Find the best pet insurance plan

What does pet insurance cover?

A handy way to look at pet insurance is that it’s there for all the things you don’t know are going to happen to your pet. So whether they’ve swallowed something they shouldn’t, broken a leg or been diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, pet insurance is there to help pay the costs of any covered vet bills. How much your insurer pays towards the cost of a covered vet bill depends on the amount of annual coverage you’ve selected, as well as the reimbursement level you’ve chosen.

How much is pet insurance?

That’s a good question, and it’s impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer. That’s because the cost of pet insurance depends on several things, like zip code, breed and your pet’s age. Vet bills are way more expensive in a state like California than, say, Nebraska, and statistically a puppy is less likely to get sick than a senior dog. On top of that, some breeds are more prone to certain illnesses than others. So, for example, a 12-year-old French Bulldog in Los Angeles with respiratory issues will be more expensive to insure than a 6-month-old Labrador puppy in Omaha.

What if my pet has pre-existing conditions?

Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, which is something your pet had or showed symptoms of before you took out your policy. So if your pet isn’t insured and then gets diagnosed with diabetes, you can’t then take out a pet insurance policy and expect your insurer to cover your pet for diabetes. That said, insurers like Embrace, Pets Best, Pumpkin, Geico, Figo and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance can cover curable pre-existing conditions. That means if your pet has a condition but goes symptom- and treatment-free for a particular period of time – usually six or 12 months – that condition could then be covered.

Can I insure multiple pets?

You sure can! The number of dogs or cats you are allowed to have depends on the state you live in, but however many you have they can all be insured. The good news is that many insurers offer a multi-pet discount – Embrace, Geico, Pumpkin and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offer a 10% multi-pet discount, while Pets Best and Figo offer 5%.

Does pet insurance cover spaying & neutering?

No. Remember, pet insurance is there for accidents and illnesses – the things you don’t know are going to happen. Spaying and neutering are things you do know are going to be needed, along with stuff like flea and tick meds, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning. Luckily, these costs can be covered by adding a Wellness plan to your pet insurance policy, something offered by Embrace, Pets Best, Pumpkin, Figo, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Geico, AKC Pet Insurance, and Felix.