claims online, resulting in a faster claims process compared to many competitors. In fact, around 40% of insurance claims are handled instantly, with the fastest recorded claim taking only three seconds to approve.
Lemonade’s policies have a short two-day waiting period for accident coverage, and premiums are relatively low for young animals, making it a cost-effective choice. Although its multiple-pet discount is 5%, Lemonade donates any leftover money from paid claims to various nonprofits, supporting causes such as the environment and LGBTQ+ rights.
Best for More Than Two Pets: Metlife
Metlife stands out by allowing up to three animals to be covered on its family plan, unlike other insurers that often cap the number of insured pets at two. Metlife also offers various discount options, including through select employers. Approximately 80% of claims are reimbursed within 10 days, providing a quick and hassle-free claims experience.
While Metlife does not offer accident-only plans or parasite treatment without additional coverage, it is still a solid choice for those seeking accident and illness coverage for more than two pets.
Best for Flexible Deductible Options: Pets Best
Pets Best shines in terms of deductible flexibility. With multiple deductible options ranging from $50 to $1,000, you can tailor your policy to fit your budget. Pets Best also provides a 5% discount for each additional pet added to a policy, further increasing affordability.
Although Pets Best does not cover herbal, holistic, or experimental treatments, it offers the convenience of direct payment to your vet, eliminating the need for reimbursement claims. Additionally, Pets Best has no upper age limit for enrollment, making it a great choice for older pets.
Best for Flexible Annual Coverage Options: Spot
Spot stands out for its nine annual maximum coverage options, ranging from $2,500 to unlimited. This makes it an affordable choice for a wide range of pet owners. Spot also offers a generous 10% multiple-pet discount, making it an excellent option for those with multiple pets.
With a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and a two-day waiting period for accidents, Spot’s coverage kicks in quickly. Additionally, Spot includes microchipping coverage, providing extra peace of mind for pet owners.
Best for Accident-Only Coverage: ASPCA
ASPCA offers lower premiums for accident-only plans compared to many competitors, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious pet owners seeking protection against unexpected events. In addition, ASPCA provides a 10% multiple-pet discount and includes microchipping in all plans.
Annual coverage limits range from $5,000 to unlimited, and reimbursement rates can be 70%, 80%, or 90%. However, ASPCA does charge a transaction fee alongside the premium, slightly impacting the overall cost.
Best for Emergency Coverage: Pawp
Pawp takes a unique approach to pet insurance by offering a subscription service for emergency vet care. Subscribers have access to 24/7 virtual access to vets for diagnostics and treatment plans. With rates starting at less than $30 per month and a one-month free trial, Pawp provides an affordable and convenient alternative to traditional pet insurance.
Although Pawp has a longer 14-day waiting period, it can be an excellent option for pet owners who value quick and accessible emergency care.
Methodology
To select the best pet insurance providers for multiple pets, we thoroughly researched the industry’s top insurers and compared their offerings. We analyzed each provider’s multiple-pet discount, deductible options, and maximum annual coverage limits to pinpoint the standout options.
After selecting our finalists, we delved deeper to identify each insurer’s unique strengths. This comprehensive list serves as a starting point for pet owners looking to insure multiple pets with a single provider. However, obtaining multiple quotes and comparing them will help you determine the policy that best suits your specific needs and budget.
How to Select the Right Insurance Company for Multiple Pets
Choosing the best insurance company for multiple pets can be challenging with numerous providers available. To simplify the decision-making process, follow these steps:
1. Check the Multiple-Pet Discount
Verify whether each provider offers a multiple-pet discount and consider the amount provided. Although a larger discount may seem appealing, remember to evaluate coverage quality and suitability for your needs.
2. Review Coverage Options
Understand the three main types of pet insurance coverage: accident only, accident and illness, and wellness plans. Determine the coverage required for your pets and ensure your chosen provider offers the desired coverage type.
3. Check Inclusions and Exclusions
Request a comprehensive list of what is and isn’t covered by each provider. This information will help you make an informed decision about the coverage you’re getting for your money.
4. Compare Multiple Quotes
Obtain quotes from multiple insurers, ensuring the coverage type and the number of pets covered are consistent across each quote. Analyze the cost and coverage details to identify the most suitable option.
More About Multiple-Pet Insurance
How Does Insurance for Multiple Pets Work?
Pet insurance functions similarly whether you have one pet or multiple pets. You pay a monthly or annual premium and, in return, receive coverage for each pet. If a pet falls ill or gets injured, you can submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement of vet expenses.
The advantage of insuring multiple pets is the discounted premium per pet, making a multiple-pet policy more affordable than individual pet policies.
Pros and Cons of Multiple-Pet Insurance Policies
Multiple-pet insurance offers advantages and disadvantages. Here are the main pros and cons:
Pros:
- Most providers offer a multiple-pet discount.
- Covers different types of pets under one insurer.
- Requires less administrative work to manage policy documentation and contacts.
Cons:
- The full premium must be paid for the first pet.
- Some pets may have specific health needs that a single insurer fails to cover.
- Insuring each pet with different providers might be cheaper in some cases.
How Much Does Multiple-Pet Insurance Cost?
The cost of multiple-pet insurance varies based on factors such as pet type, age, and breed. While it is difficult to provide an exact figure, Market Watch compiled data suggesting that policies covering two dogs can cost between $27.25 and $189, depending on the provider chosen.
Various factors impact the cost, including the number of pets, their age, breed, policy type, annual coverage limit, deductible, reimbursement percentage, and geographic location.
Is Multiple-Pet Insurance Worth It?
In most cases, multiple-pet insurance is worth it. Vet bills can be substantial if a pet develops an illness or is involved in an accident. Unless you have substantial savings, insurance helps protect against unexpected expenses.
Is There a Discount for Multiple-Pet Insurance?
Many insurance providers offer a discount for insuring multiple pets. The discount typically ranges from 5% to 10%, resulting in significant savings over time. If you plan to insure multiple pets with the same provider, inquire about a multiple-pet discount.
What’s Covered Under a Multiple-Pet Insurance Policy?
Coverage specifics vary by provider and policy type. However, most insurers cover emergency vet visits, prescription medication, chronic health conditions, dental issues, cancer, diabetes, physical therapy, diagnostic tests (including CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays), surgery, hospitalization, and various injuries (e.g., broken bones, bee stings, snake bites, eye and teeth injuries).
How Do I Find a Multiple-Pet Insurance Policy?
Numerous pet insurance providers offer coverage for multiple pets. Once you’ve determined potential insurers that meet your needs, request quotes from each and compare them. Carefully review the multiple-pet policy terms and conditions before making a decision.
TIME Stamp: Multiple-Pet Insurance Makes Pet Ownership More Affordable
Pet insurance is beneficial for all pet owners, but especially for those with multiple animals. Pet ownership can be costly, and the expenses multiply as you add more pets to your family. Fortunately, most insurance providers offer multiple-pet discounts, making coverage more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I insure my pets with different pet insurance companies?
Yes, you can choose different insurance companies for each pet. However, insuring multiple pets with the same provider makes you eligible for a multiple-policy discount and simplifies policy management.
Is there a time limit for adding another pet to my insurance?
No, there is no time limit. Whether you have multiple pets when initially taking out the policy or adopt additional pets later on, you can add them to your coverage as needed.
Can I choose my own veterinarian?
Yes, most pet insurance providers allow you to choose your preferred veterinarian since they reimburse you directly rather than paying the vet.