Is pet insurance worth it in Massachusetts?
As a resident of Massachusetts, it’s important to be aware of the risks surrounding your pet. The state is prone to wildfires, thunderstorms, hurricanes, floods, and snowstorms. Also, certain plants and food items can be toxic as well. Even the presence of snakes and other insects whose bites cause anaphylactic reactions in pets can result in an emergency visit to the hospital.
For these reasons, pet insurance is worthwhile since it is the most cost-effective strategy to reduce the expense of pet health care. Veterinary treatment for pets can be quite expensive, which can result in hefty medical bills each time you visit the veterinary clinic.
As a result, finding the best strategy to decrease this expense is critical, as you may not know how often your cats, dogs, and other pets may require such treatment. Pet owners prefer not to think about the potential of needing to visit an emergency veterinarian, but it is always a possibility. Pet insurance is the best way to cut down on the cost of having your pet treated.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Massachusetts?
There are three distinct types of pet insurance coverage options available in Massachusetts, according to many pet insurance providers. They are:
- Accident-only plan: This plan is meant to cover any unexpected costs associated with an accident. You can expect coverage for medical services required to help with the recovery of your pet such as hospital visits, treatment, and medications.
- Accident and illness plan: This is an ideal plan for pet owners in Massachusetts who would like more holistic coverage for their pet(s). This plan covers the cost of veterinary bills, hospital visits, treatment, and medications associated with any accident or illness.
- Wellness or preventative plans: This plan is basically for the health maintenance of your pet such as vaccines, spay and neuter, and veterinarian check-ups. It aims to offer routine and preventative care. If you are seeking more comprehensive coverage, you can always add-on wellness care to any other pre-existing plan.
Other customizable types of pet insurance policies may exist, but that depends on the pet insurance provider you choose to go with.
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 Massachusetts?
You can expect to spend anywhere from $24 to $85 per month on Massachusetts pet insurance, but this might not be true for other insurers or pets species. There might not be a standard cost price for pet insurance in Massachusetts as different insurers have a defined rule on how it calculates pet insurance cost. To get the cost, they consider the age of your pet, the breed, coverage type, reimbursement rate, and the pet species. It is important to know that cost of dogs is more expensive than cats in Massachusetts.
Examples of how the cost of pet insurance changes depending on the age and breed of the pet.
| Breed | Age | Monthly Cost |
| Chihuahua | 5 year old dog | $23 to $90 |
| Chihuahua | 6 month old puppy | $18 to $68 |
| Domestic shorthair | 5 year old cat | $17 to $45 |
| Domestic shorthair | 6 month old kitten | $14 to $40 |
What are the veterinary costs in Massachusetts?
The cost of veterinary care in Massachusetts varies depending on your pet’s health. The following are some examples of services and their potential costs:
| Veterinary service | Cost |
| Vaccines per shot | $15-$25 |
| Spay/neuter | $180-$190 |
| Fecal exam | $30-$40 |
| Heartworm test | $40-$50 |
| Dental cleaning | $210-$225 |
| Allergy testing | $238-$249 |
| Geriatric screening | $90-$100 |
| Physical exams | $35-$50 |
| Routine checkups | $130-$145 |
How to choose the best pet insurance in Massachusetts
When you are considering a pet insurance policy, there are a few key factors that can help you make the best decision for your pet. Consider the following when making your decision:
- Get quotes from multiple carriers: Shop around for the best coverage at a reasonable price. Compare not just price but also deductible amounts, annual premiums, reimbursement levels, and the policy length. Ask about any limitations and exclusions that apply to the policy.
- Understanding the terms of the policy: By taking the time to thoroughly review your policy, you will know what kind of services will be covered and what will be excluded. You can also assess if your pet requires basic insurance or potentially add-on options such as wellness and preventative care.
- Customer reviews: Check what other customers in Massachusetts have to say about an insurance agency you’re considering. Read reviews about the customer’s experience, their service, and how they handle their claims process. This will make it easier for you to come to a decision.