Pet insurance works very similarly to insurance for humans. Its sole purpose is to cover the cost of any medical expenses in the event that your pet has an accident or becomes ill for some reason. So, for example, if your pet accidentally ingests poisonous plants while on your daily walk, your trip to the vet may be covered by pet insurance.
The amount that you pay from pet insurance will vary depending on the provider and the type of plan. If you’re new to pet insurance, you may be a bit confused about how comprehensive coverage works in comparison to many of the “wellness plans” that providers offer. In this review, we’re going to cover the top pet insurance providers with plans available in Montana and give you an overview of what they included in their offerings.
A Quick Comparison of the Winners for 2023
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Best Overall
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Lemonade |
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Wagmo |
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Fetch Insurance |
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ASPCA Insurance |
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Pawp |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Montana
1. Lemonade – Best Overall
Lemonade is a fairly new provider that is making strides in the industry. They receive some of the best reviews as a result of their affordable rates and comprehensive coverage. Lemonade has an online system for submitting claims that’s simple and accessible via their mobile app.
Their waiting period for an accident is only two days, while most other providers take 14 days. Pet age matters with this provider and in some cases, they will not take pets over the age of 18. To get additional discounts, pet owners can bundle their policy with a homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
2. Wagmo
Wagmo is still relatively new but they’re one of the best providers for the money. They’ve also grown into one of the most prevalent providers in the pet insurance industry. They have some of the best pet insurance rates. Their preventive care plans, which are available for pet owners who may be on a budget, make them one of the biggest contenders.
Wagmo offers pet insurance for unexpected illnesses and injuries. You can even get 10% or more off if you have multiple pets and don’t file claims in a year. They offer financial protection for pets who may require routine medical care. Their wellness plans are instant and can be accessed by any licensed veterinarian. They have super cheap plans with some starting as little as $14.
3. Fetch Insurance
Fetch insurance has been around since 2003 as a considerable portion of the pet insurance market share. Their plans are comprehensive and some start as low as $30 a month. However, these plans are only available for cats and dogs, so they won’t cover pads such as gerbils, rabbits, snakes, or other reptiles.
However, their plans will cover illness and accidents, diagnostic tests, acupuncture and behavioral therapy, illness and accidents, and chiropractic care. They do not cover pre-existing conditions, which is common among pet insurance plans, and there is a waiting period of 15 days for illnesses and accidents. Fetch offers members military discounts as well as various customization options for the annual payout and deductible.
4. ASPCA Insurance
ASPCA is one of the most dependable insurance providers that you can get for your pet. This provider is a long-standing one and provides full coverage (and wellness plans) for routine pet care, deworming treatments, and regular exams. Their plans also cover physical therapy, dental cleanings, and prescriptions.
They offer reimbursement for care including certain behavioral problems, therapy, and hereditary conditions. ASPCA doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, unfortunately. However, they offer a variety of wellness plans and a multi-pet discount. You can also try the program for a month to see how it works out for you. ASPCA insurance plans can be very comprehensive and cost about $25-50 on average.
5. Pawp
If your budget is your biggest concern with pet insurance, Pawp may be an option worth taking a look at. Pawp owners have 24/7 access to qualified vets in case of an emergency. For as low as $28 per month, you can get insurance coverage that covers up to six different pets.
Pawp is different from other providers in that they do not require reimbursement claims submissions. You also don’t have copays or deductibles to get their plans. Pawp provides owners with an emergency fund in their plan which allows for additional reimbursement. They have an around-the-clock telehealth service that is one of the most praised benefits of their insurance offerings.
6. Prudent
Prudent Insurance reimburses members up to 90% and is another popular provider to consider. They offer comprehensive plans and allow owners to personalize their coverage plans, including annual deductibles and reimbursement percentages.
Prudent provides coverage for dogs and cats and offers unlimited benefits for accidents and illnesses. Like many other providers, they won’t cover things like natural or herbal therapies and the coverage won’t pay for specialized cosmetic surgeries. But their plans are affordable if you are on a tight budget. Some are as low as $10 per month, while others can go as high as $75–depending on the customization.
They also don’t have a mobile app. However, you can still make claims via your mobile phone. Prudent offers a discount of 10% for multiple pets, vet telehealth services, and a 30-day trial. They also don’t cover exotic animals.
7. Eusoh
Eusoh insurance is often referred to as “group insurance” or “peer-to-peer” coverage and it’s a bit different than the other providers on this list. The members can get reimbursements for medical bills related to injuries, preventative care, or illnesses.
Owners can take their pet to any veterinarian, even for telehealth services. Their maximum yearly max for reimbursement is $8,500, and their highest reimbursement rate is 80%. With this type of plan, it’s best to consider the yearly cost associated with your pet’s health, as pets with chronic conditions (or older pets) may not be suited for this type of coverage.
8. Pumpkin
Pumpkin Insurance office plans are designed to cover treatments and diagnostics tests that your pet may need in the event of illness or accident. Pumpkin’s preventative plans cover routine care, wellness exams, and vaccinations.
Their coverage plans have a 90% reimbursement rate, which is noteworthy if your pet is older or has a chronic issue. They won’t cover cosmetic procedures, pre-existing conditions, or dental cleanings. Pumpkin’s plans cost between $40 and $65 per month. Their annual max limits range from $1,000 to $2,000.
