Pet healthcare can be expensive. If you want to provide your pet with the best care possible but cannot handle the financial burden on your own, pet insurance can help you manage some of the costs. This can be especially helpful when the veterinary bill starts to climb into the thousands.
There are several pet insurance options if you currently live in the state of Michigan or plan to move there soon. You can read our reviews of Michigan’s pet insurance plans to determine which insurer is right for your pet.
A Quick Comparison of the Winners for 2024
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Best Overall
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ASPCA |
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Best Value
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Wagmo |
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Fetch |
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Spot |
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Lemonade |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Michigan
1. APSCA – Best Overall
APSCA pet insurance is the best overall plan in Michigan, namely for its excellent coverage.
This plan provides coverage for several areas: hereditary issues, chronic conditions, dental work, alternative care options, and more. Plus, APSCA provides a multiple pet discount, meaning you save a little extra for each pet you enroll in their plan.
A massive benefit to APSCA’s plan is that there is no maximum age limit. Many pet insurances will cut off pets once they reach a certain age, but APSCA provides coverage for your pets no matter how old they are.
They will not raise your policy price when you file a claim, and they are one of the few pet insurances offering a 100% reimbursement rate after you pay your deductible. Overall, APSCA’s coverage and savings are pretty hard to beat.
On the downside, APSCA does not provide coverage for pregnancy-related treatments. If that is something that may be important to you and your pet’s health, you may want to look into getting a supplemental plan.
2. Wagmo – Best Value
Wagmo is not your traditional pet insurance. This plan focuses on wellness and preventative care provided at three different price rates. You are not required to buy its accident and illness insurance plan to receive its wellness plan coverage.
Another benefit that Wagmo boasts is the ability to process claims rapidly. In just 24 hours, your submitted claim will be processed. This plan also provides some flexibility, allowing pet owners to choose any licensed veterinarian they want to receive care from.
Although Wagmo’s wellness plan is available throughout the United States, its accident and illness coverage is somewhat limited depending on the zip code. Before choosing Wagmo, verify that you can receive their accident and illness plan.
3. Fetch
Fetch, formerly known as PetPlan, offers unique coverage that many other pet insurance providers do not. Fetch provides reimbursement treatment for acupuncture therapy and chiropractic visits. Plus, if you have to cut your vacation or travel plans short due to your pet’s illness or injury, Fetch will help to reimburse some of those expenses.
Highly customizable plans are available through Fetch, including plans offering a 90% reimbursement rate. You can personalize your policy to your specific needs, allowing it to suit you and your pet better.
Sadly, Fetch does not offer a wellness plan. If you want preventative care for your pet, you will have to do so without Fetch’s help.
4. Spot
There is no upper age limit for Spot’s Pet Insurance, and it could be a perfect match for you if you have a senior pet. There is also a multiple-pet discount if you want to enroll all of your pets in this plan. As a bonus, Spot has no payout limit. This means there is no limit to the reimbursement you can receive per incident, nor is there a cap on the total lifetime reimbursement you can receive. Just be aware that when it comes to plans like these, the price tends to lean slightly on the expensive side.
Unfortunately, Spot does not have the quickest turnaround for accident claims. A mandatory waiting period of two weeks is in place before pet owners can file a claim. This is much longer than the industry average.
5. Lemonade
If you are the pet owner of a high-risk pet breed, Lemonade may have some significant savings for you. While most pet insurances create policy bundles based on breeds, Lemonade creates bundles based on the animal’s size. This general bundling means that if your pet is more prone to certain health complications, you will not be penalized.
Lemonade also provides a massive annual limit. Compared to other pet insurance companies, they offer nearly 10 times the average yearly limit.
The main downside to Lemonade’s pet insurance is that its preventative care plan is restricted. For instance, dental cleanings and procedures for spaying/neutering are not available.
6. Pets Best
For an affordable option, look into Pets Best. Compared to other insurance policies, Pets Best provides inexpensive coverage. Not to mention, they do not raise your policy price if you file a claim. With all these savings, Pets Best is a good option for those looking to save a little extra cash.
