The best pet insurance, according to a dog mom [Miami Herald]

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To take care of your furry bestie, pet insurance is something to consider. Since rescuing my dachshund, who I named Relish in honor of the hot dog topping, I have been going back and forth on it. Was it worth the cost? Would it cover anything? Dachshunds are especially prone to back problems, which often require surgery, physical therapy, or both, so it’s of extra concern for me.

But when I started my research, I quickly found that not all pet policies are the same — the cost and the coverage all varies. Here are six of the most well-known providers, what they cover, the upsides and the downsides.

Embrace

Embrace has pet insurance plans with various deductibles and annual coverage limits for pet parents to find the best fit for them. In the standard accident and illness plans, physiotherapy, chiropractic and some alternative therapies are included. Plus, exam fees for covered conditions are included and there is a reimbursement for vet-provided behavioral treatments.

For the nervous pet parent (I definitely fall into that category), it also includes access to a 24/7 pet health line. Additionally, for those with more than one pet, there’s a 10% discount and also a 5% discount for active military members and veterans (excluding New York and Tennessee).

Plans available:Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

Deductible options:$100 to $1,000 annually.

Coverage limits:$5,000 to unlimited per year.

Reimbursement options:70%, 80% or 90%.

Pros:

Veterinarian office visits for illness and accidents are covered and only a two day waiting period for accident coverage.

The coverage includes a 24/7 pet telehealth line.

The deductible goes down by $50 each year you don’t file a claim. That means more money in your pocket if your pet stays healthy.

Cons:

There’s a waiting period before a dog’s orthopedic injuries are covered (there are also ways to reduce it with a vet examination).

If you increase your coverage, pre-existing conditions reset.

Pets Best

Pets Best is the best of both worlds in a way. It’s great coverage with a good price. And it is very customizable with so many plans available. There are standard waiting periods: three days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and six months for cruciate ligament issues (in most states).

Plans available:Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

Deductible options:$50 to $1,000 per year.

Reimbursement options:70%, 80% or 90%.

Pros:

There is an ample range of deductibles options.

You can pay your vet directly if they agree, so you don’t have to wait for reimbursement.

There’s a 5% multipet discount.

A 24/7 pet telehealth line is available.

Optional Routine Care coverage available.

Cons:

It does not cover alternative therapies.

There’s a six month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues being covered.

ASPCA

You probably know the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for those sad commercials and the animal shelters that it runs. But they also offer pet insurance plans.

This plan is pretty simple: the waiting period is 14 days for all conditions, including accidents, illnesses and cruciate ligament injuries (compared to other plans who have six month waiting periods for some problems).

Plus, the premium rates are some of the most affordable on the market.

Plans available:Accident and illness, accident-only, wellness.

Deductible options:$100, $250 or $500 per year.

Reimbursement options:70%, 80% or 90%.

Pros:

That shorter waiting period of 14 days compared to some with monthslong waits.

The standard plans cover alternative therapies, behavioral issues and congenital conditions.

It covers stem cell therapy and microchipping.

If you’re a horse owner, you can get coverage in certain states.

Cons:

A claims process can take up to 30 days.

Monthly payments incur a transaction fee.

You must call (rather than getting a quote online) if you’re interested in unlimited annual coverage.

Nationwide

Nationwide doesn’t have the breadth of customizations that some other companies offer but it’s got some interesting options nonetheless. The first, Whole Pet covers a range of accidents and illnesses and reimburses part of your vet bills — up to your annual limit. For the second option, Major Medical offers a less comprehensive option where you pay a set amount for each condition, regardless of the vet charge.

Plans available:Accident and illness, wellness.

Deductible options:$250 per year.

Reimbursement options:For Whole Pet plans, 50% or 70%. For Major Medical plans, there are set reimbursement caps for each condition.

Pros:

Exotic pets can be coerced under their plan but you have to call to get those options versus adding it online.

Covers holistic and alternative treatments under the plan.

Cons:

Premiums are some of the more expensive when compared to other plans.

Pets must be younger than 10 years old to be covered.

You can’t customize the deductible or coverage limits online, you have to call.

There’s a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries (which is longer than many others).

Trupanion

In most states, Trupanion deals with deductibles differently than most other pet insurance providers. Instead of deductibles being charged each year, they charge deductibles per condition.

On the downside, Trupanion doesn’t have a wellness plan offering, and charges pet parents extra for acupuncture, physical therapy and behavioral treatments.

Plans available:Accident and illness.

Deductible options: $0 to $1,000 lifetime deductible per condition. In Florida, plans have no deductibles.

Reimbursement options:90% in most states. In Florida, you can select any percentage between 50% and 90%.

Pros:

There is unlimited coverage for all pets under the plan, including breed-specific conditions and congenital conditions.

Your premium doesn’t automatically rise as your pet gets older.

Short waiting period of five days for injuries.

Cons:

There’s a long waiting period for illnesses

There are extra charges for acupuncture, physical therapy and behavioral treatments.

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