Pet insurance is extremely important for ensuring that your pet gets the necessary care to live a long, healthy life. Cats, dogs, and other pets can suffer from many health problems throughout their lives. Without insurance, owners have to pay out of pocket, and sometimes, the procedures are more than they can afford. However, many people aren’t sure where to get the best insurance or how to find it. If you live in New Jersey, keep reading as we list several pet insurance providers in the state, so you can learn the pros and cons of each to help you determine which one is right for your pet.
A Quick Comparison of the Winners for 2023
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Best Overall
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Fetch |
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Best Value
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Pumpkin |
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Wagmo |
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Embrace |
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Lemonade |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in New Jersey
1. Fetch Pet Insurance — Best Overall
Fetch pet insurance is our pick as the best overall. It provides extensive coverage and will cover all new accidents and illnesses without restrictions. It also covers medication, testing, hospital stays, and rehabilitative care. You can purchase coverage for cats and dogs and choose any vet that you like. Annual limits can range from $5,000 to unlimited, and you can select your yearly deductible.
The downside to Fetch is that it makes you wait for a short period before it will cover an illness, and it’s also more expensive than many other options.
2. Pumpkin Pet Insurance — Best Value
Pumpkin pet insurance is our pick as the best value. It offers 90% cash back on vet bills and covers accidents and illness throughout the life of your pet. It also covers dental and behavioral issues, and there is no upper age limit to getting your pet insured. It offers a multi-pet discount, and you can choose from several deductible options.
The downside to Pumpkin is that there is no mobile app, so you need to contact a representative if you have a problem or need to make a claim. There are also fewer annual limit options than what many other plans offer.
3. Wagmo Pet Insurance
Wagmo pet insurance is a newer company offering many advantages to dogs and cats. The plans are affordable and highly customizable for deductibles and reimbursement rates, and you can even choose to get 100% of your money back. It reimburses claims quickly, has multiple discounts, and offers a rate reduction if you didn’t file any claims the previous year.
The downside to Wagmo pet insurance is that it has a fixed limit of $20,000 per year, which is fair but not as flexible as the limits of some other plans. Another downside to this insurance provider is that it doesn’t cover dental visits.
4. Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace pet insurance is a popular plan with customizable coverage. Regular coverage protects your pet from many illnesses. It even covers dental problems, like root canals and gingivitis. Its wellness plan will cover up to $650 of routine care costs, including grooming, prescription diet food, vaccines, and even cremation or burial. You can submit your claim 24/7 through its customer support center or online using a website or app.
The primary downside to Embrace pet insurance is that it has a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
5. Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade pet insurance is a popular provider covering cats and dogs. The rates are affordable compared to many other options on this list, and it offers a multi-pet discount. You can also choose your favorite vet, and the customer service hotline is friendly and helpful.
The downside to Lemonade is the long wait times on certain procedures, like cruciate ligaments, which have a 6-month waiting period. Another downside is that exams can cost extra, and the coverage might not include microchips in all states.
6. ASPCA Health insurance
The ASPCA is one of the original pet insurance providers, and it provides a complete coverage plan that covers accidents, injuries, illnesses, and behavioral issues. You can customize the insurance to suit your budget, selecting between several reimbursement limits, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages, and you can also choose between a basic or prime plan.
The downside to ASPCA pet insurance is its relatively low reimbursement limit compared to many other companies at $10,000 per year. You must also submit your claims within 270 days, or you will not get reimbursed.
7. MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife pet insurance is a great choice, especially if you have many pets, as you can cover them all under the same policy, so it is easy to maintain. The plans are highly customizable, and you can choose between several deductibles, reimbursement limits, and maximum coverage options. You can even select unlimited coverage. You can file claims anytime using the app or online portal, and reimbursements are issued quickly.
The downside to MetLife pet insurance is that claim submission can be quite complex, and it frequently asks for more information several times, even for a simple procedure, which can slow down the process. Many people also complain that they must appeal claim denials to receive their money.
8. Spot Pet Insurance
Spot pet insurance is a great provider that offers a 24/7 veterinarian helpline for emergencies. There’s no upper age limit on the pets that you can insure, and there is a multi-pet discount. The plan is highly customizable, with many options for deductibles and reimbursement rates up to 90%. You can also choose between several annual limits, including unlimited coverage.
The downside to Spot pet insurance is that it doesn’t pay your veterinarian directly, so you must ensure that they receive their money on time.
9. Progressive Pet Insurance
Progressive is a well-known insurance company providing pet insurance. It offers pet owners a 24/7 pet helpline, so you’re never without help, and there are several different plans available with varying coverage options, so you can get what’s right for your pet and your budget. Rates are affordable and there’s a multi-pet discount.
