Best Pet Insurance in South Carolina (SC)
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South Carolinian pet owners know their pets deserve the best care if they find themselves sick or injured—after all, they’re family. That’s where finding the best pet insurance plan can help.
We researched the top pet insurance companies that are affordable in the Palmetto State, scoring them on key metrics such as plans, benefits, items eligible for coverage, and more. We also secret-shopped each provider and received quotes for 4-year-old cats and dogs to provide example rates. We found that the best pet insurance provider in South Carolina is Lemonade for its flexible plans and affordable pricing.
- Pet insurance in South Carolina covers unexpected costs along your pet’s health journey, preventing pet parents from paying out-of-pocket for high vet bills.
How Do SC 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 | ||
| $44.83 | $24.68 | Visit Site | ||
| $49.85 | $26.55 | VISIT SITE | ||
| N/A | N/A | Visit Site |
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Who Are South Carolina’s Top 7 Pet Insurance Providers?
How Much Does Pet Insurance in South Carolina Cost?
In our secret shopping for quotes from South Carolina’s top providers, we found that pet wellness plans and pet insurance for dogs ranges between $16 and $71 per month, while pet insurance for cats ranges between $10 and $33 for cats.
The price you are quoted for pet insurance can range significantly based on several factors, such as:
- Species: It’s common for cat insurance to cost less than the same coverage for dogs, in part based on dogs’ tendency to develop more expensive health conditions as they age. In fact, according to Embrace, more claims are submitted for dog insurance policies than for cat insurance.
- Breed: Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to health conditions that trigger high vet bills. For example, German Shepherds and Boxers are more likely to develop cancer than other mixed or smaller breeds, and larger dogs like Saint Bernards or Golden Retrievers more commonly have hip dysplasia. Certain breeds of dogs, particularly large ones, are often quoted higher premiums due to these factors.
- Customization: The reimbursement rate, coverage cap, and deductible you select for your policy will influence your quoted price. Higher deductibles, lower reimbursement percentages, and lower coverage caps can result in a more affordable monthly price. For example, Lemonade will cover a 4-year-old mixed breed dog for $33.92 per month with a $20,000 coverage cap, a 90% reimbursement rate, and a low $100 deductible. However, by raising the deductible to $250 and lowering the reimbursement rate and coverage cap to 80% and $5,000, respectively, the monthly premium goes down to $21.33.
- Age: Similarly to their human counterparts, our four-legged companions are more likely to develop health problems as they grow older, making dogs above six more expensive to insure.
- Location: City-dwelling pets will usually be quoted higher premiums than ones that live in more rural areas due to the higher cost of veterinary care in urban areas.
- Discounts: Look to Prudent Pet or Embrace for a multi-pet discount to assist in lowering your premium, or try Fetch for lower rates when it comes to adopted or medical service dogs.
Is Pet Insurance in South Carolina Worth it?
Yes, in most cases, we’ve found that pet insurance is worth it in South Carolina due to the added security and peace of mind. For four-legged South Carolina residents, we recommend Lemonade as the most affordable and convenient pet health insurance option on the market, thanks to its consistently low prices and convenient, AI-driven app. For parents looking for highly customizable policies, Spot might be a good fit, while Embrace is ideal for individuals looking for the best reimbursements.
FAQs About South Carolina Pet Insurance
What is a preexisting condition?
A pre-existing condition is any health problem that you or your veterinarian notice in your pet before the end of your waiting period or the length of time before your coverage begins. Pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions. Typically, only new conditions that emerge after coverage begins will be covered under your new insurance policy.
Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
A standard pet insurance plan does not typically cover spaying and neutering since they are not costs related to accidents or illnesses. However, Embrace’s wellness add-on takes care of the cost of spaying or neutering if you choose to purchase this additional coverage.
What annual limit should I get for pet insurance?
The annual limit you purchase for pet insurance should be dictated by your pet’s age, breed and likelihood of developing a serious health problem, and your budget. While a higher coverage cap may provide peace of mind, it also results in a more expensive monthly price. However, the cost may be worth it for parents of aging pets or certain breeds at risk of health issues.
In a survey of 1,000 pet owners, we found that almost 50% of pet owners would have trouble paying a $1,000 veterinary bill out of pocket. Almost 40% would need to use a credit card, while another 9% weren’t sure where the money would come from. To protect against a crisis like this, $5,000 is the lowest coverage cap we recommend for pets in the United States.
Other South Carolina (SC) Home Service Resources
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.