9. Hartville
Hartville Pet Insurance hit the market in the early 2000s and though they are not the biggest provider they are one of the most established ones. Potential and current members can access online enrollment and receive price quotes. Members can update, submit, and track claims all within a few minutes on their website.
They can also find local vets, view policies, and pay bills using the portal — all without having to speak to a rep. Hartsville insurance is a smaller option, but they are worth looking into if you need comprehensive coverage or general health care. You can test it out free of charge for one month to determine if it is right for your pet. This provider doesn’t place an age limit on your pet’s coverage. However, their plans may be a bit higher.
10. Figo
Figo offers premium insurance coverage for cats and dogs. You can receive a quote from them via their online app in a matter of seconds and they make it really easy to apply. Their app also lets pet owners file claims, chat with vets, review/update policies, and store medical files.
They have licensed veterinarians available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help owners with on-the-spot pet issues. You can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $45 a month for their insurance plan and they don’t have any upper age limits for your pets. Figo also offers three different annual limits to choose from, $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Provider In Montana
Our buyer guide was created to help you determine the right pet insurance provider for your furry friends. For this guy, we develop a list of criteria to raid each insurance provider. This list includes, plan and customization options, policy price, claim repayment, policy coverage, and customer service feedback. Based on the reviews that we found online, these are the most commonly sought details that potential customers look for when rating providers.
Policy Coverage
When it comes to pet insurance, just like with any other type of insurance, the details of the coverage are crucial to determining if it’s the best coverage for your animal. Before looking at the cover, it’s helpful to take note of your pet’s age, breed, history, and current state of health. For example, it may be more difficult to find coverage or inexpensive plans for dogs that are older or have chronic health conditions.
Customer Service & Reputation
For this guide, we browsed through some of the most popular review sites available on the weld including help, trust pilot, and Amazon. We also went to each provider’s website specifically to read any reviews, if they were available.
Customer reviews and their feedback regarding customer service and claim repayment can give you a general idea of what you can expect when you go with a service provider. Of course, you have to be a bit unbiased, as every pet owner’s situation and every pet will be different, but the overall rating for a provider can speak volumes. Overall, we found that the feedback given by some customers was read and considered by potential customers.
Claim Repayment
The percentage of claims paid out also plays a big part in determining whether a pet owner wants to go with a certain provider. For example, if a provider has been shown to pay only 50% to 60% of claims, this may not be ideal for most pet owners.
However, a claim percentage of 90% or more may mean the provider is better at carrying out reimbursements for covered medical claims. The amount of time that it takes to pay out a claim is something that potential customers also consider. We found that the faster the claim pay outcome (and the easier the filing process), the better the customer feedback
Price Of Policy
The price of an insurance policy is probably the biggest determinant when it comes to choosing between providers. Just like any other living expense, pet owners want to know if they can actually afford the cost to insure their pet. Most plans that we found had a range of anywhere between $10 to $75 a month, depending on the type of coverage issued. This seems to be doable by many pet owners especially those with young or relatively healthy dogs and cats.
Plan Customization
Many providers offer members the ability to customize certain areas of their plan such as the deductible or annual max limit. This proves to be beneficial and another important criterion when it comes to choosing between providers.
FAQs
How Do I Choose the Best Annual Limit for My Pet?
If you have a new pet and haven’t had insurance before, choosing the annual limit can seem a bit challenging initially. After all, it’s impossible to predict the time when your pet will become ill, or what kind of accident they might have. While a lower annual limit will result in a lower monthly cost, it is almost as bad as having no coverage. Remember that even though you have a higher annual limit, you still need to pay copayments and deductibles.
Do Most Plans Exclude Pre-existing Conditions?
Yes, pre-existing conditions won’t be covered by most pet insurance plans. Many require that users pay upfront for veterinary services and then submit paperwork to be reimbursed. Sometimes, companies will reimburse you for less than what you actually paid for a procedure or treatment.
But in many cases, pre-existing conditions (such as those that require constant treatment) may not even be covered depending on your plan. It’s best to speak to your veterinarian before you start researching plans. This will help you understand the likely illnesses and accidents that your pet may face over their lifetime and how much treatment will potentially cost.
For example, if certain bug bites are a common occurrence in your region, you may want to plan for this. Or if your specific dog or cat breed is susceptible to certain diseases or health issues, these things should be considered over your pet’s lifetime coverage plan. A licensed vet should be able to tell you how much it would cost to treat these conditions at diagnosis and ongoing.
Will the Plan Accept My Vet, or Will Have to Switch?
Some insurance plans may have provider networks that might not include your vet–and they may require you to switch to their providers. However, many plans won’t require that you go to a new veterinarian, only that your current veterinarian is licensed and able to practice in your state. However, you always want to confirm this beforehand.
Conclusion
Finding the right pet insurance provider is really about knowing what’s available. There are more providers than ever before and many of the plants are affordable. It helps to First determine the type of care that you’re looking for, whether it’s comprehensive coverage or simple wellness/preventive care.
It also helps to take your pets age into consideration as well as the type of pet that you have. You’ll find that plans are generally cheaper for dogs and cats than they are for other pets and exotic animals. When getting quotes from insurance providers it’s also helpful to consider the coverage details, whether they cover pre-existing conditions and are customizable, and the maximum annual limit.
See also:
- 7 Best Pet Insurance Plans in Nevada: Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers In Florida
Featured Image Credit: MagicalKrew, Shutterstock
