California Pet Insurance

Got a Samoyed in Sacramento, or a Bulldog in Bakersfield? Cover your pet with Lemonade pet insurance in California—the smart choice to keep your fur baby happy and healthy in the Golden State.

Check our prices
Hero Image

How much does pet insurance cost in California?

As of 2025, the average estimated cost of Lemonade pet insurance in California ranges from roughly $45 to $49 a month, depending on factors like your pet’s breed and age, exactly where you live, and the coverages you choose.

Here’s a look at average rates in major California cities:
CityAverage monthly base premium*
Fresno$35 to $39
Sacramento$35 to $39
San Francisco$45 to $49
San Jose$35 to $39
Get your quote

Is pet insurance worth it in California?

Check out how much dog and cat owners have saved on vet bills with pet insurance.

What does a Lemonade pet insurance
policy in California cover?

A base Lemonade pet insurance insurance policy in California helps cover the costs of diagnostics, procedures, and medications to treat your cat or dog’s
eligible accidents and illnesses.

Here are some common types of care that Lemonade pet insurance covers in California:
  • Bloodwork
  • X-rays
  • MRI
  • CT Scan
  • Lab Work
  • Urinalysis
  • Ultrasounds
  • Cancer
  • Emergency Care
  • Surgery
  • Heart Disease
  • Hospitalization
  • Road Accidents
  • Outpatient Care
  • Allergy Medicine
  • Specialty Care
  • Injections
  • Prescription Medications
  • Arthritis Medications
  • Knee, Elbow, and Hip Dysplasia
Get your quote

Pet parents love Lemonade

Customizable coverage, seamless claims, and compassionate customer support —it’s no wonder why hundreds of thousands of pet parents choose Lemonade pet insurance

What pet insurance plans does
Lemonade offer in California?

Preventative care packages are designed to help cover costs related to your pet’s routine care.
Wellness examWellness exam

Wellness exam

Annual physical checkup for your pet

VaccinesVaccines

Vaccines

Up to 3 vaccines such as Rabies, DHLPP, and Bordetella

Heartworm testHeartworm test

Heartworm test

Annual screening of heartworm infestation

Fecal or internal parasite testFecal or internal parasite test

Fecal or internal parasite test

Annual parasite evaluation test

Routine dental cleaningRoutine dental cleaning

Routine dental cleaning

Including dental x-rays, anesthesia, polishing, and more

Preventative medicationPreventative medication

Preventative medication

Protection for your pet against fleas, ticks, and heartworm

What additional coverage does
Lemonade offer in California?

You can easily mix and match our add-on coverages to meet your pet’s needs, and your budget.

Visit fees

Helps cover the extra fee vets charge for their time and labor, separate from the actual cost of the treatment.

Read more

Physical therapy

Helps cover things like acupuncture and hydrotherapy related to functionality issues due to an unexpected illness or accident.

Read more

Dental illness

Helps cover the cost of treatments related to eligible dental illness—including crowns, extractions, root canals, dental surgeries, and antibiotics.

Read more

Behavioral conditions

Helps cover the costs of diagnostics, treatments, and therapies related to eligible behavioral conditions—like therapy sessions, prescription medications, and specialized training.

Read more

End-of-life and remembrance

Helps cover the costs related to vet-recommended euthanasia, cremation, or commemorative items—like an urn, framed pictures, digital photo storage, or even a tattoo—even if the pet’s death is not related to an eligible condition.

Read more

How much pet insurance do I need in California?

The right pet insurance balances your monthly premium with what you can afford for unexpected vet bills.

