Best Pet Insurance in Montana: Top Companies & Plans (2023 Review)

Montana is a beautiful destination brimming with snow-capped peaks, sparkling lakes, and furry family members. In fact, the Treasure State has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the U.S.

You know your pet is a treasure and deserves top-notch care no matter the cost. But, it’s often hard to think straight with an astronomical vet bill in hand. You might feel like you need to forfeit great veterinary care to salvage your budget.

Luckily, pet insurance is a fast-growing tool that can help you budget for veterinary expenses, especially those you don’t see coming. There are numerous pet insurance companies up and running in Montana, so we’ve sifted through the fine print to help you find your perfect match.

We’ll review the following providers to help you find the best pet insurance in Montana:

• Spot: Best overall 
• Lemonade: Most affordable
• Embrace: Best for deductibles
• Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
• ASPCA: Most experienced
• Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
• Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
• Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursement
• Trupanion: Most flexible deductible

Best Montana Pet Insurance Companies & Plans

*Certain conditions, such as cruciate ligaments or orthopedic conditions, may have longer waiting period times, usually six months to a year. This is common among many pet insurance providers, but most illnesses will be covered after the waiting period listed above.

Pet Insurance Companies in Montana Reviews

You buy pet insurance for the same reason you buy car or home insurance – with the hope you’ll never have to use it. You might have a hard time justifying a purchase you might not use, but pet insurance is worth it. You’ll pay predictable monthly premiums in exchange for peace of mind when it comes to affording costly vet care for your beloved pet. 

If you’re going to pay for a pet insurance plan, you deserve one that fits your needs. In the next section, we’ll discuss various plan options from top pet insurance providers in Montana.

Spot Pet Insurance

Spot provides highly customizable pet insurance coverage for unexpected veterinary bills. 

You can mix and match the following rates for personalized coverage and premiums.

For Spot’s accident/illness coverage, you’ll pay an average of $30-$50 per month for dogs and $18-$25 per month for cats.

Spot covers:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Cancer treatment
• Hospitalization
• Microchip implantation
• Behavioral therapy
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays
• Prescription medications

Spot doesn’t cover:

• Birds and exotic animals
• Cosmetic procedures
• Pre-existing conditions
• Accidents or illnesses that occur during waiting periods
• Breeding costs
• Preventive care

You can pay extra per month for one of Spot’s wellness plans. The Gold Preventative Care package reimburses up to $250 for wellness services, and the Platinum Preventative Care package covers up to $450.

Spot’s wellness packages have per-item limits, so you’ll have dollar amount allowances for individual services.

In addition to its customizable plans and comprehensive wellness coverage, Spot also offers a 10% multi-pet discount and a 10% discount if you enroll in a plan through your employer’s benefits program.

Pros:

• Highly customizable plans
• Unlimited annual benefit option
• No upper age limits
• 10% multi-pet discount

Cons:

• Bilateral exclusions for certain conditions
• Higher monthly premiums

For more information, read our comprehensive Spot pet insurance review.

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade provides affordable pet insurance with competitive coverage rates and customizability. We like Lemonade’s user-friendly website and mobile app, which make submitting a claim easy and efficient.

When building your Lemonade pet insurance plan, you can combine the following rates.

On average, a Lemonade accident/illness plan costs $37 per month for dogs and $15 per month for cats.

Lemonade covers:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
• Blood testing
• Urinalysis
• Specialty care
• Emergency care
• Hospitalization
• Surgery
• Prescription medications 

Lemonade doesn’t cover:

• Dental illnesses
• Cosmetic procedures
• Behavioral training
• Breeding costs
• Pre-existing conditions
• Incidents that occur during waiting periods
• Exotic animals
• Preventive care

Lemonade offers Preventative and Preventative+ packages for routine veterinary care. Depending on the package you select, you’ll pay $10-$24 per month for dogs and $10-$16 for cats. 

Like Spot, Lemonade enforces per-item limits on each of its covered wellness services. Your reimbursement percentages will be the same for your pet insurance plan and your wellness add-on. 

Here are the per-item limits for a wellness package with an 80% reimbursement rate.

Lemonade offers a few sweet deals, including a 5% multi-pet discount, 5% yearly discount for loyal members, and a 10% discount when you bundle pet insurance with other Lemonade services.

