Best Pet Insurance In New York
Owning a pet can be a big financial responsibility, but pet insurance can help cover some of those costs. New Yorkers have several suitable options when choosing a policy, with Embrace being our top-rated.
Written by
Adeleine Whitten
Adeleine Whitten is a seasoned writer and lifelong pet owner with extensive experience in crafting content about veterinary topics that resonates with a diverse audience. She currently works as an in-house and freelance copywriter in Cleveland, Ohio. In her spare time, you can often find her with a good book or in the Taco Bell drive-thru.
Last Update on Jan 15, 2024
Table of Contents
Nearly 48% of New York households own a pet. If you’re one of them, do you have a plan to pay for their care when they need it?
Pet ownership brings joy to many, but the emotional and financial costs associated with their care can be stressful, especially as vet costs continue to rise. Pet insurance can help cover these unexpected costs when you need it – so you can focus on helping your pet feel better.
However, not all pet insurance providers are available in every state, and local costs and regulations can make some plans more desirable than others. So whether you’re new to pet ownership or want to insure a pet that’s been a part of your family, consider these plans.
Top Pet Insurance Providers In New York
Best for Coverage Customization
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
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Pros
- The ability to customize coverage, deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual maximum
- 24/7 access to telehealth
- Coverage for exam fees
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- No direct-to-vet payment option
- No insurance coverage for wellness
Additional Details
Embrace covers a wide variety of accidents and illnesses. Their plans include choices for coverage, deducible, reimbursement amount, and annual maximums, so you can find one that fits your budget. Additionally, their wellness rewards add-on helps you budget for preventative care.
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
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
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 exam fees
- No extended waiting period for cruciate ligament events
- No annual or lifetime maximums
Cons
- Accidents and illnesses require a 15-day waiting period
- No telehealth access
- No direct-to-vet payment option
Additional Details
ManyPets offers comprehensive coverage for various accidents, illnesses, and conditions. Their plans cover exam fees related to accidents or illnesses and have no annual or lifetime maximums, so 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 Paying Upfront Costs
Paw Protect
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for orthopedic conditions (could be reduced to 14 days with an orthopedic exam after enrollment)
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
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Pros
- Offers optional $2,000 interest-free line of credit to cover upfront costs
- Distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions
- Waiting period for accidents is only 2 days
- Diminishing deductible for each year without a claim
- 24/7 access to telehealth
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- No direct-to-vet payment option
- Enrolling in Paw Protect insurance does not automatically guarantee approval for the Paytient card
Additional Details
Paw Protect offers the same features as Embrace’s plan with the added benefit of an optional interest-free line of credit. This line of credit can be used to cover vet costs upfront while awaiting claim processing and payout.
Coverages
- Accident and illness plans
- Optional wellness plan
- Optional $2,000 interest-free line of credit
Claims process
- Online through the Paw Protect portal or through email, standard mail, or fax
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 - Wellness plans reimburse for spaying/neutering, annual checkups, vaccinations, flea and worm prevention, grooming, and training.
Best for Short Waiting Periods
Pets Best
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
3 days for accidents, 6 months for cruciate ligament events
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
- 24/7 access to telehealth for pets
- Waiting period for accidents is only 3 days
- Wide variety of coverage and plan types
- No upper age limit or coverage reduction for older pets
- Direct-to-vet payment option
Cons
- 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament events
Additional Details
Pets Best offers various accident and illness plans, accident only plans, and additional add-ons, so pet owners can get the best coverage for their furry friends. Additionally, their claims are processed quickly, their waiting periods are short, and they provide 24/7 telehealth access.
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 events
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
- Uses AI to approve claims quickly
- Various coverage options and add-ons
- Waiting period for accidents is only 2 days
- 5% annual discount, 5% multi-pet discount, and 10% discount when bundled with other insurance offerings
Cons
- No direct-to-vet payment option
- No access to telehealth
- Waiting period for illnesses is 14 days
- Waiting period for cruciate ligament events is 6 months
Additional Details
Lemonade uses AI and other technology to quickly enroll pets and approve claims. Plans can be customized to fit various needs and price points, and pet owners can get approved immediately and paid quickly after an event with their easy-to-use app.
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 Connecting with Local Pet Owners
Figo
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
1 day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for orthopedic injuries
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750
Show More Details
Pros
- Waiting period for accidents is only 1 day
- 24/7 access to telehealth
- Offers a 100% reimbursement option
- Social features to connect with other pet owners
- 5% discount for multiple pets
Cons
- No coverage for dental illnesses
- Vet exam fee coverage is extra
- Waiting period for illnesses is 14 days
- Waiting period for orthopedic injuries is 6 months
- Limited coverage options for older pets
Additional Details
Figo offers one of the shortest waiting periods in the pet insurance industry, only requiring newly enrolled pets to wait 1 day for accidents. Additionally, pet owners will receive 24/7 access to telehealth services and can use social features to meet up with other pet owners in New York.
