In a busy state like New Jersey, your pet is sure to always be on the go with you. With pet insurance, you can keep your furry friend in great shape and maintain its health with little concern about medical bills. Pet insurance, like any other insurance, helps to ensure protection against unforeseen situations. If your pet has an unexpected injury or falls ill, pet insurance will come through for you and provide coverage.
If you are in the beginning stages of your research, you may not know what plan is most suitable for your situation. 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.
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.
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
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
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
If you reside in New Jersey, then pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment. Considering the living costs in the state are quite high, an average number of pet owners would find it difficult to pay for a $3000 medical bill. Nor will they be able to cover a sudden $400 veterinary fee. This makes pet insurance a profitable long-term decision for your pet and for your own financial circumstances.
Additionally, pet insurance is designed to provide coverage for emergencies and sudden pet health issues, based on the pet insurance plan you subscribe for. By paying a monthly insurance premium, you can also access wellness care for your pet so it can go for regular check-ups at the veterinary clinic. By taking these preventative measures, you can ensure your pet will lead a longer and healthier life.
What types of pet insurance plans are in New Jersey?
The following are the four main types of pet insurance plans available in New Jersey:
Accident-only plan: This plan handles any accident-related medical emergencies. It does not cover any illnesses, pre-existing health conditions, and pet-specific breed issues. Medications, hospitalizations, and treatments related to the accident are also covered under this plan.
Accident and illness plan: This plan is more inclusive as it covers your pet’s illnesses, injuries, and accidents, including the cost of necessary tests, procedures, and treatments.
Wellness plan: This plan is designed for preventative and wellness care such as vaccinations and routine checkups. It does not cover illnesses, injuries, and accidents. However, you can add this option to any pre-existing plan for more holistic coverage.
Comprehensive plan: This is the most inclusive of all four plans. This covers your pet’s accidents, injuries, illnesses, and provides wellness care.
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 New Jersey?
The cost of pet insurance may vary based on type of pet, species, location, and age. Here is an estimated monthly cost with a high deductible and high reimbursement rate:
Type of Pet
Cost
Golden Retriever (Adult, 5 Years)
$43-$112
Golden Retriever (Puppy, 6 Months)
$32-$82
Chihuahua (Adult, 5 Years)
$23 – $69
Chihuahua (Puppy, 6 Months)
$18 – $57
Domestic Cat (Adult, 5 Years)
$17 – $41
Domestic Cat (Kitten, 6 Months)
$14 – $35
What are the veterinary costs in New Jersey?
The cost for veterinary procedures in New Jersey are roughly within the following range:
For Dogs
Procedure
Cost
Exam/vet consultation
$125-$188
1-2 days of pet hospitalization
$875-$2000
3-5 days of pet hospitalization
$2,188-$4060
Diagnostic bloodwork panel
$100-$250
Pet x-rays
$188-$313
Treating/repairing a wound
$1,125-$2800
Pet surgery
$2375-$5000
Breathing issues (ie. asthma)
$1,125-$3450
Ultrasound
$375-$750
For Cats
Procedure
Cost
Exam/vet consultation
$125-$188
1-2 days of pet hospitalization
$750-$1,875
3-5 days of pet hospitalization
$1,875-$3,750
Diagnostic bloodwork panel
$100-$250
Pet x-rays
$188-$313
Treating/repairing a wound
$1,000-$1,875
Pet surgery
$1,875-$3,750
Breathing issues (ie. asthma)
$625-$3,125
Ultrasound
$375-$750
These prices are a 25% adjustment increase in comparison to the estimated cost for pet insurance in the USA. This is due to the fact that New Jersey has an average 25% higher standard of living cost in comparison to other states.
How to choose the best pet insurance in New Jersey
After reviewing our guide, it may be a bit easier to select a pet insurance plan in New Jersey. However, before you make your final decision, keep the following key factors in mind:
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 and research if there are any promotional discounts available as well.
Your pet’s medical history and needs: Your pet’s needs will be central to the type of coverage you choose. Consider all potential illnesses your pet is prone to developing and ask your insurance provider if they will cover your pet if it has pre-existing conditions. Some providers will not provide coverage for a pet after a certain age.
Read customer reviews: It can be helpful to read what previous customers have to say about an agency you are considering. Read some customer reviews and get an idea of how the insurer handles their claims process and what their service is like. This could help you finalize your decision.
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