Pet Insurance in Ohio: The Best in 2023

It has been shown that having a pet can reduce blood pressure and make the long, dark winters in the Buckeye State more bearable. There are a variety of potential dangers for pets in Ohio, including allergens, insect bites, and severe weather. Having pet insurance in Ohio allows you to provide for your animal companion without going into debt. In this article, we will discuss the best and cheapest pet insurance in Ohio, along with pet insurance costs.

What Is Pet Insurance in Ohio?

Pet insurance in Ohio, like in other states, is a financial product that helps pet owners cover the cost of veterinary care for their animals. These policies typically reimburse pet owners for various medical expenses incurred due to accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and sometimes preventive treatments. Pet insurance plans in Ohio can vary widely in coverage, deductibles, and premiums.

Furthermore, some policies may cover routine check-ups, vaccinations, and dental care, while others focus on accidents and unexpected illnesses. Pet owners usually pay a monthly premium, and when their pet needs medical care, they can file a claim to get reimbursed for eligible expenses. It’s crucial for pet owners in Ohio to thoroughly research different insurance providers, understand policy limitations, and choose a plan that aligns with their pet’s healthcare needs and budget constraints.

How Pet Insurance Works

When looking for the best pet insurance in Ohio, cost is usually a major consideration. You’ll be better able to find a plan that works within your budget if you have a firm grasp on how the various costs are calculated.

These are variables that have an impact on the cost of pet insurance coverage.

#1. Pet Insurance Deductible

Your insurance company will not begin to pay for your expenses until you have met your deductible. You would be responsible for the full cost of a $250 vet bill, for instance, if your yearly deductible is $250. If you take your pet back to the vet during that year, however, your insurance company will cover your visit again (up to the policy’s maximum). You can reduce your premiums by opting for a higher deductible. Also, you will need to shell out more cash upfront.

#2. Pet Insurance Reimbursement Percentage

You may also be able to choose a reimbursement level, which is the percentage of veterinary costs your insurance company will cover once you’ve reached your deductible. Options for the amount of compensation are typically between 50% and 100%. Choosing a lower reimbursement percentage will lower your premium.

#3. Pet Insurance Annual Coverage Cap

You may be able to tailor your pet insurance policy by choosing a coverage cap or maximum yearly benefit amount. While some insurers set lower limits of $5,000 or $10,000, others have an unlimited maximum benefit payout.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, the following ones may also have an impact on your insurance costs:

Pet’s breed
Pet’s age and gender
Your ZIP code

While your pet’s breed and where you live may be out of your hands, most insurance policies allow you to tailor your premiums and out-of-pocket costs to meet your needs.

What Are the 4 Types of Pet Insurance?

There are essentially four different types of pet insurance; however, the specifics will vary depending on the company you go with. This includes:

#1. Lifetime Policies

In the event of an accident, lifetime pet insurance coverage will pay for necessary medical care up to the policy’s annual maximum.

While other policies may not pay for treatment of pre-existing conditions, lifetime policies do, making them one of the most all-encompassing types of pet insurance available for cats and dogs because they cover chronic diseases like arthritis and diabetes for the duration of the policy.

As long as the total number of claims filed in a given year doesn’t go over the policy’s annual cover limit, there are no limits on the number of claims that can be filed each year, unlike the “Time Limited” and “Max Benefit” options.

You may rest easy knowing that your pet’s ongoing problems will be covered for the life of the policy, even after renewal, as long as they did not pre-date the policy, which is a major benefit of purchasing lifetime pet insurance, despite the higher premiums.

In addition, a lifetime pet insurance policy exclusively offers its customers lifetime coverage.

#2. Maximum Benefit Policies

These insurance plans are often known as per-condition or limited-benefit plans. They offer cheap insurance for pets by covering certain medical expenses up to a set maximum. This limit will be in place for the duration of your insurance policy, and you can file a claim at any point. This means that as long as the monetary cap has not been met, multiple claims can be submitted for the same medical condition.

Renewing your policy annually ensures continuous coverage for as long as you need it. Remember that once your policy’s maximum payout for a given condition has been reached, you no longer have coverage for that condition. After the renewal, you’ll still be responsible for paying for the therapy.

Another consideration is that many maximum benefit policies will classify a recurrence of a previously treated ailment in a different section of your pet’s body as the same condition. This implies that any previous treatment your pet has received will be considered a pre-existing condition and factored into the examination of your new claims. This is because problems of this nature are typically handled as chronic ones. In addition, they add to the prior event and are considered a single condition for the length of the policy.

