Insurtech company Lemonade boasts a lightning-fast claims process and a user-friendly mobile app, making it one of our top picks for pet insurance.
There are plenty of options for customization, with add-ons like dental care, behavioral conditions and end-of-life expenses, as well as two wellness plans for check-ups, vaccines and other routine care.
But coverage for vet exam fees isn't standard and Lemonade has breed-specific age restrictions that could make it hard to enroll an older pet.
- 10% bundling discount available
- 2-day waiting period for injury coverage
- Not available in all states
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than competitors
- Strict age limits may make it hard to enroll older pets
Lemonade pet insurance: pros and cons
- Discounts for multiple pets and bundling
- Claims paid within 48 hours
- Unused premiums are donated to nonprofits chosen by customers
- Only available in 38 states
- No accident-only policy
- Basic plans don't cover exam fees
- Limited coverage for older animals
Lemonade plans
Lemonade only offers accident and illness pet insurance and wellness plans. It does not issue accident-only policies. Coverage is available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
Accident and illness
Lemonade's accident and illness policy covers cuts, broken bones and swallowed items, as well as conditions like diabetes, cancer and urinary tract infections. Coverage applies to:
- Diagnostics (blood tests, ultrasounds and x-rays)
- Prescription medications
- Injections
- Hospitalization and surgery
Optional add-ons include:
- Vet exam fees
- Dental care (up to $1,000 per year)
- Behavioral conditions (up to $1,000 per year)
- Physical therapy including acupuncture and hydrotherapy
- Euthanasia and cremation (up to $500)
Wellness plans
Lemonade has three wellness plans. The basic Preventative plan covers up to $265 a year and includes:
- One annual wellness exam
- Three vaccines
- Annual parasite, heartworm and blood tests
The Preventative Plus package adds:
- Flea and tick or heartworm medication
- Teeth cleaning
The puppy/kitten Preventative plan for pets under 2 has a total benefit of $490. It includes:
- Two annual wellness exams
- Six vaccines
- Two parasite tests
- One bloodwork and one heartworm or FeLV/FIV test
- Two fecal/internal parasite screenings
- Flea/tick or heartworm medication
- Spay/neutering
- Microchipping
Lemonade coverage
Lemonade pet insurance is available nationwide except in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Coverage limits
Lemonade accident-and-illness plans offer a choice of $50,000 or $100,000 annual coverage limit, quite high for the industry.
Age limits
Pets must be at least eight weeks old to enroll. Lemonade has breed-specific age limits that range between 10 and 14, depending on the animal type and breed and your location.
Reimbursement
70%, 80% or 90%
Deductibles
Lemonade has relatively high deductibles, ranging from $500 to $750.
Waiting periods
Waiting periods vary by state but are typically:
- Accidents: 2 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions: 30 days
- Cruciate ligament: six months
- Wellness coverage: Policy effective date
Lemonade rates
We looked at a sample Lemonade accident and illness quote for a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat and a 1-year-old, 55-pound mixed-breed male dog, both living in New York City. We chose a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate and a $50,000 annual coverage limit.
We were quoted $54.40 per month for the dog and $40.68 a month for the cat with the mid-tier plan.
Here's how these quotes compare to the industry average:
| Lemonade accident and illness policy | National average | |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | $54.40 | $56.30 |
| Cat | $40.68 | $31.94 |
Source: Monthly rates from Lemonade, average rates from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
The rate quote for our dog is quite close to the national average, although premiums for our cat are somewhat higher than average.
Discounts
Lemonade offers a 5% discount for insuring two or more pets and a 10% discount for bundling coverage with Lemonade home, condo, renters or car insurance. There is also a 5% reduction for paying your annual premium upfront.
Processing fee
Lemonade charges a $1 to $2 processing fee if you pay monthly rather than annually, though it varies by state.
Direct payment option
Lemonade doesn't offer a direct vet payment option.
How does Lemonade compare to other pet insurance?
