As a pet owner in Maryland, you are probably seeking every opportunity to keep your pet healthy and well taken care of. Registering your pet in an insurance plan can help you make payments for your pet’s partial or overall treatment. When researching insurance policies that will best fit your pet’s needs, don’t just focus on the cost but also consider the investment you are making for your pet’s long-term health. To help you with this process, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality so it can be easier for you to choose an insurance policy.
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program offers coverage on accidents, illnesses, and optional preventive care (at an additional cost) at affordable monthly premiums. It has a robust customer service center that will guide you through your pet insurance needs and help your pet receive great care during emergencies. The provider also offers a wide range of reimbursement options, deductibles, and annual limits to help you customize your policy to suit your financial needs.
What we like
Customizable plans to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
Prescription medication coverage for covered conditions
Optional wellness plan (at an additional cost)
Fast and simple filing of claims
Vet finder feature to help you to locate a licensed vet clinic within your area
Disclosure provided by the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program: Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Complete Coverage℠ reimbursements are based on the invoice. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.
The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), produced and administered by C&F Insurance Agency, Inc. (NPN # 3974227). Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCA’s marks and is not a charitable contribution. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™ is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company 2020.
Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.
Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.
What we like
Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure:Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.
Affordable prices with a fast reimbursement process
Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.
What we like
Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
Claims are reimbursed in minutes
Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
Eusoh is able to provide an affordable pet health plan because of its community-based health sharing plan. Pet parents directly fund each other's vet expenses, which helps everyone save.
Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.
With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.
What we like
Monthly premiums as low as $24
Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors
What we don't
Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
Does not offer wellness coverage
Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year
Given the increase in cost of regular healthcare and veterinary bills, pet owners are more likely to be burdened with annual medical expenses for their pets. The hefty medical bills can also be due to regular checkups, vaccinations for your pets, grooming sessions, and emergency hospitalizations.
Sometimes, pet owners can go into debt in the bid to pay for their pet’s medical bills. With pet insurance, you can have a sense of relief that your pet can receive the medical attention it requires at any given point, and you can also reduce the chances of financial risk for yourself. Being in a position where you have to choose between your pet and your financial situation can be overwhelming, hence the reason why many pet owners choose to insure their pet as soon as possible. In other words, buying your pet an insurance plan can avert any complication that might arise due to an emergency or chronic illness.
It is also recommended you insure your pet from a young age because any pre-existing medical conditions are often not covered under an insurance policy.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Maryland?
Before you choose an insurance plan for your pet, you will want to have a clear understanding of what each policy covers. The following are the main types of pet insurance policies:
Accident-onlyplan: This plan will cover treatments that are associated with an accident such as fractures, burns, injuries, and surgical procedures. Medications, hospitalizations, and treatments related to the accident are also covered under this plan.
Accident and illness plan: This insurance policy will cover your pet’s accidents and illnesses such as cancer, allergies, toxic ingestion, or broken bones. Under this policy, your pet’s routine check-ups, maintenance, and preventative care will not be covered.
Wellness plan: With this plan, you can provide your pet with routine and preventative care. This may include vaccinations, veterinary check-ups, dental care, and more. You can add this option to any pre-existing plan for more holistic coverage or purchase it as a stand alone plan.
Comprehensive plan: This plan encompasses coverage for serious illnesses, accidents, wellness care, and hereditary conditions.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
The following are most commonly covered under pet insurance policies:
Vaccinations: Most insurers cover annual vaccines against core diseases like rabies, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia. Some also cover vaccinations for other conditions such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
Treatment for illness or injury: This includes emergency medical treatment for an illness or injury. This policy also covers x-rays, medications, and surgery.
Routine and preventative care: This includes wellness exams, routine lab tests, and other regular maintenance services you may be seeking for your pet. Heartworm testing and flea/tick preventatives are also included.
Diagnostic testing: This includes imaging such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and more.
The following is a list of exclusions you should be aware of when looking at pet insurance policies:
Treatment or diagnosis of pre-existing conditions: Pet insurance will not cover the cost for treatment or the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions.
Injury or illness with intent to cause harm: Pet insurance will not cover injuries or illnesses that were provoked by abuse, neglect, self-mutilation, or any other intentional act on the pet owner’s part.
Breeding, pregnancy, and whelping: Pet insurance does not cover expenses related to breeding, pregnancy, or the whelps (i.e., newborn pups) if the mother dog dies during pregnancy or the whelping process. This would include transportation costs to and from the veterinary clinic, medications, and surgeries related to whelping.
Additional veterinary facility fees: If your veterinarian charges more than the fee agreed upon in your policy, pet insurance will not cover the difference.
Elective veterinary procedures: Any elective veterinary procedures will not be covered by the insurer in a basic plan. Examples of these procedures include dental care, routine surgeries such as spaying (for females), neutering (for males), and declawing. However, many policies do offer an add-on option if you would like to have coverage for elective care.
How much does pet insurance cost in Maryland?
In Maryland, the monthly premium rates can be affected by different factors such as your location, your pet’s age, breed, and type of species. Usually, you are expected to pay for a standard insurance loan between $15 to $100 monthly. Here are some further details about the factors that can affect the monthly premium:
Age: This is one important factor that will affect the cost of your pet insurance. Older pets tend to require more medical treatments than younger pets, hence the higher cost of coverage. In order to ensure your pet has coverage and to lower your cost, you should sign up for pet insurance as soon as possible.
Breed: There are several different types of dogs or cats, so the cost can vary depending on your pet’s breed. For example, specific breeds of dogs are more prone to serious injuries like cruciate ligament ruptures, which can require consistent veterinary visits. To ensure your pet remains healthy, you might have to pay more for an insurance plan.
Type of species: Most times pet insurance policies for dogs are different from those for cats, so the prices will differ as well. Since dogs are prone to having illnesses or accidents that are more expensive to treat, the cost of a dog insurance plan will also be more expensive in comparison to cats.
What are the veterinary costs in Maryland?
In the state of Maryland, veterinary costs for dogs and cats are higher than the national average. The following are some examples of veterinary services and their costs in Maryland:
Veterinary service
Cost
Liver disease
$2,000- $5,000
Heart disease
$5,000- $20,000
Skin tumors
$2,000- $10,000
Hip dysplasia
$4,000-$6,000
Cancer
$5,000 – $20,000
How to choose the best insurance in Maryland
Before you finalize your decision on a pet insurance policy, remember to keep these key factors in mind:
Compare plans: It’s always a good idea to compare policies from different agencies and see what each has to offer. Some plans could also have promotional discounts so consider all your options before choosing a plan that best fits your pet’s needs.
Consider your budget: When choosing a plan, you should consider the kind of deductible you would want to subscribe to, based on your budget. There should be a selection of plans with a higher deductible and that of the lower, but your deductible will depend on the type of coverage you’re seeking. Factor in all your costs to get an accurate monthly premium calculation.
Customer feedback: Customer reviews can give you a brief idea of how a company renders its services, and what to expect if you file a claim. Consider and compare several insurance companies and narrow down your options. This will also help you finalize your decision.
