Lemonade pet insurance review 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 5:00 a.m. UTC May 6, 2024
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Pros
- Fast claims processing and direct deposit.
- Cheap pet insurance for dogs.
- Accident coverage waiting period is only two days.
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for cruciate tears.
- No 24/7 telehealth.
- No coverage for alternative or behavioral therapy, stem cell treatment, microchipping or prescription food.
- Vet exam fees can be covered, but only at an additional cost.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
About Lemonade pet insurance
Lemonade gets 4.5 stars in our rating of the best pet insurance companies. The company currently only offers insurance for cats and dogs and is available in 37 states and Washington, D.C.
Designed for the tech-savvy pet owner, Lemonade allows you to sign up for insurance, file claims and update coverage from the website or app.
Lemonade pet insurance rates
We understand budget is a deciding factor for many pet owners. We’ve gathered Lemonade pet insurance quotes to give you an idea of what you might pay for coverage with Lemonade. These rates are for nine different breeds in three age groups averaged across three ZIP codes.
| DOG BREED | WITH $5,000 ANNUAL COVERAGE | WITH UNLIMITED COVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
Small mixed breed
| $20
| $26
|
Medium mixed breed
| $24
| $32
|
Large mixed breed
| $31
| $40
|
Beagle
| $34
| $45
|
Bulldog
| $45
| $59
|
Dachshund
| $26
| $34
|
French bulldog
| $55
| $72
|
German shepherd
| $38
| $49
|
Golden retriever
| $36
| $47
|
Labrador retriever
| $38
| $49
|
Poodle
| $31
| $39
|
Rottweiler
| $61
| $79
|
Source: Petinsurer.com. Rates are based on the average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs at ages 3 months and 3 years, with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
What Lemonade pet insurance covers
Lemonade has a basic routine care plan with the option to add one of three wellness plans: Preventative Care, Preventative+ Care or Preventative Care Package for Puppies and Kittens.
Routine care plan
Lemonade’s standard pet insurance policy covers routine care outside of pre-existing conditions, including:
- Allergy medicine.
- Arthritis medication.
- Bloodwork.
- Cancer.
- CT scans.
- Diabetes.
- Emergency care.
- Heart disease.
- Hospitalization.
- Injections.
- Knee, elbow and hip dysplasia.
- Lab work.
- MRIs.
- Outpatient care.
- Prescription medications.
- Road accidents.
- Specialty care.
- Surgery.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Urinalysis.
- Ultrasounds.
- X-rays.
Preventative care plan
Lemonade’s Preventative care plans start at $10 per month for cats and $16 per month for dogs. Additional coverage offered includes:
- Blood test.
- Fecal or internal parasite test.
- Heartworm test.
- Medical advice chat.
- Vaccines.
- Wellness exam.
Preventative+ care plan
The Preventative+ care plan at Lemonade expands offerings within the Preventative plan and starts at $15 per month for cats and $25 per month for dogs. Additional coverage offered includes:
- Blood test.
- Fecal or internal parasite test.
- Flea/tick or heartworm medication.
- Heartworm test.
- Medical advice chat.
- Routine dental cleaning.
- Vaccines.
- Wellness exam.
Preventative care package for puppies or kittens
Designed exclusively for your young pets, this enhanced coverage includes specialized services for growing animals. It starts at $34 per month for kittens and $44 per month for puppies.
- Blood test.
- Fecal or internal parasite test.
- Flea/tick or heartworm medication.
- Heartworm test.
- Medical advice chat.
- Microchip.
- Spay/neuter.
- Vaccines.
- Wellness exam.
Lemonade pet insurance optional add-ons
Pet owners can add optional coverages to their main policy if they want additional financial assistance with specific areas of their pet’s care. Add-ons available through Lemonade include:
- Vet visit fees. This add-on pays for the actual vet examination fees for eligible illnesses and accidents. While your standard policy may cover the costs associated with treating a covered issue, it doesn’t cover the actual vet exam. This add-on does not cover preventative care or annual wellness exams; it also doesn’t cover exams for pre-existing conditions.
- Dental illness. Adding this optional coverage can reimburse costs associated with diagnosing, treating and medicating eligible dental illnesses. It does not cover dental issues due to a pre-existing condition, nor does it cover routine teeth cleaning.
- Physical therapy. This add-on doesn’t cover physical therapy for pre-existing conditions or alternative medical therapies, but it will cover physical therapy if your pet unexpectedly harms themselves. An example includes if your dog jumps for a toy and pulls their hamstring.
- Behavioral conditions. If your pet exhibits separation anxiety, aggressive or destructive behavior, excessive barking or phobias, this add-on coverage may cover prescriptions, training services or therapy to help address the issues. It doesn’t cover obedience or general training, nor treatments outside vet recommendations — including alternative therapies.