#3. Time-Limited Policies

Time-limited policies typically consist of two parts: an agreed-upon dollar amount to cover your pet’s treatment for a specific accident or disease, and an agreed-upon length of time during which that treatment will be covered.

You can file a claim for an eligible condition at any point during the policy’s length, up to the policy’s maximum benefit, with a time-limited policy. The typical policy term is 12 months from the date the disease was first diagnosed. Rather than referring to the length of the policy itself, this cap specifies how long the underlying condition will be covered.

The policy will no longer pay for the condition when the allotted time has passed or the allotted sum has been spent. Instead, claims for that condition in the future will be denied because it is considered a pre-existing condition. After this point, you’ll have to pay for all future medical care associated with this disease.

Time-limited policies, like maximum benefit policies, treat the emergence of a condition in a different portion of the body as a recurrence of the same ailment. This indicates that the policy will no longer pay out if the recurrence occurs after the policy’s time limit or set amount has been exhausted.

#4. Accident-Only Coverage

Coverage for accidents merely does not extend to sickness. After an accident or injury, veterinary costs can quickly become prohibitive. A policy that covers accidents only could be a viable option if your pet is too old or sick to qualify for full coverage or if you simply need cheaper coverage.

Details on accident-only insurance

When an accident occurs, this plan will cover the cost of any necessary diagnostics, treatments, surgeries, exams, and medications.

The following are examples of accidents that an accident-only policy might cover:

Heat stroke
Breaking a bone
Bee sting
Swallowing a foreign object or something toxic
Laceration
Getting hit by a car

What it doesn’t include

Accident insurance doesn’t cover illnesses or inherited conditions. Other exclusions often include:

Dental illness
Pre-existing conditions
Breed-specific conditions
Cancer
Routine checkups
Behavioural care

How to Find the Best Pet Insurance in Ohio

When looking for the best pet insurance in Ohio, cost shouldn’t be your only concern. Other things to think about are:

#1. Coverage Delay Periods

There is typically a waiting time before your pet insurance coverage kicks in. The length of time one must wait can vary from a couple of days to a few weeks.

Since different insurance companies have different waiting periods, it’s important to shop around for the best deal. After all, you’re the one footing the bill for insurance, so you’ll want to start cashing in as soon as possible. There is no waiting period for accidents with Figo, but there is with Healthy Paws, which is 15 days.

Hip dysplasia patients should also be aware of potentially lengthy wait times. It may take several months before your insurance company agrees to pay for treatment of these disorders if your pet has a susceptibility to them.

#2. Instantaneous Veterinary Reimbursement

When you visit the vet, you will typically be expected to pay the full cost upfront. Then, after submitting a claim, your pet insurance will pay back their share. When the doctor has the right hardware and software, however, pet insurance providers like Trupanion will pay the bill directly. Having this choice when purchasing insurance from a provider can reduce the amount you have to pay upfront.

#3. Discounts

Companies that specialize in pet insurance often provide discounts that might help you save money on your coverage. Discounts for members of the armed forces, policyholders who pay annually, and those who insure multiple pets are all fairly common. For example, Nationwide gives a multi-pet discount of 5%, whereas Prudent Pet offers a multi-pet discount of 10%.

#4. Extra Pet Insurance Perks

Pet insurance providers may provide a number of complimentary extras, such as a pharmacy discount or access to a vet hotline. If your pet falls sick in the middle of the night, for instance, you’ll be glad you went with a provider that offers a vet hotline around the clock.

Best Pet Insurance Ohio

Depending on the coverage limits and deductibles of your policy, the cost you incur for your pet’s medical care may vary widely. MoneyGeek combed through thousands of quotes across the state of Ohio to identify the best pet insurance providers by analyzing policy and coverage specifics. In order to establish which pet insurance providers were the best, we looked at both price and coverage options. Here are some of the top pet insurance companies in Ohio:

#1. Pets Best

According to MoneyGeek’s research, Pets Best is the best Ohio pet insurance company. The insurer provides the best insurance for pet owners in Ohio, covering everything from unexpected injuries to serious illnesses and even cancer treatments. The average monthly premium for Pets Best insurance is $23.73.

Almost any sickness, illness, or injury is covered under a Pets Best policy as long as it was not present at the time of policy purchase. The list includes chronic diseases, behavioural disorders, periodontal disease, and inherited disorders. Even if your pet isn’t spayed or neutered, the company will still fully insure them.

