The best pet insurance companies, according to actual pet owners

As all pet owners â€" excuse us, paw-rents â€" can attest, there's nothing like coming home to a wagging tail or a purring, biscuit-making ball of fluff. That being said, there's nothing as jarring as expecting to come home to said tail/ball of fluff, only to be greeted by a few wimpers accompanied by a limp, a puddle of vomit, or â€" even worse â€" unsettling silence. 

When a pet isn't acting like themselves, the last thing you want to be worrying about in the moment is how you're going to pay for their emergency care. That's why pet insurance plans exist: They cover your pet's medical care in the case of an unexpected health problem so you don't have to choose between your pet's wellbeing and your savings account. Read more...

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BEST CHOICE OVERALL

Healthy Paws

A few minor restrictions aside, dog and cat owners would be hard-pressed to find a better bang for their buck.

• Price: Cats start at $15/month and dogs start at $30/month
• Enrollment : Enrolls pets 8 weeks and older; eligibility ends at 14 years
• Underwritten: Chubb

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BEST FOR PUREBRED PETS

Trupanion

Revolutionary payment system for pet medical care that'll have you asking, 'Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?'

• Price: Rates start around $30 to $40 and vary by breed, species, age at enrollment, gender, and location
• Enrollment: Puppies and kittens at birth; eligibility ends at 14 years
• Underwritten: American Pet Insurance Company

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SPONSORED

Lemonade

Customizable and flexible, you can craft a policy for your pet that meets their specific needs.

• Price: Cats start at $10/month and dogs start at $12/month
• Enrollment: Enrolls pets 8 weeks and older; eligibility ends at 14 years
• Underwritten: Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC

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BEST FOR EXOTIC PETS

Nationwide Pet Insurance

Avian and exotic owners have few good options for pet insurance, so it might be worth ignoring some reviewers' warnings.

• Price: Coverage starts anywhere from $12 to $20 based on the pet's species and other factors
• Enrollment: Enrolls exotic pets and birds 3 months and older; no upper age limit for eligibility
• Underwritten: National Casualty Company

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BEST FOR PETS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

PetFirst

• Price: Cats start at $26/month and dogs start at $32/month
• Enrollment: Enrolls pets 8 weeks and older; no upper age limit for eligibility
• Underwriters: The New Hampshire Insurance Company (NHIC) and Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC)

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BEST FOR PLUGGED-IN PET OWNERS

Figo

• Price: Cats start around $28/month and dogs start around $50/month (plans average out to less than $1.50/day, according to Figo)
• Enrollment: Enrolls pets 6 weeks and older; no upper age limit for eligibility
• Underwritten: Markel Specialty Insurance Company

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BEST FOR YOUNG PETS

Embrace Pet Insurance

• Price: Coverage starts anywhere from $13 to $20/month depending on your plan
• Enrollment: Enrolls pets 8 weeks and older; eligibility ends at 14 years
• Underwritten : American Modern Insurance Group

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BEST FOR SENIOR PETS

Petplan

• Price: Cats start at $18/month and dogs start at $29/month
• Enrollment: Enrolls pets 6 weeks and older; no upper age limit
• Underwritten : XL Specialty Insurance Company

Source : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/lHTVzhC9ebM/