Best Pet Insurance in Massachusetts (MA) in 2024
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We researched the best pet insurance companies in the country, comparing them on price, coverage, customer reviews, and more to see what they have to offer. Through our research, we found Lemonade to be our top pick due to its affordable coverage and streamlined claims process. See our top recommendations for pet insurance in Massachusetts below.
- Having an inexpensive pet insurance plan can save you money if your pet has an accident or develops an illness. Since pet plans don’t cover preexisting conditions, you should enroll while your pet is young to prevent paying out of pocket when the unexpected happens.
How Do MA Pet Insurance Companies Compare?
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33.69 | $13.32 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $38.44 | $21.53 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $20.76 | $18.47 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $65.15 | $53.43 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $49.85 | $26.55 | VISIT SITE | ||
| N/A | N/A | Visit Site |
*Sample quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male pets in Massachusetts.
Who Are the Top 7 Pet Insurance Providers in Massachusetts?
Below is our list of the top pet insurance providers available in Massachusetts, starting with our favorite, Lemonade:
Lemonade
Best Overall
Spot
Most Customizable Plans
ASPCA
Best for New Pet Owners
Embrace
Best Deductibles
Healthy Paws
Best Coverage Limit
Fetch Pet Insurance
Best Holistic Coverage
Prudent Pet
Most Comprehensive Plan
How Much Does MA Pet Insurance Cost?
Based on the sample quotes we received during our research, the average cost for pet insurance or a pet wellness plan in Massachusetts with standard accident and illness coverage is around $25–$55 per month for dogs and $15–$35 per month for cats. However, these prices can vary based on several factors that go into each premium.
Here are some factors that may increase or decrease your quoted monthly premiums:
- Age: Older pets typically cost more to insure than younger pets since they’re more prone to experiencing medical issues. Insuring your pet at an early age can help keep premiums low when renewing the policy terms year after year.
- Breed: Some dog or cat breeds that are more prone to illnesses can be much more expensive to insure than other breeds. For example, golden retrievers are more expensive to insure than Yorkshire terriers or mixed breeds.
- Location: Your ZIP code can affect the pricing of your pet insurance premium. We always recommend getting a few quotes from providers in your area to compare prices based on your exact location within the state.
- Customization: Many companies offer flexible customization options so that you only pay for what you need. You can lower your premium by selecting lower annual coverage limits, lower reimbursement rates, and higher deductibles. However, this can cost you more money in the long run through higher out-of-pocket costs during a claim.
- Discounts: Many providers, such as Pumpkin and Embrace, offer a discount for each additional pet you add to your policy. If you need coverage for multiple pets, we recommend considering those providers.
What Types of Pet Insurance Plans Are Available in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts pet owners have three plan options:
- Accident-and-Illness Plans: Accident-and-illness plans are the most popular plan type. You’re covered for common accidents, such as broken bones, lacerations, swallowed objects or toxins, ear and eye injuries, and any other injury that’s the result of an accident. You’re also covered for illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, and more.
- Accident-Only Plan: Some providers offer an accident-only plan that’s just for injuries. You won’t get any coverage for illnesses, but it’s a cheaper plan.
- Wellness Plan: Providers that offer wellness coverage typically only provide it as an add-on to your standard plan. You can use it to cover preventive care, such as dental cleanings, vaccinations, wellness exams, spaying and neutering, grooming, and other routine vet treatments.
How Does Pet Insurance Work in Massachusetts?
Pet insurance is easy to use with most providers. Once your coverage begins, you can take your pet to your veterinary office for covered treatments, and you’ll pay the bill up-front. Then, you’ll file a claim for what you paid, and your insurer will reimburse you, usually within a couple of weeks. Some companies provide more convenience by allowing you to directly pay your vet with a membership card and skip the claims process, but this is rare.
You’ll need to understand these four aspects to best customize your policy:
- Premium: Your premium is what you pay for your plan monthly. It’s based on your location, the type and amount of coverage you want, and your pet’s age, breed, and gender. It also varies by the conditions below.
- Annual coverage limit: This is the total amount your insurer will reimburse you for in one policy year. You won’t be reimbursed for any money you spend over this limit. Most pet insurers’ coverage limits start between $2,000 and $5,000 and go up to around $30,000. Some also have an unlimited coverage option.
- Deductible: Much like with your own health insurance, the deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Many companies’ options start at around $250 and go up to $1,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be.
