Progressive doesn’t run just one pet insurance program. Since March 2026 it sells two side by side: a newer plan that Progressive underwrites itself, administered by Companion Protect, and its long-running program administered by Pets Best. Which one you’re offered, and the rules that apply, depend on your state and how you buy. That’s the single most important thing to understand before comparing quotes.
Progressive Pet Insurance at a Glance
| Feature | Progressive program (Companion Protect) | Program administered by Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Who carries the risk | Progressive Casualty Insurance Company or an affiliate (a separate referral program uses Old Republic Insurance Company) | American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company or MS Transverse Insurance Company |
| Plan types | Accident & illness; optional wellness endorsement | Accident & illness; accident-only; optional wellness plans |
| Reimbursement | 70%, 80% or 90% (90% only with the $5,000 limit) | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Annual deductible | $250, $500 or $1,000 | Roughly $50 to $1,000, depending on plan |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 | $5,000 or unlimited (accident & illness) |
| Waiting periods | Accidents: none; illness: 15 days; orthopedic illness: 30 days | Accidents: 3 days; illness: 14 days; cruciate ligament: 6 months |
| Enrollment age | 8 weeks and up; dogs under 11 and cats under 13 for accident & illness | 7 weeks and up; no upper age limit |
| Exam fees | Check the sample policy for your state | Optional add-on |
| Wellness | Wellness endorsement with fixed per-service allowances | EssentialWellness or BestWellness plans |
Details above come from Progressive’s pet insurance page, the Companion Protect program FAQ and Pets Best’s plan page, checked in September 2026. Waiting periods and options can differ by state. Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.
How Much Does Progressive Pet Insurance Cost?
Progressive doesn’t publish a price table, so the most useful numbers are the averages it and independent reviewers report:
| Source (date) | What it reports |
|---|---|
| Progressive launch announcement (March 2026) | New policies average about $47/month, a blended figure across pets, ages and plan settings |
| MoneyGeek review (2026) | About $53/month for dogs and $28/month for cats on average |
| NerdWallet sample quote (Pets Best-administered plan) | 2-year-old mixed-breed dog about $32/month; domestic shorthair cat about $20/month ($250 deductible, 80%, $5,000 limit) |
| Pets Best accident-only plan | From about $9/month for dogs and $6/month for cats ($10/$7 in Washington state) |
For context, NAPHIA puts the US average for accident & illness coverage at about $62 a month for dogs and $32 for cats. Your own quote will depend on breed, age, ZIP code and the deductible, reimbursement rate and limit you pick. Premiums generally rise as your pet gets older. See our pet insurance cost guide for how these factors add up.
What’s Covered and Not Covered
Usually covered on accident & illness plans
- Accidents: broken bones, bite wounds, swallowed objects, poisoning
- Illnesses such as infections, allergies, cancer and diabetes
- Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization and specialist visits
- Diagnostics such as bloodwork, X-rays and ultrasound
- Prescription medications for covered conditions
- Hereditary and breed-specific conditions (Pets Best lists hip dysplasia, luxating patella and epilepsy as examples)
Usually not covered
- Pre-existing conditions, including anything that shows signs during a waiting period
- Routine and preventive care, unless you add a wellness plan or endorsement
- Spaying or neutering, breeding, grooming and cosmetic procedures
- Experimental treatments
The optional wellness coverage reimburses routine care up to fixed amounts. As one example, the Companion Protect program FAQ lists allowances such as $80 for vaccinations, $70 for exams and $125 for a dental cleaning. Wellness only makes sense if you’d use most of those benefits anyway.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Backed by a large, well-known insurer, and existing Progressive customers may qualify for a bundling discount
- Pets Best-administered plans have no upper enrollment age and offer an unlimited annual limit
- No accident waiting period on the newer Progressive plan
- Low-cost accident-only option through Pets Best
- Discounts for multiple pets and, depending on program and state, other groups (Pets Best lists military and veterinary staff discounts)
Cons
- Two programs with different rules can be confusing to compare
- The newer plan caps enrollment for accident & illness at under 11 for dogs and under 13 for cats
- The newer plan’s highest annual limit is $20,000, and 90% reimbursement is tied to the $5,000 limit
- Pets Best applies a 6-month waiting period to cruciate ligament conditions
- The newer program wasn’t yet available in every state at launch (43 states plus D.C. in March 2026)
How Claims Work
Like most US pet insurance, both programs work by reimbursement:
- You pay your vet in full at the visit.
