Pet insurance can protect your dog, cat, bird, or even exotic pet against the financial costs of injury or illness. You do need to ensure that your pet is eligible for a policy, according to its age and even breed, and that the policy covers what you need. For example, some policies include therapies like massage, but others do not include this type of treatment.
There are dozens of pet insurance companies that operate in Mississippi, and most have multiple plans with elements of coverage that can be increased or decreased according to your specific requirements and circumstances. This range of choice means that you should be able to get a suitable plan, but it also makes choosing the best pet insurance plans in Mississippi a challenge.
Below are reviews of 10 of the best plans available, as well as a guide and answers to common questions to help you choose.
A Quick Look at Our Top Picks 2022
The 10 Best Pet Insurance Plans in Mississippi
1. Lemonade Pet Insurance – Best Overall
Lemonade Pet Insurance is somewhat unique in the pet insurance world because they do and request that virtually everything be done online. While online applications are common, Lemonade uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help speed up claims with the company stating that most claims are accepted within minutes, putting most other companies to shame in this regard.
This online-first approach does help keep premiums low, with Lemonade offering some of the lowest premiums on the market, but it also means that details and policy coverage can’t be changed between policy renewals. Insurance is offered for cats or dogs and annual limits can be customized from $5,000–$100,000. Deductibles can also be set at either $100, $250, or $500, with reimbursement levels of 70%, 80%, or 90% available.
There are plenty of extras that can be added to your policy, so for a few extra dollars a month, you can add vet fees and physical therapy. Preventative cover can also be added to your policy and, as well as having some of the lowest premiums available, Lemonade offers a 10% discount for customers that have pet insurance and another Lemonade insurance policy, a 5% multi-pet discount, and a further 5% discount for annual payments.
The combination of rapid settlements, good policy customization options, and affordable prices makes Lemonade the best overall pet insurance plan in Mississippi.
2. Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance offers a selection of coverage levels for pets, including senior pets as there is no upper age limit on policies. It stands out because it is one of the few companies that offers 100% reimbursement. This means that your insurance will cover all veterinary fees, minus your deductible. And you can set your deductible as low as $100. There are no annual limits, either, and your policy can cover alternative treatments too. With 100% reimbursement and a $100 deductible, it will naturally mean a higher premium, but if your pet is involved in an accident or suffers a covered illness, you will barely pay out of pocket.
However, there are some restrictions. Spot Pet Insurance does not cover bilateral conditions. This means, for example, if your dog suffers ligament problems in one leg, they will not be covered for the same complaint in another leg. And unless you pay for your policy annually, you are charged a fee for making payments.
3. Trupanion Pet Insurance
Trupanion Pet Insurance is one of a limited number of insurance companies that offer direct payments. This means that your vet claims while you’re in the office. Upon acceptance of the submission, Trupanion pays the vet directly, so you don’t have to wait days or weeks to get money back from your insurer.
Their policy, of which there is only one, covers alternative treatments and even treatments like dental illnesses and prescription food. Such treatments are certainly not covered by all insurers or all policies. There are no annual or incident limits, either, but there is a $250 deductible, which isn’t bad but is inflexible and there are companies that offer a lower deductible value of $100.
The lack of flexibility, combined with high premium prices to cover the extensive policy, means that Trupanion’s service won’t be for all pet owners, but its direct vet payment is an appealing prospect.
4. ASPCA Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers a good variety of insurance plans and is one of few insurers that will cover hereditary conditions. They also offer cover for pre-existing conditions as long as your cat or dog has been symptom-free for at least 180 days. ASPCA even covers senior pets with no upper age limit. Most companies have an upper age limit of 7–9 years. Their policies have a 14-day waiting period at the start of the policy, after which you can make a claim, which is another generous feature that beats out most of the opposition.