Pros:

• Competitively affordable monthly prices
• User-friendly website and mobile app
• Preventive care add-ons for pets of all ages

Cons:

• No dental illness coverage
• Not available in all states

Read our Lemonade pet insurance review to find out more.

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace offers accident/illness pet insurance coverage at customizable rates.

We like Embrace’s exclusive Healthy Pet Deductible program, which reduces your annual deductible by $50 for every year you go without submitting a claim.

When selecting your Embrace pet insurance rates, you can choose from the following options.

With Embrace, you’ll pay about $30-$40 per month for dog insurance and $15-$20 per month for cat insurance.

Embrace’s accident/illness plan covers:

• Injuries
• Illnesses
• Congenital conditions
• Exam fees
• Cancer treatment
• Chronic conditions
• Allergy testing
• Physical therapy
• Dental illnesses
• Dental injuries
• Specialist care
• Emergency care 
• Hospitalization

Embrace doesn’t cover:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Exotic animals
• Boarding fees
• Elective procedures
• Breeding costs
• Alternative treatments
• Accidents and illnesses that occur during waiting periods
• Preventive care

Embrace offers a non-insurance Wellness Rewards program for preventative care coverage. 

The Wellness Rewards Program only saves you about $25 per year. Embrace encourages customers to use it as a budgeting tool to plan for wellness costs in advance and keep pets up-to-date on routine health care. 

The Wellness Rewards package doesn’t have per-item limits, so the full amount is available the day you sign up.

Embrace offers a 10% multi-pet discount, 5% military discount, and a 10% employee benefits discount.

Pros:

• Diminishing deductible program
• Stackable discounts available
• Flexible pre-existing condition policy
• Wellness Rewards program for routine care

Cons:

• Pets over 14 are only eligible for accident coverage
• Preventative care add-on doesn’t save you much money

Take a look at our Embrace pet insurance review for more information.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Healthy Paws pet insurance offers a straightforward plan for your pet’s unexpected veterinary needs. 

The provider also operates the Healthy Paws Foundation, which has donated nearly $2 million to animal welfare organizations.

We like that Healthy Paws doesn’t cap coverage. Your pet’s per-item, annual, and lifetime benefits are unlimited no matter how you customize your plan. However, Healthy Paws limits plan customizability by your pet’s age at enrollment, so keep this in mind if you have an older pet. 

For pet’s 3 years old and younger, you can mix and match the following coverage options:

Healthy Paws pet insurance costs about $40 per month for dogs and $20 per month for cats.

Healthy Paws covers:

• Accidental injuries
• Illnesses
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Chronic conditions
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic testing
• X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
• Surgery 
• Hospitalization
• Prescription medications
• Specialist care
• Emergency care
• Alternative treatments

Healthy Paws doesn’t cover:

• Preventive care
• Pre-existing conditions
• Exam, office, or administrative fees
• Incidents that occur during waiting periods
• Birds and exotic pets
• Spay/neuter procedures

Healthy Paws doesn’t offer any add-on packages, so it’s a good option for pet parents seeking simple yet comprehensive accident/illness coverage without any additional fees.

Pros:

• Unlimited lifetime coverage for all plans
• Donates to over 400 nonprofit pet organizations
• Quick claims process

Cons:

• No exam fee or wellness coverage add-ons
• No multi-pet discounts
• Customizability limited by age

Check out our Healthy Paws pet insurance review to find out more.

ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA pet health insurance helps you manage unexpected and costly vet bills. 

ASPCA automatically covers exam fees, which some providers charge extra for or don’t cover at all. We also like that the provider covers microchip implantation to help you locate a lost pet.

ASPCA offers different annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates to help you customize your coverage. The provider caps coverage at $10,000, which is low compared to other top providers. ASPCA does, however, have low deductibles, so your coverage will kick in sooner.

Here are your mix and match rate options for ASPCA pet insurance coverage.

ASPCA’s accident/illness pet insurance plan costs about $50 per month for dogs and $30 for cats.

ASPCA covers:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Exam fees
• Microchip implantation
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Behavioral issues
• Dental illness
• Alternative therapy
• Diagnostic testing

ASPCA doesn’t cover:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Exotic animals (except horses in some states)
• Illnesses or accidents that occur during waiting periods
• Cosmetic procedures
• Breeding costs
• Preventative care

You can purchase ASPCA’s Basic or Prime Preventive Care packages for coverage of routine vet services. 

