Pet insurance is necessary if you want to guarantee your pet’s safety, and it can be worth it when the bill arrives.
Most pet insurance companies offer to pay up to 90% of the vet expenses, as long as there aren’t any predisposed conditions. The coverage plans some insurance companies offer depend on the insurer, as well as the owner’s preferences.
ASPCA allows you to visit any veterinary clinic in the United States.
All Figo plans are customizable and allow selecting optional features.
Lemonade has many advantages to offer compared to others.
Embrace Pet insurance offers a health care policy for your pet.
No pet insurance company will be able to convince you to trust them with your pet’s life, but, for its own good, you have to start somewhere. Your pet insurance journey has to involve research, clear communication, and coverage of your choice.
Without any misconceptions or lies, the following will be a top 10 list of some of the best and most comprehensive pet insurance companies for January 2022!
Browse through this review to get a clearer perspective of what each company can help you with!
Fan-Favorites: Our Top Pet Insurance Competitors for January 2022
There’s a plethora of new-coming, as well as veteran pet insurance agencies in the States, however, the following are the ones that offered more beneficial features to your pet, compared to others:
- Trupanion – Top dog for directly taking care of the vet bill
- ASPCA – Top dog for hereditary and congenital conditions
- Figo – Top dog for reimbursement
- Lemonade – Top dog for claim processing
- Nationwide – Top dog for exotic pets
- Pumpkin – Top dog for young pets
- Pets Best – Top dog for mobility treatment
- Embrace – top dog for seniors
- Spot – Top dog for unlimited coverage
- Healthy Paws – Top dog for alternative treatments
These are some of the best of the best pet insurance companies, however in a close second followed: TrustedPals, PetFirst, 24PetWatch, Hartville, Geico Pet Insurance, Metlife Pet Insurance, USAA Pet Insurance, and Pet Assure.
Spot | Embrace | Pumpkin | ASPCA | Lemonade |
No co-payment, Spot takes care of the full bill. | Helps out with senior pets, even older than 15 years of age | Provides excellent preventative care packages and policies for young animals | Pays close attention to stem-cell research and helps with hereditary ailments | Donates some of the profit, known to be charitable and are very quick with claim processes |
Now, let’s break down the companies, one by one and see what they offer to their respective clients.
1. Trupanion
A top dog for direct vet payment.
Benefits | Downsides |
Direct vet payoff | Offers only per condition deductibles |
Found in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Australia | Needs budget for higher premiums |
Lifetime per condition deductibles | A single policy |
No payment limits | No discounts |
Trupanion is a popular pick among pet owners simply because of their single insurance plan offer! With Trupanion, you really gain a companion for your pet as they not only pay the vet directly when there’s an issue, but they also help out with alternative treatments. This proves that Trupanion really does care for the pet, and allows coverage for diagnostic testing, prescription medication, surgery, dental issues, as well as prosthetic devices for handicapped dogs and cats!
Trupanion also makes it easier for the owner to file claims, even though they won’t need them at all. That’s because Trupanion doesn’t ask questions when problems come knocking and takes care of the bill, no questions asked.
Although Trupanion does direct payment to the vet office, the company needs to be connected to Trupanion’s software. However, you rid yourself of the dull hassle of submitting reimbursement claims.
Thumbs up: Trupanion gets a thumbs up for covering the bill without affecting the owner’s pocket. There’s no hassle in filing claims or sending reimbursement subscriptions, as the company will cover the expenses once needed.
Thumbs down: Trupanion is criticized for its price as well as flexibility. Premiums can reach way too high and you have only one policy choice. However, the coverage is more comprehensive than others with no payout limits.
2. ASPCA
Top dog for treating hereditary and congenital conditions.
Benefits | Downsides |
Pets of all ages can be enrolled | Claim processing lasts 30 days |
Curable predisposed conditions can be covered after 180 days | There’s a transaction fee |
Supports chipping, and stem-cell research | |
Best coverage for hereditary conditions |
The recognized American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is one of the top picks for January 2022. The ASPCA pet insurance coverage helps owners with accidents, illnesses, and preventative care. The ASPCA also thinks about the bigger pets, such as horses, including them in their coverage plans.
What makes the ASPCA so popular even today are its affordable premiums, as well as the flexibility of empowering pet owners to freely choose the most suited policies and terms. Despite some companies having strict limits on coverage for hereditary or congenital conditions, the ASPCA makes sure your pet’s expenses are covered regardless of age! The only condition is that any pre-diagnosed conditions might not be covered unless they’re treatable.
If your pet’s diagnosis is pretty light, the costs of treating the pre-existing conditions can be covered. The only thing the owner needs to provide is proof that their pet has been symptom-free for the last three months. Other companies require the owner to wait up to a whole year for the pet’s precondition to be healed.
Thumbs up: The ASPCA offers coverage for hereditary and congenital issues no matter at what age you enroll your pet in. The company does not hold back when it comes to treating these illnesses, and the waiting period is only 2 weeks.
Thumbs down: The ASPCA comes with a lengthy claim processing period. Some pet insurance companies pride themselves on their short claim processing and reimbursement period, while the ASPCA requires you to wait for a whole month.
3. Figo
Top dog for reimbursement choices.
