Just over half (51%) of American households include a dog and more than a third (37%) have a cat, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Pet insurance can help you be better prepared for veterinary expenses and, some brands offer discounts for enrolling multiple pets.
CNBC Select has picked the best insurers for families with multiple pets based on cost, coverage, availability, discounts and more. (See our methodology for more information on how we made our list.)
Best for pre-existing conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
Who's this for? Pet insurers typically exclude pre-existing conditions, but AKC Pet Insurance will cover curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after a year of continuous coverage.
Multiple pet discount: 5%
Standout benefit: AKC doesn't have an upper age limit for enrollment, so it's also senior-friendly.
- Pre-existing conditions covered after a year
- Offers coverage for breeding
- Unlimited coverage available
- $3 monthly service fee if paying monthly
- Pets over 9 are restricted to accident-only policies
- Hereditary and congenital conditions cost extra
- No coverage for dental illnesses
Best for wellness coverage: Spot
Who's this for? Spot's comprehensive wellness plans include teeth cleanings, preventative testing, microchipping and spaying/neutering costs.
Multiple pet discount:10%
Standout benefits: Enrollment doesn't require a veterinary exam and wellness coverage begins 24 hours after purchase.
- $250 annual reimbursement for preventive treatments
- Exam fees are included
- 24/7 pet Telehealth line access included
- 10% discounts for additional pets
- 14-day waiting period for accidents
- 30-day money-back guarantee not available in New York or Maine
Best for dental coverage: Embrace
Who's this for? Many pet insurance brands exclude dental procedures but Embrace covers $1,000 each year for extractions, chipped teeth, gingivitis treatments and other oral care.
Multiple pet discount: 10% off each additional pet
Standout benefits: Embrace policies also cover exam fees, which are usually between $50 and $200 per visit and not covered by all insurance plans.
- 10% multi-pet discount
- 5% military discount for active duty service members and veterans
- Covers dental illnesses for up to $1,000 per year
- Available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
- Coverage limited to pets 14 and younger
- Exam fee coverage not included in base plan
- $25 policy activation fee
Best for exotic pets: Nationwide
Who's this for? Own a collie and a chinchilla? A cockatoo and a calico? Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that insures exotic pets — including birds, reptiles, rabbits and other small mammals.
Multiple pet discount: 5% off two or three pets, 10% off four or more pets
Standout benefit: Nationwide offers preferred pricing and automatic claims processing for pet prescriptions at Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies.
- Covers birds, reptiles and other exotic pets
- Preferred pricing for prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club
- Curable conditions covered if symptom-free for six months
- Enrollment limited to pets 10 and under
- No coverage for hereditary conditions
- No direct payment option
Best for paying vet directly: Pets Best
Who's this for? Pets Best's Vet Direct Pay option reimburses the veterinarian directly so you don't have to max out your credit card paying for a surprise bill.
Multiple pet discount: 5% off BestBenefit accident and illness plans
Standout benefits: Access to a 24/7 pet emergency helpline staffed by vet techs and veterinarians is standard with all policies.
- Deductibles as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers direct-payment option
- Exam fees not included with basic plan
- Multi-pet discount is lower than other providers
- Only top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
Policies are issued by MS Transverse Insurance Company (MST). New business issued by MST effective September 2, 2025. In California, existing Pets Best policies will transfer to MST beginning November 1, 2025.
Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address. For terms and conditions visit: https://www.petsbest.com/policy. Products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company (NAIC #12190), or Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), or MS Transverse Insurance Company (NAIC #21075) and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, (NPN #8889658, CA agency #0F37530).
Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin
Who's this for? Pumpkin's pet insurance policies have an 80% to 90% reimbursement rate, which is higher than many competitors. Coverage limits range from $5,000 per year to unlimited.
Multiple pet discount: 10% off each additional pet
Standout benefits: Pumpkin plans don't have an upper age limit, so it's friendly to owners of senior pets, too.
- Plans include exam fees and microchipping
- No upper age limits or breed restrictions
- Unlimited coverage standard
What does pet insurance cover?
Depending on the policy you choose, pet insurance can cover a variety of conditions and injuries, as well as routine care. There are three main pet insurance options:
- Accident-only policy: Pays for injuries, like lacerations, broken bones or swallowed objects.
- Accident and illness policy: Adds coverage for cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections and other conditions (provided they're not pre-existing).
- Wellness plan: Covers expenses for routine pet care, including vaccines, testing and teeth cleaning
Pet insurance policies rarely cover pre-existing conditions — illnesses or injuries diagnosed before your cat or dog is enrolled. Some insurers will cover specific conditions deemed "cured," however, after a set period without treatment or symptoms.
How much does pet insurance cost?
In 2024, accident-only pet insurance for dogs averaged $16.10 a month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, down from about $17 a month in 2023.
For cats, accident-only policies averaged $9.17 a month, compared to a little less than $10 a month in 2023.
Accident and illness policies for dogs rose to $62.44 a month in 2024, up from a little more than $56 a month in 2023. Policies for cats were $32.21 a month in 2024, about the same as in 2023.
Your premiums will vary based on your pet's age and breed, where you live, the policy you select and other factors. All the insurance companies on this list provide a discount of up to 10% for insuring more than one animal.
Is pet insurance worth it?
If you'd struggle to pay a large vet bill, pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment in your furry family member. Since many carriers offer discounts for enrolling multiple pets, insuring your pack can be cost-effective.
Ultimately, however, whether pet insurance is worth it depends on your finances and personal situation: If you have a young, relatively healthy pet, it may not make sense to spend hundreds of dollars a year on protection you won't use.
And if your pet is older, with pre-existing conditions that pet insurance won't cover, a policy might not be the right decision, either.
FAQs
What is the best pet insurance for multiple pets?
The best pet insurance for multiple pets depends on the type of animal, age, breed, where you live, the coverage you want and other factors. CNBC Select has named ASPCA, Spot, Embrace, Nationwide and Pets Best as the best options if you have several pets.
How much does pet insurance cost?
Accident-only pet insurance for dogs averaged $16.10 a month in 2024, according to NAPHIA, down from about $17 a month the year before. Accident-only policies for felines averaged $9.17 a month, compared to close to $10 a month in 2023.
Accident and illness policies for dogs rose to $62.44 a month, up from a little more than $56 a month in 2023. Policies for cats were $32.21 a month, about the same as in 2023.
Can I get a multiple pet discount if I already have one animal covered?
Yes, most pet insurance companies will let you add additional pets to an existing policy and add your discount automatically. Check with your insurer to confirm.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every pet insurance story is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
To determine the best pet insurance companies for multiple pets, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of pet insurance companies.
We restricted our picks to ones that offer a multi-pet discount, then looked at numerous data points, including the available policies, deductibles, reimbursement levels, coverage limits, waiting periods and customer reviews from the Better Business Bureau.
From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best for pre-existing conditions, best for wellness coverage, best for affordability, best for exotic pets and best for paying the vet directly.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Premiums and policy structures listed for pet insurance companies are subject to change in accordance with company policies.
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