In New Jersey, there are multiple options available for pet insurance. Regardless of whether you and your furry friend reside in Trenton or Toms River, having a pet insurance plan can provide protection against costly veterinary expenses. It ensures that you can afford the necessary healthcare for your pet in case of an emergency.
Top Pet Insurance Companies in New Jersey
The following are your best options when it comes to securing a pet insurance plan for your pet in New Jersey.
Figo
Figo Insurance offers three plans for accidents and illnesses: Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate. These plans cover essential treatments like X-rays, prescriptions, and other necessary treatments for conditions such as broken bones, hip dysplasia, general sickness, and chronic illnesses.
The Essential plan provides $5,000 of coverage per year, while the Preferred plan increases it to $10,000 annually. For unlimited coverage, pet parents in New Jersey can choose the Ultimate plan, which has no coverage caps. Additional benefits such as coverage for vet exam fees, routine wellness care like dental care, can also be added to the policy.
The cost for these plans ranges from $16 to $73 for dogs and $10 to $45 for cats.
Spot
Spot Insurance offers two types of plans: accident-only and accident and illness plans. The accident-only plan covers unexpected vet bills resulting from accidents like broken bones, lacerations, and swallowed foreign objects.
The accident and illness plan extends this coverage to treatments and procedures for illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory infections, and behavioral issues. It also includes additional perks like coverage for alternative therapies and microchipping procedures, which are usually offered as paid add-ons by other competitors. Both plans do not cover preexisting health problems, elective procedures, breeding, and pregnancy costs.
Spot also offers a wellness plan with two levels of coverage that can be added to the base plan for an extra fee. This plan covers routine care costs such as annual wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, deworming, flea/tick prevention, and more.
The Gold plan costs approximately $10 per month and provides $250 of coverage per year. The Platinum plan costs $25 per month and offers $450 of benefits per year.
Spot Insurance provides customizable policy options, and the average premium ranges for dogs and cats in New Jersey are between $17 and $121 per month for dogs and $9 and $74 per month for cats.
Embrace
Embrace offers pet insurance that covers accidents and illnesses, including dental trauma, cancer, and genetic or chronic conditions like allergies or hip dysplasia. The plan does not cover preexisting conditions, cosmetic procedures, or vet expenses related to breeding.
In addition, Embrace offers an optional Wellness Rewards plan that extends coverage to routine health care costs such as pet grooming, wellness exams, and vaccines. Embrace will reimburse 100% of these veterinary care costs up to your choice of $250, $450, or $650 annually.
Based on sample quotes, the average monthly prices for Embrace pet insurance range from $22 to $87 for dogs and $13 to $51 for cats, depending on the coverage limits chosen.
Healthy Paws
On the other hand, Healthy Paws offers one pet insurance plan that covers accidents and illnesses without a limit on vet bills for essential treatments and procedures, including surgery, hospitalization, and specialty care.
This plan also covers alternative treatment options such as acupuncture. However, Healthy Paws does not cover preexisting conditions, spaying and neutering, routine care, or hip dysplasia during the first 12 months of coverage.
The average monthly costs for 4-year-old, mixed-breed dogs and cats in Trenton, N.J., range from $28 to $36 for dogs and $11 to $15 for cats, based on quotes provided by Healthy Paws.
Lemonade
Lemonade and ASPCA both offer pet health insurance plans with different coverage options and price ranges.
Lemonade’s plan covers vet bills related to accidents and illnesses, including emergency care, diagnostics, hospitalization, and operations. However, they do have exclusions such as preexisting conditions, behavioral therapy, dental illness, and elective or cosmetic procedures. They also offer add-ons for preventive care, such as vet visits, routine treatments, and dental cleanings.
For 4-year-old mixed-breed dogs and cats in Trenton, N.J., the price range for Lemonade’s pet insurance is $15 to $37 per month for dogs and $11 to $22 per month for cats.
ASPCA
ASPCA offers both an Accident-Only Coverage plan and a Complete Coverage plan. The Accident-Only plan covers cases like toxic ingestions, bite wounds, and sprains, while the Complete Coverage plan also extends to illnesses. However, neither plan covers cosmetic procedures, preexisting conditions, preventive care, or breeding expenses.
