Shop & Compare Pet Insurance
Compare pet insurance quotes in order to find the best policy for you. Use our guides and tools to help you find the best pet insurance plan for your needs.
What Pet Insurance Options Do You Have?
There are different pet insurance policies to choose from. You should learn what your options are, so you can get the best policy for you and your pet.
Accident only pet insurance plans cover the cost of treatment for injuries or illnesses caused by accidents (whether they are caused by the owner or the pet).
Accident and illness pet insurance policies cover a range of illness, from the small to the severe. These plans typically cover hereditary illness as well.
Wellness policy plans, otherwise called preventative care policies, cover routine vet procedures. They are usually add-ons to wider policies.
Average Cost Of Pet Insurance In Your State
The cost of pet insurance varies from state to state. You can find annual estimates by using our table below.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is essentially health insurance for your pet. It covers the cost of treatment for illnesses and accidents that cause injuries to your pet.
The owner of a pet will pay monthly premiums in exchange for cover. If their pet gets sick, and needs veterinary treatment, then the owner will pay for the costs upfront.
They will then submit a claim to their pet insurance provider and they will usually be reimbursed for the treatment. The level of reimbursement will depend on the coverage level, the policy type and what the deductible is.
While pet insurance premiums can add up to hundreds of dollars a year, the cost will usually be cheaper than paying for a single, expensive treatment, like radiation therapy, which can cost thousands of dollars.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
So, how does pet insurance work? When you apply for pet insurance, your selected provider will perform a health checkup of your pet. This is to check for things like pre-existing conditions, or a history of illnesses.
This preliminary check-up will be used to calculate your insurance premium. You will then pay regular premiums, in exchange for coverage.
If your pet gets an illness, or has a bad accident which needs treatment, you will need to see a vet. You will have to pay for the veterinary bills upfront out of your own pocket.
However, after you have paid for treatment, you will file a claim with your pet insurance provider. If your claim is approved, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the treatment, up until your coverage level.
You will most likely still have to pay a deductible on the treatment.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
The best pet insurance policies will cover costs for an extensive list of medical treatments. However, your own level of coverage will depend on the policy that you choose.
Pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is any condition which your pet had before you had your policy approved.
Pet insurance policies usually cover:
- Accidents caused by the pet or the owner
- Unexpected illness like cancer or glaucoma
- Medical tests like x-rays or MRIs
- Hereditary illnesses
- Congenital diseases
- Medication
Pet Insurance Resources
Factors That Impact Pet Insurance Quotes
Certain breeds are more predisposed to medical issues than others. For example, French Bulldogs suffer from breathing problems. If you own a breed that is statistically more likely to need a lot of medical treatment, then they will cost more to insure.
The older your pet is when you insure them, the more expensive the cost of their premiums. Older pets are more likely to suffer from medical problems. You can lock in lower premiums by insuring your pet when they're young.
If you live in a large city, then you will likely need to pay higher premiums than pet owners who live in the suburbs. Vet bills are usually higher in metropolitan areas, then you can expect a higher premium.
Dogs usually cost more to insure than cats. This is because dogs tend to have more medical issues than cats. Pet insurance for dogs will therefore come with higher premiums.
Pet Insurance Plans For Different Pet Types
If you’re searching around for the best pet insurance policy for your pet, then you might be wondering whether there are policies which are specifically designed for your pet and the health problems which are common to their pet type.
For example, it’s quite common for pure-breed dogs to suffer from more genetic health problems than mixed-breeds.
Pet Insurance Plans For Different Dog Breeds
Pet owners may benefit from getting an insurance policy which is tailored to the breed of dog which they own. It is possible to get insurance specifically tailored to; French Bulldogs, Pugs, Golden Retrievers , Beagles and other breeds.
These tailored policies will focus on providing coverage for illnesses that are common to a specific dog breed. Find out if a breed specific policy is what you need:
Find The Best Pet Insurance In Your State
How To Shop For Pet Insurance Plans
If you're looking to purchase pet insurance, then there are some simple steps you can follow to help you make the right decision
Choose A Policy Type
The first step in choosing a pet insurance policy is deciding the policy that you need.
Sit down and figure out what coverage you need for your pet. Once you’ve decided what items you want to be covered on your policy, you then need to decide how much coverage you are prepared to pay for.
Compare Quotes
Now that you know what policy type you need, you should collect quotes from multiple pet insurance providers.
Every insurer will provider you with a different quote. However, you should look beyond just the price when comparing pet insurance plans.
You should also check the following on each plan:
- Deductible
- Reimbursement Limit
- Premiums
- Fees
- Waiting Period
- Claim Process
Check For Discounts
When comparing pet insurance quotes, you should also ask providers if you are eligible for any discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts for new customers.
Don’t wait to be offered a discount, ask the company!
Decide On A Policy
Now, all that is left to do is pick a provider and buy your pet insurance policy!
Review Regularly
Your buying journey shouldn’t stop once you’ve picked a policy.
You should review your insurance cost every 6-12 months, to make sure that you’re always getting the best deal.
FAQs
Who Has The Best Pet Insurance?
The best pet insurance policy for you will depend on what you need out of a plan, as well as the level of coverage that you require. On average, Lemonade offer the best rates.
Does Pet Insurance Only Cover Cats And Dogs?
While most pet insurance companies cover cats and dogs only, it is possible to get insurance other animals, such as; reptiles, exotic birds, rabbits and other mammals.
Should You Compare Pet Insurance Quotes?
To ensure that you get the best deal on your pet insurance, you should check and compare quotes from different providers.
