Best Pet Insurance In Ohio
Pet insurance can help Ohioans afford veterinary care for their animals when they need it.
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
62% of Ohio households own a pet, yet 28% of households nationally can’t afford veterinary care. With the cost of living continuing to rise and vet bills rising right alongside it, it’s imperative that pet owners consider how they’ll afford care if their furry friend becomes sick or injured.
One solution that’s given many pet owners financial protection and peace of mind is pet insurance. And in the Buckeye State, there are several affordable plans that can help you afford veterinary care as soon as you need it.
Top Pet Insurance Providers In Ohio
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 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
- Short 3 day waiting period for accidents
- Variety of plan types and deductibles
- No upper age limit or reduced coverage for older pets
- Direct-to-vet payment option
Cons
- 6 month waiting period for cruciate ligament event coverage
Additional Details
Pets Best offers several accident and illness plans, accident only plans, and routine care add-ons, so Ohioans can choose the type of coverage that works best for their pet or pets. They also offer fast claim processing, a short waiting period for accidents, and 24/7 access to telehealth services.
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 for instant or quick claim approvals
- Many 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 direct-to-vet payment option
- No telehealth access
- 14 day waiting period for illnesses
- 6 month waiting period for cruciate ligament event coverage
Additional Details
Lemonade positions itself as a high-tech insurance provider for pets in the 21st century. Its AI-powered app speeds up enrollment times and claim approvals. Additionally, plans can be customized to fit various budgets.
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 Comprehensive Coverage
ManyPets
App availability
Yes
Types of pets covered
Cats and dogs
Waiting periods
15 days for accidents and illnesses, 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 related to accidents and illnesses
- No extended waiting period for cruciate ligament events
- No annual or lifetime maximums
Cons
- 15 day waiting period for accidents and illnesses
- No 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. Additionally, they cover exam fees and offer wellness options.
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 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
Show More Details
Pros
- Many choices for deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual maximum
- 24/7 access to telehealth
- Includes exam fee coverage
Cons
- 6 month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- No direct-to-vet payment option
- No wellness insurance coverage
Additional Details
Embrace covers nearly all accidents and illnesses that aren’t considered pre-existing conditions. Their plans include many choices, so you can fit coverage into your budget. Additionally, their wellness rewards program helps you budget for additional costs such as 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 Short Waiting Periods
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
- 1 day waiting period for accidents
- 24/7 access to telehealth
- Option to choose 100% reimbursement
- Social features to connect with local pet owners and find pet-friendly activities
- 5% discount for multiple pets
Cons
- Does not cover dental illnesses
- Vet exam fee coverage is an additional cost
- 14 day waiting period for illnesses
- 6 month waiting period for orthopedic injuries
- Limited coverage options for older pets
Additional Details
Figo offers a variety of coverage options and services with one of the shortest waiting periods in the pet insurance industry. Additionally, pet owners will receive 24/7 access to telehealth for their pets and can use social features to find pet-friendly activities in Ohio.
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
Although pet insurance can cover many situations at the vet and beyond, there are some conditions that most policies won’t cover. For example, if anything were to happen to your pet during the waiting period, those costs will not be covered.
Additionally, most pet insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. A condition is typically considered pre-existing if the pet was showing symptoms or received treatment for the condition before coverage began. Some policies, may make exceptions for curable conditions.
Every policy will set its own limits, but other common exclusions to be aware of include daycare/boarding costs, cosmetic procedures, experimental treatment, and breeding/pregnancy costs.
Cost Of Pet Insurance In Ohio
The cost of your pet insurance policy will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Pet type
- Pet age
- Pet breed
- Number of pets
- Location
- Level of coverage
- Discounts for bundling or otherwise
In Ohio, the average cost of pet insurance is as follows:
- Dogs: $16 – $98
- Cats: $14 – $38
- Exotic Pets: $21
Cost Of Pet Insurance In Ohio Versus Other Regions
In Ohio, the average cost of pet insurance is slightly lower than the national average for dogs and is the same or slightly higher than the national average for cats. Although Ohio has a relatively low cost of living, the more expensive cat insurance could be due to limited access to care in certain areas.
Insuring a pet in Cleveland and Columbus often costs relatively the same amount, although Cleveland could be slightly more expensive in some cases. The cost in Cincinnati, however, is typically slightly lower.
When comparing Ohio to its neighboring states, pet insurance in Ohio is typically slightly lower than Pennsylvania but slightly higher than Indiana.
Pet Laws In Ohio
Owning a pet means you’re responsible for following all the state laws surrounding pet ownership. Here are some Ohio pet laws to be aware of:
- All dogs 3 months and older must be licensed in the county they reside in
- Dogs must be wearing their tags at all times
- All dogs must be confined to your property or under reasonable control at all times
Some cities or localities may have additional laws that need to be followed as well. If you live in or are visiting these areas, be aware of these laws as well:
Columbus
- Animals must be leashed or under “direct control” at all times
- “Direct control” means the animal must be able to come, sit and stay on command from their owner
Cleveland
- Owners must receive a permit before taking in exotic animals
- All cats and dogs over 6 months of age must be spayed or neutered before being adopted out
Cincinnati
- A dog may not be tethered when the owner is not home, between the hours of 10pm and 6am, for more than an hour when the temperature is above 90 or below 20, or for more than 6 hours in any 24-hour period
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
With some exceptions, pet insurance typically works on a reimbursement model. You will be responsible for the bill at time of treatment, then you can submit a claim to your pet insurers for reimbursement. They will pay you directly for the cost of care.
Is My Vet Covered By Pet Insurance?
Because pet insurance companies pay you directly, there are no in-network or out-of-network providers. In most cases, you can continue seeing any licensed veterinarian.
Are Annual Vet Visits Covered By Pet Insurance?
Although annual vet visits typically are not covered by standard pet insurance plans, some insurers will offer premium plans or add-ons that cover the cost of preventative care.
When Can I Enroll My Pet In Pet Insurance?
Most pet insurance companies allow you to enroll your pet when they are around 8 weeks old. It should also be noted, however, that some insurance providers may also have upper age limits as well. Check with your insurance provider for specific details pertaining to your plan.
Find out more
- Senior Pet Insurance – Insurance options for your older pet.
- Pet Insurance That Pays the Vet Directly – Learn about the convenience of direct vet payments.
- Pet Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions – Coverage solutions for pre-existing health issues.
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations? – Information on preventive care coverage.
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? – Budgeting for your pet’s insurance plan.
- Are Wellness Plans Worth It? – Evaluating the benefits of wellness plans.
- Life Insurance for Pets – The long-term benefits of pet life insurance.
- Pet Insurance Worth It? – Assessing the value of insuring your pet.
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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