MetLife and Pets Best are two of the best pet insurance companies in New York.
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Sarah Schlichter Lead Writer | Home insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance
Sarah Schlichter is a NerdWallet authority on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than 15 years in digital media as a writer, editor and spokesperson. Sarah enjoys delving into complicated topics and helping readers understand the ins and outs of their insurance coverage. She lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Caitlin Constantine Assistant Assigning Editor | Home insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance
Caitlin Constantine is an assigning editor at NerdWallet, focusing on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. She has more than 15 years of experience in digital media, including as the deputy managing editor at The Penny Hoarder and as a digital producer for a 24/7 news station based in the Tampa Bay area. Caitlin enjoys exploring the ways technology can help people become better informed about the world. She currently lives outside Asheville, North Carolina.
If you’re looking for pet insurance in New York to help pay your furry friend’s vet bills, you’ve got options. More than a dozen insurers operate in the Empire State, many offering reimbursement for up to 90% of your pet’s medical expenses after you’ve met your deductible. NerdWallet gathered rates and evaluated plans to help you find the best pet insurance in New York.
NerdWallet’s rating system rewards pet insurance companies with broad coverage, a variety of ways to customize your plan, a high financial strength rating and a good customer experience. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. Here’s the full methodology behind our pet insurance ratings.
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure the content on our website is accurate and fair, so you can make financial decisions with confidence and choose the products that work best for you.
Unlimited The highest coverage limit the insurer offers per year.
Reimbursement rates
50% - 90% How much of your bill the insurer will pay after you’ve met your deductible.
Deductibles
$0 - $2,500 How much of your vet bills you need to pay before the insurer starts reimbursing you.
Policy highlight
No age restrictions for enrollment.
Pros and cons
Pros
Deductible goes down each year you don't make a claim in some states.
Accident coverage starts right away, with no waiting period.
Includes coverage for holistic and alternative care.
Cons
No option to have the company pay your vet directly.
Bottom line
MetLife sells customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.
Why it's the best: MetLife had the highest raw score of all the pet insurance companies we evaluated, thanks to its strength in just about every category. MetLife’s standard policy covers things like prescription food, dental illnesses and vet exam fees — which some companies charge extra to cover. It can even pay for grief counseling if you lose your pet.
You can choose to have MetLife reimburse you for up to 90% of your vet expenses, or opt for a less generous limit in exchange for a lower monthly rate. The optional preventive care add-on can pay for services like spay or neuter surgery, teeth cleaning and behavioral consultations.
Unlimited The highest coverage limit the insurer offers per year.
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90% How much of your bill the insurer will pay after you’ve met your deductible.
Deductibles
$50 - $1,000 How much of your vet bills you need to pay before the insurer starts reimbursing you.
Policy highlight
May be able to reimburse your vet directly.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lots of options to customize plans.
Unlimited annual coverage option available.
No upper age limit for enrollment.
Cons
Includes exam fees and certain therapies only with more expensive plans.
Doesn't cover food or supplements.
Bottom line
Pets Best offers lots of options, plus the ability to pay your vet directly.
Why it's the best: Pets Best offered some of the lowest monthly rates when we compared quotes for a sample dog in New York City. The company’s customizable plans make it easy to find a rate you can afford, with an array of deductibles and coverage types to choose from.
If your vet agrees, Pets Best can pay them directly instead of reimbursing you after a claim. We also like the 24-hour emergency pet helpline, which you can call any time to get answers to questions about your pet’s health.
Unlimited The highest coverage limit the insurer offers per year.
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90%, 100% How much of your bill the insurer will pay after you’ve met your deductible.
Deductibles
$100 - $1,500 How much of your vet bills you need to pay before the insurer starts reimbursing you.
Policy highlight
Mobile app has lots of useful features.
Pros and cons
Pros
No upper age limit for pets.
Unlimited annual coverage is available.
Several reimbursement options to choose from, including 100% reimbursement for some pets.
Cons
Doesn’t offer an accident-only plan, which is typically cheaper than more comprehensive plans.
Bottom line
Figo offers extensive coverage, a variety of deductibles to choose from and generous reimbursement options.
Why it's the best: Figo’s rates were among the cheapest for our sample cats living in New York City — and if you’re a Costco member, you may be able to save an extra 15%. Figo’s plans cover dental illnesses, holistic treatments and hereditary conditions, but coverage for vet exam fees costs extra.
You generally won’t have to wait long for Figo to reimburse you for your vet expenses. The company says it processes most claims within three business days. Policyholders get access to Figo’s Pet Cloud, a mobile app you can use to store your pet’s medical records, file claims, meet other pet parents and reach out to veterinary professionals.
Unlimited The highest coverage limit the insurer offers per year.
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90% How much of your bill the insurer will pay after you’ve met your deductible.
Deductibles
$100, $250, $500 How much of your vet bills you need to pay before the insurer starts reimbursing you.
Policy highlight
Broader coverage than most other plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
Covers horses in addition to cats and dogs.
Standard plans cover alternative therapies, behavioral issues and congenital conditions.
Shorter waiting period than most plans for cruciate injuries (14 days).
Cons
You must call, rather than get an online quote, if you’re interested in unlimited annual coverage.
Bottom line
ASPCA offers generous coverage and multiple plan options, including an accident-only policy.
Why it's the best: ASPCA’s accident and illness plan has some of the most generous coverage in the industry, covering things that other insurers charge extra for or don’t cover at all. For instance, ASPCA will reimburse you for vet exam fees, prescription food and supplements, behavioral issues, alternative therapies and microchipping.
Unlike some other companies that make you wait six months to a year for coverage of orthopedic conditions, ASPCA has a 14-day waiting period after you buy your policy for all accident and illness claims.
Want more options? Check out all the pet insurers in New York that earned a 5-star NerdWallet rating.
Best pet insurance in New York for younger animals
Below are sample rates for 2-year-old mixed-breed dogs and cats in New York City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
Dog: $63
Cat: $34
*ASPCA plans had $4,000 in annual coverage.
Best pet insurance in New York for older animals
Older pets are generally more expensive to insure, so we also checked rates for 8-year-old dogs and cats in New York City. Here’s how our 5-star companies stack up for mixed-breed dogs and cats with the same coverage limits as above.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
Here are the cheapest insurers we found in New York, based on quotes for pets living in New York City. Unless otherwise stated, our sample pets were mixed-breed dogs and cats with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Your own prices may vary depending on where you live, the coverage you choose, and your pet’s age and breed.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
$55
*Fetch plans had a $300 deductible. Healthy Paws plans had unlimited annual coverage.
Cheap pet insurance in New York for older dogs
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old dogs in New York City.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
$112
*Nationwide plans were for accident-only coverage.
Cheap pet insurance in New York for young cats
These are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats living in New York City.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
$31
*Healthy Paws plans had unlimited annual coverage. ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage.
Cheap pet insurance in New York for older cats
These are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats living in New York City.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance company that works best for you. Our ratings are specific to pet insurance; a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating pet insurance companies.
Learn more about New York insurance
NerdWallet has many more New York insurance guides. For more information, check out our articles below:
NerdWallet’s pet insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, scope of coverage, the ability to customize your plan and more. Our “consumer experience” category looks at factors such as website transparency and mobile app ratings. To calculate each insurer’s star rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. See our full pet insurance methodology.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Pet insurance sample rates
To find sample pet insurance rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and do not include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons.
Each plan had a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. We customized the plans as necessary when those limits weren’t available. Our sample pets were a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog and a domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat. We gathered rates for pets aged 2 and 8 years old.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets in a select ZIP code. Your own rates will be different.
