If you’re a pet owner, you may be wondering which pet insurance is best to keep your furry pals safe and healthy. Pet insurance has become more popular in recent years because it helps alleviate the costs associated with veterinary bills. This way, you can focus more on getting your pet the care that they need.
Here, we look at the 10 pet insurance plans in Iowa for this year. In these reviews, we go over the basics of each plan so you can choose the one that’s best for you. Having the right plan can bring you peace of mind knowing that your pet is covered in the event of an accident, illness, or another emergency.
Lemonade Pet Insurance is a newcomer on the scene and is not available in every state yet. However, it’s an option for Iowa. If you already have insurance with Lemonade, you can bundle your pet insurance with them and save 10%.
Any money left over after claims and profits gets donated to a charity of your choice. You can make this selection when you enroll. Lemonade enables you to customize your plan to fit your pet’s needs. There are three deductible options: $100, $250, or $500. There are also three reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%.
While Lemonade does not offer unlimited coverage, it has coverage limits extending up to $100,000 annually. If you are interested in unlimited coverage, this might be close. It’s unlikely that any pet will need more than that paid out for their care each year.
Lemonade uses AI to file claims, so you do everything through an app and email. If you prefer to speak to a real person, there is a number that you can call. However, most customers like the convenience of being able to file a claim at any time without any hassle.
Trupanion offers quick and convenient enrollment for customers, using just a single page of information. It offers one policy for pets, but it includes congenital and hereditary conditions. Accidents, illnesses, and emergencies are also covered. A Recovery and Complementary Care package can be added on that covers things like behavioral modification and acupuncture.
Trupanion offers a per-condition deductible, meaning you will only have to meet the deductible once when your pet suffers from the condition rather than paying the deductible yearly. After the deductible is met, a 90% reimbursement rate is offered. There is no wellness coverage or preventative care coverage. There is also no payout limit.
Trupanion is a great option for those with healthy pets who don’t mind paying for their own wellness and preventative care. The plan is ideal for those concerned with emergencies, accidents, or new conditions that might develop down the road.
Nationwide Pet Insurance is unique in the fact that it covers exotic pets. Its Avian and Exotic Pet Plan covers most pet birds, reptiles, rodents, and even ferrets and goats.
In addition to this plan, there are three others. The Major Medical plan covers exams, prescriptions, surgeries, chronic conditions, and even a few hereditary conditions. The Whole Pet plan covers everything under Major Medical but includes things like prescription foods and parasite treatments. For those interested in coverage for routine care, the Pet Wellness plan can be added to cover vaccinations, exams, and testing.
Nationwide is not a cheap option, but the coverage that you get, especially for exotic animals, is extensive. It also offers pre-condition deductibles, which are great for pets with chronic health conditions.
One downside to this company is that there is an age limit of 10 years for pets to enroll. Pets older than 10 years old won’t be eligible for coverage. If your pet is enrolled before they are 10 years old, their coverage will continue for their lifetime as long as you maintain the policy.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers unlimited maximum annual coverage and a reimbursement rate of 90%. It does not offer a 24/7 customer service line or an accident-only plan. There is only one accident-and-illness plan offered that covers a wide array of conditions and emergencies. If you are interested in a wellness option, the Preventative Essentials plan can be added on. This will help pay for things like wellness exams and vaccines.
Pumpkin focuses mostly on preventative care, keeping your pet healthy for as long as possible to avoid having to file frequent claims. Since it is focused on preventative care, this is a great option for pets that require frequent visits to the vet for tests or treatment of chronic conditions. Like many other pet insurance companies, Pumpkin does not cover pre-existing conditions.
Healthy Paws offers no caps on its annual, lifetime, or per-incident claim payouts. The company focuses on illnesses and injuries, along with hereditary and congenital conditions. One unique feature of the company is that it offers coverage for alternative care, like chiropractic therapies and acupuncture.
Healthy Paws is geared toward younger pets, as there are age restrictions for enrollment. There is also no wellness plan option. While you’re limited in your coverage customization, it does include many things that you’d normally want a pet insurance to cover, like emergencies and accidents.
The price is reasonable and the coverage is extensive. This is a good insurance for young animals that need coverage in case the unthinkable happens.
Depending on the plan that you choose, Figo could reimburse you up to 100%. The company uses an app that enables you to access vets whenever you need to speak to one. If something can be answered quickly, it eliminates the need for you to have to bring your dog in to see a vet. This is convenient for routine wellness questions. If your pet is injured or very sick, though, bring them to the vet as soon as possible.