The plans have the following per-item limits:

ASPCA offers a 10% multi-pet discount and a 10% discount to veterinary professionals who enroll through an employer’s benefits program.

Pros:

• Exam fee coverage 
• Microchip implantation coverage

Cons:

• Annual coverage capped at $10,000
• Monthly transaction fee

For more information, read our ASPCA pet insurance review.

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Montana? 

Pet health insurance is similar to human health insurance because it helps you afford costly medical services. Pet insurance is different from human health insurance because it doesn’t operate through networks but instead uses a reimbursement system. This means you’ll pay for your pet’s treatment in full, and your pet insurance provider will reimburse you after the fact.

You’ll save any medical records and itemized invoices from your pet’s vet visit and submit them to your pet insurance provider as a claim. The claim will show your pet insurance provider which services your pet had and how much you should be reimbursed.

After submitting a pet insurance claim, you can typically track its progress in your online member portal or mobile app. Your provider will reach out to you for additional documentation or deposit your reimbursement directly into your bank account.

How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Montana for You

We know it’s hard to choose a pet insurance plan. There are so many providers on the market, and they all offer different costs, add-ons, exclusions, and levels of coverage. You can read our comprehensive pet insurance reviews to gain a deeper understanding of individual providers.

For now, we’ll go over accident-only coverage, waiting periods, and how coverage level and price go hand in hand. Understanding these factors will help you choose a plan that’s right for you.

Accident/Illness Vs. Accident-Only Coverage

You’ll typically be able to select accident/illness coverage or accident-only coverage when building your pet’s insurance plan. With an accident-only plan, you’ll get coverage for things like:

• Broken bones
• Cuts
• Bite wounds
• Lodged foreign objects
• Toxic ingestions

Some providers limit older pets to accident-only coverage because they’re already at a higher risk of developing illnesses. In many cases, accident/illness coverage isn’t worth it for older pets because they’ll run into pre-existing condition exclusions. So, if you have an older or accident-prone pet, an accident-only plan might be a good choice. 

Waiting Periods

A waiting period is a time frame at the beginning of your pet insurance policy before coverage kicks in. Pet insurance providers enforce waiting periods to prevent people from buying a plan to cover issues that have already begun. During these periods, your pet’s vet bills won’t get any coverage, and its injuries and illnesses will be considered pre-existing moving forward. 

Waiting periods are longer and shorter for different items. In general, accident waiting periods are the shortest and typically range from two days to two weeks. Illness waiting periods are usually two weeks.

Waiting periods for orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia can range from six months to a year, so keep that in mind if you have an at-risk breed.

Coverage Level and Cost

We love that most pet insurance providers offer affordable options for pet parents on a budget. However, if you’re tempted to choose the cheapest option, remember you might not be getting the coverage your pet actually needs. 

You’ll pay the lowest premium for a plan with a high deductible, low annual limit, and low reimbursement percentage. With this plan, you’d pay less in monthly premiums but get little coverage in the event of a veterinary emergency. With a low deductible, high annual limit, high reimbursement plan, you’ll pay much more in monthly premiums but get a faster and higher payout.

When customizing your pet insurance plan, weigh the benefits of a higher-cost, higher-reward plan. You might find that paying more each month is worth the peace of mind you’ll get if a veterinary emergency comes your way.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Montana? 

In Montana, you’ll typically pay about $30-$50 per month for dog insurance and $10-$25 per month for cat insurance.

Pet insurance premiums vary depending on your pet’s species, breed, age, and ZIP code, so you should consider these factors when choosing a plan. 

We’ve retrieved Spot pet insurance quotes* for a couple of pets in Billings and Helena, Mont., to help you understand how your pet’s age and location affect monthly costs.

All of the pet insurance providers we’ve discussed have free quote generators to help you estimate costs for different coverage rates and pet characteristics.

To give you an idea of how costs can vary by provider, we’ve compiled some sample quotes* for a 2-year-old Golden Retriever and Domestic Longhair cat living in Missoula, Mont.

*For these quotes, we selected 10,000 annual limits, 80% reimbursement rates, and $500 annual deductibles.

Final Thoughts

We believe you should never have to decline life-saving care for your pet just because of cost. Pet insurance is an excellent tool that helps you budget for expensive vet care and handle your pet’s unexpected medical emergencies without financial stress.

