BEST PET INSURANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS (MA) 2023

When buying pet insurance in Massachusetts (MA), it is always a good idea to look at policies from more than one company to save on costs. How much coverage you want and how much you are willing to pay are both factors in determining the best pet insurance for you. In addition to covering unexpected medical expenses, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance also gives you the option to include wellness and preventative care in your policy’s protections.

Pet Insurance Massachusetts (MA)

Having pet insurance can make vet visits more affordable if your pet is ever injured or becomes ill. Besides covering the costs of emergency care and hospitalization, many providers of pet health insurance also provide additional wellness coverage for preventative care. It can save you money if your pet gets sick or hurt and you have pet insurance.

Types of Pet Insurance Plans in Massachusetts

There are three insurance plans available for Massachusetts pet owners:

#1. Accident-and-Illness Plans

Insurance plans for accidents and illnesses are the most common type. Accident-related injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, ingestion of foreign bodies or toxins, damage to the ears and eyes, and so on, are all covered. You will also be protected against a wide range of chronic diseases.

#2. Accident-Only Plan

One type of insurance that some companies offer is an accident-only plan. This plan is less expensive overall, but it provides no medical coverage whatsoever.

#3. Wellness Plan

Companies that offer wellness insurance typically only do so as an additional policy. It can be used for routine veterinary services like checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, spaying and neutering, and grooming.

How Pet Insurance Works

Most companies that offer pet insurance make the process simple. After your plan goes into effect, you can take your pet to the vet for any necessary care, and you will be responsible for the out-of-pocket costs. The next step is to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement of the money you spent. In a few exceptional cases, companies may allow you to bypass the claims process altogether by paying your veterinarian directly using a membership card.

However, every plan has the same essential parts: a premium, deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual coverage maximums.

#1. Premium

The monthly or yearly cost of a pet insurance policy is known as the “premium.” Your premium will depend on several things, such as:

Pet’s breed and gender
Age of your pet
Where you live
The level of coverage you want to buy

#2. Deductible

Insurance policies for pets, like those for people, typically feature an annual deductible. Before the pet insurance company will start paying for your veterinarian bills, you will need to pay this deductible, which is usually between $100 and $1,000. In most cases, you can save money on your pet insurance by choosing a higher deductible.

#3. Reimbursement Rate

The amount of money you will receive from your Massachusetts pet insurance policy after meeting your deductible depends on the rate of reimbursement. The typical reimbursement rate is between 50% and 100%. If you choose a smaller reimbursement percentage, your pet insurance premiums will be lower.

#4. Annual Coverage Limit

Annual coverage caps, or the maximum amount an insurer will pay in claims during the policy year, are common in the pet insurance industry. Limits on payouts can range from $2,000 to infinity in more expensive plans.

How To Find the Best Pet Insurance Plan in Massachusetts

There are a few differences between pet insurance companies, but most offer similar plans, coverage, and deductibles. To determine which pet insurance company in Massachusetts offers the best cost, we suggest you compare the following:

#1. 24/7 Service

The time of day does not matter when it comes to some questions or concerns regarding your pet. Check how accessible the company’s customer service is. You can find out if they have a 24/7 vet telehealth line and what time zone they are in by visiting their website.

#2. Discounts

If you insure multiple pets with the same company, are in the military, or work in the veterinary industry, you may be eligible for a discount. Read the fine print or check the site’s frequently asked questions to find them, as they are not always obvious.

#3. End-of-Life Services

Our pets do not live forever. Even though funeral and burial expenses add stress and expense to an already difficult time, some health insurance policies cover these costs.

#4. Exam Fees

You will have a hard time finding a provider who includes exam costs in the base rate, but every once in a while you will find one.

#5. Waiting Periods

Accidents typically have a 14-day waiting period, while illnesses have a more flexible schedule. There are, however, businesses that provide much quicker turnaround times (sometimes just a few days). This is helpful if your pet has an emergency soon after enrollment, like getting hurt or ill.

Best Pet Insurance Company Massachusetts (MA)

#1. Lemonade

When it comes to Massachusetts pet insurance, Lemonade is among the top choices. Lemonade stands out from the competition due to its AI-powered app and website, which make obtaining a quote and filing a claim simple, fast, and inexpensive. There is also a great annual charitable giveback program that distributes leftover premiums to good causes.

In the event of an accident or illness, Lemonade offers a single plan that covers treatment for a wide range of injuries and diseases. Behavioral issues and preexisting conditions are also not covered.

In addition, Lemonade provides a supplemental plan with two levels of protections for preventative care, physical therapy, and regular veterinary checkups. The less expensive plan comes with a wellness checkup, three vaccines, a feces test, diagnostic tests, and blood work. The more expensive plan includes dental cleanings and medicine for fleas, ticks, or heartworms.

#2. Pets Best

The insurer offers multiple $5,000-per-year coverage options. Pets Best is one of the few companies offering unlimited coverage. This company also gives you several options for deductibles and reimbursements. You can take care of multiple pets under one policy and get a discount. Insurers cover lab, MRI, CAT, and X-ray fees. This is one of the top pet insurance companies in Massachusetts.

