Best Pet Insurance in Arizona

Your pet is an adored member of your family and like any other family member is susceptible to illness or injury. Without proper planning, this might cause both you and your pet uncertainty, hassle and financial drain. This is exactly where pet insurance comes in handy. It will save both you and your family from bearing any hassle or financial costs of your pet’s treatment and extend his life in cases of sickness.

Now the concept of pet health insurance works in a similar manner, like human health insurance policies. They both include deductibles, copays, and annual premiums.

●     Annual premium refers to the amount that you pay to the insurance provider in exchange for insurance coverage of a 1-year term plan. The coverage guarantees payments for certain types of treatment, depending on the type of health insurance selected.

●     Deductibles indicate the amount you pay for the covered healthcare services before your chosen insurance plan starts to pay benefits for the eligibles expenses. The amount of the payment for the deductible is determined based on the health insurance plan type and the benefits.

●     Copay is a fixed amount that you pay for a specific medical treatment. Let’s say that your health insurance plan allows you a fixed amount of a $30 copay to visit a primary healthcare physician. Your visit to the physician costs around $100. So, you pay $30 out of your pocket and the remaining $70 is paid by your insurance provider.

According to a recent survey by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, there are nearly 179 million pets in North America, accruing an estimated total of $58.5 billion in annual expenses. Veterinary visits and care are considered to be the 3rd largest investment in the category, where pet owners spend about $15.25 billion per year.

More than 1 million pets today are covered under a pet insurance policy, amounting to an expenditure of $595 million.

To better understand your options and policies, do careful research to get the best coverage for your family member. Selecting the best pet insurance coverage means considering the following:

●     Vet your vet. As long as they are licensed, your insurance provider cannot instruct you whom you can see.

●     Consider policies with a variety of tiers. Most companies offer a number of tiers to select from. Some cover only accidents, others may cover both accidents and illnesses.

●     Decide on a premium tier and payment plan. The average monthly expense of a dog can range from as low as $1 to $98 per month. Of course, banks on a number of variables like age, breed of the dog and your area of residence. Cats cost even less. Premium amounts can be paid quarterly, monthly, annually or semi-annually.

What if my pet is not a cat or a dog? If you have iguana, bird or any other pet, you can check out Veterinarian Pet Insurance (VPI), a division of the famed insurer Nationwide. It is presumably the largest and acknowledged insurance provider of exotic pet animals.

Pet Insurance in Arizona: An Overview

The Grand Canyon State is a great place for a pet, with its numerous outdoor activities and terrain for your four-legged friends to indulge in.

But while romping on the rocks, what if your dog injures his paw accidentally and has to be rushed to the emergency ward? Knowing you have good pet insurance from a reputable Arizona carrier will bring you relief and peace of mind.

Average pet expenses:

●     Amount spent on bills annually: Approx. $1,200–$1,300 per year

●     The average cost of pet insurance annually: Monthly premium of $42.45 for dogs and $20.99 for cats

What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?

Pet insurance covers medical costs when your dog or cat gets into an accident or becomes unexpectedly sick. Some policies cover routine checkups and rabies shots, while others consider these add-ons to your policy.

There are 4 types of pet insurance coverage plans: Accident, Illness, Wellness, and Endorsements.

●     Accident-only coverage: Covers injuries and incidents such as poisoning, indigestion of foreign objects, bite wounds, broken bones, torn ligaments and other critical health needs

●     Illness coverage: Most insurance companies provide this coverage based on the pet’s age, so it’s best to get this plan while your pet is young to reduce your monthly costs and preexisting conditional exemptions. Illness coverage takes care of things like allergies, infections, arthritis, UTIs, ear infections, obesity, diarrhea and vomiting and internal parasites.

●     Wellness: This is an all-inclusive optional coverage plan that covers illness and accidents and may also cover routine checkups, tick and flea medication, vaccinations, dental care, heartworm prevention, burial, and cremation, as well as dietary consultations.

●     Endorsements: Endorsement coverage is also known as riders. These include wellness or cancer add ons as wellness plans are normally purchased as add-ons.

Most insurance plans do not cover preexisting conditions or preceding chronic illnesses. 

Out of the 4 pet insurance types, 98% of covered pets have either illness or accident insurance or wellness insurance as add-ons. The remaining 2% is insured with accident-only coverage.

