As a pet parent, one of your top priorities should be keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. Trips to the vet can quickly add up, especially if you have numerous animals. This is where pet insurance comes in! Just like how we humans have health insurance, something similar is available for your pets! Policies that cover numerous cats and dogs together under pet insurance can save pet owners money. Multi-pet insurance varies per insurance provider, however many will give you a discount of up to 10% if you insure numerous pets with them. Let’s look at all you need to know about acquiring pet insurance for multiple pets and how to choose the right plan for your household. One thing we do want to note before moving forward: most pet insurance companies cover cats and dogs. Please check with individual companies if you have rodents, birds, or other exotic pets.
What to Look for in an Insurance Policy
From a financial standpoint, the first factor you should consider is your monthly payment. This is the monthly payment you’ll make to keep your pet’s insurance coverage current. Your yearly deductible, payout percentage, and annual coverage limit should all be taken into consideration. The portion of the cost you must pay out of cash before your insurance kicks in is the deductible. Your reimbursement rate is the proportion of the money your insurance company will refund after you visit the veterinarian. Lastly, your yearly insurance limit is the most the health insurance will payout each year. Many policies have an annual coverage maximum of infinity. You will want to pay attention to the copays and deductibles you’ll obtain in addition to your charges and reimbursement rates. The majority of pet parents acquire accident/illness policies, which cover veterinarian treatment for your pet if they become injured or unwell.
Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets
Here are our reviews for the top insurance available for households with more than one furry companion!
Embrace
Embrace provides complete pet healthcare insurance and stands out for the extra savings it provides pet owners, such as a 10% discount for each added pet policy purchased, a 5% military rebate, and an employee benefit program that gives employees of companies offering Embrace pet insurance a 10% discount. This company also has a Healthy Pet Deductible benefit, which gives pet owners a $50 credit against their co-payment each year they don’t submit a claim. This benefit might reduce your deductible to $0 if your pet does not become ill or injured for several years. Embrace’s affordable price is one of the reasons we recommend them in our pet insurance guide.
Coverage and Cost
Embrace has a single plan that covers your pet’s injuries, diseases, chronic problems, hip dysplasia, and other disorders that necessitate procedures or treatments including natural remedies, chemotherapy drugs, emergency treatment, operations, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and more. Preexisting conditions and elective treatments, among other things, are not covered by Embrace.
Optional Add-Ons
This insurance provider also has a Wellness Rewards Plan that covers preventative treatment for up to $250, $450, or $650 each year. Routine check-ups, vaccines, microchipping, bathing, spay or neuter procedures, anal gland expression, and other vet visits or treatments are covered. In Rhode Island, the Wellness Rewards program is not available.
Pets Best
Pets Best Pet Insurance is an excellent alternative for pet owners looking for flexible coverage. You can go for a plan with a lesser deductible or a cheaper monthly price. This aids pet owners in determining the coverage and pricing that are most appropriate for their budget and circumstances. Plans are available for both dogs and cats. Discounts are available for numerous pets and military personnel at Pets Best. Regular checkups and visits are now only covered if you purchase a wellness plan as an add-on. This is in addition to the monthly premiums. Some pet owners still choose this extra plan to help them budget for their wellness care and visits. This insurance provider pays the veterinarian directly for his or her services. This is in contrast to several other pet insurance companies, which refund fees after the claims procedure is completed. Pets Greatest is one of the best plans available if you wouldn’t want to pay for the cost of treatment, even in the short term. The Pets Best Pet Insurance policies cover the most frequent diseases and injuries. Accident treatment for injuries and crises are among them. You won’t have to worry about spending on your pet’s vet fees if they have broken bones or consumed something dangerous. Accidents while hunting and injuries sustained while on duty, for service animals, are also insured. Surgery and emergency treatment are also covered. You must get treatment from a veterinarian who is licensed. Several 24-hour emergency veterinarians are used to cooperating with pet insurance companies. You won’t have to consider the cost of treating your dog the next time he or she consumes anything poisonous. For sick cats and dogs, vet fees may grow pricey very quickly. Many of these ailments are covered by all of Pets Best’s pet insurance policies. Obesity, leukemia, arthritis, allergens, cruciate ligament injuries, skin and ear infections, urinary infections, and seizures are all examples of these conditions.
