Lemonade vs Spot pet insurance: the published facts, side by side
Quick answer: on the numbers the two brands put on their own sites, Lemonade publishes the lower dog entry price ($10/month against Spot's $15/month) and says it pays 50% of eligible claims instantly through AI; Spot publishes the lower cat entry price ($9/month), a published full-claim turnaround of 48 hours or less, no upper age limit and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Neither publishes the same set of figures, so this page does not crown a winner - it shows what each one actually publishes, with the condition attached to every number.
Every figure on this page was read from the brand's own official site and carries its source link and check date.
How this comparison is built
There is no neutral score for Lemonade vs Spot. What this page does instead is put the figures each company publishes on its own website side by side, keep the conditions attached to every figure, and link to the page it came from. No figure here is estimated, scored or taken from a third-party comparison site, and where an official page does not publish something, the cell says not published on the official site.
All figures were read from lemonade.com and spotpet.com on 2026-09-25. Spot's waiting-period wording comes from the sample Accident & Illness policy PDF that spotpet.com/sample-policy links to (California form PET-P-20000-CA-IAIC-1024); state forms differ.
The two brands also publish different kinds of numbers: Lemonade publishes averages and state tables, Spot publishes claim turnaround and guarantee windows. A blank cell in the table below usually means the other brand simply publishes that category of figure and this one does not.
Lemonade vs Spot - official published figures only
| What we compare | Lemonade | Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Published starting price | Starts at $10/month for dogs and cats, for basic accident and illness coverage source: www.lemonade.com | Dogs from $15/month; cats from $9/month source: spotpet.com |
| Published average price | About $48/month for dogs and about $27/month for cats across ages, breeds and locations source: www.lemonade.com | not published on the official site - Spot's cat page instead quotes an industry range of $9 to $32 per month for cat parents |
| Conditions behind the advertised price | Example quote: 4-year-old Goldendoodle in Chicago, 80% co-insurance, maximum annual limit, $250 annual deductible: $61/month source: www.lemonade.com | Dog quote assumes 80% reimbursement, $500 annual deductible, $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old small mixed dog (11-25 lbs) in ZIP 32009; cat quote assumes 80% reimbursement, $750 deductible, $2,500 limit for a 2-year-old mixed cat in ZIP 33801 source: spotpet.com |
| Waiting period before illness cover | 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions; preventative package benefits can be used the day after purchase source: www.lemonade.com | 14 days for illness, including congenital, hereditary and orthopedic illness, in the sample Accident & Illness policy, beginning on the first effective date of coverage; a paid Waiting Period Health Assessment can modify it source: spotpet.com |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered; anything your pet showed signs of before the waiting periods are up counts as pre-existing, while accidents and new illnesses are covered as base coverage source: www.lemonade.com | Not covered; a curable condition that has been symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days stops counting as pre-existing and can become eligible (knee and ligament injuries excluded) source: spotpet.com |
| Claim payment speed published | 50% of eligible claims paid instantly through AI; payment is issued to the bank details you enter in the app once a claim is approved source: www.lemonade.com | Claims reimbursed in 48 hours or less, with most claims processed in under 2 business days (Spot admin data 2019-2024) source: spotpet.com |
| Sample claim published | not published on the official site - Lemonade's guide publishes quotes rather than paid claims | $12,345 vet bill reimbursed $11,110 (2023 policyholder claim on a plan at $75.01/month, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement, unlimited annual benefit) source: spotpet.com |
| Reimbursement percentage | Worked examples use 80% co-insurance and the guide also describes a 90% co-insurance policy source: www.lemonade.com | Up to 90% of covered vet bills; advertised quotes use 80% source: spotpet.com |
| Deductible choices published | $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000; a higher deductible lowers the monthly premium source: www.lemonade.com | Advertised quotes use a $500 annual deductible for dogs and $750 for cats; the deductible that applies to a policy is set on its declarations page source: spotpet.com |
