Comparing pet insurance plans can be stressful. For owners living in the Green Mountain State, finding the perfect plan for your pet can be tricky due to the large number of great insurance companies that provide coverage in the area. Rather than trying to break down the details of coverage and unravel policy information, you can examine our comparison. We put in the legwork to bring you 10 of the best pet insurance plans available for pets in Vermont.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Fetch |
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Best Value
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Spot |
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Lemonade |
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Embrace |
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Wagmo |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Vermont
1. Fetch – Best Overall
Fetch pet insurance by the Dodo takes a novel approach to pet insurance; they only provide one plan. However, it is incredibly comprehensive and has customizable options to cater to each pet and owner’s needs.
Fetch’s deductible amounts and reimbursements are not as flexible as other providers. Still, the plan is very inclusive, with therapy such as alternative therapy and specific preventive treatments included. With no coverage and lifetime claims limits, it’s easy to see why Fetch comes in as the number one pet insurance provider in Vermont on our list.
However, Fetch isn’t without its drawbacks. They don’t offer any wellness plans, but their basic coverage is so inclusive that it more than makes up for it. Fetch even covers some pre-existing conditions if certain parameters are met. In addition, no age limit applies to any of their coverage, so this provider is excellent for older pets.
2. Spot – Best Value
Spot pet insurance takes more of a traditional route with pet insurance, and they offer an accident and illness plan alongside accident only. They have two wellness plans included as optional coverage, which are both inclusive (including preventative treatments and checkups). The main plans are also comprehensive and customizable; microchipping is included in the standard plan alongside behavioral issue treatment.
We feel that Spot gets the pick for best value as there’s so much included for the price. There’s also no age limit and elderly pets get excellent coverage, which is sometimes hard to come by. However, they have longer waiting times for accident claims, so other plans may be best if your pet gets into mischief. They also charge a $2 monthly payment fee which isn’t common with other providers. Another drawback to Spot is that customer service is unavailable at the weekend, meaning that you may have to wait for a weekday until you can get advice or guidance on your plan or any claims.
3. Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade pet insurance is the new kid on the block regarding pet insurance. They use the same model as other insurance providers and offer accident and illness plans as well as optional wellness at an affordable price.
Coverage options are flexible, and limits are high, with an annual maximum claim limit of £100,000 (which is practically the same as unlimited). Other plan options are also flexible, which allows owners to choose from various choices. For example, annual claim limits are between $5,000 and $100,000. Lemonade is also charitable, with any leftover profit from claims not being taken as profit for the provider. Rather, that money is donated to a charity of your choice (from pre-approved options).
However, the prices seem to fluctuate, with Lemonade being the only insurance provider increasing the price for long-haired breeds by more than 50%. Some basic procedures are also not included in coverage, such as dental and spaying or neutering, which can disqualify those with young pets. Customer service reviews reflect that claims may take longer to process than other providers in the area. Apart from this, customer service for Lemonade seems very positive, and they offer multi-pet discounts.
4. Embrace
Embrace is one of the few providers in Vermont that cover dental work as standard, up to a maximum of $1,000. Embrace is a seasoned pet insurance provider that includes exam fees as standard and provides comprehensive coverage for all their plans.
They are more expensive than other plans but are very flexible, with optional wellness packages ranging from $250 to $650. This makes Embrace a good value for money, despite the plans being slightly more costly. This is particularly true for their no-claims bonus, which offers $50 back on your insurance price every year your pet doesn’t have a claim.
Claiming is easy and paperless, but there are some restrictions to Embrace insurance policies themselves. The waiting period for orthopedics, for example, is 6 months, which is a long time, and elderly animals over the age of 15 years are only offered accident-only plans.
5. Wagmo
Wagmo has only one flexible plan for accidents and illness, but it’s impressive. With a 100% reimbursement rate, Wagmo also offers comprehensive wellness plans which can be purchased on their own or as an add-on to the main plan. Starting prices for their plans are cheap, but each policy has a low limit compared to other providers at $10,000.
Wagmo provides a discount for multiple pets signing up for plans, but their plans are inclusive (covering congenital conditions and ambulances). Orthopedics are also covered but are heavily restricted.
For example, pets over 6 years old are not covered for hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament problems are only covered after a 6-month waiting period. We feel this means that Wagmo may not be the best choice for elderly pets due to restrictions on orthopedics and the fact that pets over 15 years are not eligible for any coverage at all. Wagmo is cost-effective for younger pets, particularly when using the wellness plan add-ons.
6. Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws pet insurance is another good choice for owners of young pets who want comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price. They offer unlimited coverage amounts with no incident or lifetime limits, but despite this, exam fees are not covered under any plans. Healthy Paws are known for its smooth claims process, which utilizes multiple claims methods, including email.
Glowing customer service reviews note that claims are often processed quickly. Healthy Paws were placed lower on our list since they charge an administration fee of $25 for signing up, which is an outlier among the Vermont companies we’ve reviewed.
Healthy Paws is an excellent choice for young pets since they cover genetic conditions, but you may expect to pay a lot more for reduced coverage with older pets. For example, dogs over 8 years old have a $750 to $1,000 deductible for 50% coverage, and Healthy Paws won’t cover pets over 6 years of age for specific conditions.
7. ASPCA Pet Insurance
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) insurance plans offer no-nonsense coverage with some added benefits. Microchipping is standard in their base plan, showing that they hold animal welfare in very high regard. In addition, ASPCA has no upper age limit for its coverage, and all coverage levels include exams. The plans also have flexible options, including a small coverage limit of $3,000 up to unlimited.
Optional wellness plans cover things like vaccinations, and ASPCA insurance also has multi-pet discounts, making them an attractive option for those with more than one pet. However, only one plan is available, and while it’s flexible, it may not be suitable for those wanting a more tailored plan. In addition, prescription food isn’t included in the coverage, and the online quote service is unavailable for pets over 18 years old.
8. Trupanion
Trupanion pet insurance has several options for coverage to tailor to your pet’s needs, such as a 90% reimbursement option and no coverage limits. Additional add-ons, such as veterinary recovery packages and complementary medication coverage, are also available to boost the plans further and cater to specific needs. Trupanion’s customer service is highly regarded, with 24/7 availability for queries or concerns. However, accident and illness claims have waiting times of 30 days, which is unusual among the other pet insurance providers we reviewed.
Trupanion’s coverage is truly flexible, with deductibles and other options sometimes increasing in $5 increments. Despite this flexibility, wellness add-ons are not an option available through Trupanion. In addition, their claims page is only a single page, making claims incredibly easy and accessible for those concerned about completing large amounts of paperwork. Unsurprisingly, Trupanion is relatively expensive.
9. Figo
Figo pet insurance offers excellent flexibility in their plans, with the option of 100% reimbursement available. They stand out as they provide some pre-existing condition coverage if the pet to be treated has been symptom-free and treatment free for the last 12 months or more.
Figo also has 24/7 support from its veterinary phone line, which offers advice for worried owners at all hours. In addition, Figo has “power-up” options which are bundles of additional health and wellness treatments, alongside other benefits packages that can be added onto your pet’s coverage.
Wellness plans cover treatments such as vaccinations, spaying, and neutering. The more specific protection packages provide coverage for vacation cancellation costs, but some other insurers offer this under the main plans for no extra cost. Unfortunately, exam fees are not covered.
10. Metlife
Metlife is an affordable insurance provider that provides flexible plans with great coverage for your pet. It offers customers flexible deductibles and reimbursement rates beginning at just 65% and going up to 100%. They also offer four levels of deductibles, ranging from $50 to $500, meaning that there’s a good amount of customization while not getting too complicated.
This coverage is comprehensive; it covers behavioral problems, emergency care, and alternative therapies. However, the waiting time for orthopedics, including cruciate injuries, is 6 months, making it one of the longest on the list. Coverage also doesn’t include food even if a vet prescribes it, and no accident-only policy is available.
Metlife makes claiming on your pet insurance convenient, and after a quick visit to their app, you can track and submit claims while keeping the whole process visible and clear. Claims can be made with the app and sent via email, regular mail, and the online portal. Metlife also offers preventative wellness plans, which include blood tests and behavioral training.
Buyer’s Guide: Comparing Pet Insurance Plans In Vermont
What to Look for in Pet Insurance in Vermont
When looking for the best pet insurance in Vermont, it can be easy to get bogged down in the details when comparing. We’ve expanded on our ranking criteria below, and we explain how we chose our companies and how they were ranked to help you make your decision and keep everything as straightforward as possible.
Policy Coverage
Looking at policy coverage is one of our most important jobs when comparing pet insurance. The variety of coverage available, including the conditions covered, tests, and other items allowed by the policy, is the most critical part of pet insurance.