Figo
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, consider Figo. Figo insurance is a great choice for dog and cat parents. They provide coverage for both accidents and diseases. Their goal is to ease the financial burden that’s placed upon pet owners when it comes to things like:
MedicationsVeterinarian checkupsEmergency careHospitalizations
Just like the others on this list, Figo is comparable to health insurance that you’d get for yourself. There is an annual deductible that you must satisfy before coverage begins. Figo makes it easy to understand what they include (and don’t include,) in their plans. Most pet insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and Figo is no exception. If your pet has shown signs of a condition before your coverage starts, it may not be covered. However, Figo does make exemptions for treatable diseases. On top of its 5% discount for multiple pets, many buyers may be able to obtain comparable coverage from Figo at a reasonable price. This pairing might lead to the biggest value of pet insurance for a number of pets. It’s also one of the few companies that will reimburse you for all of your costs. Figo may be tough to beat in terms of price while still offering complete coverage for your pets, according to our research.
Lemonade
On top of pet insurance, Lemonade also provides pet owners with renters insurance and homeowners insurance! They provide their services across the country. From our research, we’ve found that Lemonade is much more affordable than the competitors. Most pet parents are looking to spend less, making this insurer particularly appealing. We love that they have a comprehensive mobile app that allows you to file claims, manage your pet’s health, keep track of your policy, and more! A to Z Animals thinks it’s important to be transparent. At the time of writing this article, Lemonade doesn’t provide services to 15 states including:
AlaskaDelawareFloridaHawaiiIdahoKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMinnesotaSouth DakotaVermontWest VirginiaWyoming
Lemonade Coverage and Cost
For both accidents and diseases, Lemonade offers a single pet insurance plan that covers diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, procedures, cancer treatments, shattered bones or sprains, prescription medicines, and more. Lemonade does not cover pre-existing conditions, elective or cosmetic operations, or behavioral therapy.
Optional Add-Ons
Lemonade also provides preventive services add-on to your insurance for an additional monthly charge, which includes things like a wellness exam, parasite test, blood work, and three vaccines. Insurance for veterinarian checkups and exams, as well as physical therapy treatments like acupuncture and reflexology, may be included.
Spot
Consider Spot if you want insurance that you can tweak and make as unique as possible. This insurance firm offers a wide range of insurance plans, pricing, and premiums. If that’s what you’re seeking, they also sell an exceptionally low accident-only coverage. Accident-only coverage is ideal for those who just want the bare minimum of protection. There are three reimbursement categories, five-yearly deductibles, and limit alternatives starting at $2,500 with Spot’s plan. Spot was recommended to one of our authors who has three dogs since they give a 10% discount to customers who have numerous pets. Spot stood out because they provide microchipping, which may put a pet parent’s mind at peace. One area where we believe this firm may improve is their accident waiting time. It usually takes two weeks, and Spot does not cover pets under the age of eight weeks. Although pre-existing health issues, cosmetic procedures, and breeding costs are not covered by Spot’s insurance, the two alternatives it offers cover either accidents or both accidents and illnesses. It includes coverage for exams and vet visits, as well as two flat-rate wellness plan options. You’ll get to choose from a wide range of compensation choices, annual deductibles, and yearly coverage limitations. Pet parents can expect to spend between $10 and $25 a month, depending on if they have a cat or dog. It usually takes two weeks, and Spot does not cover pets under the age of two months. While pre-existing medical issues, cosmetic procedures, and breeding costs are not covered by Spot’s coverage, its two choices cover either accidents or accidents and illnesses. It includes coverage for exams and vet visits, as well as two flat-rate wellness plan options.
Coverage and Cost
For unanticipated injuries or other conditions such as dental difficulties, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and more, Spot offers both an accident-only and an accident-and-illness insurance plan. Spot, like so many other pet insurance providers, does not cover previously-existing conditions.
Optional Add-Ons
Two preventative care options that you can add to your pet’s plan are the Gold Package and the Platinum Plan. For $250 per year, the Gold Plan offers wellness services such as tooth cleanings, vaccines, fecal tests, and more, whereas the Platinum Plan covers everything in the Gold Plan plus spay and neutering, labs, and more for $450 per year.
Nationwide
Pet owners may pick from a range of Nationwide insurance coverage options. Nationwide can assist you in selecting a plan that matches your needs, whether you need assistance in the event of a medical emergency, a policy that covers wellness care, or a combination of the two. Nationwide provides insurance for your feathered or scaly pals if you have birds or amphibians. If you’re looking for a firm with a long history in the insurance industry, look no further than Nationwide, which has been providing clients with insurance and investment options for years. Whole Pet is Nationwide’s most comprehensive plan, covering the largest range of ailments and injuries. It will reimburse a percentage of your vet’s costs, such as exams and tests, in the event of an accident or sickness. Sadly, it does not include wellness fees such as annual physicals or heartworm treatment.