We hope this article helps you find the best pet insurance in Montana. We’ve discussed top providers that offer a variety of insurance plans and coverage rates, so you can select a policy to fit your needs. No matter what kind of plan you select, you’re investing in your financial wellness and a healthy future for your pet.

Information for Pet Owners in Montana 

Montana is an excellent location for visitors and locals to enjoy endless treasures. Your pet will love to tag along on wag-worthy adventures in the Treasure State. 

While you’re exploring Montana, remember to follow local and state pet laws. We’ll go over a few of these laws to keep you and your fuzzy friend safe and out of trouble.

We’ve also listed a couple of pet owner resources if you need a helping hand.

Montana Pet Laws

Montana pet laws vary by municipality, so you might have slightly different regulations depending on where you live. We’ve listed a few notable Montana pet laws you should follow no matter where you are. These guidelines will help keep your pet and follow Montanans safe.

• You must provide your pet with proper nourishment, water, shelter, and veterinary care. 
• It’s illegal to abandon your pet.
• You must obtain a valid license to own a dog and provide proof of rabies vaccinations to your municipal or county office.
• Your county’s law enforcement has the right to fine you if your dog barks frequently and becomes a nuisance.
• It’s illegal for dogs over five months to run at large without a proper license tag. 
• Dogs roaming without proper identification can be impounded and even sold.

Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in MT

Take your leashed pet to the Kootenai National Forest for a day of recreation and sightseeing. You and your pet can wander up to magnificent waterfalls and glacial lakes and explore the park’s 2.2 million acres of river canyons, mountain peaks, and natural reservoirs. 

Kootenai’s Sheldon Mountain trail system is the perfect place for equestrian pet parents to take their horses for a ride through the equine trailhead and camping areas.

Feline fanatics can spend the day at Cat Show Cat Cafe in Bozeman, Mont. Cat Show is the purrfect place to sip a tasty drink and find a forever friend. The cafe fosters hard-to-adopt cats from Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter and uses proceeds to care for and create a cozy environment for these kitties in need. If you’re on the market for a new furry companion, Cat Show won’t disappoint.

Montana Pet Resources

The AniMeals No-Kill Adoption Center and Animal Food Bank in Missoula provides numerous resources to pet owners in need. AniMeals provides pet food to shelters and rescue groups struggling to support the growing number of abandoned and homeless animals. AniMeals also feeds pets of homebound and disabled owners, as well as stray pets living on the streets.

If a senior citizen in your life needs a companion animal, AniMeals offers the Seniors for Seniors program. This program matches people over 60 with a pet over 11 years old. AniMeals doesn’t charge an adoption fee for approved applications and provides free grooming services twice a year to Seniors for Seniors pets.

SPAY Montana provides low-cost spay/neuter services to Montana pet owners. SPAY Montana aims to help pet owners afford spay/neuter procedures for their pets and minimize the impact of pet overpopulation on a local and statewide scale.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Montana

Do all vets take pet insurance? 

In short, yes. Your pet insurance provider doesn’t work with your vet, so you don’t have to worry about your vet being in-network like a human health insurance plan. Instead, you submit your claim directly to your pet insurance provider, which will reimburse you based on your coverage. This allows you to go to any licensed veterinarian, whether they are at a clinic or animal hospital, to get your pet the care they need. As long as the treatment is covered under your plan, you’ll be covered. 

Does pet insurance only cover dogs and cats? 

Most pet insurance providers only cover dogs and cats. To date, the only pet insurance provider that covers birds and exotic pets in the United States is Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide can cover your pet pig, lizard, parrot, chinchilla, and other exotic animals. Exotic pets need excellent veterinary care just as much as dogs and cats, so consider looking into a pet insurance plan for them today if you have an exotic pet.

Do pet insurance policies have waiting periods in Montana?

Yes, pet insurance policies more than always have waiting periods. between your initial enrollment period and when coverage officially begins for the plan. Across most providers, the standard is around 14 days for accidents and illnesses, but some others, including Lemonade and Embrace, can shorten your waiting period to as low as two days for accidents.

Our Methodology

​​Here at 365 Pet Insurance, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:

• Coverage
• Plan options
• Cost 
• Reputation
• Customer service 
• Species available
• Wellness benefits 

We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursements, deductibles, and limitations. 

Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:

• Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
• Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points.  Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
• Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
• Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
• Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
• Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
• Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.

Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.