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The Best Pet Insurance in Pennsylvania (2024)

Written by:
Graci Daby
Written by: Graci Daby Author

Graci Daby graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism. She has written for 365 Pet insurance, and edited pet insurance categories across other Insurance focused sites, including MarketWatch. Recently, Graci has been working as an SEO analyst and editor in the pet field for the past 2 years. In her spare time, Graci looks after her fur babies.

04/18/2024 03:43 PM

​Pennsylvania, otherwise known as the Keystone State due to its crucial role in creating the foundations of the United States of America, has many stunning historical sights, beautiful railroads, and, of course, Amish Country. If you’re an adventurous pet parent, Pennsylvania is a fantastic place to take your pet on adventures. However, we caution you to ensure that you have a pet insurance plan in place if your pet injures itself while you’re out. Life is unpredictable, and you never know when your furry family member could become sick or have an accident, which is why pet insurance is great for peace of mind. 

The 5 Best Pennsylvania Pet Insurance Companies

Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania

Best For Star Rating Monthly Cost Link
Spot Spot Most Inclusive
$22-$80 Compare Quotes
Lemonade Lemonade Most Affordable
$16–$30 Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance ASPCA Pet Insurance Most Experienced
$18–$44 Compare Quotes
Embrace Embrace Best for Discounts Offered
$23-$85 Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws Healthy Paws Best for Chronic Conditions
$24–$54 Compare Quotes
Spot
Logo Spot
Best For Most Inclusive
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $22-$80
Compare Quotes
Lemonade
Logo Lemonade
Best For Most Affordable
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $16–$30
Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Logo ASPCA Pet Insurance
Best For Most Experienced
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $18–$44
Compare Quotes
Embrace
Logo Embrace
Best For Best for Discounts Offered
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $23-$85
Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws
Logo Healthy Paws
Best For Best for Chronic Conditions
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $24–$54
Compare Quotes
Company
Waiting Period
Money-back Guarantee
Maximum Enroll Age
Monthly Cost
14 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$80
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$18-$60
15 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$46
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$23-$85
15 days
Yes
14 years old
$14-$45

Why Trust Quartz Advisor

Our editorial team follows a strict and comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing pet insurance providers. Our scores are not impacted by advertisers.

27

Companies rated

105

Hours researching

2,700

Quotes collected

The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania Reviewed

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Learn more: Spot Review

Overview

Spot pet insurance was founded in 2019 and is provided by the Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, which has been around since 2006. We love Spot for its many plan types, competitive pricing, unlimited annual limit option, and comprehensive coverage. If you’re interested in a more affordable option, Spot does offer an accident-only plan, which protects your pet if it breaks a bone, swallows a toxin or foreign object, or is bitten by an animal.

Plans & Coverage

The accident-only plan starts at $10 per month. In contrast, Its accident and illness plan starts at $16 per month but typically costs around $30 to $50 for dogs and $18 to $25 for cats. This plan will cover your pet for accidents, exam fees, surgery, cancer, congenital conditions, and much more.

We love that Spot has coverage for behavioral issues, dental diseases, exam fees, and prescription medications, which some providers exclude from its coverage. Spot’s plans will not cover exotic animals, pre-existing conditions, breeding costs, or cosmetic procedures. 

Spot also has amazing wellness plans, which are $9.95 per month for its basic plan and $24.95 per month for its platinum plan. Spot’s wellness plans cover routine veterinary care, such as checkups, dental cleanings, deworming, vaccinations, and routine blood work. We love that Spot offers a generous 10% multi-pet discount and a great user-friendly mobile app where you can submit and track your claims. It also has many customization options, including the option for unlimited annual coverage and low annual deductible choices.

Verdict

Overall, Spot has many pluses for pet parents, especially regarding wellness care, thorough coverage, and its multi-pet discount.

Pros & Cons

Pros Offers comprehensive wellness plans No upper age limits 30-day money-back guarantee Excellent coverage for both accident and illness-related costs Cons Prescription pet food is not covered Does not cover exotic animals

Lemonade

Most Affordable
4.8

Learn more: Lemonade Review

Overview

Lemonade is a newer pet insurance company based in New York City. It offers a completely online experience and a cutting-edge mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to process your claims and reimburse you within minutes. We like that Lemonade offers multiple preventative care packages, including a kitten and puppy-specific package. It also offers a 5% multi-pet discount and 10% off your pet insurance plan if you have home insurance with them. Lemonade has more affordable rates than some providers and offers add-ons for physical therapy and vet fees coverage. 

