What’s the best pet insurance? The only honest answer is: It depends

Sponsored content by Pawlicy Advisor 

When a pet parent asks, “What’s the best pet insurance?”, they’re usually hoping for a simple answer—like a brand name and a link.

But as veterinary professionals, we know that’s not how medicine works. And it’s not how insurance works, either.

The reality is: There is no single “best” pet insurance—just the best fit for that pet, that family, and that budget. You cannot trust AI overviews or media sites to tell you what pet insurance is best for you. This is why tools like Pawlicy Advisor exist: to help match each pet with the right plan.

Understanding that—and helping clients understand that—can make the difference between frustration and confidence when navigating coverage.

Why the “best plan” varies for every pet

Each carrier structures its plans differently, with variations in:

• Coverage (e.g., accident & illness vs. routine care add-ons)
• Exclusions (e.g., dental, exam fees, alternative therapies)
• Waiting periods (e.g. some plans differ in waiting periods for specific issues)
  
• Deductibles and reimbursement models
  
• Price fluctuations by breed, age, and zip code

A plan that’s affordable and comprehensive for a 6-month-old mixed-breed dog in Kansas might be wildly overpriced—or under-protective—for a 9-year-old Frenchie in San Francisco.

Helping clients make the right choice (without choosing for them)

Veterinary teams don’t need to recommend a specific insurer. It’s a liability. But we can be incredibly helpful in guiding the conversation—especially early in the pet’s life.

Here’s a simple 3-step approach:

1. Explain the “it depends” principle

Let pet parents know that coverage isn’t one-size-fits-all. Their pet’s breed, age, health history, and their own financial preferences will affect which plan is best.

2. Prep clients to think about non-negotiables

Ask them to think about:

• Are they most worried about emergencies or chronic care?
• Do they want routine care included?
• What’s their monthly budget?

These questions help clients narrow their options before they even start comparing.

3. Refer to a trusted comparison tool: Pawlicy Advisor

Rather than sending clients down a rabbit hole of insurer websites, direct them to an unbiased platform that compares real quotes in one place.

Expert insight: “At Pawlicy Advisor, we’ve seen that pet parents who compare personalized options are more confident in their coverage—and more likely to keep it long-term,” said Justin Saeian, Head of Product, in reference to the retention rate to-date of policies sold through Pawlicy Advisor compared to industry data.

Pawlicy Advisor is the recommendation engine for pet insurance built to take the guesswork out of finding the best plan. It analyzes real-time quotes from top companies and recommends the best fit based on each pet’s unique profile.

Veterinary teams across the country use it to empower their clients while staying neutral.

The risk of picking “favorites”

Clinics that name a single provider as “the best” run the risk of:

• Recommending an ill-fitting plan for certain pets
• Losing trust if a client has a bad experience
• Regulatory liability (only licensed insurance producers can legally recommend specific providers)

Instead, we recommend:

“There isn’t one best company—but there is a best fit. Tools like Pawlicy Advisor help you compare top options, side by side, based on your pet’s needs.”

A better conversation starts here

Imagine a world where:

• Clients expect to talk about insurance at their first visit
• Teams are prepared with just a few key talking points
• More clients are covered, and cost-based euthanasia or denial of care go down

That’s not a fantasy—it’s already happening in hospitals across the country.

In a recent 2025 study, Pawlicy Advisor and the American Animal Hospital Association surveyed 536 veterinary professionals. Among the takeaways:

• Statistically, practices that have a higher percentage of insured pets are less likely to need to adjust treatment plans because of cost, and are less likely to make euthanasia decisions due to pet owners not being able to afford the cost of treatment
• 9/10 say pet insurance helps clients say “yes” to more care
• 9/10 say they’ve observed that pet insurance has a positive impact
• 8/10 say they are not comfortable recommending only one specific pet insurance provider to their clients given the legal risks

Let’s shift the question from “What’s the best pet insurance?” to:“How can we help this client find the right coverage for their pet?” The answer can be as easy as saying “The best pet insurance is different for everyone, we recommend clients try Pawlicy Advisor’s free service to see which options are best fit for your unique pet.”

Resources:

• How Do I Choose the Right Pet Insurance? – AAHA
• How Does Pet Insurance Work – AAHA
• Pet Insurance Cost Data by State & Breed – Pawlicy Advisor
• Best Pet Insurance Finder – Pawlicy Advisor

Want free resources proven to help clients get insured or CE materials for your team? Visit pawlicy.com/vet