Benefits | Downsides |
The only company with 100% reimbursement | Doesn’t cover preventative care |
Helpful customer service lines | Does not handle congenital conditions well |
Low deductibles | A long waiting period for orthopedic treatment coverage |
No age limits for enrollment |
Figo is our most budget-friendly pet insurance company on the list. With this company, the pet owner reduces their co-payment for vet expenses to 0%! This is because, with Figo, every pet owner gets 100% reimbursed. Figo is a popular pick for the lack of annual limits, however, a lifetime maximum exists. This is crucial to note as some owners might get fooled as to how much Figo is open to reimbursing in total.
Figo is a top choice because of the high reimbursement, however, they lack coverage for preventative care, as well as congenital conditions. There’s also a rather lengthy waiting period to get treatment coverage for orthopedic issues, which could result in a lot of pain for both you and your pet.
You might be required to pay higher-than-average premiums, but you won’t have to contribute when there’s an issue. Because of the 0% co-pay policy, pet owners don’t need to fret when the vet’s bill arrives but should focus on coverage limitations.
Figo’s coverage is limited for hereditary conditions and there’s no policy concerning horse riders and their horses. Figo offers additional cost coverage for vet examination fees, but it does not include wellness checks or preventative care.
Thumbs up: Best customer service with a cloud app that allows contacting veterinarians, making payments, and completing transactions. Figo is the single pet insurance company that reimburses 100% of the veterinary cost and medical expenses you meet with your pet. This is crucial as you won’t feel your pocket loosening up while trying to make the right decision for your pet’s future.
Thumbs down: Does not handle hereditary conditions well. It isn’t very helpful with routine checkups and preventative care either.
4. Lemonade
Top dog for claim assessment and processing.
Benefits | Downsides |
Pretty short waiting period for claim processing | Not available in all the states |
Offer coverage for vaccines and parasite screening | You need to keep all medical records and provide them |
Not much info online |
Lemonade is your go-to pet insurance company if you are looking for an extensive accident and illness policies. Lemonade can also offer coverage for preventative care, vaccines, annual checkups, heartworm, and parasite screening.
Lemonade does not only cover the vet exam fees, but it can also help your puppy or kitty with alternative treatments like acupuncture. Apart from being there for your pet, Lemonade also donates the excess premium payments to non-profits. Unfortunately, Lemonade is only available in 36 states in the US, but anyone can sign up on their official website.
Although their website is available to the customer, there’s a lack of information about the policies as well as honest reviews about it. Because there’s not much info available online, the company lacks a bit of trust. However, what they lack in the info they make up for by allowing short waiting periods for claim processing, as well as offering full coverage for vaccines or parasite screenings.
Thumbs up: Lemonade is considered top dog just because of its AI-powered claim processors, which delivers claims in a jiffy through the company’s app. Lemonade is also appealing because of its charitable side.
Thumbs down: Lemonade requires you to keep all your pet’s medical records and submit them. They also need to be extensive, including everything that occurred within the last 12 months.
5. Nationwide
Top dog for all exotic pets.
Benefits | Downsides |
Coverage for birds and reptiles | One deductible option |
Free 24/7 vet hotline | Age limit on enrollment |
Nationwide promises to save you 5% on pet insurance payment | Limits on reimbursement for common medical procedures |
A little something for the extremist pet owners out there is Nationwide! It’s the only pet insurance company that allows insurance for any pet, no matter size, fangs, claws, or fins.
Nationwide is known as the company that offers an Avian Exotic pet plan, where most birds, small mammals, as well as reptiles can be covered. This also includes guinea pigs, goats, and even tea-cup pigs. Nonetheless, you should check out Nationwide’s official website to see whether your exotic pet is eligible for coverage.
Animals that are venomous as well as endangered are not advised to be kept as pets, nor are they covered by the pet insurance company.
If you have a pet that’s not included on Nationwide’s site, call 844-244-3691 to sign your exotic pet up, but if you have a dog or cat you can do the signing up directly on the company’s website. Nationwide offers three different accident and illness policies, and two wellness packages.
Thumbs up: Nationwide is the number one insurance company for exotic pets. This pet insurance company is special because its insurance includes many animals none of the other insurance agencies on our list offer. Nationwide also reimburses 90% of the expenses.
Thumbs down: There’s only a single ($250) deductible option and there’s also an age restriction for enrollment.
6. Pumpkin
Top dog for young animals.
Benefits | Downsides |
No age limit for enrollment | Annual limits exist for both cats and dogs |
Full puppy or kitty plan, equipped with vaccines | Limited deductible options |
Two-week waiting period | Reimbursement levels can’t be customized |
30-day money-back guarantee |
If you just adopted a new kitty or puppy, Pumpkin is your best option for newborn animals! With Pumpkin, you can find low-budget plans, as well as preventative care packages for young animals, which are not usually allowed in standard coverages of other companies.
Own a puppy? Well, Pumpkin’s preventative care package includes one annual wellness exam cost, four vaccines, and one fecal test, which is crucial for detecting bacteria at a young age. This can make a huge difference in the animal’s future treatments, and that’s why Pumpkin is the best pick for a young animal.
Pumpkin also offers to pay for the vaccines your pup has taken prior to enrollment, as well as lab test coverage and parasite screening.
