This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.
Saving on pet insurance starts with understanding your furry friend’s needs.
Compare plans, adjust coverage, and discover discounts to find the best fit.
For example, accident-only policies offer affordable protection while more comprehensive plans ensure peace of mind.
As a pet parent, you want safety, care, and belonging for your companion.
With research and an open mind, you can secure their health without breaking your budget.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Tips to Save on Pet Insurance
- Cheapest Pet Insurance Plans
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
- Consider an Accident-Only Policy
- How Pet Insurance Works
- Breeds Cheapest to Insure
- Available Discounts to Lower Cost
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the average cost of pet insurance?
- How soon after getting a new pet should I purchase pet insurance?
- Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- What is the difference between reimbursement and direct pay pet insurance plans?
- Will pet insurance cover my pet if we move or travel out of state?
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Compare quotes and customize coverage to find affordable options. Lowering reimbursement rates, deductibles, and coverage limits reduces premiums.
- Accident-only policies provide the cheapest premiums starting at $6-$9 per month.
- Look into discounts like multi-pet, military, paid in full, employer-sponsored plans, and spay/neuter discounts.
- Understand what is and isn’t covered. Exclusions like preventive care may apply. Review policy details carefully.
Tips to Save on Pet Insurance
When looking for cheap pet insurance, the first step should be to compare quotes from multiple providers.
You can also adjust your coverage by lowering reimbursement rates or raising deductibles, but keep in mind this means more out-of-pocket expenses.
Comparing plans and fine-tuning details are two key ways to potentially save money on pet insurance premiums.
Compare Quotes
Getting your paws on multiple pet insurance quotes can help you sniff out the most budget-friendly coverage for your furry friend.
Comparing quotes across providers reveals differences in:
- Policy customization
- Early enrollment discounts
- Breed-specific pricing
This allows you to tailor an affordable plan protecting your pet should illness or injury unexpectedly strike.
Adjust Coverage Levels
You can adjust coverage levels to meet your budget while still protecting your pet.
Lowering the reimbursement percentage, deductible, and annual coverage limit reduces the monthly premium, but increases your out-of-pocket costs if your pet needs veterinary care.
Customizing coverage through changing the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit provides policy flexibility and savings strategies, though this involves premium trade-offs.
Cheapest Pet Insurance Plans
The cheapest pet insurance plans start at just $6 per month for cats and $9 per month for dogs with accident-only coverage from Pets Best.
When comparing plans, consider both price and coverage.
Comprehensive plans cover accidents, illnesses, surgery, and more, but cost more than accident-only policies covering just injuries.
Wellness coverage for routine vet care raises premiums further.
Certain breeds like large dogs or flat-faced cats tend to have higher premiums due to breed-specific health issues.
However, you can find affordable coverage by comparing quotes, adjusting details like deductibles and reimbursement rates, and utilizing available discounts.
Annual payments, multiple pet, employer/military, and spay/neuter discounts can all lower your pet insurance cost.
Most insurers also allow online or mobile claim submissions for fast reimbursements.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Having reviewed the cheapest pet insurance plans available, you’re likely wondering what exactly pet insurance covers.
Typically including:
- Chronic, common, and serious illnesses
- Unexpected accidents
- Breed-specific conditions
- Congenital issues
- Hereditary conditions
- Prescription medication
- Diagnostics
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Emergency care
Pet insurance provides reimbursement for a wide range of veterinary expenses.
After paying your vet bill in full, you submit a claim to your pet insurer with the invoice and medical records.
They then process the reimbursement based on your coverage details.
Some exclusions like preventive care and pre-existing conditions may apply.
Understanding what pet insurance does and doesn’t cover aids in choosing the right policy to protect against unpredictable veterinary costs.
Consider an Accident-Only Policy
An accident-only policy covers only accident-related veterinary costs, not illnesses.
These bare-bones plans cost less per month than accident and illness coverage.
However, you take on more out-of-pocket expenses for illnesses with an accident-only policy.
Benefits of accident-only coverage
With an accident-only policy, you’re paying less for coverage of injuries from sudden accidents rather than illnesses.
- Accident-only coverage costs up to 50% less than accident and illness plans.
- Policies cover unexpected injuries like broken bones or trauma.
- Ideal for indoor pets at lower risk for illness.
Factors to consider when adjusting coverage
When choosing your pet insurance policy’s coverage details, you must weigh cost savings against the level of protection you’ll get for treating your pet’s medical conditions.
