The best way to find a good price on pet insurance is to compare pet insurance quotes among multiple insurers. You can get free quotes by:
- Using a comparison website
- Visiting multiple pet insurance company websites
- Contacting an independent agent by phone, email or in-person
In addition to comparing price and coverage details, it’s wise to explore the other perks or benefits that come with the pet plan. Here are some other benefits worth considering.
Exam fees
When you make a trip to the vet, you usually have to pay a consultation or exam fee for the vet to evaluate your pet’s health. Unfortunately, not all pet insurance companies cover this cost. If that’s important to you, look for companies that include exam fee coverage.
Wellness add-on
Some pet insurance companies, like Pets Best and TrustedPals, offer wellness care as an add-on to your accident and illness coverage. If preventive care coverage is something that you want, find an insurer that gives you the option to add this coverage.
Waiting periods
A waiting period is an amount of time you must wait between the policy purchase date and when the benefits begin. Some waiting periods are a couple of days, while others can last a couple of weeks. The amount of time varies by insurance company.
Some insurance companies apply an extended waiting period for certain conditions, like hip dysplasia. Condition-specific waiting periods vary by insurer but are usually between six and 12 months.
Access to vet helplines
Some plans come with access to vet helplines that are available 24/7. Vet helplines can help you decide how to manage a pet medical concern, like limping or diarrhea.
Multi-pet discounts
If you want to insure more than one pet, you may be eligible for a discount. Some pet insurance companies offer reduced rates when you insure multiple pets. Pet insurers may also offer other ways to save, such as military discounts or employer discounts.
Vet direct pay
Pet insurance policyholders typically pay the total vet bill and then file a claim with their insurer to get reimbursed. Some companies like Trupanion will pay the vet directly through its unique claim processing software. This is a good solution if you don’t want to front the entire vet bill, but check with your vet to make sure they’re set up to take payment from a specific insurer.
Extra perks
Pet insurance companies sometimes offer extra perks. For example, Figo offers a pet cloud app that helps you organize your pet’s medical records and appointment schedules. Another example is Nationwide, which offers special pet medication pricing through its partnership with Walmart pharmacies.