PET INSURANCE COST: How Much is Pet Insurance 2023

Pet insurance can be a great way to protect your pet from unexpectedly high veterinary bills. However, the cost of pet insurance can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the type of pet, the breed, the age, and the location.

In this article, we will discuss the average cost of pet insurance in 2023 as well as the factors that affect the cost. We will also provide tips for finding affordable pet insurance.

Cost of Pet Insurance

Many pet parents find that purchasing pet insurance is an excellent way to reduce the money they spend on medical costs by paying a set monthly payment. Based on information obtained from 10 leading pet insurance providers, we discovered that adult dog pet insurance ranges from $23.06 to $48.46, while cat insurance costs between $14.58 and $24.41.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a typical price for pet insurance that works for everyone. The precise amount of your pet insurance premium will vary depending on several variables, such as the breed, age, and location of your pet. The provider and level of coverage you select will also affect the cost of the plan you select. There is no right or wrong coverage option when it comes to pet insurance; the best plan is the one that suits your needs, just like with human health insurance.

Although we cannot reveal your exact cost, we may provide more information regarding industry norms and our observations from pet insurance companies, actual clients, and our mystery shoppers.

It is also the case that the provider you select affects your overall cost, even in cases where the specifics of your coverage and pet do not change.

Elements That Affect the Cost of Pet Insurance

The total cost of pet insurance will vary depending on your pet’s age, breed, and region, as well as the coverage options and discounts you select.

#1. Options for Coverage

You can alter your yearly limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate with pet insurance. If you select a large deductible, a low reimbursement percentage, and a low annual limit, you will often pay the lowest monthly premium. When your pet visits the veterinarian, though, you will have to pay more out of pocket.

The decisions you make while deciding on pet insurance coverage involve expenses, just as with any other insurance policy. Accident-only plans, which cover accidents, injuries, and some procedures, are the least expensive options, according to the Insurance Information Institute. These insurances may have yearly reimbursement caps in addition to annual deductibles.

More comprehensive accident and illness policies, which are more expensive but offer better benefits, cover prescription drugs and services like testing and lab expenses. Though many of these programs restrict reimbursements, the deductibles may be cheaper. Conversely, wellness care coverage provides financial assistance for immunizations and other preventative treatments.

#2. Type

Breeds more likely to develop specific health issues will have higher monthly insurance costs. Purebred animals may be more susceptible to conditions that increase the cost of veterinarian treatment and raise the cost of a pet insurance policy.

#3. Age

The insurance price for older pets will always be higher than that of younger ones, but the terms of when and how premiums are raised vary depending on the supplier.

You may enroll your pet in most pet insurance plans as early as six weeks of age. Certain companies have an upper age limit of 10 to 14 years old for enrollment. You will thus need to locate a senior pet firm that does not have upper age limits if you have an older dog or cat.

The cost of your coverage will vary depending on factors such as the health and welfare of your pet. Among them is age. The cost of pet insurance increases with age, and some insurers may decide not to offer coverage for older animals. An evaluation of the animal’s medical history will also be made.

The sample monthly rates in the following table illustrate how the age of a pet can affect the insurance premiums paid. Rates for Embrace, tied with Spot for second place in our ranking of the top pet insurance providers, differ based on the pet’s age in our example policy. The sample average rates are meant to serve as examples. The actual charges vary depending on several variables, such as the coverage options selected.

#4. Location

Your pet insurance policy’s premium may vary depending on the typical cost of veterinarian care in your area. Take these three passages from Healthy Paws, for instance. The monthly premium for a one-year-old mixed-breed dog differs for each of the three estimates, although it is the same overall.

$52.11 in New York City, N.Y.
Carolina, Raleigh: $41.82
$35.44 Houston, Texas

Get a quote from your selected pet insurance company for the most accurate idea of how much the finest pet insurance costs in your area. To get the best deal and coverage for your pet, we advise obtaining quotes from at least three different companies.

Numerous insurance companies provide reductions for insuring more than one pet, and some also give savings for being claim-free, serving in the armed forces, or adopting a pet from a shelter. Per the Insurance Information Institute (III), there are membership-based services that offer veterinarian discount programs as well. These aren’t insurance contracts. In exchange for lower costs for veterinarian visits, surgeries, and pet supplies, pet owners pay into these plans. The III points out that, unlike pet health insurance coverage, these discount programs are unregulated.

#5. Brand

The supplier determines the premium you pay. Every organization weighs certain elements more than others when assessing risk in a slightly different way. This may result in different prices for similar insurance depending on your selected provider. Our research indicates that Lemonade provides excellent value by fusing reasonable costs with thorough coverage.

#6.Discount

When you enroll more than one pet or pay for your annual coverage in full, many providers provide you with discounts. In addition, some carriers give policyholders who serve in the military or take care of animals discounts.

#7. Previous Health Issues

Preexisting conditions are typically not covered by insurers, and many also have other coverage restrictions. You should look into those. Additionally, there are waiting periods under pet insurance policies before coverage begins. The waiting times differ depending on the insurance and, occasionally, the condition. There is, however, one constant: your policy will not cover a sickness that develops during the waiting period because it is usually regarded as a preexisting condition.

Consider the pet insurance deductible and whether certain types of claims are prohibited before deciding whether or not to get pet insurance. Next, determine which add-on services are essential, and don’t overlook accident insurance.

