Lemonade sells pet insurance for dogs and cats through its own carrier, Lemonade Insurance Company, and handles almost everything in its app, from quotes to claims. The idea is a lean base plan you build up with add-ons, which makes the price flexible but also means it pays to read exactly what you’ve selected.
Lemonade Pet Insurance at a Glance
| Feature | Lemonade |
|---|---|
| Insurer | Lemonade Insurance Company (a Lemonade, Inc. company) |
| Base plan | Accident & illness: diagnostics, procedures and medications |
| Reimbursement (co-insurance) | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Annual deductible | $100, $250, $500 or $750 |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000 |
| Waiting periods | Illness: 14 days; orthopedic conditions, including cruciate ligament: 30 days; accidents: none to 2 days depending on state |
| Enrollment age | 8 weeks and up; maximum age varies by breed and state |
| Exam fees | Not in the base plan; covered with the Vet Visit Fees add-on |
| Wellness | Preventative, Preventative+ and Puppy/Kitten packages |
| States | About 42–43 states plus D.C. as of September 2026 |
Figures come from Lemonade’s pet pages and FAQ (updated June–September 2026), cross-checked with CNBC Select, Catster and ConsumerAffairs. ConsumerAffairs lists Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming as states where it isn’t sold; Lemonade’s quote page is the final word for your address. Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.
How Much Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cost?
Lemonade publishes its own averages, which is more than many insurers do:
| Source (date) | What it reports |
|---|---|
| Lemonade pet insurance cost page (2026) | Dogs about $48/month, cats about $27/month on average; plans from $10/month |
| Dogster sample quotes (2026, 80%, $500 deductible, $50,000 limit) | 7-month-old German shepherd mix $34.28/month; 5-year-old Pomeranian $39.70/month |
| CNBC Select sample quotes (New York City, 1-year-old pets) | 55-lb dog $54.40/month; cat $40.68/month |
| Catster sample add-on prices (cat quote) | Vet visit fees ~$4.70, physical therapy ~$1.30, behavioral ~$3.50, dental illness ~$13 per month; preventative from ~$11/month |
Location matters a lot: Lemonade itself notes average prices ranging from about $20 to $49 a month depending on the state. For comparison, NAPHIA’s US averages for accident & illness coverage are about $62 a month for dogs and $32 for cats. Our pet insurance cost guide explains what drives a quote up or down.
Discounts and bundles
- Bundle: up to 10% when you also have another Lemonade policy (renters, home, car or life)
- Multi-pet: Lemonade lists a 5% multi-pet discount on its pet page (its FAQ says “up to 10%”)
- Pay annually: up to 5% off
What’s Covered and Not Covered
Base plan
The base plan covers diagnostics (blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI), procedures (surgery, emergency care, hospitalization) and medications for accidents and illnesses. That includes hereditary and chronic conditions and infections.
Add-ons
| Add-on | What it adds | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Visit Fees | Exam fees for eligible accident and illness visits | Base plan limit, deductible and co-insurance |
| Physical Therapy | Rehab for function problems after an accident or illness, including acupuncture and hydrotherapy | Base plan limit, deductible and co-insurance |
| Dental Illness | Extractions, surgery and gum disease treatment | $1,000/year |
| Dental Care (where available) | Dental illness plus routine cleanings; Lemonade says pre-existing dental conditions are covered | $1,000/year, no deductible |
| Behavioral Conditions | Diagnostics and therapy by a vet or licensed behaviorist (anxiety, phobias, aggression) | $1,000/year |
| End-of-Life and Remembrance | Euthanasia, cremation, urns, paw-print keepsakes | Up to $500 |
Preventative packages
These have no deductible and start the day after purchase. The Preventative package includes a wellness exam, parasite and heartworm tests, bloodwork and up to 3 vaccines. Preventative+ adds a routine dental cleaning and flea and tick medication. The Puppy/Kitten package covers up to 6 vaccines or boosters, spay or neuter, microchipping and flea medication.
Not covered
- Pre-existing conditions, though Lemonade may cover curable ones after 12 months without symptoms or treatment in most states (not chronic or knee/ligament conditions)
- Routine care and vaccines, unless you add a preventative package
- Exam fees, unless you add Vet Visit Fees
- Anything in a waiting period
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Clear, published average prices and a low starting price
- High annual limit options, up to $100,000
- Pick-and-choose add-ons, including behavioral, dental and end-of-life coverage
- Bundle discount if you already use Lemonade for other insurance
- Fast app-based claims; Lemonade says about half of eligible claims are paid instantly
Cons
- Exam fees and physical therapy cost extra
- Not available in every state
- Maximum enrollment age varies by breed, so older pets may not qualify
- Mostly app-based service, which not everyone likes
- Mixed customer reviews: ConsumerAffairs showed 2.5 out of 5 stars from 689 reviews in September 2026
How Claims Work
- You pay your vet at the visit (Lemonade reimburses you; it doesn’t pay the clinic directly).
