10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Maryland – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks
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While Maryland is a fantastic place to live, it is on the list of the most expensive US states, so people want to save money whenever they can. Now, anyone who owns a pet knows they are not cheap additions to your life. But, hey, we love them!
Whether you have a new puppy or a senior cat, you might want to consider pet insurance. Why? Pet insurance can help cut costs for accident and illness treatment. This article covers the pet insurance providers for Maryland residents so you can make an informed choice!
A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024
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Best Overall
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Lemonade |
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Best Value
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Spot |
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Premium Choice
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Embrace |
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Click to Get Quote |
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ASPCA |
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Figo |
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The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in Maryland
1. Lemonade – Best Overall
Lemonade comes in as our top pick for pet insurance for a few solid reasons. First, this insurance provider has a very clean reputation, scoring high based on coverage and customer service. Next, Lemonade’s standard plan covers both accidents and illnesses, including emergencies. In addition, the standard plan covers outpatient care, hospitalization, and diagnostic tests. Lemonade also has a short waiting period for accident coverage—2 days, which is shorter than most competitors. Pet owners can also pay for add-ons for more specialized treatments.
One downside to Lemonade is that the standard plan does not cover pre-existing conditions or dental issues. Dental issues can be costly, so this might be a factor when choosing this insurance plan.
- Comprehensive standard plan
- Extra coverage includes physical therapy treatments
- Excellent choice for preventative care for puppies and kittens
- Offers discounts for multi-pet homes
- 24/7 customer service
- No dental coverage in standard plan
- Not as many annual deductible options to choose from
2. Spot – Best Value
For our best value pet insurance company, we gave the place to Spot. Spot has been recognized for having the most customizable plans available for its customers. Since people’s budgets vary greatly, Spot can help people from many socio-economic standings get coverage for their furry friends. People can get basic plans that cover several kinds of injuries, or people can get extensive plans that cover a broad range of accidents and illnesses. Spot also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you do not feel that Spot is right for your pet, you can get a full refund on the plan you selected within 30 days.
However, the waiting period for accident coverage is quite lengthy compared to its competitors at 14 days. In addition, there is no 24/7 customer service, so if you have an emergency on the weekend, it will not be easy to reach someone from Spot.
- Wide range of customizable plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 10% discount for multiple pet households
- 14-day wait for accident coverage
- No weekend customer service available
3. Embrace – Best Premium
Our premium pick for a pet insurance provider is Embrace. With five customizable deductible options, this offers people a choice to choose which option works for them and their budgets. What also sets Embrace apart from other providers is their “diminishing deductible”. If you do not have a claim paid, the deductible gets reduced by $50. As with many insurance companies, Embrace does not cover elective procedures, breeding-related issues, or pre-existing conditions.
A consideration with Embrace is that the maximum annual limit is $30,000. While this is not the lowest on this list, it is not one of the highest. Also, Embrace has higher-priced plans for cats when compared to dogs.
- Has a diminishing deductible
- Long-standing reputation
- Only a 2-day waiting period for accident coverage
- Good wellness plans available
- More expensive plans for cats
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
4. ASPCA
ASPCA is another great choice for a pet insurance plan. The ASPCA is already a well-known organization striving to prevent the mistreatment of animals, so people can be confident when having them as their insurance provider. This provider offers coverage plans for accidents and illnesses, microchipping, and optional wellness plans. This is a great plan for newer pet owners because they might be unaware of potential issues that come with pet ownership.
The downside to ASPCA is that the highest annual coverage is only $10,000, which is a bit lower than other competitors. The waiting period for accident coverage is 14 days, which is longer than other insurance companies.
- Offers comprehensive wellness plans
- Plan offers microchipping
- 24/7 telehealth line
- $10,000 is the highest deductible available
- Long waiting period for accident coverage
5. Figo
Figo is another great choice for a reliable pet insurance provider. Something that sets this provider apart is that in addition to the standard coverage, it offers third-party damage coverage that was caused by your pet and vacation cancellation fees in its Extra Care package. The Extra Care package also covers advertising and rewards for lost pets. Figo also offers a 100% reimbursement rate.
Unfortunately, Figo does not offer plans that cover behavioral nor dental issues. Also, pets who experience knee injury coverage will need to wait 6 months for coverage.
- Comprehensive Extra Care package
- Unlimited annual coverage plan
- Access to a pet-friendly app
- No dental or behavioral issues
- Deductibles vary based on pet’s age
6. Fetch
If you have ever watched animal videos by Dodo, you will be pleased to learn that they have established their own insurance company. Fetch is best known for their holistic treatment coverages, which is becoming a more popular treatment choice among pet owners. Fetch also has an unlimited cap annual coverage option. Do you own an adopted or rescued pet? Fetch will give you a 10% discount on their policies.
An issue that people want to be aware of before signing up for one of their plans is the price. People have found that Fetch’s prices overall are higher than several competitors. Also, prices get higher depending on your dog’s age and breed.
- Great holistic treatment plans
- 10% discount on policies for adopted or rescued pets
- Offers unlimited cap on annual coverage
- More expensive than the other competitors
- Price plans change depending on dog’s age and breed
7. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is another excellent choice for pet insurance providers because, unlike some other choices, they will not alter their plans based on your pet’s breed or age. Another bonus that Pumpkin offers is plans that cover dental and behavioral issues. Not all insurance providers offer this, making Pumpkin stand out a bit from the crowd.