Owners typically want as much coverage for their pet as possible for their money, so we looked at Vermont providers offering the broadest range of protection at the most competitive prices. This determined the best value for money, making Fetch by the dodo insurance our top pick in Vermont.
Cheaper providers may seem like a logical choice at first, but take a careful look at what they do and don’t cover; some providers might be cheaper but may not offer the same level of coverage. This can leave pets unprotected when they need it the most. When insurers included extra items as standard, such as dental care, they earned extra points and were ranked higher.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer services are a big part of pet insurance, as customer service representatives often deal with pet owners during high-stress moments. A company’s trustworthiness, communication, and transparency ranked higher on our list. When you’re already worried about your pet, you don’t want to worry about your insurance provider as well. Accessibility to customer service played a significant role in our ranking; those with 24-hour lines, online portals, and veterinary help lines scored higher.
Claim Repayment
Some may also consider claim repayment the most critical part of pet insurance. While we agree, we make allowances for some situations. For example, everyone wants their claim to be settled quickly and efficiently, which should be the same throughout the process. We highly ranked providers that had a smooth and fast claims process. Companies known for not paying out claims did not make our list, as pet insurance should provide you with clarity, comfort, and security when faced with the uncertainty of a large vet bill. All the companies on our list had great reviews regarding claim repayments, so we looked at the reimbursement periods of each company (the most highly ranked being one or two days) and how easy it was to file a claim.
The price of a plan is ultimately what many owners will first look for when searching for pet insurance. While they’re right, since everyone likes to get value for money, some providers have more expensive plans that can offer better value due to being more comprehensive and having extra benefits. Cheaper is not always better, and the protection level provided by policies that may be slightly more expensive is often worth the extra money. We also accepted that better coverage means a higher price as the lowest-priced plans usually didn’t cover the same amount as higher-priced plans, as well as other drawbacks.
Plan Customization
Customization is essential, and it’s good to tailor your plan to your pet’s needs. However, it only pulled a little rank on our list, as fewer customization options matter less if the policy is comprehensive enough that you don’t need them.
FAQ
Can I Get Pet Insurance Outside Vermont?
Most pet insurance providers offer coverage for pets in all 50 states. Each provider on our list provides coverage in the Vermont area; if you’re traveling outside of the state, the policy can be used in practically every state. If you are traveling, it’s worth checking with your insurance provider, but again, as long as you’re staying in the US, most insurance providers will continue your pet’s care regardless of your location. If you want to move abroad, check with your insurance provider before you leave, most do not have international coverage.
What if my Insurance Company Is Not Listed In Your Reviews?
If your provider has excellent coverage, which you are happy with, at a reasonable price, that’s great! You don’t have to change providers if you’re satisfied with your own; this list was to rank and explain policies and coverage for 10 of the best providers we feel are best in Vermont, which you could use to compare to your own.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Has the Best Consumer Reviews?
Many pet insurance providers have lots of mixed reviews, and it can be tricky to determine which provider has the best. When ranking, a company’s customer service and reputation were considered, and we searched several review sites to gather information on these points.
What Is the Best And Most Affordable Pet Insurance In Vermont?
We ranked Fetch as our number-one pick for the best and most affordable pet insurance in Vermont based on an in-depth review of its policies, procedures, and prices. However, our top picks are intended to be used as a guide if you are looking for a new pet insurance provider, which gives you an easy-to-read rundown of the insurance policies available.
What the Users Say
Pet insurance customers generally have positive experiences with insurers and seem happy with their provider’s customer service. However, some policyholders have issues with rate increases and denied claims.
Which Pet Insurance Provider in Vermont Is Best for You?
If you live in Vermont, finding a pet insurance provider that is the best for you should start with which providers provide comprehensive coverage in your area. From there, knowing the best provider for you comes down to factors such as:
The best choice of provider for you also depends on your lifestyle. Some providers will offer a better add-on service if you need additional coverage, such as reimbursement for travel or preventative treatments.
Conclusion
There are some excellent pet insurance options for pet owners in Vermont, as nearly all of them offer good coverage for a fair price. Fetch by the Dodo came in as best overall due to their simple options and great base plan. Spot was our best value pick, particularly for pet owners who still want options and good coverage on a budget. Investing in Spot’s optional wellness plans provide even more coverage and excellent value. Other insurers on our list provide unlimited options for those pet owners who want the ultimate coverage.
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Featured Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
