More than 80 million US households own at least one pet — in most cases, a dog. A routine visit to the vet can cost anywhere between $500 to $5000. Emergency visits can be exceedingly steep in comparison to general visits.
There is no denying that veterinary treatments can be expensive and can put a huge financial burden on pet owners.
That’s why every pet owner must invest in pet insurance. But which insurance should you choose? This list takes an analytical look at the top 10 best dog insurance companies of 2022.
To choose the best one for your dog, give this buying guide from The Upper Pawside a thorough read.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a.k.a ASPCA, was founded in 1886. Since 2006, ASPCA came together with Hartville Pet Insurance to offer insurance policies to pet owners. With more than 1 million members, ASPCA is one of the largest insurance establishments in the world.
ASPCA prides itself in offering simple to understand, customizable, and budget-friendly insurance policies for your dogs.
ASPCA offers two plans — an accidents-only plan, and a full-coverage plan. You can purchase a Preventive Care package for an additional fee.
The annual limit for the most affordable plan is $3000, while for the most expensive plan, the limit is $10000.
For accident-only coverage, there is a waiting period of 14 days.
If you have multiple dogs (or other pets) in your household, then look no further than ASPCA. It offers some of the best deals and discounts on customizable insurance policies. They provide top-notch services and leave no customer unattended, which is a bonus.
PetFirst Pet Insurance began its humble journey in Indiana. But soon it catapulted itself to become a name to reckon with. So much so that MetLife acquired PetFirst in 2020. The insurance company currently provides some of the best services and holds an impressive portfolio.
You can take your pick from an accident and illness plan, or a wellness plan. Each plan offers a different set of benefits and exclusions.
The base price of insurance policies for dogs is $15.
There is no waiting period for accidents. However, for illnesses, you have to wait for a maximum of 15 days before using the policy.
If you’re looking for an insurance policy that covers the basics, PetFirst Pet Insurance is the one for you. It offers the best possible services at very affordable rates. The policy will take care of your dog’s regular vet visits without burning a hole in your pocket.
Progressive Pet Insurance is a comprehensive yet affordable pet policy provider. The company offers its policies through its partnership with Pets Best. Progressive Pet Insurance is highly customizable and very pocket friendly. It works with any licensed vet in the US and Canada.
Progressive Pet Insurance offers three different types of plans: an accident only plan, the BestBenefit plan for both accidents and illnesses, and BestWellness/ EssentialWellness plans for routine care.
The cheapest plan for dogs starts at $9.
There is a waiting period of 3 days for accidents and injuries. For illnesses, the waiting period goes up to 14 days.
If you are looking for a pet insurance plan that offers value for money, Progressive Pet Insurance is your best bet. It is incredibly affordable and offers some of the most comprehensive, and well-curated benefits.
Even before it sold its first-ever insurance policy in 2006, Embrace Pet Insurance won the Wharton Business Plan competition in 2003. For good reason, it is one of the very best on this list. Currently, Embrace Pet Insurance partners with Geico to offer some of the best pet insurance policies in the market.
Embrace offers two plans to choose from— an accident and illness coverage plan, and an accident-only coverage plan.
The basic plans for dogs start at $12.
There is a 2 day waiting period for accidents and a 14 day waiting period on illnesses. You cannot fast track the process.
If you’re struggling to find a good insurance policy for your large breed dog, Embrace is the policy provider to go for. Their plans are extensively customizable, there is no room for error. There is something for every budget and every need.
Founded by Rusty Sproat in 2013, Figo is Chicago-based pet care company that offers a range of bespoke insurance plans and policies for dog owners. The company claims its policies are “made by pet people, for pet people”. Apart from insurance, Figo has an app that connects you with other pet owners.
There are three plans to choose from — an Essential plan, a Preferred plan, and an Ultimate plan. Each plan comes with its benefits and drawbacks.
For an average-sized dog, the base plan starts at $22. You can customize each plan by tweaking the reimbursement, deductibles, and annual coverage limit.
There is a waiting period of 1 day for injuries, while illnesses have a waiting period of 14 days.
Figo is the quintessential dog insurance brand that you should reach out to if you want all-around pet care. There are a plethora of policy options to choose from. You will find something that is tailor-made to suit your needs.
What started as an auto insurance provider, has now become one of the best, leading pet insurance providers. Geico was established in 1936, and over the period, it has introduced some amazing pet insurance policies that are a value for the price.
Geico offers only one plan to its customers which can be customized keeping different factors in mind.
The starting price of the plan can be as low as $1. It all depends on how you choose to customize it.
