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Best Pet Insurance in Massachusetts of 2024

Lisa Scott

One of the advantages of having pets around is the fun and happiness they bring to your home, and Massachusetts is among the states in the US where you can live peacefully with your pets.

However, your pet’s well-being and safety are a crucial part of maintaining their presence in your life. Hence, it is your duty to provide the necessary care so your pet remains in a healthy state. Pet insurance is a great way to plan for unforeseeable illnesses or accidents that your pet may face.

Pet insurance is a more cost-effective answer for medical emergencies, and it also minimizes financial risk for you. Seeking the best pet insurance for your furry friend can require quite a bit of research. To help you with this process, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.

Super-extensive accident & illness coverage

$20,000

Coverage Up To

90%

Reimbursement

Overview

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
  • No exclusion on breeds or older pets
  • Offers a Fur Family Discount on multiple pets
  • Healthcare coverage in Canada and the US

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Pumpkin only covers dogs and cats

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.

Multiple options for wellness plans

$100,000

Coverage Up To

90% - 100%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Wagmo began by providing stand-alone pet wellness coverages. Today, it has expanded its portfolio to include customizable pet insurance coverage.

What we like

  • Customizable policies
  • Variety of wellness plans
  • Fast reimbursements
  • High incident limits
  • Visit a vet of your choice

What we don't

  • 15 day waiting period on accident policy

Affordable prices with a fast reimbursement process

$100,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

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
  • Pay deductible once per year and not per incident

What we don't

  • Lemonade is only available in 33 states
  • Certain hybrid breeds may be denied

Short waiting periods on accidental coverage

$25,000

Coverage Up To

50% - 100%

Reimbursement

Overview

MetLife Insurance offers pet insurance for cats and dogs and is known for the shortest waiting periods in the industry.

What we like

  • No restriction on breeds and pet age
  • Customizable annual benefit limits
  • Short waiting periods accidental coverage
  • Flexible deductibles from $50 to $2,000
  • No incident limits

What we don't

  • Wellness treatment not included (optional add-on)
  • Pay first out of pocket and reimbursed later

Quick claims process

$10,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Spot will insure older animals and provides a multi-pet discount when you insure two or more pets

What we like

  • Multi-pet discount
  • No upper age limit
  • Quick claims process
  • Fast and simple filing of claims
  • Optional no lifetime limits or caps on payouts

What we don't

  • Customer service limited to weekdays
  • 14 day waiting period

Pre-existing conditions and 6 pets covered for $24/m

$3,000

Coverage Up To

100%

Reimbursement

Overview

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

Provides holistic therapy coverage

$15,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Fetch covers various conditions and offers holistic therapy coverage.

What we like

  • Covers examination fee during vet visits
  • Holistic therapy coverage
  • Comprehensive dental coverage
  • No penalty for multiple claims
  • No upper age limit for the pets

What we don't

  • Offers a single plan
  • No preventive care plans
  • No multi-pet discount

No age limit on pets - older dogs and cats are covered

Unlimited

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.

What we like

  • Older cats and dogs are covered
  • Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
  • Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
  • Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
  • 10% multiple pets discount

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Wellness add-ons can get expensive

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 AgeMonthly Cost
Chihuahua5 year old dog$23 to $90
Chihuahua6 month old puppy$18 to $68
Domestic shorthair5 year old cat$17 to $45
Domestic shorthair6 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 serviceCost
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.

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