Pet Insurance in Hawaii
There are quite a few pet laws in Hawaii that clearly outline the dos and don’ts for pet owners. While some are for the residents, there are some for visitors too. Here they are.
- If you are in a public place with a pet, you need to control them with a leash which is no more than six feet long. But even those are not allowed in County beach parks. The only exception is made for dogs used for patrolling or policing purposes.
- If you have a dog over the age of three months, you need to have a dog license. An exception is made for dogs that do not run at large or for dogs in quarantine. You are also exempt from it if you are visiting the state with a dog for an exhibition or a dog show where they are not allowed to run at large.
- If your dog strays upon public or private lands, you might have to pay $25-500 in fines and might also have to do up to 100 hours of community service. This will be determined by a judge.
- Your dog or any other small animal should not excrete or commit a nuisance on the streets. This includes passageways, sidewalks and even park and play areas where people gather. The same law is applied on public and private property if the owner has not given you permission.
- Female dogs are not allowed to run at large or be off the premises even on a leash with an adult. They must also be kept in a space where they will not encounter a male dog.
- If you overload, starve, torture or cause bodily harm to a pet, it is an offense of cruelty. It is also cruel if you mutilate, poison or kill an animal that is not an insect or a pest. You also can’t confine them in a kennel or cage in an inhumane manner. You can’t tether or tie them to a tree, fence or a stationary object with a choke collar, prong collar or a pinch collar.
- You cannot hoard animals. That is more than 15 dogs or cats or a combination of the two. You cannot fail to feed and take care of them. You must have the right conditions for the dogs and cats to live.
- Necessary sustenance is defined as:
- Enough food required for normal growth and maintenance of body weight in quality and quantity.
- Access to enough water in quality and quantity.
- Protection from harsh weather
- Enough space for them to be healthy, clean and without contaminants.
Best Pet Insurance
Now that you know the rules, let’s see what it takes to get pet insurance in Hawaii.
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Our first choice is the ASPCA which is a non-profit which aims at preventing animal cruelty. They have been offering pet insurance since 2006 through the Hartville Pet Insurance Group. And they have devised three insurance plans for your pet.
The first is an accident-only plan which is the most affordable option. Then there is a mid-tier plan which is for injuries and non-congenital diseases. The third and the highest level is the top-tier plan which is for genetic and behavioral problems.
These plans will give coverage for most of your medical situations like
- Testing
- Medication
- Exam fees
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Vaccinations
You can also opt to get coverage for preventive care.
Your deductibles start from $100 or $250 or $500 depending on the plan you pick. You can choose between annual or multi-incident payments which means if your dog or cat has two medical conditions in a given year, you will pay only for one.
The reimbursement packages are pretty standard, ranging from 70 percent to 90 percent depending, once again, on the plan. The cap on annual reimbursements per incident depends on your plan.
The lowest is for accident-only plans which are up to $2,500 per incident and the most comprehensive one is at $5,000 per incident in a year.
Then there are the average monthly premiums which are a bit expensive when compared to other insurer plans of the same kind. For dogs, the average premium starts at $50 and for cats, it is $21.
But the benefit of having pet insurance in Hawaii or otherwise with the ASPCA is that they have no waiting period for accidental injuries. So, if you got the policy today and your dog gets injured tomorrow, you have nothing to worry about. And you can submit the claims by mail, fax or online. They are likely to be processed in 16 days and you will get it by direct deposit or a check in the mail.
PetPremium
These guys have been around since 2006 and the Fairmont Specialty Agency underwrites their pet insurance policies.
They have two plans which are accident only and total coverage. They also have two levels of comprehensive wellness plans which take care of neutering, spaying and teeth cleaning.
For deductibles, you have a choice between $100, $250 and $500 and that’s that. The reimbursement is also pretty standard at 70 or 80 or 90 percent of the vet’s invoice. However, the average monthly premiums are some of the lowest in the market for cats and dogs depending on the level of the policy. The average monthly premium starts at $12 for dogs and $9 for cats.
The benefit limit of the PetPremium coverage ranges from $2,500 to unlimited depending on your monthly premium. The benefits are higher for a higher premium. But be sure to check each plan individually to check for limits per incident.
The claim form can be downloaded from the PetPremium website. You can mail or fax it and expect a reimbursement in the next 30 days.
HealthyPaws
Last on the list is another popular pet insurance company with excellent reviews, annual deductibles and unlimited benefits. Their policies are underwritten by The Chubb Group and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
They have a very comprehensive package with an unlimited payout that works well whether your pet needs treatment or has an injury. Unfortunately, they do not cover pre-existing conditions but have a good plan for pets with hereditary or congenital diseases. They are also open to alternative therapies like hydrotherapy and chiropractic.
The deductibles are annual in nature and must be paid at the date of enrollment. The reimbursement is also quite standard at 70, 80 or 90 percent based on the vet’s bill after you meet your deductibles. The monthly average premium for dogs is at $33 and for cats, it is $17.
Healthy Paws has policies with unlimited benefits both annually and for your pet’s lifespan which is just the best. There is no per-incident limit and this is included as an option in all plans.
They seem to know their way around claims because you just need to upload it through the app or online and you will get reimbursed as soon as possible.
In Conclusion
Sometimes, it is not easy to go for rescues of some breeds because of the underlying issues. This is especially true when you are not sure of the breed. It can be a challenge to keep going without an incident if you saved a stray. But the right pet insurance policy can save you a world of troubles.