A waiting period of 2 days applies to accidents. A waiting period of 14 days applies to illnesses.
If you have a shoestring budget but seek the best insurance plan for your pets that will cover most of their medical expenses and take the financial load off your chest, Geico should be your preferred choice of company.
24PetWatch Pet was established as a subsidiary of PetHealth in 2003. Several years down the line, 24PetWatch has successfully enrolled more than 10000 pets into their program and is a go-to brand for people across the United States of America and Canada.
24PetWatch differs from other pet insurance plans by providing 4 fixed plan structures that cannot be tweaked or altered. Each plan comes with a separate, but fixed annual limit and reimbursement rate. The four plans are namely, Extra, Classic, Super, and Champion.
The plans are relatively expensive with fixed annual limits starting from $3000 being the cheapest to $20000 is the most expensive limit offered.
No waiting period for injuries due to accidents are applicable. For illness coverage, a waiting period of 14 days is a must.
Truth be told, if you are under a tight budget, you might find better policies than 24PetWatch that will be inexpensive and more flexible with their plans and structures. However, if your pet is prone to acquiring chronic diseases and infections, 24PetWatch provides the best coverage.
USAA was established in 1922 by 25 army officials who wanted to set an insurance fund for their vehicles. Later, it collaborated with Embrace Pet Insurance and introduced itself as a pet insurance policy provider as well.
There is a basic accidents and illnesses plan and a wellness rewards plan offered by USAA Pet.
The starting price of primary accidents and illnesses plans is approximately $13 to $15.
2 days waiting period for accidents, whereas a 14 days waiting period for illnesses is applicable.
USAA offers a wide list of coverage against most illnesses and conditions for which a pet might need treatment. The only requirement is that you must be an ex or current military member to yield all the benefits of the various policies offered by USAA Pet.
An extension to the Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, Hartville Pet Insurance was established in 1997 to provide the best policy plans through a seamless claim filing process to pet owners.
Hartville offers two straightforward plans to choose from — an accidents-only plan, and an accidents and illnesses plan.
The plans are incredibly customizable and the lower annual limit that is required to be paid for a plan is $5000.
For any plan, a waiting period of 14 days is applicable before the plan commences.
Have you browsed through various Pet insurance companies but found claim filing as an exhaustive and hassled process? Then Hartville is the right company for you.
It was back in 2006 when Dr. Jack Stephens founded Pets Best Pet Insurance, after having founded Veterinary Pet Insurance, the first pet insurance company in the United States.
Three varieties of plans are available with Pets Best Pet — Accidents, Accidents and Illness, and optional Wellness plans.
For an accidents-only plan, the base price for dogs is $9, and for cats is $6.
A 3-days waiting period for accidents and a 14 day waiting period for illnesses is applicable.
Paying regular premiums can be financially taxing for a lot of us. It then becomes important to enroll your pets in a program where the premiums are affordable and you get access to quality services in return. Pets Best Pet Insurance is the right company for that.
Prudent Pet Insurance was founded in 2018 and is currently headquartered in Illinois. It offers detailed, yet customer-friendly policies that are informative and thoroughly planned.
There is two plans available to choose from — accidents-only, and an accidents and illnesses plan.
There are only two annual coverage limits offered by Prudent Pet — a coverage of $10000, or unlimited coverage.
Besides pet owners who are located in Maryland and New Hampshire, a waiting period of 15 days is applicable.
It is highly unlikely for a pet insurance company to cover the cost of medical expenses due to a pre-existing condition. Prudent however provides coverage for curable pre-existing conditions along with several additional benefits, unlike no other pet insurer.
Healthy Paws Pet was co-founded by Rob Jackson and Steve Siadek, back in 2009. It is touted as one of the best insurance companies that minimize financial burdens at the time of emergencies.
A single accidents and illnesses plan is offered by Healthy Pet Paws.
Different prices are quoted which are based on the size, breed, and location of the pets.
Besides pet owners who are located in Maryland and New Hampshire, a waiting period of 15 days is applicable.
Health emergencies are inevitable when you have a furry companion in your house. Pet insurance is then bought to reduce the overall medical cost and financial burden which might otherwise leave you in a state of stress. Healthy pet paws offer some of the most comprehensive set of plans that are suitable for cases of emergencies.
Petplan has been in business since 2003 where it has provided insurance to thousands of cats and dogs across the United States.
There is only a single plan to offer by Petplan that can be customized according to your needs and preferences.
The monthly premiums depend on how you customize the plan according to the breed, size, age, and location of your pet.
For accidents, a 2 to 3 days waiting period is applicable, whereas, for illnesses, 15 days waiting period is applicable.
