What’s the best pet insurance – Pets Best or Lemonade?
They both know what they’re doing and are terrifically popular with their customers, so deciding between the two is not an enviable task. It will, ultimately, come down to exactly what you prioritise when you think about caring for your pet. Lemonade is a relative newcomer on the scene, with less of a track record but a very sophisticated app that speeds up claims processing no end; Pets Best has no maximum age for enrolment – great if you have adopted an older pet. This guide will look at these and other differences to make your decision an informed one. We strongly suggest that you also use our super-speedy pet insurance quote page and review pages, which will help you decide which pet insurance plan is best for you.What do the plans cover?
Pets Best and Lemonade both offer accident and illness plans covering things like chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions. As standard, they both cover things like cancer treatments and dental accidents. Lemonade doesn’t cover dental illness or euthanasia without an add-on. Lemonade also asks you to purchase an add-on in order to have alternative therapies covered. Pets Best won’t cover alternative therapies but will offer coverage to pets in wheelchairs and with mobility issues. It’s worth noting, however, that Pets Best doesn’t consider things like hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care to be alternative therapies. Both treat pets with hip dysplasia and have a waiting period of just 14 days. Pets Best also offers a no-deductibles wellness plan, starting at $16 a month, which will cover the cost of your pet’s vaccinations, neutering/spaying, microchipping, and more. Lemonade’s Preventative Wellness package does a similar job and is priced in the same ballpark. Both plans cover many common illnesses and conditions that a pet can suffer from, such as:- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Cruciate injury
- Dental disease
- Dermatitis
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastroenteritis
- Kidney disease
- Limping
- Liver disease
- Lymphoma
- Pancreatitis
- Seizures
- Vomiting
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual coverage options | $5,000, Unlimited | $5000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 |
| Deductible options | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | $100, $250, $500 |
| Reimbursement options | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| When does coverage start? | 3-14 days | 2-14 days |
| Maximum age at sign up | No maximum | 14 years |
| Are vet exam fees included at no extra cost? | ||
| Are dental accidents covered? | ||
| Are dental illnesses covered? | ||
| Is there a wellness plan offered? | ||
| Is there a virtual vet/telehealth service? | ||
| End of life coverage | ||
| Is there a multi-pet discount offered? | ||
| Is there a charge for paying monthly? | ||
| Is there an app to make claims? |
*Coverage is based on choosing unlimited coverage, 250 deductible and 90% reimbursement
Are there any exclusions?
Both Pets Best and Lemonade have the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Lemonade makes a point of saying that preventable situations and neglect are not covered in its plans. It is worth noting that Pets Best doesn't cover parasitic infections. It’s always best to read the full list of exclusions before signing up for any pet insurance plan.How expensive are Pets Best and Lemonade?
This is very close and your specific situation and pet will govern exactly how much you pay with either provider. Lemonade is likely to offer you a cheaper deal than Pets Best, and its status as a public benefit corporation means that a percentage of its profits go to causes like animal welfare groups. Neither insurer charges a one-time enrolment fee but Lemonade will increase premiums by 5% if you pay monthly. Pets Best charges you $2 for every transaction so, in effect, it's the same thing and you'll save money by paying quarterly or annually. To be sure of an exact comparison for your pet, however, use our quote calculator. | | |
|---|---|---|
Medium Mixed 3 months old in Los Angeles
| $26.69 per month | $29.92 per month |
Golden Retriever 3 years old in San Diego
| $46.30 per month | $35.42 per month |
Chihuahua 6 years old in New York City
| $45.11 per month | $43.89 per month |
Domestic Shorthair 3 months old in San Antonio
| $8.38 per month | $14.75 per month |
Domestic Shorthair 3 year old in Jacksonville
| $11.60 per month | $16.54 per month |
Medium Mixed
3 months old in Los Angeles
$5,000 annual coverage
Golden Retriever
3 years old in San Diego
Unlimited annual coverage
Chihuahua
6 years old in New York City
Unlimited annual coverage
Domestic Shorthair
3 months old in San Antonio
$5,000 annual coverage
Domestic Shorthair
3 year old in Jacksonville
Unlimited annual coverage
Coverage options may vary.
