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Best Pet Insurance In Massachusetts

A pet insurance policy is often the difference between shouldering the financial burden of unexpected veterinary visits alone and the peace of mind of knowing it’s covered.
Written by
Marriah Plough
Last Update on Jan 3, 2024

Pet emergencies are rarely expected, often popping up out of the blue. Given the steep cost of veterinary services, especially for more serious illnesses and conditions, the unexpected nature of vet care can quickly become a financial burden. With pet insurance, you get an extra layer of protection and peace of mind knowing many unexpected costs will be covered. 

While coverage varies based on your provider, policy, and pet, it can make a world of difference in caring for your pets when they need you the most. 

Top Pet Insurance Providers in Massachusetts

Best for Total Coverage and Care

Pets Best

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
3 days accident, 14 days illness, 6 months cruciate ligament, none for routine care plans
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 or unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, or 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
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Pros

  • Brief 3-day accident plan waiting period
  • Numerous deductible options
  • Multiple reimbursement amounts
  • 24/7 pet telehealth line
  • Routine wellness plans available
  • Multi-pet discounts available for 5% per pet
  • Direct vet payments are available when your vet signs a reimbursement release

Cons

  • 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament complications
Additional Details

With direct vet payments, high reimbursement options, and numerous deductible levels, Pets Best is a good option for budget-conscious pet parents. It also offers flexible coverage packages, short waiting periods for accidents, and a 24/7 telehealth line.

Coverages

  • BestBenefit accident and illness
  • Accident only
  • Routine care

Claims process

  • Online through the Pets Best website or mobile app or through fax, email, or standard mail

Coverage details

  • The BestBenefit Accident and Illness plan offers the most comprehensive coverage, extending to various related expenses, including foreign object ingestions, broken bones, arthritis, prescription medications, dental care, and end-of-life expenses.
  • The accident-only plan restricts the coverage scope to emergency treatments for accidents, such as foreign ingestion, broken bones, and snake bites.
  • The routine care plan comes in two levels, EssentialWellness and BestWellness, each with different levels of coverage.
  • Both routine care plans cover similar inclusions, such as routine vaccinations and dental cleaning.
Best for Fast Approvals

Lemonade

4.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament problems
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
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Pros

  • Quick turnaround times for claim approvals with AI-powered processes
  • Wellness add-ons available
  • Short 2-day waiting period for accident coverage
  • Multiple maximum annual coverage cap options
  • Live chat is available for pet health questions from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET

Cons

  • Coverage excludes prescription food, microchipping, or stem cell treatment
  • Coverage excludes behavioral and alternative therapies
  • Standard coverage excludes vet exam fees, available as an add-on
Additional Details

Lemonade offers some of the lowest monthly costs with solid coverage. Although it doesn’t have a 24/7 telehealth line, it offers a live chat seven days a week that covers all but six hours of the night.

Coverages

  • Accident and illness
  • Preventative care
  • Optional add-ons

Claims process

  • Online through the Lemonade app

Coverage details

  • The accident and illness plan covers various expenses, including hospitalization, diagnostics, emergency care, lab work, procedures, and prescription medications.
  • The preventative care plan covers everything from spaying or neutering to routine blood work.
  • Inclusions in the preventative care plan vary based on your pet’s age, as puppy and kitten plans are different from adult plans.
  • Add-ons, including coverage for end-of-life expenses, exam fees, and dental illnesses, offer a modicum of customizability.
Best for Avian and Exotic Pets

Nationwide

4.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes, but it is geared toward Nationwide’s other insurance offerings
Types of pets covered
Dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets
Waiting periods
14 days or 12 months for cruciate ligament complications
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 70%, 90%
Deductible choices
$250
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Pros

  • 24/7 pet telehealth line
  • Includes vet exam fee coverage
  • Wellness plans available as standalone coverage or add-on
  • 5% discounts for multi-pet homes and current Nationwide customers
  • Pet Rx Express program offers preferred pricing on pet prescriptions at Sam’s Club and Walmart

Cons

  • One annual coverage limit and deductible option
  • 12-month waiting period for meniscus or cruciate ligament injuries
  • Coverage excludes end-of-life expenses
Additional Details

Between its impressive array of insurance policies and unlimited coverage caps, Nationwide is a worthwhile consideration. Its inclusion of a policy for avian and exotic pets makes it ideal for pet parents with feathered or scaled friends.