- End-of-life and remembrance. This add-on provides coverage for euthanasia when vet-recommended as well as cremation and commemorative items. These can include an urn, paw prints, photos or even a memorial tattoo. However, it does not cover funeral expenses, burial costs or preservation services and has a $500 limit.
What Lemonade pet insurance doesn’t cover
No policy covers every condition or occurrence, but exclusions do vary based on the insurance company you choose. Some exclusions to be aware of with Lemonade pet insurance include:
- Pre-existing conditions your pet developed before your waiting period ended.
- Bilateral conditions that affect both sides of your pet’s body if one side is already affected prior to your waiting period ending. This can include things like hip dysplasia or cataracts.
- Injuries or illnesses related to abuse, fighting or racing.
- Preventable illnesses or injuries.
- Treatments that took place more than 180 days prior (90 days in Texas).
- Alternative medicines or non-traditional therapies.
- Behavioral therapies.
- Prescription food.
- Microchipping (outside of the puppy and kitten additional coverage).
- Experimental treatments.
- Any injuries or illnesses that affect other pets in your home if you don’t have a multi-pet policy.
- Preventative care (except those covered with a preventative care plan or other optional coverages).
Lemonade pet waiting periods for coverage
Waiting periods refer to the amount of time it takes before your pet insurance coverage becomes active and expenses become eligible for reimbursement. Waiting periods begin when your policy starts and vary based on the type of claim. At Lemonade, you can expect these waiting periods:
- Accidents: Two days.
- Illnesses: Two weeks.
- Cruciate ligament tears (a common injury in dogs): Six months.
Where to get Lemonade pet insurance
Lemonade uses a digital-first model, allowing customers to sign up for pet insurance through its website or via the mobile app. In order to enroll, customers must upload their pet’s medical records.
Lemonade pet insurance is currently available in 37 states as well as Washington, D.C.
How to save money on Lemonade pet insurance
As with other types of insurance, your monthly or annual premium depends on many factors. In addition to the three types of discounts discussed earlier, you can also look at ways of adjusting your policy to lower costs.
- Raise your deductible. The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket with any insured claim. At Lemonade, customers can choose from deductibles of $100, $250, $500 or $750. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
- Lower your annual reimbursement limit. Annual limits represent the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for approved claims each year. If you set your limit to $10,000 annually but have $15,000 in approved claims, Lemonade will not pay the remaining $5,000. You can choose annual limits between $5,000 and $100,000 at Lemonade, with lower limits equating to lower premiums.
- Raise your co-insurance percentage. Your co-insurance is the percentage Lemonade will pay toward an approved claim. If your claim is $2,500 with a $250 deductible and 90% coinsurance, you would be responsible for paying $500 total. Lemonade provides 70%, 80% and 90% co-insurance, with lower percentages equating to lower premiums.
Lemonade pet insurance discounts
With Lemonade pet insurance, you can qualify for up to three discounts:
- Multipet. Insuring multiple pets provides a 5% discount.
- Annual payment. You can qualify for 5% off by providing one lump-sum annual payment rather than monthly payments.
- Bundling. Users who bundle their pet insurance with home insurance or renters insurance qualify for a 10% discount.
How to file a claim with Lemonade pet insurance
Lemonade uses an AI-powered claims process that makes it easy to submit all necessary documentation and file a claim for reimbursement.
Customers file claims in the Lemonade app by submitting a short video detailing what happened to their pet and uploading an invoice and receipt showing payment.
A representative will review your claim and wire reimbursement funds if approved.
Lemonade vs. competitors
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | OUR RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE | AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE | Learn More | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44 | $25 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $59 | $32 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $52 | $23 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $46 | $27 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $76 | $47 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $47 | $43 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
 Paw Protect | $77 | $47 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
|
Source: PetInsurer.com. Average monthly pet insurance cost assumes unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement percentage for a dog insurance accident and illness plan. These top-rated pet insurance company rates are based on the average cost to insure dogs and cats of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes.
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, we analyzed 15 pet insurance companies using data provided by PetInsurer.com.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs with the highest level of coverage available, a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an annual reimbursement level of $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored full points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Multipet discount: 5 points. Pet insurance companies that offer a discount for insuring more than one pet received full points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, a pet insurance company scored in this category.
Lemonade pet insurance review FAQs
At this time, Lemonade pet insurance only offers coverage for cats and dogs.
To get Lemonade pet insurance, you must submit medical records from a comprehensive exam conducted within the last 12 months. These are sometimes called “nose-to-tail” exams or SOAPs (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan).
Lemonade was founded in 2015. It now provides insurance services in the U.S., France, Germany, Netherlands and the U.K.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