Thumbs up: Pumpkin is an affordable choice among newbie pet owners who deal with small animals. Pumpkin is popular because it offers full insurance, as well as multiple non-insurance preventative care, picks intended for baby animals.
Thumbs down: Pumpkin is not available in all states of the US.
7. Pets Best
Top dog for mobility treatments.
Benefits | Downsides |
Multiple deductible options | Does not offer coverage for parasite treatments |
Offers help with prosthetics and wheelchairs | Pre-existing conditions are excluded |
Allows direct veterinary payments |
Pets Best has more than one coverage plan available, and that’s why their policies are so popular. Pets Best offers an accident, illness, as well as wellness plan policy, and all you need to keep your pet’s routine care afloat.
Almost all insurance companies ask your pet to be at least eight weeks of age to enroll, however, Pets Best allows enrollment even at 7 weeks of age! Don’t worry about your senior dog either, as Pets Best has no upper age limit to insure older pets.
What makes Pets Best so different from other companies is that it offers treatment for all kinds of orthopedic or mobility issues. Pets Best will cover expenses necessary for wheelchairs, prosthetic legs, or anything the vet prescribed.
Thumbs up: Pets Best is popular for helping out with prosthetic devices which none of the other companies offer help with. Pets Best also offers multiple coverage options and deductibles. It’s the only company that’ll let you insure your young pet even at 7 weeks old.
Thumbs down: Although PetsBest might help you cover mobility treatment, it won’t cover pre-existing conditions detected on one side of your pet’s body. So, for example, if your dog has hip dysplasia before enrollment on one side, Pets Best won’t cover the damages affected on the other side.
8. Embrace
Top dog for senior animals.
Benefits | Downsides |
No senior animal is uncovered | Only meant for cats and dogs |
Annual decreasing deductible | Restricted wellness coverage and benefits |
Covers healable pre-existing conditions | Not available in Canada |
Embrace is the only pet insurance company willing to help out senior dogs, even older than 15 years! That’s right, the company has no upper age limits and is the safe haven many senior dogs deserve to have.
Although the company lets you purchase upper age coverage, they only allow usage when there’s an accident in question. Although small, this feature is one practiced solely by Embrace, since other companies won’t insure pets older than 10 years, anyway!
One downside to Embrace is that its wellness policy’s benefits come separately. So, with Embrace instead of a wellness plan, you have a wellness rewards plan which helps out with additional preventative care bills.
Embrace is also notable for its decreasing deductibles. Every following year you miss a claim reimbursement, Embrace will repay by reducing the yearly deductible by $50. If you think that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew with Embrace, know that there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and a refund if you’ve filed a claim in the past.
Thumbs Up: No senior pet deserves to be refused coverage, especially when their days are numbered. Embrace is the only pet insurance platform that offers senior dogs and cats extensive care after their 14th birthday, and accident-only coverage after their 15th year of age!
Thumbs down: Embrace’s annual expenses must match the expected level, and the unused funds don’t transfer to the next year.
9. Spot
Top dog for no annual limits.
Benefits | Downsides |
Low deductible | High premiums |
Suitable for youth and seniors | Restricted knee damage coverage |
No annual limit | Customer services aren’t available on the weekends |
Spot is the only pet insurance agency that teaches the owner how to maximize their pet’s coverage. It’s a fairly recent company that provides a policy with 100% coverage! With Spot, the owner can rest assured that their pockets won’t loosen no matter the extent of the vet bill.
Another key benefit of subscribing to Spot is their very low (only $100) deductible. However, it is imperative to know that low deductibles, and no co-payments will result in higher premiums.
Spot might be a bit pricier compared to other pet insurance companies, but it has no upper age limit or specific norm about young animals. Any pet can get insured with Spot, and it’s a pocket-safe choice for both pets and owners. There’s also unlimited yearly coverage.
Thumbs up: Spot helps out the owner by minimizing the extra cost as well as allowing low deductibles. It’s pricey but a superb choice for both junior and senior pets.
Thumbs down: Higher premiums may come as a surprise to the owner.
10. Healthy Paws
Top dog for alternative treatments.
Benefits | Downsides |
Covers all alternative therapies | Upper age limit |
Quick claim processing | A single policy offer |
Direct vet payments are available |
Healthy Paws might offer just a single accident and illness-coverage policy for both dogs and cats, but it makes up for it with its variety of deductible options. The owner needs to decide between a $100 and $500 deductible.
Healthy Paws is among the few pet insurance companies on our list that process claims fairly quickly. With Healthy Paws, you can also directly pay the vet bill instead of waiting for reimbursement.
This pet insurance company is best suited for animals enrolled in their younger years. Unfortunately, Healthy Paws has an upper age limit and does not offer many options to elderly pets. The reimbursement rates for this category of pets are also lower.
Thumbs Up: Healthy Paws is the only pet insurance company to cover all alternative treatments, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and massages as long as they’re ordered by a licensed vet. The claim processing methods are up to speed as well, with having very short waiting intervals between the claim and the reimbursement.
Thumbs down: Healthy Paws does not cover office exams and is limited in aiding senior pets.
Honorable Mentions: Second-Best Pet Insurance Companies
If the previous top 10 list was the crème de la crème of pet insurance companies, the following will be the companies that fell in a close second. Without further staggering, here are some of the less popular, yet beneficial secondary picks for pet insurance!