Coverages

  • Whole Pet
  • Major Medical
  • Accident only
  • Avian and Exotic Pet
  • Wellness

Claims process

  • Online via the Nationwide website or through fax, email, or standard mail

Coverage details

  • The Whole Pet plan is the most comprehensive option, with coverage extending to standard care, procedures, hospitalizations, accidents, illnesses, holistic therapies, diagnostics, and hereditary conditions.
  • The Major Medical package is a step down from the Whole Pet plan, featuring many of the same inclusions, save for a few exclusions like specific hereditary conditions and developmental disorders.
  • The accident-only plan covers emergency care, such as broken bones and lacerations.
  • The Avian and Exotic Pet plan is available for multiple unusual pets, including iguanas, chinchillas, geckos, hamsters, snakes, and potbellied pigs.
  • The exotic plan offers comprehensive coverage, including examinations, medications, lab fees, accidents, and illnesses.
  • The Wellness plan, available as a standalone or add-on, covers standard care such as microchipping, deworming, biannual exams, nail trims, physical exams, and behavioral exams and treatment.
Best for A Variety of Plan Options

Embrace

4.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
2 days for accident coverage, 14 days for illness coverage, 6 months on orthopedic conditions in dogs
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000
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Pros

  • Multiple deductible, reimbursement, and annual coverage cap options
  • Offers a diminishing deductible that drops your deductible by $50 for each year you don’t have a payout
  • Wellness plans available
  • 24/7 pet telehealth support
  • Short 2-day waiting period for accidents
  • Includes exam fees for illnesses and accidents

Cons

  • 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions in dogs
Additional Details

Embrace offers notable perks in its policies and flexible coverage caps, reimbursement options, and deductibles that make it a great choice for those who want a more customized option. It covers nearly every accident and illness aside from pre-existing conditions, giving you the coverage you need.

Coverages

  • Accident and illness
  • Accident only
  • Wellness Rewards

Claims process

  • Online through the Embrace website or app or via email, fax, or standard mail

Coverage details

  • The comprehensive accident and illness insurance policy covers accidents, illnesses, and conditions, including congenital conditions, dental illnesses, cancer treatment, chronic conditions, orthopedic conditions, emergency care, rehabilitation, hospitalization, surgery, and more.
  • The accident-only plan covers various emergency issues, such as poisoning, lacerations, bloat, and foreign body ingestion.
  • The accident and illness plan isn’t available for pets who are 15 years or older, so the accident-only plan is often the best fit.
  • The Wellness Rewards plan extends to expenses that fall outside of unexpected or emergent vet visits, such as wellness exams, teeth cleaning, nutritional supplements, grooming, nail trims, training, and spay or neuter surgery.
Best for Short Waiting Periods on Accident Coverage

Figo

4.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
1 day for accident-related injuries, 14 days for illnesses
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
Varies by pet age
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Pros

  • 24/7 pet telehealth line
  • Wellness plans available
  • Short 1-day waiting period on accident coverage
  • The Figo Pet Cloud app helps owners find pet-friendly places and connect with other pet parents for fun activities, like doggy play dates
  • 100% reimbursement rate available
  • Upgrade available to cover specific circumstances, such as pet loss due to theft or straying and vacation cancellation due to a pet emergency

Cons

  • Coverage excludes dental illnesses
  • Prescription food is only eligible for coverage if it’s treating bladder stones or crystals
  • Deductibles vary based on pet age; higher deductibles for older pets
Additional Details

Competitive prices, flexible reimbursement options, and short waiting periods make Figo worth a look. It even comes with an app that helps customers form social groups and set up fun activities, like doggy playdates.

