Our Rankings of Pet Insurance Providers in Maine
Our picks for the top pet insurance providers in Maine are:
- Spot: Our top pick
- Fetch: Our pick for special perks
- Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
- Healthy Paws: Our pick for unlimited coverage
What’s the Best Pet Insurance in Maine?
After analyzing data from multiple providers, we chose Spot as our top pick for the best pet insurance in Maine.
Compare Top Pet Insurance Companies in Maine
We can’t recommend a single plan that will work for all pet owners. Instead, we recommend that you examine each plan’s offerings and measure them against your pet insurance needs. Our comparison chart offers a glance at the most important information from each provider:
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34-$75 | 14 days | A- | |||
$45-$90 | up to 15 days | A+ | |||
$25-$54 | 1 days | B | |||
$24-$54 | 15 days | A+ |
Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A- | $34-$75 | 14 days | |||
A+ | $45-$90 | up to 15 days | |||
B | $25-$54 | 1 days | |||
A+ | $24-$54 | 15 days |
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Maine?
To analyze average pet insurance costs in the great state of Maine, we obtained sample quotes for four pet types — a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed male dog, a 2-year-old female golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed male cat and a 2-year-old female Siamese cat — from several of the most popular providers operating in the state. According to our quotes, the average cost for a pet insurance plan in Maine is $83 per month for dogs and $40 per month for cats.
Your price will vary depending on your pet’s age, breed and where you live within the state. Factors that may drive costs up include advanced age, pure-bred status and high cost-of-living areas. On the other hand, you’ll typically pay less for mixed breeds and puppies, kittens and young adults.
Our table outlines the average monthly costs for pet insurance plans in Maine broken down by species and provider:
Provider | Dog Insurance | Cat Insurance |
Spot | $20 | $9 |
Healthy Paws | $48 | $25 |
Fetch | $110 | $54 |
Figo | $56 | $25 |
Pets Best | $75 | $32 |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | $37 | $16 |
Trupanion | $177 | $92 |
What’s the Cheapest Pet Insurance in Maine?
According to our research, the cheapest pet insurance provider in Maine is Spot, followed by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. All of the providers listed in the table above are reputable companies with good track records in the pet health industry, but each has pros and cons that make it suitable for different people. Pet owners should thoroughly research plans before choosing based on cost alone.
How To Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Maine
Choosing a pet insurance plan can be a complex process. Pet owners should first decide which coverages and plan features their pet may need. From there, analyze plan details to determine which is the best fit. Consider:
- Coverage and plan types: The plan type determines how much coverage your pet will have. Accident-only plans provide emergency and urgent care coverage, while accident and illness plans also cover non-accident-related illnesses. Wellness plans can be added to standard coverage to help cover routine care costs.
- Fine print: You can find the ever-important fine print in a sample policy or your actual policy documents. Although it may take a while, reading the fine print is crucial in ensuring you understand how your policy works and what won’t be covered.
- Customization: More available customization options generally mean more flexible coverage and premiums. As pets get older and their premium costs go up, customizable plans allow you to increase your deductible or lower your reimbursement percentage or annual limit to keep your premiums affordable.
- Customer satisfaction: Reading customer reviews on Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other trusted sites can be an eye-opening and valuable experience when searching for a reputable plan.
Because Maine has enacted particularly strict legal restrictions on providers, some national providers do not operate in the state. To ensure availability in your area, consult our ranking in this article and obtain quotes early in your research process.
What Are the Pet Laws in Maine?
Maine sets out basic pet and animal laws to ensure two- and four-legged residents live safely and harmoniously. Rabies vaccination, pet control, nuisance avoidance and animal cruelty regulations are standard. Maine has a few notable pet laws, including a ban on breed-specific legislation and a requirement for hunting dogs to wear GPS collars.
Maine cities and counties can set ordinances of their own, which are usually more specific and stringent than state law. Some highlights include the following.
Portland Pet Laws
- Dogs may need to be on a short leash, long leash or under voice control depending on the area they’re visiting.
- Pet owners have six days to reclaim lost pets impounded at the shelter.
- Pet shops may only sell dogs or cats obtained from a shelter or rescue organization.
Lewiston Pet Laws
- Residents may keep a maximum of four dogs on their property.
- Dogs may not be left in vehicles without adequate ventilation and are prohibited from leaning out of a parked car window where they could bite a passerby.
- Dog owners are liable for damage to people or property caused by their dog.
Bangor Pet Laws
- Pet owners have eight days to reclaim lost pets impounded at the animal shelter.
- Dogs must be leashed in specific city parks and the Bangor waterfront.
- Barking for longer than 30 seconds between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. constitutes a nuisance.
Understanding Pet Insurance Terminology
Understanding these definitions can help you learn how pet insurance works and narrow down your policy options.
A waiting period is the time between signing up for a policy and its effective date. Maine law dictates that insurers cannot extend waiting periods longer than 30 days for certain conditions and cannot require them for accidents.
A deductible is the amount you pay each policy term before your plan will pay for covered services. An insurance company subtracts the deductible from a claim total and applies the reimbursement rate to determine how much they’ll pay.
A premium is the purchase price of a pet insurance policy and is typically paid in monthly installments.
Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of a claim a pet insurance plan will repay you for eligible pet costs that you incurred.
The annual coverage limit determines the maximum amount a plan will pay in any given year. Unlimited coverage limits are available from some providers.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It in Maine?
With veterinary care costs on the rise, obtaining pet insurance is a solid strategy to help offset unexpected veterinary expenses. Without insurance, you could be left to decide between treating your pet’s illness or paying your essential bills. Pet insurance could be worth purchasing for most Maine pet parents, especially since laws in the state closely regulate how pet insurance can operate.
Our top pick for pet insurance in the Pine Tree State is Spot, but we found that all the providers on our list can meet the needs of the average pet owner. Visit each plan’s website, obtain quotes and read through some sample policies to determine which plan is best for your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Maine
Pet owners in Maine are uniquely protected under Maine’s insurance laws, which ensure providers offer fair policies. Pet insurance is not required for Maine residents, but it’s a good idea to protect pet owners from unexpected veterinary expenses.
Maine laws prohibit waiting periods for accident coverage and limit them to a maximum of 30 days for most other coverage types. Your policy’s waiting periods will be clearly stated in your policy documents.
Prescription drugs are covered by pet insurance in Maine provided they’re required to treat illnesses or accidental injuries and not related to a pre-existing condition. Some plans place restrictions on how long a drug may be covered.
How We Ranked the Best Pet Insurance Providers in Maine
We ranked the best providers in Maine by evaluating them on a multiple-point scale, including factors such as pricing, customer reviews, plan options, customization, covered treatments, industry reputation and age limits. We ranked providers based on pet owner survey responses and which plans were available in the state.
Cost data was collected using sample quotes for four pet types, including a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed male dog, a 2-year-old female golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed male cat and a 2-year-old female Siamese cat. Data from each species was averaged to create individual cost figures listed in this article. For more information about our ranking process, visit our full pet insurance methodology and editorial guidelines.