Pros, Cons & Verdict – Dogster

Dogster_SAPR_Lemonade_Insurance Review

Our Final Verdict

We give Lemonade Pet Insurance a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Lemonade provides pet insurance for unforeseen moments in your pet’s life. Like many pet insurance companies, Lemonade offers affordable policies for puppies, kittens, adult dogs, cats, and every age in between.

However, Lemonade’s options are what set it apart—you can keep the cost lower by selecting Accident and Illness only or add Preventative packages for a more complete coverage option. You can also choose your annual deductible, co-insurance, and maximum yearly limit to best suit your situation.

Lemonade’s business model is a little different than most insurance companies. With their Giveback program, unclaimed portions of premiums go towards supporting non-profits.

Lemonade Pet Insurance Review

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Wide range of coverage options extending beyond accident and illness
  • 4 Deductible options
  • Short waiting periods
  • Tech-savvy, ease of purchasing policies and filing claims
  • Regular vet visits and associated costs like vaccinations, exams, and more can be covered under the Preventative Care Package

Cons

  • Only available in 37 States
  • Does not cover pre-existing conditions

About Lemonade

If you’ve recently welcomed a new furry friend home, you probably purchased all the predictable things, like food dishes, collars, toys, leashes, and more – but what about preparing yourself (and your pet) for the unpredictable? That’s where Lemonade pet insurance comes in.

Lemonade’s policies cover dogs and cats from eight weeks old. Lemonade provides Accident and Illness coverage in a Base plan For the extras, their Preventative Care packages and add-ons can help cover the rest (with some exceptions).

Lemonade is great for pet owners in 37 US States (and Washington DC) but isn’t available everywhere just yet, though they’re working to expand into the remaining 13 states.

Lemonade is a certified B Corp and Public Benefit Corporation and insists they’re taking the insurance world from “a necessary evil and turning it into a social good”.

The Lemonade Giveback and their unique business model works a little like this. Upon signing up, policyholders can pick a non-profit of your choice, and at the end of the year, unclaimed money goes to the charities policyholders choose. Lemonade takes a portion of it to cover insurance costs, but the rest moves to your chosen charitable bank account, doing great things.

Since 2017, Lemonade’s Giveback business model has given over $8,000,000 to non-profits and charities.

Pricing and Plans (Updated in 2024)

* Based on a 2-year-old Labrador in Chicago

Company Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs Sample Monthly Cost For Cats Learn More
Lemonade $30.45 $13.91 Get Quote
Spot $36.54 $16.51 Get Quote
Wagmo $70.12 $30.88 Get Quote
Trupanion $29.70 $12.22 Get Quote
Fetch $26.89 $11.93 Get Quote

Base Policy

Lemonade’s base policy covers diagnostics, procedures, and medications. This Base policy applies to illnesses like cancers, UTIs, and broken bones, but only if the patient has not experienced the illness or accident before your insurance coverage. This would make the condition a pre-existing condition. It is not to be confused with recurring conditions, as these are now covered.

A recurring condition is an ailment that returns more often due to external events (such as ear infections after swimming). Within Lemonade’s policy, they insist all reasonable efforts will be made to stop this from re-occurring, ensuring you provide adequate care, like a doggy swim cap. Yep, it’s a thing!

Customizations

If covering the oopsies and uh-ohs makes you feel good, you can bump your plan with preventative care options and add-ons.

