The Best Pet Insurance In Minnesota (2024)
Minnesota, also known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, has many households that own pets because about 53% of Minnesota households have them. This number falls below the national average, but these pets are deeply loved nonetheless. Additionally, Minnesota is a beautiful haven for pet parents and their pets, especially pet owners who enjoy taking their pets on outdoor adventures.
Pet parents should remember that pets can have accidents or develop illnesses, even young and healthy pets. Pet insurance can be worth it due to the help with covering the unexpected costs of vet bills your pet may incur throughout its lifetime. However, choosing a plan among the many options can be frustrating and confusing.
The 4 Best Minnesota Pet Insurance Companies
In this piece on pet insurance in Minnesota, we’ll cover the following Minnesota pet insurance providers:
- Spot: Best overall
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Minnesota
*Certain conditions, such as cruciate ligaments or orthopedic conditions, may have longer waiting times, usually six months to a year. This is common among pet insurance providers, but many will cover most illnesses after the waiting period listed above.
Pet Insurance Companies in Minnesota Reviews
Choosing a pet insurance provider can feel overwhelming and confusing. Between deciding what kind of pet insurance coverage you want, how much you want to spend on pet insurance, and more, it can be hard to choose a plan for your pet. Keep reading to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the following pet insurance companies that offer coverage in Minnesota. We’ve compiled everything you need to know, including information on a company’s rates, coverage, discounts, charitable giving, claims submission process, and more.
How Does Pet Insurance Work in Minnesota?
Pet insurance is a pet health insurance plan that works by reimbursing you for out-of-pocket veterinary expenses through payouts. It’s a financial healthcare safety net that typically protects you from sudden, expensive veterinary bills from accidents, like broken bones or toxin ingestion, and illnesses, like infections, diabetes, and cancer. Vet bills can quickly become costly, and a pet insurance plan ensures that you can provide your pet with needed veterinary care.
When you have an active pet insurance plan, you’ll submit claims directly to your pet insurance provider, which allows you to go to any licensed vet of your choice. Once your claim is approved, your pet insurance provider will reimburse you based on the percentage in your plan, which is usually 50 to 90%. Overall, we recommend treating pet insurance as a financial safety net for sudden accidents or illnesses that can give you peace of mind.
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Minnesota for You
Pet insurance shopping can be a time-consuming and even confusing process due to the many choices on the market. However, it doesn’t have to be. Start by considering what kind of pet insurance plan you want for your pet. The main types of pet insurance plans include:
- Accident-only plans: Accident-only plans are usually more affordable, but these plans are limited. Accident-only plans typically cover incidents like broken bones, lacerations, foreign object ingestion, or animal bites. It won’t cover illnesses or routine veterinary care.
- Accident and illness plans: An accident and illness plan is typically the most comprehensive type of pet insurance plan available. It’ll usually cover everything an accident-only plan covers, along with illnesses such as diabetes, infections, cancer, hypothyroidism, and arthritis. It will not cover routine veterinary care costs.
- Wellness or preventative care plans: Wellness or preventive care plans are usually bundled with one of the plans above as an optional add-on. They’re designed to give you financial support for regular veterinary care, such as checkups, routine blood work, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and deworming.
Next, we recommend considering what other factors are not negotiable for you when it comes to a pet insurance plan. Think about the following before choosing a provider:
- Does this provider offer coverage for alternative therapies or behavioral issues?
- What kind of reviews does this pet insurance company have?
- Does this plan cover prescription diets and medications?
- Are dental illnesses covered with the plan you’re considering?
- Does the plan have an annual or lifetime benefit cap?
- Can you talk to your pet insurance provider through your preferred communication method? (email, phone, live chat with an insurance agent, etc.?)
- Does the provider offer wellness care or preventative care options?
- How are its rates compared to other pet insurance companies?
- Are there customization options available to let you personalize your pet insurance plan?
- Does it offer a user-friendly mobile app to submit and track claims?
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Minnesota?
Pet insurance can be expensive, and depending on where you live in Minnesota, and your pet’s age, health, and breed, it can vary dramatically. You’ll also want to consider if there are discounts available that you qualify for, such as multi-pet or military discounts. In addition, choose your pet insurance plan carefully because the type of plan will greatly affect the overall cost.
Generally, you can expect to pay around $45 each month for dog insurance and $25 per month for cat insurance. However, this may be significantly less if you choose accident-only coverage or bundle with a discount. A wellness plan will also increase your monthly premium costs, usually between $10 and $25 per month.
Provider | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Sample Monthly Wellness Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Spot | $40 | $22 | $9.95 (gold), $24.95 (platinum) |
Embrace | $35 | $18 | $35 |
Healthy Paws | $39 | $12 | Not offered |
ASPCA | $49 | $29 | $9.95 (basic), $24.95 (prime) |
Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance by City in Minnesota
To give you an idea of the cost of pet insurance by city in Minnesota, we have included monthly premiums for a policy on a mixed breed, medium-sized dog that is 6 years old. The premiums listed are for five different cities in Minnesota. These rates are for a policy that pays 70% of the cost of covered expenses with a $500 deductible and unlimited maximum payouts. This policy is the one chosen most often by customers in this state.
City | Monthly Cost |
---|---|
Minneapolis | $44.03 |
Duluth | $58.39 |
Winona | $44.03 |
Shakopee | $53.82 |
Anoka | $48.92 |
Final Thoughts
Pet insurance gives a pet owner a financial safety net if their pet gets sick, develops a chronic condition, or has an accident. With pet insurance, you can rest easy knowing that you have a financial backup plan for your pet’s medical bills, allowing you to choose treatments based on how much you think they’ll benefit your pet’s needs, rather than costs alone. Wellness plans can also help with routine veterinary care costs, such as checkups, vaccinations, and dental cleanings, which can add up each year.
Regardless of which company and plan you choose, we hope you’ll take advantage of the pet insurance quotes they offer and gather multiple free quotes before deciding. This process will give you more perspective about what is out there at different prices and allow you to choose the best plan for your pet.
Information for Pet Owners in Minnesota
Minnesota is filled with breathtaking, pet-friendly outdoor spaces. It’s not called the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing, after all!
We recommend taking advantage of Minnesota’s natural beauty and pet-friendly community. Whether you’re visiting or live in Minnesota, there are plenty of places to visit, and your pet is sure to enjoy the adventure you take them on. There are even a huge number of pet-friendly employers if you’re looking for a place where you can take your pet to work with you.
Minnesota Pet Laws
Here are a few key Minnesota pet laws you should know about:
- Dogs and cats must have their rabies shots. They must also wear a tag showing proof of this vaccination at all times. Dogs without licenses on their collars may be seized.
- Wildlife may not be used for public exhibition purposes or as a pet without a permit.
- There isn’t a statewide leash law. However, dogs can be impounded if they’re found running around alone.
- Minnesota households may have up to three dogs or three dogs and a cat.
- The state doesn’t require pet licenses. However, more and more cities require it, so we
- recommend checking if your city requires pets to be licensed.
Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in MN
Minnesota has many pet-friendly establishments, especially when it comes to outdoor activities and restaurants. Here are some notable pet-friendly locations:
- Lodge of Whispering Pines: A beautiful lodge located in Ely. This place is a lovely place to vacation with up to two pets.
- Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge: A delicious Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant featuring a riverfront patio that your pup is sure to love.
- Elm Creek Reserve Dog Park: This huge 29-acre fenced-in dog park is the perfect place to spend a fun day with your dog.
- Urban Eatery Minneapolis: A contemporary restaurant featuring many types of cuisine. It features accommodations for you and your pet.
- Birchbark Books: This incredible library features a dog-friendly area where you can sit and read with your dog.
Minnesota Pet Resources
If you or someone you know requires help providing for a pet, check out the following Minnesota pet resources:
- People and Pets Together: This pet food pantry provides pet food to families facing economic hardship. It also partners with a veterinary assistance program that can help you keep your pet healthy.
- PetCare of Duluth: This clinic offers low-cost veterinary services, such as spaying and neutering. It no longer provides walk-in services and requires appointments.
- Tri-County Humane Society: Located in St. Cloud, this humane society has many pet resources, including a pet food shelf, sponsored pet surgeries, and much more.
- Northeast Community Lutheran Church: Located in Minneapolis, this church gives pet food to people needing assistance taking care of their pets.
Frequently Asked About Pet Insurance in Maine
Do all vets in Maine take pet insurance?
In short, yes. Your pet insurance provider doesn’t work with your vet, so you don’t have to worry about your vet being in-network like a human health insurance plan. Instead, you submit your claim directly to your pet insurance provider, which will reimburse you based on your coverage. This allows you to go to any licensed veterinarian, whether they are at a clinic or animal hospital, to get your pet the care they need. As long as the treatment is covered under your plan, you’ll be covered.
How do I get reimbursed for a vet bill in Minnesota?
Simply take your cat to any licensed veterinarian and submit your claim. Depending on your provider, you can submit your claim through its mobile app, online member center, or through the mail. Then, you’ll wait for your provider to approve the claim. Once approved, it will reimburse you for the allocated amount in your pet insurance policy through direct deposit or check.
What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is health insurance for your pet that reimburses you for part of your pet’s vet bills based on your specific plan’s coverage. Unlike human insurance, pet insurance providers do not pay for your pet’s medical bill at the vet clinic or animal hospital. Instead, your pet insurance provider will reimburse you directly after you’ve submitted your claim.
Most pet insurance plans will reimburse you for between 50 to 90% of the total vet bill. This means that you’ll pay out of pocket for your dog or cat’s medical bill at the time of the visit, then submit your claim to your pet insurance provider, which will then reimburse you for the cost up to your plan’s reimbursement rate.