10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Minnesota – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

According to the American Pet Products Association, about 70% of American households have at least one pet.¹ They spent an estimated $34.3 billion on veterinary care and products in 2021. Of course, dog and cat owners footed the bulk of that amount. Many have found pet insurance a godsend, with 4.41 million animals insured in the United States and Canada in 2021.² That doesn’t include food or treats.

The cost of owning a pet has led many to consider insurance. About 54% of Minnesota households have animal companions, with dog ownership slightly higher than cats.³ The pet insurance market has exploded, with many choices available. Our guide will review the best options for residents of the Land of 10,000 Lakes to help you choose the ideal one for you and your pet.

We did an in-depth breakdown of the insurance companies, looking at the factors that would matter most to pet owners. While cost is a valid consideration, it’s not the only thing tipping the scale one way or another. We hope our guide will provide a good starting point for you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners in 2024

The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Minnesota

1. Spot Pet Insurance – Best Overall

The Florida-based Spot Pet Insurance is the new kid on the block, having joined the ranks in 2019. However, it’s made a big impact in a short time. It has some prestigious backing from Crum & Forster. It’s a user-friendly site with options to fit any budget. We like that you can choose a deductible from $100–$500. The company will then cover a percentage of any additional expenses. You can also pick the amount of coverage you want.

We also appreciate being able to see any vet or specialist in the country and not just in Minnesota. Spot has a 24/7 pet telehealth line available to answer any questions you may have. The covered expenses are impressive, including poison control consultation fees. They will accept pets of any age. However, it’s a cat and dog operation only, which you probably surmised from its name.

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2. Figo Pet Insurance

Figo Pet Insurance is all about customization. You can build the plan you want with the coverage that fits your budget. You can set your annual limit and deductible to give you the necessary flexibility. Figo is unique in that you can also set your coverage level. Most insurers go up to 90%, but you can get up to 100% with this company.

Figo offers three add-ons, or powerups, as they call them. You can choose from a Wellness Pack, Accident-Wellness Veterinary Exam Fees, or Extra Care Pack, including end-of-life expenses and liability. The latter even covers losses if you have to cancel a vacation because of a pet emergency. While dog premiums jump dramatically in later years, the costs for cats stay more stable.

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3. Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin Pet Insurance is another new company that offers the standard plans you’d expect for accident and accident illness with a twist. You can also get routine care covered with its preventative care package for an additional charge. It includes a wellness exam, two vaccinations, and fecal and heartworm tests. The policy covers $10,000 to unlimited coverage with deductibles ranging from $100–$500.

Pumpkin also includes coverage for items you may not see with other insurers, such as behavioral therapy and dental illnesses. However, it’s another dog-and-cat-only company, although they do offer multiple-pet discounts, which we appreciate. Accident-only plans aren’t available, either. Nonetheless, it is affordable coverage.

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4. Embrace Pet Insurance

You have to love a pet insurance company with the name Embrace. Its focus is on supporting owners through accidents and illnesses instead of preventive medicine. However, you can get that coverage for an additional monthly fee. One of its standout features is a 2-day accident waiting period. It’s 14 days for illnesses and 6 months for orthopedic care.

You have several ways to customize your plan. One of the things we loved about it was its diminishing deductible. The amount you pay out of pocket drops by $50 for each year you don’t submit a claim. Inevitably, there is a period in early adulthood when you probably only have insurance just in case. It’s a welcome perk for having a healthy dog or cat. The company doesn’t cover exotic pets.

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5. USAA Pet Insurance

USAA Pet Insurance is a desirable addition to the company’s portfolio. Unfortunately, a third party administers it for your dog or cat. However, it is a solid offering for this market. We were impressed with its Wellness Rewards rider, which includes spaying or neutering. It also covers some breed-specific and congenital conditions, something virtually unheard of with these services.

USAA Pet Insurance offers flexible deductibles and annual limits. It also offers an attractive discount for members. While it includes prescription medications, it doesn’t extend to diets. The turnaround time on claims is a reasonable 10 business days. Its exclusions are par for the industry. It’s worth noting that most insurers won’t cover costs for pets injured in law enforcement. That limitation doesn’t exist with USAA.

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6. Hartville Pet Insurance

Hartville Pet Insurance has a long history in the industry, which says a lot about what it has to offer. One of its standout features is a flat rate for accident-only coverage. Interestingly, it also includes microchipping and end-of-life expenses. The company offers an optional preventive care package that has dental treatment and spaying or neutering.

Hartville also boasts complete coverage for illnesses and accidents, from diagnostics to medical boarding. Of course, you can choose your deductible amount. However, you can also pick your reimbursement percentage with 70%, 80%, and 90% being your options. The company has a robust app where you can manage almost everything you need to do.

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7. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance strives to be a user-friendly company with paperless billing that makes submitting claims a snap. The turnaround is excellent, which will certainly please cat and dog owners. You can choose reimbursement level, which is always a nice perk. There are also no limits on the payouts, which makes it an excellent investment.