Cost of Coverage
The cost of a plan is decided by a variety of factors, including your pet’s type, breed, and age. The price will vary based on the plan you select. As a result, if you’re considering Nationwide feline and canine insurance, you should visit their website to acquire a quote. Furthermore, if you want insurance for a bird or exotic creature, you should contact the company directly. Monthly expenses for the Wellness plan are $22. It’ll cost you $34 for the Major Medical Plan, and $64 for the Whole Pet with Wellness plan. There are no riders or add-ons included in the coverage of Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Why Is Coverage for Multiple Pets Important?
One-pet pet insurance is a fantastic approach to guarantee that you have a financial buffer in case of unforeseen vet bills. If you have numerous pets, having pet insurance is essential because it allows you to make choices about each of their demands without needing to worry about your money. Here’s an illustration of why multi-pet coverage is so important: Recently, an A to Z Animals writer’s adorable beagle started having seizures. They quickly found themselves on their way to the emergency vet. After testing and treatments, this pet parent found themselves with a vet bill of over $1,500. Without pet insurance, dog owners are responsible for 100% of the bill, 100% of the time. Thankfully, many pet insurance companies cover emergency care. This writer had pet insurance for her beagle and they ended up reimbursing her for 90% of the costs. Instead of paying $1,500 for an unexpected emergency, she paid $150.
Is Each Plan Customizable Per Pet?
You’ll be able to customize each pet’s insurance depending on your provider’s level of plan customization. You can choose a lower yearly deductible and acquire coverage sooner if one of your dogs is younger and more accident-prone. Pet parents may also choose a wellness add-on package to cover the first year’s preventative care requirements. You might choose a plan with a larger deductible and lower yearly limit if your other pet is healthy and requires little maintenance. You’ll pay a cheaper monthly premium and have more money set up in case of an unexpected vet expense.
Plan for Regular Visits
The majority of specialists believe that pets should see a vet a minimum of once a year, if not more frequently. Younger dogs, particularly puppies and kittens, may require monthly visits to the veterinarian to ensure that their development is going along properly. Pet owners who have pet insurance see the veterinarian more frequently. That’s fantastic! According to a 2016 research by one insurer, pet parents with insurance went to the vet nearly twice as much as those without. If you have insurance, you may go to the vet with comfort, knowing that you won’t have to worry about a surprise bill ruining your budget. As a result, your dogs will have a physical checkup and an overall health evaluation on a more routine basis. Regular treatments, such as tooth cleanings, worm control procedures, immunizations, and even grooming, will be given to them more often.
Find Issues Early
The real advantage of taking your pet to the veterinarian on a routine basis is the likelihood of early detection of illnesses or injuries. Just as with human diseases, it’s far preferable to treat a pet’s illness if it’s identified before it becomes worse. This is especially true for fatal diseases such as cancer and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hip dysplasia. You much also find inherited disorders as soon as feasible so that therapy may begin. If you have insurance, your veterinarian will be able to do all of the required tests to confirm your pet’s illness. You won’t have to worry about the cost of keeping your pet happy and healthy if the health insurance covers the cost of the testing and your pet’s treatment.
Know Your Coverage
When you have numerous pets, animal insurance is essential since a single emergency may cost big bucks if you don’t have insurance. Although it’s unlikely that all of your pets may experience an illness at the same time, it’s not impossible. Unfortunate illnesses can harm an entire family, and environmental hazards can affect any pet living in the same house. Even if you don’t have numerous crises at once, it’s a good idea to presume that all of your animals will require emergency treatment at some point. Even if you have the financial capacity to set aside money each month for possible emergency medical care, pet insurance might save you hundreds of dollars if one of your critters becomes critically ill.
The Typical Costs of Pet Insurance
Just like with human health insurance, it can vary from one individual to the next. The price of pet insurance is based on several factors, including:
AgeBreedLocationSizeSpecies
For example, a senior dog will likely have a higher pet insurance monthly cost than a puppy. If the insurance company can assume the animal will need more care, the price is higher. Most monthly premiums start at around $10. While this is affordable for most people, consider what you’re getting for the price. On that same note, you could spend much more per month and get a lot more coverage. It all depends on what type of coverage you’re looking for and what your monthly budget is for pet insurance for multiple animals. Insurance for older pets is more expensive, but they are also more likely to require veterinarian treatment. If you have a household with a mix of older and younger pets (including any rescue animals), it would be a smart idea to look into a plan with a multiple pet discount to save money on your senior or more susceptible pets.