Plans & Coverage

Lemonade does not offer an accident-only plan, but its accident and illness plan will cover you for accidents, prescription medications, hospitalizations, surgeries, and much more. This plan will not cover your pet for dental diseases, behavioral issues, pre-existing conditions, or if your pet is an exotic animal. You can expect to pay around $37 per month for dogs or $15 per month for cats with Lemonade. However, some of its plans start as low as $10 per month, depending on your pet and the customization options for reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and annual deductibles that you choose. We love that Lemonade offers two wellness plans for adult dogs and cats and a plan for puppies and kittens. These plans will cost between $10 to $34 per month and cover routine care costs, such as checkups, vaccinations, parasite tests, and more. The puppy and kitten plan is more extensive and helps with spaying/neutering, microchipping, and dental cleaning costs. 

Pros & Cons

Pros Completely online experience Special preventative care package for kittens and puppies 48-hour wait period for accidents 5% discount for multiple pets insured Cons Only available in 36 states and Washington, D.C. Newer to the market

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Most Experienced
5

Learn more: ASPCA Review

Overview

ASPCA pet insurance is a Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was founded in 2017. We like that ASPCA has a 10% multi-pet discount, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and requires no exam before enrollment. It features many customization options, including annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate options. However, its annual limit options can only be as high as $10,000, which is relatively low compared to many other pet insurance providers. 

Plans & Coverage

ASPCA offers many plans, including an accident-only plan, accident and illness plan, and wellness plan options. None of these plans will cover cosmetic procedures, pre-existing conditions, exotic animals, or breeding costs. Its accident and illness plan will cover accidents, congenital conditions, behavioral issues, diabetes, dental disease, digestive problems, and more. However, its dental disease coverage isn’t as extensive as other providers. In addition, this plan will not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding costs.  Typically, you can expect to pay around $49 per month for dogs and $29 per month for cats. However, ASPCA’s accident-only plan will likely cost much less. You can also customize many factors of your pet insurance plan, which may reduce your monthly premium. 

Verdict

Overall, we like that ASPCA has a generous multi-pet discount, many customization options, an accident-only plan, and multiple wellness plan options. ASPCA has a great user-friendly mobile app that allows you to submit and track your claims, review your policy, contact ASPCA, and pay your bill. However, we don’t like its minimal dental disease coverage and poor customer reviews. 

Pros & Cons

Pros Coverage for alternative therapies Offers multi-pet discount Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Lower deductibles than most Microchipping coverage Cons Poor customer reviews Low annual coverage limits Coverage waiting period is longer than most

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Learn more: Embrace Review

Overview

Embrace pet insurance was founded in 2003 and has underwriting by the American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. It offers a great 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple wellness plan options, and a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to submit and track claims easily.

Plans & Coverage

We love that Embrace has some of the best comprehensive accident and illness plans on the market. If you’re looking for true “nose to tail” coverage for your pet, Embrace may be the provider for you because it covers many things that other providers won’t, including dental diseases, prescription medications, breed-specific conditions, mobility aids, and more. Its accident and illness plans also cover surgeries, diagnostic tests, emergency care, congenital conditions, and more. Embrace’s plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, cloning procedures, or exotic animals. Its monthly premiums can vary significantly, ranging from $20 to $100, but you will usually pay around $35 for dogs and $18 per month for cats. 

Embrace also offers wellness plans in three tiers, including an $18.75 per month plan with a $250 yearly allowance, a $35.42 per month plan with a $450 yearly allowance, and a $52.09 per month plan with a $650 yearly allowance. With Embrace’s wellness plans, you’ll receive coverage for spaying/neutering, wellness exam fees, microchipping, supplements, preventatives, routine blood tests, prescription pet food, and much more. 

Verdict

Overall, Embrace is a great choice for pet parents looking for extensive accident and illness and wellness plan options. We also love its unique Healthy Pet Deductible, which reduces your deductible by $50 each year that you don’t submit a claim. However, Embrace can be pricier than other providers, so we recommend considering how much coverage you truly want for your pet before enrolling. 

Pros & Cons

Pros “Healthy Pet Deductible” reduces your deductible by $50 each year with no claims Donates $2 to charity for every policy sold Comprehensive coverage for breed-specific and congenital conditions Microchipping and spay/neuter coverage 10% multi-pet discount, 5% military discount Cons Pricier wellness plan option Strict pre-existing condition policy

Healthy Paws

Best for Chronic Conditions
4.3

Learn more: Healthy Paws Review

Overview

Healthy paws pet insurance is a more affordable pet insurance provider that offers an accident and illness pet insurance plan. If you’re interested in wellness care, you’ll have to look elsewhere for preventative care coverage for your pet. However, we love that Healthy Paws’ accident and illness plan has unlimited lifetime benefits, meaning that you’ll never have to worry about hitting a cap with your submitted claims. We also love that Healthy Paws is a charitable pet insurance provider and has donated to over 300 nonprofit pet organizations. Healthy Paws also has a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to submit and track claims. Your claims can be processed and reimbursed within 24 hours of processing, so you’ll never have to wait an extended period of time for reimbursement. 

Plans & Coverage

Healthy Paws’ accident and illness plan covers cancer, diagnostic testing, alternative treatments, hospitalization, specialty care, emergency care, and more. It won’t cover pre-existing conditions, routine care, or exotic animals. Typically, you can expect to pay around $39 per month for dogs and $12 per month for cats, which is more affordable than many other providers. However, we want to note that Healthy Paws doesn’t offer any type of wellness care, so you won’t be reimbursed for things like vaccinations, checkups, deworming, dental cleanings, and much more. Healthy Paws also doesn’t have a multi-pet discount and charges a one-time new customer fee of $25. Still, Healthy Paws may be a great choice for you if you’re looking for unlimited lifetime benefits, an accident and illness plan, and supporting a charitable company.

Pros & Cons

Pros Underwritten by the Chubb Group, an A+ rated insurer Has an easy to use mobile app for easy claim submission Unlimited lifetime benefits Donates to over 300 nonprofit pet organizations More affordable than many other options Cons One time customer fee of $25 No wellness plan options

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Pennsylvania?

Pet insurance is a pet health insurance plan that reimburses you for out-of-pocket pet veterinary bills covered by your pet insurance policy. Depending on the policy you choose, this can include accidents, illnesses, and even routine veterinary care. Then, you can take your pet to any licensed vet, animal hospital, or vet clinic. 

Once your pet is treated, you’ll pay the vet bill there and submit the invoice to your pet insurance provider. After the claim is approved, your provider will reimburse you based on your pet insurance policy terms. Pet insurance can give a pet owner peace of mind knowing that their pet will have access to excellent veterinary care if it develops an illness or has an accident. Ultimately, pet insurance should be treated as a backup plan in case your pet has unexpected health problems and needs vet care. 

How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Pennsylvania for You

Pet insurance is a personal choice that requires you to narrow down what is truly important for you and your pet in a pet insurance plan. Before choosing a plan or provider, think about the following factors, starting with the type of pet insurance plan you want for your pet: 

  • Accident-only coverage: Accident-only coverage will provide your pet with coverage for accidents, like swallowed foreign objects, poisoning, animal bites, broken bones, and burns. It won’t cover wellness care or illness-related expenses. 
  • Accident and illness coverage: Accident and illness coverage is more comprehensive and will cover everything accident-only coverage will and illnesses, such as infections, hip dysplasia, diabetes, hereditary conditions, and more. It won’t cover routine veterinary care costs. 
  • Wellness or preventive coverage: Wellness or preventive care coverage is usually an add-on to another pet insurance plan. It’ll typically help with the costs of routine veterinary care, such as deworming, vaccinations, dental cleanings, checkups, and more. 

Once you’ve chosen a plan type, consider which providers and plans have the other features that matter most to you, such as coverage, communication preferences, and more. Here are some factors to consider: 

  • Does the provider offer any type of discount?
  • Are dental illnesses or cleanings covered?
  • Does the plan have an annual or lifetime benefits cap?
  • Can you easily get a free pet insurance quote from the provider?
  • Will the plan provide your pet with coverage for alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or physical therapy?
  • What breed is your dog or cat? Is this breed more prone to specific conditions or illnesses? Does the pet insurance plan offer coverage for these breed-specific conditions?
  • Does the pet insurance provider have overall positive reviews from customers and reports from consumer report websites?
  • What are the plan’s exclusions?
  • Will the plan cover your pet for prescription pet food or prescription medications?

Once you’ve reviewed these factors, we urge you to enroll your pet in a pet insurance plan as soon as possible to avoid your pet developing pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are never covered by insurance, so the earlier you sign your pet up, the better. 

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Pennsylvania?

Pet insurance premiums can range based on many factors, including where you live, your pet’s breed, age, and more. The type of plan, annual deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit you choose will also impact the cost of your monthly premium. If you decide to add a wellness plan, this will add another expense to your monthly premium. 

Accident and illness plans will typically cost between $40 per month for dogs and $22 per month for cats. On average, wellness plans will cost an additional $10 to $25 per month to your monthly premium. However, you can save money by shopping around, choosing an accident-only plan, finding a provider with discounts you qualify for, and only choosing a plan with the amount of coverage you really need. 

