Lemonade
Lemonade's stated plan terms, checked November 1, 2026. Facts only: no rating, ranking, or price.
- Accident and illness
- Preventive packages
- Optional add-ons
- Dogs
- Cats
- No accident wait stated
- 30 day orthopedic wait
- Waiting period waiver form due within 2 days of exam
- Preventive packages available
- Exam fees need the vet visit fee add-on
- Age limit exists, figure not published
The stated facts
| Company and underwriter, as the company states it | Lemonade Pet, sold by Lemonade on lemonade.com. The site footer names Lemonade Insurance Company and Metromile Insurance Company as the property and casualty carriers; your declarations page shows which one issued your policy. |
|---|---|
| Species covered | Dogs, Cats |
| Plan types offered | Base accident and illness policy; Preventative care packages; Optional add-ons |
| Accident waiting period, as stated | None. Lemonade's waiting period explainer lists 0 days for accidents and says policies take effect at 12:01 AM the day after purchase. An older version of this profile showed 2 days; Lemonade's current pages no longer state that. |
| Illness waiting period, as stated | 14 days, per the /pet page, the FAQ, and the waiting period explainer. |
| Orthopedic, cruciate, and other special waiting periods | 30 days for orthopedic conditions. Lemonade's FAQ says a cruciate ligament issue that shows signs before or during the orthopedic waiting period is pre-existing. Its vet guide describes a waiver: a wellness exam after the start date, with Lemonade's form submitted within 2 days of that exam. Lemonade notes that coverage options and availability vary by state, so confirm the periods on your own policy. |
| Eligibility, as the company states it | Dogs and cats. Lemonade's FAQ says it has an age limit for first-time enrollment and that a pet past it may be declined entirely, but the pages read do not publish the figure. The Puppy/Kitten preventative package can only be chosen for pets under two years old. |
| Deductible, reimbursement, and limit options, as stated | Co-insurance choices of 70, 80, or 90 percent with a chosen annual deductible and limit. Optional add-ons include vet visit fees, physical therapy, dental illness, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life cover. The FAQ says coverage can be increased within 14 days of purchase. |
| Wellness or preventive option | Preventative care packages added to the policy, including a Puppy/Kitten package for pets under two. Lemonade says preventative care is not subject to the annual deductible and all covered items are subject to an annual limit; Preventative+ pays for routine dental cleaning up to $150 a year. The pages read do not say whether the packages are insurance. |
| Pre-existing condition rule, as stated | Signs or symptoms that appear before the relevant waiting period ends make a condition pre-existing. In most states, Lemonade says it can cover temporary conditions that resolve with no symptoms or treatment for at least 12 months; knee or ligament conditions and chronic conditions are excluded from that route. |
Lemonade's current waits, and what changed
Lemonade's waiting period explainer, read on October 22, 2026, lists 0 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, with preventative benefits usable once the policy is in effect. The /pet page now gives the same 14 and 30 day figures. Earlier versions of Lemonade pages, and an earlier version of this profile, showed a 2 day accident wait and a 6 month wait for cruciate ligament events; neither figure appears on the pages read today.
The FAQ places cruciate ligament events inside the orthopedic waiting period: if signs appear before or during it, the knee is pre-existing. On these pages, a Labrador enrolled on the first of the month that tears a cruciate in week six is past the 30 day window. Because Lemonade's own pages have changed, keep a copy of the waiting periods printed in your policy documents.
The two day waiver deadline
Lemonade's guide for vets describes how the waiting periods can be waived. The pet needs a full wellness exam after the policy start date, the vet completes Lemonade's waiver form at that visit, and the policyholder must submit it within 2 days of the exam. If underwriting approves it, the waiting period ends the day after the exam.
Two days is a short window. Bring the form to the appointment and send it the same evening.
Vet visit fees are an add-on
The add-ons guide says the base policy covers treatment the vet recommends except the vet examination itself. The vet visit fee add-on covers that charge for covered conditions and is subject to the base deductible and co-insurance. It does not cover annual wellness exams or visit fees tied to pre-existing conditions.
Physical therapy is also an add-on. For a breed with disc or knee risk, surgery is in the base policy but rehabilitation afterwards may not be unless that option was chosen.
Age and renewal pricing
Lemonade's FAQ confirms an enrollment age limit without stating it, and says an older pet's premiums may increase to reflect higher care costs. Owners of a senior dog should ask for the limit and any age-based exclusions in writing before applying.
How Lemonade pays
Lemonade works on reimbursement only. Its FAQ says you pay treatment costs up front, file in the app, and once approved the amount after deductible and co-insurance goes to your bank account. The filing window is typically 180 days from treatment, or 90 days for Texas residents. Lemonade asks for the pet's medical records early, ideally soon after the illness wait ends, so the review of pre-existing conditions is done before the first claim.