Best Pet Insurance in New Jersey
There are various pet insurance plans available for pet owners in New Jersey. Pets Best is our top-rated option, although choosing a plan will depend on your pet, desired coverage, budget, and overall situation.
Written by
Henning Taeger
Henning is a writer and editor here at Dollargeek who is passionate about personal finance, pets and cryptocurrency. He enjoys sharing his knowledge about financial management with readers, helping them make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time, Henning can be found playing the latest video games or jamming on his guitar. He is constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve his financial literacy and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the world of finance.
Last Update on Nov 2, 2023
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Pets are an important part of your family, and caring for them is a big responsibility – both emotionally and financially. And with the rising costs of veterinary care, it’s now more important than ever to make sure your furry friends are covered in case of an illness or injury.
Enrolling in pet insurance can help you make the best healthcare decisions for your pets without worrying about the cost. But finding the best plan for New Jerseyans like yourself can be the difference between easily affording the care your pet needs or struggling to cover the bill.
While every pet owner differs in what type of coverage is most important to them, there are a few plans that are favorable for pet owners in New Jersey.
Top Pet Insurance Providers in New Jersey
Best for Total Coverage and Care
Pets Best
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
3 days for accidents, 6 months for cruciate ligament issues
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
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Pros
- Access to 24/7 telehealth for pets
- Only 3 day waiting period for accidents
- Variety of plan types and deductibles
- No upper age limit or reduction in coverage for older pets
- Option to pay vet directly
Cons
- 6 month waiting period for cruciate ligament issue coverage
Additional Details
Pets Best offers various accident and illness plans, accident only plans, and routine care add-ons, so pet owners can choose the type of coverage that works best for them. Additionally, they offer fast claim processing, a short waiting period for accidents, and 24/7 access to telehealth.
Coverages
- Accident and illness plans
- Accident only plans
- Optional add-on for routine care
Claims process
- Online via the Pets Best website or mobile app or through email, fax, or standard mail
Coverage details
- All accident and illness plans cover accidents, illnesses, cancer treatments, hereditary and congenital conditions, emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing and chronic conditions, diagnostics, behavioral conditions, dental, prosthetic devices and wheelchairs, and end of life care
- Most accident and illness plans cover exam fees, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments, physical rehabilitation, and prescription medications
- Accident only plans cover accidents such as broken bones, foreign object swallowing, poisoning, car accidents, lacerations, or snake bites.
- Routine care add-on covers expected veterinary visits, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other expected medical care
Best for Fast Approvals
Lemonade
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for cruciate ligament issues
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
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Pros
- AI-powered processes lead to fast coverage and claim approvals
- Variety of coverage options and add-ons
- 2 day waiting period for accidents
- 5% annual discount, 5% multi-pet discount, and 10% discount when bundled with other insurance offerings
Cons
- No option to pay vet directly
- No 24/7 telehealth access
- 14 day waiting period for illnesses
- 6 month waiting period for cruciate ligament issue coverage
Additional Details
Lemonade is a high-tech insurance provider for pets. Its AI-powered app makes for quick enrollment and claim approvals. Plans can be customized to fit various needs and price points.
Coverages
- Base plan covers costs related to accidents and illnesses
- Optional add-ons cover a range of additional costs and preventative care for an added premium
Claims process
- Online through the Lemonade app
Coverage details
- Accidents and illnesses include broken bones, accidental ingestion, ear infections, diabetes, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, hospitalization, diagnostics, medications, and more
- Optional add-ons include coverage for vet visit fees, physical therapy, dental, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life care and remembrance
- Optional preventative care packages include coverage for non-emergency and routine medical costs.
Best for Conditions Covered
ManyPets
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
15 days for accident and illness coverage, 24 hours for wellness coverage
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
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Pros
- Coverage for exams related to accidents and illnesses
- No extended waiting period for cruciate ligament issue coverage
- No annual or lifetime maximums
Cons
- 15 day waiting period for accidents and illnesses
- No 24/7 telehealth access
- No option to pay vet directly
Additional Details
ManyPets provides comprehensive coverage for various conditions. Their plans have no annual or lifetime maximums, meaning you can always get your pet the care they need.
Coverages
- Accident and illness plans
- Optional wellness coverage
Claims process
- Online through the ManyPet portal or by phone
Coverage details
- Accident and illness plans cover vet visits, exams, diagnostic testing, prescription medications, and other costs related to conditions such as broken bones, road accidents, poisonings, sickness, disease, hereditary conditions, cancer, dental illnesses, and more
- Wellness add-on covers costs for care such as vaccines, vitamins, supplements, dental cleanings, testing, and parasite prevention
Best for Avian and Exotic Pets
Nationwide
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and more
Waiting periods
14 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for cruciate ligament injuries, 90 days for certain wellness care on the modular plan
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 70%, 90%
Deductible choices
$250
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Pros
- Customizable and modular plan options
- Coverage for birds, reptiles, small mammals, and more
- Covers vet exam fees
- No annual maximum
- 24/7 telehealth access
- 5% multi-pet discount, 5% discount when bundled with other insurance offerings
Cons
- Only one deductible option
- Longer waiting periods
- No end of life coverage
- No option to pay vet directly
- Some plans have pet age maximums
Additional Details
Nationwide is a leader in the insurance industry, and their pet insurance offers a variety of options to protect your pet and a 24/7 telehealth line. Pet owners can select accident coverage, illness coverage, or wellness coverage together or individually. Additionally, their insurance covers pets beyond cats and dogs.