| Annual limit published | Choose an annual limit anywhere between $5,000 and $100,000 source: www.lemonade.com | Both advertised quotes use a $2,500 annual limit; plan limits vary by plan and options source: spotpet.com |
| Where you can take your pet | Any vet in the United States, as long as they are licensed to provide vet care in their state source: www.lemonade.com | Any licensed vet in the United States or Canada source: spotpet.com |
| Age and enrolment | not published on the official site | Puppies and kittens 8 weeks and older can be covered; no upper age limit and no vet exam needed to enrol source: spotpet.com |
| Premium behaviour over time | not published on the official site | Premiums are based on the current age of your pet and may increase due to the age of your pet at renewal; species or breed and home address can change the initial premium source: spotpet.com |
| Discounts published | Multi-pet discount (eligibility depends on where you live), bundle discount with other Lemonade policies, and a discount for paying annually instead of monthly source: www.lemonade.com | 10% off every pet enrolled after the first; advertised 20% employee discount (up to a 10% group discount plus up to a 10% multi-pet discount on 2nd+ pets, varies by state); Spot Perks with $2,500+ in brand discounts source: spotpet.com |
| Wellness / preventative add-on price | Preventative for Adult Pets from +$10/month, Preventative+ for Adult Pets from +$15/month, Preventative for Puppies/Kittens from +$31/month source: www.lemonade.com | Platinum Preventative Care add-on for cats: $24.95/month with a $450 total annual benefit, including up to $150 toward spaying or neutering source: spotpet.com |
| Refund window | Cancel at any time in the app and get a refund if it is within the first 30 days; waiting periods reset after cancellation source: www.lemonade.com | 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed (15 days in ME, LA and WA; not available in NY) source: spotpet.com |
| Rating shown on its own site | 4.9 stars in the App Store and on Google Play (the brand's own displayed figure) source: www.lemonade.com | 4.7 / 5 based on 8,300+ reviews (the brand's own displayed figure) source: spotpet.com |
| Quote flow | Advertised as completable in as little as 90 seconds on the cost guide source: www.lemonade.com | 'Click For Price' button opens the quote flow at spotpet.com/quote source: spotpet.com |
Where each one wins on the published facts
Lemonade, if you want the lower published dog price and instant partial payment. Its cost guide lists policies starting at $10/month, averages of about $48/month for dogs and about $27/month for cats, five deductible options ($100 to $1,000), annual limits from $5,000 to $100,000, the statement that adjusting coverage levels might lower the premium by 10% or 15%, and the claim that 50% of eligible claims are paid instantly through AI. Source: lemonade.com cost guide and lemonade.com/pet-insurance, checked 2026-09-25.
Spot, if published claim speed, age terms and a refund window matter most. It publishes claims reimbursed in 48 hours or less with most processed in under 2 business days (its own admin data 2019-2024), a sample claim of $11,110 back on a $12,345 bill, no upper age limit and no vet exam to enrol, a 30-day money-back guarantee (15 days in ME, LA and WA; not available in NY), a 10% multi-pet discount on every pet after the first, and a preventative add-on whose benefits start the next day. Source: spotpet.com, spotpet.com/sample-policy and spotpet.com/dog-insurance, checked 2026-09-25.
How to choose without a fake ranking
Run the brands' own test against each other: take one configuration - a $500 deductible, an 80% reimbursement rate and a $2,500 annual limit - and request the same quote for the same pet at lemonade.com and spotpet.com. Then compare those two quotes with each other, not with the advertised figures above, because advertised figures carry conditions (Spot's dog price assumes a specific 2-year-old dog in ZIP 32009).
Three checks that change the outcome more than the brand name: (1) the waiting period before coverage starts - 14 days for illnesses at Lemonade and 14 days for illness in Spot's sample policy, with different orthopedic wording; (2) whether a condition your pet already has counts as pre-existing - neither brand covers them, but Spot publishes a 180-day symptom- and treatment-free rule for curable conditions that Lemonade does not; (3) whether you want wellness care bundled in - Lemonade prices preventative packages from +$10/month and Spot prices its Platinum cat add-on at $24.95/month with a $450 annual benefit.