Check out the estimated costs of some common vet services for cats and dogs in California:

Estimated vet services costs for dogs across California

Vet ServiceFresnoSacramentoSan FranciscoSan Jose
Spay (over 6 months)$619 (over 50 lbs)/$541 (under 50 lbs)$651 (over 50 lbs)/$568 (under 50 lbs)$735 (over 50 lbs)/$642 (under 50 lbs)$709 (over 50 lbs)/$619 (under 50 lbs)
Neuter (over 6 months)$513$538$608$587
Professional dental cleaning$425$457$549$520
Office visit$75$83$106$99

Estimated vet services costs for cats across California

Vet ServiceFresnoSacramentoSan FranciscoSan Jose
Spay (over 6 months)$384$403$455$439
Neuter (over 6 months)$283$297$336$324
Professional dental cleaning$425$457$549$520
Office visit$75$83$106$99

Source: Banfield Pet Hospital

How does pet insurance work in California?

Lemonade harnesses the power of tech to make the process of filing a pet insurance claim—and getting reimbursed—a breeze
Go to the vetGo to the vet

Go to the vet

If your pet gets sick or injured, just visit any state-licensed veterinarian for the diagnostics, procedures, and medications your furry friend may need to recover.

File a claimFile a claim

File a claim

File a claim on the Lemonade app in minutes. You’ll need a pic of the vet invoice and/or a paid receipt, plus a copy of your medical records or notes from that specific vet visit.

Get reimbursedGet reimbursed

Get reimbursed

Get your money back directly into your bank account from Lemonade for eligible claims. Around 50% of Lemonade pet insurance claims are handled instantly.

FAQs

What are the main safety threats to pets in California?

California is full of adventures, but it’s not without risks for your pets. Mountain lions roam certain areas, especially at night, so keeping your pets indoors and securing your yard with sturdy fencing can help. Earthquakes are another concern, and it’s smart to stay calm during tremors—create safe spaces for your pet and always have emergency plans ready.

Wildfires are a big threat too, so have an evacuation kit with food, medicine, and supplies for your pet. Toxic plants like lilies, grapes, and macadamia nuts also pose dangers, so keep an eye on curious explorers during walks or in the yard. A little prep goes a long way in keeping your pet safe in the Golden State!

What are the best dog parks in California?

California is home to some incredible dog parks perfect for your furry friend!

  • Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach is the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County where your pup can roam freely along the shore.
  • Fiesta Island in San Diego offers a vast space for your dog to hike, swim, and enjoy leash-free fun.
  • Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Richmond is the largest dog park in the country, with 23 acres to explore. It even has a dog-friendly cafu00e9 and washing station for post-adventure clean-up.
  • Coronado Dog Beach offers a leash free beach year round, and free parking on surrounding streets! Just be sure to keep your pup safely leashed until your hit the beach.

What are the top local pet-based businesses in California?

California has no shortage of amazing pet-focused businesses.

  • The Honest Kitchen is where you can find farm-to-table meals for your pets made with human-grade ingredients.
  • My Dog Nose It offers doggy sunscreen to shield sensitive snouts from harsh rays.
  • Plato Pet Treats offers delicious snacks to treat your pooch, specially crafted for active dogs.
  • La Marcel is where you can go to celebrate your fur baby’s big day with a custom cake, in Parisian bakery style.
  • KittyWeed is for the felines, and has potent catnip toys that drive cats wild.

Can I use Lemonade pet insurance at any vet in California?

Yes, since we work on a reimbursement basis you can use your Lemonade pet insurance policy at any licensed vet in the U.S., including California.

How can I protect my pet from California's earthquakes?

While no one can prevent an earthquake, you can take steps to be prepared when one hits. It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit with food, water, and medications for your pet. Make sure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date, and create a safe space in your home where your pet can take shelter during an earthquake.

A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states. Lemonade Insurance analyzed policy rates to calculate average pet premiums as of October, 2024. This analysis is based on Lemonade’s internal data and is meant for illustrative purposes only; quotes may vary depending on individual circumstances

Please note: Lemonade articles and other editorial content are meant for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon instead of professional legal, insurance or financial advice. The content of these educational articles does not alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. While we regularly review previously published content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date, there may be instances in which legal conditions or policy details have changed since publication. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional. Hypothetical examples do not alter or bind Lemonade to any application of your insurance policy to the particular facts and circumstances of any actual claim.