Is pet insurance worth it in Oregon?
The short answer is yes, pet insurance is worth it in Oregon. It is arguably the best way to ensure your pet gets the best health care attention, especially in an emergency situation. Also, a trip to a vet facility is not always inexpensive; treatment costs are significant, and they can be higher than average if your pet’s illness is more serious.
The hot heat in Oregon may also cause health problems for your pet. Other incidents such as snake bites, coyote attacks, and even automobile collisions with pets can be common in Oregon, hence why pet insurance can be handy to have when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Also, keep in mind that pre-existing health conditions are often not covered under a pet insurance policy. Therefore it is recommended you insure your pet from a young age to maximize your coverage benefits.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Oregon?
The following are the four main types of pet insurance plans available in Oregon:
- Accident-only plan: This plan is the most basic and least expensive type of coverage available. This type of policy will cover any accident-related medical emergencies. Some examples of these are injuries, consumption of harmful substances, burns, or animal bites. It’s a useful choice if you want to be covered in case of an emergency, but your pet is otherwise healthy and has no age restrictions.
- Accident and illness plan: This policy covers any accident and illness-related medical emergencies and procedures. For these types of plans, some insurance firms set age restrictions. The age, type of breed, as well as the coverage limitations, and deductibles you choose, will determine your coverage and cost. It also covers all treatments and most diagnostic procedures including medications, x-rays, hospitalizations, and surgeries.
- Wellness plan: A wellness plan will include nearly everything you could possibly need to keep your pet healthy. If the cost of veterinary treatment is overwhelming, consider adding wellness coverage to your pet insurance. Vaccinations, spaying and neutering, annual checkups, and even microchipping are usually covered.
- 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 in Oregon:
- 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 in Oregon:
- 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 Oregon?
In the state of Oregon, you can expect pet insurance to range between $15–$80 a month. However, there are a few factors that could impact the monthly cost such as:
- Age of pet: The age of your pet can be a key factor in a higher monthly premium. This is because older pets tend to have more health complications and require more medical attention with age.
- Breed: Depending on the type of pet you insure, its specific breed can also cause the premium to fluctuate. For example, specific breeds of dogs are prone to serious injuries like cruciate ligament ruptures, which can require routine check-ups with a veterinarian. This will likely factor into the monthly cost for your pet insurance.
- Gender: Males often cost more to insure than females because they are more likely to get injuries.
- Location: Depending on where you reside, your pet’s monthly premium will be based off of the veterinary costs in that region. Parts of Oregon have a higher cost of living, which will reflect on your pet insurance costs as well.
While these factors may influence the cost of pet insurance, each pet insurance company has its unique set of policies.
What are the veterinary costs in Oregon?
Veterinary costs in Oregon range between $800 to $2000 annually, and that is for routine check-ups specifically; treatment(s) for major illnesses tend to cost more. In Oregon, some cities have their own veterinary costs. For example, Portland is frequently regarded as Oregon’s most expensive city to live in, and similarly, pet insurance is also more expensive compared to other cities in the state.
The following is an example of monthly pet insurance premium costs in parts of Oregon:
| Location | Cost |
| Portland | $37.28/monthly |
| Bend | $24/monthly |
| Medford | $19/monthly |
| Eugene | $24/monthly |
How to choose the best pet insurance in Oregon
Pet insurance coverage varies depending on the provider you choose to enroll your pet with. To help you choose the best insurance policy for your pet and to meet its needs, consider the following key factors before finalizing your decision:
- Compare plans between a few providers: It’s always a good idea to compare policies from different agencies and see what each has to offer. Factor in the deductible costs, potential promotional discounts, and the types of coverage each provider has to offer.
- Consider your pet’s medical history: Your pet’s needs will be central to the type of coverage you choose. Factor in all potential illnesses your pet is prone to developing and ask the provider if they will consider covering any pre-existing conditions. Although this is unlikely, it could be a major factor in finalizing your decision if an insurer agrees to cover the condition. Asking questions will only benefit your pet, so consider as many options available for you.
- Customer feedback: A great way to get an understanding of an agency is via customer reviews. See what users have to say about the company and how they operate their claims process. Furthermore, a review can offer insight into how the insurer provides service and what other customers’ experiences were like. This can also help you narrow down your options before making a final decision.