People consider pet insurance in the event of illnesses like cancer, but accidents sometimes happen, and you may want them to be protected. Pet owners bring their animals along on trips and road trips, exposing them to the same mishaps that affect family members.

How to Cut the Cost of Your Pet Insurance

The following strategies can assist in lowering the cost of your pet insurance.

#1. Make your plan unique

Frequently, you can reduce your costs by modifying the conditions of your insurance. For instance, if you choose a greater deductible, your monthly premium usually goes down. Just be aware that before your insurer begins to reimburse you, you must pay more of Fluffy’s veterinary expenditures.

Lowering your reimbursement percentage is another option. Rather than 90% of your vet fees, for instance, your insurer may pay 70% or 80% of them. You can also minimise your price by selecting a smaller coverage limit.

#2. Look for Any Discounts

Certain pet insurance providers provide discounts if you insure more than one pet, pay your premium annually as opposed to monthly, or are a member of the armed forces.

If you get pet insurance and other coverage from a business that offers a variety of insurance products, you can also be eligible for a discount. Existing Nationwide policyholders, for instance, can receive a 5% discount on a new pet insurance policy.

Finally, find out if pet insurance is a perk that your work offers. It could be possible to negotiate a lower price.

#3. Look Around

Let the more than 20 pet insurance companies in the US compete for your business. Choose the plan that fits your budget the best after comparing rates for comparable levels of coverage from three different insurers.

Because not every company offers the same coverage options and deductibles, it can be challenging to compare pet insurance quotes fairly. For instance, one insurance might pay up to 90% for all pets, while another would only pay up to 70%. You have to determine which features are worth extra money.

Top Pet Insurance Cost Companies

Numerous respectable pet insurance providers offer dog insurance. But there are better and worse pet insurance providers. Based on our analysis of pet insurance companies, these are the top five best dog insurance companies.

#1. Figo

Figo provides 100% reimbursement for illness and injury plans with no occurrence caps. Dogs are eligible for reimbursement at any age, and the refund process takes about 2.6 days. You can also include coverage for veterinarian exam expenses and wellness exams.

#2. Embrace

Embrace’s dog insurance covers various veterinary expenses, including up to $1,000 in annual coverage for dental illnesses. Embrace covers the cost of your dog’s examinations for all approved illnesses and accidents, unlike other pet insurance providers. Additionally, you can sign up for Embrace’s Wellness Rewards program to receive reimbursement for expenses related to regular vet visits, dog training, supplements, and grooming.

#3. ASPA

Several dog insurance plans, including a preventative care add-on, are available from the ASPCA. Plans cover a variety of things, including prescription drugs and food, behavioral health concerns, accidents, sicknesses, and alternative therapies. When you insure more than one pet, such as a dog and a cat, you might receive a 10% discount on your plan.

#4. Nationwide

Nationwide offers dog wellness, accident-only, and accident-and-illness plans. You can utilize any veterinarian or expert, as well as any animal hospital if your dog needs medical attention. There’s also a veterinarian hotline that’s open around the clock. When you fill your pet’s prescription at a Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy, you can save money on their prescription drugs thanks to Nationwide’s PetRxExpress program.

#5. Metalife

You can receive reimbursement for up to 100% of your dog’s veterinarian expenses if you have Metlife pet insurance. You may obtain coverage from MetLife without your dog needing an initial checkup or prior vet records, and there are no breed prohibitions or higher age limits. Apart from offering plans focused solely on accidents and illness, Metlife offers preventative care coverage as an add-on.

Is Pet Insurance Worth it for Dogs?

If your pet needs urgent, high-cost veterinarian care, having pet insurance coverage may help you eventually afford the cost. It’s not always realistic to have three to six months’ worth of expenses on hand for unforeseen events like an illness or injury to a pet, even though experts advise against it.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

It covers bite wounds, slashes, fractured bones, things swallowed, and hazardous ingestions, among other injuries and emergency incidents. It also includes various medical procedures and therapies recommended in response to mishaps, including blood tests, MRIs, ultrasounds, X-rays, stitches, drugs, hospital stays, and surgeries.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Major Surgery?

Medically essential surgeries, including emergency surgeries and specific prophylactic procedures, may be covered by pet insurance coverage. Generally speaking, elective or optional operations are not covered, and certain surgeries cannot be allowed if they relate to a pre-existing condition.

Is it OK to not have Pet Insurance?

A significant unanticipated veterinary charge, such as thousands of dollars for cancer treatment or a broken bone, might be lessened with the help of pet insurance. You would have to pay for veterinary bills out of pocket if you didn’t have pet insurance.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Medication?

Medication is covered by pet insurance as long as the condition for which it is prescribed is covered by your policy.

Does Pet Insurance Cover CT Scans?

If you have a comprehensive pet insurance plan, it usually covers all diagnostic testing, including CT scans and MRIs, to check for neurological or musculoskeletal issues. All of the information regarding the items and tests that are covered by the insurance plan is contained in the policy papers.

Is Lifetime Pet Insurance Worth it?

Conclusion

The cost of insuring your pet depends on several factors, such as the species (dog insurance is more expensive than cat insurance) and breed (some pets are more likely than others to need expensive veterinarian treatment, with insurance premiums that reflect that risk).

Your geographical location also matters. Licensed veterinarians and other animal-care providers’ fees differ significantly by state, city, and neighborhood. Higher premiums are then charged to pet owners who insure their animals to cover those costs.

PET INSURANCE COST: How Much is Pet Insurance 2023

Cost of Pet Insurance