- You file the claim in the Lemonade app with the invoice.
- Lemonade applies your co-insurance and deductible. Its published formula is: treatment cost × co-insurance % − deductible.
- Money goes to your bank account by direct deposit.
Lemonade says about half of eligible claims are paid instantly and most others within about 5 days. You have 180 days to file (90 in Texas).
Who It May Suit / Who Might Look Elsewhere
Lemonade may suit owners who:
- Already have a Lemonade renters, home, car or life policy
- Want to choose only the extras they’ll use
- Are comfortable managing everything in an app
- Have a young pet and want a high annual limit
Owners might compare other options if they:
- Want exam fees included in the base plan
- Are enrolling a senior pet near the breed age cap
- Live in a state where Lemonade isn’t offered
- Prefer phone-first customer service
Things to Check Before You Enroll
Lemonade’s modular setup rewards a careful read of your quote before you pay.
- Add-ons you actually want. Vet Visit Fees and Physical Therapy are optional. Leaving them off lowers the premium but also lowers what a typical claim returns.
- Deductible vs co-insurance. Some review sites’ sample quotes paired certain deductibles with certain co-insurance levels. Check the combination you end up with.
- Orthopedic timing. Knee and ligament problems have a 30-day wait and can’t qualify under the curable pre-existing rule.
- Your pet’s age. Maximum enrollment age depends on breed and state, so quote early if your pet is getting older.
- Preventative math. Add up what you’d spend on the exam, vaccines and tests in a normal year and compare it with the package’s yearly price.
- Cancelling and switching. You can cancel in the app anytime, but a new policy restarts waiting periods, and anything that appeared in the meantime becomes pre-existing.
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 | Exam fees | Upper age limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | 70–90% | $5,000–$100,000 | Add-on | Varies by breed |
| Spot | 70–90% | $2,500–unlimited | Included | None |
| Progressive (Companion Protect) | 70–90% | $5,000–$20,000 | Check policy | Dogs under 11, cats under 13 |
| Progressive (Pets Best) | 70–90% | $5,000 or unlimited | Add-on | None |
See our Spot review and Progressive review for the full details, or is pet insurance worth it? if you’re still deciding whether to insure at all.
Real Vet Bills It Could Help With
Typical US costs from our price guides, with an illustrative Lemonade payout at 80% co-insurance and a $250 deductible, using Lemonade’s published formula. It assumes the condition is covered, not pre-existing and past the waiting period.
| Treatment | Typical cost | Example payout |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vet visit (no surgery) | About $950 | About $510 |
| Dog ACL surgery (TPLO) | About $4,500 per knee | About $3,350 |
| Dog tooth extractions (needs Dental Illness add-on) | About $1,100 | Extraction costs only (not the routine cleaning), capped at $1,000/year |
| Dog stitches | About $500 | About $150 |
These are simple illustrations. Exam fees without the add-on, excluded items and annual limits can lower the real amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lemonade pet insurance cost?
Lemonade says its customers pay about $48 a month for dogs and $27 for cats on average, with plans starting around $10 a month. Breed, age, state and your deductible, co-insurance and limit all change the price, and add-ons cost extra.
Does Lemonade pet insurance cover vet exam fees?
Not in the base plan. Exam fees for eligible accident and illness visits are covered if you add the Vet Visit Fees add-on. Routine wellness exams are covered only through a preventative package.
What is the waiting period for Lemonade pet insurance?
Lemonade lists 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, including cruciate ligament injuries. Accident waiting periods are short or none depending on the state, and preventative benefits start the day after purchase.
Is Lemonade pet insurance available in my state?
Lemonade sells pet insurance in about 42–43 states plus Washington, D.C., as of September 2026. It isn’t offered in several states, including Alaska, Idaho and Wyoming, according to ConsumerAffairs. Its quote page confirms availability for your address.
Does Lemonade offer a bundle discount on pet insurance?
Yes. Lemonade lists up to 10% off when you bundle pet insurance with another Lemonade policy, plus a multi-pet discount and up to 5% off for paying annually.
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.