If you have any queries or worries regarding the health of your pet, Pets Best is there for you around the clock with access to veterinary professionals. In addition, Pets Best will expeditiously execute your reimbursement request, with direct deposit payments made within about two business days.

#2. Embrace

According to MoneyGeek.com, Embrace is the best company in Ohio to get cat insurance from. Cats are cheaper to insure than dogs, but you can still save money by comparing quotes from several providers. The average monthly cost of an Embrace policy for cats is $15.52.

With an Embrace policy, your cat has complete protection from injury or disease. Conditions such as congenital malformations, chronic diseases, orthopedic injuries, and avoidable illnesses are all covered. Biopsies, X-rays, and MRIs are just some of the examples of diagnostic tests that the company will pay for if they suspect a covered illness or condition.

Embrace also offers an optional coverage upgrade for everyday healthcare costs. Pre-existing conditions that cannot be cured are not covered by Embrace’s policies; however, problems that may be treated (such as ear infections) may be after your pet has been symptom-free for 12 months.

#3. Lemonade

Lemonade offers pet insurance for both dogs and cats. Its plans can help pay for things like cancer and diabetes treatment in addition to tests.

Pet insurance companies in Ohio take many factors into account, including your pet’s breed, age, and location, when determining costs. Any optional riders you add to your policy will also have an impact on your final premium. However, costs can be adjusted to match your needs by selecting a deductible amount, reimbursement percentage, and maximum yearly benefit.

Lemonade offers a variety of price cuts. It provides savings of 10% to its returning clients and 5% to its annual rather than monthly premium payers, in addition to its 5% multi-pet discount.

Wellness plans are an extra cost with Lemonade. There are riders that can be added to your policy to help pay for things like dental care, behavioral issues, physical therapy, and funeral and memorial expenses.

The insurance has a two-day accident waiting time, a 14-day illness waiting period, and a six-month cruciate ligament waiting period. If the policyholder chooses them, preventative care benefits are immediately available.

In addition, the company’s pet insurance policies can be purchased in 37 states plus DC.

#4. Figo

The Figo insurance plans range from “Essential” to “Preferred” to “Ultimate.” The Essential plan’s yearly limit is $5,000, the Preferred plan’s is $10,000, and the Ultimate plan’s is unlimited. Common medical issues, accidental injuries, cancer therapy, and ongoing problems are all covered by its various policies. Figo will not pay for treatment for a previous ailment.

A Figo policy can be modified to lower monthly payments. While accident-only policies are sometimes less expensive than those that cover both accidents and illness, Figo does not provide such insurance.

Vaccinations and other forms of preventative care may be covered under Figo’s wellness coverage “powerups,” which are similar to add-ons. Exam cost protection is an accessible add-on.

Figo offers immediate coverage for accidents, but most illnesses call for a 14-day waiting period. There is no maximum age for coverage, and there is also no maximum number of claims per condition. Discounts are available for members of the armed forces and for customers who insure multiple pets with the company. Where you live can have an impact on what kinds of discounts are available to you.

There will be no effect from claims on your premium, but it is possible that it will increase when you renew your insurance.

Figo policyholders get access to a number of perks, including the ability to file claims, save digital veterinary data, and get answers to pet-related issues from specialists around the clock via the company’s Pet Cloud app.

#5. Nationwide

Nationwide sells pet insurance in all 50 states and includes coverage for a wide variety of pets, including reptiles, guinea pigs, ferrets, sugar gliders, and goats. Insurers provide multi-pet discounts, starting at 5% for a second and third pet and rising to 10% for every pet after that. You can get wellness coverage in addition to accident and medical protection.

Some plans establish benefit allowances for certain products, and others have higher coverage restrictions based on the insurance features. Both accidents and diseases have a 14-day waiting period before coverage begins, while cruciate ligament injuries require a 12-month wait.

Nationwide may ask you for your pet’s medical records when you file a claim so that they may have a full picture of their health and make an accurate evaluation. Typically, claims are investigated within 30 days of being received.

Pet Insurance Ohio Costs

Our sample policy’s rates are based on the average annual cost of providing coverage for a small, mixed-breed dog and a domestic shorthair cat in Columbus. Insurance for a two-year-old dog costs $25.81 per month for $5,000 in coverage, while insurance for a six-year-old dog costs $41.89 per month for the same amount of coverage. The monthly premium for a 2-year-old dog on an unlimited plan is $29.50, while the premium for a 6-year-old dog is $47.88.

