Best pet insurance companies in New York of 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 12:08 p.m. UTC April 12, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
The best pet insurance company in New York is Pets Best, based on our in-depth analysis of accident and illness plans. While Pets Best doesn’t have the cheapest pet insurance in New York, it offers unlimited coverage, has a 24/7 pet health line and includes coverage for behavioral therapy and end-of-life expenses. You can also opt to add a wellness plan to your Pets Best policy.
Paw Protect
Best pet insurance companies in New York
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance in New York.
- ManyPets: Best cheap pet insurance in New York.
- Embrace: Best pet insurance with diminishing deductible in New York.
- Fetch: Best pet insurance for military in New York.
- MetLife: Best pet insurance for discounts in New York.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers never influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 10 New York pet insurance companies reviewed.
- 350 coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Top-rated pet insurance companies in New York
Compare the best pet insurance companies in New York
Here’s how the best pet insurance companies in New York compare.
| Company | New York rating | Average monthly pet insurance cost in New York | Learn More | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | |||||||
| ||||||||
 ManyPets | $22 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Embrace | $62 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Fetch | $33 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 MetLife | $58 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Figo | $45 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Lemonade | $20 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Healthy Paws | $37 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
| ||||||||
 Trupanion | $81 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
|
*Average monthly New York premiums for dog insurance assume unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company — $10,000 for MetLife, $30,000 for Embrace and $100,000 for Lemonade), a $500 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and a 90% reimbursement percentage.
How much is pet insurance in New York?
The average cost of pet insurance in New York is $92 a month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited coverage. This is based on more than a thousand pet insurance quotes from different companies for dogs of various ages and breeds living in different New York cities.
Several factors affect how much pet insurance in New York costs, including:
- Annual coverage limit.
- Deductible amount.
- New York ZIP code.
- Pet insurance company.
- Reimbursement percentage.
- Your pet’s species, age, size and gender.
We compare average rates for our top-rated New York pet insurance companies below.
| Top-rated pet insurance company | Monthly cost for pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Monthly cost for pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $10 | $20 | ||||
| ||||||
| ManyPets | – | $22 | ||||
| ||||||
| $24 | $27 | |||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $27 | $33 | ||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $37 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $32 | $45 | ||||
| ||||||
| MetLife | $29 | $58 | ||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $44 | $62 | ||||
| ||||||
| Trupanion | – | $81 | ||||
|
*Source: PetInsurer.com. Monthly rates are for New York pet insurance plans for dogs with a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and 90% reimbursement level. Rates for plans with unlimited coverage use the highest annual coverage amount available ($10,000 for MetLife, $30,000 for Embrace and $100,000 for Lemonade).
New York pet insurance rates by city
Your location plays a big role in how much you pay for pet insurance in New York. This is in part because vet costs vary by city.
Here are some sample monthly rates for dog insurance in New York:
Brooklyn pet insurance rates
| Pet insurance company | Pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets | – | $36 | ||||
| ||||||
| Lemonade | $40 | $45 | ||||
| ||||||
| $45 | $52 | |||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $52 | $71 | ||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $77 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $52 | $81 | ||||
| ||||||
| $77 | $143 | |||||
| ||||||
| $115 | $157 | |||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $89 | $158 | ||||
| ||||||
| Paw Protect | $90 | $159 | ||||
|
Buffalo pet insurance rates
| Pet insurance company | Pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets | – | $32 | ||||
| ||||||
| Lemonade | $39 | $45 | ||||
| ||||||
| $40 | $46 | |||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $40 | $54 | ||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $56 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $52` | $81 | ||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $64 | $114 | ||||
| ||||||
| Paw Protect | $65 | $115 | ||||
| ||||||
| $70 | $133 | |||||
| ||||||
| $109 | $148 | |||||
|
Guilderland pet insurance rates
| Pet insurance company | Pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets | – | $32 | ||||
| ||||||
| Lemonade | $40 | $45 | ||||
| ||||||
| $40 | $46 | |||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $56 | ||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $43 | $59 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $52 | $81 | ||||
| ||||||
| $97 | $113 | |||||
| ||||||
| $64 | $119 | |||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $77 | $136 | ||||
| ||||||
| Paw Protect | $78 | $138 | ||||
|
Queens pet insurance rates
| Pet insurance company | Pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets | – | $32 | ||||
| ||||||
| Lemonade | $40 | $44 | ||||
| ||||||
| $40 | $46 | |||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $46 | $63 | ||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $77 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $52 | $81 | ||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $89 | $158 | ||||
| ||||||
| Paw Protect | $90 | $159 | ||||
| ||||||
| $83 | $160 | |||||
| ||||||
| $128 | $174 | |||||
|
Staten Island pet insurance rates
| Pet insurance company | Pet insurance with $5,000 annual coverage | Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyPets | – | $32 | ||||
| ||||||
| Lemonade | $39 | $44 | ||||
| ||||||
| $40 | $46 | |||||
| ||||||
| Healthy Paws | – | $66 | ||||
| ||||||
| Fetch | $52 | $71 | ||||
| ||||||
| Figo | $52 | $81 | ||||
| ||||||
| $75 | $145 | |||||
| ||||||
| $114 | $156 | |||||
| ||||||
| Embrace | $89 | $158 | ||||
| ||||||
| Paw Protect | $90 | $159 | ||||
|
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on dog insurance in New York cities; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Cost of dog insurance in New York by breed
Breed is also a factor in pet insurance rates. Pet insurance for a mixed breed dog in New York is generally cheaper than dog insurance for a purebred.