1. Fetch by the Dodo
Fetch is a suitable choice for those who want to ensure their kitties when they’ve adopted them, and this could go as low as 6 weeks of age! Fetch understands what caring for a young animal requires, so there’s no upper or lower age limit for dogs and cats alike! The company prides itself on helping animals of all ages, having multiple deductibles and annual benefits.
Another benefit you receive with Fetch is that there is no signup fee, while reimbursement fees appear after $1,000, and no lifetime or claim limits. What makes Fetch second best are its no plans for preventative care coverage, no multi-pet discounts, and 6 month waiting period for coverage for hip dysplasia.
Pros:
- Can cover pets as young as 6 weeks
- No lifetime, or claim restrictions
- No fee is required to sign up
Cons:
- No coverage for preventative care
- Coverage will take over only if you take your pet to the vet in the next 48 hours
- Strict reimbursement rules
2. MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet insurance is made for individuals who can’t find the time to enroll their pet personally, but still want what’s best for them. With MetLife, you can sign up your pet right through the company’s application form and enjoy extremely low deductibles ranging from $50 to $500. However, it’s crucial to note that MetLife doesn’t offer parasite treatment, which can be devastating if you have a new pup susceptible to those parasites.
To make up for it, MetLife offers various discounts for veterans, military workers, internet purchases, and healthcare workers. Their multiple discounts are what attract customers the most, and Metlife always meets the owner hallway. There’s also a discount if you enroll your pet through the MetLife pet insurance application.
MetLife features some other beneficial factors too, like the ability to customize the reimbursement amount, percentage, and deductible. With MetLIfe, you might save up only to give it all away because of the company’s limits and reimbursement waiting periods.
Pros
- Discounts for veterans, healthcare workers, and military workers
- Discounts for online applications
- Decreasing deductible with every year
- Low deductibles, reaching even $50
Cons:
- Doesn’t cover parasite treatment
- Limits on annual coverage to $10,000
- Long waiting period for claim and reimbursement processing۔
3. Trusted Pals
Trusted Pals is among the most trusted pet insurance companies in the US. The company’s coverage plans include alternative therapies like behavioral training, nutritional supplements, and pet food. There is no upper age limit requirement and 1% of all the company’s profit goes to animal-related charities.
Trusted Pals offers accident and illness coverages, and multiple irresistible discounts. You might be inclined to discounts if you are a veteran, soldier, vet student, or if your pet is a service animal.
Trusted Pals is well-beloved because of their diminishing deductible, which could reach as low as $0 and has more than enough annual benefits. There’s no restriction, however, applications are limited only to US citizens. Also, Trusted Pals has the longest waiting period for hip-dysplasia coverage, and that’s 12 whole months. This is the longest waiting period a company has proposed for hip dysplasia coverage, however, they make up for it by including behavioral therapy in their portfolio of things they cover.
Pros:
- Includes behavioral treatment coverage
- Discounts for service animals, veterans and military folks
- Deductible goes as low as 0%
- There’s a 100% reimbursement option
Cons:
- A whole year waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage
- Limited to US citizens
4. 24 PetWatch
If you want some peace of mind knowing that your pet will be taken care of regardless of the hour, choose 24 PetWatch. With them, there’s no waiting period for accident coverage, and they even offer chronic condition coverage, as long as the pet is free of symptoms in the last 24 months. There are very low deductibles, and the reimbursement levels are also on the lower side with 80% in total!
There are upper age limits, including 12 years for cats and 10 for dogs. Many companies refuse to insure senior animals, but 24 PetWatch won’t leave your side when your pet’s troubles are nearing. There are also no discounts, which makes it a bit pricier compared to others but not offering as much.
24 PetWatch is the best choice if your pet spends their time rough-housing. This makes these pets more prone to accidents, and accident coverage is 24 PetWatch’s strong side. It does cover some vet fees and an incident benefit of $500 for expenses. However, the low reimbursement levels make it not the top choice for owners living on a budget.
Pros:
- Incident benefit
- No waiting period for accident coverage
- Coverage for chronic conditions
Cons:
- Low reimbursement levels
- No unlimited payouts
- Upper age restrictions
5. PetFirst
PetFirst is among the few pet insurance companies that offer a plethora of discounts for military servers, healthcare workers, veterinarians, and much more. PetFirst offers coverage for illnesses, holistic diseases, as well as alternative therapies.
Owners are also given access to preventative care coverage, however, it does not cover parasite treatment, neutering, and some surgeries. PetFirst fails to be transparent and clear with their customers, and even the details of the wellness benefits aren’t clearly explained.
PetFirst might be overflowing with discounts and deductibles, but those can diminish with every following year if you miss out on filing a claim.
Pros:
- Extensive coverage
- Covers alternative therapies
- Many discounts
Cons:
- No accident-only coverage
- Doesn’t cover neutering
6. Hartville
Hartville is among the second-best pet insurance companies that offer full and extensive coverages, however with a high price! The owner needs to pay Hartville approximately $40 per month for a dog, and $22 for a cat.