ASPCA also provides Basic and Prime preventive care add-ons, including dental cleanings, routine wellness exams, fecal testing, and vaccines. They allow you to choose an annual coverage limit of $250 or $450.
The estimated price range for ASPCA’s pet insurance, based on reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and deductibles, is $27 to $93 per month for dogs and $15 to $57 per month for cats.
How Much Does New Jersey Pet Insurance Cost?
The typical cost of pet insurance for dogs in New Jersey is approximately $51.25, while for cats it is around $27.75. Please note that these figures are just representative examples, and the actual rates may vary.
The price of your pet insurance policy is determined by various factors such as your location, the specific species, breed, and age of your pet. The kind of coverage you pick will determine how much you pay monthly. Opting for higher coverage limits and reimbursement rates may raise your premium, while selecting higher deductibles can potentially lower your overall cost
Types of Pet Insurance Coverage in New Jersey
Pet insurance providers typically offer a variety of pet insurance plans, including:
Accident and Illness
Accident and illness coverage provides reimbursement for unexpected medical expenses resulting from accidents and illnesses. This type of plan typically covers a wide range of scenarios, including injuries, chronic illnesses, common and serious injuries, hereditary conditions, as well as diagnostic procedures such as bloodwork, X-rays, MRIs, surgeries, hospitalizations, and medications.
Accident-only
Accident-only plans focus specifically on covering the costs of veterinary treatment following accidents. For instance, if your pet injures their leg while slipping on ice or punctures their paw while playing at the dog park, this type of plan will cover the resulting expenses.
It also covers other accident-related situations like skin lacerations, bone fractures, and poison ingestion. However, it’s important to note that non-accident related expenses, such as treatment for an ear infection, are not covered under this plan, and you will be responsible for those costs.
Wellness Coverage
Routine veterinary care can become a significant expense, costing hundreds of dollars each year. To help ease this financial burden, many pet insurance providers offer wellness and routine care coverage as an add-on to their accident and illness plans. This additional coverage helps cover expenses like routine check-ups, vaccinations, and flea/tick prevention, ensuring that your pet receives necessary preventative care without straining your budget.
What to Look for in Pet Insurance
If you’re a pet owner in New Jersey, obtaining pet insurance can be a wise decision to safeguard the health of your furry friends. To help you begin your search for suitable pet insurance in New Jersey, follow these important steps.
Research Different Providers
Start by researching and comparing various pet insurance providers in New Jersey. Look for reputable companies with positive customer reviews and policies that meet your requirements. Popular providers include Nationwide, Petplan, ASPCA, and Embrace.
Consider Your Pet’s Needs
Evaluate your pet’s individual needs based on their breed, age, pre-existing conditions, and known health issues. Some pets like senior dogs may require more extensive coverage, while others may need coverage for routine care or vaccinations. Assessing your pet’s requirements will assist you in finding the right insurance plan.
Compare Coverage Plans
After you have narrowed the providers down, it is time to do more research. Look for policies that cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and emergency care. Additionally, check if there are optional add-ons such as wellness coverage, dental care, prescription medications, or rehabilitation services. It is essential to choose a policy with coverage limits and deductibles that fit your budget.
Check Waiting Periods and Exclusions
Pay close attention to any waiting periods associated with each policy. Most providers have waiting periods before certain conditions can be covered. Additionally, review any exclusions to understand what won’t be covered by the insurance plan.
Seek Guidance from Your Veterinarian
Consult your veterinarian for their recommendations. They can offer valuable insights based on their experience with various pet insurance providers and plans.
Request Quotes
Obtain quotes from multiple providers to compare prices. Ensure that you provide accurate information about your pet, including age, breed, and any pre-existing conditions, as these details can affect the cost of premiums.
Conclusion
Before finalizing your decision, carefully read the terms and conditions of the policy. Understand how claims are processed, reimbursement rates, and whether there are any restrictions on choosing your preferred veterinarian.
Read online reviews and seek recommendations from fellow pet owners in New Jersey. Their firsthand experiences can provide valuable insights into selecting the right pet insurance provider.