Coverages

  • Accident and illness
  • Wellness coverage
  • Optional add-ons

Claims process

  • Online via Figo’s Pet Cloud app or by phone, email, or fax

Coverage details

  • The accident and illness policy offers comprehensive coverage, including emergency care, illnesses, hereditary conditions, medications, diagnostics, procedures, rehabilitation, and more.
  • The wellness add-on tacks on coverage for standard veterinary care, like vaccinations, bloodwork, and spaying or neutering.
  • Pet parents may incorporate add-ons for better customizability, like coverage for boarding, pet theft or loss due to straying, and end-of-life expenses.

Cost Of Pet Insurance In Massachusetts

Pet insurance premiums in Massachusetts hinge on factors specific to the situation. Location, policy, and insurance provider have a significant impact on your monthly premium, as do your pet’s age, breed, and type. 

Most pet insurance premiums fall in the following ranges:

  • Dogs: $27 and $60 per month
  • Cats: $16 and $34 per month
  • Exotic pets: $21 and $80 per month 

While many pet parents pay premiums that fall within these ranges, insurance premiums are subjective. Most pet insurance providers offer free personalized quotes, making it easy to get a better idea of what you will pay. 

Comparison With Other Regions

Pet insurance premiums in Massachusetts are comparable to those of surrounding states, although they’re slightly higher than Vermont and slightly lower than Connecticut. However, it’s important to note that premiums can vary based on where you live in Massachusetts. 

For example, cities like Chilmark and Boston boast a higher cost of living, which can drive up your insurance premium due to higher costs in the area. In contrast, residents in cities like Adams or Springfield might pay less for their pet insurance premiums due to a more affordable cost of living.

Pet Laws In Massachusetts 

Massachusetts, like most states, outlines specific laws pet parents must follow. These laws vary based on your pet’s species and sex. For example, owners must obtain a license for dogs over the age of six months. The dog must wear a collar or harness with an attached tag detailing the dog’s license number, the city or town that issued the license, and the year of the issue. 

In addition, a licensed veterinarian must vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of six months against rabies and issue a tag with a certificate of vaccination. The pet must wear a collar or harness with the rabies tag attached. 

On top of state laws, remember to pay attention to county and municipality pet laws. Many cities outline specific laws for pets residing within city limits. For example, Boston requires owners to keep their dogs on a leash when they’re off their property and in public spaces. 

Exclusions And Limitations

When shopping for a pet insurance policy, remember to pay attention to the fine print, which contains crucial exclusions and limitations. Every pet insurance provider specifies this information in each policy, but it can vary from one provider to the next. 

There are a few constants, like excluding pre-existing conditions or accidents and illnesses that arise during the waiting period. Some are common but not standard across the board, like excluding non-medical expenses such as daycare or boarding. A few providers outline restrictions based on your pet’s age, excluding certain coverages for pets over a particular age. 

These exclusions and restrictions tell you what you won’t receive reimbursements for, so familiarizing yourself with them is essential to ensure you choose a well-suited policy. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost In Massachusetts?

The cost of pet insurance in Massachusetts varies based on your pet and policy. Most dog owners spend between $27 and $60, while most cat owners pay between $16 and $34 per month. Pet parents with birds or exotic pets often pay between $21 and $80, although costs vary drastically based on the species.

What Age Is Best To Get Pet Insurance?

Most pet insurance providers exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. This means that if your pet contracts an illness or has an accident, you won’t be reimbursed for it unless you already have a policy and completed the waiting period. So, it’s best to get a policy sooner rather than later to ensure you have coverage when you need it.

How Much Of Vet Bills Does Pet Insurance Cover?

The amount of your vet bills your pet insurance policy will cover depends on your policy. Your reimbursement rates, deductibles, annual coverage caps, and other policy-specific details will determine the amount your insurance covers.

Does Pet Insurance Cover MRIs?

Many comprehensive pet insurance plans cover diagnostic testing, including MRIs and X-rays. However, the inclusions depend on your policy, so pay attention to the fine print.

Find out more

As a former veterinary assistant with a deep love for animals, Marriah is committed to providing pet owners with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their pets. When she's not crafting blogs and articles for online publications, she's usually spending quality time with her horses and dogs or whipping up baked goods.