Coverages
- My Pet Protection plans cover accidents, illness, and wellness
- Modular plans include the option to cover accidents, illness, and wellness as needed
- Major Medical plans cover accidents, illness, and optional wellness
- Whole Pet plans cover accidents and illnesses
- Avian and Exotic plans cover accidents and illnesses
Claims process
- Online through the Nationwide website, through email, mail, or fax
Coverage details
- Accident coverage includes broken bones, poisonings, sprains, lacerations, auto accidents, ingested items, and more
- Illness coverage includes ear infections, vomiting, hip dysplasia, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more
- Wellness coverage includes checkups, vaccinations, flea control, heartworm, bloodwork, urinalysis, and more
Best for A Variety of Plan Options
Embrace
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for orthopedic conditions
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000
Show More Details
Pros
- Customizable coverage including deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual maximum
- 24/7 telehealth access
- Exam fee coverage
Cons
- 6 month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- No option to pay vet directly
- No wellness insurance coverage
Additional Details
Embrace covers just about every accident and illness outside pre-existing conditions. Their plans include a variety of choices, so you can find the coverage that’s best for you. Additionally, their wellness rewards program helps you budget for preventative care and can be added onto any insurance plan.
Coverages
- Customizable plans cover nearly all accidents, illnesses, and conditions
- Wellness rewards program to help budget for preventative care
Claims process
- Online through the Embrace website or app
Coverage details
- Accidents include broken bones, ligament tears, osteosarcoma, and more
- Illnesses include dental illnesses, lyme disease, parasites, parasites, and other preventable illnesses
- Conditions include cancer, arthritis, diabetes, hip dysplasia, allergies, and other breed-specific, congenital, and genetic conditions
- Coverage includes treatments, rehabilitation, emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, specialist care, diagnostic testing, and prescription medications
Pet Insurance Exclusions and Limitations
Every pet insurance company is different, but most do not cover pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions typically consist of any condition that is already present at the time of enrollment. Some pet insurance companies may make exceptions if the pet has been symptom-free for a certain amount of time.
Conditions that begin during a policy’s waiting period are also not covered by pet insurance. Check the specifics of your policy’s waiting period to determine whether a new condition is covered after enrolling.
Other exclusions for pet insurance typically include daycare/boarding, experimental treatment, cosmetic procedures (such as ear docking or declawing), and medical care related to breeding. Always check your policy for specific rules surrounding exclusions and limitations.
Cost of Pet Insurance in New Jersey
The cost of pet insurance will depend on your pet, their breed, their age, your location, level of coverage, deductible, maximums, and reimbursement amount. Optional add-ons such as preventative care will often cost an additional premium as well.
In New Jersey, the average costs of pet insurance are as follows:
- Dogs: $20 – $100/month
- Cats: $10 – $50/month
- Exotic pets: $10 – $100/month
Cost of Pet Insurance in New Jersey versus Other Regions
Location plays a big role in the monthly cost of your pet insurance, as areas with higher costs of living or less access to care will often have higher veterinary costs.
The average cost of pet insurance in New Jersey is slightly higher than the national average in the US, comparable to the average cost of pet insurance in Pennsylvania. This inflated cost, however, is nowhere near as costly as pet insurance in New York City, which could be up to 50% higher than the national average.
Pet Laws in New Jersey
In the US, individual states manage their own pet laws. As a pet owner in New Jersey, be aware of the following laws surrounding pet ownership:
- Pets must be vaccinated and licensed by 7 months of age
- Pet license must be visible on their collar whenever they’re out of the home
- Dogs must be leashed in all public places
- Pets must be restrained when riding in a vehicle
In addition to state-wide ordinances, some localities also have additional laws pertaining to pet ownership.
Newark:
- All pets must be leashed in public with a leash no longer than 6 feet
- All solid waste must be removed from public property and disposed of immediately
Jersey City:
- All solid waste from dogs must be removed from public property and disposed of immediately
- All stray pets must be reported to animal control; if the owner is not found within 7 days, they will be available for public adoption
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Unlike human insurance, pet insurance typically functions on a reimbursement process. After your pet receives the care they need, you will pay the full amount directly to the vet. Afterwards, you can submit a claim to your pet insurance company for full or partial reimbursement. Some plans may also offer direct-to-vet payments, which can lower your upfront costs
Are All Vets Covered by Pet Insurance?
Because pet insurance pays pet owners directly and not the vets themselves, there are typically no limits as to which vets are covered. As long as they are licensed, you should be able to continue to see your current veterinarian.
What Documentation Is Needed to Enroll in Pet Insurance?
Every pet insurance company is different, but the enrollment process will typically require your pet’s medical records and a recent physical exam. Pet insurance companies will use this information to determine pre-existing conditions and the actual cost of your policy.
How Quickly Are Pet Insurance Claims Approved and Paid Out?
Depending on the method of submitting the claim and the insurance provider’s technology, pet insurance claims could be approved instantly or take a few days. Once the claim is approved, payments are typically issued as soon as the next day or up to 14 days.
Find out more
- Pet Insurance with No Waiting Period – Secure immediate coverage for your New Jersey pets.
- Pet Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions – Find New Jersey insurers that cover pets with existing health issues.
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? – Budget for pet insurance costs in New Jersey.
- List of Pet Insurance Companies – Choose the best pet insurance provider in New Jersey.
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover? – Understand the coverage details for pet insurance in New Jersey.
- Pet Insurance That Pays the Vet Directly – Opt for insurers in New Jersey that handle vet payments directly.
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery? – Find out about surgical coverage for your pets in New Jersey.
- Pet Insurance Worth It? – Decide if pet insurance is a good investment in New Jersey.
Henning Taeger
Author
Henning is a writer and editor here at Dollargeek who is passionate about personal finance, pets and cryptocurrency. He enjoys sharing his knowledge about financial management with readers, helping them make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time, Henning can be found playing the latest video games or jamming on his guitar. He is constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve his financial literacy and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the world of finance.
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