Pet Insurance in New York
The rising cost for health care also impacts veterinary care for your four-legged family members. If you have older pets, new pets, or exotic pets, pet health insurance works to provide affordable care for your pet needs.
Many pet parents strive to provide their dogs and cats with the best possible vet care, which is where pet insurance coverage comes into play, and why you’ll find abundant options for pet insurance in New York. There are several coverage options to choose from, so gathering multiple pet insurance quotes is worth it.
We evaluated over 30 insurance agencies to help you find the best pet insurance in New York, ultimately deciding on the 10 companies.
Pet Insurance in New York: Top 10 Companies for 2021
Here are the top providers offering pet insurance in New York:
- PetPlan: Best for Dental Coverage
- Figo: Best for Customizable Pet Insurance Plans
- Aetna Pet Insurance: Best for Customizable Plans
- Pet Premium: Best for Low Priced Wellness Plans
- Trupanion: Best for Unlimited Pet Health Care
- Embrace: Best for Healthy Pet Discounts
- ASPCA: Best for End of Life Coverage
- Petfirst: Best for Customizable Deductibles
- Nationwide: Best for Exotic Pet Coverage
PetPlan Pet Insurance
PetPlan, administered by Fetch Insurance, stands out with its coverage of non-routine vet exam fees and comprehensive dental coverage in its customizable accident and illness plans, including a Premier Plan with unlimited coverage and no benefit caps.
PetPlan insures dogs and cats of any breed, six weeks old to the end of life, and never terminates your policy due to age or illness severity.
Unlike many pet insurance companies, PetPlan offers an online claims calculator and 24/7 customer service over the phone or live chat.
Despite 50 complaints in the last three years, PetPlan has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
It’s known for its commitment to customer service and provides an outstanding mobile experience that allows quick, paperless claims submissions through any iOS or Android device within 90 days of receiving veterinary care.
Approved claims are paid within 30 days, but more often within five to 14 days.
Monthly Costs | Starting at $29.16 for dogs and $18.19 for cats |
Coverage | Co-pay of 10, 20, or 30 percent after deductible |
Payout Limits | $2,500-Unlimited |
Deductibles | $250-$1000 annually |
Figo Pet Insurance
Figo pet insurance in New York offers three customizable medical plans for dogs and cats over eight weeks old with no age caps on new or existing policies.
Figo’s minimum monthly premium is high compared to other providers and the national average, but various discounts help lower your cost, and it waives co-pays and deductibles for emergency life-saving treatment.
The company has a solid reputation, with an A rating from the BBB and an astonishingly low number of just five complaints over three years.
It also offers a seamless mobile experience with convenient paperless claims submission through its Pet Cloud, a full mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.
Policyholders have up to 90 days to file claims with standard processing within 30 days, but the company’s payment goal is seven to ten business days with checks direct deposited for quicker receipt of funds.
The primary reason people buy pet insurance is to cover expensive, unexpected vet bills.
While pet insurance in New York can be pricey, get the best policy at the best price by doing your research and protect your bottom line.
Monthly Costs | Starting at $52.85 for dogs and $28.99 for cats |
Coverage | Co-pay of 0, 10, 20, or 30 percent after deductible |
Payout Limits | $10,000, $14,000, or Unlimited |
Deductibles | $50-$500 annually |
Aetna Pet Insurance
Aetna pet insurance, administered through Pets Best, is known for its highly flexible pricing and customizable plans that are especially attractive to senior pet owners due to no upper age limits and coverage that’s never reduced or canceled based on age.
You can insure dogs and cats through Aetna’s accident only pet insurance plans in New York with a flat monthly rate of $9 for dogs and $6 for cats, which beats the national average of $15.84 and $12.72 respectively.
Its minimum monthly premium for accident and illness coverage also comes out on top compared to the national average of $44.66 and $27.93.
Pricing for optional wellness plans is $16 or $26, depending on the level of coverage.
Pets Best had 53 complaints in the last three years, which is quite low, and it has an A+ rating through the BBB, due in part by one of the fastest turnaround times for claims reimbursement in the industry.
Submit claims through the online portal or mobile app, and most claims are processed in five days or less.
Receive funds in as little as two business days through direct deposit or choose the vet direct payment option.
Monthly Costs | Starting at $30.06 for dogs and $16.52 for cats |
Coverage | Co-pay of 20 percent after deductible |
Payout Limits | $5,000 or Unlimited |
Deductibles | $50-$1,000 annually |
PetPremium Pet Insurance
PetPremium administered through Crum & Forster Pet Insurance offers some of the lowest-priced medical and wellness coverage in the industry, with two levels of add-on preventive care available.
Save even more with a 10 percent discount for each additional pet insured.
PetPremium requires a lengthy 30-day waiting period for illness coverage but has a zero-day wait for accidents and wellness care, which is extremely rare.
Despite a less than ideal claims process, PetPremium has an A+ rating from the BBB with zero complaints on file, something no other pet insurance provider can boast.
PetPremium’s standard turnaround time for processing claims is within 30 days, but most claims typically take two weeks or less.
Monthly Costs | Starting at $12.28 for dogs and $9.83 for cats |
Coverage | Co-pay of 10, 20, or 30 percent after deductible |
Payout Limits | $2,500-Unlimited |
Deductibles | $100-$500 annually |
Trupanion
Trupanion is a popular company, founded in Seattle, Washington.
It covers 90% of veterinary costs of approved claims and after your deductible has been met, it will cover any illnesses or medical costs your pet may incur.
