Best pet insurance in Oregon (OR) in July 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 9:50 a.m. UTC June 5, 2024
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Pets Best is the best pet insurance in Oregon, based on our in-depth analysis of cost and coverage. It gets top scores for having low average rates for pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage and an optional wellness plan for routine care.
Best pet insurance companies in Oregon
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance in Oregon.
- ManyPets: Cheapest pet insurance in Oregon.
- Figo: Best for quick accident coverage in Oregon.
- Embrace: Best multi-pet insurance in Oregon.
- Healthy Paws: Great for unlimited annual coverage.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Top-rated pet insurance companies in Oregon
Compare the best pet insurance rates in Oregon
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | OREGON RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A DOG | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A CAT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43 | $24 | |||||||
| ||||||||
| $32 | $20 | |||||||
| ||||||||
| $69 | $37 | |||||||
| ||||||||
| $91 | $51 | |||||||
| ||||||||
| $53 | $25 | |||||||
|
*Average monthly Oregon pet insurance premiums assume unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage.
How much is pet insurance in Oregon?
The average cost of an accident and illness pet insurance plan for dogs with unlimited annual coverage in Oregon is $75 a month.
How much pet insurance will cost you in Oregon depends on several factors, including your pet’s species, age, breed, gender and size. Your Oregon ZIP code can also affect the cost.
Oregon pet insurance rates by city
Here is how much pet insurance accident and illness plans cost per month in Beaverton, Eugene, Gresham, Portland and Salem.
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on dog insurance in Oregon for ages 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 8 years; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Average cost of veterinary care in Oregon
The cost of veterinary care will vary by ZIP code in Oregon. Here are the average costs for dogs and cats to visit a vet office in Portland.
| CITY | VET OFFICE VISIT | VACCINES* | PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING | SPAY/NEUTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Portland
| Dog $71.45
Cat $71.95
| Dog $219.01
Cat $95.78
| Dog $407.20
Cat $408.95
| Dog $502.90
Cat $297.95
|
*Dog vaccines include Bordetella, DAPP, bivalent influenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and rabies. Cat vaccines include feline distemper FVRCP, feline leukemia virus and rabies. Source: Banfield Pet Hospital.
Taking your dog to the vet? How much dog vaccinations cost
Average cost of Oregon pet insurance claims
The average Oregon pet insurance claim is $446, according to recent data from Embrace Pet Insurance.
These are the highest individual pet insurance claims in Oregon so far this year, according to Embrace:
- For dogs: $17,377, $12,684 and $11,858.
- For cats: $6,651, $6,534 and $6,438.
How to find the best pet insurance in Oregon
When searching for the best pet insurance, Oregon residents should compare various plan choices and companies to find the right fit. Here are some things to consider:
- Vet direct pay option: Some pet insurance companies, like Pets Best and Embrace, offer the option to pay the vet directly for covered expenses instead of waiting for reimbursement. This option will require some extra steps in the claims process but could be helpful in an emergency situation where the bill would be difficult to pay in full out of pocket.
- A 24/7 vet helpline: Pet insurance policies that include 24/7 helpline provide access to a veterinary professional to answer questions about your pet’s health, including whether they should get checked out by a vet.
- Read the fine print: Not all pet insurance policies are the same. Some plans cover veterinary exam fees, but others won’t. If you have older pets, consider an insurer that doesn’t have age restrictions for enrollment. Other perks might also be available, like preferred pharmacy pricing, coverage for boarding, lost pets and cremation.
- Compare the same coverage details: When comparing pet insurance quotes, compare “apples to apples” coverage limits to determine which plan offers the best price for your pet’s coverage needs.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is medical insurance that reimburses pet owners for unexpected accidents or illnesses that require veterinary care for their pets. Unlike human health insurance, there are no networks to worry about. You can see any licensed vet in Oregon and the pet insurance company will reimburse you for covered expenses. Coverage is nationwide, so your pet can receive care anywhere in the country and still be covered.
Types of pet insurance plans
The right pet insurance plan can provide peace of mind and financial protection if your four-legged family members require medical attention. There are two types of pet insurance policies to choose from — accident and illness and accident only — and some companies have wellness riders you can add to your plan.
Accident and illness plans
The most common type of pet insurance policy also provides the broadest coverage. Accident and illness plans can cover your dog or cat’s injuries, including dog bites, lacerations, swallowing foreign objects and broken bones. It can also cover illnesses such as chronic conditions like allergies or diabetes, hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, dental illnesses, heart disease and cancer treatments.
Hospital stays, emergency treatment, prescription medications and diagnostic tests are also covered. Some pet insurance companies, like Healthy Paws, Embrace and Trupanion, also cover alternative treatments, like physical therapy, laser treatments, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.
Accident only plans
This option is cheaper because it only covers accidents and injuries. Treatment for illness is not covered by an accident only plan.
Wellness plans
Even if your pet doesn’t get sick or injured, it will still need to see the vet for an annual wellness exam and vaccines. These preventative care costs aren’t covered by pet insurance, but many pet insurance companies offer a wellness plan at an additional cost. This add-on plan can cover things like:
- Blood tests.