- You submit the itemized invoice and any medical records requested through the online portal or app.
- The claim is reviewed against your policy: covered costs, minus the deductible, times your reimbursement rate, up to your limit.
- Payment goes to you by direct deposit or check.
Reviewers report claims are typically processed within days, with a 180-day window to submit. Pets Best also offers an optional direct vet payment on eligible claims and includes a 24/7 vet helpline, which the Companion Protect program doesn’t offer, according to Yahoo Finance’s review.
Who It May Suit / Who Might Look Elsewhere
Progressive pet insurance may suit owners who:
- Already have Progressive auto or home insurance and want to see a bundling discount
- Want an unlimited annual limit or are insuring an older pet (Pets Best-administered plans)
- Want coverage that starts right away for accidents (newer Progressive plan)
Owners might compare other options if they:
- Have a large or giant breed prone to knee problems and want a shorter orthopedic waiting period
- Want 90% reimbursement combined with a high annual limit on the newer plan
- Live in a state where only one of the programs is offered and want more choice
Things to Check Before You Enroll
Because two programs sit under the Progressive name, a little homework up front avoids surprises later.
- Which program your quote is for. The policy documents name the insurer and administrator. Waiting periods, age limits and limits differ between the Companion Protect and Pets Best plans.
- Your pet’s age. If your dog is close to 11 or your cat close to 13, only the Pets Best-administered plan may accept them for accident & illness coverage.
- Orthopedic rules. Knee injuries such as a torn cruciate ligament are among the most common big claims for dogs. Compare the 30-day orthopedic wait on the newer plan with the 6-month cruciate wait on the Pets Best plan.
- Limit vs reimbursement. On the newer plan, choosing 90% ties you to a $5,000 limit. A higher limit at 80% may pay more on a large surgery.
- Exam fees. Ask whether sick-visit exam fees are covered or need an add-on, since they’re charged at almost every visit.
- Your pet’s records. Have your vet’s notes ready. Insurers review them for pre-existing conditions when you file your first claims.
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
| Insurer | Reimbursement | Annual limits | Illness wait | Upper age limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive (Companion Protect) | 70–90% | $5,000–$20,000 | 15 days | Dogs under 11, cats under 13 |
| Progressive (Pets Best) | 70–90% | $5,000 or unlimited | 14 days | None |
| Lemonade | 70–90% | $5,000–$100,000 | 14 days | Varies by breed |
| Spot | 70–90% | $2,500–unlimited | 14 days | None |
Read our Lemonade review and Spot review for the details behind this table, or whether pet insurance is worth it for your situation.
Real Vet Bills It Could Help With
These are typical US costs from our own price guides. A covered claim on an accident & illness plan would be reimbursed after the deductible, at your chosen percentage, if the condition isn’t pre-existing and the waiting period has passed.
| Treatment | Typical cost | Example payout (80%, $250 deductible) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vet visit (no surgery) | About $950 | About $560 |
| Dog ACL surgery (TPLO) | About $4,500 per knee | About $3,400 |
| Dog X-rays (2–3 views + exam) | About $250 | $0 if it’s the first claim of the year (deductible) |
| Dog stitches | About $500 | About $200 |
Payout examples are simple illustrations and assume the whole bill is covered. Exam fees, excluded items and your limits can reduce the actual amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who underwrites Progressive pet insurance?
It depends on the program. The newer plan launched in 2026 is underwritten by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company or an affiliate and administered by Companion Protect. The older program is administered by Pets Best and underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company or MS Transverse Insurance Company.
How much is Progressive pet insurance per month?
Progressive reported an average of about $47 a month for its new policies in March 2026. MoneyGeek’s 2026 review puts averages at about $53 for dogs and $28 for cats. Your price depends on your pet’s breed, age, location and plan settings.
Does Progressive pet insurance have a waiting period?
Yes, for illnesses. The Companion Protect program has no accident waiting period, 15 days for illness and 30 days for orthopedic illness. The Pets Best program uses 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions. Rules can vary by state.
Is there an age limit for Progressive pet insurance?
On the newer Progressive plan, accident and illness coverage is for dogs 8 weeks to under 11 years and cats 8 weeks to under 13 years. Pets Best-administered plans have no upper enrollment age, with a 7-week minimum.
Does Progressive pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Conditions that showed signs before coverage began or during a waiting period are generally excluded. Check the policy terms for your state before you enroll.
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.
