Lemonade Pet Insurance Reviews (2024 Guide) (2024)

Lemonade Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage

With Lemonade’s unbelievably cost-effective premiums starting as low as $10 per month, enrolling in proper healthcare protection for your dog or cat doesn’t have to be a steep investment.

Your custom quote for a Lemonade policy will vary in cost depending on a few factors specific to you and your pet, including whether you’re looking to insure a cat or dog, the age and breed of your pet, and location.

Enrollment for dogs through Lemonade tends to be a bit more expensive than for cats. On average, Lemonade’s monthly premium for basic dog insurance sits at around $37, whereas cats cash in at approximately $14.

Plans and Costs

Standard Plan – Accident and Illness

Lemonade operates under one principal pet healthcare plan, which adheres to an accident and illness policy, limiting basic coverage to veterinary services (diagnostic testing, procedures, and medication) following only eligible unexpected injuries or illnesses.

In the event of any unforeseen emergency injuries or illnesses involving your pet, Lemonade policies cover:

• X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs
• Blood testing and urinalysis
• Lab work
• Outpatient or specialty care
• Emergency care, hospitalization, and surgery
• Injections
• Prescription medications

Optional Add-Ons

Even though preventive and routine care are not included in the standard Lemonade plan, such coverage variations are available to Lemonade policyholders as optional wellness plan add-ons.

Lemonade’s preventative care riders are divided in three package deals:

Basic Preventative package:

$10+ per month for cats, $15+ per month for dogs:

• One annual wellness exam
• One fecal or internal parasite test
• One heartworm test
• One blood test
• Up to three routine vaccines
• Medical advice chat line

Preventative + package:

$12+ per month for cats, $17+ per month for dogs:

• One annual wellness exam
• One fecal or internal parasite test
• One heartworm test
• One blood test
• Up to three routine vaccines
• Medical advice chat line
• Flea/tick or heartworm medication
• Routine dental cleaning (dental X-rays, anesthesia, polishing, etc.)

Puppy/Kitten Preventative package:

$34+ per month for kittens, $40+ per month for puppies:

• Two annual wellness exams
• Two fecal or internal parasite tests
• One heartworm test
• One blood test
• Up to six routine vaccines
• Medical advice chat line
• Flea/tick or heartworm medication
• Routine dental cleaning (dental X-rays, anesthesia, polishing, etc.)
• Microchip
• Spay/neuter

For a minimum of 60 cents more, Lemonade also provides preventative care riders for a range of physical therapy treatments, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, and more.

Monthly Premium Breakdown

As aforementioned, breed and age also come into play in the case-by-case calculation of each individual Lemonade policy per pet owner. Your pet’s breed only holds weight in your cumulative coverage cost by virtue of breed-specific life expectancies and genetically predisposed health risks.

For example, bulldogs and pugs are naturally more prone to respiratory complications than other breeds due to the shortness of their skull bones. Breeds that are more likely to need specialty care down the road related to inherited conditions* will be given a quote that accounts for those heightened odds of healthcare.

*Lemonade does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. If the breed of your pet puts it at a higher risk of developing certain health complications, breed-specific conditions are not considered pre-existing as long as symptoms aren’t present prior to your policy enrollment or during the set waiting period. For this reason, we always recommend that pet owners invest in pet insurance as early as possible.“

Like people, dogs and cats are usually in need of more frequent medical care as they get older, so the age of your pet upon initial enrollment may also affect your premium. Lemonade does not offer coverage for dogs or cats older than 14 years of age.

Also, bear in mind that the cost of vet care does vary state-by-state, so your monthly premium will depend on where in the United States you live, and of course, if you’re included in one of the 36 states that Lemonade serves.

Lemonade’s Waiting Period

Not just in the pet industry, but all types of insurance require a fixed waiting period before an activated plan is usable to the policyholder, and a claims process can be initiated.

Lemonade’s waiting period begins on the first active day of a customer’s new policy and lasts for the following time frame based on differing claim types:

• Two days for accident-only
• 14 days for illnesses
• Six months for cruciate ligaments injuries (ACL/PCL)

Samples of Prices for Four Species/Breeds

For a more realistic picture of how Lemonade’s monthly premiums fluctuate between species and breed, we requested a sampling of quotes for four common pet profiles to see how they stack up.

Our direct quotes are based on the persona of a pet owner located in Wilmington, North Carolina, selecting Lemonade’s most mid-range plan customizations with an 80% reimbursem*nt rate, up to $20,000 in annual coverage, and a deductible of $250 per year.