The downside to Progressive pet insurance is that it has a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and a 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries.
10. Hartville Pet Insurance
Hartville pet insurance offers highly customizable plans with annual coverage limits ranging from $5,000 to unlimited. You can visit any vet in the United States or Canada to receive care, and there is no age limit for getting your pet insured. You can choose between several deductibles and select a reimbursement amount of up to 90%.
The downside to Hartville pet insurance is that it doesn’t cover dental care, and there’s a 14-day waiting period before the coverage kicks in.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance Provider in New Jersey
What to Look For in Pet Insurance (for Cats, Older Dogs, etc.)
When reviewing pet insurance policies, we looked at several factors to determine which companies were worthy of this list. We checked the coverage, customer service, claims repayment, customization, and policy price to find plans worthy of further consideration.
Policy Coverage
Policy coverage tells you what the insurance plan will cover. Most plans will cover hereditary conditions, emergency care, diagnostic testing, prescription drugs, and preventative treatment. Some plans also cover dental care, end-of-life expenses, X-rays, and behavioral issues. In many cases, though, grooming, training, cosmetic or elective procedures aren’t covered unless you add them through a wellness program or upgrade your plan.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer service is vital when you’re trying to make a claim on your insurance policy. While a few companies offer 24/7 hotlines to call and make a claim, many other companies enable you to use an online portal or smartphone app to file, make payments, etc. While many people prefer to call directly, online filing can lead to much faster reimbursements.
Claim Repayment
Getting reimbursed for your pet expenses promptly is essential to any good insurance plan. We selected only providers with a fast turnaround, but if you continue to shop, look for providers that repay their claims in a timely manner, and avoid companies making you wait several months for reimbursement.
Price of Policy
An insurance plan for your pet can range from $7 to $40 per month. It can vary depending on the age and kind of animal that you are insuring, as well as the type of coverage that you choose. Many providers offer a multi-pet discount, which can cut costs if you have several animals, and some offer a discount if you didn’t make any claims the year before.
Plan Customization
Many plans on this list offer highly customizable options for how you get reimbursed.
Deductible
The deductible is how much you need to pay before the insurance kicks in, and most plans will enable you to select between $100, $250, and $500, with a few companies offering even more options. The higher your deductible is, the lower your monthly premium is, but the more cash you will need to spend out of pocket each time you visit the vet.
Reimbursement Amount
The reimbursement amount is how much your insurance provider will pay after the deductible. Most companies will enable you to choose a reimbursement rate of 70%, 80%, or 90%. A few companies may even offer a 100% reimbursement rate.
Coverage Limit
Many policies also enable you to select your coverage limit, ranging from $5,000 per year to unlimited. The higher your limit, the more the insurance provider will reimburse you yearly for your pets and medical expenses.
FAQ
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental care?
Unfortunately, most pet insurance providers do not provide dental care with their basic plans, though some do. Many companies will offer it as an add-on or as part of a premium plan. Always read over your policy carefully to see if it covers dental care.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying and Neutering?
Most insurance policies do not cover spaying and neutering, though you will need to read your policy carefully to be sure. Many companies will add it as part of an additional wellness package that enables you to spend a certain amount per year on general care, like grooming or spaying and neutering.
Do I Need to Pay Pet Insurance Every Month?
Many people pay their insurance premium monthly because it’s easier to remember and the bill is smaller. However, you can usually choose to pay your bill quarterly or annually instead.
What the Users Say
We searched the internet to find out what other people were saying about the insurance companies on this list, and these are a few of the things that we found:
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
The pet insurance provider that’s best for you will provide the coverage that your pet needs while remaining affordable. If you have a dog breed that often suffers from hip dysplasia or another health issue, choosing a higher-price policy can help you cover expenses if they occur. You may also want a more comprehensive insurance policy if your pet spends most of their time outside. However, if your pet comes from a skilled breeder with a history of breeding out medical problems and you pay special attention to your pet’s diet and exercise needs, you can likely pick a less-comprehensive policy if you have a tight budget. We recommend carefully reading several policies to find something that best suits you and your pet.
Conclusion
There are many different pet insurance providers, but the ones on this list are all excellent choices. If you are still deciding, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. Fetch pet insurance provides extensive coverage and a highly customizable plan. You can choose your veterinarian, and there’s no upper age limit on coverage. Another great choice is our pick for the best value, Pumpkin. Its budget-friendly policy reimburses you for 90% of all claims, covers dental and behavioral issues, has no upper age limit, and offers a multi-pet discount to help you save even more.
Featured Image Credit: Christin Lola, Shutterstock