There are 3 preventative packages. Below are the different choices;

Here’s what can be covered as a part of Lemonade’s Preventative Care Package:

  • 1 Wellness Exam – Up to $50/yr
  • 1 Fecal or Internal Parasite Test – Up to $35/yr
  • 1 Bloodwork – Up to $65/yr
  • 3 Vaccines – Up to $75/yr
  • 1 Heartworm or FeLV/FIV Test – Up to $40/yr

based on 80% co-insurance

This is what can be covered as a part of their Preventative+ Care Package:

  • 1 Wellness Exam – Up to $50/yr
  • 1 Fecal or Internal Parasite Test – Up to $35/yr
  • 1 Bloodwork – Up to $65/yr
  • 3 Vaccines – Up to $75/yr
  • 1 Heartworm or FeLV/FIV Test – Up to $40/yr
  • Flea/Tick or Heartworm Medication – Up to $65/yr
  • Routine Dental Cleaning – Up to $150/yr

*based on 80% co-insurance

And what can be covered as a part of the Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care Package:

  • 2 Wellness Exams – Up to $100/yr
  • 2 Fecal or Internal Parasite Tests – Up to $70/yr
  • 1 Bloodwork – Up to $65/yr
  • 6 Vaccines – Up to $150/yr
  • 1 Heartworm or FeLV/FIV Test – Up to $40/yr
  • Flea/Tick or Heartworm Medication – Up to $65/yr
  • Spay/Neuter Procedure – Up to $120
  • Microchip – Up to $40

*based on 80% co-insurance

And these 5 add-ons:

Vet Visit Fees:

With the vet visit add-on, we’ll help pay for vet visit fees that are charged for eligible accidents and illnesses. This is the fee some vets charge for their time and labor, in addition to the actual cost of the treatment, which is covered by a base accident & illness policy.

Physical therapy:

If you add our physical therapy add-on to your base policy we’ll be able to reimburse you for treatments related to functionality issues as a result of an unexpected illness or an accident.

Dental illness:

The dental illness add-on can help cover the cost of treatments, procedures, diagnostics, and medications related to dental illness. This includes: crowns, extractions, root canals, dental surgeries, and treatments for gum disease like gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Behavioral conditions:

Lemonade’s behavioral conditions add-on can help cover the costs of diagnostics and vet-recommended treatments and therapies related to eligible behavioral conditions. This could include therapy sessions, prescription medications, and specialized training to address conditions like: phobias and separation anxiety, excessive barking, as well as aggressive or destructive behaviors.

End of life and remembrance:

If you opt for Lemonade Pet’s end-of-life and remembrance add-on, you can get coverage for costs related to vet-recommended euthanasia, cremation, or to help pay for commemorative items like an urn, framed pictures of paw prints, digital photo storage, or even a tattoo to help you memorialize and remember your pet.

Lemonade’s Price Comparison For Dogs

The way Lemonade is set up is you can pick varying deductibles, co-insurance, and annual limit for cats and dogs, which will change your monthly payment. I will include the breakdown options under the table, as I think it’s important to grasp the price variances. All of these are on Base prices.

German Shepherd Mix Pomeranian
Male or Female Female Boy
Age 7 Months 5 Years
Location New Jersey New Jersey
Reimbursement Level 80% 80%
Annual Deductible $500 $500
Annual Max $50,000 $50,000
Price per month $34.28 $39.70

This table is based on the Base plan option, with the “Perfect Mix” reimbursement and deductible option.

Lemonade offers three payment options.

  • Lower Monthly Premium: This policy covers 70% of your eligible vet bills after the $750 deductible is paid, up to $50,000 per year.
  • Perfect Mix: This policy covers 80% of your eligible vet bills after the $500 deductible is paid, up to $50,000 per year.
  • Pay Less Out Of Pocket: This policy covers 90% of your eligible vet bills after the $500 deductible is paid, up to $100,000 per year.
Breed Name Under 1 5 Years Old
Golden Retriever $45.54 $54.45
Cocker Spaniel $39.00 $46.50
Chihuahua $26.96 $30.07

Deductibles & Claims

Lemonade makes it easy during your tough time if you need to file a claim for your pooch. When you purchase your claim, Lemonade sends you a document outlining what you’re insured for and when the waiting periods are over.

To qualify, the claim must be made within 180 days of the event. All supporting documentation must be submitted by this time for the claim to be considered made. You can file your claim on Lemonade’s app.

After paying your one- per-year deductible, Lemonade will cover up to the selected percentage (co-insurance).

