Best Pet Insurance Connecticut
Steep vet bills to cover your pet’s unexpected illness or injury can quickly become a financial burden.
Written by
Marriah Plough
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.
Last Update on Jan 2, 2024
Table of Contents
Whether you and your furry, feathered, or scaled friends reside in a sleepy beach town along Connecticut’s coast or one of its bustling cities, a well-rounded pet insurance policy can be a worthwhile investment. These policies help minimize the financial burden that often accompanies unexpected vet bills by covering all or part of the bill.
Although coverage varies from one provider to the next, having a well-suited policy to fall back on can be the difference that allows you to support your four-legged friend when they need you the most.
Top Pet Insurance Providers In Connecticut
Best For Total Coverage And Care
Pets Best
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
- Short 3-day accident plan waiting period
- Several deductible options
- Multiple reimbursement amounts
- 24/7 pet telehealth line
- Routine wellness plans available
- Multi-pet discounts are 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
Pets Best offers complete coverage and care for its policyholders through affordable premiums, well-rounded coverage, and a straightforward claims process. It offers discounts to help policyholders save money, plus a direct vet payment option to alleviate the financial stresses of paying steep vet bills out of pocket.
Coverages:
- BestBenefit accident and illness
- Accident only
- Routine care
Claims Process: Online via the Pets Best online portal or through email, fax, or standard mail
Coverage details:
PetsBest’s BestBenefit plan covers accidents and illness-related expenses such as:
- Cancer treatments
- Foreign object ingestion
- Dental care
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Prosthetic devices and wheelchairs
- Diagnostics
- End-of-life care
Many of its complete coverage plans offer reimbursements for:
- Chiropractic treatments
- Prescription medications
- Acupuncture
- Physical rehabilitation
- Exam fees
The accident-only plan covers emergency care, such as:
- Foreign ingestions
- Snake bites
- Bone fractures
The routine care plan covers expected care, including routine vaccines and dental cleaning. The routine care package comes in two levels, each with different coverage levels: EssentialWellness and BestWellness.
Best For Fast Approvals
Lemonade
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
- Wellness coverage available
- Short 2-day waiting period for accident coverage
- Multiple maximum annual coverage cap options
- Rapid turnaround times for claim approvals with AI-powered processes
- 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
- Vet exam fees are excluded unless you purchase an add-on
Additional Details
Lemonade sets itself apart from the competition with its AI-powered approach to pet insurance coverage. Its high-tech app offers rapid turnaround times for enrollment and claims with help from AI, which makes using its services a breeze.
Coverages:
- Accident and illness plan
- Preventative care
- Optional add-ons
Claims Process: Online via the Lemonade app
Coverage details:
Lemonade’s accident and illness package covers everything from:
- Diagnostics and emergency care
- Hospitalizations
- Procedures
Its preventative care plan covers standard bills, including:
- Routine blood work
- Spay or neuter surgery
The inclusions in your pet’s preventative care package will vary based on their age, as adult pet plans feature different inclusions than the puppy or kitten plans. Several add-on options, including coverage for dental illnesses, end-of-life expenses, and exam fees, deliver customizable coverage.
Best For Conditions Covered
ManyPets
App availability
No
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
24 hours or 15 days
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70% or 80%
Deductible choices
$500
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Pros
- Brief waiting period for accident and illness coverage
- Fast turnarounds on claim payouts
- Covers exam fees in accident and illness visits
- Waiting period in accident and illness plans shortens to 24 hours for customers switching from another insurer
Cons
- Restricted service areas, although it plans to expand
- No behavioral therapy coverage
- Limited coverage for older pets
Additional Details
Between its competitive pricing, unlimited coverage caps, comprehensive coverage, and strong reimbursement rates, ManyPets is a strong contender. On top of it all, ManyPets offers a unique feature of shortened waiting periods for customers who swap from a different pet insurance provider.
Coverages:
- Accident and illness plan
- Wellness coverage
Claims Process: Online through the ManyPet portal or by calling or emailing
Coverage details:
The accident and illness package extends to various unexpected expenses, such as:
- Emergency care
- Diagnostics
- Hospitalizations
- Procedures
- Medications
The wellness coverage is available as an add-on and covers standard care, including:
- Dental cleanings
- Vaccines
- Supplements
- Vitamins
- Preventative tests and medications
There is a $600 annual coverage limit in the wellness plan, which is divided into various categories, such as $150 for dental cleanings.
Best For A Variety Of Plan Options
Embrace
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
Show More Details
Pros
- Multiple deductible, reimbursement, and annual coverage cap options
- Supplies 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
- Coverage includes exam fees for illnesses and accidents
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions in dogs
Additional Details
Embrace’s flexible policies, from multiple deductible choices to various coverage caps, make them a great choice for pet parents with specific budget needs. Its 24/7 telehealth support line and brief accident waiting period further sweeten the deal.
Coverages:
- Accident and illness
- Accident only
- Wellness Rewards
Claims Process: Online via app or MyEmbrace account or through email, fax, or standard mail
Coverage details:
The accident and illness policy covers a wide range of conditions and unexpected expenses, including:
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Congenital and hereditary conditions
The accident-only plan extends to emergent expenses, such as broken bones, cuts, poisoning, and foreign body ingestion.
