Choosing the right pet insurance company for you and your dog or other pets in Missouri can be a frustrating and confusing process. How much coverage will my plan provide? How fast will I be reimbursed? Are there any health issues not covered?
Here at iHeartDogs, we created an easy comparison below of all the major pet insurance brands in Missouri and across the US. You can also use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the major pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to compare pricing and coverage:
Best Pet Health Insurance For Dog in Missouri
Let’s take a deep dive into the features and benefits of each of the major pet insurance brands here in Missouri and across the USA. Simply scroll to the right to view all the brands:
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Receive a Free No-Obligation Quote from All the Pet Insurance Carriers At Once
Rather than visiting each insurance carrier’s website, you can use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to easily compare:
Missouri Pet Insurance FAQs
What Pet Insurance Is Most Widely Accepted In Missouri?
Customers with pet insurance file claims with the company rather than their veterinarian. This is why, with a few exceptions, coverage from virtually any insurance provider is honored. Pick any provider you like and submit the required paperwork to get paid back.
What Is Usually Not Covered By Pet Insurance In Missouri?
Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance does not pay for preventative care. This includes things like annual exams, dental cleanings, and vaccinations. Therefore, insurance for pets is only worthwhile in case of the unexpected, such as ear infections, broken bones, or chronic illnesses. However, wellness care can be added to your coverage policy for an additional fee.
Do Pet Insurance Premiums Go Up With Age In Missouri?
As expected, costs will rise for pets as they get older. Medical issues increase in frequency as your pet ages, necessitating more frequent and costly trips to the vet. In addition, pet insurance companies may increase your premium after your pet reaches a specific age to account for the higher cost of providing the care your pet now needs.
The cost of your puppy’s insurance premiums may go up after about four years. Treatment costs tend to rise steadily with a patient’s age, eventually making it unaffordable. Of course, variables like the dog’s breed and health history also play a role in determining insurance costs.
Can I Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis In Missouri?
Most pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. However, your pet’s pre-existing condition may not prevent it from receiving coverage for unrelated injuries or illnesses. Other than that, some insurance providers will pay for the cost of treating chronic illnesses.
All pet insurance policies have waiting periods and physical examination requirements in place. In light of this, it is highly recommended that you enroll your new puppy in a pet insurance plan as soon as possible after bringing it home.
Are Male Or Female Dogs Cheaper To Insure In Missouri?
The gender of your dog is a factor in insurance premiums. If your dog is male, expect to pay more for pet insurance because statistics show that male dogs are more likely to be involved in dangerous situations like fights and accidents. On the other hand, female dogs tend to bounce back from illness more quickly than male dogs, another factor that can help keep premiums down for those who own canine companions.
However, some illnesses are more common in female dogs than in males, including several reproductive disorders for older dogs. Female puppies often experience vaginitis, and female dogs can also develop metritis, an inflammation of the uterus that occurs after giving birth. There is some evidence that spaying your dog can reduce her risk of developing breast cancer and uterine infections.
Can A Vet In Missouri Keep My Dog If I Can’t Pay My Vet Bill?
In a word, yes. The law allows the vet to keep your dog for an appropriate amount of time while you settle up the bill. However, a veterinarian can only keep your pet for so long, and there are certain things they must do to keep you updated on your pet’s whereabouts.
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a body of law recognized in every state that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties in business transactions, including veterinarians providing services to clients. If you fail to pay for services rendered, the UCC gives them the right to sell your dog and keep the proceeds as payment in full. This privilege, known as a “retainer” or “lien,” is limited to the veterinary care provided during the current appointment.
Fortunately, some veterinarians will work with you to create a payment plan so that you can pay off your bill over time. Consider contacting animal care assistance programs if you cannot afford treatment. Call your vet and explain the symptoms you’re seeing if you’re unsure whether or not the situation warrants emergency care.
Does Pet Insurance Cost More For Certain Breeds In Missouri?
One factor that insurers consider when determining a policy’s premium is the dog’s breed. Possible. The cost of insuring a purebred dog is much greater than that of insuring a mixed breed. Inherited and chronic diseases, such as hip dysplasia and heart problems, are more common in some breeds than others. Generally speaking, smaller animals and those of a mixed breed have lower insurance premiums than their larger, purebred counterparts.