Adjustment Tips:
- Lowering the annual limit or increasing the deductible can reduce the monthly premium, but also minimize reimbursements for veterinary expenses.
- Weigh coverage customization against your budget and risk tolerance.
- Consider breed, age, and lifestyle factors when tailoring a cost-effective option.
Discounts for cheap pet insurance
Since accident-only policies offer more limited coverage at a lower cost, you can vet discounts to make them even cheaper, such as:
- Multipet discounts for insuring multiple pets.
- Military and veteran discounts.
- Annual payment discounts for paying premiums in full upfront.
Discounts like these can provide extra savings on already affordable accident-only pet insurance plans.
Finding the right level of coverage at a discount price ensures pets get needed care without breaking the bank.
How Pet Insurance Works
You submit claims for reimbursement of eligible veterinary expenses after paying your vet bills in full upfront.
The reimbursement process typically involves:
- Taking your pet to any licensed veterinarian and paying the bill in full.
- Filing a claim via mobile app, online portal, email, fax, or mail.
- Waiting for the claim to be reviewed and processed.
- Receiving your reimbursement through direct deposit or check.
This allows flexibility in choice of vet.
Accident-only policies provide a budget-friendly option covering injuries, not illnesses.
Consider your pet’s breed and associated health conditions when selecting coverage.
Comparing pet insurance quotes assists in finding the most suitable cheapest coverage.
Breeds Cheapest to Insure
Although larger breeds generally cost more to insure due to common health issues, smaller mutts and domestic cats tend to be the cheapest breeds to insure.
You’re likely to pay less for coverage if your pet is at lower risk.
Budget Breeds like small mixed-breed dogs and common domestic cats often have fewer health problems, making Feline Finances and Canine Costs more affordable.
When Size Matters for pet insurance premiums, larger dogs are frequently excluded from hip dysplasia coverage.
On the other hand, Small Mutts have lower risk levels, so you can find cheaper coverage for these breeds.
Focusing your search for the cheapest pet insurance coverage on cats and little dogs can help you save money.
Available Discounts to Lower Cost
Now that you know which breeds are the cheapest to insure, let’s explore some available discounts to lower the cost of your pet insurance.
Taking advantage of these discounts can help make pet insurance more affordable for you.
Many pet insurance providers offer bundle discounts when you purchase multiple lines of coverage from them, such as insuring both your dog and cat.
Multipet savings are also commonly offered by insurers, allowing you to save on premiums when insuring multiple pets.
Additionally, some companies provide annual payment benefits if you choose to pay for the entire year upfront rather than monthly installments.
If you or a family member works at a company that offers employee offers including discounted pet insurance as a voluntary benefit, this can be another way to reduce costs.
Military members may also qualify for military specials through certain insurers.
By exploring these available discounts and finding one that suits your needs, it’s possible to find more affordable coverage options for your beloved furry friends while still providing them with adequate protection under their policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average cost of pet insurance?
For cats, the average cost of pet insurance is about $15 per month.
For dogs, it’s around $35-50 per month on average.
Cost varies based on:
- Your pet’s breed
- Age
- Policy details like deductible amount and reimbursement percentage.
Overall, pet insurance costs less than paying unexpected vet bills out of pocket.
How soon after getting a new pet should I purchase pet insurance?
You should purchase a pet insurance policy as soon as possible after adopting your new furry friend.
Procrastinating is like watching an hourglass with insurance coverage slipping away.
The sooner you enroll, the more pre-existing conditions will be covered.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Unfortunately, no.
Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.
You’ll want to enroll your pet when young and healthy to maximize coverage.
Review policy details carefully.
What is the difference between reimbursement and direct pay pet insurance plans?
Pet insurance reimbursement plans refund you after paying the vet bill.
Direct pay plans pay your vet directly so you just pay your portion of the bill.
Will pet insurance cover my pet if we move or travel out of state?
Yes, most pet insurance providers will cover your pet even if you move or travel out of state.
Your coverage and benefits should be unaffected as long as premiums are paid on time.
Review policy details to confirm.
Conclusion
Ultimately, securing affordable coverage for your furry friend requires some legwork.
By comparing plans, adjusting levels, and seeking discounts, you can land quality protection that fits your budget.
While more comprehensive policies offer robust care, targeted options like accident-only provide a cheaper alternative.
With an open and discerning mindset, you can uncover the cheapest pet insurance for your needs in 2024.
Stay persistent and soon your companion will be covered.