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Best Pet Insurance in South Dakota of 2025

Lisa Scott

Residents of South Dakota are animal and pet enthusiasts. With 65 percent of residents owning at least one pet, South Dakota is ranked third on the list of states with the highest number of pets. Also, South Dakota is a favorite pet-friendly destination because of its natural beauty and larger-than-life experiences due to its amazing environment.

Pet owners enjoy spending time with their four-legged companions when visiting South Dakota’s pet-friendly locations, which include parks, restaurants, and beaches. Pet owners can spend time with their pets by participating in pet-friendly activities such as playing on Sandy beach, walking the paved trail, and camping under the stars at the Angostura recreation area.

Camping under the stars and playing with your pet on Sandy Beach can be enjoyable until your pet has an unexpected injury or illness, and you are forced to pay the expensive expense of emergency veterinarian treatment because your pets are not covered in the event of a medical emergency. Continue reading to learn how pet insurance can help safeguard your pets in the event of an emergency.

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 South Dakota?

Pet insurance is a good investment in South Dakota. It’s critical to consider why pet insurance is required and whether it’s worthwhile to insure. Pet insurance is a useful tool if you wish to avoid the expensive cost of emergency medical treatment for your pets if they suffer an unforeseen injury.

Pet insurance provides peace of mind to pet owners since they don’t have to worry about the exorbitant costs of emergency treatment at the vet center if their pet suffers an unexpected accident injury.

Despite the prevalence of snakes and insects that can make these pets sick, you can rest easy knowing that there is a well-defined care plan in place. However, it is preferable to obtain pet insurance for your dogs when they are young and healthy; you should purchase a pet insurance plan with a reduced premium so that they can make use of it.

What are the types of pet insurance plans?

When getting coverage for your pet, you can choose from a variety of pet insurance options. They are as follows:

  • Accident plans: An accident plan pays for veterinary services in the event of a pet accident. This plan is suitable for pet owners who are concerned about their pets’ safety or who live in an area with a high rate of mishaps. It usually pays for veterinary treatment for injuries, snake bites, and traffic accidents. Because an accident plan does not have an age limit, it can benefit older pets.
  • Accident and illness plan: Accident and illness insurance is popular among pet owners who want to ensure that their pets receive the care they require. This plan covers the costs of veterinary treatment for pet accidents and diseases that occur unexpectedly. The expense of veterinarian care for hip dysplasia, cancer, and allergies is frequently covered. This plan does not cover older pets because it has an age restriction.
  • Wellness plan: It covers the cost of your pet’s routine and preventive treatment. This plan includes vaccinations, behavioral training, and dental cleaning.

What does pet insurance in South Dakota cover and exclude?

In general, pet insurance is intended to cover the costs of treating pets for accidents, illnesses, and normal care.

Pet insurance type What it coversWhat is excluded
Accident– Accidents,  including
 poisoning, foreign-body 
ingestion, cuts, burns, 
and snake bites.
-Pre-existing conditions
-Illness
-Routine care
-Intentional injuries
Accident and illness-Illness, including
Allergies, cancer, 
diabetes, hip dysplasia.
-Hospitalization, 
treatment, surgery costs, and specialty care
-Can cover behavioral 
therapy.


-Pre-existing conditions
-Routine care including, 
Dental cleaning, 
vaccinations, exam fee
, etc
-Excludes pets that are over a certain age limit.
Wellness -Exam fees, 
vaccinations, dental 
cleaning, spay, and 
neutering.
-Pregnancy
-Theft of pet
-DNA test or cloning – Any pre-related 
illnesses or accidents. 

How much does pet insurance cost in South Dakota?

Experts estimate the cost of pet insurance for dogs to be up to $48.78 per month, and the cost of pet insurance for cats to be around $29.16 per month, depending on the deductible you chose. Other things can contribute to the rise or fall of the costs of treatments. These include:

  • Pet Age: As your pet gets older, the cost of pet insurance rises. Some pet insurance companies have an age restriction, and some will not insure a pet over the stipulated in their policy. It is preferable to cover your pet at a younger age when the cost is lower.
  • Breed of pet: The cost of insuring a pet varies depending on the breed of the animal. Some dog breeds are prone to particular genetic disorders, such as Labrador Retrievers, who are prone to elbow dysplasia and are costly to insure.
  • The species of your pet: The cost of pet insurance varies based on the animal’s species.  The cost of insuring a dog, cat, and other pets varies in South Dakota 
  • Zip Code: The cost of insuring a pet varies depending on where it is living. The cost of pet insurance for pets living in cities is higher than for pets living in rural areas. Furthermore, the cost of pet insurance for pets living in locations with a high accident rate is higher than for pets living in areas with a lower accident rate.
  • The Insurer you pick: The cost of most pet insurance coverage varies greatly depending on which insurance provider you choose. The cost of an accident and illness coverage, for example, varies based on the insurance company you select. The cost of most pet insurance coverage varies greatly depending on which insurance provider you choose.

What are the veterinary costs in South Dakota?

The cost of veterinary care varies based on the health and size of the animal. The average cost of veterinary therapy for dogs is $1,400 to $4,300, whereas the average cost of veterinary treatment for cats is $1,174.

If you cannot afford veterinary treatment or require a discount, you are welcome to contact an impartial agency for advice.

How to choose the best pet insurance in South Dakota

Because each pet coverage covers a specific health issue, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all pet insurance. The finest pet insurance is one that fits into your monthly budget while also providing the coverage you require.

You can compare pet insurance quotes from multiple companies to see how they compare in terms of coverage, pricing, and customer service. This will allow you to select insurance that meets both your and your pet’s needs. It’s more vital to know how much your coverage will cost throughout your pet’s life than it is to focus on the current cost.

You can use the services of an independent pet agency to help you choose among the various possibilities offered by each pet supplier.


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