A con with having Pumpkin as a provider is that there is a 14-day waiting period for accident coverage. Other providers offer coverage 2–3 days after purchase. There is also no accident-only plan available.
- Plans that cover dental and behavioral issues
- No price increases based on pet’s age or breed
- 14-day waiting period to be covered
- No accident-only plan
8. MetLife
If you want a reputable insurance provider that will start coverage right away, you want to consider MetLife. MetLife also offers unlimited coverage and a short wait time for claims, usually around two days. Another bonus for MetLife is they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you feel the coverage is not to your liking, you can get a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
However, you must pay a one-time $25 administration fee when signing up. Also, MetLife does not cover grooming costs, elective procedures, and vitamin supplements.
- Immediate coverage upon purchase
- Short wait times on claims
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- $25 admin fee
- No routine wellness options
9. PetsBest
PetsBest combines great deductible options for good prices, so it should be on your list to consider when looking for an insurance provider. With a short waiting period for accident coverage to a 5% discount per pet if you have a multi-pet household, Pets Best is a good choice. They also offer a 24/7 pet telehealth line because accidents and illnesses can happen at any time.
But if your pet has cruciate ligament issues, you will need to wait up to six months for coverage. Elective and holistic treatments are not covered through PetsBest.
- Plenty of deductible choices
- Accident coverage wait time is 3 days
- 5% discount for multiple pets
- Long wait period for ligament issue coverage
- Several treatments are not covered
10. Prudent Pet
Prudent Pet earns a spot on this list because of the extras they offer for their coverage. For example, they will cover boarding fees if you are in the hospital and reimbursement for rewards if your pet gets stolen. With optional wellness plans and a 24/7 telehealth line, Prudent Pet is a great choice as an insurance provider.
The wait time for accident coverage is five days, which falls in the middle of the aisle for wait times. But if you wait to wait as little as possible for accident coverage, there are other options that have shorter times.
- Great extras, like reimbursements for rewards for lost pets
- 24/7 telehealth line
- 5-day wait period for accident coverage
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider in Maryland
Buyer’s Guide:Policy Coverage
Policy coverage is one of the main things pet owners look for when selecting an insurance provider. Are you looking for accident-only coverage? Or would you prefer a plan that covers accidents and illnesses? See what kind of coverage each insurance policy offers. Some insurance providers, like Pumpkin, do not offer accident-only plans. However, most pet owners will opt for a plan that covers both accidents and illnesses.
Something else to consider is the available extras. For example, Lemonade does not offer dental coverage. Dental treatments can be quite costly, so you may want to look for a provider that offers this within a plan. Some providers, like Fetch, have quite comprehensive extras.
Customer Service & Reputation
As we know, pets do not plan on getting sick or injured during certain days of the week. With that said, having 24/7 customer service could be an important factor when choosing a provider. It can be quite stressful when having to wait until a weekday to speak to someone at the insurance company. But many providers offer 24/7 customer service and telehealth.
Reputation is another important factor. However, this should not be the final factor in whether you choose that provider. Why? No matter what, there will always be a disappointed customer or two that are not pleased with the coverage they got or how easily they could reach someone from the company. Of course, check the customer reviews but remember that no insurance provider will be flawless.
Claim Repayment
Claim repayments vary slightly across the board. On average, most accident claims are covered within 2–3 days. Some providers take longer, maybe up to 14 days. You also want to be aware of specific injuries, like ligament issues, that could take up to six months to get covered.
The insurance providers on this list are transparent about when the claims will be repaid because those costs can add up considerably.
Price of Policy
Price is always a factor in almost everything we purchase, and pet insurance is no exception. As with all insurance plans, the more comprehensive and specialized it is, the more expensive it will be. However, since there are options for plans, people can work with the provider to figure out what they can do based on their income.
Plan Customization
Being able to customize plans is an important factor for many pet owners. Some people want to choose a plan that fits their budget, whereas some people have some more flexibility. You know your budget better than anyone and
FAQs
Do pet insurance providers cover exotic pets?
Unfortunately, the majority of pet insurance providers do not cover exotic pets like rodents, birds, and reptiles. However, this does not mean there are no providers that cover those kinds of animals. When looking for a provider specifically for exotic pets, make sure they clearly state it on their website.
Can I use my pet insurance out-of-state?
It depends. Many pet insurance companies are nationwide, not just state-specific. So, if you are traveling with your pet within the United States, you should be able to get coverage—but always check before you hit the road!
International travel is a different matter. You would need to speak with the insurance provider to find out if there are additional costs for protecting your pet outside the United States.
Why do insurance providers have limits on what they cover?
No insurance provider will cover everything. But why do providers not cover certain things? For pre-existing conditions, people might sign up for insurance, wait until their pet gets well, and then cancel their policy. Also, if people were to take their pets to the vet for every small thing, this would drive up the costs of seeing a vet overall.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
If you live in Maryland, you have plenty of choices of reputable pet insurance providers. But to make the best decision, you want to look at the extras that the provider offers. Think about wait times, wellness options, dental coverages, and those extras that are usually not the standard for most basic plans. Consider other things like reimbursements for rewards for lost or stolen pets and money-back guarantees.
As you can see, there are several factors that each person needs to consider before selecting an insurance provider.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, Marylanders! This article provided some of the top pet provider choices available in the state. Each provider has something a bit different, so it is vital that you look at all the options before making a decision. Good luck!
Featured Image Credit: Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock
