Lemonade dog insurance review: what it covers
Thinking about Lemonade dog insurance? Here’s what Lemonade’s policy really covers, explained in plain English and taken straight from Lemonade’s own documents. We’ve focused on the parts that decide whether a claim gets paid, such as waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and how much you pay yourself. Nothing here is a recommendation.
Lemonade at a glance
- Deductible you pay first
- Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording)
- Share of each vet bill it pays back
- 70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance
- Wait before illness is covered
- 14 days
- Vet exam fees
- Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on
Common questions about Lemonade dog insurance
How long is the Lemonade waiting period?
14 days
Does Lemonade cover pre-existing conditions?
In most states, a temporary condition is covered once it has gone 12 months without symptoms or treatment. Knee, ligament and chronic conditions never are.
Does Lemonade cover vet exam fees?
Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on
Does Lemonade pet insurance cover dental?
Accidents only on the base policy. Dental illness needs the Dental Illness add-on, up to $1,000 a year; routine cleaning only with Preventative+ (up to $150).
Does Lemonade cover cruciate ligament surgery?
30-day orthopedic waiting period; signs before it ends make it pre-existing.
Is there an age limit to join Lemonade?
There is an age limit for first sign-up (not stated in the FAQ); pets enrolled younger are never declined at renewal because of age
Does Lemonade offer a multi-pet discount?
Up to 10% on every pet's policy once you have more than one, even if you add the second pet months later. It doesn't apply to most add-ons or Preventative Care.
Does Lemonade cover cancer treatment?
Its FAQ says the base accident and illness policy covers cancer diagnostics, treatments and medications, unless a lump, bump or abnormal test showed before you joined or in the waiting period.
How does Lemonade compare with other US insurers?
The same five points for every US insurer we compare, so you can see how Lemonade stacks up. Click any insurer to read its full page.
| Insurer | Deductible you pay first | Share of each bill paid back | Wait before illness is covered | Vet exam fees | Behavioural treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90% | 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing) | Not covered, at any time | Only with the optional Recovery and Complementary Care rider (which also covers rehab, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic) |
| Nationwide | Annual | Percentage of eligible costs on some plans, pre-set benefit allowances on others; the worked example uses 80% | 'Most plans start 1–14 days after your application is approved and payment has been processed' (no split by illness/injury stated) | Not found yet | Modular Plan lists Behavioral coverage among its coverages; it excludes behavioural training not medically necessary for a diagnosed condition, and obedience training |
| Lemonade | Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording) | 70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance | 14 days | Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on | Not found yet |
| Healthy Paws | Annual: applies once per 12-month coverage term | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 15 days | Not covered | Not covered (training, therapy, medication or other behaviour modification) |
| Embrace | Annual, per pet | Reimbursement percentage shown on the Schedule of Insurance | 14 days | Covered only if shown on the Schedule (optional) | Covered: vet diagnosis, tests, medication and training sessions as Behavioral Therapy |
| Pets Best | Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% | 14 days | Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment | Training and treatment not covered, except consultations and prescription medication if the supplemental benefits are bought |
| Pumpkin | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
| Figo | Annual deductible, plus an optional per-incident copay | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Not covered unless the optional Office Visit and Exam Fees cover is bought | Not covered unless the optional Holistic and Alternative & Behavioral Problems cover is bought |
| Spot | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
Everything we checked in Lemonade’s policy
Each point shows where we found it in Lemonade’s own document, so you can check it yourself. Where an insurance term needs explaining, we’ve added a short note.
- Type of policy
- Base accident and illness policy, with add-ons (vet visit fees, physical therapy, dental illness, dental care in some states) and Preventative Care packages. Available in Texas and about 40 other statesWhere: FAQ: how pet insurance works; where available; dental table
- Deductible you pay firstThe amount you pay towards vet bills before your insurer starts paying.
- Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording)Where: FAQ 'What is co-insurance?' and 'Can I change my coverage…'
- Share of each vet bill it pays backAfter your deductible, the percentage of each vet bill your insurer pays back.
- 70%, 80% or 90% co-insuranceWhere: FAQ 'What is co-insurance?'
- Most it will pay out
- Annual coverage limit chosen by the owner (amounts not stated in the FAQ)Where: FAQ 'How can I lower my pet insurance premiums?'
- Wait before illness is coveredThe time after you buy a policy before you can claim for an illness.
- 14 daysWhere: FAQ 'What are waiting periods?'
- Wait before injuries are covered
- Not listed separately in the FAQ (only illness and orthopedic waiting periods are named)Where: FAQ 'What are waiting periods?'
- Wait before knee problems are coveredSome insurers make you wait longer before knee problems, like a torn cruciate ligament, are covered.
- 30 days. Cruciate signs before or during this waiting period make it pre-existingWhere: FAQ 'What are waiting periods?' and 'What's the deal with cruciate ligament events?'
- Problems on both sides of the body, like both kneesIf your dog has problems on both sides (both knees, both hips), many policies treat them as one condition.
- Not in the documents we read.Where: Not stated in the FAQ
- Cover for pre-existing conditionsAnything your dog had, or showed signs of, before the policy started.
- Signs or symptoms before the end of the waiting periods, judged from medical records (12.5 months of records needed to pay claims). In most states, a temporary condition that has gone 12 months with no symptoms or treatment can be covered; knee or ligament and chronic conditions can'tWhere: FAQ 'What is a pre-existing condition?', 'Do you need my pet's medical records?', 'Can Lemonade cover curable pre-existing conditions?'
- Vet exam fees
- Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-onWhere: FAQ 'What's the difference between coverage for vet visit fees and wellness exams?'
- Cover for behavioural treatment
- Not in the documents we read.Where: Only mentioned in passing ('behavioral coverage') in a Reddit answer on the FAQ page; to confirm
- Dental cover
- Dental accidents under the base policy; dental illness (e.g. periodontal disease) only with the Dental Illness add-on (up to $1,000 a year); routine cleaning only under Preventative+ (up to $150)Where: FAQ 'What about dental treatments…'
- Routine care, like vaccinations
- Only with a Preventative Care packageWhere: FAQ
- Time limit for making a claim
- 180 days from treatment; 90 days in TexasWhere: FAQ 'How long do I have to file a claim?'
- Oldest age your dog can join
- There is an age limit for first sign-up (not stated in the FAQ); pets enrolled younger are never declined at renewal because of ageWhere: FAQ 'Why is it harder to sign an older pet up…'
- Discount for insuring more than one pet
- Up to 10%, applied to every pet policy once you have more than one; it also applies to the vet visit fee and physical therapy add-ons, not other add-ons or Preventative CareWhere: Multiple pet insurance page (Lemonade’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Cancer treatment
- Covered by the base accident and illness policy: diagnostics, treatments and medications for cancer. Not covered if a lump, bump or abnormal test showed before you joined or in the illness waiting periodWhere: FAQ 'Does pet insurance cover cancer treatments?' (Lemonade’s website, read 5 October 2026)
Source: The Ultimate Lemonade Pet FAQ, A lemonade.com page (seen in search results) names policy forms ICC21-DTCV (OP Term) and ICC24-DTCV3 & ICC23-DT1-SCH (Rise Term) with state variations; no sample policy PDF was found on lemonade.com. Read on 3 October 2026. Terms vary by state; these are for Texas. Policies change, so always read the current policy wording before you buy or claim. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.