10 Best Mississippi Pet Insurance Providers in 2024 – Reviews & Comparisons

When calculating the cost of owning a pet, immediate necessities like food and heartworm prevention, as well as fun toys such as tennis balls and frisbees, probably have a higher priority ranking than boring stuff like vet bills. Unfortunately, however, dogs and cats almost always have some type of emergency every one in three years. Pet insurance can help you cover the bills for expensive treatment when things go awry, such as when your cat breaks a bone, or your dog eats too many. There are different types of plans that’ll pay for different things, depending on your coverage and maximum payouts. Let’s talk about what pet insurance can do for you and compare available plans in your state.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Lemonade	Basic plan starts at $10 Add-on format allows you to choose only what you need Inclusive Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care Package	Click to Get Quote
Best Value		Spot	Basic plan starts at $10 Extensive coverage options No upper age limits	Click to Get Quote
		Trupanion	Pets are eligible for enrollment at birth Gives you the option of visiting a vet in-network to avoid claims processing You can still visit any licensed vet, even if they're out of network	Click to Get Quote
		Fetch	You can cancel at anytime Includes free 24/7 telehealth services One plan that always covers accidents and illnesses	Click to Get Quote
		Embrace	Excellent coverage Discounts through USAA Coverage on international travel for up to 6 months	Click to Get Quote

The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Mississippi

We calculated the cost of basic insurance for a healthy one-year old Golden Retriever in Jackson, MS, and the total was $25 a month. However, prices are higher depending on the breed, age, and location. Since Jackson is an urban area, the price might be lower than a rural place such as Yazoo City.

While Lemonade is a top choice for enrolling younger animals, they might not be the best option for elderly pets. Many times, older pets are barred from enrollment because they’re considered high risk or are denied treatment due to pre-existing conditions.

However, there are strict limits on how much you can spend within their preventative care packages. For example, you only have a $25 annual allotment to spend on flea & tick prevention with the premium plan, so you’ll have to cover the rest of the year out of pocket.

Spot allows you to enroll your pet when they’re as young as six weeks, and doesn’t have any upper-age limits, which means you can enroll your senior just as easily as your puppy. Of course, like all pet insurance companies, Spot won’t cover pre-existing conditions, so you’ll want to enroll your pet as young as possible. If you’re willing to pay a little more per month, you can choose the unlimited payout option to make sure your bills will be covered, no matter how much they cost.

If your vet is out-of-network, you can still choose them as your healthcare provider, but you’ll have to fill out a form to process the claim manually. The good news is that Trupanion has a quick claims turnaround time of 2-3 business days if you do decide to pay the total charge upfront.

Another unusual perk, Trupanion allows you to enroll your dog or cat as soon as they’re born. This means literally nothing can be determined as a pre-existing condition, which can greatly lower your vet bills for life.

You can also cancel Fetch at any time. As compensation, however, the deductible range is higher than average. Also, they only offer one policy that always covers accidents and illnesses, so Fetch isn’t the best catch if you’re looking for a simple accident-only policy or an all-inclusive wellness plan.

Embrace isn’t the cheapest policy on our list, but it’ll give you the most extensive coverage. An Accident & Illness Plan with the Wellness Rewards gives you the most benefits for the cost. We recommend choosing this company if you’re wanting an all-inclusive policy, but it’s more expensive if you’re only wanting basic coverage. They actually don’t even offer an accident-only policy.

Insuring multiple pets with their comprehensive plan gives you their best deal. Otherwise, their accident-only plan is more expensive than competitors such as Lemonade and Spot, and their wellness plan isn’t as extensive as Embrace.

Additionally, there are no maximum payouts whatsoever. Once your pet is in, they’re covered for life. You’ll pay a little more than average per month though. Pets who are considered in the final 25% of their average life expectancy may not be allowed to enroll, and treatment for hip dysplasia won’t be covered if your pet is older than 6 years.

You can customize both policies to adjust for annual deductibles, maximum payouts, and additional perks such as rehabilitation and holistic therapy coverage. Interestingly, Pet’s Best only lets you choose between $5,000 or unlimited for an annual maximum payout, which is more restrictive than most plans.

Figo offers some exclusive benefits, too, under certain conditions. If you choose the Preferred or Essential plan with a $500 or $750 deductible, you have the option of a 100% reimbursement rate.

While total coverage including wellness and multiple add-ons can create a costly bill, essential comprehensive insurance is relatively cheap. Thus, Figo is a good choice for comprehensive but not the best for routine expenses.

Buyer’s Guide: Comparing Pet Insurance Providers in Mississippi

What to Look for in Pet Insurance

With so many options to choose from, you may be wondering what makes one company a better choice for your pet than another. The answer greatly depends on what you want to prioritize in your coverage and budget, as well as your pet’s age.

Policy Coverage

A basic or accident-only policy will pay for immediate situations that require urgent medical care. This includes middle-of-the-night trips to the emergency vet for traumatic things like injuries, swallowed foreign objects, or illness. Long-term illnesses requiring ongoing treatment aren’t usually covered by a basic policy. If you want financial support for chronic illnesses, a comprehensive or accident and illness policy should cover your bases. Some insurance companies, such as Fetch, only offer comprehensive coverage.

No insurance policy covers routine expenses such as vaccines and heartworm prevention, but a few companies such as Embrace allow you to include a wellness add-on to help pay for those ordinary costs. A wellness plan isn’t an insurance policy and can’t be secured separately. Rather, it’s like an annual savings account that you pay a little towards every month. The money totals to a certain amount every year that you can allocate towards those routine expenses.

