Personal Finance

The Best Pet Insurance in New Jersey for 2024

26 November 2024

Pet insurance can come in handy if your furry pal gets an expensive diagnosis, reimbursing you for a portion of your vet bills. To help you find the best pet insurance in New Jersey, NerdWallet gathered rates and evaluated plans from more than a dozen insurers. These are the ones that came out on top.

Best pet insurance in New Jersey

How we found the best pet insurance in New Jersey

NerdWallet’s rating system rewards pet insurance companies with broad coverage, a variety of ways to customize your plan, a high financial strength rating and a good customer experience. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. Here’s the full methodology behind our pet insurance ratings.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure the content on our website is accurate and fair, so you can make financial decisions with confidence and choose the products that work best for you.

Best overall: MetLife

NerdWallet rating

Unlimited

50% – 90%

$0 – $2,500

No age restrictions for enrollment.

Deductible goes down each year you don’t make a claim in some states.
Accident coverage starts right away, with no waiting period.
Includes coverage for holistic and alternative care.

No option to have the company pay your vet directly.

MetLife sells customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.

Why it’s the best: MetLife had the highest raw score among all the pet insurance companies we evaluated, thanks to its comprehensive and customizable policies. MetLife’s standard accident and illness plan includes coverage for alternative therapies, prescription food, vet exam fees and treatment for dental illnesses — all expenses some pet insurers charge extra for.

For even more coverage, consider adding MetLife’s optional preventive care package, which can reimburse you for spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and other routine procedures.

MetLife policyholders have access to a 24/7 online vet chat service where you can get answers to questions about your pet’s health at any time.

Best budget pick: Lemonade

NerdWallet rating

$100,000

70%, 80%, 90%

$100 – $750

Pays some claims almost immediately.

Quick claims processing.
Multipolicy and pay-in-full discounts available.
Donates a portion of premiums to nonprofit organizations.

Not available in all states.
Physical therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care cost extra.

Lemonade boasts a seamless online experience and quick claims, but its default coverage is more limited than some other plans.

Why it’s the best: Lemonade offered consistently low rates for all the sample pets we quoted. Aside from its affordable rates, Lemonade stands out for how quickly it processes some claims. After you submit your vet bill in the Lemonade app, the company says about 40% of claims are paid instantly.

Lemonade’s accident and illness policy covers the basics, such as diagnostic testing, surgeries and prescription medicine. You can add the following coverage for an extra cost:

Physical therapy, acupuncture and hydrotherapy.

Best for comprehensive coverage: ASPCA

NerdWallet rating

Unlimited

70%, 80%, 90%

$100, $250, $500

Broader coverage than most other plans.

Covers horses in addition to cats and dogs.
Standard plans cover alternative therapies, behavioral issues and congenital conditions.
Shorter waiting period than most plans for cruciate injuries (14 days).

You must call, rather than get an online quote, if you’re interested in unlimited annual coverage.

ASPCA offers generous coverage and multiple plan options, including an accident-only policy.

Why it’s the best: If you want a pet insurance policy that covers more than most, consider ASPCA. Its accident and illness plan can reimburse you for prescription food and supplements, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, dental diseases and microchipping. It will also cover treatment for most curable pre-existing conditions that have been symptom- and treatment-free for at least 180 days.

ASPCA has preventive care coverage you can add for expenses like teeth cleaning, deworming and vaccinations. If you’d rather have coverage for your pet’s injuries only, you can choose the more affordable accident-only plan.

The best pet insurance in New Jersey by age

Want more options? Check out all the pet insurance companies in New Jersey that earned a 5-star rating from NerdWallet.

Best pet insurance in New Jersey for younger animals

Below are sample rates for 2-year-old mixed-breed dogs and cats in Jersey City with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.


	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage.

Best pet insurance in New Jersey for older animals

Because older pets usually cost more to insure, we also checked rates for 8-year-old dogs and cats in Jersey City. Here’s how our 5-star companies stack up for mixed-breed dogs and cats with the same coverage limits as above.


	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage.

Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey

Here are the cheapest insurers we found in New Jersey, based on quotes for pets living in Jersey City. Unless otherwise stated, our sample pets were mixed-breed dogs and cats with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.

Your own prices will depend on where you live, the coverage you choose, and your pet’s age and breed.

Jump to the cheapest rates for your pet

Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey for young dogs

Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old dogs living in Jersey City.


	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage.

Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey for older dogs

Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old dogs in Jersey City.


	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	3.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*Wagmo plans had $20,000 of annual coverage. Healthy Paws plans had a 50% reimbursement rate, a $1,000 deductible and unlimited annual coverage. Nationwide plans had defined annual benefits per condition rather than a single annual coverage limit. ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage.

Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey for young cats

These are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats living in Jersey City.


	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage. Healthy Paws plans had unlimited annual coverage.

Cheap pet insurance in New Jersey for older cats

These are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats living in Jersey City.


	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	4.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	3.5 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
	5.0 NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates financial strength, coverage options, customer experience, discounts and more.
*Healthy Paws plans had a 50% reimbursement rate, a $1,000 deductible and unlimited annual coverage. ASPCA plans had $4,000 of annual coverage. Wagmo plans had $20,000 of annual coverage.