How to pick the best pet insurance company

Pet insurance can be a smart and valuable way to protect both your cat or dog and your bank account. Many pet insurance companies offer owners a wide array of coverage options and policy types to choose from. Because this industry is still growing, however, the familiarity with insurance companies and coverage options may not be as comprehensive. It helps, then, for owners to do their research and take certain steps in order to pick the best pet insurance company for their pet and their budget.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways owners can go about the process, three of which we will explore below. If you’re in the market for pet insurance then first start by getting a free price quote so you have a better idea of what to expect.

How to pick the best pet insurance company

There are various ways interested parties can go about picking a pet insurance company. Here are three of the best ways to get started. 

Shop around for providers

Just like you wouldn’t necessarily purchase the first car you test-drove or the first home you saw, you shouldn’t automatically sign up with the first pet insurance company you get a quote from. Instead, shop around and compare providers, policies, rates and terms. The pet insurance industry is robust and there are many providers to choose from. See what they’re offering (and the price they’re offering it at) before signing on the dotted line. 

Most experts would recommend getting quotes from at least three different insurance companies in order to establish a baseline to compare each against. But there’s nothing stopping you from getting quotes from more than three providers, either. Just make sure to get the same sort of quote (using the same pet type, breed, age, etc.) from each company so that you can accurately complete an apples-to-apples comparison.

You can check pet insurance prices here now or by using the below table.

Don’t just look at the price

The price of a pet insurance policy is undoubtedly important, particularly in today’s economic climate. But it’s not the only important factor to look at either. To pick the best pet insurance company for your furry friend you’ll want to look at a multitude of factors. This includes but is not limited to, their pre-existing conditions policy, their waiting period, their reimbursement approach and any additional coverage options they may offer. 

It’s possible that one company may charge you slightly more than another but that company may also offer more appealing options for that marginal bump in price. While pet insurance can help alleviate the costs of veterinarian visits, treatments and procedures, it can help cover other, less-known items, too. This includes alternative medicine, dental care and even treatment for separation anxiety, depending on the provider and the policy. These may be welcome additions to any pet insurance plan well worth paying for so make sure you look at the full picture and not just the final cost.

Speak to other owners

Word of mouth can be a great way to track down quality products and services. This is particularly true for pet insurance providers as they’re typically not as well known as companies that provide life insurance or car insurance policies. So next time you’re in the dog park or with friends or family that have their pet insured be sure to ask about their current provider. Find out what they like and don’t like about their pet insurance company. Ask about other providers they may have worked with in the past or want to work with in the future.

But don’t just rely on other owners. Do your own research and check out online reviews and rating sites. And consider speaking to your veterinarian. Your vet can help guide you toward a provider and a policy that’s appropriate for your pet. This way you can tailor any prospective plan toward what you need now or will in the short term so you don’t get stuck paying for protections you won’t need.

Get a customized pet insurance quote here now to learn more.

The bottom line

The above list is not all-inclusive. There are multiple ways to get the best pet insurance and providers, often via cheap and discounted methods. To pick the best pet insurance company it’s critical to first shop around for providers (get quotes from at least three). But it’s also important to look at more than just the final price as some companies may offer services well worth paying extra for. And don’t be hesitant to speak to other owners (and your current vet) who can give your their own important input about their pet insurance experiences.