Pets Best’s plans can cover illnesses, accidents, hereditary conditions, and some dental work. They also cover medications and supplements, which helps alleviate extra expenses from your budget. Also, Pets Best has a short waiting period, so you won’t be waiting long to see your claims processed.
However, it does not cover any behavioral treatments.
7. Hartville Pet Insurance
Hartville Pet Insurance is an excellent choice for those who are savvy in saving money. This plan covers veterinary exam fees, keeps the policy price the same even after you file a claim, and provides pet parents with a multiple pet savings discount.
Their preventative care plan is another area where pet owners can save. Hartville Pet Insurance provides a zero payment on wellness care options, such as fixing your pet or having their blood tested.
On the other hand, some people complain that the reimbursement rates from Hartville’s plans are lower than they had hoped.
8. Figo
Cat owners will want to take a look at Figo because their premiums for cats are incredibly cheap. Likewise, Figo offers a multiple-pet discount, so if you have several felines to enroll, this could be the perfect fit for you.
Of course, dog owners can also find plenty of great benefits with Figo’s coverage. Their plan offers coverage for illnesses and accidents, hereditary conditions, chronic issues, and more. Plus, there is no age limit on the pets you can enroll.
Figo processes their claims quickly. Their goal is to have all claims processed within 10 days, but their maximum limit is 30 days. The main drawback to Figo is that they do not offer any preventative care options. If you were hoping for wellness care coverage, you would need to look elsewhere.
9. MetLife
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MetLife offers excellent care for pets of any age, providing coverage for illnesses, accidents, and alternative therapies. As great as this is, it isn’t the end of MetLife’s benefits.
There are plenty of ways to save with MetLife. They offer significant discounts, including a diminishing deductible and a 100% reimbursement rate once your deductible is paid off. Plus, MetLife will not raise the price of your policy if you file a claim.
It is important to note that MetLife does not cover behavioral treatments. If that is important to you, you will need to find a supplemental plan.
10. Embrace
Embrace has a lot to offer, especially in terms of customizable plans. Their accident and illness policy can be personalized by changing the reimbursement rate, the deductible, and the annual limit. They also offer diminishing deductibles, helping you save extra each year, so your pet remains healthy.
Many users reported that Embrace had fantastic customer service. They can be contacted via phone, email, or 24/7 pet health line. On the downside, Embrace’s wellness coverage is limited. Although they offer a wellness plan, the coverage for preventative care caps out for the year at a mere $650.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance Provider in Michigan
Choosing the right pet insurance can seem like a daunting task. The best way to make a confident choice is to be well-informed about certain insurance terms and definitions. Take a look at some of the most commonly used terms to get an idea of what you should look for during your search.
Policy Coverage
Policy coverage is one of the essential features of an insurance plan to consider. Most pet insurance will cover illness and accidents, but anything else they may or may not cover will vary between companies. While more coverage may sound fantastic, it also means that you pay a higher rate. So, finding the balance that suits you is crucial.
If you can decide on what coverage you want before hunting for pet insurance, you can narrow your search. For instance, if you want alternative therapies to be covered, you can avoid pet insurance companies that do not provide that coverage.
Be aware that there are some things that pet insurance companies will not pay, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Customer Service & Reputation
This may not be something you immediately consider when considering pet insurance, but it is important. The quality of a company’s customer service and reputation can tell a lot about how dependable they are.
If a company has a poor reputation, it may have gotten it by being unhelpful to pet owners in times of crisis. If that is the case, that company would not be one you would want to put your trust in. But if you find a company that has glowing reviews and plenty of praise, the chances are they are much more reliable and helpful.
Claim Repayment
Claim repayment is also commonly referred to as claim reimbursement. This is the amount that your provider will pay to cover your pet care expenses. This amount is typically expressed as a percentage, such as 70%. If a policy offers 70% reimbursement, it will pay up to 70% of the coverable expenses. Usually, the higher the percentage, the higher the cost.
