Pets are cherished members of our families, and we want to do everything we can to keep them healthy and happy. However veterinary care can be expensive, especially if your pet has a serious illness or injury. That’s where pet insurance can come in handy.
Pet insurance can help you offset the cost of veterinary care, so you can focus on getting your pet the best possible treatment without worrying about the financial burden.
If you live in Washington State and are looking for the best pet insurance, you’re in luck. There are a number of great pet insurance companies that offer coverage to residents of Washington.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best pet insurance companies in Washington of 2023. We’ll compare their plans, coverage, and pricing to help you choose the best pet insurance for your needs and budget.
Why Should I Get Washington Pet Insurance?
Vet bills are costly, and 80% of owners claim they cannot afford a $5,000 charge if the worst happens. Pet insurance in Washington is the most excellent method to safeguard your pet from accidents, illnesses, and other unexpected events. Insuring your pet is one of the most critical investments, with some plans covering up to 90% of medical fees. Pet insurance plans include:
- Pet health insurance.
- Pet accident coverage
- Pet wellness plans that include vaccinations and much more
You can safeguard your pet from disease, accidents, pet wellness care, chronic problems, and surgery. Vet bills are expensive; pet accident insurance is intended to assist you in covering the costs of unexpected medical emergencies. Pet insurance is a widespread and reasonable option for people in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and neighbouring cities to safeguard the well-being of their pets.
How Much Does Washington Pet Insurance Cost?
Owners must do some research to determine the best coverage because the cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including the pet’s location, age, and breed.
The Cost of Dog Pet Insurance in Washington
Insurance premiums rise with the pet’s age and the coverage level provided by the policy. A $5,000 coverage plan in Seattle costs an average of $37.85 per month for a 2-year-old small mixed-breed dog and $47.27 for a similar dog at 6 years old. If the plan is unlimited, the average monthly cost for a 2-year-old dog is $43.20 and $53.95 for a 6-year-old dog.
Dog Insurance in Major Urban Areas in Washington
In Seattle, the monthly cost of insuring a 2-year-old small, mixed-breed dog is higher ($37.85 with a $5,000-limit policy) than in any other city in our ranking. Jacksonville, Florida, has the lowest monthly rate for that dog with the same coverage limit, at $14.03 monthly.
Seattle also has the highest monthly premium ($43.20) for that dog with an unlimited policy, but Jacksonville does not. That honor goes to Minneapolis, where a complete policy for a 2-year-old tiny mixed-breed dog costs an average of $16.78 monthly.
In New York City, typical monthly rates for a 6-year-old little mixed-breed dog are slightly higher than in Seattle. Our investigation discovered that insurance with $5,000 of coverage costs $47.81 per month on average in New York City, and a policy with unlimited coverage costs roughly $56.14, the highest rate for that type of dog in our study.
Washington’s Best Dog Insurance
The number of dog parks a city has, how walkable it is, how many days on average it has at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (and at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit), the number of veterinarians it has, average vet visit costs, average costs of 30-minute dog walks, and hourly pet-sitting rates all contribute to a city’s ranking on this list.
The Cost of Cat Pet Insurance in Washington
While monthly premiums for cats are often lower than those for dogs, they increase with age and the coverage the plan provides. The average monthly premium for a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat in Seattle with a $5,000 policy limit is $24.92, and the same cat with no policy limit is $28.44. That monthly premium rises to $29.33 with $5,000 coverage and $33.48 with unlimited coverage for a 6-year-old domestic shorthair cat.
Cat Insurance in Major Urban Areas in the United States
New York City has the highest overall cat insurance rates: $30.52 per month for a 2-year-old cat and $42.78 per month for a 6-year-old cat with a $5,000 coverage limit. With unlimited coverage, a 2-year-old cat costs $35.84 per month, and a 6-year-old cat costs $50.24.
