Secured with SHA-256 EncryptionBest Pet Insurance in California
Californians love their pets–so much so that, in 2015, California declared the shelter pet its state animal.
Whether you found your pet from a rescue organization or a registered breeder, sometimes these furry friends get sick or hurt in an accident, and the care they require can be quite expensive.
Luckily, there’s a way to remedy that. Just as you pay for insurance on your home, you can buy pet insurance to help you pay for unexpected emergencies, in exchange for affordable monthly premiums.
When you enroll in pet insurance in California, you get one less thing to worry about, and you can protect your pet without draining your savings account.
We reviewed more than 30 pet insurance companies to evaluate their costs, coverage, claims process, and customer experience history. We’ve put together this short guide to the five best pet insurance companies in California to help you shop around for the best pet insurance.
Best Pet Insurance in California
Here are the 5 best providers of pet insurance in CA:
Nationwide Pet Insurance
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $34.25 for dogs and $18.84 for cats |
| Coverage | 90 percent |
| Payout Limits | $10,000 to unlimited |
| Deductible | Ranges from $100 to $250 annually |
Nationwide Pet Insurance covers exotic animals and birds as well as cats and dogs. Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness Plan is one of the most comprehensive in the industry.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the priciest. However, Nationwide’s low deductibles range from $100 to $250, which may offset the cost of the high monthly premium should you ever need those services.
Its 90 percent reimbursement rate is a standout feature since most competitors only offer 70 to 80 percent reimbursement on similarly priced plans. The company’s A+ rating with the BBB should be balanced against a large number of complaints lodged.
However, a total of 300 complaints also includes Nationwide’s other insurance products.
ASPCA Pet Insurance
| Monthly Costs | About $23. Varies widely based on pet and plan type |
| Coverage | 70, 80, or 90 percent |
| Payout Limits | Ranges from $5,000 to unlimited |
| Deductible | $100, $250, or $500 |
Crum + Forster administers ASPCA pet insurance, and both companies are well-regarded in the industry.
The company covers cats and dogs at least eight weeks old and has no upper age limit for new policies, which is a selling point for the company.
It has numerous ways to submit claims, including a mobile app, and ASPCA’s online quote calculator lets you compare its coverage against competitors.
ASPCA, as an organization, is committed to animal welfare and has shelters in Northern, Southern and Central California.
Figo Pet Insurance
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $22.61 for dogs and $20.19 for cats |
| Coverage | 70, 80, 90 and 100 percent |
| Payout Limits | Ranges from $10,000 to unlimited |
| Deductible | $50 to $500 |
Figo consistently ranks at the top of many people’s pet insurer lists, thanks to features such as its outstanding customer service, and waiving of copays and deductibles for life-saving care.
Its plans cover the costs of exams and prescription drugs and offer flexibility in its deductibles, which can be customized from $50-$500.
Interestingly, Figo only charges this deductible once in the entire year, instead of for each claimed illness or injury. Another standout feature is the ability to access medical records quickly via Figo’s Pet Cloud, making it easy to know your pet’s exact health history.
The insurer has a standard 14-day waiting period for illnesses, but just five days of waiting before coverage for accidents. Though prices aren’t a steal, they’re well on the lower side of its competitors’ standard costs.
Use the information in this article to help you determine the best pet insurance for your pet in California. As you make your final decision, keep in mind these significant points of comparison: cost and coverage, customer services and claims processing, and any unique needs your pet may have.
AAA Pet Insurance
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $32.83 for dogs and $17.19 for cats |
| Coverage | 70 to 90 percent reimbursement after deductible |
| Payout Limits | Unlimited |
| Deductible | Ranges from $100 to $500 annually |
Not only do they cover the same conditions and illnesses as the other best insurers in the industry but the company also pays for congenital or hereditary conditions.
AAA has one comprehensive plan for both cats and dogs, administered by Healthy Paws, with an eligible age range between eight weeks and 13 years.
AAA auto club members receive a discount on the monthly premium, and the plan covers more elements than the top-tier plans of other providers at a much lower cost.
AARP Pet Insurance
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $29.16 for dogs and $18.19 for cats |
| Coverage | Ranges from 70 to 90 percent |
| Payout Limits | $2,500 to unlimited |
| Deductible | Ranges from $250 to $1,000 annually |
AARP receives excellent reviews and is well-regarded. Petplan administers its comprehensive coverage, and both companies have excellent ratings with the BBB.
AARP offers a single comprehensive medical plan for cats and dogs at least six weeks old, with no upper age limit for new policies, a unique feature in the pet insurance industry.
The plan also pays for exam fees, which is uncommon among its competitors. AARP allows policyholders to change their reimbursement, deductibles, and benefit limit combinations so they can customize their monthly premium.
AARP has an advertised 30-day turnaround on eligible claims processing and provides 24-hour customer assistance.
Read More: PetPlan Pet Insurance Review
Shopping for Pet Insurance in California
Ideally, you’d be able to choose between top providers with a variety of plans and coverage options, that let you customize your deductible, reimbursement, and coverage combination.
It’s important to note that due to the rising cost of pet care, pet insurance premiums are going up.
Location is one of the factors that determine the price of insurance. At more than $1,500 a year, California has the most expensive average cost for vet services among all states, according to Petplan data.