Best pet insurance in Pennsylvania (PA) 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
Updated 1:56 p.m. UTC June 6, 2024
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Pets Best is the best pet insurance company in Pennsylvania in 2024. It gets 5 stars in our rating because of its customizable coverage options, vet direct pay, 24/7 pet health line and optional add-on coverage for vet exams and routine veterinary care.
Best pet insurance companies in Pennsylvania
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance in Pennsylvania.
- ManyPets: Best for cheap pet insurance in Pennsylvania.
- Lemonade: Best pet insurance for cats in Pennsylvania.
- Embrace: Best pet insurance in Pennsylvania for multiple pets.
- Paw Protect: Best pet insurance for puppies and kittens in Pennsylvania.
- Figo: Best pet insurance for dogs in Pennsylvania.
Why trust our 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 Pennsylvania
Compare the best pet insurance rates in Pennsylvania
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | PA RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A DOG | AVERAGE MONTHLY COST FOR A CAT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pets Best | $39 | $21 | ||||||
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 ManyPets | $27 | $16 | ||||||
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 Lemonade | $30 | $18 | ||||||
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 Embrace | $56 | $31 | ||||||
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 Paw Protect | $57 | $32 | ||||||
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 Figo | $53 | $29 | ||||||
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*Average monthly Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
The average cost of pet insurance in Pennsylvania with $5,000 in annual coverage, with a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage, costs:
- $45 per month for dogs.
- $25 per month for cats.
For pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage, the monthly average cost is:
- $60 per month for dogs.
- $32 per month for cats.
Smaller, younger dogs cost less to insure than older, larger dogs, and pet insurance costs also vary by breed and ZIP code. Cats typically cost less to insure than dogs.
Keep in mind that even though different insurers’ policies may have the same annual limits, deductibles and reimbursement percentages, one company’s coverage may be more comprehensive than another’s.
It’s a good idea to review sample policies before choosing an insurer. Once you sign up for a plan, review your actual policy carefully in case it differs from the sample and to make sure you understand what it covers and what it excludes.
Pennsylvania pet insurance rates by city
*Source: Petinsurer.com. Average monthly rates are based on dog insurance in Pennsylvania; policies included have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Average cost of veterinary care in Pennsylvania
How much you pay for veterinary care will vary based on your Pennsylvania ZIP code. Here are the average veterinary costs for dogs and cats in Philadelphia.
| PA CITY | VET OFFICE VISIT | VACCINES* | PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING | SPAY/NEUTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia
| Dog $73.95
Cat $73.95
| Dog $222.35
Cat $96.95
| Dog $416.95
Cat $416.95
| Dog $510.55
Cat $301.95
|
Pittsburgh
| Dog $63.95
Cat $63.95
| Dog $206.67
Cat $90.11
| Dog $373.95
Cat $373.95
| Dog $474.35
Cat $280.45
|
*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.
How to find the best pet insurance in Pennsylvania
If you’re considering pet insurance, it’s important to research companies and compare their pet insurance policies and prices, said Rachel Hinder, director of claims for Embrace Pet Insurance. “Pet insurance policies cover different types of conditions and treatments, so it is important to know what coverage you want before deciding on a policy.”
Hinder said it’s also important to check the policy limits, deductibles, co-payments and premium amount to make sure they are reasonable and within your budget. Reviews from other pet owners can give you an idea of the company’s reputation and customer service.
When comparing quotes to find the best pet insurance in PA, you may also want to consider how important these additional features are to you:
- Wellness coverage: For an additional cost, you may be able to add coverage for routine and predictable expenses that pet insurance normally excludes, such as taking your dog to the vet for a routine checkup and vaccinations.
- Multiple pet discount: Some companies offer a 5% or 10% premium discount when you insure multiple pets. You’ll still want to shop around because a company that doesn’t offer this discount could still offer you lower premiums or a better overall value.
- 24/7 vet helpline: For those times when you can’t go to the vet or you’re not sure if a problem warrants an emergency visit, getting free advice from a licensed vet by phone, text or video chat can offer assistance and reassurance.
- Direct pay option: While most pet insurance plans reimburse you after you pay the bill, some plans will pay your vet directly for covered expenses. If you choose a vet without this option, a credit card such as CareCredit can help you bridge the gap between paying a bill and getting reimbursed if you’re short on cash.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is a contract between a pet owner and an insurance company. Its purpose is to limit a pet owner’s costs when their pet needs health care.
The most common type of pet insurance plan is an accident and illness plan. It covers treatment for accidents such as ingesting foreign objects, consuming toxic substances and getting bitten by another animal. It also covers veterinary care for illnesses such as urinary tract infections, cancer, allergies, kidney disease and a wide range of other ailments — as long as they weren’t preexisting when you purchased your policy and didn’t crop up during the policy’s initial waiting period.
Some pet insurers sell accident-only plans. With these cheaper plans, if your pet gets sick, there’s no coverage. You’ll only have coverage for injuries resulting from an accident.
You can also purchase a pet wellness plan in addition to a pet insurance policy or as a standalone product. Wellness plans are not insurance; they cover a portion of your pet’s routine care such as vaccines, dental cleanings, heartworm prevention and wellness visits that pet insurance policies typically don’t cover.
How pet insurance works
Pet insurance typically works as a reimbursement, though some insurers will pay the vet directly for their portion of your covered losses. Your policy details, including your reimbursement percentage and annual coverage limit, determine how much eligible veterinary expenses your pet insurance policy will cover.
After your pet sees the vet, you’ll pay the invoice in full. Then, you’ll file a claim and submit the receipt and detailed invoice to the insurance company. The insurer will review the claim and pay for covered veterinary costs, minus your deductible if you haven’t reached it.
If the insurer owes you money, you’ll get reimbursed by direct deposit or check, often within days.
Methodology
We analyzed 12 pet insurance companies in Pennsylvania using data from Petinsurer.com.
For this analysis, average Pennsylvania 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). Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania FAQs
On average, pet insurance covering illnesses and accidents for dogs in Pennsylvania costs $45 per month for annual reimbursement up to $5,000, a $250 annual deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage. Unlimited coverage costs $60 per month on average. Cats are typically less expensive to insure than dogs and younger pets are less expensive to insure than older pets.
According to our methodology, the best pet insurance companies in Pennsylvania are Pets Best, ManyPets, Lemonade, Embrace, Paw Protect and Figo.
If you’re the type of pet parent who is considering pet insurance, there’s a good chance you’ll think pet insurance is worth it — as long as you understand how your policy works and what its limitations and exclusions are before you need to file a claim. Weighing your out-of-pocket veterinary costs against the cost of insuring your pet and how much you’d pay after reimbursement can help you decide if pet insurance in Pennsylvania is worth it.
Pennsylvania has several laws for dogs:
- Licensing: Dogs three months and older must be licensed by the County Treasurer.
- Owner responsibility: Owners must not allow their dogs to run loose and are responsible for any damage their dog causes.
- Abuse: Abusing any animal is illegal.
- Puppies: Dogs eight weeks and younger cannot be sold, traded, bartered or transferred.
The state also requires all dogs and cats to have a current rabies vaccination once they’re three months old. Your locality may have additional laws for dogs and cats.
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.