Dogs are particularly active creatures, and you are bound to find them jumping and bouncing from here to there. This makes this susceptible to injuries, both indoors and outdoors. If you think you are a parent to an energetic and zestful dog breed who has the probability of getting injured due to an unexpected accident, Petplan Pet Insurance is just the right kind of insurance company for you.
Policy Name | No. Of Plans | Customizable
|
Pre-existing Condition Coverage | Upper Limit of Deductible | Lowest Plan Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | 2 | Yes | Not Covered | $500 | $150 per year |
PetFirst Pet Insurance | 1 | Yes | Not Covered | $50 | $125 per year |
Progressive Pet Insurance | 4 | Yes | Not Covered | $200 | $1 per day |
Embrace Pet Insurance | 2 | Yes | Not Covered | $30000 | $12 per month |
Figo Pet Insurance | 3 | Yes | Covered for pre-existing conditions that have not shown symptoms for 12 months after last treatment. | $1,500 | $22 |
Geico Pet Insurance | 1 | Yes | Not Covered | $1000 | $1 |
24PetWatch Pet Insurance | 4 | No | Not Covered | $1000 | $340 per year |
USAA Pet Insurance | 3 | Yes | Not Covered | - | $8 |
Hartville Pet Insurance | 2 | Yes | Not Covered | $500 | $100 per month |
Pets Best Pet Insurance | 3 | Accident-only not customizable. | Not Covered | $1000 | $6 |
Prudent Pet Insurance | 2 | Yes | Not Covered | $1000 | $15 |
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance | 1 | Yes | Not Covered | $2500 | $12.17 |
Petplan Pet Insurance | 1 | Yes | Covered for pre-existing conditions that have not shown symptoms for 12 months after last treatment. | - | $20.16 |
Insurance helps you provide the right kind of medical care to your beloved pet, without having to think about robbing a bank. But, you must have questions.
How much does it cost to insure a dog? What are the factors that influence a policy? Is it cheaper to insure 2 dogs?
Well, you must consider a number of factors before enrolling your dog in insurance. Before you settle on the best dog insurance, read this guide thoroughly to make a smart decision.
An accident-only insurance policy covers the cost of injuries that arise due to an unintentional or an unexpected accident.
An accident and illness insurance policy provides financial coverage against most of the veterinary treatment costs that occur due to an accident or an illness.
Along with accident and illness costs, a wellness program covers the cost of all the non-medical expenses such as grooming, bathing, and other preventive care for pets.
For a dog to remain healthy, it must weigh what it’s supposed to weigh.
Lack of exercise and a lethargic lifestyle can cause a significant increase in your dog’s weight, which can also contribute to various medical issues. If your dog is above a specific range of weight that is considered ideal for its breed, the chances for them to acquire a disease or an illness increases.
If such is the case, expect an increase in the cost of premiums applicable on insurance policies.
Certain breeds of dogs are prone to more health issues in comparison to others. Most insurance companies take the breed of the dog into account and factors it into the final cost of the insurance.
The age of the dog affects the cost of the insurance. Some policies impose an upper limit so it becomes all the more difficult to get older pets enrolled into an insurance policy. This is simply because as dogs age, they tend to develop certain age-related ailments.
Where you’re located has a direct impact on the price of the insurance policy. This is because the cost of veterinary care and medical expenses vary from place to place.
The price of the insurance policy is directly proportional to how expensive or affordable the vet treatments are at your location.
Policies that cover the cost of accidents only cover it for conditions where the injury was caused due to an unforeseeable and unintentional circumstance. Dogs can be exposed to various outdoor and indoor dangers that can cause them to harm themselves.
If your dog lives in an area where there is a higher probability for it to get exposed to a hazard, the cost of the insurance may increase.
You can buy insurance policies for a specific period. You can opt for lifetime insurance coverage if you wish to. But remember, longer the length of the policy, higher the cost.
Every pet insurance company provides a reimbursement rate to choose from, mostly between 70% to 90%. When you pay a bill to the vet, the insurance company reimburses you the amount of the bill proportional to the rate of reimbursement you chose.
Naturally, for higher reimbursement rates, the cost of monthly premiums is also high, and vice versa.
Deductibles play a major role in deciding the cost of insurance. It is the amount you pay to the veterinarian before the start of your insurance coverage. The premium you pay for the dog insurance depends on your chosen deductible amount, which usually ranges from $0 to $1000.
Higher the deductible amount you choose, lesser the premium you have to pay.