It also offers unlimited health care for the duration of your policy, which is a huge pro when choosing Trupanion. This company also offers a property damage rider, covering any unintentional pet damage.
The cons for Trupanion are vet exam fees are not covered, there are limitations to coverage on spays and neuters from pets over one-year-old, and it is typically more expensive monthly because it does not have coverage caps.
Monthly Costs | Starts at $59.21 for dogs and $32.41 for cats |
Coverage | 90 percent reimbursement after deductible |
Payout Limits | Unlimited |
Deductible | Ranges from $0 to $1,000 per incident, depending on the plan |
Embrace
Embrace will cover any fee or treatment plan your vet deems necessary. This can be lab tests, rehab, diagnostics, and follow-up care to name a few.
They offer a Health Pet discount, dropping your premium by $50 every year you do not submit a claim. Embrace was rated one of the highest for customer reviews and care.
The drawbacks are twofold: the monthly premiums are more expensive and in New York, prescriptions are a separate addition.
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
ASPCA offers two customizable plans to make sure both your pet and your budget are happy. They also offer end of life coverage, paying for cremation or burial, setting them apart from other pet insurance companies.
ASPCA also covers pet behavioral issues, which is also atypical for most companies.
The only drawback that we found was the waiting period. ASPCA requires a 14 day waiting period before coverage kicks in for any knee ligament issues, illnesses, or accidents.
Should your pet have any of the above during that 14 day waiting period, those costs and conditions will most likely not be covered.
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 |
PetFirst
PetFirst offers several benefits, including customizable deductibles, making sure your pet insurance costs are low. They have no age cap, which helps those with older pets and offer a routine care rider, greatly reducing regular costs like vaccinations.
PetFirst has a quick claim turnaround and offers a short waiting period when getting coverage. They also offer many different coverage plan options, with monthly premiums as low as $6 for cats and $12 for dogs.
They have per-incident deductibles meaning if your pet has multiple health issues or accidents, you will have to meet the deductible each time. They also have caps on coverage costs. If your pet needs extensive medical care like cancer care, your pet costs may extend past your plan coverage, leaving you on the hook for those costs.
Monthly Costs | Starts at $16.95 for dogs and $8.95 for cats |
Coverage | Ranges from 70% – 90% depending on the plan |
Payout Limits | $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 annually, depending on plan |
Deductibles | Ranges from $50 – $500 per incident |
Nationwide
Nationwide is one of the few companies to cover exotic animals. They also provide Major Medical Coverage and Pet Wellness Plans. Known ease of use, Nationwide allows you to submit and track your claims in real-time through their mobile app.
Nationwide gets a good ding for customer service, pulling in a high number of negative complaints. Their Wellness Plan is not provided in all states and should you travel outside the country with your fur baby, your pet will not be covered should any incident arise
Their Major Medical Coverage has a cap and they have various waiting periods for different conditions. Make sure you read the small print in your policy!
Monthly Costs | $18.84 to $79.65, depending on the plan |
Coverage | Reimbursement rate of 90 percent |
Payout Limits | $10,000 to unlimited, depending on the plan |
Deductible | $100-$250 |
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws offers pet insurance in New York for dogs and cats aged eight weeks to 14 years.
Though pets older than 14 years aren’t eligible for a new policy, when you insure your pet before this age, they receive the same quality coverage for life.
Healthy Paws’ one standard accident and illness plan allows you to customize deductible and reimbursement limits but has no maximum payout limits or per incident, annual, or lifetime caps.
The company had 48 complaints in the last three years, including 27 in the past 12-month period, but the BBB gives it an A+ rating due to its responsiveness to customers.
The company offers speedy and convenient claims processing through its online portal and mobile app.
Healthy Paws processes claims within ten business days, but 99 percent are processed in two days.
Monthly Costs | Starting at $32.83 for dogs and $17.19 for cats |
Coverage | Co-pay of 10, 20, or 30 percent after deductible |
Payout Limits | Unlimited |
Deductibles | $100-$500 annually |
What Is Pet Health Insurance?
Pet insurance works a little differently than human health insurance. With pet insurance, you have to pay for vet bills upfront, and then file a claim for reimbursement. There are different reimbursement rates from 70-100%, depending on the company you choose.
Annual deductibles will also vary depending on your budget and plan. The number one question we receive is–Is pet insurance worth it? Let’s go over some of the illnesses and types of medical care typically covered under a pet insurance policy.
Keep in mind this is a list of optional coverage items. Read the quote you receive to make sure your pet’s specific needs are met. Also, NO pet health insurance company will cover pre-existing conditions.
- Hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia
- Congenital conditions like heart disease
- Emergency care/animal hospital visits
- Routine checkups at a licensed vet
- Examinations, x-rays, and vaccinations
- Some chronic conditions
- Alternative therapies
- Spay/neuter vet visits
Shopping for Pet Insurance in New York
Pet insurance rates generally vary by state, and according to PetPlan, New York has an average annual cost of $1,200 to $1,300 for unexpected veterinary care, which is mid-range compared to the rest of the U.S.
The best pet insurance policies help alleviate your financial worry by reimbursing part of your veterinary costs, but not all policies are created equally.
Plan costs vary according to a number of factors, including whether you have a cat or dog, their breed and age, and even your geographical location.
Each insurer calculates its actuarial math differently, contributing even further to differences in price.
Finally, your deductible, reimbursement rate, and deduction cap will also play a large part in your final investment in pet insurance in New York.