Our Rankings of Pet Insurance Providers in Minnesota
Here are our rankings for the best pet insurance providers in Minnesota:
- Spot: Most customizable
- Embrace: Our pick for savings
- Fetch: Our pick for special perks
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
- Healthy Paws: Our pick for unlimited coverage
What’s the Best Pet Insurance in Minnesota?
After extensive research and data analysis, we chose Spot Pet Insurance as the best pet insurance provider in Minnesota.
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Minnesota
The needs of each pet and pet owner varies considerably, making choosing a plan a highly individual experience. Use the table for a quick comparison of the top plans so you can see how they stack up.
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | up to 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans |
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | up to 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans |
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Minnesota?
We gathered sample quotes from top providers for four hypothetical pets to determine how much the average pet insurance plan costs in Minnesota. According to our data collection, the average plan in the North Star State costs $63 per month for dogs and $31 per month for cats.
Keep in mind that these are only average figures. What you actually pay for a plan each month varies depending on several factors, including your pet’s breed, life stage and home location. Veterinary care may cost more in larger cities, which drives up insurance prices. Also, breeds that are known to develop health problems generally cost more to insure than other breeds.
Here’s an overview of the average monthly plan costs in Minnesota, broken out by provider:
Provider | Dog Insurance | Cat Insurance |
Spot | $63 | $29 |
Embrace | $77 | $39 |
Healthy Paws | $57 | $22 |
Fetch | $78 | $49 |
Figo | $48 | $20 |
Pets Best | $43 | $21 |
Paw Protect | $78 | $40 |
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | $25 | $14 |
Trupanion | $100 | $43 |
What’s the Cheapest Pet Insurance in Minnesota?
According to our sample quotes, the cheapest pet insurance provider in Minnesota is ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. The company has been insuring pets for several decades and provides reliable, comprehensive coverage at a reasonable cost. While ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is a solid choice for nearly any pet, you should still check out other companies’ plans before making a decision.
How To Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Minnesota
The first step to choosing a plan is to determine what coverage items are most important for your pet’s predicted needs. Then, research and compare providers to find one that meets those needs. Consider:
- Coverage and plan types: Three main coverage types exist: accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans. Accident-only plans are akin to human “catastrophic” insurance, while accident and illness plans are considered full-coverage options. Wellness plans can be added to base plans to gain coverage for routine care needs, such as vaccines, parasiticides and spay or neuter surgery.
- Fine print: The fine print of each policy outlines how the company handles claims, what’s excluded from coverage and what requirements you must meet for reimbursements. Always read policy documents carefully.
- Customization: Plans that allow you to choose from several options for deductibles, coverage limits and reimbursement rates offer the most flexibility.
- Customer satisfaction: Are current customers happy with their plans? Read reviews on reputable sites such as Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out.
Some providers may not be available in all states. Like human health insurance, different providers operate in different areas, while others maintain a national presence. Confirm availability in your area by obtaining quotes.
What Are the Pet Laws in Minnesota?
Minnesota pet law works to prevent rabies and protect the welfare of pets, wildlife and residents. Some notable laws in the Land of 10,000 Lakes include protections for pets under restraining orders and the ability for pet owners to establish financial trusts for their pets’ care.
Individual cities and towns in Minnesota also write and enforce their own pet codes.
Minneapolis Pet Laws
- City residents can own a maximum of three dogs and cats total.
- All pets must be licensed with the city every one or three years. However, pets that are microchipped and sterilized may be eligible for a lifetime license.
- Dogs must have an off-leash dog permit before visiting off-leash areas.
Duluth Pet Laws
- Animals up for adoption must be spayed or neutered before going to their new homes.
- Dogs and cats over eight weeks old must be licensed with the city.
- No more than five total pets or three dogs can be kept in any dwelling without a maximum pet exemption license.
St. Cloud Pet Laws
- A maximum of 10 pets are allowed on residential property, but no more than four combined dogs and cats, four total cats or two total dogs.
- Dog owners must pick up feces from their yard at least every two days.
- Residents can call the city’s health and inspections department to address nuisance dog barking.
Understanding Pet Insurance Terminology
These definitions can help you understand how pet insurance works and choose a plan with agreeable options.
- A waiting period is the time between your plan’s start date and when your coverage actually begins. The waiting period is designed to prevent fraud. Any conditions occurring during the waiting period are considered pre-existing and won’t be covered.
- A deductible is the amount you pay for covered services during each policy term before insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible means you’ll pay more when your pet needs care; however, your monthly premiums will cost less.
- A premium is the amount you pay to purchase a pet insurance policy. Most people choose monthly premium installments, but some plans give a discount when you pay annually.
- A reimbursement rate is the percentage of an eligible service cost that your insurance plan will reimburse. The remaining percentage is your responsibility.
- Insurance plans usually set limits on annual, per-incident or lifetime coverage amounts. The best plans have high annual limits that reset each year or unlimited coverage.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It in Minnesota?
Most Gopher State pet owners find that pet insurance is worth the investment, provided they choose a plan that meets their financial needs. Premiums can cost an average of $500 to $600 per year, and it can feel like you are wasting money during years you don’t use your coverage. However, a good plan may pay up to $15,000 or unlimited amounts per year when your pet needs care, which would quickly cover the lifetime cost of a pet insurance plan and prevent you from being forced into difficult cost-related decisions about your pet’s care.
We chose Spot as the top pet insurance provider in Minnesota. However, each plan we listed offers reliable coverage and is a good choice for pets. We recommend pet owners obtain quotes from at least three providers to compare offerings before choosing the one that best suits their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Minnesota
Once a pet insurance policy is in force, pet owners can bring their pet to any veterinarian. After paying their veterinarian directly, pet owners can file a claim with their insurance company to be reimbursed for treatment costs relating to accidents, injuries, illnesses and emergencies. Standard pet insurance does not cover routine costs, such as vaccinations, without an additional wellness plan. Deductibles, annual coverage limits and reimbursement percentages vary among plans.
Veterinarians tend to focus on the medical side of veterinary care and may not be in a position to provide a recommendation on the best pet insurance provider for you. Unless the veterinarian happens to contract with a specific provider, pet owners should do their own research to find the right plan for them.
Most pet insurance providers let you choose your annual coverage limit. That way, you can pick the coverage limit you’re comfortable with and adjust coverage as your pet gets older. A lower annual limit may suffice for younger pets or accident-only coverage, but traditional coverage tends to start at $10,000 per year.
How We Ranked the Best Pet Insurance Providers in Minnesota
The MarketWatch Guides team ranked the top pet insurance providers using an objective scale, which assigns points for pricing, coverages, customization options, exclusions, age limits, reputation and customer service. We also surveyed pet owners to determine the most common insurance and veterinary care needs in the state. Plan availability and survey responses determined the rank order for providers operating in Minnesota.
Cost information listed in this article was obtained using sample quotes from 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. We then averaged results for each species to determine average plan costs. For more information about our rating process, check out our full pet insurance methodology and editorial guidelines.