New Yorkers love their pets, and keeping them safe and healthy is important. Whether you live in the Big Apple or upstate, your pet could develop kennel cough from boarding, overheating on a 90-degree day or come down with something else that requires a visit to the vet. These incidents are traumatic for a pet, and often costly as well.
The most serious visits to the vet can cost $5,000 or more, depending on the situation. Finding the best pet insurance in New York is a way to soften the blow of large, unexpected vet bills.
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- Best Pet Insurance in New York
- Summary of Best Pet Insurance in New York
- Comparison of New York Pet Insurance Costs
- Types of Pet Insurance Plans
- How Pet Insurance Works
- How to Find the Best Pet Insurance in New York
- New York Pet Laws
- Methodology
- Pet Insurance in New York FAQ
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Best Pet Insurance in New York
Summary of Best Pet Insurance in New York
Reimbursement and deductible choices may vary by state.
Comparison of New York Pet Insurance Costs
The average cost of pet insurance in New York is $28 per month, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. That’s for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement level. The average cost for a New York pet insurance policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement level is $43 per month.
The key to getting the best pet insurance is to find a policy that has coverage benefits that meet your needs at a reasonable cost. We found that Lemonade has the cheapest average New York pet insurance rates for both $5,000 and unlimited annual coverage.
Costs for New York Pet Insurance With $5,000 Annual Maximum Coverage
Costs are for a plan with a $5,000 annual coverage maximum, a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement level. Source: PetInsurer.com.
Costs for New York Pet Insurance With Unlimited Annual Maximum Coverage
Costs are for a plan with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement level. Source: PetInsurer.com.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans
Pet insurance in New York can be broken down into these main buckets.
Accident and illness plans. This type of plan offers coverage for expenses related to accidents and illnesses, such as coverage for:
- Emergencies like broken bones or toxic ingestion
- Dental illnesses like gingivitis
- Chronic conditions like diabetes
- Cancer
- Orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligaments issues
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Diagnostics tests like MRIs and blood tests
You’re covered whether your pet comes down with an ear infection or sprains its leg while running.
Accident-only plans: This type of plan covers only accident-related vet costs, such as broken bones or skin lacerations. For example, if you’re out walking your English Bulldog and he accidentally picks up a piece of plastic from the street, which gets stuck in his throat, you could make a claim.
An accident-only plan costs less than an accident and illness plan since it doesn’t cover sickness.
Wellness coverage. To keep your pet healthy, you want to visit the vet for routine check-ups, flea and tick prevention and vaccinations. However, preventive care costs can add up. Some pet insurance companies offer wellness and routine care coverage to help pay for some of these expenses. Generally pet insurers let you add a pet wellness plan to an accident and illness plan for an extra cost.
How Pet Insurance Works
The price you pay for New York pet insurance is typically based on several factors that break down into two categories: the characteristics of your pet and the terms of the policy you select.
Pet Characteristics
Pet insurance companies consider the details of the pet when calculating how much New York pet insurance will cost, such as:
- Age. Since older pets are more likely to get sick or injured as they age, the cost of their pet insurance generally mirrors this risk. Expect pet insurance costs to increase as your pet gets older.
- Breed and species. Some breeds are more prone to illness and genetic conditions than others. If your pet breed is at high risk of a particular illness or condition like hip dysplasia, you will likely pay more for pet insurance than another breed that is less at risk. Also, it usually costs less to insure cats than it does dogs.
- Location. Your location also plays a part in New York pet insurance costs because veterinary costs vary.
- Gender. There are usually more claims for male pets and therefore higher insurance rates.
Reimbursement Selections
If you’re buying New York pet insurance you’ll typically have a few areas where you’ll pick reimbursement levels.
- Deductible amount. Before a pet insurance company reimburses you for any vet-related expenses, you must pay your deductible amount toward vet bills. Selecting a higher deductible will lower your New York pet insurance cost.
- Reimbursement percentage. After you pay your deductible, pet insurance companies will reimburse you for a percentage of vet expenses, which is the reimbursement level. Choosing a lower reimbursement level lowers your cost of coverage. For example, selecting 50% reimbursement versus 90% reimbursement can reduce your monthly pet insurance bill. Some pet insurers offer 100% reimbursement levels.
- Annual coverage caps. Each pet insurance plan states the total amount it will pay out in one year. Selecting a higher maximum payout will increase your cost. Some pet insurers offer unlimited payouts.
How to Find the Best Pet Insurance in New York
When comparing New York pet insurance plans, take a close look at the benefits and restrictions.
Vet Exam Fees
Every time you visit the vet, you pay an exam fee. Not all pet insurance companies cover this cost. Look for a New York pet insurance plan that covers vet exam fees for visits for accidents and illness.
Coverage Waiting Periods
After you buy a pet insurance plan, you must wait a specific period of time before coverage begins. This is the waiting period, which all pet insurance companies apply. While one insurance company may offer a one-day waiting period for accident claims, another may have a 15-day waiting period for accidents.
Since you never know when something will happen to your pet, selecting a plan with a shorter waiting period is advantageous.
Additionally, watch out for extended waiting periods for particular issues like hip dysplasia.
24/7 Vet Helplines
Sometimes you’re not sure whether or not your pet needs to see the vet. Or your pet may experience a late-night illness. Fortunately, many pet insurance companies offer 24/7 vet helplines so you can determine the best course of action.
Pet Insurance Plans That Will Pay the Vet Directly
Typically, you must pay for all of your vet expenses upfront. Then you submit a claim and the pet insurance company will reimburse you accordingly. If the initial out-of-pocket costs give you anxiety, consider a New York pet insurance plan that can pay the vet directly, like Trupanion or Pets Best. You’ll need to ensure your vet accepts direct payments or has the appropriate processing software if you want to use this perk.