Every company has exclusions. Healthy Paws has a bilateral exclusion pertaining to pre-existing cruciate ligament injury if the other one needs attention during the 15-day waiting period. The time is also lengthy for hip dysplasia. It’s worth mentioning that they don’t cover the exam fee for illnesses, treatments, or injuries. They don’t accept exotic pets or offer a multiple-pet discount.

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8. Pets Best Pet Insurance

Pets Best Pet Insurance is all about making it easy to customize a plan to fit your needs. It offers coverage from $2,500 to unlimited. You can choose both your reimbursement rate and deductible. That latter goes up to $1,000. They also provide optional preventive care packages, Essential Wellness or Best Wellness. Pets Best has multiple-pet discounts and an option to pay your premium quarterly or annually.

Pets Best covers some congenital issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. They won’t reduce your pet’s coverage as it ages. They also include behavioral issues and any prescribed medications to treat them. Your coverage is good if you travel to Puerto Rico or Canada. On the downside, the waiting period for cruciate ligament coverage is relatively long.

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9. Prudent Pet Insurance

Prudent Pet Insurance offers three tiers, including an accident-only option. None include the vet exam fee, which is available as an add-on. The waiting period for accidents is decent, but the one for knee issues, not so much. They offer a great set of perks, particularly at the highest tier. However, there are caps on the coverage. On the positive side, you can get a multiple-pet discount.

Prudent Pet Insurance has an optional wellness package. You can choose from low, medium, or high, with tiered coverage. While it includes services like microchipping and fecal tests, the cash amount seems like window dressing. For example, the reimbursement for a dental cleaning at the high level is only $60, which will barely make a dent. All the limits struck a sore note with us.

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10. Nationwide Pet Insurance

Nationwide has the benefit of experience in the insurance business. That explains its excellent customer service. The company also gets high marks for being the only one on our list to include exotic pets. You have three insurance options: wellness only, major medical, or whole pet. There is no accident-only offering. The website does a great job of listing specific conditions and coverage. It’s a nice comparison shopping tool.

Nationwide has a lengthy list of exclusions. Most are what we’d expect. However, the waiting period for cruciate ligament coverage is long. Also, they have a maximum age limit of 10 years for enrollment. According to data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, the premiums are also pricey and well exceed the average amount at the highest tier.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Provider in Minnesota

You have three options when selecting pet insurance, which can affect your cost and satisfaction with your policy.

Many things are similar to what you’d experience with your insurance, such as your choice of doctor or veterinarian, in this case. The other wrinkle is the varying costs and coverage by your pet’s breed. The fact remains that some have higher propensities for specific conditions. For example, brachycephalic dog breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs are more likely to have respiratory issues than other pups.

Other factors include your location, the pet’s age, and your deductible amount. That means you should shop around to get the best bang for your buck. It’s worth mentioning that the industry is considering the adoption of a model law that may affect how pet insurance works in the future.

What to Look for in Pet Insurance

Pet insurance doesn’t cost a lot. Nevertheless, it’s essential to do your homework to see what’s involved and whether it’s a decent value for the price. However, it also boils down to how well a particular company delivers what it promises. We used these criteria to determine which company offers the best coverage for pet owners in Minnesota.

Another thing to look for include clear language in your policy documents. Everything should be spelled out with no confusion about the coverage. It should also be easy to sign up without any hassles. You should also find out if an exam is required or if there is a waiting period from when you register to when the insurance starts. Many of these points might be deal-breakers or dealmakers for some pet owners.

Policy Coverage

We’ve discussed the types of insurance which will affect the coverage and costs. It’s worth noting that many companies will require you to have another plan if you opt for wellness coverage. Likewise, accident-only insurance may be the most affordable, but it also has the most limitations. It’s not unlike major medical or hospitalization for people.

Accident-illness plans are the most comprehensive. While they’re spendy, you also get the best coverage for your pet, with some insurers covering up to 90% of the cost. That can justify the higher monthly premium. We suggest checking on coverage for pre-existing conditions, which will also affect your price. Some companies classify illnesses as curable or incurable, thereby affecting the value of the insurance.

We also strongly urge you to check the exclusions. We mentioned breed because of a higher risk of some conditions. Unfortunately, that also applies unfairly to other dogs, such as Pit Bull Terriers and Doberman Pinschers. Luckily, organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association have been quite vocal about stereotyping certain breeds on other fronts. Nevertheless, it’s worth asking if it applies in your case.

Customer Service & Reputation

Customer service and reputation are the cornerstones of good business, no matter what the industry. According to a survey by Emplifi, 20% of customers will bolt after just one bad experience. If it happens more than twice, businesses will lose over 80%. Pet insurance companies are well-aware of the emotional nature of their industry. Just like you, we rank it high on our list of deciding factors for these products.

If someone isn’t happy with the service they get, social media will hear about it, too. And they’ll expect a response within an hour of posting. We also check Better Business Bureau ratings and reports. However, they almost seem dated when people can take their gripes online faster. Yelp.com is another place to check. We like that businesses can pay to remove reviews. Just be aware that there are fake posters everywhere online.

Claim Repayment

Claim repayment is one area where you should scrutinize the fine print. Some companies offer co-pays, just like your health insurance. With others, you may have to front the cash to your veterinarian and get reimbursed. However, it also goes back to knowing what is and isn’t covered to avoid nasty surprises like a check that isn’t as much as you expected to get. However, you’ll have the freedom to choose your vet if you’re getting paid.

Other companies will work directly with the veterinarian. They may also require you to select one in their network. It’s good if you don’t want to float the money but not at the price of having to switch animal clinics. We suggest keeping it on your radar if that isn’t an option for you.

Keep in mind your deductible when submitting claims. You have to meet it first before you get the percentage of coverage you’ve purchased. Pet insurance companies understand that repayment is often a source of customer complaints. You’ll likely see detailed information on a business’s website with step-by-step instructions to make it as easy as possible for both of you.

Price Of Policy

It’s essential to look at the price in terms of what you get for the money. Insurance is something of a wild card. You may not want to pay for it, but you’ll be glad you did if you have to use it. The cost varies based on several parameters. It may be higher in some parts of Minnesota than others simply because of the more expensive price for veterinary services in some parts of the state. That’s not unusual.

When you shop for pet insurance, you need to balance the monthly cost with the deductible. A lower deductible might be worth it in the long run if your pet has even one serious incident, especially if it involves surgery. Many companies offer unlimited annual coverage, making it beneficial to opt for the lower amount to save on your monthly costs.

Another factor to consider is add-ons. Wellness coverage is a popular choice. However, some may have a cap on their coverage. They may include various services, such as deworming, dental cleanings, liability insurance, and behavioral therapy. Most add only a nominal increase to your monthly cost.

Plan Customization

Add-ons and wellness coverage are excellent ways to get the most out of your pet insurance plan. You may also see levels within these options, going from basic to premium offerings. They are worth exploring if your pet has a chronic health condition requiring frequent care. However, you’re unlikely to find a company that will cover pre-existing illnesses even with an add-on purchase.

Other worthwhile options are prescription plans. We suggest you verify if they include medications and prescription diets if applicable. Like people insurance, you may find that you can only opt in for these extras when renewing your policy. Nevertheless, we also suggest checking the company’s cancellation policy in case you find an add-on unnecessary.

Another add-on we’ve seen covers your pet’s end of life. They will handle the cost of euthanasia and sometimes additional items like urns. Some may even include this procedure for pre-existing conditions if recommended by your vet. Of course, we all like to believe our animal companions will live forever. Nonetheless, it is something to consider to offer additional support during a difficult time.

FAQs

Can I Get Pet Insurance Outside the US?

You can purchase pet insurance in your country. Many national companies are also international. However, policies underwritten in the United States typically specify veterinary services here only. Another option is to look into pet travel insurance if you’re going overseas.

What if My Insurance Company Is Not Listed in Your Reviews?

There are currently 25 pet insurance companies in the United States and Canada. Many familiar brands, such as Allstate and Progressive, offer plans. Our research focused on the best ones for Minnesota. We suggest comparing your insurer to our list to make sure you’re getting optimal coverage.

Which Pet Insurance Provider Has the Best Consumer Reviews?

We found that every company on our list had overwhelmingly positive reviews with the occasional negative comments. Bear in mind that people are more likely to post about their experience if it is either overwhelmingly good or bad. Many insurers make a sample policy available for you to read. We suggest you start there to determine which one is best for you.

What Is the Best and Most Affordable Pet Insurance?

That’s a tough question because of all the variables, particularly your pet’s breed and your location. Our experience was that insurers made it incredibly easy to get a quote. You’ll also find sites that will pull information from many companies to make your comparison shopping easier.

What the Users Say

Many insurers have addressed many of the common complaints people have about pet insurance. Usually, they involve issues with pre-existing conditions or uncovered services. The reviews we read were mostly positive. We suggest checking reviews on several sites to help you get a full understanding of a company’s reputation. Of course, there’s always the Better Business Bureau.

Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?

The best pet insurance provider is the one who offers the coverage you need at an affordable price. If money is an issue, many have flexible plans that can help you choose one to fit your budget. Think about the things that can make a difference for you. For example, if you have a puppy or a kitten, you’ll find wellness add-ons that include spaying or neutering invaluable.

We also suggest reviewing how premiums change as your pet ages. While we understand the higher frequency of health issues, we’ve also seen dramatic spikes in monthly costs. You may find it helpful to discuss pet insurance with your veterinarian. Undoubtedly, they will have experience dealing with several companies. They can give you the scoop on which ones are more customer-friendly.

Conclusion

It’s the little things that matter when choosing a pet insurance provider, whether it’s diminishing deductibles or multiple-pet discounts. Perhaps, that’s the best starting point. Check out what perks the different companies offer and the exclusions. Decide which are most important for you to get to your shortlist. The good news is that you have plenty of choices to find the right one for you.

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Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock