Secured with SHA-256 EncryptionPet Insurance in North Carolina
Pets are important family members. Just as with our children, spouses, or senior parents, as pet parents, we want to be sure when unexpected illness or injury occurs, we can provide our pets with the best medical care possible.
Unfortunately, the cost of veterinary care is skyrocketing, and for many Americans, it’s impossible to pay for the treatment our pet requires when emergencies occur.
That’s why so many pet owners across the U.S. have chosen to purchase pet insurance. You may ask is pet insurance worth it? Just like any other insurance products you have, life, auto, and home insurance to name a few, pet health insurance gives you peace of mind, knowing your fur family is covered in the event of an accident.
The best pet insurance plans in North Carolina provide access to quality care at affordable rates, with efficient claims processing and excellent customer service.
We’ve studied plans offered by more than 30 pet insurance providers and compared the insurance coverage, claims process, costs, and reputation of each one. We’ve narrowed it down to the six pet insurance companies that we consider offer the insurance coverage in North Carolina.
Pet Insurance in North Carolina
Here are the top 6 providers of pet insurance in NC:
Petplan Pet Insurance
It covers dogs and cats aged six weeks and up, and starting rates are below national average monthly premiums, which are $44.66 for dogs and $27.93 for cats.
Petplan’s coverage is comprehensive and includes a long list of conditions and treatments, including emergency care and veterinary bills.
The company offers a simple claims procedure with several ways to submit claims, and typically processes and pays them out within ten business days.
Petplan has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $29.16 for dogs and $18.19 for cats |
| Coverage | 70 to 90 percent reimbursement after deductible |
| Payout Limits | $2,500 to unlimited, depending on the plan |
| Deductible | Ranges from $250 to $1,000 annually, depending on the plan |
Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace offers plans that cover conditions and treatments for dogs and cats for life if the pet is enrolled before the age of 14.
Customers can also add a supplemental wellness plan to their policy to cover routine vet bills as well.
When customers need to submit a claim to Embrace, it’s typically paid out within two weeks.
Embrace has an A+ rating with the BBB, and all complaints on file have been addressed by the company.
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $13.04 for dogs and $8.98 for cats |
| Coverage | Ranges from 70 to 90 percent after deductible, depending on the plan |
| Payout Limits | Coverage caps range between $500 and $30,000 annually online or unlimited via phone enrollment. |
| Deductible | Ranges from $200 and $1,000 annually, depending on the plan |
ASPCA Pet Insurance
ASPCA pet insurance is available for dogs and cats aged 8 weeks and older.
Its rates appear to be highly competitive, according to the company’s online quote calculator.
Claims submission is an easy process with the ASPCA mobile app, and reimbursements are promised within 30 days of submission, although they’re typically paid out much faster according to customer reviews.
ASPCA pet insurance is administered by Crum & Forster, which has an A+ rating from the BBB and only 15 closed complaints within the last three years.
| Monthly Costs | A mixed-breed dog or pure-bred cat can get coverage for as low as $23.39. |
| Coverage | 70, 80, or 90 percent, depending on the plan |
| Payout Limits | Ranges from $5,000 to unlimited, depending on the plan |
| Deductible | $100, $250, or $500, depending on the plan |
Trupanion
Trupanion is one of the larger pet insurance companies in the US. Founded in Seattle, Washington, gathering a pet insurance quote from them is easy.
Read more: Washington Pet Insurance
This insurance company will cover cancer treatments, prescription medications, routine check-ups, and any unknown illnesses. In fact, Trupanion prides itself on covering what other insurance companies will not.
| Monthly Costs | A Yorkshire Terrier can get coverage for as low as $66.80. |
| Coverage | 90 percent |
| Payout Limits | no annual payout limits |
| Deductible | $0 – $1,000, depending on the plan |
AKC Pet Insurance
Customers can make their rates even more affordable with the company’s adjustable co-pay rates, payout limits, and deductibles.
AKC offers highly competitive rates on pet insurance, and its plans are customizable and comprehensive.
AKC plans are administered by PetPartners (read our “PetPartners Insurance Review“), which is BBB-accredited, with an A+ rating. The company logged only 2 complaints in the last 12 months.
| Monthly Costs | $23.49 for a 2-year-old dachshund with no previously diagnosed conditions, $18.92 for a 6-year-old domestic shorthair cat with no previously diagnosed conditions |
| Coverage | 70 to 90 percent reimbursement after deductible, depending on the plan |
| Payout Limits | $2,500 to unlimited, depending on the plan |
| Deductible | Ranges from $100 to $1,000 annually, depending on the plan |
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
With the information above, you should have a good understanding of what to look for in a pet insurance policy, and where to find the best pet insurance in North Carolina.
Healthy Paws plans are available to cats and dogs aged 8 weeks to 14 years and include coverage for an extensive list of conditions and treatments, including hereditary and congenital conditions. There is a short waiting period for some hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, but they are covered. Their plans also cover routine check-ups and, spay/neuter surgeries, and emergency care.
The company’s online portal and mobile app give customers a simple way to manage their accounts and submit claims, which are generally paid out within 10 business days. Known for low annual deductibles, this insurance agency offers just one plan, however it covers your pet and your budget well.
Healthy Paws shows 27 closed complaints within the last 12 months, and the company has an A+ rating from the BBB.
| Monthly Costs | Starts at $32.83 for dogs and $17.19 for cats |
| Coverage | 70 to 90 percent reimbursement after deductible, depending on the plan |
| Payout Limits | Unlimited |
| Deductible | Ranges from $100 to $500 annually, depending on the plan |
Shopping For Pet Insurance in NC
It’s essential to conduct thorough research when you’re planning to buy a new pet insurance policy, or any other insurance policy, for that matter. All the companies discussed today are offered throughout NC, whether you’re in Raleigh, Charlotte, or Asheville.
Each insurer offers varying coverage inclusions and exclusions at differing rates, so to choose the policy that best fits your budget (and your pet’s needs) will require looking at a minimum of three companies.
Prices are typically determined by your pet’s breed, age, and health condition–as well as the average cost of veterinary care in your state.
However, insurance providers don’t always use the same calculations to determine their premiums, with some insurers weighing certain factors differently. That’s why there are often considerable differences in rates between companies.