Choosing the right pet insurance company for you and your dog or other pets in DC can be a frustrating and confusing process. How much coverage will my plan provide? How fast will I be reimbursed? Are there any health issues not covered?
Here at iHeartDogs, we created an easy comparison below of all the major pet insurance brands in DC and across the US. You can also use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the major pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to compare pricing and coverage:
Best Pet Health Insurance For Dog in DC
Let’s take a deep dive into the features and benefits of each of the major pet insurance brands here in Washington DC and across the USA. Simply scroll to the right to view all the brands:
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Receive a Free No-Obligation Quote from All the Pet Insurance Carriers At Once
Rather than visiting each insurance carrier’s website, you can use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to easily compare:
Washington DC Pet Insurance FAQs
What Pet Insurance Is Most Widely Accepted In Washington DC?
There are a number of insurance providers out there who will cover your pet, and the vast majority will refund you directly instead of the veterinarian hospital. When your pet becomes sick or injured, you may incur unexpected costs that pet insurance helps you cover. You will need to pay a premium every month, just like with medical coverage. Then, you can get some or all of your money back for the money you spent on veterinarian care.
What Is Usually Not Covered By Pet Insurance In Washington DC?
No pet health insurance provider will pay for treatment of a pre-existing condition, regardless of how that term is defined. A pre-existing condition is one that has been present since before coverage began or the waiting period ended. The majority of pet insurance policies will not cover chronic conditions. It is important to know whether or not your pet health insurance policy covers breed-specific conditions if your pet is a purebred.
Do Pet Insurance Premiums Go Up With Age In Washington DC?
Insurance companies must account for the greater likelihood of illness, disease, and harm in older animals by increasing their prices accordingly. Moreover, the severity and care requirements of progressive diseases increase over time. Older animals tend to cost more since they heal at a slower rate.
Even if your pet is in good health and you have never made a claim, your premiums may go up if your pet gets sick. This is because the insurance company often conducts medical studies and reviews the medical records of similar animals to reduce pricey claims. Because they are businesses, insurance companies also aim to avoid financial losses.
Can I Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis In Washington DC?
There are a few rare exceptions, but in general, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. The insurance company bases everything on the presence or absence of your “pre-existing conditions.” Conditions that can be treated and cured may still be covered under your policy. Even if your pet has an
existing medical condition, insurance can still help with other health concerns.
Does Pet Insurance Cost More For Certain Breeds In Washington DC?
Medical costs and insurance premiums differ widely between breeds because different breeds have different genetic concerns. For example, mixed-breed dogs are cheaper to insure since they have fewer health problems. However, the price of purebred animals tends to be higher due to the higher incidence of genetic disorders.
Insurance premiums tend to be higher for certain dog breeds because of their propensity for risky behaviors. Be prepared to spend more for insurance if your dog is of a high-risk breed for developing a serious illness. Different dog breeds will have different pet insurance premiums due to the inherent differences in financial risk for the insurance company.
Is Pet Insurance Mandatory In Washington DC?
Washington, DC, does not mandate pet owners to carry pet insurance because neither the state nor licensed veterinarians are required to carry it. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to put money toward it because annual increases in the cost of veterinary care make it harder and harder for the average family to cover. However, insurance can help to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses even if it’s not mandatory.
What Is An Average Annual Deductible On Pet Insurance In DC?
The deductible in your plan is the out-of-pocket expense amount you must pay before the insurance company begins to pay its share. With some service providers, you may be able to customize your plan’s deductible. Higher deductibles (the amount you are responsible for paying out of pocket for covered services before insurance kicks in) typically result in lower premiums.
How Much Do Pet Insurance Premiums Increase Per Year In Washington DC?
Pet insurance prices can increase annually. This is because the companies want to continue making money. However, the earlier you sign up for a policy, the better price your puppy will receive. Although, after about four or five years of age, most companies start to raise their prices as older dogs have more health concerns. Often the price will double by five years and again at ten to twelve years. Talk to several companies to find out their age-based price increases.
What Is The Average Cost Of Pet Insurance Per Month In DC?
