Pet insurance is a great way to protect your four-legged friend against illnesses and accidents. However, health coverage for pets doesn’t always come cheap. According to NAPHI, the average annual premium in 2020 was $594 for dogs and $342 for cats.1
Get The Cheapest Pet Insurance Rate
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
The good news is there are various discounts and saving options that can help pet owners find cheap pet medical insurance. This post looks at some of the most common pet health insurance discounts and other saving strategies that can help you reduce your policy premium.
Here’s what we'll cover:
- How do I get a pet insurance discount?
- Pet Insurance Discount FAQs
- Can you combine pet insurance discounts?
- Can you share pet insurance discount codes?
- How much is the cheapest pet insurance?
- What four factors determine your monthly premium for pet insurance?
- Is there an alternative to pet insurance?
- Where to find discounted pet insurance
- Does AAA offer discounts on pet insurance?
- Does AARP help with vet bills?
- Does Nationwide offer pet insurance discounts?
How do I get a pet insurance discount?
Multi-pet enrollment
Most providers offer discounts for insuring multiple pets. Multi-pet discounts vary from one insurance company to another, but in some cases, the savings can be as high as 10% off for signing up two or more pets..
Employer-sponsored plans
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 11% of employers in the United States offer pet insurance benefits.2 The discounts for employer-sponsored plans typically range from 5% to 10%. The list of pet insurance providers offering discounts for employees includes ASPCA, Embrace, Figo, Spot, and Fetch.
Employee unions
Many employee unions offer pet insurance discounts for union members.3 For instance, the National Education Association (NEA) provides a 5% discount through Pets Best, while Union Privilege members can get up to a 10% discount on pet insurance.
Wholesale clubs
Wholesale clubs like Costco negotiate discounts for their members for various products, including pet insurance. Costco Business and Gold Star members get a 15% discount on pet insurance rates, whereas Executive members enjoy the same savings, plus the first month of premiums and a $15 enrollment fee waived.
Special interest clubs
Special Interest Clubs like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) also offer discounts to their members.
AARP members get access to an exclusive Fetch pet insurance discount up to 10% off, compared to a 5% AAA discount on Embrace Pet Insurance. Note that clubs separated by geographical location, like AAA, might not offer the same discounts and benefits across all their service areas.
Bundling multiple policies
Many insurance companies offer a discount when purchasing more than one policy type. A bundle discount might apply to your pet health insurance policy if the provider offers other insurance products that you also purchase.
For instance, Lemonade offers discounts for bundling pet insurance and renters insurance, whereas GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate customers might be eligible for a discount when bundling pet insurance and auto insurance.
Military members
Former and active members of the military and their families can get pet insurance discounts through select providers. For instance, Armed Forces Pet Insurance provides a 5% military discount to active or former military members on the policies sold through Embrace, whereas with USAA, military members might save up some more for a maximum 25% discount on pet insurance.
However, pet insurance discounts may vary by state, and you might be required to provide proof of military service to qualify for savings.
Senior citizens
Seniors looking for flexible pricing should consider Fetch because AARP provides its members with a discount.
Other ways to save on pet insurance
Besides the discount options listed above, some pet insurers offer additional saving options. Here are a few other ways you can save money on pet insurance and lower your overall cost:
Diminishing deductibles
If your cat or dog goes without an insurance claim within an annual policy term, your pet's annual deductible automatically decreases. Several companies offer this deal on pet insurance (known as a “diminishing deductible”), including MetLife and Embrace.
Referral programs
Some pet insurance companies have referral programs that allow customers to save money or get a reward for encouraging another pet to sign up. For instance, Trupanion offers a $25 gift card for each referral, up to $100 a year. Others allow customers to sign up with a vet’s referral code and get a discount.
Additional strategies
- Enrolling while pets are young and healthy
One way to save money on pet insurance is to enroll your pet while still young and healthy. Monthly premiums typically increase as pets age and become more susceptible to health issues. It’s also best to get insurance before any health problems arise so you’ll have coverage if anything comes up later on, since pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.
