Our cats and dogs (and other pets) have a lot of needs from time to time. From high-quality food to vaccinations, there are a lot of areas where any help is much appreciated. But most of the time, we have to pay from our pocket. Unless it’s a friend, no one is going to give you a service for free, right?
So the least we can do is take care of accidents and illnesses with the help of insurance policies. This is a thing for pets and there are policies just like humans get. There are a few restrictions but overall, they do a good job helping you financially when there is an emergency bill.
Today, we take a look at the many aspects of getting pet insurance in Utah.
Pet Insurance Costs in Utah
Pet owners in this state seem to spend an average of $1,100 every year on emergency medical care for their pets. But if you have pet insurance in Utah, you can bring that out-of-pocket expense significantly down because there are plans that cover 100 percent of these costs.
That, of course, depends on the age and breed of your pet along with the location. In Utah, monthly insurance costs look somewhat like this.
You pay the highest in Park City at $53.52. Salt Lake City is next at $45.20 a month. And the three cities of Ogden, Provo and Logan are tied at $32.72 a month.
Pet Insurance in Utah | Best Companies & Rates
Thankfully, there are quite a few good options for pet insurance in Utah. Here’s a look at four such pet insurers and what they offer.
PetFirst: No Waiting Period
This company has been around since 2004 and has an A+ rating from the BBB. Their policies are fairly standard with the exception of no waiting period for certain conditions like orthopedic problems and hip dysplasia that are not even covered by most other pet insurers. And if you choose to pay a little extra, you can get a wellness plan too.
Depending on the plan, your monthly premiums start at $9 for cats and $17 for dogs. Your deductibles could be $50, $100, $250 or $500. This is one of the lowest in the industry. The reimbursement ranges from 70 to 90 percent. You can set a payout limit of $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000. The maximum payout, of course, is for the most expensive plan. And PetFirst does not offer unlimited benefits.
Their claims process is fairly simple. All you need to do is submit the claim form with the invoices and receipts by mail or fax. If you buy their policy online, you can get a $20 discount. And if you make no claims in a year, congrats on having an incident-free year with your pet. But they also don’t raise their premiums for that year because you’ve been such a good pet parent.
Healthy Paws: Best for Cats and Dogs
This is also a very popular pet insurer because it can offer discounts and has partners like AAA. It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offers some of the best reimbursement rates in the country.
Depending on the plan you pick, your monthly premiums will start at $17 for cats and $32 for dogs. When you look at it for accident and illness coverage, this is lower than the national average.
The reimbursement rates start at 70 percent and go as high at 90 percent which is what gets them a lot of customers. And they are really good with their customer service. Their insurance policies come with unlimited payout benefits and the deductibles range from $100 to $500 per annum.
Embrace: For Alternative Therapies
This is a company that offers a range of wellness and medical coverage for dogs and cats. From prosthetic fittings to therapy for behavioral issues, their plans are pretty comprehensive and include treatments that most other pet insurers don’t. That really is their best quality and one that is hard to find in any other company’s policies. And yes, they have an A+ rating from the BBB.
Depending on the plan, your monthly premiums will start from $8.98 for cats and $13 for dogs. These are some of the lowest prices in the industry. Their accident-only plan averages at $12 for cats and $15.84 for dogs. The payout limits range from $2,000 to $15,000 and the deductibles are $100 to $1,000 per annum. Their plans offer reimbursements from 65 to 90 percent.
PetPlan: For Hereditary Conditions
This company takes some time processing the claims but it gives you something that most other insurers don’t. It covers hereditary conditions that almost no one else does. It has an A+ rating from the BBB and insures pets of any age after they cross the six-week barrier.
Depending on the plan, your monthly premiums will start at $18 for cats and $29 for dogs. You will get 70 to 90 percent reimbursement and the deductibles range from $250 to $1,000 per annum. You can either opt for a $2,500 or unlimited benefits.
Now, they take about 30 days to process all eligible claims and their premiums are higher than the national average but they hold when compared to the competition and if you have a pet with hereditary conditions, this is a very good option.
Point Being
There are many excuses to not get pet insurance in Utah but that’s exactly what those are: excuses. On the other hand, if you have financial considerations, you can also check out some low-income options like the Best Friends Food Pantry in Salt Lake City for good pet food. You can also approach the Humane Society of Utah if you want help with your dog, cat or rabbit. And for financial assistance for medical care, you can try the Pet Samaritan Fund. But if you can afford it, there is nothing like a good pet insurance policy that comes in handy during those difficult times. You will need it just the way your pet will need you.