Jacksonville has some of the lowest pricing, with policyholders paying an average of $11.23 per month for a 2-year-old cat with a $5,000-limit policy, $15.74 per month for a 6-year-old cat with the same coverage limit, and $18.41 per month for a 6-year-old cat with a no-limit policy. However, Jacksonville does not have the lowest premium for a 2-year-old cat with a no-limit policy ($15.97 per month); that honor goes to Indianapolis, which has an average monthly fee of $13.13.
Common Pet Problems in Washington
Some of the most prevalent pet issues are:
#1. Stomach Difficulties
Vomiting, diarrhea, and parasites are some digestive difficulties pets and humans share. That stolen pizza could cause an upset stomach that necessitates medical treatment.
#2. Heatwaves
Everyone knows that only the wealthy have a spacious backyard in the city. During the summer, your four-legged buddy is at risk of heatstroke, burned paws, hyperthermia, and dehydration. All state veterinarian clinics and animal hospitals accept valid pet insurance policies. Reduce out-of-pocket expenses and immediately protect your pets by purchasing a pet insurance policy.
What Factors Influence Pet Insurance Prices in Washington?
Your pet’s breed and age, the quantity of coverage, and where you reside can all impact your Washington pet insurance premiums. You can tailor a policy to your needs and budget by altering the coverage limits, deductible cost, and reimbursement ratio.
#1. Limits on Annual Reimbursement
The annual reimbursement or coverage limit refers to the most the insurance carrier will pay toward your pet’s medical expenses in a given year. The coverage limitations range from $3,000 to infinity.
#2. Deductible
The amount you must pay before your insurance company will cover your claims: The lower your deductible, the higher your monthly premium will be.
#3. Percentage of Bill Reimbursement
If you have a 90% bill reimbursement ratio and your vet cost is $1,000 (after your deductible), you will pay the veterinarian $100 out-of-pocket, and the rest will be repaid. Higher reimbursement percentage policies are typically more expensive.
In general, dogs are more expensive to insure than cats. Large breeds and breeds with congenital health concerns may also have more significant intra-species expenditures.
#4. Age of the Animal
The older your pet gets, the more expensive their insurance will likely be. This is because as pets age, they develop more health difficulties.
#5. Location
Your pet insurance prices are also affected by where you reside. If you live in a place with a higher cost of living or heightened environmental concerns such as traffic congestion or severe weather, your costs will reflect this.
#6. Discounts for Multiple Pets
Refers to the discount some insurers offer if you cover more than one pet.
Washington’s Best Pet Insurance Companies
#1. Figo
Figo isn’t the first pet insurer with a smartphone app, but its Pet Cloud can do more than file claims and pay payments. You may also arrange your pet’s medical information, live chat with a veterinarian, meet other pet parents, and find dog walkers or groomers in your area.
Figo provides an accident and illness insurance policy with three yearly reimbursement maximums ranging from $5,000 to infinity. Figo offers full coverage, including nonroutine dental care, alternative treatments, and inherited disorders. Then, you can add even more alternatives, including wellness care and veterinary exam price coverage.
Figo does not cover pre-existing ailments like other pet insurers, although it acknowledges that some conditions are treatable. If your pet hasn’t displayed any symptoms or received treatment for a treatable ailment in the last 12 months, Figo will cover the problem if it arises again.
#2. Best Pets
Best Pets is a beautiful alternative if you want to tailor your coverage and price. There are three accident and illness coverage levels, two wellness add-ons, and an accident-only plan. This boosts your chances of obtaining insurance that meets your demands and falls within your budget.
You can work with Pets Best to pay your vet directly for larger bills, such as surgery, so you don’t have to pay as much upfront.
In most states, Pets Best offers regular waiting periods: three days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and six months for cruciate ligament concerns.
#3. AKC
The American Kennel Club offers pet insurance plans that are not only available to purebred dogs. You can sign up for the organization’s plans for mixed breeds and even cats, which include optional add-ons for test fees, wellness coverage, and final charges. You can obtain 30 days of free pet insurance if you register your new puppy for an AKC membership.
One feature that distinguishes AKC is that it covers pre-existing conditions in most states after a 12-month waiting period. Most other pet insurers will only cover cured pre-existing diseases or will not cover them at all.