Monthly premiums in DC range between $30 and $55 but can go much higher depending on your pet’s age, breed, and health. The average monthly costs for pet owners come to roughly $40. The annual deductible, which must be met before the policy will pay out, is not factored into these estimates.
Do All Vets Take Pet Insurance In DC?
Insurance companies do not pay the vet directly for care. Instead, you pay the cost upfront at the veterinarians and then use the policy to cover the cost after the fact. The insurance company will determine what part is their responsibility and pay you back for it in a week or two.
By using a reimbursement method, insurance companies can let clients choose their own vet and location instead of forcing them to stay within a network. Also, this lets pet owners who are traveling see veterinarians outside of their area without getting in trouble. You pay the bill at the time of service, send in a claim, and get reimbursed for the cost of the visit but not for the policy deductible and copay.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost Per Year In Washington DC?
Depending on the breed, the annual insurance cost can range from around $360 to over $660, but these prices can vary greatly. You will have non-covered expenses as well, such as the deductible, a percentage of the remaining bill, and any amount over your annual limit. It’s best to get quotes from multiple companies to find which offers the best mixture of prices and services for you and your pet.
What Is An Average Annual Limit For Pet Insurance In DC?
The annual limit is the most money your pet insurance policy will pay out in a year. Limits range from $5,000 to $30,000, and you get to pick what works best for you. For example, if the cost of veterinary care for your pet exceeds $5,000, and your annual maximum coverage is $5,000, the insurance provider will not pay for any further charges until the following year.
The yearly maximum will reset to the amount you chose when the policy year rolls around again. If your bill exceeds your annual limit, any remaining excess is yours to keep even after the threshold is reset to $10,000. A year after the accident, if your dog still has health problems related to the incident, the business will foot the bill. The remainder of the claim from the prior year will not be paid.
Some insurance companies offer no annual limit policies. When you purchase pet insurance, there is no limit on the total amount your insurer will pay out to you each year for your pet’s medical care. If your pet incurs any covered veterinarian expenditures after your deductible is met, you will be reimbursed at the amount specified in your insurance.
An ideal yearly maximum for pet insurance is the amount that will provide you peace of mind in the event that your pet suffers an unexpected injury or illness and needs emergency veterinary care. Hospitalizations for medical emergencies can cost several thousand dollars, while chemotherapy for cancer can cost fifteen thousand dollars or more for each patient. Therefore, most customers opt for between $5,000 and $10,000.
Is Spaying Covered By Pet Insurance In Washington DC?
Spaying is typically not covered by pet insurance because it is considered preventative care rather than care tied to an unforeseen incident like an accident or disease. However, spaying your pet may be partially or fully covered by your wellness or preventative care plan for an additional monthly fee. You will need to specify you would like a wellness plan, though.
Which Pet Insurance Company Does iHeartDogs.com Recommend?
Our recommendation depends very much on your individual situation. You can compare quotes for your dog’s age and your location here. We can report that Trupanion, HealthyPaws, and Pets Best are very popular with iHeartDogs supporters.
What do iHeartDogs Readers Think About Pet Insurance?
Is Pet Insurance Worth It? – We asked [33] Dog Owners and Here’s What They Said
Pet insurance is “worth it” if you can afford the cost of the insurance, but could not afford an emergency vet bill. However, the best plan is to only get a pet if you can afford vet care, & to have a special savings account set aside for pet emergency care. – Louise
Very much worth it. I have Nationwide. It used to be VPI. It doesn’t cover things in full, but it very much helps. More then paid for itself with my first two dogs. Haven’t needed it much with the two I have now but if something happens, I won’t hesitate to get the best treatment I can. It really helps. – Beth
Yes it is worth it. But you need to shop wisely for it. I have care credit that is used when needed. With no excluded treatments because it’s up to me! Great rates and options to pay back. Saved my bank account a number of times. – Jennifer
Always worth it with my previous pet dog, Louie (French bulldog) and current pet dog, Lucy (dachshund).
