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Best Pet Insurance In Georgia

A well-rounded pet insurance policy can be the difference that helps you afford expensive veterinary care to help your pet recover.

Written by
Marriah Plough
Last Update on Jan 2, 2024

Unexpected veterinary bills can throw a curveball in your financial plans, creating a significant burden as you spend thousands to care for your furry friend. Given rising veterinary costs, pet insurance often proves essential for Georgia pet parents.

A well-matched insurance policy can make a massive impact, providing peace of mind and financial protection in the event of unexpected accidents or illnesses. With a comprehensive policy, leave the financial aspect to your insurance provider while you focus on nursing your furry, feathered, or scaled friend back to health.

Top Pet Insurance Providers in Georgia

Best For Total Coverage And Care

Pets Best

5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
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 a simple claims process, reasonable premiums, and solid coverage through multiple plans. Its customizable deductibles and premiums add a layer of customizability, while its direct vet payment option relieves the financial burden of paying out-of-pocket for veterinary care.

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:

The BestBenefit package covers accidents and illnesses with comprehensive reimbursements for:

  • Cancer treatments
  • Dental care
  • Foreign object ingestion
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions
  • Accidents
  • Illnesses
  • Surgeries
  • Hospitalization
  • Prosthetic devices and wheelchairs
  • Diagnistics
  • End-of-life care

Most of its accident and illness plans come with coverage for:

  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic treatments
  • Prescription medications
  • Exam fees

Its accident-only plan steers the focus to emergent care, such as for broken bones, snake bites, or foreign ingestions.

The routine care plan is available in two tiers, EssentialWellness and BestWellness, with inclusions varying based on the coverage level you choose. The routine care coverage includes standard care expenses, such as dental cleaning and routine vaccinations.

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

  • 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’s high-tech AI-powered setup offers ultimate convenience through rapid enrollment and claims processes. On top of its straightforward, quick claims turnarounds, its policies boast affordable premiums.

Coverages:

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

Claims Process: Online via the Lemonade app

Coverage details:

The accident and illness plan covers related bills, including medications, procedures, hospitalization, diagnostics, and emergency care.

The preventative care package covers basic expenses, such as routine blood work and spaying or neutering.

Your pet’s preventative care plan inclusions will vary based on his or her age, as a senior pet plan looks different than a puppy or kitten plan.

Lemonade offers a handful of add-ons for customizability, including coverage for exam fees, end-of-life expenses, and dental illnesses.

Best For Conditions Covered

ManyPets

4.5
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
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

ManyPets’ competitive pricing, unlimited coverage caps, strong reimbursement rates, and comprehensive coverage options make it worth a look. It even offers a few unique features, like its shortened waiting periods for customers who switch from a different insurance provider.

Coverages:

  • Accident and illness plans
  • Wellness coverage

Claims Process: Online through the ManyPet portal or by calling or emailing

Coverage details:

ManyPets’ accident and illness package covers related expenses, including emergency care, medications, hospitalizations, procedures, and diagnostics.

The wellness package offers coverage for standard care, such as vaccines, supplements, vitamins, dental cleanings, and preventive tests and medications.

Pet parents receive a $600 annual coverage cap on wellness expenses, which is split into categories, like $150 for dental cleanings.

Best For A Variety Of Plan Options

Embrace

4
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
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
  • 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 offers flexible coverage caps, deductibles, and reimbursement options that allow pet parents to customize a plan to their budget needs. Multiple coverage options provide another layer of customizability.

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 package offers comprehensive coverage for everything from emergency care and hospitalization to congenital and hereditary conditions.

The accident-only package’s coverage includes emergency care expenses, such as poisoning, lacerations, broken bones, and foreign body ingestion.

The accident-only plan is ideal for pets over the age of 15, as the accident and illness plan doesn’t cover pets of or beyond this age.

The Wellness Rewards plan extends to expected routine care, including grooming, spaying or neutering, wellness exams, nail trims, and teeth cleaning.

Best for Short Accident Coverage Waiting Periods

Figo

4
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Dogs and cats
Waiting periods
1 day for accidents related to 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
  • Routine wellness plans available
  • Brief 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.
  • 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, and older pets only get higher deductibles
Additional Details

Figo delivers impressive pet insurance coverage through multiple policy options, remarkably short waiting periods on accident coverage, and competitive pricing. It even offers an out-of-the-box feature – a social perk on its app designed to help pet parents form groups with like-minded pet owners.