When it comes to value, ASPCA offers an accident-only policy. True, it doesn’t cover your pet for illnesses, which means you will have to find the cash in these instances, but it keeps insurance premiums down to a minimum. The accident-only policy covers events like swallowed objects as well as the cost of treating toxic ingestion, and, unusually, the policy also includes the cost of having your pet microchipped.
Accident-only policies offer a deductible level between $100–$500 with annual limits ranging from $3,000–$10,000 with a lower annual limit reducing the premium you have to pay. ASPCA’s accident-only policy doesn’t cover your pet for illnesses but its low premiums that can be reduced even further with a lower annual limit is one of the best pet insurance plans in Mississippi for the money.
5. Prudent Pet Insurance
Prudent Pet Insurance is another company with no upper age limit on its insurance policies and is a good choice for senior cats and dogs. As well as an accident-only policy, Prudent offers two levels of policy coverage, and they also have a wellness care add-on plan that covers the cost of some routine treatments.
Depending on the policy chosen, the annual limit of how much you can claim against your policy is either $10,000 or unlimited. You can set your deductible level between $100 right up to $1,000 with that higher limit really helping reduce the annual premium you pay. And you can choose 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement. It’s a shame there’s no option for 100% reimbursement, but the range is good, nonetheless. Prudent even offers a 10% multi-pet discount.
Prudent Pet Insurance’s premiums are about average, but the lack of an upper age limit, the inclusion of most alternative therapies, and a good selection of plan coverage options make them a worthy addition to the list. And, if your pet goes missing, Prudent will pay for advertising and other costs to help get your pet back.
6. Nationwide Pet Insurance
Cats and dogs might be the most popular types of pets, but many pet owners have animals ranging from horses to parrots to snakes. Nationwide Pet Insurance is one of a select few companies to offer insurance for birds and exotics. You do need to make sure that your pet is listed on the website, however, with venomous snakes being excluded from insurance policies. You will also need to ring to get a quote for exotics, although you can apply for insurance for other pets via the website.
Nationwide Pet Insurance offers a reasonable range of options with its policies including reimbursement between 50% and 90%. It’s a shame there’s no 100% option, but 50% is the lowest level we’ve seen in pet insurance and can really reduce your policy premiums. You can reduce your policy cost by a further 5% if you have another Nationwide insurance product, too. The company also states that you can use any licensed vet anywhere in the world, so if you take your pet with you when you travel, it’s a good option. Unfortunately, there is no flexibility when it comes to your deductible amount—it is set at $250 and can’t be altered.
7. Hartville Pet Insurance
Hartville Pet Insurance offers accident-only or accident and illness policies. They also have preventive care add-ons that can be included in your insurance policy for an additional fee. Hartville’s insurance covers hereditary conditions and includes alternative therapies, prescription food, supplements, and even stem cell therapy.
Pre-existing conditions are covered after 180 days. Choose 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement levels and a deductible value of $100, $250, or $500 with annual limits set between $5,000 and unlimited. There is no maximum age limit, and you can enjoy the same level of coverage for senior pets as you can for younger cats and dogs. Hartville Pet Insurance’s coverage is extensive, but its premiums match this so you should expect to pay a little more with one of their policies compared to other companies. If you have multiple pets, you can bring the premiums down with a 10% multi-pet discount.
8. Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers insurance for cats or dogs. Its annual limits are different for each type of pet so cat owners get $7,000, $15,000, or unlimited limits, while dog owners can choose $10,000, $20,000, or unlimited coverage. All owners can choose between $100, $250, or $500 deductibles and all policies include 90% reimbursement. The 90% reimbursement is a good rate, with some companies offering a maximum of 80%. But because you can’t alter the rate, it means you can’t use this as a chance to reduce your premiums or increase your coverage.
Pumpkin also offers wellness packages for pets, including those designed specifically for puppies and kittens, which can be added to a policy. Coverage includes alternative therapies as well as stem cell treatments.
Pumpkin’s fixed 90% reimbursement means that premiums are a little on the expensive side, although you can bring these down if you have two or more pets, thanks to the 10% multi-pet discount.
