Do we need to state the obvious? Insurance shopping is not an easy task! There are dozens of companies to choose from, all promising the same thing but done differently. Finding an insurance company that suits your needs takes days, sometimes weeks, to dig through all the jargon.
Lucky for you, it only takes a few minutes to scroll through our list of the pet insurance companies we think are great for Kansas dwellers.
If you live in Kansas and need pet insurance, keep reading. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty of pet insurance specifically for your state. Let’s get started!
A Quick Comparison of the Winners for 2024
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Best Overall | Pets Best |
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Fetch |
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Trupanion |
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Hartville |
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Healthy Paws |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Kansas
1. Pets Best – Best Overall
Pets Best is our best overall option. In our opinion, Pets Best offers the most comprehensive coverage at the best prices. You can choose between a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement. On top of that, you have several deductible options ranging from $50–$1,000. And you don’t have any payout limits with Pets Best unless you choose their $5K annual limit option. But you can get a decent quote with their unlimited annual coverage.
With Pets Best, you have three tiers of dog and cat coverage only. This includes the essential accident and illness coverage with the added bonus of behavioral coverage and euthanasia coverage. There are also two wellness plans covering routine care and an accident-only plan.
Pets Best offers a 5% discount for each additional pet, plus another 5% discount if you’re in the military. You can receive another small discount if you sign up for a policy through Progressive. Pets Best has no upper age limits either, so older pets can still enroll.
The downside is their processing time takes longer than most pet insurance companies. But the company is growing so we expect this to improve.
2. Fetch
If you’ve ever watched the Dodo videos on YouTube, you’ll be familiar with Fetch. Fetch offers one fully customizable plan covering accident and illness and dental coverage. You also get behavior and physical therapy coverage, plus coverage for exam fees.
An added bonus with Fetch is they will cover boarding and lost pet fees should you be hospitalized or your pet escapes.
Fetch has a max annual payout limit of $15k and gives you three choices of deductibles to choose from: $300, $500, or $700. You also choose between 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement.
Unfortunately, Fetch doesn’t offer wellness coverage. However, it’s still a better option if you’re paying for a wellness plan at Banfield (and many people are). You get better coverage for less than what you pay for a wellness plan.
3. Trupanion
Trupanion is one of the top pet insurance companies recommended by vet offices everywhere. Their coverage is straightforward with accidents and illness and even covers herbal therapies for no additional cost. Trupanion will also cover boarding and lost pet fees for an additional cost. You’ll have to pay extra if you want coverage for other alternative therapies.
Trupanion offers four different plans and charges a one-time new customer fee of $35 when you start a plan. The deductible determines the plan level and your monthly payment and includes all the essential benefits. No matter how you customize your plan, you get unlimited annual coverage!
Another nice thing about Trupanion is the deductible. Instead of a yearly deductible, you pay on a lifetime condition basis. This means that whenever your pet is sick, you pay the deductible one time for that illness only. You’ll only pay another deductible when your pet is diagnosed with a new condition.
You have the option of no deductible. This raises your monthly fee, but it’s nice to know you don’t have to pay a hefty deductible each year!
Unfortunately, Trupanion does not cover annual wellness care or exam fees. This means no general practice exam fees, vaccines, yearly blood work, or dental cleanings. Perks are limited, and compared to other pet insurance companies, Trupanion is definitely more expensive monthly. They also have an upper age limit of 14 years old.
However, their customer service and claims processing time are stellar!
4. Hartville
Number four on our list is Hartville. Hartville is like ASPCA. They cover accidents and illness, hereditary and congenital conditions, and behavioral and dental disease. You can choose between a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement option and a $100, $250, and $500 deductible.
Hartville is a bit more expensive than ASPCA, but they offer a 30-day free trial, and their annual coverage is slightly different. With Hartville, you have the option of $4k, $5k, $7k, and $10k. They also have accident-only coverage and no upper age limits with senior pets.
If you’re unsure if Hartville is a better option for you than ASPCA, check the quote for your location. Prices vary based on where you live, so you might find that Hartville is cheaper.
5. Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is number five on our list. This insurance company provides standard accident and illness coverage using smartphone-based claims submissions. This means you don’t have to deal with claims forms. Just take a picture of the vet bill, submit the photo onto the Healthy Paws app, and wait for the approval.
Claims take about two days to process, which is fantastic compared to other pet insurance companies.
Healthy Paws keeps it simple by offering one fully customizable plan. They don’t have many options, but no matter what, you get unlimited annual coverage. You can choose between 70% or 80% reimbursement and a $250 or $500 deductible.
This company can get expensive if you have multiple pets. There’s a one-time $25 admin fee when you sign up and the waiting period before the policy begins is 15 days.
6. Figo
Figo insurance is another great option because they offer more reimbursement options and a more extensive range of deductibles. You can choose between 70%, 80%, 90%, and even 100% reimbursement. The deductibles range from $100–$750.