In addition to an accident-only plan, Pets Best offers accident-and-illness plans with customizable deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual benefit limits. The company’s accident and illness plan allows for a wide range of annual benefit limits, including no limit at all.

For pet insurance companies in Massachusetts, Pets Best had the most affordable sample monthly costs for canines and felines. Additionally, all members have 24/7 access to a Pet Helpline for guidance on everything from emergency care to behavioral issues via phone, online chat, or email.

Pet owners who want customization may like Pets Best Pet Insurance. In addition, the company offers a 24/7 Pet Helpline, so policyholders can get in touch with a veterinarian whenever they need one.

#3. Embrace

Embrace’s Accident and Illness Plan pays for a variety of veterinary services, including checkups, lab work, medications, dental injuries, birth defects, allergy testing, physical therapy, acupuncture, cancer treatments, emergency care, specialists, and more. To qualify for coverage, your pet must undergo a veterinary exam within the last 12 months or the first 14 days of the policy’s effective date, whichever comes first.

Microchipping, annual veterinarian visits, teeth cleaning, prescription diet foods, and spay/neuter surgery are all covered under the Wellness Rewards for Routine Care add-on, which is available through Embrace for an additional $250, $450, or $650 annually.

The Healthy Pet Deductible Benefit rewards pet owners with $50 towards their deductible every year they go without filing a claim, and the fact that there are five deductible levels sold us on this policy.

#4. Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws’ plan is unique in that it has no annual, lifetime, or per-incident limits, relieving pet owners of the stress of worrying about whether or not they will reach their coverage maximum should their pet experience a covered event. This company only offers two options for annual deductibles and reimbursement rates, so if you are looking for more flexibility in your plan, you may want to look elsewhere.

There is only one plan to choose from with Healthy Paws, but it covers everything from preexisting conditions to cancer to hereditary diseases to cancer treatment to accidental injuries to veterinary visits for things like diagnostic tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, surgery, hospitalization, medications, emergency care, specialty care, and even alternative treatments.

This plan does not cover prior conditions, including those that develop during the policy’s initial 15-day waiting period. Neither does it pay for annual checkups, vaccinations, or spay/neuter surgeries.

#5. Spot

Spot is an excellent option for Massachusetts pet owners seeking affordable coverage with a variety of deductible and payment plan options. Selecting from among six different annual maximums, five different deductibles, and three different reimbursement rates can lower monthly premiums.

Spot provides an affordable Accident-Only Plan for things like getting hurt, choking, or ingesting poison. In addition, there is the Accident and Illness Plan, which provides protection against a wider range of medical emergencies and conditions than just injuries. Neither plan will pay for elective procedures, cosmetic treatments, or animal breeding.

In terms of exam fees, insurance for accidents and illnesses can be quite helpful. They also protect against dental diseases like gingivitis and cover necessary dental procedures like tooth extractions following an accident. In addition, these plans include coverage for cancer and other medical treatments.

#6. Fetch

It includes medications, surgeries, and other procedures that your veterinarian may recommend for your pet. Other providers frequently exclude or limit holistic treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, homoeopathy, and stem cell therapy. The Fetch Group health insurance plan includes coverage for dental injuries, general medical illnesses, chronic conditions, and preexisting conditions. It covers policyholders’ medical expenses for prescription drugs, behavioral therapies, diagnostic tests, cancer treatments, specialist treatments, and veterinary visits.

Additionally, it pays for boarding expenses if you must stay in the hospital longer than four days, lost pet reward and advertising costs, and travel expenses incurred due to the covered condition of your pet. Accidents and illnesses have a 15-day waiting period, and it does not cover preexisting conditions or preventative care for pets

#7. Figo

Figo pet insurance is affordable and brings dog lovers together. Our Massachusetts cat owner’s favorite is Figo. Cat insurance premiums are typically lower than dog insurance premiums. The average monthly premium for a policy with this provider is $22.65 for cats.

There is a wide variety of conditions covered by Figo’s policies, from age-related vision and hearing loss to chronic conditions like hip dysplasia. If your pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition after the waiting period has expired, Figo will cover the cost of treating that condition for the rest of its life. There are some conditions that this provider does not cover, like having a microchip implanted.

In contrast, Figo covers alternative and holistic treatments given by licensed veterinarians. The business covers both accidents and illnesses. Your insurance company can pay for a vet, emergency room, or specialist in any part of the world, not just places that are in their network.

Pet Insurance Massachusetts (MA) Cost

Insurance for a dog in Massachusetts can cost anywhere from $25 to $55 per month, while insurance for a cat can cost anywhere from $15 to $35 per month. Nonetheless, premiums can differ in cost due to several different variables. Massachusetts residents can expect to pay an average of $61.17 for their dog and $29.94 for their cat for a policy that provides $10,000 worth of coverage.

Factors That Affect Pet Insurance Cost in Massachusetts (MA)

Due to the higher risk of illness, older pets have a higher premium than their younger counterparts. If you start insuring your pet when they are young, you can save money on annual renewals. In addition, the cost of insuring a pet can be significantly higher for some dog or cat breeds due to their higher predisposition to developing certain diseases.

The cost of pet insurance may vary depending on where in the country you live. In addition, lots of businesses let you pick and choose which features to pay for, thanks to their adaptable personalization options. Lowering your annual coverage limits, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles will all help you pay less each month. Higher out-of-pocket expenses during a claim, however, could result in longer-term financial losses for you.

ASPCA Pet Insurance

An established pet insurance firm backs ASPCA Pet Health Insurance’s plans for covering unexpected medical costs for your cat or dog. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is a national pet insurance program that has been available since 2006 thanks to a collaboration between the ASPCA and Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group.

It has a tool to help you find a local vet, articles and other resources about different animal breeds and common health problems, and a tool to help you compare pet insurance plans. The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Accident-Only Plan is a good option for pet owners looking for low-cost protection against unexpected medical expenses caused by trauma, such as broken bones or bite wounds. Its full coverage plan includes medical emergencies, cancer, genetic hip dysplasia, birth defects, hypothyroidism, and other medical treatments and procedures. Anything that happens before the 14-day waiting period is not covered.

The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Basic Plan covers $250 a year for your pet’s routine care, such as a wellness exam, fecal test, and two vaccines. It costs $9.95 a month and covers preventative care. For an additional $24.95 per month, you can get $450 worth of coverage, including spay/neuter, flea prevention, a blood test, and a few other items.

Coverage Exclusions

An ASPCA policy example states that “occurred on or before the first effective date of the applicable coverage or during a waiting period” are not covered. As long as the condition has been cured and has not had any symptoms or been treated for at least 180 days, it is not considered pre-existing. The only exceptions are knee or ligament problems.

Both the Comprehensive Plan and the Accident-Only Plan exclude the following:

Surgical or cosmetic procedures
Boarding
Anal sac expression
Costs of breeding or having a baby
Elective treatments
Grooming
Transplants of organs or heart valves

Insurance policies from the ASPCA are available nationwide. Please review your policy documents carefully before enrolling, as coverage specifics may vary by region.

ASPCA Pet Insurance Pricing

The cost of an ASPCA policy will differ from one geographic region to another, and it will also depend on the species, breed, size, and age of your pet. Premiums can be tailored to individual needs using the following information and the quotes we have received:

You can spend between $3,000 and $10,000 per year.
Reimbursement percentages of 70%, 80%, and 90%
Deductibles range from $100 to $250 to $500 per year.

Is It Worth It to Get Pet Insurance?

If you live in Massachusetts, getting pet insurance is a must to cover the cost of veterinary care for your pet in the event of illness or injury.

What Age Is Best to Get Pet Insurance?

Dogs, especially puppies, benefit most from having insurance coverage starting at a young age. They will become a higher insurance risk as they age due to the natural decline in their health. You, as the owner, will have to pay more each month and yearly for insurance because of that risk.

Does Pet Insurance Cover a Lot?

Having pet insurance eases the financial burden of unexpected medical care for your pet. Fractures, injuries, bite wounds, genetic disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal illness, dental trauma, chronic diseases, and diabetes are all fairly common.

Many pet insurance companies offer wellness care add-ons that typically cover preventative care. You can not buy coverage for a recent incident because no pet insurer offers coverage for preexisting conditions.

Is Pet Insurance Tax Deductible?

Consult a tax professional to determine whether or not your dog qualifies for a tax deduction for pet insurance. Tax deductions are available for the care of service animals and other working animals.

Should I Get Pet Insurance Before Going to the Vet?

Getting pet insurance is something you should do before bringing your pet in for an examination. Owners who have pet insurance, in my experience, can prioritize the health of their pets over financial concerns when making treatment decisions. Insurance for your pet can be a great way to cover the high cost of veterinary care in the event of an emergency.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Medication?

Pet insurance policies typically cover the cost of medications that a veterinarian prescribes for a covered illness or injury. Prescription drugs and dietary supplements are an exception to this rule.

It is unlikely that you will be able to get reimbursed for your pet’s ongoing medication costs unless you have insurance that specifically covers pre-existing conditions. The same holds for treating your pet with complementary or alternative methods.

How Can I Pay Less for Pet Insurance?

Raising your deductible and/or lowering your reimbursement
Picking the Right Insurance
Comparison shopping is the best way to find adequate protection at a price you can handle.
Enrolling Your Pet As Soon As Possible
Look into discounts

What is the Most Expensive Pet to Insure?

American mastiffs, bull mastiffs, mastiffs, Neapolitan mastiffs, and Saint Bernards are the most expensive dog breeds to insure. English, French, Great Danes, and Rottweilers are some other high-cost dog breeds to insure.

Conclusion

Insurance for pets can be expensive for several reasons, including the pet’s breed, its age, and the amount of coverage it needs. Just like you, your pet should have access to quality medical care. You can rest easy knowing that your pet will receive the care they need, and you will save money if you purchase pet health insurance. By customizing the policy’s coverage limits, you can find pet insurance at nearly any price point. Be aware that as your pet ages, the premium you pay to keep him or her insured will likely increase every time you renew the policy.