Figo also covers acupuncture and chiropractic care, which is helpful in certain cases. Figo does have annual and lifetime limits in place with two plans. There is a third option for unlimited benefit coverage.
There is also an enrollment exam required before coverage can begin, and Figo does not cover exam fees unless you opt for the wellness package add-on. The three plans can be customized according to limits and deductibles. They cover almost everything that your dog or cat could need except for pre-existing conditions and any cosmetic surgery (like ear cropping).
Embrace, unlike many other companies, will cover exam fees. If you add on a wellness option, it will also include routine checkups and dental cleanings. Dental cleaning coverage is difficult to find with other companies.
Another perk of Embrace is the shrinking deductible that it offers. For every year that you don’t file a claim, your deductible is reduced by $50 until it reaches $0. Once you do file a claim, you’ll be responsible for the reduced deductible only, and then the deductible will reset.
Unfortunately, Embrace does not offer coverage for pets older than 14. Senior pets will need a different company with no age limits for coverage. Embrace also has several waiting periods for coverage. For accidents, there’s a 2-day waiting period. Any illness has a 14-day waiting period and orthopedic issues must wait 6 months before claims can be filed after the policy is purchased.
The wellness option is also different than most other insurances. It’s a non-insurance plan that works as a budgeting tool. If you choose to add it on, it will help offset the costs of vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and even grooming.
Pros
Offers a shrinking deductible
Offers dental coverage
Uses a wellness option for routine care
Cons
Will not enroll pets older than 14
Requires several different waiting periods before coverage starts
Pros
Offers a shrinking deductible
Offers dental coverage
Uses a wellness option for routine care
Cons
Will not enroll pets older than 14
Requires several different waiting periods before coverage starts
Progressive pet insurance offers great flexible plan options. There are three accident-and-illness plans that you can choose from, and there are different levels of customization for each. There are two wellness riders that can be added to cover preventative care.
Plans start at just $1 per day, so there is a plan that can fit nearly any budget. Various deductibles and reimbursement rates are available to truly tailor your plan to fit your needs. In some cases, Progressive will even pay your vet directly. All you’ll need to pay is your coinsurance. As your pet gets older, wellness riders and accident-only policies will not increase in price.
Progressive somewhat lacks when it comes to its website, though. It doesn’t offer clear information about the policies. No plan that Progressive offers covers end-of-life expenses.
With ASPCA pet insurance, you can choose from accident-and-illness coverage or an accident-only plan. There is a preventative care option to add on. If you live in a multi-pet household, you can receive a 10% discount for enrolling more than one pet.
ASPCA also extends coverage to horses, which is unique among pet insurance companies. The company offers extensive coverage for injuries, accidents, illnesses, and holistic therapies. There are annual coverage limits in place. One downside is that it can take up to 30 days to have your claim processed. You’ll be waiting a while to get reimbursed. But you can customize your deductible, annual payout limit, and reimbursement percentage.
The AKC pet insurance offers enrollment for registered puppies. Older pets may have a few limitations in their offerings, but AKC-registered puppies get a free 30-day trial and another month free after enrollment.
AKC offers one basic plan with available add-ons if you want more extensive coverage. These options give you the flexibility to customize your plans. This option is best for puppies, as older pets might not enjoy the same benefits. It’s best to enroll your dog from the start to get the most out of this company.
Pros
Great option for puppies
AKC-registered puppies get 1 month free
Customizable options
Cons
Basic plan is not extensive
Coverage is limited for older pets
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Provider in Iowa
What to Look For in Pet Insurance
There is so much to consider when choosing pet insurance in Iowa or any other state. Comparing them can be difficult when there are so many variables. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right pet insurance for your pets.
Pet Insurance Policy Coverage
This is probably the biggest thing to consider when choosing pet insurance. The policy that you choose must cover everything that you need for your pet to stay healthy. It’s also important to make sure you know exactly what your policy covers before you purchase it, so there are no surprises when it’s time to make a claim.
A wide range of coverage is often preferred so pets are covered no matter what happens. Of course, this means the premium price might be more expensive. If you are interested in just having your pet covered in case of accidents or surprise illnesses, there are policies for that. But while these may be more budget friendly, they won’t cover things like routine care or wellness exams. The coverage that you choose is a personal choice, but you need to make sure you are comfortable with everything that it includes.