Figo offers three different plans with annual coverage options: $5,000, $10,000, or an unlimited amount. Figo also covers end-of-life services and behavioral training in their essential coverage. These are two areas that typically cost a lot, and Figo takes much of the burden away.
Their Extra Care Pack covers lost pet advertising/award fees, boarding fees, pet theft, vacation cancellation, and third-party property damage for an additional cost. You have the option of wellness coverage for an additional cost as well.
On top of that, Figo may cover pre-existing curable conditions if the pet hasn’t shown symptoms in the last 12 months. We don’t think you should depend on this, but it’s different from other pet insurance companies. You can also enroll your senior pet anytime since Figo has no upper age limits.
We don’t like that Figo’s comprehensive policies can turn expensive if you’re not careful. So, be mindful of coverage you think you’ll need and coverage you know you’ll need.
7. MetLife (Formerly PetFirst)
Number six on our list is MetLife. Metlife offers three tiered plans to choose from, or you can customize your own plan to fit your budget. All plans provide basic accident and illness coverage, including a wellness coverage add-on.
The downside is they have an annual payout limit of $10K, and they don’t have an accident-only plan. Plus, the plans lean more on the expensive side.
However, you have four deductible options between $50 and $500 and can earn 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement. They even offer great discounts for veterinary professionals!
MetLife has excellent coverage for knee and spine injuries included in their basic coverage. But the waiting period is 6 months for the cruciate ligament coverage to start. They do have fast claims processing times and will cover exam fees. So, if you have pets with orthopedic issues, this could be a good option!
8. ASPCA
ASPCA covers accidents and illness, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral health, and dental disease for no additional cost. You can choose between a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement and a $100, $250, and $500 deductible.
ASPCA doesn’t offer unlimited annual coverage, nor do they have as many perks as other pet insurance companies. However, they offer several annual coverage options at $3K, $4K, $5K, $7K, and $10K. They also have accident-only coverage for those that are fine with paying for illnesses out of pocket. You can pay a little more each month if you want wellness coverage.
The biggest downside to ASPCA is their claims processing time which can take up to 30 days for reimbursement. However, they have the upper hand with their poison control hotline services.
9. Embrace
Embrace is our next option. This company keeps its system simple by offering one customizable plan. This plan covers standard accidents and illnesses with the bonus of covering orthopedic and behavioral for no additional cost.
Embrace also covers wellness for an extra fee. They may even cover curable pre-existing conditions depending on your situation. Unfortunately, it’s not the cheapest coverage, especially for an insurance company with annual reimbursement limits. Plus, there’s a one-time $25 admin fee when you sign up, which adds to the price.
In addition, if your pet has orthopedic issues, you’ll have to wait 6 months before your policy covers anything orthopedic-related.
Embrace does have a fast claims processing timeframe of 15 days. Plus, they have great multi-pet and military discounts. So, you can potentially save money if you check these boxes!
10. AKC
AKC is well-known for its expert advice in breeding, training, and caring for dogs. They also offer pet insurance, and we’re listing it last on our list.
With AKC, there are no payout limits (although you can select a payout limit for a cheaper monthly cost), and they offer wellness as an add-on. They also have a breeding coverage add-on option, so this is a great choice if you’re considering breeding.
Their base plan is very affordable, with several deductible and reimbursement options.
What we don’t like about AKC is what they lack in their base plan. You don’t get coverage for dental or hereditary conditions unless you pay extra. They have an accident-only plan, but it’s only available for dogs 9 years old and above. On top of that, they have several waiting periods, and it gets confusing when your policy begins for certain coverages.
They also have a $3 monthly service fee which adds to the price. Ultimately, AKC is a good option if you want to breed. But if not, you can find better coverage elsewhere.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Provider in Kansas
What to Look for in Pet Insurance (for Cats, Older Dogs, Etc.)
So, you’ve looked at the 10 options. How do you know which one is best for you?
There are specific elements to pet insurance that differ from one company to the rest: policy coverage, customer service, claim repayment, price, and plan customization.
Each company structures these differently. It’s up to you to decide which one suits your pet’s needs. Let’s look at these a little more closely.
Policy Coverage
All pet insurance policies have comprehensive coverage for accidents and illness.
Wellness
Wellness includes annual exams, vaccines, routine blood work, and preventative medicine. Most insurance companies don’t offer wellness in their base plan. It’s either an add-on or isn’t offered at all. Accident and illness coverage differs from wellness treatments because you can expect a wellness fee. If you want wellness coverage, look for a company with at least a wellness add-on.
Behavioral and Alternative
Some companies cover alternative, rehabilitative, and behavioral care in their essential coverage. Other pet insurance companies offer it as an add-on for an additional cost. And some companies don’t offer it at all.
If these are services your pet needs, look for a company that offers them in the base coverage or at least at an additional cost.
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Hereditary refers to conditions brought on by breed genetics. For example, a German Shepherd is prone to hip dysplasia, so the condition is considered hereditary.