ProviderSample Monthly Cost For DogsSample Monthly Cost For CatsSample Monthly Wellness Cost
Spot$40.00$22.00$9.95 (gold), $24.95 (platinum)
Lemonade$37.00$15.00$10 to $34/month for cats, $15 to $40/month for dogs
Embrace$35.00$18.00$35.00
Healthy Paws$39$12Not offered
ASPCA$49$29$9.95 (basic), $24.95 (prime)

Our Final Thoughts on the Top Pet Insurance Providers in Pennsylvania

Pet insurance is a financial safety net that helps with the unexpected costs of pet healthcare. Veterinary care costs, especially emergency care, can be costly. Unfortunately, we never know when our pet can have an accident or develop an illness or chronic condition, so having a backup plan can give us peace of mind knowing that our pet will always have access to veterinary care. 

We at Quartz hope this guide helps you narrow down your options when it comes to picking pet insurance in Pennsylvania. Regardless of which plan or provider you choose, know that you’re making a valuable investment in your pet’s future health and your financial security. 

Information for Pet Owners in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a rich history in America, and it’s also a very pet-friendly state. In Pennsylvania, you can easily find pet-friendly establishments and beautiful pet-friendly outdoor areas. However, it’s important that you’re also aware of Pennsylvania pet laws and pet resources before you embark on your adventure. 

Pennsylvania Pet Laws 

Here are some Pennsylvania pet laws you must know: 

  • Dogs and cats that are at least three months old must have a rabies vaccination. 
  • All dogs that are three months old or older must be licensed. 
  • Puppies can’t be sold until they’re at least eight weeks old. 
  • Dogs must remain on leashes unless they’re on their own property.
  • Dogs can’t be tethered or chained for more than nine hours a day or more than 30 minutes in 90 degrees or under 32-degree weather. 
  • It’s illegal to abandon an animal. 
  • Animal abuse must be reported to the police. 

Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in PA 

There are many things to do with your pet in the beautiful Keystone State.

Here are a few notable things to do: 

  • Lloyd Park in Downingtown: This beautiful fenced-in park has a stream, playground, and volleyball court.
  • Battlefield Bed & Breakfast in Gettysburg: This pre-civil war farmhouse has free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly accommodations, and a complimentary breakfast. 
  • Four Dogs Tavern in West Chester: This pet-friendly restaurant has a full menu of American food and a full bar with outside seating for you and your pet.
  • Presque Isle State Park: This park is located on a peninsula on Lake Erie. It’s a beautiful park with over 3,000 acres of beaches, woodlands, and swamps. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a six-foot leash.

Pennsylvania Pet Resources 

Here are some Pennsylvania pet resources for pet owners who need help providing for their pets: 

  • Sam’s Hope: Sam’s Hope offers temporary pet food assistance to pet parents in need. It assists those in Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Bucks counties.
  • Animal House Project: The Animal House Project’s mission is to provide donated pet food and pet care services to those in need. It especially looks to help seniors and veterans. 
  • ACCT Philly: This organization offers a pet food pantry and referrals for wellness checks and low-cost spay/neuter services. 
  • Humane Society of Harrisburg Area: This humane organization provides a pet food pantry, microchipping, wellness clinic checkups, and low-cost spay/neuter assistance. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Pennsylvania

Do pet insurance policies have waiting periods?

Yes, pet insurance policies more than always have waiting periods. between your initial enrollment period and when coverage officially begins for the plan. Across most providers, the standard is around 14 days for accidents and illnesses, but some others, including Lemonade and Embrace, can shorten your waiting period to as low as two days for accidents.

Does pet insurance cover all veterinary expenses?

No, pet insurance won’t cover all expenses you build up at the vet’s office. However, insurance will typically cover accidents and illnesses that aren’t pre-existing. Some policies will even offer wellness and preventative care add-ons that add additional benefits to your policy, like wellness exams and vaccines.

Is buying pet insurance worth it in Pennsylvania?

For most pet owners, pet insurance is absolutely worth it. We never know when our pet could have an unexpected accident or develop an illness, so having a backup plan in place to help pay for your pet’s vet bills is beneficial for most pet parents. Vet bills can quickly add up to hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, which many pet parents don’t have readily available. 

Having pet insurance protects you financially and gives you peace of mind that you won’t have to say no to recommended treatments to benefit your pet’s health and happiness.

Our Methodology

​​Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:

  • Coverage
  • Plan options
  • Cost 
  • Reputation
  • Customer service 
  • Species available
  • Wellness benefits 

We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursements, deductibles, and limitations. 

Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:

  • Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
  • Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points.  Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
  • Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
  • Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
  • Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
  • Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
  • Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.

Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.