Every figure with its official source
| Fact | Condition to get it | Official source page | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade policies for dogs and cats start at $10/month for basic accident and illness coverage. | Cost varies by coverage amount and type, breed, age and where you live. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot advertises dog insurance from $15/month and cat insurance from $9/month. | Dog figure assumes 80% reimbursement, $500 annual deductible and $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old small mixed dog (11-25 lbs) in ZIP 32009; cat figure assumes 80% reimbursement, $750 deductible and $2,500 limit for a 2-year-old mixed cat in ZIP 33801. Plan costs vary. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade publishes averages of about $48/month for dogs and about $27/month for cats across different ages, breeds and locations. | Stated on the cost guide; Spot publishes no average of its own. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade waiting periods are 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, and preventative package benefits can be used the day after purchase. | As described in the FAQ on Lemonade's pet insurance page. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot's sample Accident & Illness policy states a 14-day waiting period for illness, including congenital anomaly or disorder, hereditary disorder and orthopedic illness, beginning on the first effective date of coverage. | Read from the sample policy PDF linked on spotpet.com/sample-policy (California form PET-P-20000-CA-IAIC-1024); a paid Waiting Period Health Assessment can modify the waiting period and state forms differ. | https://spotpet.com/sample-policy | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade states it pays 50% of eligible claims instantly through AI. | Stated on the cost guide; the remainder follows review, and payment goes to the bank details entered in the app. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot states claims are reimbursed in 48 hours or less, with most claims processed in under 2 business days. | '48 hrs or less' is based on Spot admin data from 2019 to 2024; actual reimbursement depends on plan type, annual limit, co-insurance, deductible and policy terms. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot's published sample claim reimbursed $11,110 of a $12,345 vet bill. | 2023 policyholder claim on an accident and illness policy at $75.01/month with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited annual benefit. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade does not cover pre-existing conditions; anything the pet showed signs of before the waiting periods are up counts as pre-existing. | Accidents and new illnesses are covered as base coverage once waiting periods are up. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot does not cover pre-existing conditions, but a cured and curable condition symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days stops being classed as pre-existing. | The 180-day rule excludes knee and ligament injuries; stated in the site FAQ. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade deductible options are $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000, and annual limits can be set between $5,000 and $100,000. | Both listed on the cost guide as choices that change the premium. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot reimburses up to 90% of covered vet bills, and both advertised quotes use an 80% reimbursement rate with a $2,500 annual limit. | Reimbursement and limits are plan choices; actual reimbursement depends on plan options and policy terms. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade allows any vet in the United States licensed to provide vet care in their state; Spot allows any licensed vet in the United States or Canada. | No network restriction is described on either brand's own page. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot covers puppies and kittens 8 weeks and older, has no upper age limit and needs no vet exam to enrol. | Stated in the official page comparison section and FAQ. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot states that premiums are based on the current age of your pet and may increase due to the age of your pet at renewal. | Footnote on Spot's plan pages; initial premiums may also be affected by species or breed and by home address. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade publishes three discounts: a multi-pet discount whose eligibility depends on where you live, a bundle discount with other Lemonade policies, and a discount for paying annually instead of monthly. | Listed among premium-lowering options on the cost guide; eligibility and availability vary. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot publishes a 10% discount for every pet enrolled after the first, an advertised 20% employee discount, and Spot Perks with $2,500+ in discounts on pet brands. | The employee discount is made up of up to a 10% group discount plus up to a 10% multi-pet discount on 2nd+ pets; discounts vary by state, are subject to change and are not available in all states. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot's preventative care coverage has no deductible and no waiting period, so those benefits can be used the next day. | Stated on the dog insurance page; the add-on costs extra and reimburses eligible routine services. | https://spotpet.com/dog-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade prices preventative packages from +$10/month (Preventative for Adult Pets), +$15/month (Preventative+ for Adult Pets) and +$31/month (Preventative for Puppies/Kittens), while Spot prices its Platinum Preventative Care cat add-on at $24.95/month with a $450 total annual benefit. | Lemonade 'from' prices as published, availability depends on location; Spot add-on is optional at enrollment and reimburses up to $150 on spaying or neutering. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade refunds a cancellation within the first 30 days (waiting periods reset); Spot offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed. | Spot's window is 15 days in ME, LA and WA and not available in NY; Lemonade's refund applies to cancellations in the app within the first 30 days. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade displays 4.9 stars in the App Store and on Google Play; Spot displays 4.7 / 5 based on 8,300+ reviews. | Both are the brands' own displayed figures on their own sites, not independent audits. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
Lemonade vs Spot FAQ
Is Lemonade or Spot cheaper?