Embrace doesn’t offer its accident and illness policy to pets 15 years or older, so the accident-only plan is often the best choice.
The Wellness Rewards option covers routine care, such as:
- Teeth cleaning
- Nail trims
- Grooming
- Spaying or neutering
Cost Of Pet Insurance In Connecticut
The cost of pet insurance in Connecticut varies drastically based on your pet and policy. Your location, policy, provider, and pet’s age, breed, sex, and species will play a significant role in determining your monthly premiums.
Here’s the average range of what most Connecticut pet owners pay for insurance:
- Dogs: $23 to $85
- Cats: $15 to $36
- Exotic pets: $11 to $100
While most Connecticut pet parents pay a premium that falls within these ranges, some fall outside these averages. Given the fluctuation of costs due to factors unique to your policy and pet, it’s best to get a personalized quote from a few of your top insurance providers. In doing this, you can get a more accurate estimate of monthly costs for budgeting purposes.
Comparison With Other Regions
Pet insurance premiums in Connecticut are comparable to those in nearby states, although they’re slightly higher than in Massachusetts and Rhode Island but lower than in New York.
Your monthly pet insurance premiums can also rise or fall based on the cost of living in your area, as veterinary bills often follow this trend. For example, if you live in an area with a high living cost, like Old Greenwich, Darien, or Westport, you might pay more for your policy. In contrast, residents of Hartford or Torrington might pay less for their policies due to more affordable living costs.
Pet Laws In Connecticut
Like most states, Connecticut outlines specific pet laws pertaining to dogs, cats, and exotic pets residing within state lines. Many of these laws pertain to shelters, vicious animals, and pet owner liability. Most of the specific pet laws surrounding leashes, vaccinations, and registrations come from local municipalities and counties.
For example, consider these pet laws in Connecticut cities and counties:
- In Hartford, pet owners must license all dogs over six months of age annually.
- Greenwich pet parents must vaccinate dogs and cats three months of age or older against rabies and booster the vaccine accordingly.
- In Westport, dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash or lead under their control in public spaces.
Exclusions And Limitations
Every pet insurance provider outlines specific exclusions and limitations that apply to its policies. Some exclusions are common and widespread across numerous providers, while others are rare, so it’s important to pay attention when shopping for a policy.
For example, most pet insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage, so any illness, injury, or condition your pet contracts before you purchase a policy is excluded. Some providers outline exclusions or limitations based on your pet’s age, while others exclude or limit coverage for non-medical expenses like boarding or daycare.
Given the variation from one policy to the next, taking the time to familiarize yourself with these exclusions and limitations is critical. By reading through the fine print for these details, you can avoid the stress that could arise from discovering your pet’s condition isn’t eligible for coverage.
Compare your options and use these limitations to select a plan that accurately fits your pet’s unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Is Pet Insurance In Connecticut?
Like in most states, Connecticut pet parents pay varying premiums based on factors specific to their pets. For example, most dog parents pay between $23 and $85 per month, while cat owners pay between $15 and $36 monthly. Exotic pet owners usually pay between $11 and $100 each month, depending on the species.
What Is A Deductible In Pet Insurance?
When you get a pet insurance policy, you’ll choose a deductible. The deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. For example, suppose you have a $250 deductible, and your pet’s injury racks up a $3,000 vet bill. In this case, you would pay the first $250, then your coverage would pay for the rest.
However, it’s important to note that you’ll pay more of the vet bill if you have a lower reimbursement rate.
Should I Have A High Or Low Deductible For Pet Insurance?
Many pet insurance providers let you choose a deductible for your policy. For the most part, higher deductibles translate to lower monthly premiums, while lower deductibles equal higher monthly premiums. The best fit for you depends on your budget – if you can swing a higher monthly cost, you’ll enjoy a lower deductible, but if you prefer a more affordable premium, you can expect to pay more out of pocket for unexpected vet bills.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Everything?
While some comprehensive pet insurance policies cover an impressive range of unexpected and expected veterinary expenses, they don’t cover everything. Each provider outlines specific exclusions and limitations, so it’s important to pay attention to these aspects of your policy.
What Is A Pre-Existing Condition In Pet Insurance?
A pre-existing condition in pet insurance is any condition, illness, or injury that arises before you purchase a policy. For example, if your pet ingests a foreign object and requires surgery before you purchase a policy, it would be considered a pre-existing condition. The same applies to situations that arise during your waiting period after purchasing a policy.
Find out more
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer? – Understand your options for cancer treatment.
- Senior Pet Insurance – Find the right plan for your aging companion.
- Life Insurance for Pets – Consider life insurance for long-term peace of mind.
- Pet Insurance Worth It? – Evaluate the cost-benefit for your pet.
- Accident-Only Pet Insurance – Explore options for accident coverage.
- Pet Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions – Discover solutions for pre-existing issues.
- What is Pet Insurance? – Get informed about the basics.
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? – Understand the pricing to plan your budget.
Marriah Plough
Author
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.
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