| DOG BREED | DOG INSURANCE WITH $5,000 ANNUAL COVERAGE | DOG INSURANCE WITH UNLIMITED ANNUAL COVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
Beagle
| $58
| $81
|
Bulldog
| $92
| $131
|
Dachshund
| $48
| $65
|
French bulldog
| $96
| $132
|
German shepherd
| $62
| $87
|
Golden retriever
| $65
| $91
|
Labrador retriever
| $66
| $92
|
Mixed breed large
| $54
| $76
|
Mixed breed medium
| $46
| $64
|
Mixed breed small
| $38
| $52
|
Poodle
| $65
| $90
|
Rottweiler
| $103
| $144
|
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on dog insurance in New York; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Cost of cat insurance in New York by breed
Breed is also a cost factor for cat insurance in New York, but the rates vary less than with dogs.
| CAT BREED | CAT INSURANCE WITH $5,000 ANNUAL COVERAGE | CAT INSURANCE WITH UNLIMITED ANNUAL COVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
Abyssinian
| $23
| $48
|
Bengal
| $33
| $48
|
Bombay
| $33
| $47
|
British shorthair
| $38
| $53
|
Exotic shorthair
| $34
| $48
|
Maine coon
| $36
| $52
|
Mixed breed
| $27
| $37
|
Persian
| $37
| $53
|
Ragdoll
| $32
| $46
|
Siamese
| $28
| $46
|
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on cat insurance in New York; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Vet costs in New York
When considering what type of pet insurance to buy, vet expenses should be a part of your decision. Here are average veterinary costs in two New York cities, according to Banfield Pet Hospital.
| CITY | VET OFFICE VISIT FOR DOGS | VET OFFICE VISIT FOR CATS | VACCINES* | PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING | SPAY/NEUTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffalo
| $67
| $67
| $212 dog
$92 cat
| $388 dog or cat
| $486 dog
$288 cat
|
New York City
| $80
| $85
| $232 dog
$104 cat
| $445 dog
$466 cat
| $533 dog
$324 cat
|
*Dog vaccines include Bordetella, DAPP, bivalent influenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and rabies. Cat vaccines include feline distemper FVRCP, feline leukemia virus and rabies.
Depending on the pet insurance plan you choose, vet exam fee coverage may be included or available at an additional cost. Routine care such as vaccinations, pet dental and spaying/neutering may also be covered if you add a wellness plan to your accident and illness policy.
It’s important to determine which benefits are important to you and make sure they’re included in the pet insurance plan you buy.
Ready see coverage options side by side? How to compare pet insurance quotes
Average pet insurance claim amount in New York
In March 2024, the average New York pet insurance claim was $474, according to data from Embrace pet insurance. New York had the tenth-highest pet insurance claim average in the nation that month:
- Washington, D.C. – $623
- Massachusetts – $527
- California – $525
- Nevada – $515
- Washington – $503
- Oregon – $491
- Arizona – $483
- New Jersey – $482
- Virginia – $482
- New York – $474
How to find the best pet insurance in New York
Although every pet owner has different needs, there are a few things to look for to help you find the best pet insurance policy in New York:
- 24/7 vet lines. Having an expert veterinary professional available at all times can help you decide whether your pet needs a vet visit or if you can take care of it at home.
- Vet direct pay. If you’d rather not have to file a claim and wait for reimbursement, choosing a pet insurance company that offers direct pay can help you avoid the process. Just make sure you understand the process before committing to a plan.
- Multi-pet discount. If you own two or more pets, consider getting quotes from pet insurers that offer a multi-pet discount for insuring more than one pet, which may save you up to 10% on your pet insurance premiums.
- Routine wellness plans. Companies that offer a routine wellness plan are the best option if you want preventative expenses covered. Wellness plans provide coverage for annual exam fees, microchipping and other routine care.
Types of pet insurance plans in New York
When deciding which pet insurance company in New York offers the best coverage for your pet, you have a few plan types to choose from:
- Accident and illness. The most common pet insurance policy, accident and illness plans cover diagnostic testing, bloodwork, surgery, emergency care and hospitalization for both accidents and illnesses. So if your dog breaks a leg playing at the dog park or your cat ingests a poisonous plant leaf, you’ll be able to get reimbursement for a portion of its vet care.
- Accident only. This plan is cheaper because it doesn’t cover illness. It pays for prescriptions, surgery and other treatment measures related to your pet’s accidental injury. While your dog’s broken dew claw or tooth will be covered, your cat’s diabetes won’t be.