- Customizing plans to get the desired coverage vs price
Many providers allow you to customize the price of your insurance premium by selecting the reimbursement rate, annual deductible, and/or annual reimbursement limit. This enables you to choose less coverage in favor of a cheaper pet insurance rate. You can also forgo the optional wellness plan to lower the cost of pet insurance, but be prepared to pay out-of-pocket for preventive pet care.
- Comparing plans side-by-side
By comparing coverage details and pricing differences side-by-side, you can identify which pet insurance has the best deal given your personal preferences and your pet’s needs. Pawlicy Advisor can do all this work for you in a matter of minutes, eliminating the need for time-consuming research, and can find you a pet insurance discount up to 83%!
Pet Insurance Discount FAQs
Can you combine pet insurance discounts?
Some providers allow you to combine multiple pet insurance discounts — such as multi-pet enrollment through an employer-sponsored plan — helping you amplify your savings even further. Others might discount your premium only once, or limit the total discount you can receive on your premium rate.
Can you share pet insurance discount codes?
Currently, there are no pet insurance discount codes available to policyholders. As states work to tighten restrictions related to pet insurance discounts in the future, discount codes will disappear in the pet health insurance industry.
How much is the cheapest pet insurance?
Monthly pet insurance premiums can range from as low as $9 to $10 in the Midwest for minimal Accident-Only coverage. In comparison, the average cost of pet insurance is $28.48 for cats and $49.51 for dogs. The price quote you personally receive for a pet insurance premium will depend on several factors.
What four factors determine your monthly premium for pet insurance?
Your pet’s species, breed, age, and location all influence how expensive or cheap pet insurance will be. Dogs tend to be a little more expensive to insure than cats. Some breeds with prevalent genetic disorders are also more expensive.
Older animals are more likely to experience health issues and need veterinary care, so insurance carriers will charge more to cover them. Finally, insurance regulations and the cost of living in your geographic area will also impact premium rates.
Is there an alternative to pet insurance?
There are several pet insurance alternatives that can help reduce the financial burden of expensive veterinary bills. One option is a veterinary discount plan such as Pet Assure that offers discounted veterinary services for a flat, monthly fee. Another alternative is veterinary financing through companies like CareCredit, which may enable you to defer the upfront cost of an expensive and unexpected vet treatment.
However, most pet insurance alternatives come with strict qualification requirements. In the case of PetAssure, the discount is only accepted by veterinary practices in the Pet Assure network. Pet insurance policyholders, on the other hand, can choose any licensed veterinarian in the country or even abroad, depending on the provider.
Where to find discounted pet insurance
If you have an auto, homeowners, or renters insurance policy and would like to get coverage for your four-legged friend, ask your current provider if they underwrite pet insurance policies. Recently, several Property & Liability (P&L) insurance carriers entered the pet insurance market, and many of them offer discounts for bundling plans.
Keep in mind, however, that sticking with your current provider to get a good deal on pet insurance may leave you disastissfied with your coverage depending on what plans they offer. Pawlicy Advisor can help you save money on pet insurance by analyzing your pet’s unique information and recommending plans with the best value.
Does AAA offer discounts on pet insurance?
AAA members can receive a 5% discount on pet insurance plans with Accident & Illness coverage, administered through Embrace. ,
Does AARP help with vet bills?
AARP members are eligible to save up to 10% on pet insurance premiums, which can significantly lower the cost of vet bills. There is a 5% AARP member discount, plus an additional 5% off for signing up online.
Does Nationwide offer pet insurance discounts?
Yes. Current Nationwide members get a 5% discount on new pet insurance policies. In addition, you can get a 5% to 10% multi-pet discount, depending on the number of animals you enroll.
Get The Cheapest Pet Insurance Rate
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Key Takeaways
- Many pet insurance providers offer discounts such as multi-pet enrollment, employer-sponsored plans, discounts for military members and senior citizens, etc.
- There are also other strategies to save money besides discounts, such as referral programs, diminishing deductibles, enrolling your pet while they are still young and healthy, customizing plans to get the desired price, etc.
- Your pet’s breed, species, age, and location will all influence the cost, but you can use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans side by side and find an affordable policy suitable for your budget and your pet’s needs.
References:
- NAPHIA, “State of the Industry Report 2020: Average Premiums”
- SHRM, "Ancillary Benefits"
- UnionPlus, "Pet Health Insurance"
