This estimate is built from published Pets Best sample prices: NerdWallet’s 2026 Texas quotes ($250 deductible, $5,000 limit, 80% reimbursement: about $32/month for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog and $20/month for a cat) and Pets Best’s advertised accident-only starting prices. It is a ballpark, not a quote.
Pets Best Pet Insurance at a Glance
| Feature | Accident & illness (BestBenefit) | Accident-only |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement | 70%, 80% or 90% | 90% |
| Annual deductible | $100 to $1,000 | $250 |
| Annual limit | $5,000 to unlimited | Fixed limit (reported as $10,000) |
| Waiting periods | 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness, 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries (may vary by state) | 3 days |
| Enrollment age | From 7 weeks, no upper age limit | From 7 weeks, no upper age limit |
| Exam fees | Optional supplemental benefit on many policies | Not included |
| Dental | Dental accidents; periodontal disease if the pet (age 3+) had a cleaning/exam under anesthesia in the prior 13 months | Dental accidents |
| Wellness add-ons | EssentialWellness or BestWellness | Offered as add-ons to accident & illness coverage |
| Starting price | Depends on pet and options | From $9/month for dogs and $6/month for cats ($10 and $7 in Washington) |
| Underwriters | American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company, Independence Pet Insurance Company or MS Transverse Insurance Company, depending on the policy | |
Pets Best Insurance Services administers the policies. The company has been part of Independence Pet Holdings (IPH) since March 2024, when IPH bought it from Synchrony. Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.
How Much Does Pets Best Pet Insurance Cost?
Pets Best doesn’t publish a single average premium, so the best guide is published sample quotes. Prices depend on species, breed, age, ZIP code and the deductible, reimbursement and limit you pick.
| Sample (source, date) | Plan settings | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year-old medium mixed-breed dog (NerdWallet, 2026, Katy TX) | $250 deductible, 80%, $5,000 limit | About $32 |
| 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat (NerdWallet, 2026, Katy TX) | $250 deductible, 80%, $5,000 limit | About $20 |
| 1-year-old dog (CNBC Select) | $500 deductible, 90%, $5,000 limit | About $30 |
| 1-year-old cat (CNBC Select) | $500 deductible, 90%, $5,000 limit | About $20 |
| Accident-only (Pets Best) | Fixed plan | From $9 (dogs), $6 (cats) |
Industry-wide, NAPHIA data puts the average accident and illness premium at about $62 a month for dogs and $32 for cats (2024). Premiums rise as pets age, and purebred or large dogs usually cost more. Our pet insurance cost guide has the full breakdown.
What’s Covered and What’s Not
Accident & illness plans typically cover
- Accidents such as broken bones, swallowed objects, bite wounds and cuts
- Illnesses including cancer, infections, allergies and chronic conditions that start after coverage
- Hereditary and congenital conditions, subject to waiting periods
- Diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization and prescription medications
- Behavioral consultations, physical therapy and acupuncture on eligible plans
- Periodontal disease if the dental-cleaning condition is met, and dental fractures from accidents
Typically not covered
- Pre-existing conditions: anything present before the end of the waiting periods, even if not formally diagnosed
- Routine and preventive care (unless you add a wellness plan)
- Elective procedures, including routine spay and neuter
- Breeding and pregnancy-related conditions
- Routine teeth cleaning (prophylaxis)
Accident-only option
The accident-only plan covers injuries, not illnesses, with 90% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. It’s the lowest-cost way to protect against big injury bills. Because Pets Best has no upper age limit, it’s also an option for older pets. Our guide to accident-only pet insurance explains the trade-offs.
Wellness add-ons
Wellness plans are not insurance. They reimburse set amounts for routine care, with benefits starting the day after you enroll and no deductible.
| Item | EssentialWellness | BestWellness |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $14–$21.75 | $26–$32.58 |
| Annual maximum | $305 | $535 |
| Wellness exam | $50 | $50 |
| Vaccinations | $30–$45 | $40–$55 |
| Microchip | $20 | $40 |
| Spay/neuter or teeth cleaning | $0 | $150 |
| Flea/tick prevention | $50 | $65 |
Do the math before adding one: at $26 a month, BestWellness costs about $312 a year, so it pays off only if you use most of the $535 in allowances.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- Low-cost accident-only plan available
- Unlimited annual limit option
- Short 3-day accident waiting period
- Vet Direct Pay can send reimbursement straight to your clinic
- Fast reimbursement: 5–7 days by direct deposit, per Pets Best’s 2024 claims data
Cons
- Exam fees are an optional extra on many policies
- 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries
- Periodontal coverage requires a recent cleaning under anesthesia
- Multi-pet discount is only 5%
- $2 processing fee on non-annual payments in most states
How Claims Work
- Get an itemized invoice showing the clinic, pet’s name, each service and proof of payment.
