How Much Does USAA Pet Insurance Cost? 2024 Update
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If you’re worried about your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to get pet insurance from a company you can trust, like the United Services Automobile Association (USAA). With it, you can receive financial support for hefty vet bills and other unexpected medical expenses.
Like most pet insurance policies, USAA’s is based on a monthly premium. The cost of the premium depends on the type of coverage that you choose, your pet’s age, their breed, health, and more.
So, if you’re looking for good pet insurance and want an estimate of what you’ll be paying monthly, read on to find out how much USAA pet insurance will cost you.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is an essential tool for ensuring the safety and health of your furry family member. It protects your pet from unforeseen medical expenses, such as emergency treatment for a serious injury or chronic condition. Pet insurance can also help defray the cost of routine care, like vaccinations, check-ups, and dental cleanings.
Another big benefit of pet insurance is peace of mind. Many pet owners worry about unexpected veterinary bills. With a pet healthcare policy, you’re covered if one of your animals gets sick or injured and needs expensive care. However, there are different types of pet insurance, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that fits your needs best.
USAA insurance plans can be a great option for you and your pet, so keep reading to see the average monthly costs and add-ons for a dog or cat.
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How Much Does USAA Pet Insurance Cost?
First, be aware that USAA does not offer pet insurance directly. The company works with its partner, Embrace, for the management of pet insurance policies. One of the main advantages of this alliance is that you can get up to 25% off the insurance plans offered, but only if you are a USAA member.
With that in mind, here are the coverage details.
The average monthly cost of pet insurance with USAA is about $50 per month for dogs and $20 per month for cats. There’s an additional monthly cost if you decide to add the Wellness Rewards plan for routine and preventative care. Prices vary greatly depending on your geographic location, as well as the age, race, sex, and health of your pet.
These two tables show the average monthly prices for two dogs and two cats of different ages and breeds. Moreover, you can see that the prices given for New York are significantly higher than the ones for Ohio.
| Samples of Prices for Breed 1 | ||
| Accident & Illness Plan | ||
| Mixed Breed Dog | Mixed Breed Cat | |
| Male or Female | Male | Male |
| Age | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Location | New York (10005) | New York (10005) |
| Reimbursement Level | 80% | 80% |
| Annual Deductible | $500 | $500 |
| Annual Maximum | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Price Per Month | $63.92 | $41.47 |
| Wellness Rewards | ||
| Annual Maximum | $250 | $250 |
| Price Per Month | $18.75 | $18.75 |
| Total Monthly Rate | ||
| (Accident & Illness + Wellness) | $82.67 | $60.22 |
| Samples of Prices for Breed 2: | ||
| Accident & Illness Plan | ||
| German Shepherd | Persian | |
| Male or Female | Female | Female |
| Age | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Location | Ohio (44108) | Ohio (44108) |
| Reimbursement Level | 80% | 80% |
| Annual Deductible | $500 | $500 |
| Annual Maximum | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Price Per Month | $54.27 | $24.09 |
| Wellness Rewards | ||
| Annual Maximum | $450 | $450 |
| Price Per Month | $35.42 | $35.42 |
| Total Monthly Rate | ||
| (Accident & Illness + Wellness) | $89.69 | $59.51 |
What Does USAA Pet Insurance Cover?
Accident-and-Illness Plan
USAA’s accident-and-illness plan for dogs and cats covers unexpected health issues.
- Breed-specific conditions
- Emergency room and specialist care
- Cancer treatment
- Surgery, hospitalization, and nursing care
- Chronic conditions
- Complementary therapies and rehabilitation
- Congenital conditions
- Prescription drugs
- Diagnostic testing and imaging
- Behavioral therapy
Accident-Only Plan
The accident-only plan will cover the costs of medical care associated with accidents and related injuries. These can include broken bones, bloat, cuts, torn ligaments, or lacerations. It doesn’t cover chronic illnesses, cancer, dental disease, or congenital conditions.
If your pet is 14 or older, they can only get coverage through an accident-only insurance plan.