However, AKC may not be the greatest option for enrolling an older pet. Pets 9 or older are only eligible for accident coverage when you purchase your insurance. Those who sign up after age two are also ineligible for coverage of AKC’s optional genetic or congenital disorders.
Age Restrictions
The minimum enrollment age for puppies is 8 weeks; for kittens, the minimum is 10 weeks. No maximum age exists, but pets aged 9 and up are only eligible for accident coverage. On the other hand, pets with an existing accident and illness plan may keep such coverage beyond the age of 9 as long as there are no coverage lapses.
#4. MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance provides several options to save money on your coverage based on where you live and work. First responders, health care workers, veterans, current military members, and animal care facility staff may all be eligible for a discount. You may also save money on your coverage if your company provides MetLife pet insurance as a bonus.
MetLife is particularly notable for its comprehensive coverage, encompassing inherited and congenital disorders, alternative therapies, prescription food, and dental problems. You can personalize the plan by changing the deductible, reimbursement, and coverage amounts and adding wellness benefits. There are no lifetime limits on the plan.
#5. Nationwide
While most insurance companies only cover dogs and cats, Nationwide’s exotic pet coverage will cover almost any of your furry, feathery, or scaly friends. You’ll have to call because online quotes are only available for cats and dogs.
Nationwide offers three primary plans. Whole Pet covers various accidents and illnesses, including inherited problems, and reimburses a percentage of your vet expenditures up to your yearly maximum. Major Medical provides less extensive coverage and pays a flat rate for each disease, regardless of your veterinarian’s costs. You can mix and match different types of coverage with the modular plan. You can add wellness coverage to your modular or major medical plan or purchase a wellness plan. Wellness plans are not offered in every state or through Whole Pet.
Age restrictions: The minimum age may be 8 weeks, and the maximum age may be 8 or 9 years, depending on the plan. Some plans have no minimum or full-age requirements.
#6. Trupanion
Trupanion handles deductibles differently than most other pet insurance businesses in most states. Instead of charging a yearly deductible, it charges deductibles per condition, and once you’ve satisfied each one, you won’t have to pay it again during your pet’s lifespan.
If your pet develops a chronic ailment that necessitates long-term therapy, this could save you money. Once you’ve paid the deductible, you won’t have to pay it again. Trupanion reimburses 90% of expenses once the deductible is reached, and no annual or lifetime coverage limits exist.
Deductibles are not required in some places, including Florida and Texas. You can set your reimbursement rate from 70% to 100%.
Trupanion does not provide a wellness plan and, in some jurisdictions, costs extra for acupuncture, physical therapy, and behavioral therapies. You can purchase a Pet Owner Assistance package as well. This includes items like a lost pet reward, boarding bills if you’re hospitalized, and trip cancellation costs if you must rush home for a pet emergency.
Can You Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis?
Yes, depending on your pet insurance coverage type, you can still purchase pet insurance to cover future injuries and illnesses. The policy would not cover any pre-existing ailments, whether diagnosed or not.
Does Pet Insurance Increase with Age?
The older your pet gets, the more likely he or she will have health problems, some of which may be age-related (or exacerbated by age), resulting in higher veterinary bills, which may boost your chances of submitting a pet insurance claim. As a result, your pet’s premiums tend to rise with age.
Does Pet Insurance Cover a lot?
The reimbursement rate is the amount that a pet insurance company reimburses you for the cost of care. After your deductible is met, the most comprehensive pet health insurance will return you 80% to 100% of your vet bill.
What is the Most Expensive Pet Insurance?
According to LendEDU’s research, the following three breeds have the highest pet insurance premiums: Monthly rent in Newfoundland is $100.79. $94.19 per month for a Dogue de Bordeaux $89.53 for a Jack Russell Terrier
Conclusion
The top pet insurance provider in Washington strikes a balance between service offers and price. Their coverage will save you thousands of dollars in an emergency and ensure you can afford veterinary care for your dog or cat when required. Pet insurance is an affordable method to keep your pets healthy, with some insurers even offering preventative treatment.
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