Pet insurance comparisons
Head-to-head matchups between the insurers we review, written from the actual policy wording: waiting periods, exclusions, annual limits and reimbursement structure. Each page gives a plain answer on who wins for whom, and we name the competitor when the competitor is the better choice.
Short answer
Healthy Paws is the better choice for most dogs: it is our top-scored plan at 9.3/10 and pays out with no annual cap. Its accident wait is 15 days in most states (no wait for accident-related conditions in a named group of states). The tradeoffs: as of August 2026 Lemonade is not sold in Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming, has a 30-day orthopedic wait currently advertised for new coverage (check your state policy), and caps out at $100,000 a year. Quote your ZIP. For most owners who want the deepest coverage, Healthy Paws wins this head-to-head.
Lemonade vs Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is the better choice for most dogs: it is our top-scored plan at 9.3/10 and pays out with no annual cap.
Embrace vs Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws wins for most owners: unlimited payouts and our top score of 9.3/10 against Embrace at 8.8.
Spot vs Lemonade
Lemonade scores 9.0 against Spot at 8.3 in our rankings.
Trupanion vs Healthy Paws
Both pay out with no annual limit.
Fetch vs Lemonade
Lemonade scores 9.0 against Fetch at 7.6 in our rankings.
Figo vs Lemonade
Lemonade scores 9.0 against Figo at 7.9 in our rankings.
Pets Best vs Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws wins on coverage depth: unlimited payouts and our top score of 9.3/10 against 8.1 for Pets Best.
Embrace vs Spot
Embrace wins this head-to-head for most owners: it scores 8.8 against 8.3 for Spot, rewards claim-free years with a $50 lower deductible each time, and is the only insurer here that re-covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12 clean months.
Trupanion vs Embrace
Embrace scores 8.8 against Trupanion at 8.6, re-covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12 clean months, and cuts your deductible $50 every claim-free year.
Fetch vs Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws scores 9.3 against Fetch at 7.6 for dogs and offers an unlimited annual limit.
Lemonade vs Embrace
Embrace wins on policy mechanics.
Pets Best vs Fetch
Pets Best scores 8.1 against Fetch at 7.6 for dogs and sells an unlimited annual limit.
Pets Best vs Spot
Spot wins for most dogs on score and orthopedic speed: 8.3/10 against 8.1 for Pets Best, with no separate orthopedic or cruciate wait beyond its 14-day illness period.
Pets Best vs Lemonade
Lemonade scores 9.0 against Pets Best at 8.1 for dogs.
Fetch vs Spot
Spot scores 8.3 against Fetch at 7.6 for dogs and offers an unlimited annual-limit option.
Trupanion vs Lemonade
Trupanion's Vet Direct Pay settles claims with participating clinics at checkout, so you do not front the full bill, payouts are unlimited on every policy, and the per-condition deductible is paid once per diagnosed condition for the life of the pet.
Figo vs Spot
Spot wins for most buyers on flexibility and score: 8.3 against Figo at 7.9 in our dog rankings (8.2 vs 8.0 for cats), with the widest annual-limit menu we track ($2,500 up to unlimited) and no separate orthopedic waiting period beyond the standard 14-day wait.
Embrace vs Pets Best
Embrace wins on coverage depth and score: 8.8 against Pets Best at 8.1 for dogs (8.7 vs 8.4 for cats), with a 12-month curable pre-existing reinstatement path that Lemonade also describes in most states, a wellness allowance covering even grooming and nutrition consults, and a deductible that drops $50 every claim-free year.
Trupanion vs Spot
Spot sells more limit combinations than anyone here ($2,500 up to unlimited) and applies no separate orthopedic wait beyond its standard 14-day period.
Trupanion vs Fetch
Trupanion pays unlimited with no cap, fixes reimbursement at 90%, offers Vet Direct Pay at participating clinics, and charges its per-condition deductible once for the life of the pet.
Figo vs Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws wins for dogs on score and ceiling: 9.3 against Figo at 7.9 in our rankings, with unlimited payout as its signature posture and fast reimbursement.
Embrace vs Fetch
Embrace wins for most buyers on ceiling and score: 8.8 against Fetch at 7.6 in our dog rankings (8.7 vs 7.5 for cats), with accident-and-illness limits from $2,000 up to unlimited where Fetch lists $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 (higher only by contacting Fetch).
Pets Best vs Trupanion
Trupanion offers a different payout design from Pets Best.
Figo vs Fetch
Figo wins on payout depth and speed: the only 100% reimbursement tier we track (paired with a $500 or $750 deductible, not combinable with its unlimited-limit plan), accident cover after just 24 hours, and a Higher Coverage plan with no annual limit.
Figo vs Pets Best
Figo offers the only 100% reimbursement tier we track (requires a $500 or $750 deductible, excluded from its unlimited plan), a 24-hour accident start against Pets Best’s waivable 3-day wait, and an unlimited-limit Higher Coverage plan alongside Pets Best’s own unlimited option.
Embrace vs Figo
Embrace wins for most buyers on score, pre-existing handling and extras: 8.8 against Figo at 7.9 for dogs (8.7 vs 8.0 for cats), the curable pre-existing path after 12 clean months, a deductible that drops $50 per claim-free year, and a wellness allowance covering even grooming and nutrition consults.
Trupanion vs Figo
Trupanion wins on payout design and claims experience: unlimited payout on every policy, true Vet Direct Pay at participating clinics (about 75% of claims handled within 24 hours), fixed 90% reimbursement, and a per-condition deductible paid once per diagnosed condition for life.
Healthy Paws vs Spot
Healthy Paws wins on depth of cover: it is our top-scored dog plan at 9.3/10 against Spot at 8.3, and its unlimited annual-limit option has no cap on what a policy year can pay out.
Written by the WhichPetPlan editorial team. See our methodology for how scores are set.
Lemonade vs Healthy Paws: common questions
Is Lemonade cheaper than Healthy Paws?
We cannot determine which costs less from our older catalog figures. Request current quotes for the same pet, ZIP code, deductible, reimbursement rate, annual limit, and add-ons.
Does Lemonade or Healthy Paws cover cruciate ligament injuries?
Both can cover new cruciate injuries, subject to their policy terms. Lemonade currently advertises 30 days for orthopedic conditions, including cruciate injuries; check your state policy. Healthy Paws excludes the other knee if one knee was hurt before enrollment. Its separate hip dysplasia rules (30 or 365 days by state, with an exclusion for dogs enrolled at age 6 or older) concern hips, not the cruciate waiting period; check the cruciate terms in your policy.
Which has the higher annual limit, Lemonade or Healthy Paws?
Healthy Paws. Its unlimited option is the main reason owners pick it. Lemonade lets you configure a limit from $5,000 up to $100,000, which is generous but not unlimited.
Can I get wellness coverage from either one?
Only Lemonade. It sells an optional wellness add-on plus separate add-ons for dental illness, behavioral conditions and physical therapy. Healthy Paws offers no wellness or routine-care add-on at any tier.