The owners most usually choose the accident-only coverage if they go with Hartville as it’s the only affordable option. Premiums and their prices reach sky-high, charging $30 for a newborn puppy. One key benefit of having Hartville as your insurer is that there is no annual limit payout.
Hartville might be the most expensive of the bunch, but their coverage includes behavioral issues, microchipping, accident, and illness benefits. There’s a two-week waiting period and there’s no coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Pros:
- Unlimited payout option
- You can ask for a 30-day trial
Cons:
- Very expensive, and the prices only go upward after the fifth year of age
- Reimbursement is restricted
- Very pricey premiums
7. Pet Assure
Pet Assure is not an insurance company, but rather a low-cost plan that offers to cover 25% of in-office veterinary procedures for your pet. The program is an initiative of veterinarians across Puerto Rico and Canada. It offers minor coverage if your pet encounters an accident or incident, for which they’ll cover part of the costs.
It’s a pretty affordable alternative to pet insurance, however, it’s not as extensive as what other companies offer.
Pros:
- 35-day free period and cashback guaranteed
- There’s an attractive discount if you enroll more than one pet
Cons:
- It’s not actual insurance
- It covers only 25%
- Not extensive enough
8. USAA Pet Insurance
USAA Pet Insurance is an accident-only or illness coverage policy covered through Embrace. They help out with claim processing and customer service, and by subscribing to them, customers are allowed a 25% discount on Embrace’s pet insurance.
The USAA Pet insurance page is also lacking crucial information, and it’s best to consult Embrace before taking up USAA.
USAA is the best choice for families that have members in the military, and it’s the only condition to get their coverage.
Pros:
- It offers a multi-pet discount
- It quickly processes claims
- The insurance is trusted by Embrace
Cons:
- Not much info available
- Only suitable for military families
- No customer support
9. Geico Pet Insurance
Geico Pet Insurance is another application connected to Embrace’s website. Its policy includes unlimited annual benefits, 0$ deductible, and full reimbursement.
Although Geico might be the most affordable pick among the second best, it lacks in other fields where other companies are extensive. It offers multiple discounts including aids with spaying or neutering, multi-pet policies, and annual payouts!
Pros:
- More than single discounts
- Helps out with neutering
- Supported by Embrace
Cons:
- No support system, or customer service
- Not much information about it online
Pet Insurance Companies: Buyer’s Guide
So, after we’ve narrowed down and explained the best and second-best in pet insurance, it’s high time we introduced the ultimate buyer’s guide to securing your beloved pet with insurance.
What Is Pet Insurance, Anyway?
Pet insurance is life, accident, or wellness insurance the owner secures for the pet. It’s a type of insurance that covers medical expenses at the veterinarian’s office that the owner might not be capable of meeting in advance. Pet insurances offer multiple policies on which the owner can sign up, choosing between accident, illness, or full comprehensive-wellness policy.
The type of insurance varies, depending on the animal, its breed, and age. Most companies offer insurance for basic domestic pets, like man’s best friend and our feline companions.
Companies that offer insurance for exotic animals like birds or reptiles are less common in the US, making up only 1% of all the pet insurance companies. This doesn’t mean that many US citizens love keeping tarantulas, snakes, and even chameleons as pets, however, comprehensive coverage is pretty hard to locate.
This study conducted by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association proved that exotic pet owners are not much considered in the majority, and their calls get answered by insurance companies like Nationwide.
The key difference between pet insurance and people’s health insurance is that pet preventative care treatments are sold separately. So, routine care expenses like vaccines, parasite screening, dental care, and microchipping should also be taken care of with some insurers. These routine checkups are crucial to your pet’s health and keeping dental care and parasite tests in check is key for a healthier and more wholesome future with your pet.
There aren’t supposed to be network restrictions when it comes to pet insurance. All coverage should refer to any licensed veterinarian or specialist the owner chooses. Some providers can help you get coverage in other countries like Canada, Puerto Rico, and the UK.
Pet Insurance Plans: Classification
If you decide to ensure your pet, you must re-evaluate your financial position and capabilities. A nice first step is to reconsider your primary finances and your influx of money.
If you’re taking on the responsibility of owning an animal you should always be prepared to pay as much for them as you would for yourself. Your pet is a member of the family, so saving up as little as 20 dollars a month can do wonders with pet insurance. You’ll need to sign up for pet insurance if you don’t have enough money to help your furry buddy in times of emergency.
Pet insurance policies and their categorizations depend on the coverage and premiums. If you grasp all the policies offered, you’ll know how and which pet insurance to purchase.
- Accident & Illness policy: It’s an all-inclusive pet insurance plan that covers both accidents and illnesses. This should be an appropriate choice if you’re looking for all-around-the-clock coverage for your pet, no matter if an accident or illness occurs. These plans can usually be expanded to include wellness coverage. These policies are most suitable for young pets who are very susceptible to the environment.
- Accident-only plans: If you own a pet that is more prone to accidents, it’s best to go for the accident-only policy. This means the policy can be activated if your pet has been in a car accident, has been poisoned, experienced broken bones, or is feeling bloated. These insurance plans are usually less expensive than their more expensive policy counterparts. The best insurers will offer to pay the vet directly instead of reimbursing you after a short period. This is because accidents can happen on all kinds of procedures and even surgeries, which is something that could sky-rocket the bill.