Payout limit is the maximum amount of money the dog insurance company is willing to pay back to you. If the bill exceeds the payout limit, the extra money has to be borne by you. The company will not be liable to cover the extra costs.
Usually, there is an annual limit that you’re eligible to receive from the company. Once you reach that limit, your insurance service provider won’t provide any more money to cover up your dog’s medical expenses.
There are three types of pet plans for you to choose from — accidents only plan, accidents and illnesses plan, and an optional wellness plan. The rate of each plan differs because the coverage of each plan is also different.
For example, an accident-only plan exclusively covers the cost of injuries that happen due to a mishap. This is generally less expensive than an accidents and illnesses plan, because the latter covers both injuries as well as diseases.
Dog insurance companies are the purveyors of your insurance coverage — they decide the cost of your insurance plan.
There is a wide scope of customizing dog insurance plans according to your own needs. The companies evaluate the total cost of the plan according to your preferences and offer you the best option available.
In comparison to younger pets, older pets are less healthy and are more prone to acquiring diseases and illnesses. Because it is more likely for an older pet to develop an illness, the pet insurance available for them will always be more expensive.
Therefore, enroll your pet in the best pet insurance for dogs as early as possible. The rates will always be better, the premiums will be lower, and your dog will stay insured throughout its life.
There are multiple criteria to look for to check the credibility of the provider of the insurance policy.
You need to opt for a company that can be trusted lifelong by you. The company should not only be adept at keeping its promises but also have a reputable history and name. The pet insurance provider should be honest about their company’s clauses, have an extensive yet competent network, and leave no stones unturned in their efforts to deliver what they guarantee.
Healthcare costs have skyrocketed in the past few years. You can never be sure of when a health issue can strike your pet. If you are not prepared, your budget can go for a complete toss.
Opt for the maximum coverage that will be suitable for all the expenses and bills due to an emergency or illness. Go for an optimal yet realistic figure that will cover the rising cost of pet healthcare.
Terms and conditions can be intimidating. But it is a good habit to go through all the conditions, restrictions, limitations, agreements, and clauses of the contract that you sign.
Reading the fine print is essential to enrolling in an insurance plan. The contract often contains important information that you might overlook at a cursory glance.
It is crucial to get your veterinarian’s advice and perspective on getting an insurance policy for your dog. Pet insurance can be a complex concept to understand.
Because most licensed vets are a part of the insurance company’s network, they can guide you to the best pet policies.
Do enough research and number crunching before you settle on one.
If you are a pet insurance policyholder, the overall cost of veterinary bills is reduced. The policy can cover the entire or a part of the bill. This is evaluated based on deductibles, annual coverages, and reimbursement rates.
Unless your dog is a certified service dog, you will not be allowed to deduct veterinary expenses on your tax returns.
Coverage plans vary from company to company and policy to policy. However, there are some common conditions, the cost of which are covered by most dog health insurances. Some of them are as follows:
Yes, very much so.
If you have health insurance and are wondering “Can you add your dog to your health insurance?” You cannot. This is where a good dog insurance plan comes into play.
If you are still confused and are thinking, is dog insurance worth it? make sure to go through this guide and get your queries resolved.
Most pet insurance companies have a huge network of veterinarians and clinics covered under them. You can visit any licensed vet or medical expert, pay the final bill, and the insurance provider will reimburse the amount into your account.
A typical health insurance plan only covers the cost of unexpected accidents and illnesses. In such cases, preventive care and wellness treatments for the dogs are not included.
However, most insurance companies come up with separate wellness plans that you can buy at an additional cost. Grooming, daycare, and other routine wellness care provided to the dogs fall under such plans.
Pet insurance helps you to budget your expenses with regards to your pet’s health care in the best, most economical way. A quintessential pet insurance plan covers the expenses of all the basic conditions like accidents, illnesses, surgeries, congenital disorders, hospitalization fees, and various veterinary fees.
In some cases, pet insurance may also cover the cost of vaccines, burials and cremations, alternative treatments, and more. The coverage varies per insurance and according to its policies.
Again, the cost of pet insurance differs from company to company. Pet insurance is a thriving industry. The cost of each pet insurance policy is based on factors like age, breed, size, and location of the pet.
The good thing is that insurance plans are flexible and can be customized in a way where it can easily fit your budget.
Is there such a thing as dog insurance? You now know there is. Your dogs deserve the best life that they can get. There is nothing better than giving it to them in the form of a pet insurance plan.
Go through this guide to gain insights on insurance for dogs. Get in touch with the above-mentioned dog insurance companies to find your pet a safety blanket. A happy dog means a happy you! So, get insurance today.