Deductibles

Your annual deductible is the bit of money you pay out of pocket as a policyholder before Lemonade steps in to help cover the cost of eligible claims. When you initially purchase your policy and customized coverage specifications, Lemonade will give you the option to choose from three deductible amounts – $100, $250, and $500.

The higher your selected deductible is, the lower your monthly premium. In other words, if you’re willing and able to make a larger upfront payment when your pet visits the vet, you’ll be saving money on your monthly payments.

Conversely, if your deductible is on the lower end — so $100 a year with a Lemonade policy — your monthly premium will be a bit higher. Yet the upside of paying more every month with a lower deductible is that Lemonade will start helping with coverage in a shorter amount of time — likely within one vet visit.

Preventative Care Limits

Suppose you opt to include one of Lemonade’s three preventative add-on packages in your policy. In that case, the percent of coverage you’ll receive for any qualifying wellness care will be the same as the 70, 80, or 90% reimbursem*nt rate as selected in your basic policy.

For example, if you select an 80% reimbursem*nt rate on your policy in addition to Lemonade’s level-one preventative package for more comprehensive coverage, your annual limits on included routine-related expenses would appear as follows:

Coverage Exclusions

Like the exclusions of most other pet insurance companies, Lemonade underscores that pre-existing conditions are not eligible for coverage under its policy terms. Pre-existing conditions define any major or minor health problem pre-dating your policy activation or end of waiting period.

Lemonade also excludes medical expenses related to the following:

• Dental illness care
• Illness and/or injury resulting from neglect
• Cosmetic procedures – grooming, nail trims, anal gland expression, etc.
• Internal and external parasite prevention
• Prescription food
• Behavioral training
• Breeding and pregnancy-related care
• Cremation and burial
• Exam fees (unless add-on is purchased)
• Wellness care (unless add-on is purchased)
• Spaying/neutering (unless add-on is purchased)
• Microchipping (unless add-on is purchased)

Plan Customizations

Aside from its three tiers of preventative care add-ons, Lemonade also gives pet owners the choice to customize their coverage options based on:

Annual limits – $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000.

Deductibles – $100, $250, $500.

Payout rates – 70%, 80%, or 90%.

Discounts

Lemonade will squeeze in a 10% discount when its pet insurance policyholders bundle their enrollment with either Lemonade home insurance or renters insurance. For pet parents with more than one animal, a 5% multi-pet discount is up for grabs, on top of another 5% off for member gratuity applied to your plan on an annual basis.

Lemonade State Availability

Lemonade is not yet a nationally available pet insurance provider as it currently only insures pet owners in 36 states as well as Washington, D.C.

Lemonade pet insurance is available in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Lemonade is not available in: Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Alaska, Delaware, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Louisiana, Minnesota, Vermont, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

How do I file a claim with Lemonade?

Filing a claim with Lemonade is simple through their app. After opening the app, click the pink “Claim” button in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You’ll be prompted to confirm your contact information and sign an agreement verifying all provided information is true.

Lemonade will ask you to choose a reason for your claim, whether it be an injury, illness, or just for wellness reimbursem*nt. To speed up the claim documentation process, the Lemonade app will allow you to record a brief video further explaining the circ*mstances behind your claim.

Lastly, you’ll need to upload a copy of your invoice from the vet as well as any supporting medical notes from the visit. Press “Submit,” and that’s it!

Lemonade Pet Insurance Reviews

Lemonade is high on our list when it comes to pet health plans that cover all the bases, and at a monthly (or annual) premium rate that won’t break the bank.

We’ve pulled a few recent verified reviews from real pet owners enrolled in Lemonade pet insurance, so you can hear just how Lemonade delivers in real life.

For the sake of maintaining an unbiased voice, we always highlight both positive and negative reviews so you can see both sides of the customer experience.

“My cat has been sick and is currently undergoing a workup. We’ve had several vet visits in the last few months with different consultants. Each time I submit a claim to Lemonade, the process has been easy and they have turned around the approval for my claim with reimbursem*nt within the week. I have been very happy with my experience with Lemonade and so appreciate their help in covering the expenses for my cat’s care.” –Riana W., Trustpilot

“The Lemonade mobile app is incredibly user friendly, and easy to navigate. I’ve had some claims approved instantly, and others within an hour. Nearly every interaction with Lemonade staff has been personalized, in some cases even getting a direct call to check in on how our dogs are doing. I’ve recommended Lemonade to family and friends, and am happy to do so here as well.” –Luke G., Trustpilot

“When we received the sudden bad news that our dog developed juvenile cataracts, Lemonade was there for us. Submitting claims was an easy experience and they really helped us through a difficult time. I’d recommend them to any pet owner!” –Karolyn L., Trustpilot

“Their customer service is always stellar. But their pet policies are lacking. They told me they’re working on expanding the coverage for puppies. But as of now; what they cover and what is required to keep your puppies healthy are not on the same page.” –Suz M., Trustpilot

Lemonade vs. Competitors

Want to know what Lemonade’s standing in the pet insurance industry looks like side-by-side with its competitors? The comparison chart below takes a look at integral factors of standard pet insurance policies and how they vary.