It’s more than paid for itself each time. Unless you can cough up $10,000 for an emergency surgery I suggest you get pet insurance. Healthy Paws I highly recommend!!! – Leo
My vet one time said…my a “Dogs are Expensive” account. Whatever the going rate for pet insurance is…say $100…put that monthly in the “D A E” account. If you are ahead at the end of the year roll that money over….then, if you do need a big sum you have it, and if you don’t the $ is in your pocket and not the insurance company’s… whatever you decide..good luck! – Peggy
With my last dog no. I paid 17 years and never made a claim. With the two I have now definitely. My JR managed to get a dog toy piece stuck in her intestine – hugh, expensive op so worth it. I don’t like the fact that even though my dogs are both young, the premium has gone way up however. 3&2 are not senior dogs. – Kit
Before just checking quotes check with your vet or ones in your area. The one problem with many pet insurances it actually may affect the cost a vet or clinic may charge for a service based on what they may have to pay or what they need to do get paid. For example a base xray charge may be $100 if you pay yourself but say you use insurance A that may cost the clinic so much a year to be a member or requires so much documentation or takes so long for payment may increase the charge to $130-150 .Then if you have a deductible you will be paying more. Your vet will also know which ones are more reliable for your area and for the needs for your breed. – Candi
I would never have a pet without insurance. Way too risky for those sudden and age related injuries/health issues . Everyday check- ups and vaccines are incidental costs compared to many things that can go wrong w ur furry family member
– Holly
I’m furious that insurance companies have now made owning pets incredibly expensive. Once insurance companies enter into the equation, the price for everything goes “through the roof.” I wish these monsters would be regulated and insurance, health care was NON PROFIT!!!!!! – Rhonda
Yes Healthy Paws has been great. My Boston is on constant eye meds for about 6 years and 2 surgeries. I have 80 percent and they pay right away. – Lynda
Worth it if you plan ahead. One of my dogs I adopted and got insurance a year or so later and insurance has denied EVERYTHING…even an ear infection at 10 years old, as a preexisting condition because she had one when she was 3years old. My other dog I got insurance right away (lesson learned!) and it has been a huge benefit because ten years later he had significant medical expenses that were covered at 90% I could not be more thankful to have the insurance – Shannon
Definitely worth every penny! Our Shitz tore her ACL, swallowed my husband’s hearing aid, puts everything in her mouth!!! We have Healthy Paws. Very pleased. Just wish we went with 90% coverage instead of 80%. Get it BEFORE they have an issue!! – Jan
Nope not worth it. I love my babies but, it’s like human insurance, Hardly worth getting. More n likely whatever your pet has insurance won’t cover it so your still gonna pay out the ying yang. So here we are paying out the ying yang for insurance and still paying high dollar to a vet. – Nancy
Yes. My sweet hound developed allergies. The insurance covers are $73. Apoquel prescription plus everything else that goes wrong. She had a cough with meds the bill was over $400. Very happy we have insurance. – Pamela
Yes! For 10 years I never had to use it. Then my dog got very sick and needed to go to the animal hospital. She was diagnosed with diabetes and cushings disease and the costs for all the medications and testing she undergoes until we get her regulated is exorbitant. With the insurance I’ve been getting most of it back. – Erica
Worth it! Preventative/wellness services usually aren’t included with accident/injury plans, but most insurances offer that separately (for more money). Get coverage asap when you get a pet… preexisting conditions are almost never covered and the older a dog gets, the higher the cost gets. I had Nationwide through my previous employer. The plans were supposed to follow my pets for life, after I left the job, but (long story short) the plans were cancelled. So now I’m getting new insurance through ManyPets for a dog who was 9 when I got the Nationwide plan, but is now 13 – with preexisting conditions. For all three of my dogs, it’s about $235/month (that’s with the optional wellness plans added for each). But if anything happens to any of my “kids”, I pay a $250 annual deductible, then ManyPets covers 80% – with no lifetime limit. – Andrea
Yes. It’s worth it. You never know what might happen. I see so many go fund me’s to help animals when insurance would have covered it. Fyi, Trupanion is slightly more expensive but can pay the Vet directly if the Vet is signed up on their system. I have my 2 dogs and 2 cats covered. – Blythe
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