- Wellness. This optional add-on to some pet insurance plans covers veterinary expenses for your pet’s routine health care. Standard pet insurance doesn’t cover these expenses, like vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm preventives, spay or neuter surgery — that’s where a wellness plan comes in.
How does pet insurance work?
Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for a portion of your pet’s covered medical expenses. How much you’ll be reimbursed depends on your plan choices. Keep in mind, the more the pet insurance policy covers, the higher your premium will be.
Annual coverage limit
The annual coverage limit is the most the pet insurance company will pay per year toward your pet’s claims. Most pet insurers offer a range of annual coverage caps, from $2,000 to $20,000 or more.
Every pet insurance company that receives 4.5 or 5 stars in our rating of the best pet insurance in New York offers unlimited annual coverage as an option.
Deductible
Just like with human health insurance, a pet insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the pet insurance company starts reimbursing you for covered expenses. Most deductible options are between $50 and $500, but Pets Best allows up to a $1,000 deductible.
Although most pet insurance companies have an annual deductible, some have a per-condition deductible, like Trupanion. This deductible option means you have to meet a deductible for each new condition your pet is seen for, rather than pay one single deductible per plan year.
Consider if a lifetime per condition deductible or annual deductible better fits your pet’s needs when choosing a pet insurance provider in New York.
Reimbursement percentage
After you meet the policy deductible, your pet insurance plan reimburses a certain percentage for covered expenses. Reimbursement percentages are usually 70%, 80% or 90%, though some pet insurance companies offer a 100% option.
Let’s say you have a $50 deductible with an 80% reimbursement level. After the vet sees your pet for the first time, you pay your bill of $500 and file a claim with your pet insurance company. After subtracting your deductible of $50 from the total bill, you’ll receive a reimbursement of $360, which is 80% of the remaining $450.
Methodology
We analyzed top-rated pet insurance companies operating in New York using data from Petinsurer.com.
For this analysis, average New York pet insurance rates are based on accident and illness plans, which account for 98% of pet insurance policies purchased, according to data from the North American Health Pet Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Rates are also based on dog pet insurance, as dogs make up 85% of insured pets, per NAPHIA.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog at two different ages in Colorado, with unlimited annual reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. The lower the average rate, the higher the number of points.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer annual reimbursement of up to $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Behavioral therapy: 5 points. If an insurance company covers behavior therapy in its pet insurance plans, it scored points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, an insurance company scored in this category.
Best pet insurance in New York FAQs
No, pet insurance is not required in New York. If you choose to buy pet insurance, it can cover some costs of your pet’s accidents or illnesses. Without pet insurance, you’ll be responsible for all your pet’s veterinary care.
See if it’s right for you: What does pet insurance cover?
Vets don’t need to accept pet insurance, since pet insurance typically works by reimbursement. You’ll go to any licensed New York veterinarian, receive care for your pet and pay the bill in full. Then you can submit the bill for reimbursement and the pet insurance company will reimburse you based on your policy coverage and plan details.
Some companies, like Pets Best, offer a direct pay option with some plans. When you file your claim, you submit a signed vet direct pay release form along with it. Pets Best will process the claim and send payment for allowable expenses directly to the vet’s office. You’ll only be responsible for the remaining balance.
The average cost of pet insurance in New York is $92 a month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited coverage for a dog. But the amount you pay may be very different.
The cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including but not necessarily limited to:
- Whether your pet is a dog or a cat.
- Your pet’s breed, and whether it’s a purebred.
- Its age.
- Your pet’s sex and whether or not you plan to breed it.
- Where you live.
- Policy coverage and deductible amounts.
- Any available discounts, such as policy bundling.
Generally speaking, pet insurance is not deductible on your income taxes for the family pet. However, if you or a family member relies on a working service dog for daily assistance because you have a diagnosed disability, you may be able to deduct certain expenses related to caring for that animal. These may include veterinary care and related expenses for your service animal. Talk to a tax professional for advice.
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, these are the most common pet insurance claims for dogs and cats.
Find the right plan for you: Best pet insurance of 2024
The cheapest pet insurance in our rating of the best pet insurance in New York is Lemonade with an average rate for dog insurance of $20 per month.
The cost of pet insurance in New York City depends on a number of factors, including where you live, down to the ZIP code. According to our analysis, sample rates for pets in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island can vary when comparing similar policies from the same insurer.
Pet insurance may be worth it to you if you consider how much you’d have to pay out of pocket if your pet has an emergency accident or illness.
The cost of veterinary care varies widely across the U.S. But no matter where you live, the cost of dog ownership or cat ownership isn’t cheap. A routine checkup may cost $100 or $200, while emergency treatment could cost thousands. Buying a pet insurance policy can provide a financial cushion should your pet require treatment after an accident or illness, while a wellness plan can help offset the cost of routine care and vaccinations.
Dig into the details: Is pet insurance worth it?
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