Brand	Logo	Best For	Star Rating	Monthly Cost	Link
Spot		Most Inclusive	4.8/5	$22-$80	Compare Quotes
Lemonade		Most Affordable	4.8/5	$16–$30	Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance		Most Experienced	5/5	$18–$44	Compare Quotes
Fetch Pet Insurance		Most Comprehensive Coverage	4.3/5	$22-$38	Compare Quotes
Embrace		Best for Discounts Offered	4.7/5	$23-$85	Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws		Best for Chronic Conditions	4.3/5	$24–$54	Compare Quotes
Figo		Most Flexible Reimbursem*nt Rates	5/5	$25-$54	Compare Quotes

Spot

Lemonade

ASPCA

Fetch Pet Insurance

Embrace

Healthy Paws

Figo

Spot
Logo
Best For	Most Inclusive
Star Rating	4.8/5
Monthly Cost	$22-$80

Compare Quotes

Lemonade
Logo
Best For	Most Affordable
Star Rating	4.8/5
Monthly Cost	$16–$30

Compare Quotes

ASPCA Pet Insurance
Logo
Best For	Most Experienced
Star Rating	5/5
Monthly Cost	$18–$44

Compare Quotes

Fetch Pet Insurance
Logo
Best For	Most Comprehensive Coverage
Star Rating	4.3/5
Monthly Cost	$22-$38

Compare Quotes

Embrace
Logo
Best For	Best for Discounts Offered
Star Rating	4.7/5
Monthly Cost	$23-$85

Compare Quotes

Healthy Paws
Logo
Best For	Best for Chronic Conditions
Star Rating	4.3/5
Monthly Cost	$24–$54

Compare Quotes

Figo
Logo
Best For	Most Flexible Reimbursem*nt Rates
Star Rating	5/5
Monthly Cost	$25-$54

Compare Quotes

Historical Information on Lemonade

Based in New York City, Lemonade Inc. is an insurance provider offering coverage across multiple sectors, including homeowners/renters, car, pet, and life insurance. Lemonade made its debut in the insurance industry in 2015 and quickly ascended to the top of its field, with notable strides in the renters’ insurance sphere.

As a fully digital insurer, Lemonade uses chatbot technology to optimize its customer service scope and AI-powered automation for faster claims processing, notably approving claims in a matter of minutes.

Lemonade upholds a pay-it-forward business model aiming to “transform insurance from a necessary evil into a social good.” Registered as a public benefit corporation, Lemonade donates a sizable chunk of its generated underwriting revenue to a nonprofit organization. Lemonade customers get to choose from a list of 46 different 501(c)(3) initiatives spanning COVID-19 relief, mobile food pantries, homelessness programs, ecological and marine conservation, suicide prevention crisis support lines, LGBTQ+ advocacy, veteran aid, youth empowerment and education, animal welfare protection, global and domestic hunger relief, refugee assistance, and more.

Our Final Thoughts on Lemonade Pet Insurance

Our Lemonade pet insurance review closes out with a glimmering 4.8 out of 5 rating from our team of pet experts at Quartz as Lemonade continues to pull its weight as a visionary pet insurance provider. Areas in which we feel Lemonade especially excels include its fleeting two-day waiting period for accident-related coverage and the amount of leeway the company gives pet owners to control their premium price via basic plan customizations and wellness packages.

Regarding areas for improvement, we were a bit disappointed to see that, for how fitting Lemonade’s policy is for puppies and kittens, in particular, microchipping and spay/neuter costs are excluded from coverage unless the Puppy/Kitten preventative package is purchased. Most of Lemonade’s competitors include reimbursem*nt for both procedures in their basic coverage, so it would only be advantageous for Lemonade to do the same.

We also hope to see Lemonade lock in coverage in all 50 states in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Review Pet Insurance Companies: Lemonade

​​Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:

• Coverage
• Plan options
• Cost
• Reputation
• Customer service
• Species available
• Wellness benefits

We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursem*nts, deductibles, and limitations.

Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:

• Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
• Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points. Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
• Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
• Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursem*nt rates.
• Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
• Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
• Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.

Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.