Pet insurance deductibles explained

What you pay before the policy pays, how often it resets, and the options each insurer publishes.

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On this page
  1. The short answer
  2. By insurer
  3. What this means for your dog
  4. Before you buy
  5. Questions owners ask

Updated October 2, 2026. Plan facts come from each insurer's published documents; each insurer's policy documents control.

The short answer

All seven insurers we could check use an annual deductible: you pay it once per policy year, then the policy reimburses its percentage of covered bills. Published options run from $100 (Lemonade, Pets Best) up to $2,500 (Fetch).

A higher deductible lowers the monthly premium; a lower one means the policy starts paying sooner each year.

What will it cost for your dog?

Pick your breed, age and ZIP code to see the estimated monthly price from the insurers we compare.

Model updated Sep 2026 · No phone calls · Independent

Deductible, by insurer

InsurerDeductibleNotes
EmbraceAnnual, $200 to $1,000[1]One annual deductible per pet, not per condition or per incident.
FetchAnnual deductible, $250 to $2,500[2]Annual (resets yearly); three recommended options shown online; no diminishing deductible mentioned.
Healthy PawsAnnual deductible; options not listed[3]Deductible applies once per coverage term and resets on enrollment anniversary; FAQ examples use $250; no diminishing deductible mentioned.
LemonadeAnnual: $100, $250, $500, $750[4]Deductible is an annual amount, met in one claim or across several claims in a year.
OdieAnnual: $250 or $500[5][6]Odie's online quote offers a $250 or $500 annual deductible. Odie bases its deductible on the policy year, not on each condition.
Pets BestAnnual, $100 to $1,000[7]Annual deductible; site range $100-$1,000 (policy form allows $50-$2,000 in $50 steps); no diminishing deductible mentioned.
SpotAnnual; chosen from range[8]Deductible is annual (per policy period); specific range not published; no diminishing deductible mentioned. No per-incident or lifetime caps.
TrupanionNot verified yetTrupanion's website blocks automated requests, so we could not check this against its policy yet. Ask Trupanion directly.

From each insurer's own sample policy, terms or FAQ, checked October 2, 2026. Terms vary by state and plan, and the policy you buy controls.

Check how this applies to your breed

What this means for your dog

An annual deductible resets every year, so a dog with a lifelong condition pays it again each policy year. That matters for chronic problems like allergies, hypothyroidism, epilepsy or diabetes. A per-condition deductible works the other way: you pay it once for each condition, for as long as the policy lasts.

For a young, healthy dog, a higher annual deductible keeps the premium down and still protects you against a large bill. For a breed with a chronic condition on its list, such as allergies in the French Bulldog, Bulldog or Cocker Spaniel, a lower deductible gets you paid back sooner each year. Run your own numbers in the calculator.

Remember the order: the deductible comes off first, then the reimbursement percentage applies to what is left. How a claim is paid, step by step.

A deductible you can pay from savings without stress is the right one. If a $1,000 surprise would be hard, a $1,000 deductible defeats the purpose of insuring, however much it saves on the premium.

Before you buy

  • Confirm whether the deductible is annual or per condition, and when it resets.
  • Ask whether you can change the deductible at renewal, and whether lowering it is allowed.
  • Get quotes at two or three deductibles to see how much each step changes the premium.
  • Check that the deductible is an amount you could pay tomorrow without strain.

Questions owners ask

Is a pet insurance deductible annual or per condition?

All seven insurers we could check against their own pages (Embrace, Fetch, Healthy Paws, Lemonade, Odie, Pets Best and Spot) use an annual deductible that you pay once per policy year.

What deductible amounts can I choose?

It varies: Lemonade offers $100, $250, $500 or $750; Embrace $200 to $1,000; Pets Best $100 to $1,000; Fetch shows options between $250 and $2,500; Odie's online quote offers $250 or $500.

Should I pick a high or low deductible?

A higher deductible lowers the premium and suits a healthy dog you are insuring mainly against large bills. A lower deductible costs more each month but pays back sooner, which helps with frequent claims.

Does the deductible apply before the reimbursement percentage?

Yes. The deductible is taken off the covered bill first, and the insurer then pays its reimbursement percentage of the rest, up to the annual limit.

Sources

  1. Embrace Dog Insurance. Embrace Pet Insurance.
  2. What is a Pet Insurance Deductible? | Fetch FAQs. Fetch.
  3. Frequently Asked Questions | Healthy Paws. Healthy Paws.
  4. Pet Insurance Terms, Explained. Lemonade.
  5. Help Center - Odie Pet Insurance. Odie Pet Insurance.
  6. Compare - Odie Pet Insurance. Odie Pet Insurance.
  7. Dog Insurance | Pets Best. Pets Best Insurance Services.
  8. Commonly Asked Questions | Spot Pet Insurance. Spot Pet Insurance.

How we choose and check sources: Sources we use.

Deductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryPer-condition deductible. A deductible charged once per diagnosed condition, instead of once per policy year, until that condition's deductible has been met. More in the glossaryReimbursement. The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays back after your deductible. At 80%, a $1,000 covered bill returns $800. More in the glossary