Costs for $5,000 in coverage for a 2-year-old cat are $15.28 per month, while premiums for the same amount of coverage for a 6-year-old cat are $21.42 per month. The monthly fee for unlimited coverage is $17.46 for a 2-year-old cat, and it rises to $24.48 for a 6-year-old cat. The prices listed below assume a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement rate.

The cost of pet insurance is based on a variety of criteria, including the pet’s age, the geographic location of the policyholder, and the level of coverage desired.

Does Pet Insurance Cover MRIs?

Yes, many pet insurance policies do cover the cost of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans, but it depends on the specific policy and the reason for the MRI. The majority of comprehensive pet insurance plans will pay for diagnostic procedures, including MRIs if a veterinarian deems them to be medically necessary. However, coverage can vary between policies, so it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of the policy you are considering.

Some policies might have specific limits, waiting periods, or requirements for pre-authorization. It’s always recommended to contact the insurance provider directly and ask about the coverage details related to MRI scans to ensure you understand what is included in your policy.

What Age Is Best to Get Pet Insurance?

When bringing a new pet into the family, it is ideal to purchase insurance on the same day. In fact, the majority of pet owners enrol their pets in a health insurance plan within the first year of adoption.

That’s because no insurer provides coverage for pre-existing conditions in pets. When you insure your pet when it’s young, it’s certain that the coverage will pay for any medical expenses, no matter how high.

You can start using your plan during a time when deworming the puppy or kitten more frequently is necessary, and you can go to the vet when the puppy or kitten is ill without worrying about the cost of treatment. Wellness policies might help pay for routine medical care, such as immunizations and spaying or neutering your pet.

Although it’s always a good idea to think about getting pet insurance, some times of the year provide especially high risks for certain types of pet illnesses. Your new dog or kitten may be perfectly healthy when you bring it home, but by spring, it may be suffering from seasonal allergies. Also, if you spend a lot of time outside in the summer or winter, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated or hypothermic, respectively, no matter how careful you are.

What Is the Most Expensive Pet to Insure?

The cost of pet insurance premiums can vary widely based on factors such as the pet’s breed, age, location, and the coverage options chosen. Generally, breeds that are prone to specific health issues or have a history of genetic conditions tend to have higher insurance premiums.

For example, breeds like Bulldogs, Great Danes, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are often more expensive to insure due to their predisposition to certain health problems. Similarly, purebred cats with known health issues might also have higher insurance costs.

What Are the Disadvantages of Pet Insurance?

While there are numerous advantages to having pet insurance, there are also many things to think about.

#1. The Cost of Routine Checkups Isn’t Always Covered

As was previously discussed, many health insurance plans do not cover routine checkups, preventative visits, or immunizations. This means that you will need to budget for regular veterinary care outside of the cost of your pet’s insurance policy. Wellness coverage is an optional extra that your insurance may offer, but it will increase your regular premium payment.

#2. Possible Further Out-Of-Pocket Expenses

Most policies only pay for a portion of legitimate claims, so you’ll have to foot at least some of the cost yourself. You could still end up in the negative if you aren’t ready for this expense and don’t have any emergency savings set aside.

Additionally, most plans have caps on the benefits they offer. If your pet has persistent medical needs that push you beyond this limit, the full expense of any further vet visits will be on you.

#3. There Are Up-Front Expenses

A pet insurance policy is, at its core, a reimbursement plan. You are responsible for paying any and all fees immediately. And rather than having the animal hospital bill your insurance company, you will need to do so yourself.

Before your insurance company can pay for your pet’s medical care, you’ll need to find another solution.

Is It Really Worth It to Get Pet Insurance?: Bottom Line

Your dog is vomiting and becoming quite lethargic when you get home. You rush them to the vet and find out that they ate one of your socks and need expensive emergency surgery. Do you think you’ll be able to afford the bill? Maybe you might think about getting your pet some insurance.

Having pet insurance can ease financial stress during a medical emergency. It can help pay for things like hospital stays, chemotherapy, and radiation for cancer patients.

If the owner cannot afford treatment for their pet, pet insurance may be the only option to prevent the animal’s euthanasia. However, if your pet rarely gets sick, you could waste thousands of dollars on premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of vet bills does pet insurance cover?

After paying your deductible, the best insurance plans will pay 80%, 90%, or even all of your veterinarian bill. You’ll have to pay a fee every month, like with most other types of insurance.

Does pet insurance cover all pets?

While some insurance companies may let you include many pets on a single policy, others may insist that you purchase individual coverage for each animal. Keep in mind that many pet insurance providers only cover cats and dogs, so other pets like birds, hamsters, snakes, and rabbits may not be covered.