Coverages
- Illness and injury plans
- Optional wellness add-on
- Optional veterinary exam fees add-on
Claims process
- Online through the Figo Pet Cloud or through phone or fax
Coverage details
- Common illnesses such as colds and skin issues
- Accidents and emergencies such as broken bones or vehicular
injuries - Chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes
- Hereditary and congenital disorders such as hip dysplasia and heart problems
- Cancer treatment including radiation, chemo, and surgeries
- Wellness and preventative care including yearly exams, vaccines, and diagnostic tests
Exclusions And Limitations
As a standard, most pet insurance providers do not cover pre-existing conditions. Any condition that is already present at time of enrollment can be considered pre-existing. However, if the pet has been symptom-free for a certain amount of time, the insurer may make an exception.
Most pet insurance plans also have a waiting period. If a condition were to begin during a policy’s waiting period, it would not be covered by pet insurance. Check your policy’s waiting period to determine whether a new condition is covered after enrolling, as different conditions may have different waiting periods.
Other costs pet insurance typically does not cover can include daycare, boarding, experimental treatment, cosmetic procedures (such as ear docking or declawing), and pregnancy/breeding. Check your specific policy for additional details relating to exclusions.
Cost Of Pet Insurance In New York
The cost of pet insurance in New York will depend on various factors, including:
- Pet type
- Pet breed
- Pet age
- Location
- Covered conditions
- Deductible
- Annual maximum
- Reimbursement percentage
- Discounts such as multi-pet, loyalty, or bundling
In New York, typical costs for pet insurance often fall in these ranges:
- Dogs: $30 – $100/month
- Cats: $15 – $50/month
- Exotic pets: $10 – $100/month
Cost Of Pet Insurance In New York Versus Other Regions
New York is a large state, and the cost of insuring your pet will vary depending on which part of the state you live in. This is often due to increased costs of veterinary services in high cost of living areas.
When looking at price ranges for pet insurance in New York, the higher end is most likely for New York City, whereas more rural areas are more likely to fall on the lower end. In fact, data shows pet insurance could be 50% higher in New York City for dogs compared to the national average.
Areas like Ithaca and Albany are closer to the national average of pet insurance costs, while Syracuse looks to be slightly lower.
Pet Laws In New York
As a pet owner in New York, you should familiarize yourself with state and local ordinances surrounding pet ownership. Follow all regulations set by New York State in addition to any cities you may reside in or visit.
- All dogs 4 months and older must be registered and licensed
- All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and spayed or neutered
- All animal waste must be removed from public property immediately and properly disposed of
- Animal shelters must not adopt dogs or cats that are over 8 weeks old without being spayed or neutered
New York City:
- All dogs must be leashed in public on leashes no longer than 6 feet
- Tying or chaining up a dog for longer than 3 hours is illegal
Albany:
- All dogs must have an adequate collar and leash and controlled by someone at least 12 years of age when on public property
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
How Does The Pet Insurance Reimbursement Process Work?
After your pet is treated by a veterinarian, you will be responsible for paying your bill in full. Afterwards, you can submit a claim to the pet insurance company for reimbursement. You will then receive full or partial reimbursement based on your coverage and reimbursement percentage.
How Long Does It Typically Take To Pay Out Pet Insurance Claims?
The time reimbursement takes will depend on your insurance provider, the method you used to submit the claim, and the complexity of your claim. That means you could receive reimbursement in as little as one business day or up to a few weeks.
Which Vets Accept Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance doesn’t have in-network or out-of-network providers like human insurance. Instead, pet insurance typically works on a reimbursement model. Because the pet insurance provider doesn’t work directly with the vets, you can go to any licensed veterinarian for care.
What Are The Age Limits For Pet Insurance?
Most pet insurance companies allow you to enroll your pet beginning when they are 8 weeks old. Some insurance companies may have upper limits as well, so check with your provider before enrolling. Some pets may be grandfathered into a policy if they are enrolled early.
Find out more
- Pet Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions – Coverage solutions for New York pets with existing health issues.
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations? – Keep your New York pets healthy with the right vaccine coverage.
- Pet Insurance That Pays the Vet Directly – Streamline your vet visits in New York with direct payments.
- Pet Insurance Worth It? – Assessing the value of pet insurance for New York pet owners.
- Senior Pet Insurance – Find the best plans for your senior pets in the Empire State.
- Fetch by The Dodo Review – Read an in-depth review that may be relevant for New Yorkers.
- Lemonade Review – Consider a popular insurance option that’s available in New York.
- List of Pet Insurance Companies – Explore and compare various insurers for your New York pets.
Adeleine Whitten
Author
Adeleine Whitten is a seasoned writer and lifelong pet owner with extensive experience in crafting content about veterinary topics that resonates with a diverse audience. She currently works as an in-house and freelance copywriter in Cleveland, Ohio. In her spare time, you can often find her with a good book or in the Taco Bell drive-thru.
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