- Comprehensive plan: Other pet insurance companies offer much more extensive coverage policies than some insurers, and this includes behavioral therapy. These comprehensive plans usually include accident and illness coverage, routine care checkups, dental care, vaccination, and much more. These plans might come with the highest of prices, but it’s worth having the peace of mind.
If you’re not sure which insurance provider to pick, make sure to download their sample policy to see what you’ll be dealing with. These samples are usually located on the insurer’s website and anyone can download them.
Ensure you have all the restrictions listed, including exclusions and minor inclusions. If you think that you’re financially stable and are capable of handling the policy’s expenses, you can start the enrollment process.
How Does Pet Insurance Function?
Pet health insurance functions in three stages, including waiting intervals, eliminations, and network limits. So, let’s see what’s what.
- The waiting interval represents the time when the pet insurance company won’t pay for your pet’s care. Once the waiting period is finished, usually lasting up to two weeks max, and after you’ve enrolled your pet, the reimbursement process can officially start. This could also signify the start of coverage, if your pet has experienced some inconvenience, the insurer should be there for you pronto with the bill taken care of.
- Network limits: When it comes to network restrictions, most human insurances have a preferred network of already inspected providers. However, when pet insurance comes into play, insurers might impose a specific vet of their choice or they won’t pay the coverage. This usually happens when the insurer and the veterinarian have some sort of agreement with each other which the owner must trust. This could be tricky as you don’t know how much value you pay with your money. Others may put geographical restrictions, so if you have paid pet insurance in the US, it might not apply in Puerto Rico, unless it’s Pet Assure.
- Cuts: Pet insurances might surprise the owner with their own ‘cuts’ and restrictions on what they cover and what they do not. Many pet insurance companies hide their excluded policies, so it’s always advisable to ask what won’t be covered beforehand. Some may offer to pay for pre-existing conditions, while others refuse overall insurance for senior animals.
Premium Costs: What Are the Influential Factors?
Pet owners pay approximately $28.48 to $49.51 to have their kitties or dogs insured. This is a rough estimate, as many companies might offer lower or even higher premiums. How much you’ll exactly spend will depend on:
- The insurer and their policies
- Predisposed and hereditary conditions
- Your pet’s age
- High or low deductibles
- Geographical location
1. Pet’s Generation
Pet insurance companies usually practice an old trick when it comes to preventing payments for senior animals. What they convince you is that all premiums increase when your pet nears the elderly which will land you paying more than you asked for. Some insurers refuse to take on pets older than 12 or 10 years, altogether.
2. Predisposed Conditions
Almost all pet insurers refuse to cover a pet if they aren’t cleared of a predisposed condition or issue. Some companies might allow coverage if and only the pet is cleared of symptoms in the last 12 or 24 months.
3. Deductibles
A deductible is a small amount the owner needs to pay the insurer before they can start paying for vet bills. The deductible is set by the owner and should be mentioned in the chosen policy plan. The plan also needs to contain what deductible you’ll be eligible for. The owner chooses between annual and per-condition deductibles.
4. Add-ons and Preventative Care
Owners are offered the option to add preventative care to their accident-only or illness insurance plans. The safest pick is to go with policies that offer comprehensive coverage, including routine care, accident, and illness coverage.
5. Geographical Location
Naturally, owners and pets that inhabit densely, urban areas will have to pay higher pet insurance because of the area’s rates. New York veterinarians will take care of your pet at a higher cost than those living in places other than the coasts.
If you’re on the lower end of the spectrum, when it comes to finances, try searching for some more affordable options online. But first, make sure to investigate reviews of customers on credible pages.
Secondary Costs to Consider
Besides the most important, basic costs we’ve just elaborated on, there are some secondary costs to be taken into consideration, too. And those include the following:
1. Reimbursement
Some pet insurance companies rely on reimbursement to pay their customers. This works with the customer paying the vet upfront and the company paying the customer back for all the costs. If you choose reimbursement, it’s best to choose a company that allows 90% or 100% reimbursement, and some peace of mind for the pet owner.
2. Payout Limits
Many companies may trick you with their annual payout restrictions. Most pet insurers will stop reimbursing if you reach your policy’s maximum annual coverage. Most restrictions apply to the pet’s lifetime policy or the accident restrictions. If you want the restrictions to start a little higher than the policy, be prepared to pay for higher premiums.
How to Recognize the Best Pet Insurance for Your Pet?
What one pet insurance company does, doesn’t mean that all of them follow the exact example. The cost of the insurance will directly be influenced by the state’s laws and the company’s policies.
Pet insurances should follow the NAPHIA guidelines, and the following are some of the best policies suggestable:
- Think about what your pet requires in its lifetime, and see if the breed you’re taking care of has some particular medical issues.
- Secure the limits with your insurer and evaluate whether they align with the average cost for pet insurance in your state.
- Compared with other insurers, consider co-payments, reimbursement, and reachable premiums.
- Don’t sign up for pet insurers that have long waiting periods.
- Take a look at the pet insurance company’s age limits or other restrictions when it comes to the pet itself.
- See if they take care of holistic conditions.
- Investigate how they handle pre-existing conditions.
- Ask for possible discounts.
- Do some research, ask people about it.
