The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Virginia (2024)

Here is our list of the top pet insurance providers in Virginia:

• Lemonade: Our top pick
• Spot: Most customizable
• Embrace: Our pick for savings
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
• Healthy Paws: Our pick for unlimited coverage
• Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates

After reading local customer reviews, comparing plans and obtaining sample quotes, we chose Lemonade as our top pick for pet insurance in Virginia.

How We Ranked the Best Pet Insurance Providers in Virginia

To rate the best pet insurance providers in Virginia, we researched each plan and used an objective rating scale to evaluate pricing, coverage and add-ons, customer care, waiting periods and age limits. We determined company rankings based on availability throughout the state and how well available plans matched common veterinary needs and pet owner preferences in Virginia.

We scored each provider on a 100-point scale and divided the final score by 20 to calculate an overall rating of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:

• Monthly pricing (25%) 
• Plans (15%)
• Covered treatments (15%)
• Customization options (10%)
• Customer care (10%)
• Industry reputation (10%)
• Waiting periods (10%)
• Eligible age (5%)

How We Gathered V.A. Pet Insurance Costs

We based cost estimates on sample quotes obtained for four different pets for 14 providers in Virginia and then averaged results for each species. Sample pets included the following:

• A 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed male dog
• A 2-year-old large golden retriever female dog
• A 5-year-old mixed-breed, male cat
• A 2-year-old Siamese female cat

.Visit our full pet insurance methodology or editorial guidelines for more information on our ranking procedures.

As long as your pet qualifies, pet insurance is a financially responsible way to protect both your pet and your wallet if expensive emergency veterinarian care is needed.

To help you choose the right provider, we at the Guides Home Team conducted extensive research on pet insurance companies and selected our top recommendations. We have narrowed down that list of superior pet insurance providers here to focus on those serving Virginia.

We collected quotes for four hypothetical pets, including a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed cat and a 2-year-old Siamese cat. Based on our sample quotes, the average pet insurance plan in Virginia costs $67 per month for dogs and $31 for cats.

Each provider determines pet insurance costs by considering multiple factors, including your pet’s age, breed and location. Insurance may be more expensive in areas where veterinary care costs are above average. Also, it is generally more expensive to insure breeds known for particular health problems, such as French bulldogs.

Here are the average monthly costs for pet insurance in the Old Dominion State, broken down by provider.

Our research found that the cheapest pet insurance provider in Virginia is Lemonade, with plans costing an average of $33 per month for dogs and $15 for cats. Lemonade’s pet insurance plans are our top pick because the company provides basic accident and illness coverage for a consistently low cost. However, the base plan covers fewer conditions and treatments than other options on our list.

Lemonade policyholders can add riders to their plans to enhance coverage for an additional cost. You may also want to consider ASPCA Pet Health Insurance or ManyPets for similarly priced plans.

When shopping for a pet health insurance plan, you may feel overwhelmed by how many choices you have. To start, evaluate the type of veterinary care you expect your pet to need in the future and any specific conditions or services you want covered. Then, research each plan and obtain preliminary quotes from the providers that offer what you’re looking for.

When searching for a pet insurance plan, consider these factors:

Get Accident and Illness Coverage

Pet insurance plans typically come in two types: accident and illness coverage and accident-only coverage. Accident-only plans cost less because they cover fewer conditions and treatments. Wellness plans are usually available as add-ons to partially reimburse preventive care costs, such as annual exams or vaccinations.

Virginia pet owners should get accident and illness coverage to ensure their pets are fully insured for any emergency. In states like Virginia, with the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, dogs that frequent hiking trails could be more susceptible to injuries or could experience extreme fatigue.

Check The Fine Print

Always read a sample policy before signing up, and carefully study your plan documents to ensure you fully grasp various stipulations. Look for clearly laid out terms, claims procedures, coverage exclusions and limitations. Policies with unclear and intentionally ambiguous language may result in the provider denying claims.

Compare Policies With Similar Customizations

Plans that allow you to choose your deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit provide flexibility. Generally, the more customizable the plan, the easier it will be to find an ideal cost-to-value ratio.

When comparing prices across brands, select the same options, such as an 80% reimbursement rate, $10k annual limit and $250 deductible, so you can truly see how the prices line up.

Read Customer Reviews

Real customer reviews provide important insights into a company’s reliability and service quality. While some bad reviews are the result of customers who don’t fully understand policy terms, several reviews with the same complaints could indicate a red flag.

Ensure Waiting Periods Are Shorter Than Two Weeks

This is the time between signing up for a pet insurance policy and the start of your pet’s coverage. Providers commonly impose a waiting period of at least two days for accidents and up to two weeks for illnesses after you sign your pet up for coverage. Be sure the plan you choose doesn’t have longer waiting periods than that.

The plan choices available to pet owners may vary from state to state due to local insurance laws. When requesting a quote online, enter your ZIP code to find out if a particular plan is offered in your area.

Each state, including Virginia, provides laws governing pets to protect animals and people in the community. Here is a roundup of pet laws in major Virginia cities.

Richmond Pet Laws

• Owners must spay or neuter all pets older than six months unless they obtain a valid breeder’s permit.
• You must license your pet with the city each year for a $10 fee.

Virginia Beach Pet Laws

• Residents cannot tether pets outside for more than one cumulative hour per 24-hour period.
• Dogs are welcome on the beach and boardwalk during the day before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, but the city restricts times during busy summer months.

Norfolk Pet Laws

• Residents caring for community cats must be present during feeding times to prevent unintentionally feeding wildlife. Caretakers must also remove kittens for placement in foster care whenever possible.
• A dwelling unit within city limits can have no more than four dogs, cats or rabbits.
• New residents must obtain licenses for their dogs or cats within 10 days of their arrival.

While there may be years when you pay premiums without using any benefits, pet insurance can help Virginia pet owners save money on veterinary costs over their pet’s lifetime. Pet insurance is worth purchasing to prevent financial hardship if your pet gets sick or injured, helping to ensure you don’t have to choose between your furry friend’s health and essential veterinary expenses.

Our top pick for pet insurance providers in Virginia is Lemonade. However, each plan featured on our list has pros and cons that will appeal to different pet owners. We recommend you obtain quotes from at least three providers to find the plan that works best for you and your pet.

• Pet Insurance Cost by State
• Banfield Cost Estimator
• Resources for Virginia Pet Owners
• Virginia Animal Law
• Richmond Animal Control
• Virginia Beach All About Pets