Customer Service & Reputation

It’s certainly worth checking sources such as the Better Business Bureau and Forbes to make sure these companies really hold up their end of the bargain. You can also peruse internet forums and ask fellow pet parents about their experience with certain companies to see what their customer service looks like in practice. In the wake of a disaster, the last thing you need is to find out that your new insurance isn’t going to cover your emergency after all. Here’s an inside tip: most customer complaints deal with unpaid claims. The faster the claims processing, generally the better your customer service experience tends to be.

Claim Repayment

When your pet suffers from a sudden emergency, it’s important to find a company that’ll pay you back quickly and reliably, so you’re not left to foot the credit card bill at the end of the month. Trupanion and Healthy Paws scored the best in this area by maintaining a 2-day average claim repayment rate. Even better, Trupanion will pay their part of your bill automatically if your vet is in network.

Price of Policy

If you’re wanting the cheapest plan, you’ll need to consider whether you’re content with an accident-only policy or if you want more inclusive coverage. Like Lemonade, some companies have a cheap basic policy. Others like Fetch offer a comprehensive policy at a lower price than someone who offers both, which might make it worth your money to buy comprehensive for a few more dollars a month in order to obtain coverage for long-term treatments.

The price of your policy also depends on your financial status, whether you can afford a higher annual deductible with a lower monthly premium, or a higher monthly cost with a lower deductible at the beginning of your policy year.  Ideally, you should receive a few estimates before making your final decision in order to secure the best choice for you.

Plan Customization

Different companies have different methods of customizing your plan. Some allow extensive coverage options, such as ASPCA which allows you to choose between a basic and comprehensive policy, as well as two wellness plans. Others may only allow you to choose your deductibles, annual maximum payouts, etc.

FAQ

Can any cat or dog enroll at any insurance company?

No. Certain companies are better fits for certain canines or felines than others. For example, ASPCA will enroll your elderly cat, but Healthy Paws probably won’t. If you have a newborn puppy, you usually have to wait until they’re at least 6-8 weeks old before enrollment, but Trupanion will let you secure a policy as soon as they’re born. While pet insurance plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions, some companies won’t cover conditions that they believe are probable. For example, Healthy Paws won’t pay for hip dysplasia treatment if you enroll a pet who’s older than 6 years because their chances of developing that condition are greater than those of a younger pet.

What is the best and most affordable pet insurance?

Basic, accident-only policies often boast the lowest bill, but sometimes you can find a comprehensive policy from another company for close to the same price. The best and most affordable pet insurance policy for you depends on how much coverage you want for your pet, as well as their age and what coverage you need. For example, you’ll need to decide if you want to spend extra on routine expenses such as wellness exams and vaccines, or if you’re comfortable paying for non-emergencies out of pocket. Embrace has the best value for complete coverage with wellness, but their basic policy is more expensive than most.

My dog has cancer, and I don’t have pet insurance. Can I enroll now to pay for treatment?

While your dog may still be eligible for enrollment, unfortunately, cancer will be treated as a pre-existing condition that isn’t covered. It may still be worth it financially to enroll your dog in a policy, especially if they’re young and their prognosis is fair. If you need help paying for vet bills without insurance, see if you’re eligible for Care Credit or contact your local humane society for resources. They may even offer low-cost veterinary services or know of a veterinary college who charges considerably less than the market average. Your state also might have financial assistance available that you can look up here.

What the Users Say

Currently, Trupanion and Healthy Paws have earned the most respected title from pet parents. Their highly positive reviews speak of fast turnaround times and inclusive care. We’re impressed with some of Trupanion’s unusual perks, such as eligibility of enrollment at birth and the option of paying their part of your bill upfront instead of dealing with claims processing. Healthy Paws holds the most inclusive policy for long-term illness since they don’t have any maximum payouts of any sort.

Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?

Finding the best pet insurance provider is a highly individualized task because every pet has different needs depending on their age and health concerns. Most pet insurance companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to try to secure a policy before life hits them too hard. Certain companies such as Healthy Paws won’t even allow you to enroll a senior pet. Others, such as ASPCA, will gladly enroll your pet no matter how old they are, but their own health history may prevent them from receiving help for essential treatment.

You’ll also need to consider your financial status. Are you more comfortable paying more upfront for a lower monthly fee, or will you need a lower annual deductible at the expense of a higher monthly price? You’ll also need to factor in how much you want your policy to cover. For example, do you want accident-only care that just handles emergencies, or do you need a comprehensive policy to help pay for potential long-term illnesses like cancer? A wellness plan can also help you budget for routine expenses, but they’ll raise your monthly cost.

Conclusion

Whether you have a Maine Coon from Meridian or a Pug from Picayune, pet insurance can help pay your bills for your dog or cat when emergencies and illnesses inevitably arise. Nationwide Pet Insurance will even cover birds and exotic animals. Lemonade squeezes the most out of their basic plan without squeezing your budget, covering your pet for accidents for as little as $10 a month. However, other companies on our list eagerly accommodate senior dogs, such as ASPCA, and others offer extra perks for free, such as Televet by Fetch. While Lemonade is our best choice overall, the ideal choice for you ultimately depends on a variety of personal factors, such as your pet’s age and how much you’re willing to pay per month.

Related Reads:

• 15 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Wisconsin
• 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Wyoming

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock