Things to Consider Before Choosing Pet Insurance in Georgia
- 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
Over 50% of all Georgia households own at least one pet, making veterinary costs a large part of the family budget. A good pet insurance plan will aid you in urgent veterinary costs and allow you to take care of your pet’s wellbeing without the financial burden.
Vet bills in Georgia may be lower than the average costs in other US states. Still, a comprehensive pet insurance policy is a worthy investment to secure you in case of emergency vet procedures.
If you’re looking for the best provider of affordable pet insurance for dogs in Georgia, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll closely go through the providers of the best pet insurance in Georgia and the features they include in their plans.
Spot
With its headquarters in Florida, a state neighboring Georgia, Spot is a provider well-known for offering financial reassurance for pet owners amid the potential dangers of this region. The unlimited annual benefits and the 24/7 vet helpline are some advantages that make this provider stand out from its competition.
Pros:
- Short waiting periods for knee and ligament injuries (only 14 days);
- The plans include alternative treatments;
- There is no upper age limit;
- Your coverage is valid anywhere in the US and Canada.
Cons:
- Spot’s monthly premiums are higher than most other competitors’ premiums;
- There are some bilateral exclusions;
- A monthly payment comes with a $2 transaction fee.
Plans & Coverage
Spot pet insurance GA includes microchip implantation as a standard part of its Accident-Only and Accident-Illness plans to encourage owners to chip their pets. Nevertheless, the provider does not cover possible extra fees, which may be necessary to submit your contact information to the pet’s ID number.
Microchipping is a vital part of your responsibilities as a pet owner, as it significantly increases the chances of a lost pet reuniting with its owner. Lost pets make up a solid portion of the 160,000 dogs and cats in Georgia’s shelter system, proving this procedure’s importance.
Another common issue for pet owners in Georgia is allergies due to the record-high pollen amount in the humid, warm spring and summer months. Spot’s Accident-Illness policy covers allergies if the symptoms appear after 14 days.
However, a drawback of Spot’s rules and regulations is that they exclude all bilateral conditions (such as hip or elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament issues, or cataracts).
As for the monthly premium, pet owners from Georgia pay $18 to $25 for cats and $30 to $50 for dogs.
Lemonade
While Lemonade is still not available in all states, Georgia is one of the 35 states this provider covers. Lemonade is an excellent choice for comprehensive pet healthcare coverage, offering one basic Accident-Illness plan and three additional preventative care add-ons.
Pros:
- Available 20% discounts;
- 48-hour waiting period for accident-related injuries;
- Up-to-date online experience;
- Annual limits up to $100,000.
Cons
- Lemonade excludes microchipping, spaying or neutering procedures, and behavioral treatments;
- No coverage for pet dental illnesses in pets aged two or below;
- You cannot enroll pets over 14 years of age;
- Lemonade also excludes many invasive procedures.
Plans & Coverage
Lemonade’s online customer experience replaces the lengthy paperwork process and makes insurance registration a much more comfortable ordeal. By accessing Lemonade’s mobile app, you will undergo a 90-second enrollment procedure from your personal device.
Lemonade’s coverage includes eligible accident-related injuries, lab work, medical imaging, diagnostic tests, vaccinations, emergency care, surgical procedures, and prescription medications. The standard comprehensive accident-illness policy excludes parasite control.
The warm and humid climate makes Georgia a convenient environment for native pests, especially fleas and mosquitoes, whose bites can cause tapeworm and heartworm infestations. This is why coverage for parasite control is crucial in this area. Preventative drugs and routine care coverage are accessible via Lemonade’s Preventative Wellness add-ons.
A Lemonade pet insurance policy will cost cat owners $14 per month, whereas dog owners will pay $37 per month. Furthermore, the Basic Preventative package costs $10 per month for cats and $15 per month for dogs, whereas the Preventative Plus package comes at an additional monthly price of $12 for cats and $17 for dogs.
Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance is an excellent choice for pet owners who prioritize preventative care coverage. This provider offers an exclusive wellness program without any per-item limits, enabling policyholders to spend their allowance on whatever expenses their pets require.
Pros:
- Embrace offers a multi-pet discount;
- Wellness rewards plans are available to policyholders;
- Includes diminishing deductible programs;
- Differentiates between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions.
Cons:
- Orthopedic injuries come with a long waiting period (6 months);
- Pets older than 14 are not eligible for enrollment;
- Preventative care stipends are non-refundable.
Plans & Coverage
Embrace Pet Insurance Georgia has several preventative care options apart from its standard pet insurance plans to provide pet owners with the best-in-class level of protection. These add-ons cover core vaccinations, physical exams, overall pet health maintenance, and more.
It’s no wonder it’s one of the best pet insurance Georgia offers! The only major setback in Embrace’s terms and conditions is the rejection of pets older than 14, as senior dogs have the greatest need for specialized care.
Other than the upper age limit, most of the features excluded from Embrace’s policy are common in the pet insurance industry, such as pet pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or expenses of treatment necessary due to abuse or neglect.
On average, policyholders pay a monthly premium of $15 to $20 for cats and $30 to $40 for dogs.
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is famous among pet owners and veterinarians for its unlimited annual maximums on all plan levels. Even though the lack of yearly limits makes monthly premiums a little higher, this pioneering pet insurance company guarantees to cover your vet bills, no matter how expensive.
Pros:
- Healthy Paws includes alternative treatments such as chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and more;
- All plans come with no annual maximums;
- Turnaround time for claim reviews is just two days.
Cons:
- Healthy Paws pet insurance GA offers no multi-pet discounts or wellness coverage;
- Pets older than six years are not eligible for hip dysplasia coverage;
- Pets over 14 years of age cannot enroll.
Plans & Coverage
The unlimited annual benefit makes the average policy expenses at Healthy Paws more pricey than other pet insurance options. Cat owners would usually pay $13 to $16 per month, while dog owners pay between $35 and $50.
Healthy Paws stands out from other pet insurance providers because it includes alternative treatment in its basic Accident-Illness plan. On the other hand, Healthy Paws is not the most convenient option for older pets, as this provider only allows pets aged six and younger to enroll for hip dysplasia coverage. In addition to that, Healthy Paws doesn’t provide any solutions for preventative care coverage.
Fetch by Dodo
Formerly known as Petplan, Fetch by the Dodo was started in 2003 by a passionate young couple of pet owners that struggled to handle their unexpected high expenses for veterinary care.
Facing a $5,000 bill at the vet office for the costs connected to their cat’s illness, they decided to launch a project to help other pet parents in similar situations. Two decades later, Fetch is one of Georgia pet owners’ most acclaimed insurance options.
Pros:
- Fetch pet insurance GA offers many ways to customize your plan with three annual limits, three deductibles, and three reimbursement levels;
- Fetch includes unexpected costs in the policy, such as trip cancellation due to your pet’s illness or boarding fees for sick owners;
- Reimbursement works with all licensed veterinarians in the US and Canada;
- An up-to-date website with informative and valuable resources connected to pet healthcare.
Cons:
- Fetch offers only one comprehensive plan with no add-on options;
- Owners of older animals (pets enrolled at age six or above) are required to provide a veterinary exam in the first month after the enrollment claim;
- Fetch excludes preventative care altogether.
Plans & Coverage
Unlike a great deal of its competition, Fetch by the Dodo provides pet owners with one comprehensive plan and no optional add-ons for greater coverage. The accident-illness pet insurance policy includes diagnostic tests, exam fees, prescripted medications, hospitalization, and more. Some of the exclusions from Fetch’s policy include elective procedures and preventative care.
Monthly premiums depend on several factors, such as your pet’s species, age, breed, and location. In addition to that, the annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate you choose also determine your monthly premium.
For instance, a pet insurance package with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible, and 70% reimbursement rate would be convenient for an owner of a one-year-old cat. With a yearly unlimited payout, $250 deductible, and a 90% reimbursement rate, they would have to pay a higher monthly premium ($37.84).
ASPCA
ASPCA is a well-known and established name in the pet healthcare and charity area. So, when it comes to pet insurance options, this provider is one of the most recommendable choices for pet owners. ASPCA’s status as trailblazers in the animal welfare system speaks volumes about the quality of their coverage policies.
Pros:
- ASPCA pet insurance Georgia offers a 10% discount for multiple pet parents;
- ASPCA includes microchip implantation expenses;
- Congenital and hereditary illnesses are considered eligible for coverage;
- The waiting period for knee or ligament issues is relatively short.
Cons:
- ASPCA offers only three deductible options;
- There is an annual limit of $10,000;
- You will be required to pay monthly transaction fees.
Plans & Coverage
Unlike many pet insurance providers with new policyholders waiting for 180 days for coverage of expenses related to knee and ligament injuries, ASPCA only requires its customers to go through a 14-day waiting period after their policy is activated.
This provider’s comprehensive accident-illness policy offers reimbursement for veterinary care expenses linked to congenital and chronic conditions such as IVDD, heart disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, etc.
On the other hand, the list of exclusions is pretty long. ASPCA’s pet insurance policy excludes pre-existing conditions, breeding and pregnancy-related costs, and expenses related to cosmetic procedures.
The average monthly premium that pet owners in Georgia would pay as ASPCA’s policyholders varies from $20 to $30 for cats and $35 to $45 for dogs. Preventative care coverage comes at an additional $9.95 per month for the basic package and $24.95 per month for the more comprehensive routine care plan.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in Georgia?
Pet insurance policies do not come at a fixed price for all Georgia pet parents. Your pet’s species, age, breed, and medical background determine your personalized monthly premium. In general, the price range for cat owners is $10 to $20 per month, while dog owners can expect to pay between $30 and $40.
FAQ: Pet Insurance in Georgia
How does pet insurance in Georgia work?
As soon as your pet gets the veterinary care required for its particular health issue and you get the vet bill, you can submit a claim to your pet insurance Georgia provider. To do this, include a copy of the bill and answers to several contextual questions about your pet’s health issue. After that, your claim is up for review and approval by the insurer within a fixed waiting period.
How to select the best pet insurance in Georgia?
More or less, all acclaimed competitors in the pet insurance industry in Georgia offer accident, accident-illness, and wellness coverage plans. However, there are several factors you need to consider before choosing specific pet insurance in GA.
First of all, set the priorities according to your pet’s health and decide whether wellness coverage is necessary and if the policy excludes any of your typical vet care expenses. After that, thoroughly check enrollment requirements, monthly or annual processing fees, and the possible increase in premiums over the years.
Finally, compare the monthly premium to the national average and go over the current policyholders’ opinions on the provider.