- Reimbursement percentage: This is how much of the claim your insurer will pay. Most pet insurance companies offer options of 70%, 80%, and 90%, though some offer 100%. The less you have your insurer pay, the lower your premium will be.
How Can You Find the Best Pet Insurance Plan in Massachusetts?
Many pet insurance providers offer similar plans, coverage options, deductibles, and so forth, but there are a few things that can set a company apart. We recommend looking at the following to see which companies offer you a better deal:
- 24/7 service: You never know when an issue or question will arise with your pet, and some things can’t wait until morning. Look at a provider’s customer support availability. Check their customer service hours on its site, and see if there’s a 24/7 vet telehealth line you can call for urgent questions.
- Discounts: Some providers offer discounts for bundling insurance policies, insuring multiple pets, or being a military member, veterinary worker, or other professional. These often aren’t well-advertised, so you may need to read the fine print or look on the site’s FAQ page.
- End-of-life services: Sadly, our pets won’t be around forever. Burial services and cremation are expensive on top of a difficult time, but some wellness plans include burial and cremation costs in their coverage.
- Exam fees: Many providers don’t cover exam fees or require an upgrade, but occasionally you’ll find one that includes them in the standard plan.
- Waiting periods: The typical waiting period for accidents is 14 days, while illness waiting periods vary. Some companies, however, offer shorter waiting periods of just a few days. This comes in handy if your pet has an accident or gets sick right after you enroll.
What Are Massachusetts Pet Laws that Pet Owners Should Know?
Pet owners should be aware of all Massachusetts pet laws. Breaking certain laws can result in years of prison time, not to mention detriment to your pet. Massachusetts has laws and regulations around issues such as the following:
- Abandonment
- Animal fighting
- Burial
- Confinement, chaining, and neglect
- Devocalization
- Exotic pets
- Leashing
- Licensing
- Spaying and neutering
- Temperature requirements
This isn’t a full list. Many Massachusetts cities also have their own laws.
Boston pet laws include the following:
- Dogs must be leashed when not on owner’s property
- Dogs cannot roam at large
- Pet owners are responsible for waste disposal when not on their property
Springfield pet laws include the following:
- Pets must be leashed when off owner property
- Animals must not create a public nuisance
- Pet owners who allow fertile pets to roam at large more than six months will be fined
- Pet owners must provide humane living conditions, such as proper nutrition and water, shelter from the weather, and veterinary care as needed
- Pet owners cannot unlawfully confine or tether pets outdoors
- Pet owners must properly dispose of any waste not on their property
Worcester pet laws include the following:
- Dogs cannot create a public nuisance or risk being impounded
- Dogs must be licensed
- Dogs cannot roam free
- Pet owners must dispose of all pet waste not on their property
- Pet owners cannot chain or tether a dog to a stationary object for longer than 24 hours
Is Pet Insurance Worth it in Massachusetts?
Yes, in most cases, pet insurance in Massachusetts is worth the monthly cost. Your pet deserves good health care just as you do. A pet health insurance policy can help ensure your pet gets the care it needs while helping save you money and providing peace of mind. We recommend Massachusetts pet owners look into Lemonade, Prudent Pet, and Embrace, as these are the insurers that rated highest on our list for the Bay State when comparing coverage, cost, and customer service.
We suggest carefully reviewing policy details, reading customer reviews, and getting a quote to compare prices before deciding on a provider for you and your pet.
FAQs About MA Pet Insurance
Is it worth it to get pet insurance in Massachusetts?
We recommend purchasing a Massachusetts pet insurance policy to ensure that your pet receives necessary medical attention or treatments and that you don’t spend excessive out-of-pocket costs on vet bills.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance covers vet bills related to a variety of accidents and illnesses that may occur unexpectedly. Common incidents include broken bones, injuries, bite wounds, hereditary conditions, cancer, digestive illnesses, dental trauma, chronic conditions, and diabetes.
Many pet insurance providers also offer a wellness care add-on, covering preventive care, such as vaccinations and annual vet visits. No pet insurance providers cover preexisting conditions, so you can’t purchase coverage for an incident that has just occurred.
What is the best pet insurance for dogs in Massachusetts?
We recommend Lemonade as the best overall pet insurance company in Massachusetts for its affordability and simplified user experience. However, each of the providers in this review has unique benefits that could make it a better fit. Before you purchase a policy, take the time to compare quotes from a few providers.
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Our Rating Methodology
We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