A proper pet insurer will allow two or more discounts on your already agreed-upon policy.
- The right pet insurer will allow a multiple pet discount. This discount should only go lower with every following pet you enroll into the company.
- Neuter discount: This discount is usually given to customers who accept to neuter their pet right after enrollment. This allows the owner access to reduced premiums.
- Soldier discounts: As a thank you for serving the country, most pet insurers allow major discounts to families who have existing members of former employees in the military.
- Bundle discounts: Meant for homeowners and renters using the same insurance.
- Group discounts: If an office group of coworkers states that they want to ensure their pet as a group, they should be allowed discounts.
- Annual discounts: Some companies may charge you less if you accept the annual instead of the monthly policy
Most companies should have a money-back guarantee, as well as a trial period. The rule is to allow the owner to quit the insurance if they are not satisfied within a month of enrolling. This can be accomplished if the owner hasn’t yet submitted a claim or paid bills with the insurance.
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Trouble?
Getting pet insurance can be the best decision you could make for your pet, so it’s advisable to think it through before making the final move. Pet insurance is only worth the money if it keeps your pet safe if it’s reliable and quick with either reimbursement or direct vet payment.
So, you’ve probably found your insurer when:
- The premiums seem affordable and they align with your current finances;
- The reimbursement is high, either 90% or 100%;
- The company allows direct vet payment for surgery that you maybe can’t afford at the moment;
- Vet bills might arise unexpectedly after an incident had occurred, and the last thing you want to be thinking about is how much you got in your wallet;
- You want to keep peace of mind;
- Your pet is still healthy but prone to accidents;
- Your pet will benefit from having all-around coverage, including routine care like checkups and vaccines.
However, luck is not on the side of the elderly and frail, so many insurers refuse to help out senior pets or pets with pre-existing conditions. This is when insurance won’t be worth the trouble and will result in breaking your budget.
Older pets require very high premiums and any condition your pup struggles with, the insurer won’t have anything with it. This is why enrolling the pet while they’re still young and vital is crucial.
Pet Insurance, Veterinary Checkups, and Corona
While the pandemic locked everyone inside, more than a few pets received a new home. This is why during the Covid-19 pandemic, veterinary clinics became as crowded as people’s hospitals.
With more couch potatoes adopting furry companions to pass the dark period, the demand for insurance was at a top height. Because this could lead to more people spreading the virus in veterinary clinics, it became imperative to know when to and when not to rush your pet to the vet’s office.
Before you ring your vet’s number again, reconsider whether your pet’s in need of urgent care or routine checkups.
Urgency | Routine |
Accidents, car incident or broken bones | Routine check-ups should be postponed until in dire need |
Respiratory problems | Telemedicine is an answer to owners who need to speak to a veterinary specialist |
Poisoning |
If you and your pet are experiencing the worst of times, make sure to respect CDC guidelines, like wearing masks and social distancing. Telemedicine was created as an alternative to in-person visits in periods of the pandemic.
Every veterinary clinic has staff that may be operating in curbside services, so if you’re looking for non-urgent but essential procedures like booster shots and vaccines, turn to them.
Loving Your Pet in Times of Social Distance
In order to keep up with the guidelines and don’t break any rules when it comes to social distance, you can take some preventative measures to get your pet’s well being in check. As long as you keep your furry member of the family full and happy, they’ll be as healthy as can be.
However, as a precautionary step, a responsible owner would:
- Purchase medicine in advance – To avoid rushing to the vet’s office late at night, always be stacked up on medicine needed for your pet’s overall health. Diseases like heartworm, parasites, fleas, and tick medicine should be as close to you as your own prescriptions.
- Work out with your pet – Even though you’re stuck in a lockdown, that doesn’t mean that you can’t exercise at home. If you have a backyard, play some fetch and run with your pet. If you live in an apartment, you can always take your pet on a tour of the apartment, some burned calories are better than no burned calories. If you follow safety precautions, you can find a new way to keep both you and your pet active and happy.
- Pile up on grub – If you want to keep you and your family safe and content, make sure to order a whole month’s worth of dog food so you save yourself the trouble of going to the pet store to buy more.
- Take proper and detailed care of your physical and mental health. Pets can sense when their owners feel troubled, so mind that anxiety is contagious. If you take care of yourself, smile, and be more active, your dog or cat will mimic away.
- Use the telemedicine service – you keep yourself and everyone around you safe by not visiting the veterinary clinics and hospitals unnecessarily. Always call to see if your pet’s in an urgent veterinary need or it can be settled through telephone.
Telemedicine
Because of the devastating results of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to reduce the crowds in veterinary clinics, medical professionals integrated a telemedicine hotline through which pet owners can discuss with vets face-to-face via video or chat.
This involves voice or video chat with a licensed vet, which will result in a sufficient observation enabling the vet to provide further advice.
Telehealth is sometimes used as an alternative that comes useful in post-surgery conditions, but its overall intention is to determine which cases are urgent and which aren’t. If the condition is treatable via phone, there’s no reason why the pet shouldn’t remain home. The owner will reduce the risks of spreading or catching Covid, and the pet won’t be pushed through stress.
Can Pets Get Covid-19?
According to the CDC, animals do not transfer the virus to humans and there is no evidence that pets and their fur spread the contagion. However, hearing that a pet had lost its life due to Covid is no surprise, mainly due to complications caused by a predisposed condition or serious illness.
Although pets don’t help spread the virus, it’s best to keep your pet away from other hands, as well as other pets. The more transmissible delta variant shocks the world on a daily basis, so it won’t hurt to protect the pets from the pandemic, overall.
Keep the general precautions in mind, and remember to treat your pet as you would a real person. Always social distance, wear a face mask and isolate your pet if you have suspicions that you’re Covid positive.
Pet insurance would come in handy in all dire situations. If your beloved pet meets demise, pet insurance can help you cover up the burial cost.
Recent Updates on Pet Insurance
Before you choose the right pet insurance for you and your pet, you need to evaluate a step-by-step guide on how to purchase and have good use of pet insurance. This means taking coverage costs and complications in mind before the purchase. Here you evaluate your financial stability and overall coverage costs for your pet.
Pet insurance becomes even more worth it if you select a high deductible. Make sure to list all the types of deductibles with your insurers so you can settle on an agreed-upon policy.
Make sure to run through this review whenever you feel like you can’t make the right decision. We have narrowed pet insurance companies down to the best, describing which pet insurance is worth it, what it should offer and include, what deductibles, discounts, and annual limits you should look for.
If you rush your decision, you might end up paying much more than expected, and much less will be covered.
Pet Insurance FAQs
Now it’s time to shine the light on the most frequently asked questions concerning pet insurance. Here are some of them:
Pet insurance can be activated once the pet’s age, breed, geographical location, coverage type, reimbursement level, and deductible are determined. More urban areas require more expensive pet insurance.
Having peace of mind, a full pocket, and bills taken care of means that pet insurance is worth the trouble. You don’t have to worry about your pet encountering an accident, either.
Pet insurance functions with the owner paying the monthly premium which is agreed upon by the settled policy.
Pet insurance helps out with accident, wellness, injury, and routine plans. The right ones will include coverage for ultrasounds, parasite screening, tick medication, and heartworm prescriptions.
The best pet insurer will meet you halfway on your and your pet’s needs. They should be fair with adequate premiums, high reimbursement, and no annual limits.
How We Decided Upon the Best Pet Insurers for 2022
Each of the pet insurance providers was run through a detailed evaluation before being listed on this review. Each of them was considered by paying close attention to the following criteria:
- Policies and coverage plans
- Overall costs and acceptable discounts
- Annual restrictions and reimbursement limits
- What does the policy include?
- What does the policy exclude?
- What’s customer service like?
- What are the additional options?
- Are exotic animals included?
- Are dogs of any age welcomed?
- Customer reviews
- How other insurers evaluate the competition
- Trust pilot and Better Business Bureau reviews
A Run Down the Top Pet Insurers for January 2022
We showed you what insurers are most proud of, and what they keep in the shadows. After this review, you’ll know what to expect from each and align them with your expectations for your pet.
Overall, we have listed the following as the top 10 competitors:
- Trupanion – Top dog for directly taking care of the vet bill
- ASPCA – Top dog for hereditary and congenital conditions
- Figo – Top dog for reimbursement
- Lemonade – Top dog for claim processing
- Nationwide – Top dog for exotic pets
- Pumpkin – Top dog for young pets
- PetsBest – Top dog for mobility treatment
- Embrace – Top dog for seniors
- Spot – Top dog for unlimited coverage
- Healthy Paws – Top dog for alternative treatments
Trupanion is your go-to pet insurance company if you want to not think about vet expenses when illness or accidents happen. Their most popular trait is allowing the insurer to pay the vet directly for the care.
The ASPCA might be the most popular pick because of its reputation, and owners prefer them because of how they handle holistic conditions.
Figo is a superb choice if you want to recompense for high reimbursement. They reimburse 90% of what you paid the vet, and in a short amount of time.
Lemonade is an appropriate choice if you had previous troubles with insurers and claim to process. Lemonade promises to process the claim in a very short amount of time so it’s not detrimental to your wallet.
Nationwide takes care of exotic pets, while Pumpkin is suitable for your young animals.
Pet’s Best is a new alternative that allows coverage for mobility issues. This means that wheelchairs and prostheses will be covered by the insurer.
Embrace treats its senior animals the kindest, so they’re the top dog when it comes to no upper-age limits for pets.
Spot is a perfect choice for those owners whose pets are prone to accidents, and have no annual payout limit.
Healthy Paws helps out with alternative methods, helping owners with behavioral therapy, training, hydrotherapy, and much more.
Top Pet Insurance Providers for 2022: Bottom Line
Whichever pet insurer you choose to trust with your pet’s life, make sure it’s worth your money. Pet insurance companies need to either pay the vet directly so you can have peace of thought no matter what happens, or they reimburse handsomely.
The right insurer will make sure to help you out in dire needs, no matter the cost, and they should have your pet’s best interest at heart and not the owner’s wallet.
If a company is proven to respect animals, as well as their owners, it should be the appropriate choice for future coverage. Make sure you’re satisfied with the outcome and have all the annual benefits cleared.
If you trust your gut with your decision, your pet will follow along. If you know its safety is secured, you’ll allow yourself and your furry friend to be the happiest both of you can be!