- Flea, tick and heartworm testing and preventatives.
- Spaying and neutering.
- Urine and fecal testing.
- Vaccinations.
- Vet visit fees.
How pet insurance works
Pet insurance works as a reimbursement for eligible veterinary expenses. You usually pay the bill upfront after your pet receives vet care, then file a claim for reimbursement through the pet insurance company. The reimbursement amount depends on the vet’s services, your pet insurance plan options and coverage choices.
When you buy a pet insurance plan, you typically have the option to choose these factors:
- Annual coverage maximum. The annual coverage limit is the maximum amount of covered veterinary expenses the insurance company will reimburse each year. Many insurers offer unrestricted annual coverage, meaning you have unlimited coverage each plan year. You can also lower the cost of a pet insurance policy by choosing a smaller annual limit between $5,000 and $20,000.
- Deductible. The policy deductible is the amount pet owners pay for covered care before the insurance company starts to pay its share. Deductibles range from $50 to $1,000, with higher deductibles lowering the monthly pet insurance plan price.
- Reimbursement percentage. The reimbursement amount is the percentage the insurer will reimburse for covered veterinary care. The most common reimbursement levels are 70%, 80% and 90%, but some pet insurance providers offer as low as 50% and as high as 100%. The higher the percentage, the more expensive your pet insurance coverage.
Methodology
We analyzed 12 pet insurance companies in Oregon using data from Petinsurer.com.
For this analysis, average Oregon pet insurance rates are based on accident and illness plans, which account for 98% of pet insurance policies purchased, according to data from the North American Health Pet Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Oregon rates are also based on insuring dogs, as dogs make up 85% of insured pets, per NAPHIA.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog at two different ages in Oregon, with unlimited annual reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. The lower the average rate, the higher the number of points.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer annual reimbursement of up to $100,000 or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Behavioral therapy: 5 points. If an insurance company covers behavior therapy in its pet insurance plans, it scored points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end-of-life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, an insurance company scored in this category.
Best pet insurance in Oregon FAQs
Pet insurance in Oregon costs an average of $75 per month for a dog, for unlimited coverage with a $250 annual deductible and an 80% reimbursement amount. Your Oregon pet insurance cost depends on factors like your pet’s age, breed, gender, species, size and where you live in Oregon.
Veterinarians typically don’t take pet insurance because it’s generally a reimbursement you receive after paying your bill in full at the vet’s office and filing a pet insurance claim. You can see any vet in Oregon as long as they are licensed to provide veterinary care in the Beaver State.
Pet insurance can be worth it in Oregon. You never know when your four-legged friend might have an accident or come down with an illness that requires care from veterinary professionals. An emergency room visit, surgery or hospitalization could cost thousands of dollars you might not have, and vets typically require a deposit up front. With pet insurance, Oregon pet parents are more likely to be able to afford emergency care.
Oregon pet insurance usually won’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, if your pet has a curable pre-existing condition such as a UTI or ear or respiratory infection and remains symptom-free for a time determined by the pet insurance company, it may be covered for the injury or illness. It’s a good idea to check with your pet insurance company to determine what’s not covered.
Residents and visitors to the Beaver State should consider the potential dangers their dog or cat could face. Oregon pet insurance can usually cover preventive care or treatment for many common pet illnesses, such as:
- Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) that can pass from dog to dog in dog parks, daycare and boarding facilities.
- Parasites, like hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and roundworms.
- Poisoning from eating uncooked salmon.
- West Nile virus from infected mosquitos.
- Wounds from close contact with cougars, coyotes, porcupines, bobcats and raccoons.
You can vaccinate to prevent certain illnesses, like parasites and the West Nile virus, while others require treatment after becoming sick or injured.
Some illnesses can also be passed to humans like the recent case of bubonic plague passed to an owner from their cat in central Oregon. Since bubonic plague comes from infected fleas and rodents, using flea control products on your pets can help protect your family, as can making your home inhospitable to rodents, including chipmunks and squirrels.
Oregon laws can keep pets and people safe. Here are some pet laws in Oregon to be aware of.
- Although landlords cannot charge fees for tenants who own pets, they can make rules about how many pets you can have, their size, control and sanitation requirements. The landlord can require you to sign a pet agreement, provide proof of pet liability insurance or list them as co-insured on an insurance policy to be notified of cancellation.
- Dogs with permanent teeth or have reached six months old must be licensed if the county you live in has a dog control program. You must provide proof of current rabies vaccination to get the pet license from the county. Your dog must wear the license tag on their collar or harness.
- If your cat or dog bites a human, Oregon law requires the pet be quarantined for observation for 10 days, and measures may be taken to reduce future bite risk if they are not rabid and survive quarantine.
- Pet owners can be charged with animal neglect if they do not provide a minimum amount of care, including veterinary treatment for sick or injured pets, access to fresh water and food, a comfortable and clean living environment and access to shelter from the elements when left outside.
- Dogs who make noise or bark excessively can violate Oregon’s public nuisance laws. Pet owners must provide companionship, playtime or training to minimize bad behaviors or be subject to violations.
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