Do Pets Best or Lemonade offer discounts?
Both companies offer 5% multi-pet discounts. Additionally, Lemonade gives you 10% off if you bundle your pet insurance with their car, life or homeowners insurance.Are the plans customizable?
Yes, you can adjust your plans – including your reimbursements and deductibles – at both providers. Pets Best has two annual limit options ($5,000 and unlimited) and the insurer has one of the highest number of annual deductible options out there, with six ($50, $100, $200, $250, $500, and $1,000) compared to Lemonade’s $100, $250 or $500. Lemonade has annual limits between $5,000 and $100,000. Both offer 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement (aka co-pay or co-insurance) levels. With Lemonade, you can have things like vet visit fees and physical therapy covered by choosing the Extended Accident and Illness add-on package. If you want to focus more on prevention and wellness, you can add on a package that pays for things like vaccines, blood tests, dental cleaning, and annual wellness exams. At Pets Best you can add a wellness plan for a little bit extra every month, and customize its reimbursement percentage and deductible amount.How do I make claims?
With Pets Best, you claim via your account, on any device or the app, and will need proof of the payment to your vet. You need to make your claim within 180 days of the treatment. Like Pets Best, paying via an app is an option with Lemonade. Really it is the option: the AI-led app processes claims easily and more quickly than competitors, with the company claiming that 30% of claims are approved in three minutes.Are they easy to contact?
Yes. You can reach Pets Best by app, phone (877 738 7237) or by fax (866 777 1434). Lemonade is similar – by app and phone (844 733 8666), but also on social media or email (help@lemonade.com).Customer reviews
Pets Best reviewers are a contented bunch, speaking highly of the company’s speedy claims procedures. Some may have some issues about the way in which claims have been handled but the feedback is overwhelmingly favourable. Lemonade customers are similarly pleased, talking about the ease of the app and likening it to online shopping. They are also happy with the value for money that it offers.Our Pets Best rating
Overall score
Speed of claims
Customer service
Claims procedure
Easy to understand
Value for money
Our Lemonade rating
Overall score
Speed of claims
Customer service
Claims procedure
Easy to understand
Value for money
Frequently asked questions
People ask us a lot of different questions about the pet insurance providers we work with. It’s the smart thing to do because no two insurers are the same. Here are some common questions (and the answers!).What are the waiting periods?
Pets Best policies take three days for accidents to be covered and 14 days for illnesses. Lemonade is marginally shorter, with 14 days for illnesses and only two days for accidents.
Do the plans include behavioral treatments?
A standard Pets Best policy will include consultations and or medications prescribed by a vet. At Lemonade it comes as one of five potential add-ons. This would be subject to a $1,000 limit annually, and would not include – among other things – pre-existing behavioral conditions, prescription food, obedience training, and alternative medicines.
Is there a maximum age for enrolment?
Lemonade draws the line at 14. Pets Best is unusual in not having an upper age limit.
Do they need my pet’s medical records?
Yes, both do. Lemonade stipulates that it wants a medical record that includes information from a visit that happened within a year of your policy start date.
Will the insurer pay the vet directly?
Lemonade will not but Pets Best might. If your vet is willing, they can sign a release form for Pets Best's Vet Direct Pay service, which means that you only need pay what you owe depending on your deductible and reimbursement levels, and Pets Best will pay your vet the rest – if the claim is successful.
Is my pet covered in other countries?
Pets Best covers you in Puerto Rico and Canada, but Lemonade is confined to the US. It's also only available to residents of 36 states of the US.
Do they have a vet telehealth service?
Not at Lemonade, no, but at Pets Best they do.