- Submit it through your online account or the mobile app. For dental claims, include records of a cleaning under anesthesia within the last 13 months.
- Pets Best reviews the claim, applies your deductible, then your reimbursement percentage.
- Get paid: direct deposit (about 5–7 days), a CareCredit card (about 3–5 days) or paper check.
With Vet Direct Pay, you and your vet sign a release form so Pets Best can pay the clinic directly. You still owe the deductible, your share of the bill and anything not covered.
Example: on a $3,000 covered bill with an unmet $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement, the math is ($3,000 − $250) × 80% = $2,200 back to you, as long as nothing on the invoice is excluded. If exam fees aren’t part of your policy, the exam line on that invoice is left out of the calculation.
What to Check Before You Enroll
- Read the sample policy for your state. Pets Best publishes state-specific policy booklets, and waiting periods and details can differ.
- Decide on exam fee coverage. It raises the premium but can matter for frequent sick visits.
- Know the cruciate rule. Knee ligament injuries have a 6-month waiting period, which matters for active or large dogs.
- Plan for dental coverage. For pets 3 and older, periodontal disease claims require a cleaning or exam under anesthesia in the prior 13 months.
- Gather medical records. Anything present before the waiting periods end counts as pre-existing, even without a formal diagnosis.
- Compare annual vs monthly billing. Paying annually avoids the $2 processing fee in most states.
Who It May Suit, and Who Might Look Elsewhere
Pets Best may suit owners who:
- have an older pet, since there’s no upper enrollment age
- want a low-cost accident-only plan
- would like the vet paid directly on large bills
- want an unlimited annual limit option
Other insurers might be worth comparing if you:
- have a dog at higher risk of knee injuries and want a shorter orthopedic waiting period
- want exam fees included by default
- insure several pets and want a bigger multi-pet discount
Could pet insurance cover a bill like this?
Accident & illness plans typically reimburse 70–90% of eligible vet costs after the deductible, if the condition is not pre-existing and the waiting period has passed. Premiums for dogs average about $62/month and for cats about $32/month (NAPHIA, 2025).
Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.How It Compares
| Feature | Pets Best | Embrace | Lemonade | Trupanion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement | 70–90% | 70–90% | 60–90% | 90% |
| Deductible | Annual, $100–$1,000 | Annual, ~$100–$1,000 | Annual, $100–$750 | Per condition |
| Annual limit | $5,000 to unlimited | Up to unlimited | $5,000–$100,000 | Unlimited |
| Max enrollment age | No upper limit | 14 (accident-only at 15+) | 14 | Before 14th birthday |
| Wellness add-on | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Figures from each company’s site and NerdWallet reviews, checked September 2026. See our Embrace review for comparison.
Real Vet Bills It Could Help With
- Dog ACL surgery: $1,000 to $7,300 per knee, about $4,500 for a TPLO on a large dog. Note the 6-month cruciate waiting period
- Emergency vet visit: about $500 to $1,500 without surgery, $2,000 to $8,000+ with surgery
- Dog X-rays: about $150 to $400 at a general vet
- Dog stitches: a typical accident claim, covered by both accident-only and accident & illness plans
Not sure you need coverage at all? Read Is pet insurance worth it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who underwrites Pets Best insurance?
Pets Best policies are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company, Independence Pet Insurance Company or MS Transverse Insurance Company, depending on the policy and state. Pets Best Insurance Services administers them and has been part of Independence Pet Holdings since 2024.
Does Pets Best have an age limit?
No. Pets can enroll from 7 weeks old and there is no upper age limit for enrollment. Premiums still rise as pets get older.
What are Pets Best's waiting periods?
Typically 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for cruciate ligament injuries, though details can vary by state. Pets Best has a waived-waiting-period process for some enrollment channels that requires a vet health assessment.
How much is Pets Best accident-only insurance?
Pets Best advertises accident-only coverage from $9 a month for dogs and $6 for cats ($10 and $7 in Washington). The plan reimburses 90% after a $250 deductible and covers injuries, not illnesses.
Does Pets Best cover exam fees?
Exam fees for covered accidents and illnesses are an optional benefit on many Pets Best policies; removing them lowers the premium. Check your quote to see whether they’re included.
How fast does Pets Best pay claims?
Pets Best reports that reimbursements arrive in about 5–7 days by direct deposit and 3–5 days to a CareCredit card, based on its 2024 claims data. Vet Direct Pay can send the payment straight to your clinic.
Not veterinary advice. Prices are estimates for budgeting, not quotes. Ask your veterinarian for a written, itemized estimate. If your pet is injured, in pain or acting unwell, contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.
