What Does Massachusetts Pet Insurance Cost?

Being a pet owner can be expensive … especially when the vet is involved.

Trust me, I get it. I had to deal with one of those shocking vet bills myself last week for my dog, Willow. But that’s why I have pet insurance!

Pet insurance can cover the cost of vet visits, accidents, emergency visits, and illnesses. It’s a good way to keep your furry or scaly friends happy and healthy.

And we know keeping your pet healthy and happy is priceless, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come at a cost.

Like any type of insurance, pet insurance will have a monthly or annual premium. And we have helped many of our clients get a pet insurance policy for their furry family members, so we have a pretty good idea of what those premiums can be.

In this article, we’ll go over what you can expect pet insurance to cost, explain some of the factors that influence cost, and give some specific examples of pet insurance premiums.

How much can I expect a pet insurance policy to cost?

The cost of pet insurance can vary widely based on several factors (which we will get into more below).

But on average, you can expect pet insurance to cost between $200 - $1200 a year. 

Keep in mind, this range is just an estimate based on the types of policies we’ve seen. It is possible you may receive a quote that falls outside that range.

Factors that influence pet insurance cost:

As we mentioned, pet insurance does not come at a fixed price. It involves many factors of your pet and coverage choices. Here are some elements you can expect to play a role.

Your pet’s age:

Your pet’s age is one of the most influential factors in determining a pet insurance premium.

This is because generally speaking, the younger a pet is, the healthier they are, which for insurance companies means less claims they have to pay out.

So it’s wise to sign your pet up early to get the best rates. Don’t wait until they reach too many “dog years” and you start to worry about their health.

Your pet’s health conditions:

Your pet’s health and medical history will also influence the cost of their insurance.

Certain health conditions can really inflate the cost of pet insurance. In fact, in some cases, insurance carriers may even reject your application if your pet has certain underlying conditions.

Another reason not to wait too long to apply for a quote!

Your pet’s breed:

If you’re a pet owner, you’re probably aware that certain types of pets and  breeds are more likely to experience health issues than others.

So for those pets with increased risk of health issues (awww, we’re sorry you good boys and girls) their insurance will also be pricier.

Number of pets:

This one is a no-brainer, but you’ll have to pay separately for every pet you have.

The more pets you have on your pet insurance policy, the more expensive your pet insurance will be.

Your policy limits:

Each type of insurance has limits. These limits are the total amount the insurance carrier would pay out if you were to have a claim.

And you often have a choice of what your pet insurance limits are. Essentially, this is how much insurance you are choosing to buy.

So generally, with higher limits, you can expect a higher cost.

Your deductible: 

Another factor that influences the price of pet insurance is your deductible. A deductible is the amount you would have to pay out before an insurance carrier paid you any claim money. With pet insurance, you may have a few deductible options for you to choose from, or your deductible may just be assigned to you.

If you have a higher deductible plan, your insurance policy will be cheaper.

Your insurance carrier:

As far as insurance goes, pet insurance is a relatively new product. So insurance carriers can really vary in how much they charge for it.

In fact, you could get quotes for your pet insurance that vary by a couple hundred dollars.

An independent insurance agency may be able to help you find the right policy for you by quoting your pet insurance with multiple carriers.

Now, let’s look at some specific pet insurance cost examples:

You know the factors that influence price, but you probably still don’t have a clear idea of how exactly they will impact your pet’s insurance.

So to help give you some more insight, we’ll show you some specific examples of some of the pet insurance policies we’ve seen.

• A 5 year old Shiba Inu with $20,000 limits and a $250 deductible: $212 per year
• A 4 year old rat terrier mix with unlimited coverage and a $250 deductible: $485/year
• A Pembroke Welsh Corgi under 1 with a $5,000 policy and a $250 deductible = $635 a year

Invest in your pet’s health and longevity:

If you’re considering a pet insurance policy for your pet, you’re probably wondering what to do next and which carrier you should get a policy through.

Well we can help! To help you find a match, we have put together this article: 5 Best Pet Insurance Companies for MA Pet Owners.

Or, reach out to us and we can help you find a policy for your furry friend!