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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:

Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Minnesota

Best For Star Rating Monthly Cost Link
Spot Spot Most Inclusive
$22-$80 Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance ASPCA Pet Insurance Most Experienced
$18–$44 Compare Quotes
Embrace Embrace Best for Discounts Offered
$23-$85 Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws Healthy Paws Best for Chronic Conditions
$24–$54 Compare Quotes
Spot
Logo Spot
Best For Most Inclusive
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $22-$80
Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Logo ASPCA Pet Insurance
Best For Most Experienced
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $18–$44
Compare Quotes
Embrace
Logo Embrace
Best For Best for Discounts Offered
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $23-$85
Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws
Logo Healthy Paws
Best For Best for Chronic Conditions
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $24–$54
Compare Quotes
Company
Waiting Period
Money-back Guarantee
Maximum Enroll Age
Monthly Cost
14 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$80
15 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$46
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$23-$85
15 days
Yes
14 years old
$14-$45

*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.

Why Trust Quartz Advisor

Our editorial team follows a strict and comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing pet insurance providers. Our scores are not impacted by advertisers.

27

Companies rated

105

Hours researching

2,700

Quotes collected

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. 

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Why We Picked It

Spot pet insurance is underwritten by Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group and was founded in 2019. Its partner, Cesar Millan, the famous dog trainer, has dramatically impacted Spot’s coverage, resulting in great behavioral health coverage options. In addition, it also offers an accident-only plan that starts at an affordable $10 per month. 

Spot’s accident and illness plans can be heavily customized and personalized. You can expect them to cost between $30 and $50 for dogs and $18 to $25 for cats. Its wellness plans are offered in two tiers: a basic plan at $9.95 and a platinum plan at $24.95. Your pet will be covered for preventative care costs such as fecal tests, wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccines, and much more with its wellness plans. Its accident and illness plans provide extensive coverage for pet parents looking for the most thorough option. Your pet will be covered for things like exam fees, behavioral issues, dental diseases, congenital and hereditary conditions, diabetes, and much more. 

In terms of what it won’t cover, Spot doesn’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, breeding, cosmetic procedures, or exotic animals. These are all standard exclusions in the pet insurance industry. However, it also doesn’t cover prescription pet food for general health, which is worth noting. As a whole, we love Spot’s thorough coverage, especially for behavioral conditions and dental diseases, along with its many plan options and multiple wellness add-ons. We also love that it has a user-friendly mobile app where you can submit and track claims, view your policy, and update your contact information. 

To learn more, read our Spot Pet Insurance review.

Pros & Cons

Pros Several comprehensive wellness plan options No upper age limits Behavioral issues coverage 30-day money-back guarantee Cons Doesn’t cover exotic animals No prescription pet food coverage

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Most Experienced
5

Why We Picked It

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is one of the best pet insurance providers on the market for customization because it offers many annual limits, annual deductibles, and reimbursement percentage choices. It also has accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plan options. We love these customization options because it gives pet parents more control over the type of coverage and their monthly premium cost. 

On average, you can expect to pay $48.78 per month for dogs and $29.16 per month for cats. Its accident-only coverage will likely be even more affordable and give you coverage for accidents, such as broken bones, lodged foreign objects, toxic ingestions, and abscesses. ASPCA’s accident and illness plan gives you coverage for dental diseases, hypothyroidism, accidents, congenital conditions, and behavioral issues. Neither of these plans will cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, breeding costs, and preventative care. 

If you’re interested in preventative care, ASPCA offers two wellness plans. Its basic plan is $9.95 per month, and its prime plan is $24.95 per month. With a wellness plan, your pet will have coverage for wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, deworming, routine blood work, and much more. Overall, we love that ASPCA has so many pet insurance policies and two comprehensive wellness plans. We don’t like that it has a maximum annual limit of $10,000 and poor customer reviews online. However, ASPCA has lower deductibles than most and offers coverage for congenital conditions like kidney disease, eye disorders, hip dysplasia, and heart disease.

To learn more, read our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review 

Pros & Cons

Pros Microchipping coverage Offers multi-pet discount Lower deductibles than most Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Cons Poor customer reviews Annual coverage limits of $10,000

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Why We Picked It

For the pet parent who wants the ultimate accident and illness coverage, Embrace is a great pet insurance agency to consider. Embrace offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage that will cover anything from cancer to hospitalizations, diabetes, chronic conditions, hip dysplasia, congenital conditions, and much more. It also offers unique coverage for grooming, prescription medications, prosthetic limbs, mobility aids, dental illnesses, and prescription pet food.

Many pet insurance companies don’t cover these, so this is a significant benefit to choosing Embrace. Typically, you can expect to pay $35 on average for dogs and $18 on average for cats each month. However, Embrace premiums can range dramatically based on the coverage you choose, so prices have been reported to be anywhere between $20 and $100, which can be more expensive than most providers. 

We love that Embrace offers a unique Healthy Pet Deductible, which lowers your deductible by $50 for each year you don’t submit a claim. It also has a special pre-existing policy. While it won’t cover pre-existing conditions, it will cover curable pre-existing conditions that are curable and symptom-free for 12 months. This factor is rare among providers and a significant benefit. 

Embrace won’t cover exotic animals, cosmetic procedures, or cloning costs. It also tends to be more expensive than other providers, but it does offer more thorough coverage than most. We like that it provides three types of wellness plans, which range from $18.75 to $35.42 to $52.09, and provide you with a yearly allowance of $250 to $450 to $650, respectively. These plans are comprehensive for routine care costs, including but not limited to wellness exam fees, microchipping, spay/neuter surgery, preventatives, vaccinations, and more.  

To learn more, read our Embrace Pet Insurance review

Pros & Cons

Pros For every policy sold, Embrace donates $2 to charity 30-day money-back guarantee Has a user-friendly mobile app Offers unique Healthy Pet Deductible Cons Strict pre-existing conditions policy Annual maximums

Healthy Paws

Best for Chronic Conditions
4.3

Why We Picked It

Healthy Paws offers one straightforward accident and illness pet insurance plan covering cancer, hospitalizations, surgeries, alternative treatments, and much more. We really like that this plan provides prescription medication and alternative treatment coverage because many providers don’t have coverage for these things. Its dog plan starts at $25 per month but averages $40 per month. For cats, its plans start at $12 per month and average $20 per month. Overall, these are competitive rates, especially for comprehensive accident and illness coverage with unlimited maximum limits. However, Healthy Paws lacks any type of wellness plan, so if you’re looking for routine veterinary care coverage, you’ll need to look elsewhere. 

Healthy Paws won’t cover pre-existing conditions, any type of routine veterinary care, exotic animals, and exam fees. Unfortunately, Healthy Paws doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount and has an upper age limit of 14, so you can’t sign your pet up if it’s 14 years old or older. Another con is that Healthy Paws has a decreasing reimbursement rate and increasing deductible as your pet ages, which means that you’ll have to pay more for claims as your pet gets older.

However, we like that Healthy Paws is a charitable organization that donates to over 300 nonprofit pet charities. It offers a mobile app that allows you to submit and track your claims, saving you time and effort. Healthy Paws is also a more affordable provider and is underwritten by The Chubb Group, an A+ rated insurer. Overall, it has many incredible benefits, but we urge you to consider how important routine care coverage is for you since Healthy Paws doesn’t offer it.

To learn more, read our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review.

Pros & Cons

Pros Donates to over 300 nonprofit pet charities Unlimited lifetime benefits Has a mobile app for easy claim submission and processing More affordable than other providers Cons No wellness plan offered One time enrollment fee of $25

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. 

ProviderSample Monthly Cost For DogsSample Monthly Cost For CatsSample Monthly Wellness Cost
Spot$40$22$9.95 (gold), $24.95 (platinum)
Embrace$35$18$35
Healthy Paws$39$12Not 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.

CityMonthly 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.

Our Methodology

​​Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:
  • Coverage
  • Plan options
  • Cost 
  • Reputation
  • Customer service 
  • Species available
  • Wellness benefits 
We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursements, deductibles, and limitations.  Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:
  • Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
  • Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points.  Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
  • Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
  • Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
  • Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
  • Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
  • Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.