Getting pet insurance for your dog or cat is a way to reduce the costs associated with providing for their medical care. You’ll also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can afford emergency medical treatment in case of an accident.
With the vast number of insurance providers out there and the convenience of the internet, it’s not difficult to obtain pet insurance. The hardest part is usually doing research and comparing different companies.
- Researching Pet Insurance Providers
- What to Consider in a Pet Insurance Plan
- How to Contact the Insurance Company
- Getting Multiple Quotes
- Double-Checking Your Pet Insurance Accepts Local Vets
- Final Thoughts
Research Different Pet Insurance Providers
You’ll find that there are many insurance companies in the marketplace, each one offering different services. Some are major insurance companies that offer many types of insurance, like homeowners or car insurance. Others are operated by major brands in the pet industry, such as Petco, the American Kennel Club (AKC), and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Each company offers unique pricing, coverage, and add-ons that you can purchase with your premium.
>>MORE: The Best Pet Insurance Companies
Popular Car Insurance Companies
Almost all of the major car insurance companies have partnered with insurance companies in other industries to provide additional coverage options to their customers. This also includes pet insurance. When you visit the car insurer’s website, you’ll usually find a webpage explaining their pet insurance. Yet, when you click on the link to get a quote, it will direct you to the website for a pet insurance company that features the car insurance provider’s logo.
For instance, State Farm has partnered with Trupanion to refer their customers to the pet insurer for coverage. The arrangement gives the pet insurance company greater access to customers and the car insurance company gets a small percentage.
Why should you consider getting pet insurance through your car insurance company? You’ll also get a small discount on pet insurance in return. Some companies that you might want to check out include:
- Geico – See our review of Geico Pet Insurance
- Progressive – See our review of Progressive Pet Insurance
- State Farm – See our review of State Farm Pet Insurance
- AllState – See our review of AllState Pet Insurance
>>MORE: Compare the 4 Biggest Pet Insurance Companies
Well-Known Pet Companies and Organization
You can also obtain insurance through several well-known pet and animal organizations. These groups, like the ASPCA and the AKC, have partnered with pet insurance companies to offer branded insurance to members. Usually, members get a small discount for signing up with these insurance plans through their organization or a retailer. Some other groups you might want to check out include:
- Petsmart
- Banfield Hospital
- Costco – See our review of Costco Pet Insurance
- Sam’s Club
>>MORE: Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Independent Pet Insurance Companies
You can also go directly to an independent pet insurance company for a plan, especially if you don’t have a membership with other pet organizations or additional insurance policies to bundle with it. These businesses only offer pet insurance which makes for easy application and reimbursement. Some insurance companies to check out include:
- Embrace – Embrace Pet Insurance Review
- Petplan – Petplan Pet Insurance Review
- Figo – Figo Pet Insurance Review
- And many more – see the Best Pet Insurance Companies
>>MORE: How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
What to Consider in a Pet Insurance Plan?
Before you start looking at quotes, you might want to take a few moments to decide what features are important to you and what kind of coverage your pet needs. There are many options available, such as:
- Accident-Only
- Comprehensive Coverage
- Preventative Care Add-Ons
If you want to get maximum savings on your premiums, the best choice may be to sign up for an insurance policy through your car insurance company. You can also adjust the coverage on a plan to the lowest possible options, such as getting a plan with 70% reimbursement or a high deductible.
You may also want to focus on other concerns like the convenience of using their services and what kind of ratings they have received from previous customers. You can see previous customer ratings and reviews online through ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
>>MORE: Top Companies for Cheap Pet Insurance
Decide How to Contact the Insurance Company
You can reach out to the insurance company for a quote or to ask questions in a few different ways. If you prefer the personal touch, you might want to visit a local insurance agent to ask questions. Most customers will do research and buy insurance online these days. Companies offer online quote forms and payments that make the process of getting pet insurance easy.
It is a good idea to call the company before purchasing insurance to confirm what is covered, such as vet exams, and how long the waiting period is before certain coverage kicks in. A lot of consumer complaints posted with the BBB and ConsumerAffairs have to do with confusion about waiting periods and claims denials.
>>MORE: Is There Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period?
Get Multiple Quotes from Different Companies
You can use online quote calculators from different companies to get quick and easy estimates for the monthly premium. It’s also possible to call the company for a quote or visit the local agent’s office but these options may put more pressure on you to sign up right away.
Provide Your Information
When you do request a quote, you’ll be asked for certain information so the insurance company can offer an accurate estimate of the monthly premium. This typically includes essential information, such as:
- Personal Contact Information
- Pet Age
- Pet Breed
If you like the quoted premium and want to accept it, you’ll be asked to provide payment information and approve payment to start the insurance coverage.
>>MORE: Finding the Best Pet Dental Insurance
Double-Check that Your Insurance Accepts Your Local Vets
Before completing payment on your insurance, you should also double-check if the insurance that you selected will accept the vets that you frequent or plan to frequent. A good way to do this is by giving the insurance company a quick call.
Once you have signed up, you’ll be able to download the policy documents or you’ll receive them in the mail. Keep these documents in a safe place. You’ll need to refer to them to check coverage and reimbursement requirements if your pet has a medical issue.
>>MORE: What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Final Thoughts:
Getting pet insurance is a very simple and straightforward process. Most customers can do all of the necessary research online and even buy insurance through the company’s website. If you want to be absolutely certain of what is covered or how long the waiting period is for certain covered items, reach out to the insurer directly by phone or through their local agent.