Pet Insurance: A Complete Guide (2024)

Pets play an integral role in their families. From acting as best friends to providing comfort in trying times, pets can add a tremendous amount of joy to your life. As much as they take care of their people, most pet owners want to take the very best care of their animals.

One of the best ways to ensure your pet remains in good health is to buy pet insurance. Whether you want to spay a cat or need to take your dog to the emergency room, there’s a pet insurance plan that can cover just about anything.

Read on to learn about buying pet insurance for your animal. Then, compare rates with as many companies as possible to find the best pet insurance policy for your pet.

What is the best pet insurance company?

Like all other types of insurance, finding the right company for pet coverage depends on your needs. When you’re looking at pet insurance reviews, you should consider what type of animal will be covered, how much you want to spend, and which services you want to be included in your policy.

While there are several considerations to make in a pet insurance comparison, some companies have solid reputations for the services they provide. You should always do your research before you buy a pet insurance policy, but the companies listed below are a great place to start your search.

Embrace

Embrace is a top pick for pet insurance because it offers customers several ways to save. For example, active military members and veterans get a 5% discount in most states, and you can earn 10% off by insuring more than one pet.

Pets Best

Pets Best offers more customization options than many of its competitors. It offers two wellness add-ons and you can choose between several deductible, reimbursement, and coverage limit options. Pets Best is also one of the few companies that will pay your vet directly when your pet needs an expensive surgery.

Pets Best’s waiting periods are fairly standard for the pet insurance industry. These include a three-day wait for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 180 days for serious procedures. You can insure a pet once it is seven weeks old, and there is no upper age limit.

Figo

Figo is an excellent option for people who want to manage their insurance with a mobile app. Figo’s Pet Cloud can be used to file claims, pay bills, organize medical records, meet other pet parents, live chat with veterinarians, and look up groomers and dog walkers.

Spot

When it comes to coverage for a variety of services, Spot is hard to beat. It covers more than most of its competitors, including medically-prescribed diets, microchip implantations, behavioral therapies, dental issues, and alternative treatments.

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is well-known for its shelters and efforts to collect charitable donations on behalf of animals. It also offers reliable insurance to help protect the animals in your home.

ASPCA insurance has one of the shortest waiting periods, a mere 14 days for all services. That includes procedures or services for illnesses, surgeries, accidents, and ligament injuries. ASPCA requires pets to be at least eight weeks old, and there is no upper age limit.

Read more: Shelter General Insurance Company Review

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How much does pet insurance cost?

The amount you’ll pay for pet insurance depends on several factors, including your pet’s age, breed, and the amount of coverage you want. One of the biggest factors that impacts your rates is whether you have a dog or cat — pet insurance for dogs usually costs more than pet insurance for cats.

Personalized quotes are the only way to see exactly how much you’ll pay for insurance, but you can check the average monthly rates for cat insurance and dog insurance companies below:

• Lemonade: $11 for cats, $20 for dogs
• Pets Best: $24 for cats, $28 for dogs
• Figo: $18 for cats, $31 for dogs
• Petplan: $43 for cats, $47 for dogs
• ASPCA: $20 for cats, $37 for dogs
• Spot: $35 for cats, $47 for dogs
• Healthy Paws: $12 for cats, $27 for dogs

Most companies allow customers to choose their deductible, which is the portion you have to pay before your coverage kicks in. If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll save on your insurance. Many companies also offer discounts to help you save. Some of the most common discounts offered include:

• Multi-pet: If you have more than one animal living with you, you can save by adding them to the same policy.
• Paid-in-full: You can earn a small discount from most companies if you pay for your entire policy at once instead of in monthly increments.
• Spay/neuter: Many companies offer a discount if you’ve had your pet spayed or neutered to encourage safe health practices for pets.
• Military: Many companies offer a discount for active and retired military members.

While these are some of the most commonly offered discounts, the company you choose might have other options. Make sure to ask a representative to see what your company can offer you.

Read more: How much does it cost to spay a dog?

What does pet insurance cover?

What does pet insurance cover?Pet health insurance isn’t the same as health insurance for people. It does cover your pet’s medical bills and emergency vet visits; however, most policies require you to pay for any vet services upfront or find a clinic that will postpone payments. After the veterinarian service is complete, your policy will reimburse you.

While pet insurance is a valuable tool in caring for your pet, it doesn’t cover everything. Does pet insurance cover surgery? Coverage varies by company, but most pet insurance policies include the following:

• Emergency procedures: Common emergency procedures covered by pet insurance include surgery, hospitalization, nursing care, endoscopies, and chemotherapy.
• Chronic illness: Chronic illnesses covered by your insurance include allergies, arthritis, and skin conditions.
• Serious illness: Illnesses that qualify as serious include cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Accidents and injuries: ACL ruptures, poisoning, bites from other animals, and sprains are usually covered by your insurance.
• Common illnesses: Although they’re less threatening, pet insurance usually covers medical attention for things like infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Diagnostic testing: Diagnostic testing is an essential part of your pet’s health, so insurance typically covers X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. (read our “Will pet insurance pay for pet scans?” for more information)
• Hereditary conditions: Some pets — especially dogs — are at a higher risk for genetic problems due to breeding practices. Most dog health insurance plans cover hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye and blood disorders.
• Dental coverage: Usually sold as an add-on, dental covers illnesses like gum disease or accidents like broken teeth.
• Wellness services: Another add-on, wellness services cover things like vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and heartworm medications.
• Behavioral therapy: Pet insurance usually covers treatment for behavioral problems like aggression, destructive chewing, and excessive barking.

Like all other types of insurance, most companies sell add-ons for pet policies. While add-ons can significantly increase the coverage for your pet, they also increase your rates. Because of this price increase, you should only buy the coverage you need and can afford.

While pet insurance covers a lot, it doesn’t cover everything. For example, will pet insurance pay for grooming? Pet insurance usually doesn’t cover grooming services, but it’s not impossible to find a policy that will reimburse you for at least part of the cost.

How do you choose the best pet insurance plan?

When you’re ready to buy a pet insurance policy, there are a few steps you should take to ensure you find the right plan. Follow these easy steps to find the best policy for your pet:

• Check your pet’s eligibility. Most companies require animals to be at least a few weeks old before you can buy a policy for them, while others won’t start a new plan for senior animals.
• Pick your coverage. You’ll need to choose how much coverage you want in your plan. More coverage better protects your pet but costs more.
• Understand how your plan works. Most pet insurance companies reimburse you after you’ve paid for a vet’s services. You usually get to pick how much you want to be reimbursed, with higher percentages costing more.
• Pick the right waiting period. It’s best to buy insurance before you need it so you don’t need to worry about wait periods. If you’re looking for immediate coverage, you’ll need to find a company with short waiting periods.
• Compare quotes. You saw above that rates vary by company. The best way to find the cheapest policy is to compare quotes with as many companies as possible.

If you need additional help finding a good pet insurance policy, you should ask your vet. They might have a preferred company that makes health care service for your pet easier, but they’ll certainly be able to make a recommendation for your animal.

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Find the Best Pet Insurance Today

Often, pet caregivers overlook American Pet Insurance Company until faced with unforeseen events. However, acquiring coverage beforehand can assist in handling healthcare expenses. Many insurance plans from the American Pet Insurance Company are budget-friendly, ensuring your pet receives the deserving care

Like all other types of insurance, you shouldn’t buy the first plan you see. The only way to make sure you find the best pet insurance for your furry family member is to compare as many plans as possible.

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