Here's how Lemonade stacks up against some of CNBC Select's favorite pet insurance companies.
| Lemonade | Pets Best | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | 38 states | 50 states | 50 states |
| Accident only policies | No | Yes | No |
| Reimbursement rate | 70% to 90% | 70% to 90% | 50% to 70% |
| Deductible | $500 to $750 | $50 to $1,000 | $250 |
| Annual coverage limits | $50,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 or unlimited | $10,000 or per condition |
| Direct payment option | No | Yes | No |
| Best for | Speedy reimbursement | Low rates | Low deductible |
Source: Rates current as of November 2024
Lemonade vs. Pets Best
Lemonade and Pets Best offer similar reimbursement rate options, but most plans from Pets Best include exam fees. And while Pets Best can pay your vet directly, saving you from waiting for reimbursement, Lemonade doesn't have that option.
- Deductibles as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers direct-payment option
- Exam fees not included with basic plan
- Multi-pet discount is lower than other providers
- Only top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
Policies are issued by MS Transverse Insurance Company (MST). New business issued by MST effective September 2, 2025. In California, existing Pets Best policies will transfer to MST beginning November 1, 2025.
Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address. For terms and conditions visit: https://www.petsbest.com/policy. Products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company (NAIC #12190), or Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), or MS Transverse Insurance Company (NAIC #21075) and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, (NPN #8889658, CA agency #0F37530).
The rate quotes we received from Pets Best were a few dollars lower than Lemonade, which can add up over a pet's lifetime.
Importantly, though, Lemonade's AI-powered claims process means you can be approved in minutes and repaid within 48 hours. Pets Best says its claims take five to seven days to be reimbursed.
Lemonade vs. Nationwide
Lemonade offers reimbursement rates of up to 90%, which is higher than Nationwide's maximum of 70%. Lemonade also has coverage limits as high as $100,000 per year, while Nationwide tops out at $10,000.
- Covers birds, reptiles and other exotic pets
- Preferred pricing for prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club
- Curable conditions covered if symptom-free for six months
- Enrollment limited to pets 10 and under
- No coverage for hereditary conditions
- No direct payment option
Lemonade only covers cats and dogs, so Nationwide is the better option if you have a reptile, bird or other exotic pet.
The sample quotes we received from Nationwide were the same as Lemonade for cats and slightly more expensive for dogs.
Read more: Nationwide pet insurance review
How do I get Lemonade pet insurance?
You can get a policy quote on the Lemonade website in about a minute and buy your policy online, as well. You'll be asked about your location, as well as what kind of pet you have and their breed, age and sex.
You'll need to choose your coverage limits, deductible and reimbursement rates and set up a payment method.
You can also apply on Lemonade's customer service line at 844-733-8666, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
Is Lemonade pet insurance right for me?
Lemonade's quick claims process makes it a great choice if you're concerned about waiting to be reimbursed, with repayment available in as little as two days.
It's also a good option for customization, with lots of optional add-ons and a wellness plan with three tiers. Customers also have several ways to save, although its multi-pet discount is smaller than many competitors.
If you have an older pet or live in one of the 12 states Lemonade doesn't offer pet insurance, however, you may need to find coverage elsewhere.
Lemonade pet insurance FAQs
How fast does Lemonade reimburse pet insurance claims?
Lemonade advertises that it can process claims in just minutes and reimburse customers in as little as 48 hours.
What states is Lemonade pet insurance available in?
Lemonade offers pet insurance in 38 states. It does not issue policies in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.
Does Lemonade pet insurance cover neutering?
Spaying or neutering is not covered by Lemonade's accident and illness pet insurance policy. It is available, however, with the company's wellness plan for puppies and kittens, which also includes microchipping.
Is Lemonade pet insurance good?
Whether Lemonade pet insurance is good depends on your needs. It offers competitive rates, ample options for customization and high coverage limits. However, policies are not available in all states and older pets may not get approved, depending on the breed.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
When reviewing pet insurance products, CNBC Select uses a variety of criteria, including types of plans offered, availability, price, coverage maximums, deductibles, age limits, exclusions and customer satisfaction.
In addition, we incorporate findings from independent sources, including the North American Pet Health Association.
Rates for pet insurance may come from a variety of sources, including providers.
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