On published entry prices, Lemonade is lower for dogs ($10/month against Spot's $15/month) and Spot is lower for cats ($9/month against Lemonade's $10/month). The published averages tell a different story for dogs only: Lemonade says its policyholders pay about $48/month for dogs and about $27/month for cats, while Spot publishes no average of its own. Because Spot's advertised prices carry a $500 or $750 deductible and a $2,500 annual limit for specific pets in specific ZIP codes, the only fair comparison is two quotes for your own pet on the two official sites.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ · checked 2026-09-25
Which one pays claims faster?
Both publish a speed figure, measured differently. Lemonade says it pays 50% of eligible claims instantly through AI and pays approved claims into the bank details you enter in the app. Spot says claims are reimbursed in 48 hours or less, with most processed in under 2 business days, based on its own admin data from 2019 to 2024. Neither figure is an independent measurement, and payment still depends on the claim being covered by the policy.
Source: https://spotpet.com/ · checked 2026-09-25
What are the waiting periods?
Lemonade states 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, with preventative package benefits usable the day after purchase. Spot's sample Accident & Illness policy states a 14-day waiting period for illness including congenital, hereditary and orthopedic illness, starting on the first effective date of coverage, and says a paid Waiting Period Health Assessment can modify it; Spot's preventative care coverage has no waiting period, so those benefits start the next day.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance · checked 2026-09-25
Do they cover pre-existing conditions?
Neither does. Lemonade treats anything your pet showed signs of before the waiting periods are up as pre-existing, while covering accidents and new illnesses as base coverage. Spot excludes pre-existing conditions but reclassifies a cured and curable condition that has been symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days, except knee and ligament injuries.
Source: https://spotpet.com/ · checked 2026-09-25
Which one has better discounts?
Lemonade publishes a multi-pet discount whose eligibility depends on where you live, a bundle discount with other Lemonade policies, and a discount for paying annually instead of monthly. Spot publishes 10% off every pet enrolled after the first, an advertised 20% employee discount through employer benefits (up to a 10% group discount plus up to a 10% multi-pet discount on 2nd+ pets, varies by state) and Spot Perks with $2,500+ in brand discounts. Neither brand publishes a promo code page in its official sitemap, so a code you find on a third-party site is not something either brand publishes.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/pet-insurance-cost/ · checked 2026-09-25
Can I use my own vet with either brand?
Yes in both cases. Lemonade says you can go to any vet in the United States as long as they are licensed to provide vet care in their state, and Spot says you can visit any licensed vet in the United States or Canada. Both reimburse you rather than paying the vet directly, so you settle the bill and submit the claim.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet-insurance · checked 2026-09-25
Which is better for an older pet?
Spot is the one that publishes an age policy: it covers puppies and kittens from 8 weeks old, states there is no upper age limit and no vet exam to enrol, and also states that premiums are based on your pet's current age and may increase at renewal. Lemonade does not publish a minimum or maximum enrolment age on the pages read here, so its age terms are not published on the official site.
Source: https://spotpet.com/ · checked 2026-09-25
The two plans, page by page
Lemonade
Starts at $10/mo
Basic accident and illness coverage; actual price varies by coverage choices, breed, age and location (Lemonade cost guide, last updated Jun 3, 2026).
Lemonade pet insurance starts at $10/month for basic accident and illness coverage, reimburses on a customizable co-insurance/deductible basis, and pays claims through its app.
Spot
Dogs from $15/mo, cats from $9/mo
Advertised premiums: the dog figure is from an accident and illness plan with 80% reimbursement rate, $500 annual deductible and $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old small mixed dog (11-25 lbs) in ZIP 32009; the cat figure is from 80% reimbursement, $750 annual deductible and $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old mixed cat in ZIP 33801. Plan costs vary.
Spot pet insurance advertises dog plans from $15/month and cat plans from $9/month, reimburses up to 90% of covered vet bills, and pays most claims in under 2 business days.
Fetch
Avg $35/mo dogs, $22/mo cats
Based on U.S. annual premiums using the most common coverage configuration of a $10,000 annual limit, $300 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate for the period 07.01.2024 through 06.30.2025.
Fetch pet insurance averages $35/month for dogs and $22/month for cats on its own published figures, reimburses up to 90% of covered vet bills, and covers exam fees up to $250 per sick visit.
This page is not affiliated with Lemonade or Spot. It repeats only what each brand publishes on its own official pages, with the condition attached to each figure; policy terms always govern and your quote will differ. Facts last checked 2026-09-25.