Pet Insurance Customer Service & Reputation
When you’re trying to file a claim with pet insurance, it’s usually at a time when you’re stressed and emotional. Your pet is either sick or injured, and you need customer service from your chosen company that isn’t going to make things more challenging.
Some companies on this list give you the option to file claims online and never have to speak to a real person. Others offer 24/7 customer service phone numbers so you can reach someone if you have any questions.
Image Credit: Bondar Illia, Shutterstock
Pet Insurance Claim Repayment
It’s important to most pet owners that they get paid quickly for their approved claims. Companies on this list are known for quick and easy repayments. Some companies will even pay your vet directly, so you won’t have to worry about receiving the money in a certain timeframe.
Prompt payments are a selling point for many pet insurance plans. Some take longer than others. If the repayment time is important to you, make sure you know what it is before you choose your plan.
Pet Insurance Price of Policy
Cheap policies are great, but they may not cover everything that you’re looking for. While some plans start at just a few dollars a month, they may not offer you much when you need to file a claim. They also may not offer a high reimbursement percentage.
The price of your policy affects these things, so you need to find a plan that fits your budget but is also worth having. If you just pay a few dollars a month but can never file a claim to get anything back, it’s not worthwhile. You’ll need a plan that is affordable but will also do some good in case you ever need it.
Pet Insurance Plan Customization
Some of the companies on this list don’t offer much customization. For example, the choices are limited to just one basic plan with a couple of add-ons. A customized plan for your pet is nice to have, but it’s not necessary if cost is an issue, you want a lower deductible, etc.
You can choose to only have accident-and-illness coverage and then add on a wellness plan if you want to. Most pet insurance policy owners simply like the fact that their pets are covered in an emergency. If vet visits and routine care are things that you also want to be covered, choose a plan that enables you to customize a wellness add-on. Vaccines and exams are usually covered under such plans, along with routine diagnostic testing.
Image Credit: Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock
FAQ
How will I know which vets accept my insurance?
With pet insurance, you are covered under any licensed veterinarian. You can go to the vet of your choice without having to worry about staying within a network. You will pay for all your pet’s care and then submit a claim to your pet insurance company for reimbursement.
What are hereditary and congenital conditions?
When shopping for pet insurance, you’ll likely see that some plans do or don’t cover hereditary and congenital conditions. Some of these conditions don’t show up for years, so having pet insurance that will cover them will be helpful if treatment is necessary.
Hereditary means the condition was passed down from the pet’s parents. Congenital means the pet was born with the condition, but it wasn’t inherited from their parents.
Image Credit: Nejron Photo, Shutterstock
What if my pet insurance company is not listed in these reviews?
Pet insurance companies have many of the same offerings, with slight differences in price, coverage extensions, and reimbursement percentages. This list can’t include all these companies. Two of the most important things to look for in a pet insurance plan are affordability and coverage options. So, if you found a plan that gives you the coverage that you need and fits into your budget, that’s the best plan for you.
Can I get pet insurance outside the U.S.?
Pet insurance is available outside of the U.S. You may not find all the companies listed in this article, though. Depending on where you’re looking, your options may be limited. If you’re traveling outside of the United States with your pet and you already have pet insurance, check to see if the policy will cover them in another country. In some cases, you can add pet travel insurance to your policy and pay extra for the coverage.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
When choosing pet insurance, assess your pet’s health. What is their age? Have they been sick or injured before? What is the most important coverage for you to have regarding your pet? Some companies offer accident-only coverage, which is great to have in an emergency if your pet gets hurt, but it won’t cover a surprise illness.
The pet insurance that you choose should also be one that you can afford and that will be worthwhile should you ever have to file a claim. Any of the choices on this list would be a good option, but every pet owner has different needs. Once you know your budget and have an idea of what you’d like covered for your pet, you’re ready to start browsing and comparing pet insurance plans.
Conclusion
Choosing a pet insurance company can be complicated, but we hope that these reviews have helped you narrow down your search. The most important thing is that your pet is covered in case of an emergency. If your pet insurance in Iowa is not listed in this article, it doesn’t mean it’s not a good company. You simply need to be comfortable with the plan that you choose and have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your pet is protected.
Jessica has shared her home with feathered, furry, and scaly pets for over 30 years as a lifelong resident of Chicago. Her enthusiasm for animals began at an early age and led to her owning and operating a pet care company. Jessica now writes full-time and spends her days writing about all types of animals. Jessica and her husband Dominic enjoy the city life while turning their backyard into an oasis for the neighborhood squirrels and birds....Read more
