How to compare pet insurance quotes
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Updated 2:48 p.m. UTC Nov. 9, 2023
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Key points
- Pet insurance varies by company and plan, making quote comparison vital to finding the best coverage for your pet.
- Accident and illness, accident-only and wellness plans are the three types of pet insurance you can buy. Wellness is typically only available as an add-on.
- Your pet’s age, breed, size, species and gender factor into your pet insurance rate.
- The type of coverage you select, plus the reimbursement level, deductible and annual limit, will also determine your pet insurance cost.
Keeping pets happy and healthy can come at a high price. Just for basic care, it can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000 per year, according to Petfinder.com. That doesn’t include grooming, training or emergency veterinary care.
Pet insurance can offset the costs of veterinary care, and some plans offer a wellness upgrade that reimburses for routine care like grooming and training. Knowing how to compare pet insurance quotes — understanding what pet insurance covers, what it doesn’t and how pet insurers determine rates — can help you get the right coverage for the best price.
Pet insurance plan types
When you buy pet insurance, you’ll choose from these plans: a comprehensive accident and illness plan, cheaper accident-only coverage and an optional wellness add-on or rider.
Accident and illness plan
An accident and illness plan is sometimes called comprehensive pet insurance because it provides the broadest range of coverage. Accident and illness coverage is the most common plan pet owners buy.
Accident and illness pet plans typically provide coverage for:
- Allergies.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Digestive issues.
- Breed-specific health problems.
- Hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions.
- UTIs.
- Prescription medications.
- Emergency vet visits.
- Hospitalization.
- CT scans, X-rays and MRIs.
- Ultrasounds.
- Laboratory testing and analysis.
- Specialty veterinarian care.
Accident-only plan
An accident-only plan will cover veterinary care for your pet’s accidents. This includes broken bones, lacerations, bites, ingesting poisons or objects and eye injuries. Since this policy is limited to only accident-related emergencies excluding illnesses, it’s cheaper than a comprehensive pet insurance plan.
Wellness plan
Pet insurance plans do not cover routine and preventive care, like vaccinations, routine vet exam fees, dental cleanings, and spaying and neutering, but most pet insurance companies offer a wellness plan add-on to supplement your accident and illness pet insurance.
Preventive and routine care can help your pet stay healthy and identify early warning signs of disease or sickness. According to the American Pet Product Association, the average pet owner pays $178 for cats and $242 for dogs annually for routine veterinary care. Adding a wellness plan to your policy can help cover some of these routine costs.
Comparing pet insurance companies
There are about 25 pet insurance companies in the United States and Canada, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
Here’s how the best pet insurance companies compare to one another in terms of rates, deductibles, reimbursement limits, waiting periods and coverage options.
Although pet insurance policies have similar coverages, you may find one company meets your needs better than others.
For instance, Nationwide offers pet insurance for exotic animals and pets such as gerbils, chinchillas, amphibians, potbellied pigs, rabbits and birds. Figo includes holistic and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, magnetic field therapy and hydrotherapy. ASPCA is one carrier that provides coverage for those seeking care for their pet’s behavioral issues.
These are just some differences you’ll find when comparing pet insurance companies. Getting quotes from several providers can help you identify which company best fits your pet’s needs and meets your budget.
What factors affect pet insurance quotes?
When shopping for pet insurance quotes, there are several factors that will affect your cost. Policy details, like the annual coverage limit, reimbursement level, deductible and the type of plan you choose, will impact your rate.
These factors also impact your pet insurance cost:
Pet age. Most pet insurers will provide coverage for pets as young as 7 or 8 weeks old. You’ll usually get the best rates when you insure a pet that’s young and healthy. The older your pet is, the more your pet insurance will cost.
Breed and species. Dogs cost more to insure than cats because they usually get seen more often by the vet. Mixed breeds are generally more healthy than purebreds, and if you have a purebred with known health issues, you could pay more for pet insurance.
Pet gender. Since owners file a larger number of claims for male pets than for female pets, insurers may charge higher rates for male pets.
Pet size. How much your pet weighs and its adult size can also impact pet insurance rates. Large dog breeds are more prone to have health problems like hip dysplasia and heart issues. The more health risks your pet could face, the more your pet insurance premiums could be.
Are there requirements to get a pet insurance policy?
There are typically few requirements to get a pet insurance policy. The most common requirement is age. Most insurers want pets to be at least 7 or eight 8 weeks old before they’re insurable.
Although most pet insurance companies don’t have upper age limits, some do for enrollment. Healthy Paws and Trupanion, for example, will only enroll new cats and dogs up to age 14. Once they’re enrolled, they’ll be covered as long as you decide to keep the policy.
Although Figo doesn’t have an upper age requirement, it recommends following your veterinarian’s advice on senior wellness testing for dogs 8 and older and cats 10 and older.
Pet insurers may require your pet to have a physical exam prior to approving coverage. They might also request your pet’s medical records to review before issuing the policy.
Unlike human health insurance, which usually has network restrictions, your pet can see any licensed veterinarian in the country. You’ll pay their bill in full and then submit a claim to the insurer for reimbursement.
How to compare pet insurance quotes
The pet insurance industry is not standardized like human health insurance. Although price is important, understanding coverage options and exclusions can help you find the right pet insurance company.
Further Reading: Best Pet Insurance Companies
Avoid pet insurance companies with more exclusions than things they cover, advises Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Senior Tail Waggers. She also recommends reading reviews from other people so you can get a true sense of how companies handle claims and what they cover.
Although pet insurance plans can vary, getting quotes with the same coverage options and limits is best. This apples-to-apples comparison can uncover any gaps in coverage one carrier may have or reveal a longer list of covered expenses from one carrier to the next.
Here are things to consider when comparing pet insurance quotes.
Annual limit
The annual limit is the most the insurance company will pay in a plan year for your pet’s veterinary expenses. This amount usually ranges from $5,000 to $20,000, though some companies offer higher limits.
If you buy pet insurance from Lemonade, you can get an annual coverage cap of $100,000. Embrace, Figo, Spot, Pets Best and Pumpkin have an unlimited annual limit option. The coverage limit will start back at $0 in the new year.
Claim filing process
Consider the claim filing process. Some pet insurance companies offer several options, like filing through the mail, faxing or using a website or mobile app to complete the process. Filing claims online or through the app will process faster than filing through the mail.
If you set up direct deposit, you may get your reimbursement faster than if you have to wait for a paper check to be processed and sent through the mail.
Some pet insurance companies like Pets Best and Trupanion can pay the vet directly after a claim is approved, as long as your vet agrees to this form of payment. This means that you wouldn’t have to pay and wait for reimbursement.
Deductible
The deductible is how much you’ll pay for your pet’s covered expenses before your pet insurance coverage starts. You can choose from a range of deductibles, often from $50 to $1,000. If you choose a lower deductible, you’ll pay a higher premium, but you’ll start getting reimbursement faster.
Although most pet insurers have one annual deductible to meet for all covered vet costs, some have a per incident deductible. This means you’ll pay a separate deductible for each new condition they see your pet for.
If you choose a company with an annual deductible, be prepared to pay 4% to 6% more for coverage than you would with per-incident deductibles, advises the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Exam fees
Even though your pet may be seen for a covered injury or illness, it doesn’t mean the insurance company will pay the exam fee. Some companies, like Embrace and Spot, cover exam fees. Figo will also, but only if you pay an extra premium for an exam fee “powerup,” and fees for preventative, routine and wellness visits won’t be covered unless you pay extra for wellness and preventative coverage.
Other features
When comparing pet insurance quotes, you may see other features that some carriers offer. You might have to pay extra or they could be covered under your pet insurance plan. Some of these extra benefits include:
- Burial or cremation.
- Lost pet advertising and rewards.
- Vacation cancellation charges for pet emergencies.
- Boarding fees.
- Pet theft or loss.
- Third-party property damage liability coverage.
- 24/7 vet helplines.
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing condition is an accidental injury or illness your pet has symptoms of or has been seen by a vet for, prior to getting pet insurance coverage. All pet insurance companies have a pre-existing condition clause. There are two types of pre-existing condition: curable and incurable.
Incurable pre-existing conditions will never be covered, like diabetes, bladder crystals, kidney disease and epilepsy. If a veterinarian diagnosed your pet with an incurable condition after coverage is in place and the waiting period is over, it’s considered a new condition and may be covered.
Curable pre-existing conditions may be eligible for coverage once your pet has been symptom free for anywhere from 180 days to 12 months, depending on the company. Curable conditions can include:
- Diarrhea.
- Ear infections.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Vomiting.
- Bladder infections.
- Respiratory infections.
Premium
The premium is the amount you pay for your chosen coverage and limits. The more the insurance company is responsible for, the more you’ll pay.
Although a lower premium might fit your budget, you’ll be reimbursed for less when your pet visits the vet’s office.
Some companies offer annual premiums, which allow you to pay in full for the year, and may offer a discount if you pay this way.
Reimbursement percentage
The reimbursement percentage is the amount of covered medical expenses the company pays after you meet the deductible. The most common reimbursement percentage amounts are 70%, 80% and 90%. Though some companies, like Figo, will pay 100% of covered costs.
If you choose 70% reimbursement, for example, and you have a $2,000 vet bill for covered expenses and you have already met your deductible, the insurance company will reimburse you $1,400 (70% of $2,000).
Choosing a lower reimbursement percentage, also called co-insurance, will lower your premium.
Waiting period
The waiting period is the time between the policy start date and when coverage becomes effective. If anything happens to your pet during the waiting period, there is no coverage.
Company waiting periods will vary from one to 14 days for accidents and are usually 14 days for illnesses. For orthopedic issues, like cruciate ligaments and hip dysplasia, the waiting period can be up to six months.
Wellness plan
A wellness plan is a rider or optional coverage you can add to some accident and illness pet insurance plans. It will cover routine and preventative care your pet receives to stay healthy, which can also reveal potential health problems.
Adding a wellness plan can provide coverage for:
- Annual checkup exam fees.
- Vaccinations.
- Titer testing.
- Blood, fecal and urine analysis and testing.
- Dental cleanings.
- Microchipping.
- Grooming.
- Spay or neuter surgery.
- Flea, tick and heartworm testing and prevention medications.
How much does pet insurance cost?
The average monthly pet insurance premium for a dog is $55 per month for an accident an illness policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $500 deductible and 90% reimbursement limit, according to our analysis of rates from Petinsurer.com. The average monthly premium for cats is $47 for the same policy.
How much you’ll pay for pet insurance depends on the plan you choose, the coverage limits you select, your ZIP code and your pet’s details like age, breed, species and size.
How to get free pet insurance quotes
Pet insurance quotes are free no matter how you get them. The quickest and easiest way to get a free pet insurance quote is to visit the pet insurance provider’s website, enter your pet’s details, then select coverage options.
You can also use comparison websites to enter your pet’s information and coverage requests to compare several companies at once.
If you prefer to speak with a person, you can request a quote over the phone or in person. Nationwide has in-person agents ready to provide quotes, and you can also work with insurers like Progressive, who is partnered with Pets Best. These companies may offer a bundling discount on pet insurance if you also insure your own personal policies, like bundling auto and home insurance.
Yes, it’s worth shopping around for pet insurance. Just like auto and home insurance, pet insurance companies may offer different coverage options and have varying price points. Shopping around can help you get the best price on the pet insurance policy that meets your pet’s needs.
The best level of pet insurance is a comprehensive policy that covers both accidents and illnesses. You can also include a wellness plan add-on to cover routine and preventive care costs.
If you want the pet insurance company to pay more toward your pet’s health care costs, get a higher reimbursement percentage and annual limit with a low deductible. The premium will be higher, but the insurance company will shoulder more of your pet’s covered health expenses.
Yes, pet insurance gets more expensive as your pet ages. The older your pet gets, the more likely they are to see the vet for health problems like arthritis, cancer, heart conditions or gum disease.
Some companies have age limits for enrolling new, older pets, anywhere from 10 to 14 years. Healthy Paws has a maximum enrollment age limit of 14, for example.
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