How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Washington? 2024 Update
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When it comes to keeping your pet healthy, pet insurance plans are steadily becoming more popular for both cat and dog owners. The policies are tailored to you and your pet and can vary in price based on the city you live in, the age of your pet, and the average cost of veterinary visits in your area.
In Washington, the cost of pet insurance averages between $15 and $130 per month, depending on your pet and the provider that you choose. This can be higher if you have additional packages added to your policy or more than one pet.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Vet bills, even for routine checkups, can be a hard blow to your wallet, and unexpected surgeries can cost a small fortune. When you consider utility bills, fuel costs, rent payments, and grocery shopping, not to mention essential pet supplies, many pet owners struggle to find the funds for emergency veterinary visits.
This is where pet insurance comes in. Like health insurance for humans, it’s a subscription-based policy that helps pet owners afford the cost of unexpected treatments that their pets need. Pet insurance covers accidents and illnesses, with some providers also offering preventive care packages for an extra cost.
You’ll still have to pay a few of the vet bills out of pocket, depending on the deductible that your policy offers. However, instead of paying several thousand dollars, you’ll likely only have to pay half or even less, while your policy covers the rest. The exact amount that you have to pay changes depending on the policy that you take out.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance in Washington Cost?
Pet insurance policies differ from person to person because your needs, pets, and preferences for coverage all play a part in the plan that you take out. In general, a policy will cost less for small pets than it will for a large or giant dog breed. An older pet — and if your policy provider doesn’t have an upper age limit — will also make the premium that you pay higher than it would be for a pet that’s only 8 weeks old.
You need to consider the annual coverage, reimbursement rate, and deductible for your plan. Unlimited coverage, a high reimbursement, and a low deductible will increase the cost of your plan too. Some plans can cost as low as $10 a month, depending on your pet and their age.
Here’s an estimate of the average monthly cost for a basic pet insurance plan in Washington. This is based on a policy with unlimited coverage, a reimbursement rate of 80%, and a deductible of $500. It doesn’t include additional wellness packages or discounts for multi-pet households.
| Seattle | Spokane | Olympia | |
| Dog (Small Breed) | $19 – $56 | $18 – $48 | $17 – $36 |
| Dog (Large Breed) | $35 – $126 | $33 – $107 | $30 – $92 |
| Cat | $19 – $43 | $17 – $37 | $16 – $34 |
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Now that we’ve given you an estimate on basic pet insurance plans in Washington, here are a few things that can change how much you’ll ultimately need to pay for your plan.
Deductible
Not all pet insurance providers will cover the entire cost of your pet’s treatment. A deductible is the amount of the vet bill that you will need to pay before your insurance policy kicks in.
While some providers do offer a $0 deductible, you’re more likely to have to pay at least $100, if not higher, before your policy will cover the rest.
Multiple Pets
Many pet insurance policies offer discounts for plans taken out for several pets. However, in general, a plan that covers several pets will be more expensive than a policy that covers only one, especially if you have older pets when you first sign up.
Preventive Care Packages
One of the most common add-on packages for pet insurance plans is preventive care or wellness packages. These cover routine veterinary visits that aren’t always covered in the basic accident-and-illness plan. Adding extra packages to your plan typically requires an extra cost to your premium.
Do I Need Pet Insurance?
There are many pros and cons when it comes to pet insurance. The idea of pet insurance is to help offset the cost of emergency medical treatments — and sometimes preventive care, if your policy covers it — to ensure that you can afford to keep your pet safe even when things go wrong.
The question of whether you need pet insurance comes down to personal preference. It depends on you, your finances, and whether the assistance that a policy will provide is useful for you and your pet.
While pet insurance can be cheaper than emergency visits to the veterinarian, if you never have to go to an emergency clinic, the premium for a plan can feel like an unnecessary extra expense. Also, if you can’t afford an additional wellness plan on top of the basic coverage, you’ll still have to pay for routine checkups.
However, if you don’t want to face the possibility of losing a pet because of how much emergency treatment costs, the backup of an insurance policy can be reassuring.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
While you might be able to find a pet insurance provider that offers add-on packages for preventive care, pre-existing conditions are one thing that you won’t find coverage for. Coverage often changes depending on the provider — some will cover hip dysplasia, for example, while others won’t — but pre-existing conditions are a no-go across the board.
- Conditions that are diagnosed before you take out a pet insurance policy
- Illnesses or injuries that are diagnosed during the waiting period before your plan comes into effect
This is why you should apply for coverage while your cat or dog is young.
When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
Provided that the pet insurance plan that you choose doesn’t have an upper age limit, you can get pet insurance anytime during your pet’s lifetime as long as they’re at least 8 weeks old. Generally, it’s recommended that you take out a pet insurance plan as early as possible, so you’re prepared for any eventuality.
If you have an older pet, make sure the provider covers your pet’s age, and be prepared to spend more on the policy when you get it. Older pets are also more likely to be exempt from some of the coverage, especially if they’ve already been diagnosed with existing conditions.
The younger your pet is, the less likely they are to have developed a condition that will be exempt from coverage. This way, you can get them treated without worrying too much about the state of your wallet afterward. It also ensures that if your pet ever does have a serious accident, you’ll be covered by your pet insurance policy.
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Conclusion
Many things can change how much you pay for a pet insurance policy. Where you live and the cost of veterinary care in your area are the biggest factors that affect the cost of coverage. Your pet’s age, breed, and species can make a difference too.
To ensure that your price estimate is as accurate as possible, get quotes from several pet insurance providers that offer coverage in Washington. This will give you the best idea of what coverage is available for your pet and the best provider for your budget.
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