Is Pet Insurance Mandatory In Missouri?
In Missouri, pet owners are not required to have pet insurance. However, the annual inflation rate of veterinarian services pushes prices out of the typical family’s reach, making insurance a wise investment. In addition, pet owners may go bankrupt trying to pay for expensive emergency care if they do not have insurance.
How Does Pet Insurance Work In Missouri?
There are waiting periods and conditions attached to the coverage, just like any other insurance type. Before providing coverage, businesses demand both a medical examination and a waiting period. You must also pay the veterinarian bill in full before submitting a claim. Then, if your insurance claim is valid, the company will either wire the funds or send a check. The amount you receive depends on the structure of the plan. The primary elements are the yearly deductible (the amount you must pay before the company will pay) and the annual compensation (what the insurance company pays you for claims).
Is Pet Insurance Regulated In Missouri?
As of right now, Missouri does not regulate pet insurance. However, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is working to enhance pet health insurance and regulate the system to prevent various problems that can arise over time and inconsistencies across the states.
What Is A Pet Care Plan?
Pet Care or Wellness plans for pets are insurance policies that pay a portion of the cost of preventative medical care and regular visits to the veterinarian. Covered services can include normal blood tests, checkups, certain immunizations, spaying or neutering, parasites, microchips, and more.
Most wellness plans for pets use a reimbursement system in which members first pay for services out of pocket and are later reimbursed by their providers.
Wellness plans for pets are great for helping pet parents stay on top of their pet’s health but do not pay for emergency care. The annual benefit from most wellness plans is capped and may not be beneficial for everyone.
How Does Zip Code Affect Pet Insurance In Missouri?
The cost of pet insurance varies from one state to the next and even from one zip code to the next. This is because both the accessibility and affordability of veterinary services for your pet vary depending on your location. The cost of treatment where you live will have a direct impact on how much you pay for pet health insurance.
What Is An Average Annual Deductible On Pet Insurance In Missouri?
Each year, you will be responsible for paying a set amount called the deductible toward your pet’s veterinary care costs before your pet insurance policy starts paying its portion of the bill. If you have pet insurance, the annual deductible determines how much of your veterinary bills you will be responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance company starts paying their share.
How Much Do Pet Insurance Premiums Increase Per Year In Missouri?
Insurance companies rarely reduce coverage for pets as they age, but we do see increases in annual premiums as our pets get older to account for the higher risk of illness. While it’s comforting to know that your coverage will hold steady no matter how bad your pet’s health gets, the price hike may prompt some owners to question whether the added protection is worth the cost.
Prices can raise a few dollars a month after your pet turns four and then double around eight years. The prices will double again at twelve years too. You can expect small increases each year to cope with inflation, but mainly because the company knows the cost for your pet will steadily rise.
Which Pet Insurance Company Does iHeartDogs.com Recommend?
Our recommendation depends very much on your individual situation. You can compare quotes for your dog’s age and your location here. We can report that Trupanion, HealthyPaws, and Pets Best are very popular with iHeartDogs supporters.
What do iHeartDogs Readers Think About Pet Insurance?
Is Pet Insurance Worth It? – We asked [33] Dog Owners and Here’s What They Said
Pet insurance is “worth it” if you can afford the cost of the insurance, but could not afford an emergency vet bill. However, the best plan is to only get a pet if you can afford vet care, & to have a special savings account set aside for pet emergency care. – Louise
Very much worth it. I have Nationwide. It used to be VPI. It doesn’t cover things in full, but it very much helps. More then paid for itself with my first two dogs. Haven’t needed it much with the two I have now but if something happens, I won’t hesitate to get the best treatment I can. It really helps. – Beth
Yes it is worth it. But you need to shop wisely for it. I have care credit that is used when needed. With no excluded treatments because it’s up to me! Great rates and options to pay back. Saved my bank account a number of times. – Jennifer
Always worth it with my previous pet dog, Louie (French bulldog) and current pet dog, Lucy (dachshund).
It’s more than paid for itself each time. Unless you can cough up $10,000 for an emergency surgery I suggest you get pet insurance. Healthy Paws I highly recommend!!! – Leo
My vet one time said…my a “Dogs are Expensive” account. Whatever the going rate for pet insurance is…say $100…put that monthly in the “D A E” account. If you are ahead at the end of the year roll that money over….then, if you do need a big sum you have it, and if you don’t the $ is in your pocket and not the insurance company’s… whatever you decide..good luck! – Peggy
With my last dog no. I paid 17 years and never made a claim. With the two I have now definitely. My JR managed to get a dog toy piece stuck in her intestine – hugh, expensive op so worth it. I don’t like the fact that even though my dogs are both young, the premium has gone way up however. 3&2 are not senior dogs. – Kit
Before just checking quotes check with your vet or ones in your area. The one problem with many pet insurances it actually may affect the cost a vet or clinic may charge for a service based on what they may have to pay or what they need to do get paid. For example a base xray charge may be $100 if you pay yourself but say you use insurance A that may cost the clinic so much a year to be a member or requires so much documentation or takes so long for payment may increase the charge to $130-150 .Then if you have a deductible you will be paying more. Your vet will also know which ones are more reliable for your area and for the needs for your breed. – Candi
I would never have a pet without insurance. Way too risky for those sudden and age related injuries/health issues . Everyday check- ups and vaccines are incidental costs compared to many things that can go wrong w ur furry family member
– Holly
I’m furious that insurance companies have now made owning pets incredibly expensive. Once insurance companies enter into the equation, the price for everything goes “through the roof.” I wish these monsters would be regulated and insurance, health care was NON PROFIT!!!!!! – Rhonda
Yes Healthy Paws has been great. My Boston is on constant eye meds for about 6 years and 2 surgeries. I have 80 percent and they pay right away. – Lynda
Worth it if you plan ahead. One of my dogs I adopted and got insurance a year or so later and insurance has denied EVERYTHING…even an ear infection at 10 years old, as a preexisting condition because she had one when she was 3years old. My other dog I got insurance right away (lesson learned!) and it has been a huge benefit because ten years later he had significant medical expenses that were covered at 90% I could not be more thankful to have the insurance – Shannon
Definitely worth every penny! Our Shitz tore her ACL, swallowed my husband’s hearing aid, puts everything in her mouth!!! We have Healthy Paws. Very pleased. Just wish we went with 90% coverage instead of 80%. Get it BEFORE they have an issue!! – Jan
Nope not worth it. I love my babies but, it’s like human insurance, Hardly worth getting. More n likely whatever your pet has insurance won’t cover it so your still gonna pay out the ying yang. So here we are paying out the ying yang for insurance and still paying high dollar to a vet. – Nancy
Yes. My sweet hound developed allergies. The insurance covers are $73. Apoquel prescription plus everything else that goes wrong. She had a cough with meds the bill was over $400. Very happy we have insurance. – Pamela
Yes! For 10 years I never had to use it. Then my dog got very sick and needed to go to the animal hospital. She was diagnosed with diabetes and cushings disease and the costs for all the medications and testing she undergoes until we get her regulated is exorbitant. With the insurance I’ve been getting most of it back. – Erica
Worth it! Preventative/wellness services usually aren’t included with accident/injury plans, but most insurances offer that separately (for more money). Get coverage asap when you get a pet… preexisting conditions are almost never covered and the older a dog gets, the higher the cost gets. I had Nationwide through my previous employer. The plans were supposed to follow my pets for life, after I left the job, but (long story short) the plans were cancelled. So now I’m getting new insurance through ManyPets for a dog who was 9 when I got the Nationwide plan, but is now 13 – with preexisting conditions. For all three of my dogs, it’s about $235/month (that’s with the optional wellness plans added for each). But if anything happens to any of my “kids”, I pay a $250 annual deductible, then ManyPets covers 80% – with no lifetime limit. – Andrea
Yes. It’s worth it. You never know what might happen. I see so many go fund me’s to help animals when insurance would have covered it. Fyi, Trupanion is slightly more expensive but can pay the Vet directly if the Vet is signed up on their system. I have my 2 dogs and 2 cats covered. – Blythe
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