3 Reasons to Buy Pet Insurance in Arizona

Below are some of the most common illnesses and conditions for pets to expect in Arizona:

●     Spider bites: Can cost around $1,000

●     Diabetes: Can cost around $6,000

●     Ear infections: Can cost around $2,000 to $3,500

Arizona’s extreme weather conditions can exhaust your pet and make them susceptible to illness. Also, the presence of animal predators — coyotes, wildcats, bears, lizards, toads, snakes, tarantulas and scorpions — presents significant danger. It’s vital for your pet to be under your watch whenever they go out to play or for a walk. Getting regular checkups are also important to maintain healthy pets.

The Best Pet Insurance in Arizona

The minimum and maximum coverage of numerous insurance plans available differ from pet to pet and plan to plan. Your selection depends on a number of factors such as your pet’s history of illness, your financial situation and the type of coverage that you want.

Benzinga has compiled a list of the best pet insurance providers in Arizona with impeccable customer service and a seamless reimbursement process. Get quotes from your selected choices of the best pet insurance Arizona providers and compare them side by side to see who offers the best premium price for your pet.

1.   High-Quality Pet Insurance: Spot Pet Insurance 

Spot Pet Insurance is the top insurance provider in the U.S according to Benzinga’s research, renowned in Arizona along with 50 other states. It is recommended by the acclaimed dog whisperer and dog training expert, Cesar Milan. Some of its insurance highlights are:

●     Up to 90% of remuneration on legible vet bills

●     No age limit to avail coverage

●     Premium amounts can start from as low as $1 per day

●     Customizable coverage plans with additional Spot On Coverage

●     Coverage options consist of the following:

○     Behavioral issues

○     Accidents

○     Dental diseases

○     Preexisting congenital and hereditary conditions

○     Preventive services

●     Seamless service claims process

2. Most Affordable in Arizona: Pets Best

●     Affordable insurance plans starting from
as low as $6 per month

●     A+ rating by the Better Business
Bureau (BBB)

●     Unlimited benefits for lifetime
in higher-tiered plans

●     Customizable insurance packages offering with wellness plans add on

●     No age limit to avail coverage

●     Congenital and hereditary conditions covered

●     70% to 90% of reimbursements processed and paid within 1 week

●     Additional benefits provided in wellness packages like blood, parasite and fecal examinations, heartworm medications and vaccinations

●     Prices are not increased in cases where beneficiaries issue multiple claims

●     Competitive pricing for premiums:

●     Dogs in Arizona monthly average: $30

●     Cats in Arizona monthly average: $21

3.   Best for Remuneration Claims: HealthyPaws

●  Has an A+ rating with BBB on customer
satisfaction

●     Has unlimited comprehensive benefits
coverage on all plans

●     Quick processing and payment of claims
within 1 week (99% of its claims processed within 2 days of filing,
an accomplished feat that is achieved through its online mobile app)

●     4 deductible choices ranging from $100–$750 on an annual basis

●     Alternative therapy choices

●     Competitive pricing

●     Dogs in Arizona monthly average: $32

●     Cats in Arizona monthly average: $16

4.   Best for Wellness Coverage: Embrace

●     A+ rating by the BBB

●     Flexible deductible adjustment options from $100 to $1,000 annually

●     Limits cap of $15,000 on benefits

●     Offers alternative and behavioral therapy, as well as wellness benefits including training and grooming

●     Provides $650 for dental care in standard plans

●     Covers illnesses, accidents, preventive veterinary care and exam fees

●     A provision of $50 discount on deductibles each year when you do not file a claim (provided with its diminishing deductible feature)

●     Claims can be easily filed through fax, mail or electronically. Majority of the policyholders have received 90% of their claims

●     Competitive Pricing

●     Dogs in Arizona monthly average: $34

●     Cats in Arizona monthly average: $19

5.   Best for Short Waiting Periods: PetFirst

●      A+ rating by the BBB since 2006 with customer service ratings of 4 out of 5 on consumer affairs

●     Annual deductibles ranging from $50 to $100

●     No age limit to avail coverage

●     No waiting period required for hip dysplasia

●     Congenital and hereditary conditions covered

●     Benefit limits go up to $20,000

●     Quick and smooth enrollment and claims reimbursement process through fax, email or direct upload on its website

●     A provision of $50 discount on deductibles each year whenever you do not file a claim, provided with its diminishing deductible feature

●     Competitive pricing

●     Dogs in Arizona monthly average: $32

●     Cats in Arizona monthly average: $26

The Bottomline

Purchasing a pet insurance plan is not about going for an affordable option or preventing yourself from dipping into your hard-earned savings during an emergency. Your pet may never get hurt or sick. You might want the coverage just for routine medical check-ups and wellness. Whatever the reason, going without insurance is a risk you might want to avoid taking. Buying peace of mind for your furry family member is, well, priceless.