Things to Consider Before Choosing Pet Insurance in Florida
- The type of coverage you need: Some pet insurance plans only cover accidental injuries, while others also cover illnesses. You will need to decide what type of coverage is right for you and your pet.
- The cost of the plan: Pet insurance can be expensive, so it is important to find a plan that fits your budget.
- The deductible and reimbursement rate: The deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. The reimbursement rate is the percentage of the vet bill that your insurance will cover.
- The waiting period: Some pet insurance companies have a waiting period before they will cover certain conditions. This is usually around 14 days.
- The policy limits: The policy limits are the maximum amount of money your insurance will pay out for a single claim or over the lifetime of your pet.
Introduction
The Sunshine State makes the perfect place for leisure and adventure, for yourself and your beloved pet. In fact, roughly 56% of Florida households own a pet!
Yet, Florida pet owners are aware that their fuzzy friends are, unfortunately, bound to get sick or injured sooner or later.
Now, while you can’t really avoid the stress of worrying about your pet’s health, what you can do is get some great pet insurance in Florida. This will allow you to rest assured that at least the financial aspect of your concerns has been covered.
There are countless pet insurance Florida providers that you can consider, and many of them offer top-notch deals! So, to simplify things for you, we decided to quickly go over the best pet health insurance Florida companies available.
Trust us – your pet and your wallet will be thankful!
Spot
Endorsed by celebrity animal trainer Cesar Milan, Spot is undeniably one of the better candidates on our list. Characterized by the broad variety of pet insurance plans tailored to suit customers with different budgets, Spot features varying annual limits, reimbursement rates, and deductible options for you to choose from.
Stationed in West Palm Beach, it is surely one of the most affordable and best pet insurance for dogs in Florida. Plus, it aids in behavioral issues such as destructive tendencies, compulsions, and anxiety. Say bye-bye to your tiny dog’s big attitude!
Pros:
- Flexible plans;
- $100 deductible alternative;
- No age limits;
- Behavioral issue coverage;
- Free dog training resource per quote;
- Microchipping coverage.
Cons:
- Customer service isn’t available 24/7;
- Accident waiting period is longer than usual;
- No coverage for prescription food.
Plans & Coverage
Spot offers four different coverage plans, with varying benefits and at flexible price points. The most affordable is the Accident-Only Plan, which only offers coverage for accident-sustained injuries.
The most commonly chosen one is the Accident and Illness Plan, which, in addition to injuries, covers most pet illnesses, including behavioral issues and dental care. One level above this is the Gold Preventative Care Plan, which additionally covers wellness exams, vaccinations, and dewormings (yearly maximum of $250).
The final one is the Platinum Preventative Care Plan, which covers all of the above, plus routine care, for an annual maximum of $450.
When it comes to the coverage, Spot aids in almost every condition usually covered by pet insurance in Florida companies. That includes broken bones, cancer and heart disease treatments, hereditary, chronic, and congenital disorders, diabetes, X-rays, diagnostics, surgeries, emergency hospitalizations, etc.
What it doesn’t cover are pre-existing conditions, breeding, spaying, and pregnancy-related costs, and cosmetic, experimental, or elective procedures.
The overall monthly average is around $22 for cats and $40 for dogs.
Embrace
Another top-tier contender for the best pet insurance Florida moniker is Embrace.
It is worth noting that Embrace leans on the pricier side, so low-budget pet parents should better look into some of the other alternatives on our list. It is a premium pet insurance in Florida and the ideal option for high-budget pet owners.
Nonetheless, it features the cost-friendly Healthy Pet Deductible, which decreases your deductible by $50 for each year that you haven’t filed a claim. This makes it possible for you to have a $0 deductible if your pet’s generally in optimal health.
Pros:
- 24/7 availability;
- Two-day waiting period for accidents;
- Healthy Pet Deductible;
- Five reimbursement limit alternatives;
- Coverage for curable pre-existing conditions after one year.
Cons:
- Less affordable than most of the competition;
- Wellness and routine care packs are significantly more expensive than in other companies.
