Is pet insurance worth it in Missouri?
Pets are not immune to illness or severe surroundings, and they may become ill, necessitating their transport to veterinary clinics. Furthermore, creatures such as snakes and other predators might bite and infect your pets.
With the high cost and possibilities of your pets having accidents or falling sick, pet insurance is worth purchasing in Missouri. Pet insurance, which is a way of cutting the cost of vet care while providing maximum protection and treatments, is your best bet for effective pet treatment and healthcare.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Missouri?
The following are the four main types of pet insurance plans:
- Accident-only plan: This plan is for unforeseen injuries and treatments due to an accident. For example, your pet could get hit by an oncoming vehicle, consume harmful substances, or get bitten by an animal. Most insurance companies in Missouri include what they consider to be accidents in their policies. Your accident coverage will begin almost immediately or within 48 hours after your coverage gets a valid verification.
- Accident and illness plan: This plan covers both accident and illness-related injuries and treatments. Medications, x-rays, hospitalizations, and surgeries are among the services covered. However, while this approach may be beneficial, most insurance companies take the age of your pet into account. Older pets are often not eligible for this type of plan.
- Wellness plan: This plan is primarily for your pet’s health maintenance and include things like microchipping, immunizations, veterinary exams, among other services. A wellness plan is primarily an add-on option, though some providers provide it as a stand-alone plan too. Some insurers offer pet medical insurance and pet wellness care at a low cost, so it often considered a more affordable option compared to other plans.
- Comprehensive plan: This is the most holistic plan of the four offered. It includes coverage of accidents, illnesses, injuries, and wellness care.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
In Missouri, pet insurance coverage varies greatly depending on the provider; some insurers may not cover certain conditions while others may.
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 Missouri?
Pet insurance in Missouri can vary depending on your pet’s age, breed, species, and your budget. Accident and illness insurance plans for dogs typically costs $15–$80 per month, while cat insurance costs $10–$60 per month.
Below are some more details about how certain factors may influence the cost of your insurance:
- Age: The age of your pet can cause your premium to increase or decrease. This is because older animals are more likely to have health issues, which makes them more expensive to insure.
- Species: Pet insurance rates are likely to be influenced by the species of your pet. You are likely to pay more if you have a dog than if you have a cat.
- Breed: Your pet’s breed may have a significant impact on the cost of your insurance. This can be because a pet’s hereditary sensitivity to various illnesses could be more intense for certain breeds in comparison to others.
- Location: The cost of a plan is usually established by the projected veterinary fees in your location.
What are the veterinary costs in Missouri?
The high cost of veterinary services is due to the high cost of pet medications and the use of new medical equipment. A normal check-up might cost anywhere from $50 to $250, and most veterinary care is under $500. Other veterinary charges for diagnosing and treating pets’ illnesses varies depending on the type of condition. Here are some typical prices for various services:
| Veterinary service | Cost |
| Routine check-up | $40-$260 |
| Spay/neuter | $23-$150 |
| Heartworm test | $40-$50 |
| Dental cleaning | $72-$450 |
| Vaccines per shot | $15-$34 |
| Physical exams | $45-$55 |
| Fecal exam | $25-$45 |
| Allergy testing | $195-$300 |
| Geriatric screening | $75-$110 |
| Bloodwork | $80-$200 |
| X-ray exam | $130- $250 |
| Wound treatment | $800-$2,500 |
| Emergency surgery | $1,500-$6000 |
| Oxygen therapy | $400-$3000 |
| Ultrasound | $250-$600 |
| Short hospitalizations | $600-$1,700 |
| Long hospitalizations | $1,500-$3,500 |
How to choose the best pet insurance in Missouri?
After reviewing our guide, it may be a bit easier to select a pet insurance plan in Missouri. However, before you make your final decision, keep the following key factors in mind:
- Compare quotes from various insurance agencies: To help you choose the most fitting plan for your pet, compare quotes from several companies. You will also want to compare the deductibles and find a plan that fits your budget.
- Contact an insurance agent: A Missouri-based independent pet insurance agent could help you during the research process because they are familiar with a range of insurance carriers. You can compare and contrast plans recommended by the independent insurance agent and find the best insurance suitable for your pet’s needs.
- Read customer reviews: The best way to learn about an insurance provider’s service is via customer reviews. Read what former or current customers have to say about their experience with an agency. You can also learn about how they handle their claims process and their overall quality of service. This step could help you finalize your decision when choosing a plan.