Congenital conditions are ailments present at birth. This could be deafness, blindness, neurologic defects, skeletal defects, and anything else that the dog is born with.
If you have a purebred dog, you definitely want coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions. Physical ailments are likely to occur as your dog ages and you want to make sure your dog is covered.
Accident-Only
If you don’t want comprehensive coverage and just want accidents covered, look for a company that offers an accident-only plan. Accident-only plans cover broken bones, toxic ingestions, lacerations, and other accidents you can’t plan for. They won’t cover illness, but it gives you peace of mind without spending too much money per month.
Customer Service & Reputation
Good customer service includes handling claims promptly. Companies should also offer plenty of ways to reach out for help. You want a company that understands your struggle with a sick pet. A great pet insurance company is patient and kind and communicates any changes to your policy. Customer service representatives should listen to you and discuss all options before making decisions. The right pet insurance company will give you peace of mind.
You can find great customer service and reputation with many pet insurance companies. Listen to your gut and go with the company you feel is best.
Claim Repayment
Every pet insurance company has different claims processing times. Some companies will reimburse you in 24 hours. Other companies take around 30 days. You have to decide if you need fast processing or if you’re willing to wait.
Claims can also be submitted in different ways. Many insurance companies offer fax and email as the main options for submitting claims. Other companies have an app where you can electronically file a claim. In our experience, companies with this option have faster claims processing times.
Price Of Policy
The average cost of pet insurance per month is $50 for dogs and $28 for cats.
Insurance companies also determine prices based on what perks they offer. For example, Trupanion has higher monthly rates because they don’t offer discounts and other perks that cost the company money.
Dogs will always have a higher insurance cost for accident and illness coverage than cats because they’re more likely to have an accident or get sick. Prices increase even higher when the animal is older and larger.
Plan Customization
An excellent pet insurance company has comprehensive accident and illness coverage with customizable options and monthly rates. Customizable plans allow you to pay for coverage you know you’ll need and say no to the coverage you’re not willing to pay for.
We chose Pets Best and Figo as the best options because you can pick and choose several deductibles and reimbursements, and they have lots of perks.
Usually, a diverse set of monthly plans and customizable coverage means you can find the best price. Just watch out for paying for services you don’t intend to use.
FAQ
What’s Considered an Accident for Pet Insurance?
An accident entails a laceration, toxic ingestion, foreign object ingestion, UTIs, leg injuries, and anything that can’t be planned. Tests and surgeries related to that accident would be covered. This doesn’t include hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or cherry eye.
Can I Get Pet Insurance Outside the US?
If you don’t live in the US or are planning to move, you’ll need to shop for pet insurance that offers coverage in your area. Many US pet insurance companies only provide coverage in the US. They may offer coverage while you’re on vacation, but that could change if you move outside the country.
Will Pet Insurance Cover an Existing Condition?
Unfortunately, pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, Figo, Embrace, and AKC may cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period with no symptoms.
What If My Insurance Company Is Not Listed in Your Reviews?
That’s okay! Choose whichever pet insurance company you feel keeps your pet healthy and safe at the best rates. Our goal is to give you options to make the best decision for you and your pet.
What Is the Best and Most Affordable Pet Insurance?
Lots of affordable pet insurance companies exist in the market. For this article, we’ve chosen Figo as the most affordable because they offer great rates, customizable options, and no payout limits.
Will I Get to Choose My Vet?
Most insurance companies allow you to choose a vet, but there are a few exceptions on the market. If you have pet insurance through an employer, that might prohibit you from choosing your own vet. The best thing you can do is check the FAQ section of the company you’re interested in.
What the Users Say
So, is it worth getting pet insurance in Kansas? If it saves you money and gives you peace of mind, sure! Here’s what we typically hear from pet insurance users.
The cost of insurance can outweigh the benefits. You might pay for coverage you never use. Prices also increase as your pet ages.
To avoid paying more than you can afford, avoid wellness coverage and pay for the basic accident and illness coverage. Some pet insurance owners suggest going with accident-only coverage if you’re on a tight budget. This helps keep costs low and allows the budget to stretch further.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
Our favorite pet insurance provider for this list is Pets Best.
Pets Best has excellent comprehensive coverage and is fully customizable to fit your financial needs. They have no payout limits, no upper age limits, and have an accident-only plan if that’s all you need.
They do have long claims processing times, but it’s because the company is growing. That’s a good sign! Pet owners enjoy working with Pets Best and feel their pet is safe and covered by the company.
The best part? If you have Progressive insurance, you can receive a small discount because they use Pets Best as their pet insurance provider.
Conclusion
Shopping for insurance is tough, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
Consider our buyer’s guide when you shop around for policy quotes and ask yourself, “What do I need in addition to accident and illness?” Are acupuncture and chiropractic therapy important to you? Do you want to train your puppy but can’t afford to? Is your dog a purebred with hereditary conditions?
Asking yourself questions like these will help you understand what you want out of a pet insurance company.
Featured Image Credit: Benevolente82, Shutterstock