Best pet insurance in North Carolina (NC) 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 1:49 p.m. UTC June 6, 2024
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Pets Best is the best pet insurance in North Carolina, based on our in-depth analysis of coverage and cost. It gets top scores for having affordable average premiums for unlimited annual coverage, multiple ways to customize your policy, access to a 24/7 vet line and optional wellness plan coverage.
Best pet insurance companies in North Carolina
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance in North Carolina.
- ManyPets: Best cheap pet insurance in North Carolina.
- Figo: Best pet insurance for dogs in North Carolina.
- Healthy Paws: Best pet insurance for cats in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina
Compare the best pet insurance rates in North Carolina
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | NC RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A DOG | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A CAT | LEARN MORE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pets Best | $39 | $22 | Compare Quotes Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
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 ManyPets | $25 | $15 | Compare Quotes Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
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 Figo | $51 | $28 | Compare Quotes Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
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 Healthy Paws | $51 | $24 | Compare Quotes Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
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*Average monthly North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
The average cost of an accident and illness pet insurance policy for a dog in North Carolina is $53 per month with a $5,000 annual limit, or $69 per month for unlimited annual coverage. Your price will depend on your pet’s breed and age, as well as your ZIP code.
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on dog insurance in North Carolina; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Average cost of veterinary care in North Carolina
How much you pay for veterinary care will vary based on your location.
| CITY | VET OFFICE VISIT | VACCINES* | PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING | SPAY/NEUTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Charlotte
| Dog $63.95
Cat $63.95
| Dog $206.67
Cat $90.11
| Dog $373.95
Cat $373.95
| Dog $474.35
Cat $280.45
|
Durham
| Dog $64.20
Cat $64.95
| Dog $207.97
Cat $91.22
| Dog $377.45
Cat $373.95
| Dog $477.25
Cat $283.70
|
Greensboro
| Dog $61.45
Cat $61.95
| Dog $202.93
Cat $89.03
| Dog $363.45
Cat $366.95
| Dog $465.85
Cat $276.70
|
Raleigh
| Dog $61.95
Cat $61.95
| Dog $204.18
Cat $90.11
| Dog $366.95
Cat $366.95
| Dog $468.55
Cat $276.70
|
Winston-Salem
| Dog $60.95
Cat $60.95
| Dog $201.67
Cat $87.93
| Dog $359.95
Cat $359.90
| Dog $463.15
Cat $273.70
|
*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.
Average cost of North Carolina pet insurance claims
The average cost of North Carolina pet insurance claims is $392, according to recent data from Embrace Pet Insurance.
The highest individual Embrace pet insurance claims made so far this year in Pennsylvania are:
- For dogs: $22,223, $15,788 and $15,620.
- For cats: $17,706, $10,564 and $5,838.
How to find the best pet insurance in North Carolina
“In the U.S. pet health insurance marketplace, there are a lot of options and a wide range of features, said Kristen Lynch, executive director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. “That flexibility and variety is good for pet owners because they can choose the plan, the benefits, the price and level of coverage that fit their unique and specific situation.”
Here are a few things to consider when searching for the best pet insurance in NC:
- Exclusions: Pet insurance plans typically don’t cover routine exam fees, pre-existing conditions, grooming, nutritional supplements and elective procedures.
- Waiting periods: After you enroll in pet insurance, you’ll have to wait a few days to a few weeks before accidents or illnesses are covered. Orthopedic conditions may have waiting periods of several months.
- Premiums: Once you’ve found several policies with coverage you like, compare pet insurance quotes to find the best price for the coverage you need. Keep in mind that your premiums will probably increase each year as veterinary costs rise and your pet ages.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is a financial protection product that allows individual pet owners to share the risk of unforeseen vet bills. By paying premiums to an insurance company, which invests the money and manages claims, pet owners are able to get reimbursed for a significant percentage of their covered veterinary expenses after meeting an annual deductible. In 2023, more than 5.6 million pets in the United States were insured, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
There are three types of pet insurance policies:
- Accident only: Covers treatment of injuries from incidents such as ingesting a toy, tearing a ligament, ingesting human medication, getting hit by a car or stepping on broken glass.
- Accident and illness: This covers treatment for diseases such as cancer, gastroenteritis, skin allergies, and ear infections, in addition to covering injuries resulting from accidents.
- Wellness plan: Some pet insurance plans have an optional wellness add-on that covers predictable pet care costs such as vaccinations, dental care and flea and tick prevention.
How pet insurance works
When your pet needs care, you choose which veterinary practice to visit. You’ll typically need to cover the bill at the time of service and then submit a copy of the invoice to the insurer for reimbursement through a mobile app or website. Some pet insurers will pay vets directly, but this may require approval prior to treatment.
The insurer will review your claim and issue an explanation of benefits showing which charges your policy does and doesn’t cover. After applying your deductible and reimbursement percentage to the covered charges, you’ll get reimbursed if the insurer owes you anything. Unlike human health insurance, the review and reimbursement process for pet insurance claims usually only takes a few days.
“I worked closely with a pet parent whose dog was having difficulty eating, and after visiting several vets and specialists, it was determined that his dog had bone cancer in her jaw. The pet parent was able to pursue aggressive cancer treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat the bone cancer. This dog made a full recovery and the pet parent avoided financial hardship because the condition was fully covered by his pet insurance policy.”
— Rachel Hinder, Director of Claims, Embrace Pet Insurance
Methodology
We analyzed 12 pet insurance companies in North Carolina using data from Petinsurer.com.
For this analysis, average North Carolina 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). North Carolina 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina FAQs
North Carolina pet insurance costs an average of $53 per month for a policy for a dog with an annual coverage limit of $5,000, a $250 annual deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage.
The average price is $42 per month for unlimited annual coverage with our four top-rated pet insurance companies. Premiums tend to be lower for cats.
According to our methodology, these are the four best pet insurance companies in North Carolina:
Each of these companies has good customer reviews, offers accident and illness coverage and charges competitive premiums on policies with a $250 annual deductible and 80% reimbursement percentage.
No, North Carolina does not require pet owners to carry pet insurance.
Decide if it’s right for you: Is pet insurance worth it?
If you’re planning to adopt a dog or cat, you should know about North Carolina’s laws for pet facilities and pet owners.
- Welfare. The North Carolina Animal Welfare Act aims to protect dogs and cats from cruelty and mistreatment in shelters, kennels, pet shops and auctions by requiring these facilities to be licensed. The law also aims to prevent pets from being stolen and sold and protect people from bringing home pets with undisclosed illnesses, infections or congenital issues. Before choosing a furry companion, check the facility’s license and consider filing a complaint with Animal Welfare if anything seems amiss. Local animal control and law enforcement departments handle complaints of animal mistreatment and loose pets in most other circumstances.
- Licensing. You may need to pay a licensing fee to your local government if you own a pet in North Carolina. The price may be lower if your pet is sterilized. Some jurisdictions also reduce the fee for senior citizens.
- Vaccination. All dogs and cats aged 4 months and older must be current on their rabies vaccinations.
- Tethering. Local governments may have laws preventing dogs from being tied up while unattended or for too many hours in a day. Laws that restrict tethering are meant to protect dogs against starvation, dehydration, extreme weather, strangulation and neglect.
- Bite reporting. State law requires dog and cat bites to be reported by the person bitten, the person who owns or is in possession of the animal and the health care provider who treats the bite. The animal must then be confined for 10 days to be observed for rabies so that the bitten person can be treated for rabies if necessary.
Check with your veterinarian or local government agency for specific information on pet regulations in your area.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