Coverages:

  • Accident and illness plan
  • 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 package extends to unexpected costs, such as emergency care, cancer treatments, medications, hereditary conditions, hospitalization, procedures, diagnostics, and rehabilitation.

The wellness plan is available as an add-on and offers coverage for blood work, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and similar expenses.

The add-ons offer customizable coverage, including coverage for pet theft or loss due to straying, vacation cancellation due to a pet emergency, boarding, and end-of-life expenses.

Cost Of Pet Insurance In Georgia

The cost of owning a pet in the balmy state of Georgia varies based on multiple factors. Your location, policy, and insurance provider can impact the cost of your insurance premiums. On top of that, your pet’s breed, age, and species will impact those premiums. 

Most Georgia pet parents pay premiums that fall within these average ranges:

  • Dogs: $25 to $70
  • Cats: $14 to $36 
  • Exotic Pets: $10 to $100

It’s important to note that every situation is unique, so your premiums may or may not fall within these estimates. Given the variation, it’s best to gather personalized quotes from your top insurance provider picks to better gauge what you’ll pay in premiums. 

Comparison With Other Regions

Pet parents in Georgia pay a comparable amount in monthly premiums to those in surrounding states, such as South Carolina and Tennessee. However, prices are slightly lower in Georgia than in Alabama but slightly higher than in Florida.

The average premiums in Georgia look at the state as a whole, but it’s worth noting that prices may fluctuate based on your location. For example, if you live in an area with higher living costs, such as Milton or midtown Atlanta, you may pay more for your insurance premiums than someone residing in a more affordable area, like Macon or Athens. 

Pet Laws In Georgia

Georgia outlines specific rules at a state level that pet owners must follow. These laws cover various aspects of owning a pet, from owning vicious dogs to vaccination requirements. Georgia’s pet laws include: 

Georgia has many restrictions on what exotic pets residents can and cannot own, detailing an extensive list of prohibited native and non-native pets. For example, most exotic cat and wolf hybrids, like the Savannah cat or wolf dogs, aren’t legal pets in Georgia. 

In addition to various laws applicable at the state level, several counties and municipalities outline further rules for pet parents, including the following:

  • In Atlanta, pet parents must keep their dogs on a leash while in public spaces, such as city parks, trails, and other spaces that aren’t designated dog parks. 
  • In Fulton County, residents can own no more than 10 dogs or cats.
  • Chatham County requires owners of dogs or cats older than four months of age to obtain a license for their pets. 

Exclusions And Limitations

As you browse for the perfect pet insurance policy for your needs, remember to consider the exclusions and limitations, which are often tucked in the fine print. The specifics vary from provider to provider, although there are a few common exclusions. 

For example, many providers exclude pre-existing conditions or outline restrictions based on age. Other providers exclude or limit coverage for non-medical expenses like boarding or daycare. 

Since the exclusions and limitations outline what you won’t receive reimbursements for, reading through the details is essential. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of what expenses are covered and ensure the policy suits your pet’s needs before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost In Georgia?

The cost of a Georgia pet insurance policy hinges on factors specific to your pet, such as its age, breed, and species. On average, dog owners pay between $25 and $70 monthly, while cat parents pay between $14 and $36 per month. Exotic pet owners pay between $10 and $100, with the drastic variation dependent on species.

What Type Of Coverage Is Best For Pet Insurance?

The best type of pet insurance coverage depends on your needs and budget. If you want something that will cover almost everything, a comprehensive accident and illness plan is your best bet. However, if you’re on a budget and want a safety net for emergencies, an accident-only plan might be the ideal fit.

What Is A Pre-Existing Condition In Pet Insurance?

A pre-existing condition in pet insurance is any injury or illness your pet contracts before you purchase a policy or your waiting period ends. For instance, suppose your pet gets in an accident resulting in a serious laceration, before you purchase an insurance policy. In this case, it wouldn’t fall under your scope of coverage.

Can You Get Pet Insurance That Covers Everything?

While comprehensive pet insurance policies cover a vast range of expenses, they have specific restrictions. For example, most pet insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. You can still get well-rounded pet insurance, but it’s important to look at the exclusions.

What Does A $500 Deductible Mean For Pet Insurance?

When you sign up for a pet insurance policy, you’ll likely choose a deductible. The deductible is the amount you’ll pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if your covered vet bill is $3,000, you would pay the first $500, and your policy would cover the rest. However, it’s important to note that you might be responsible for more if your reimbursement rate is lower than 100%.

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.