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Fact Checked
Colorado provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities from hiking to camping to fly fishing. The great outdoors is a playland for you and your pet, but it also exposes your furry friend to an array of hazards.
Blue-green algae, ticks and coyotes are just a few risks that can result in injuries or illnesses. While you can take precautions to protect your pet to the best of your abilities, accidents sometimes happen and can lead to costly vet bills.
Protecting your four-legged companion with pet insurance can help you avoid a mountain of vet bills.
Here are the best pet insurance companies in Colorado:
| Company | Monthly cost in Colorado |
|---|---|
|
Lemonade
|
$27
|
|
Pets Best
|
$29
|
|
TrustedPals
|
$33
|
|
Figo
|
$41
|
|
ASPCA
|
$47
|
|
Spot
|
$47
|
|
Embrace
|
$66
|
| Company | Monthly cost in Colorado |
|---|---|
|
ManyPets
|
$30
|
|
Nationwide
|
$32
|
|
Pets Best
|
$33
|
|
Lemonade
|
$43
|
|
TrustedPals
|
$47
|
|
Healthy Paws
|
$54
|
|
Figo
|
$55
|
|
Prudent Pet
|
$85
|
|
Trupanion
|
$92
|
|
Embrace
|
$93
|
|
Spot
|
$95
|
Pet insurance companies often offer several types of pet insurance plans to meet your budget and pet’s needs. Some of the most common types include:
With this plan, your pet receives coverage for accident and illness expenses. If your Boxer mistakes a poisonous frog for a toy or your Scottish Fold begins suffering from heart disease, this plan reimburses you for care costs to nurse them back to health. Other things usually covered in this plan include chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, X-Rays, blood tests and surgeries.
Whether your pet has an encounter with a coyote or slips on ice, accident-only plans pay for injury treatment. Other things usually covered in this plan include poison ingestions, fractured bones, bloat and skin lacerations.
Some pet insurance companies let you add wellness care coverage to your accident and illness plan. This coverage usually pays for expenses such as vaccinations, routine checkups and flea/tick prevention.
When comparing the best pet insurance in Colorado, you want to know exactly what each policy covers and how much the insurance company will reimburse you for expenses. Here are a few things that will help you compare your options.
When applying for a pet insurance plan, you must provide your pet’s age, gender, breed and location. This information helps the insurer calculate your monthly payment, known as your premium.
For example, if you have a younger pet, you’ll likely pay less for coverage. Likewise, if you live in a smaller rural city like Crested Butte, coverage may not cost as much as someone living in a metropolitan area like Denver, where vet costs tend to be more expensive.
Before you can receive a reimbursement for your vet bills, you must reach the policy’s deductible. Many pet insurance companies let you select your deductible. Depending on the insurer, options can range from $50 to $1,000.
You can typically select the portion of your vet bills your insurer will reimburse. Standard options include 50%, 70%, 80% or 90%. Some companies, like Figo, offer 100% reimbursement plans. Selecting a lower reimbursement level will usually lower your coverage cost.
Many pet insurers apply a maximum, annual coverage payout. This means the insurer only reimburses you for expenses up to your annual limits. While some plans apply coverage limits, for example, $5,000, others have unlimited payouts.
Related: What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
The best way to find a good price for pet insurance is to compare pet insurance quotes from several different insurance companies.
But there’s more to pet plans than just coverage and costs. Some insurance carriers provide additional perks and benefits to aid in the care of your pet. As a pet owner, exploring these benefits will point you to the plan most suitable for your needs.
When you buy a pet plan, most insurance companies specify a waiting period, or the amount of time you need to wait before coverage begins. Waiting periods vary by insurance company, so it’s best to compare options since timeframes can range from one day to a couple of weeks.
Keep in mind, some insurance companies apply extended waiting periods for particular conditions like cruciate ligament issues.
Many pet insurance companies offer 24/7 vet helplines to answer all your questions and concerns about your pet’s health. The vet line can help you identify the best care solutions for your animal, whether your new puppy is vomiting at 3 a.m. or your cat stops eating for an extended period.
From multi-pet discounts to vanishing deductibles for healthy pets, some insurance providers offer ways to help you save on coverage. Ask each pet insurance company what savings opportunities are available when you apply for coverage.
Some pet insurance companies only pay for the cost of treatment, not the consultation fee for the diagnostic vet visit. Look for companies that include exam fees coverage.
When you submit a pet insurance claim, you usually pay the entire bill upfront. Your pet insurance provider then reimburses you for the portion of the vet bill covered by your plan. Some companies, like Trupanion, pay the vet directly. If you’re uncomfortable fronting a large vet bill, look for insurance companies that pay the vet directly.
Keeping your animals healthy means ensuring they receive preventative care, such as check-ups and vaccinations. Some pet insurance companies allow you to add preventive care coverage for an extra fee.
Colorado has state and local laws that govern pet ownership. For example, local governments in the state decide on rabies vaccinations. County or district health departments may order all dogs, cats and other pets get vaccinated against rabies if the public health and safety is at risk.
Here are some other examples of local municipalities’ pet laws.
We used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score each pet insurance company based on the following.
Average plan prices: Up to 40 points. We averaged pet insurance quotes for each insurer for a mixed-breed dog at two ages in Colorado.
Plan benefits: Up to 60 points. We scored plans based on the following important features: Annual coverage choices, whether the plan can pay a veterinarian directly, access to a 24/7 vet line, availability of routine wellness coverage, whether the plan pays the vet exam fee, pet dental illness coverage, end-of-life coverage and multi-pet discount.