Pet Insurance Discounts
Pet insurance companies often offer military discounts and multi-pet discounts for buying coverage for multiple pets.
Routine Care Coverage
Not all New York pet insurance companies offer a wellness and routine care coverage add-on. If this type of insurance is essential to you, look for a plan where you can add routine wellness coverage. Nationwide pet insurance has a plan that includes wellness.
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New York Pet Laws
New York requires dog owners to license pets that are age four months or older. The dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. Localities also have their own pet-related laws.
New York City Pet Laws
You must leash your dog in public places in New York City or in open and unfenced areas abutting public places. The leash or chain can not be more than six feet. Violators may be fined between $200 and $400.
If a pet becomes a nuisance on any public or private premises that are used in common by the public or an area that abuts a public place, you could face a fine between $200 and $400.
You must pick up after your dog in public places. That includes sidewalks, gutters and streets. Violators face a $250 fine.
Dog owners can bring their four-legged friends onto the subway, but they must be in a crate or container, unless they are a service dog.
Buffalo Pet Laws
If you live in a single- or double-family home in Buffalo, you can have up to three dogs age four months and older. If you live in a home with three or more units, you can have one dog per household. Having more dogs would be classified as a kennel.
You have 30 days to get a dog license for any dog that is age four months or older. Buffalo dog license fees aren’t charged for guide, hearing, service, war, working search, detection, police or therapy dogs.
Dogs must be restrained by a leash when off your property. You must keep your pets in a clean and sanitary environment, provide adequate food, water and space, and remove any feces left by your dog when out in public.
You must prevent your dog from frequent or long-continued barking, howling or other noise. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $15 for a first violation, $25 for a second violation and $50 for a third or subsequent violation.
Any dog age four months and older that is impounded or seized may be subject to mandatory spaying or neutering before being returned to you or adopted to another person.
Rochester Pet Laws
You can own up to four dogs age four months or older in Rochester if you live in a building with three or fewer dwelling units. You can have only one dog if you live in a building with four or more dwelling units.
When you are off your property, your dog must be under your control and on a leash or in a fenced in area so your dog cannot leave the premises.
You should not allow your dog to howl or bark continuously in Rochester, so that it’s heard beyond your property line:
- For more than five minutes between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- For more than 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- For a shorter duration than the above timeframes, but on more than five occasions within a 10-day period.
You must restrict your dog from damaging other properties or entering public buildings, restaurants, stores and cemeteries unless they’re a guide, hearing, service or police work dog. You are required to remove any feces left by your dog in public.
You cannot take your dog to fireworks displays, Charlotte Pier or cemeteries in Rochester.
Yonkers Pet Laws
You must keep your dog on a leash when in public in Yonkers. That leash or chain should not exceed 6 feet.
A dog may be deemed a nuisance if it injures someone, damages property, knocks over garbage, chases people or vehicles, or habitually barks or howls.
You are required to remove any feces left by your dog in public. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in any unfenced areas or a lot abutting any street, park or public space.
If your dog is deemed dangerous, you must get a dangerous animal license from Rochester. That includes a $50 application fee on top of the required license fee. You will be required to have proof of liability insurance of at least $100,000.
Dangerous dogs should be kept on a leash no more than four feet when in public. You must post a clearly visible sign on your property warning any person who enters your property that a vicious animal is present. You cannot own two or more dangerous dogs for breeding or any other purposes.
Methodology
We used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score New York pet insurance companies based on the following.
Average New York pet insurance costs: Up to 40 points. We averaged pet insurance quotes for each insurer for a mixed-breed dog at two ages in New York.
Plan benefits: Up to 60 points. We scored plans based on the following important features: Annual coverage choices, whether the plan can pay a veterinarian directly, access to a 24/7 vet line, availability of routine wellness coverage, whether the plan pays the vet exam fee, pet dental illness coverage, end of life coverage and multipet discount.
Pet Insurance in New York FAQ
Is pet insurance in New York worth it?
To determine if pet insurance is worth it in New York, consider a plan’s premiums and how a major vet bill could impact your finances. The average cost of pet insurance in New York for $5,000 of annual coverage is $336 per year. If you’ve been paying for pet insurance for three years, you would have paid $1,008 so far.
Let’s say your dog swallows a toy. The average cost to treat an ingested foreign object for a dog is $3,500, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of vet visit costs. If you have a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement level, your out of pocket cost for treatment would be $575 ($250 deductible + 10% of $3,250 = $575).
Adding up premiums for three years and what you pay towards treatment, you’ve paid $1,583. Without pet insurance, you would pay $3,500 for the treatment. You’ve avoided paying $1,917 by having pet insurance.
Do all vets in NYC accept pet insurance?
If you have pet insurance you do not need a veterinarian to generally “accept” it. That’s because pet insurance is not like health insurance, which has provider networks. Pet insurance is reimbursement based: You’ll pay up front for your vet bills and submit a claim to your pet insurance company.
Trupanion can pay your vet directly (if they have Trupanion’s software).
Which company has the cheapest pet insurance in New York?
Lemonade has the cheapest pet insurance in New York, with an average of $10 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage and $20 per month for $100,000 of annual coverage.
Pets Best also has competitive New York pet insurance rates at $25 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage and $27 per month for unlimited annual coverage. You’ll also find a good price for unlimited annual coverage with ManyPets, at $22 per month in New York.
Your pet insurance quotes will vary depending on the type of pet, breed and where you live in New York.