9. Figo Pet Insurance
Figo Pet Insurance is a good choice for those that are looking for basically unlimited coverage with minimal vet fees to pay in the future.
Their policies can be customized with up to 100% reimbursement and with no annual limits on policy payments. There are no upper age limits on policy coverage, either. Plus, deductibles start at just $100. This means that, if you do ever have to claim against insurance, you pay the first $100 and Figo will pay everything else. This kind of policy does come with a higher premium, but it means that you know exactly how much you’ll have to pay each month.
However, unless you start coverage from a puppy or kitten, hereditary conditions aren’t covered. You also have to pay extra for things like office and exam fees to be included and the wellness packages that can be added to policies for even further cost are somewhat limited.
10. Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is notable for its willingness to insure pets of any age, although those aged 15 and over are only offered accident-only policies. Pets aged 14 and under can enjoy accident and illness cover, though. They do cover pre-existing conditions, as long as your pet has been symptom-free for 12 months. This is reasonable, although some companies only require a pet to be free of symptoms for 6 months. Embrace also offers diminishing premiums for healthy pets.
For every year you don’t make a claim, your annual premium is reduced by $50. Embrace has good coverage options available with annual limits from $5,000 to $30,000 as well as unlimited annual allowances. Deductibles can be set between $100–$1,000, and reimbursement levels can be set at 70%, 80%, or 90%. There is a good selection of discounts available, including a 10% multi-pet discount, 5% military discount, 10% employee discount, and a 15% discount for USAA members.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best pet Insurance Provider in Mississippi
What to Look for in Pet Insurance in Mississippi
When choosing pet insurance in Mississippi, it is important to find coverage that meets your needs and is appropriate for your pet. While comparing companies and plans, we looked at the following parameters to help us decide on the best insurance.
Policy Coverage
There is no point in taking out pet insurance if it doesn’t cover you for the most likely scenarios or doesn’t offer you the level of cover you need.
Virtually all pet insurance companies offer policies for dogs and cats. If you have other pets, such as birds, horses, or exotic pets, your options are somewhat restricted. But there are policies out there.
Accident-only insurance doesn’t cover illness or health conditions, but it does cover the potentially expensive costs involved after an accident. These policies tend to be the cheapest because they offer the least coverage.
Accident and illness policies cover costs from accidents, and they also cover unexpected illnesses. Some companies have restrictions in place that mean certain conditions are not covered. Typically, these restrictions include hereditary diseases, but some policies will cover them. If you have a breed that is especially prone to this type of illness, look for a policy that includes hereditary illness cover.
Finally, although routine treatments like worming, flea treatment, and spaying or neutering are not included in insurance policies, certain companies offer wellness or routine treatment add-ons. Weigh up the costs and the benefits these offer to ensure that they are financially beneficial before opting in.
Pet insurance policies may, and typically do, include limits. This is a financial limit of how much the policy will cover and limits can be set annually, over the lifetime of the policy, and even per treatment. The higher the limit, which can go up to unlimited payments, the higher the cost of the insurance premium but the more coverage you have.
Customer Service & Reputation
It’s difficult to judge customer service because no insurance company will admit to long waiting times or representatives that are difficult to get hold of. Therefore, the best way to judge customer service is by looking at the company’s reputation.
Look at reviews from other parties, ask friends and family that might have experience dealing with pet insurance companies, check out social media, and judge the responses from your own interactions with the company. If you have to wait several days for a response before you’ve even signed an agreement, will you be confident of getting a quick response when you submit a claim?
Claim Repayment
Hopefully, you will never have to claim against your pet insurance policy, but pets get ill, and they can be involved in accidents that lead to veterinary treatment. In most cases, owners have to pay the vet directly for any treatment and other costs and will then be reimbursed by the insurance company. If the bill is several hundred or even thousands of dollars, it can be difficult to find the money in the first place and even more difficult to have to wait a long time before getting it back.
Reimbursement usually takes between a few days and several weeks, although you can find some online companies that settle within minutes or a day or two, and a very select list of insurance companies that will pay the vet directly while you’re still in the office. The shorter the reimbursement time, the better, but this shouldn’t come at the cost of higher premiums or poor policy terms.
Price Of Policy
Price isn’t everything and there are some instances where it can be a good idea to pay more for insurance. Comprehensive policies cover a wider range of illnesses and conditions and may include additional treatment options, while cheaper policies can have restrictions and require that you agree to hefty deductibles and low annual limits. With that said, it is important to look at the cost of premiums and to try and compare on a like-for-like basis.
Some companies offer ways to reduce premiums. For example, if you pay annually, a company might waive payment fees. If you have two or more pets that you are looking to insure, a multi-pet discount could offer you 10% off pet insurance policies. If you serve in the military or you can get pet insurance from the same company that provides your home insurance or life insurance, you may be able to get a discount, too.
Plan Customization
We all have different personal circumstances. Our pets and their needs are also unique. As such, the ability to customize an insurance plan can make a big difference in ensuring that we get the best policy for our pets and our needs.
Most companies do offer two or more different levels of coverage and you will usually find that you can increase or decrease values like deductibles and reimbursement rates to match your needs and to increase coverage or reduce cost.
Further customization might also be available that allows you to add a wellness package to your insurance. This type of package gives you some money towards costs like vaccinations and neutering and essentially allows you to budget for all your pet’s health care costs and pay monthly.
FAQ
What Is the Best and Most Affordable Pet Insurance?
The most affordable pet insurance policies are usually accident-only policies. These do not cover the costs associated with illness, though, so they are somewhat restrictive and if your pet gets ill then you could end up with a sizable vet bill to cover.
How Can I Reduce Pet Insurance Costs?
As well as opting for an accident-only policy, there are other ways to reduce pet insurance premiums. Increase the size of your deductible value, where possible, but do make sure that it isn’t set so high that you will struggle to meet the value. Decreasing your annual limits is another way to reduce policy premiums, and so too is foregoing any wellness or preventative care elements that might be included. Paying annually may mean that monthly or quarterly payment fees are waived, too, while discounts for insuring multiple pets, having multiple insurance policies with the same company, or serving in the military are also available with some insurers.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Existing Conditions?
Pet insurance does not usually cover existing conditions, although there are exceptions. Those insurers that will cover existing conditions require that your pet be symptom-free for a set period before they will cover any future costs. This can vary from 180 symptom-free days to 12 months.
Can I Get Pet Insurance for a Snake?
Most pet insurance companies offer insurance for cats and dogs, although some do specialize in one or the other. If you have a bird, horse, or exotic pet, your options are restricted to a handful of insurers, but insurance policies do exist. Snakes are usually included as exotic pets, but you will need to check with an insurer first because some refuse insurance for venomous pets and some have a list of restricted pet types and breeds.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
First and foremost, you should limit the companies you consider to those that will insure your pet. As well as the type of pet, some will only insure cats and dogs up to a certain age, so senior pet owners will find it more difficult to find a provider. Beyond this, consider your monthly budget and how much you would be able to afford in the event of an accident or if your pet gets ill.
Set your deductible value and your annual limits accordingly, and then get a range of quotes from insurers. This way, you can choose the most affordable policy that covers your requirements before considering the addition of wellness packages and other features.
Conclusion
Pet insurance allows pet owners to plan for almost any contingency and policies vary from accident-only to fully comprehensive plans that can also incorporate additional elements of wellbeing and preventative care. There are a lot of options available and, above, we have included reviews of 10 of the best pet insurance plans in Mississippi with Lemonade Pet Insurance offering a good variety of inexpensive plans and claims usually accepted within minutes.
Featured Image Credit: thodonal88, Shutterstock