How will you get paid? When you submit your claim, Lemonade will ask for your bank account information, and the money will be deposited directly into your account.

What does Lemonade Cover?

Base

  • Diagnostics
  • Procedures
  • Medication

While selecting your policy, you have the option to include vet visit fees, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, dental illness, or end-of-life coverage for a fee. The additional coverage usually ranges between $1.89 – $12.96 per month, depending on your choice.

Preventative Care Package Options

Based on an 80% co-insurance plan:

Covered

  • 2 Wellness Exams – Up to $100/yr
  • 2 Fecal or Internal Parasite Tests – Up to $70/yr
  • 1 Bloodwork – Up to $65/yr
  • 6 Vaccines – Up to $150/yr
  • 1 Heartworm or FeLV/FIV Test – Up to $40/yr
  • Flea/Tick or Heartworm Medication – Up to $65/yr
  • Spay/Neuter Procedure – Up to $120
  • Microchip – Up to $40

Not Covered

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Bi-lateral conditions
  • Non-traditional therapies
  • Non-illness or non-accident related happenings like elective cosmetic surgeries, nail grooming, and anal gland expression.
  • Conditions related to breeding or pregnancy
  • Commercial working dogs, like herding, guarding, or sports activity participants like sled racing.
  • Boarding or transport.
  • Food and supplements.

Waiting Periods

In some States (Mississippi, New Hampshire, Washington, Ohio, Indiana, and Nebraska)—soon to be all States during the 2024 rollout—there is no accident waiting period. You can expect a 14-day waiting period (after you’ve purchased your policy) for illness and 30 days for orthopedic conditions.

*Depending on where you live, your waiting periods could be shorter*

Pre-existing Conditions

What is a pre-existing condition? A pre-existing condition is an ailment your pet had before purchasing your policy, such as bilateral or intervertebral conditions.

A pre-existing condition (like Roundworms) may be covered if it can be cured and the pet has not experienced symptoms in the previous 12 months.

Just because your pet has a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean it can’t be insured; it just means the pre-existing condition or related issues will not be covered in your policy.

Reviews from Customers

If you’re a tech-savvy individual who likes real-time updates, Lemonade’s app is an easy tool for navigating the world of pet insurance.

Most reviews note Lemonade’s affordable price point, though it should be noted that behavioral issues, vet visit fees, and dental work are not covered under the base policy. Therefore, the price tag starts to climb as the policyholder includes these options.

The shorter turnaround times are also a talking point for pet parents everywhere. Even with the up-front payment, the insurance claim is easy to file and can begin while you’re sitting in the vet’s waiting room so the coverage amount hits your bank account quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a quote for a Pet Policy?

It’s easy! Visit lemonade.com, where you’ll be asked a series of questions, like your pet’s name, age, breed, and known conditions. A quote is generated in minutes after choosing which plan and coverage you’d like.

Are there discounts for multiple pets?

There are discounts to save for your multi-pet household if you sign up more than one pet. Plus, Lemonade offers an annual payment and bundling discount if you also have Lemonade renters, homeowners, or car insurance.

If my pet has a pre-existing condition, can I still get insurance?

Yes, only pre-existing and related ailments will not be covered under your policy.

Will I have to pay upfront?

Yes, for this policy, you will need to pay the vet bills upfront, and then you’ll be reimbursed once your claim is approved.

What if I have a question that I’m unsure warrants a vet visit?

With your Lemonade Pet Policy, all policyholders have access to Connect with a Vet online chat.

Our Verdict

Lemonade’s pet policy has a great price point for the options you can select from.

Like most insurance policies, purchasing one before any issues arise is best. Not only is it cheaper for you as a pet parent, but it protects you in the event of an accident you wish you’d had insurance for.

The pet policy and options are clear and easy to understand. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any surprises when it comes time to file your claim. You’ll know exactly what you’re covered for, and filing a claim is easy.

A policy to protect fido is just as easy and effortless as picking out a new collar and will save you in the long run.





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