Pet insurance policies differ, depending on the insurance provider and the type of plan you have. Typically speaking, you may be able to claim for: 

  • the costs of treatment if your pet has an accident
  • the costs of treating your pet should it become ill
  • a compensation payment, should your pet pass away
  • the costs of boarding your pet if you need help looking after them, in the event of an illness
  • emergency treatment for your pet when you’re traveling

 

You should make a claim as soon as your pet has an accident or is diagnosed with an illness, or within 90 days of paying the vet fees for a condition your pet is suffering from. This is because some policies will pay your vet directly for the cost of treatment — so you don’t get left out of pocket. 

If you’re wondering whether your pet insurance costs will go up after making a claim, the answer is most likely, yes. Your insurance provider may take the view that if you’ve made one claim, you’re more likely to make another. As a result, making a claim will bump up your premiums, and the same is true if you’ve had to claim for accidents or for losing your pet. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that an insurance provider will take your pet’s health history into account when considering a new application for insurance. So you might find that you’re quoted a higher price than you were expecting. Don’t forget; it’s highly unlikely they’ll cover a pre-existing condition, such as a long-term illness. 

If you’re looking for pet insurance companies with a low monthly premium, here are some great choices: 

 

Pets Best Insurance Services

Pets Best offers some of the most flexible pricing options available in the market and is amongst the top pet insurance companies, with their monthly premiums starting at just $16 for cats and $30 for dogs. They also offer all-inclusive pet insurance plans that provide extra coverage and are on the jingle-end at $70 a month, but if you’re only looking for an accident-only plan for your pet, the monthly premium can be as low as $10. 

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

For comprehensive pet insurance coverage for your furry friends, Healthy Paws might be the perfect fit for you. Not only will your pets get the health insurance they need, but you’ll also pay as little as 10% of your vet bill depending on the coverage you choose. With no annual, lifetime caps or per incident on pet insurance payout, you can’t go wrong with Healthy Paws, and the best news is, their monthly premium rates start at just $15 for cats and $20 for dogs.

 

Petplan

Petplan offers competitive pet insurance rates and provides discounts of up to 10% to military and veterinary personnel, as well as members of AARP, the National Police Dog Foundation, and the Best Friends Animal Society. Their monthly premiums start at just $16 for both dogs and cats, and they also offer an exclusive “No Claim Credit” discount to policyholders that go for 12 months without filing a claim.

With excellent pet insurance companies like Pets Best, Healthy Paws, and more, you never have to worry about the costs even if they increase. For more information on the pet insurance companies above as well as an in-depth look into other companies, you may wish to consider, visit our list of the best pet insurance companies.