The accident-only plan offers the following:
| Annual reimbursement limit: | $5,000 |
| Annual deductible: | $100 |
| Reimbursement percentage: | 90% |
Wellness Coverage (Add-On)
USAA offers wellness coverage through Embrace’s Wellness Rewards. It provides a flexible preventative care plan that helps cover your pet’s routine care costs. Funds are available on the day of enrollment, and you will be reimbursed 100% up to the annual limit that you select, which ranges from $250 to $650.
- Vaccinations and titers
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Flea, tick, and heartworm treatment
- Microchipping
- Routine blood work
- Grooming and training
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Deductible Costs
An annual deductible is the fixed amount that you must pay before your insurer reimburses any costs. USAA pet insurance deductibles range from $200 to $1,000. The higher the deductible chosen when selecting coverage, the lower the monthly cost and vice versa.
USAA does offer a favorable deductible for healthy pets. If you stay claim free, your annual deductible will decrease by $50 each year.
Annual Limit
USAA pet insurance has an annual limit of $30,000, which is quite high for the industry.
Discounts
- Multiple pets: If you insure two or more pets, you get a 10% discount on your monthly fee.
- Military: Current or former active-duty military members are eligible for a 25% discount.
- USAA Members: USAA Members receive a 15% discount.
Reimbursement
You can choose a reimbursement percentage of 70%, 80%, or 90%. This means you will first pay the bills associated with your pet’s care, then submit a claim online or via a form that you fax or mail to USAA. You will be reimbursed for the costs that fall under your plan’s coverage.
What Does USAA Pet Insurance Not Cover?
Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, including USAA. Here is a list of other expenses that fall outside of USAA’s coverage:
- Breeding, whelping, and pregnancy
- Injury caused deliberately by you or any other person or pet residing in your home
- Injury or illness resulting from fighting, racing, cruelty, or neglect
- Cosmetic procedures, such as tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal, unless medically necessary
- DNA testing or cloning
- Stem cell therapy not deemed medically necessary
There’s also a waiting period after you get a new insurance policy, which means the policy won’t cover accidents and illnesses that either occur or are diagnosed during the following waiting periods:
| Illnesses: | 14 days |
| Accidents: | 48 hours |
| Orthopedic conditions: | 6 months (applies only to dogs, and an orthopedic exam and waiver process can shorten it to 14 days) |
Pros and Cons of USAA Pet Insurance
- Broad range of discounts available
- No age limit to insure your pet
- Offers a yearly diminishing deductible if you stay claims-free
- Easy process to submit a claim online
- Generous annual reimbursement limit
- Covers curable pre-existing conditions
- You can consult any vet
- Great option for pet owners who want in-depth coverage
- Available to active-duty military stationed overseas
- Doesn’t cover exotic species
- Doesn’t offer unlimited coverage
- Policies not administered by USAA
- Can be quite expensive depending on your location
- Must be a USAA member to be eligible for discounts
How to Get USAA Pet Insurance?
The first step in getting USAA pet insurance is visiting the company’s website. There, you can find out more about the company and plan specifics, including premiums, coverage details, and how to get started. If you want to purchase a pet insurance policy from USAA, you can start the application process by clicking, “Get a quote,” on the website. Fill out the form, and submit it to get a quote and determine which coverage options will be best for your dog or cat. If approved, you can then sign and submit the application form to purchase a policy.
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Conclusion
Overall, USAA pet insurance offers dog and cat coverage at reasonable prices, but it mostly depends on your location and your pet’s breed, age, and overall health. The average monthly cost becomes more advantageous if you become a USAA member and qualify for the discounts.
That said, as with any other insurance policy, the best way to get the most out of your pet insurance plan is to make sure your pet stays healthy. By visiting the vet on a regular basis, getting preventative care, and staying away from risky behaviors, you can ensure that your pet is always in tip-top condition. The best way to maximize your policy is to be honest about your pet’s risk factors, keep track of the bill, and get treatment as soon as possible when something does go wrong. With these tips in mind, you can make sure your pet stays healthy and happy while keeping within your budget.
Featured Photo Credit: v-svirido, Shutterstock