Plans & Coverage
Embrace’s most commonly-chosen plan – the Accident and Illness Plan – covers the majority of the issues that concern most pet parents.
Another one of Embrace’s plans which is worth taking note of is the Wellness Rewards for Routine Care Plan. This plan covers expenses like microchipping, vaccinations, exam fees, vet visits, and prescription food.
Aside from that, the basic plan covers most accident-sustained injuries and illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, diagnostics, broken bones, poisonings, hip dysplasia, surgeries and hospitalizations, chronic, congenital, and hereditary issues, etc.
What it doesn’t cover are breeding-related expenses, pet cosmetic surgeries, and pre-existing conditions. This rule stands even though the latter are treated if deemed curable during the first year of the pet insurance’s duration.
Due to the varying price rates and flexibility of coverage plans, the average monthly rate of Embrace’s pet insurance Florida is somewhere between $20 and $100.
Fetch by Dodo
Fetch by Dodo is one of the earliest and most reliable contenders on our best pet insurance Florida list.
Fetch doesn’t cover some types of preventative care usually covered by other companies, such as vaccinations. However, this premium pet insurance company distinguishes itself by offering several options for alternative medicine and holistic care, in addition to the standard accident and illness packs.
Moreover, its mobile app allows for 24/7 customer service access and making quick claims, which can be an excellent benefit for all Florida pet owners.
Pros:
- Basic plans cover vet visits and exam fees;
- $1,000 cap for annual virtual vet visits;
- $1,000 cap for behavioral therapy;
- Covers third-party property damage, vacation cancellation, and burial fees.
Cons:
- No coverage for some preventative care expenses;
- Mandatory annual medical exam.
Plans & Coverage
Fetch by Dodo has opted for an interesting strategy by only offering one – albeit quite comprehensive – plan. Of course, customers can choose between several deductibles, reimbursement rate options, and annual benefit limit options.
Thus, you can choose between annual or per-incident $250, $300, and $500 deductibles, a reimbursement rate of 70%, 80%, or 90%, and annual caps of $5,000, $15,000, and unlimited.
Aside from this, Fetch’s plan offers coverage for illnesses, injuries, dental issues, heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, diagnostics, broken bones, blood pressure problems, lacerations, hip dysplasia, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.
Some additional perks include virtual pet visits, vacation cancellation fees, advertisements and rewards for lost or stolen pets, and coverage for burials or cremations.
Fetch, however, doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, elective and cosmetic surgeries, vaccinations, as well as breeding-related expenses.
The monthly average in Florida is about $36 for dogs, and $23 for cats.
ASPCA
What makes ASPCA Pet Health Insurance one of the best pet insurance for cats in Florida alternatives is not one single thing but a combination of multiple factors.
For example, their partnership with ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), their incredibly well-developed mobile app for making and tracking claims, paying fees, and contacting service, and their 30-day money-back guarantee all play a part.
Pros:
- Vet exam fee coverage in all plans;
- Microchipping fee coverage in all plans;
- 10% multi-pet discount;
- Comprehensive mobile app;
- Behavioral issues coverage in the Complete Coverage Plan;
- Customizable annual caps;
- More affordable compared to competition.
Cons:
- Maximum annual cap of $10,000;
- 14-day waiting period for accidents;
- No live chat option with the mobile app.
Plans & Coverage
ASPCA offers two elementary coverage plans – the Accident-Only Plan and the Complete Coverage Plan. While the former only covers for accident-sustained injuries, such as broken bones, lacerations, and toxic ingestions, the latter also covers for a variety of illnesses, like diabetes, cancer, heart and blood pressure ailments, and more.
ASPCA also offers two preventative care plans. The Basic Plan (monthly $9.95, annual cap $250) covers pet wellness exams, fecal tests, and vaccinations. The Prime Plan (monthly $24.95, annual cap $450) aids in flea and tick prevention, extra vaccines, and neutering expenses.
Aside from this, ASPCA doesn’t cover standard pre-existing conditions, experimental, elective, and cosmetic surgeries, and breeding expenses (barring the spaying/neutering option with the Prime Preventative Care Plan).
ASPCA’s monthly average in the Sunshine State is about $30 for cats and $50 for dogs.
Pets Best
With a wide choice of deductibles at multiple price points, Pets Best represents a safe and reliable alternative for many Florida pet owners looking for stable and decent pet insurance.
Featuring a 5% multi-pet discount, in addition to adjustable reimbursement rates and an affordable wellness plan pack, Pets Best stands out as one of the best pet insurance in Florida companies.
Pros:
- 24/7 available customer service;
- Three-day waiting period for accidents;
- Multi-pet discount;
- Six deductible alternatives to choose from;
- Payments can be settled directly with the vet by contacting the pet insurance provider.
Cons:
- Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament disorders;
- Only two annual cap options.
Plans & Coverage
Pets Best offers two plans. The first one is the Accident-Only Plan, which only covers accident-related expenses. The recommended Best-Benefit Plan, in addition to accidents, also covers a variety of illness-related costs.
Here we can mention chronic conditions, prosthetics, emergency care, infections and inflammations, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, urinary tract disease, hip dysplasia, bloodwork, physical rehabilitation, chiropractic care, acupuncture, etc.
There are also the Essential-Wellness Plan and the Best-Wellness Plan. These plans cover vaccines, wellness exams, heartworm, and similar issues. However, they don’t aid in pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, vitamins and supplements, or holistic care.
Pets Best offers three reimbursement rates – 70%, 80%, and 90%, six deductible options – $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, and $1,000, and two annual benefit limits – $5,000 or unlimited.
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is another top-notch alternative for premium pet owners ready to spend a bit more to ensure that their pet insurance covers as much as possible, functioning as a proper cushion for all accidents and injuries.
Pros:
- Alternative therapy coverage;
- Mobile app for quick and easy claim processing;
- 30-day money-back guarantee;
- Unlimited lifetime option.
Cons:
- No wellness coverage options;
- No discounts.
Plans & Coverage
With an average of $40 for dogs and $15 for cats per month, Healthy Paws offers a single plan that includes coverage for both accident-sustained injuries, and illnesses alike, as well as diagnostics, surgeries, hospitalizations and most other expenses usually covered by pet insurance Florida providers.
It doesn’t cover pet pre-existing conditions, dental care, vaccinations, breeding-related, or elective surgeries.
Prudent Pet
The final entry on our list is also one of the premium alternatives, with an A+ from the BBB, which comes with a fixed unlimited annual coverage and several discounts, but no wellness add-on available for Florida customers.
Pros:
- Slightly more affordable accident-only plan;
- 24/7 vet chat;
- Fast processing of claims;
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons:
- Limited customization;
- No wellness coverage;
- No alternative care coverage.
Plans & Coverage
Prudent Pet offers three plans, the Accident-Only Plan, the Essential Plan, and the Ultimate Plan. The first only covers accident-sustained injuries, the second adds most illnesses and diagnostics to that, while the third one also covers vacation cancellations, lost pet advertisements, behavioral issues, vaccinations, and more.
Pre-existing conditions, breeding-related costs, wellness expenses, and elective surgeries aren’t included. The monthly average in Florida is $30 for cats and $40 for dogs.
How Much is Pet Insurance in Florida?
Pet insurance in Florida prices vary depending on multiple factors, mainly the species, breed, gender, and age of your pet. However, they are also decided according to your budget and the available coverage plans at each company.
On average, the cost of pet insurance Florida is $20 for cats and $45 for dogs, per month.
FAQ: Pet Insurance in Florida
Does the pet health insurance Florida offers cover pre-existing conditions?
No, almost no pet insurance providers cover pre-existing conditions, even though some may cover curable conditions a year after enrollment.
Is Florida pet insurance expensive on average?
The prices for pet insurance in Florida aren’t more expensive than in other states. Both budget and premium alternatives are available, and all pet owners can find an option that suits them.