Price Of Policy
Another critical feature to consider is the price of the insurance policy. A number of factors can influence the price of any policy, but more on that later.
When considering the price of a policy, think about what you can afford. There are plenty of excellent pet insurance options, but if they are out of your budget range, you will want to search for something more affordable. Thankfully, there are several affordable options, many of which were reviewed in this list.
Also, consider the potential savings a plan offers. Are there multiple pet discounts? Do they offer a diminishing deductible? Or will they raise the price of your policy each time you file a claim? These are all important questions to consider when thinking about price.
Plan Customization
Personalization is one of the best ways to ensure that a plan is right for you. If you can customize a plan’s reimbursement rate, annual limit, deductible, or other features, you can guarantee that it is the best fit.
Not all plans allow customization, whereas others are much more willing to work with you. If you want the freedom to personalize your policy, choose an insurer that allows you that freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have more questions about pet insurance (that’s understandable, it can be tricky), look at some frequently asked questions to clarify any confusion.
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?
Typically, most pet insurance policies cover accidents and illnesses. That means that you can expect coverage for the unexpected.
Typical items covered in pet insurance include bone fractures, chronic conditions, dental illness, hereditary conditions, surgery, emergency treatment, toxin consumption, and prescription medications.
Many pet insurance providers offer a wellness plan add-on, which will help to cover preventative care expenses. However, that is not always the case.
What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?
Generally, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are complications afflicting your pet before its enrollment in the insurance plan. Grooming is often not covered by pet insurance, although grooming is still an essential part of your pet’s health.
Experimental treatments are also not covered. These treatments are considered outside of the standard practice of the veterinary medical board, so pet insurance companies rarely cover them. There are other exclusions, but these are among the most common.
What Does the Average Pet Insurance Policy Cost?
Forbes Advisor did a study to determine the average cost of pet insurance per year. They based their numbers on policies offering an annual coverage of $5,000, a deductible of $250, and a 90% reimbursement rate.
Their analysis found that the average annual pet insurance expense was $420 for dogs and $336 for cats. That is around $35 per month for dogs and $28 per month for cats. So, while hunting for pet insurance, you can expect those numbers to be in the ballpark price range. However, other factors may influence the cost, so this estimate is not a guarantee.
What Are Some Factors That Might Influence Pet Insurance Costs?
To have a more accurate price estimate for your pet insurance costs, you will need to consider a few factors. Among these are your pet’s breed, age, and gender. Your location will also play a huge role in determining the price.
What the Users Say
If you are still on the fence about getting pet insurance in the first place, consider what other pet owners have to say about it. While some may be unsatisfied with their individual plans, overall, more pet owners are signing up for pet insurance.
At the beginning of 2021, nearly 3.5 million pets were signed up for pet insurance. This is a record number of insured pets, and the number is growing by around 24% each year. Why is that?
Well, more pet owners recognize the value of pet insurance. Pet insurance helps provide financial support and peace of mind in times of crisis. No one likes to see their furry friends in pain, especially when they cannot pay for treatment. With pet insurance, more pet owners feel assured in their pet’s safety and well-being.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best For You?
There are plenty of great pet insurance providers, and choosing just one can feel overwhelming. But you know your pet’s needs better than anyone, making you the most qualified person to decide which insurance policy to choose.
Look into your budget to see what you are willing to pay, and look over the coverage options of different providers to help narrow down your choice. If you aren’t sure where to start, examine the list we compiled.
As stressful as this decision can be, it does not have to be all that difficult. If you’re knowledgeable about the state’s insurers, you’ll be better prepared to finalize your decision.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some new insight into Michigan’s best options for pet insurance. Our best overall choice, APSCA, is an excellent insurer that offers a 100% reimbursement rate. But for a value choice, Wagmo could be the pick for you. Ultimately, any of these insurers could be perfect for you and your pet.
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Featured Image Credit: Cassiano Psomas, Pexels
