Pet Insurance
Holding insurance with the best pet insurance companies in Iowa can allow pet owners to save thousands of dollars each year. Furthermore, you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your pets are covered during times of medical emergency. Certain insurance plans include preventative care components, such as vaccines and parasite control.
MoneyGeek obtained data for this analysis from pet insurance providers in Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, among others. If you're curious about the cost of pet insurance in Iowa, use our analysis to determine the best policy for your animal friend.
The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Iowa
MoneyGeek analyzed thousands of estimates from Iowa pet insurance companies, as well as policy and coverage data, to determine the best pet insurance companies in the state. We used these key elements in our research to discover which companies balanced affordability and product selection.
Pet insurers determine costs through several factors, including your pet's breed, age, and health history, along with your location. By comparing quotes from different providers, you can find the best insurance policy for your animal friend.
Best Overall Pet Insurance in Iowa for Your Pet
pros
No upper age limit for covering pets
Plans are valid in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
Dental coverage and prescription medication coverage in comprehensive plans
Multi-pet insurance discounts available
cons
Not all plans offer physical rehabilitation coverage
Parasite testing and preventive coverage is limited to some plans
Does not cover pre-existing conditions
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Pets Best is our top pick for the best overall pet insurance in Iowa. The company provides several policies, allowing pet owners to choose based on their budget and pets' needs. With Pets Best, it costs an average monthly fee of $21.35 to insure a pet.
This company provides three types of pet insurance, with deductibles ranging from $50 to $1,000 and limits from $5,000 to infinite. Pets Best is also the most affordable provider in the state for limitless coverage. With this provider, you may opt to have your pet protected solely for accidental injuries or for a comprehensive plan covering accidents and illnesses.
If you want your pet to receive preventative care, you can add routine care coverage to your comprehensive plan. There are no age restrictions, and their comprehensive plans cover dental treatments and prescription medications.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Iowa: Unlimited Coverage
pros
No upper age limit for covering pets
Multi-pet discounts of 5%
Travel-friendly policies accessible across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico
Coverage for prosthetic devices and wheelchairs
cons
Not all plans cover exam fees
Physical rehabilitation and prescription medications coverage not available with all plans
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Pets Best is also MoneyGeek's top choice for Iowa’s pet insurance policies with unlimited coverage. Its BestBenefit Accident and Illness plans provide limitless coverage to ensure that your pet will be covered even in cases requiring extensive medical treatment. However, policies with unlimited coverage cost higher than other options. The average monthly cost of a Pets Best policy with unlimited coverage is $27.01.
Comprehensive plans from Pets Best cover most risks, including accidents, diseases, dental surgeries, cancer treatment, inherited conditions, emergency care and prescription medications. The insurer covers chronic illnesses, so long as they are not pre-existing conditions. Pets Best is also the cheapest company for unlimited coverage among the companies analyzed by MoneyGeek.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Iowa: Affordable Coverage
pros
No upper age limit for covering pets
Five percent discount for insuring multiple pets
Dental coverage and prescription medication coverage in comprehensive plans
Coverage available for behavioral conditions
cons
No coverage for pre-existing conditions and preventative care
Not all plans offer physical rehabilitation coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
If you're searching for minimum or affordable coverage in Iowa, Pets Best ranks as our top recommendation. Policyholders with a single pet pay an average of $15.68 per month under the company's $5,000 coverage policy. Regardless of the coverage level, your pet will be covered for illnesses and injuries, dental care and hereditary problems.
You can personalize your deductibles with Pets Best's cheap coverage plans. This allows you to select a high deductible plan with a low premium for your healthy pet. Policyholders with older or sick pets can purchase additional coverage by paying a higher insurance premium.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Iowa: Multiple Pets
pros
No upper age limits
Multi-pet discounts
Coverage for prosthetic devices and wheelchairs
cons
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Not all comprehensive plans cover exam fees and prescription medication
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek recommends Pets Best for the best coverage for multiple pets in Iowa. A Pets Best pet insurance coverage costs an average of $19.21 per month and includes multi-pet discounts. Your animal friend can receive insurance for their injuries, illnesses, cancer treatments, dental care and more, depending on the coverage level.
Insuring multiple can become expensive. The 5% multi-pet discount offered by Pets Best allows you to affordably cover all of your pets at once.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Iowa: Cats
pros
Multi-pet discounts
Prescription medications, complementary treatments, and specialized care are all included in the comprehensive package of benefits
After 12 months of being symptom-free, pre-existing conditions are covered
Exam fees are covered
cons
Does not provide unlimited coverage plans
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek rated Embrace as the best provider for cat insurance in Iowa, offering policies at an average of $14.17 a month. It's worth looking into cat-specific insurance policies for your feline friend, as they're cheaper to insure than dogs. Policyholders who cover more than one pet with the company can receive a 10% discount.
Embrace's cat insurance includes coverage for accidents and illnesses, surgeries and hospitalizations, prescription medicines, dental treatments and diagnostic tests for genetic problems. Treatment for behavioral issues and pre-existing conditions are also included, which sets them apart from the competitors.
Best Pets Insurance in Iowa Ranking Summary
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- RankingWinnerAvg. Monthly Cost
- OverallPets Best$21
- Unlimited CoveragePets Best$27
- Affordable CoveragePets Best$16
- Multiple PetsPets Best$19
- CatsEmbrace$14
What Is the Average Cost of Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs and Cats in Iowa?
Pet insurance premiums in Iowa vary depending on your location and coverage level, as well as the age and breed of your pet. In Iowa, the average monthly cost of dog insurance is $24.21 for coverage up to $5,000, $45.26 for coverage up to $10,000 and $46.36 for unlimited coverage. Cats are generally less expensive to insure, costing an average of $13.06 per month for coverage of $5,000, $22.49 for coverage of $10,000 and $30.79 for unlimited coverage.
Additionally, the age of your pet, deductible amount and any add-on coverages selected can affect the cost of pet insurance in Iowa. Obtain personalized estimates from multiple companies before selecting a policy for the best sense of available rates.
Average Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance in Iowa
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- Pet Insurance Policy$5k Coverage$10k CoverageUnlimited
- Average Cost for a Dog$24$45$46
- Average Cost for a Cat$13$22$31
HOW MUCH PET INSURANCE DO YOU NEED IN IOWA?
MoneyGeek advises a coverage limit of $5,000 to $10,000 and a reimbursement rate of at least 80% for pet insurance shoppers in Iowa. This gives you the peace of mind that you will be able to cover costs in the case of an accident or medical emergency.
Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in Iowa
MoneyGeek aims to inform pet owners in Iowa of the common options available in pet insurance. Some general variables are:
- Annual Reimbursement Limits: Ranges from $3k to unlimited
- Deductible: $250 to $500, but some companies have higher or lower options
- Bill Reimbursement Percentage: 70-90%
Individuals on a budget and those believe they do not require a high level of coverage can choose policies with lower limits. To ensure proper coverage for their pets, some may require insurance with higher coverage limits. Take note that insurance with higher coverage limits will be expensive.
The typical pet owner may not require unlimited coverage. However, a policy with unlimited coverage provides the most comprehensive insurance for your pet. MoneyGeek recommends the following level of insurance coverage for pet owners in Iowa:
Cheapest Pet Insurance in Iowa by Coverage Level
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- Maximum Policy CoverageWinner: Cheapest PolicyAvg Cost
- $5,000Pets Best$16
- $10,000Figo$32
- UnlimitedPets Best$27
If you're on a limited budget, choose a plan with a low yearly maximum, a high deductible and a low reimbursement rate. The table below compares Iowa's pet insurance policies with a $5,000 coverage maximum, a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Cheapest Low Coverage: $5k Annual Maximum / 80% / $500 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyLow Coverage Monthly Cost
- Pets Best$16
- Pet Plan$22
- ASPCA$24
Cheapest Average Coverage: $10k Annual Maximum / 80% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyAverage Coverage Monthly Cost
- Figo$32
- GEICO$36
- Embrace$36
Cheapest Unlimited Coverage: Unlimited Maximum / 90% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyUnlimited Coverage Monthly Cost
- Pets Best$27
- Healthy Paws$40
- Trupanion$42
The Best Cheap Pet Insurance by City in Iowa
Along with your pet's age and breed, your location also influences the cost of pet insurance in Iowa. Some areas in Iowa carry higher treatment costs for pets. Similarly, several cities in the state have a higher cost of living than the national average, resulting in higher veterinarian medical bills and policy premiums.
In some cities, weather, traffic and other concerns may increase the likelihood of your pets becoming involved in an accident, resulting in higher premiums. Additionally, your coverage level may affect your monthly pet insurance payments, so cheap pet insurance in Iowa may be different for each policyholder.
Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies by City
- CityCoverage Level and Average Monthly Rate
- Cedar Rapids$5k: Pets Best, $16
Unlimited: Pets Best, $27
$10k: Figo, $32 - Davenport$5k: Pets Best, $16
Unlimited: Pets Best, $27
$10k: Figo, $32 - Des Moines$5k: Pets Best, $16
Unlimited: Pets Best, $27
$10k: Embrace, $31
MoneyGeek used city-based data in Iowa by gathering quotes for $10k coverage, 80% reimbursement, and $250 deductible for a 1-year-old Goldendoodle.
What Factors Impact Pet Insurance Cost in Iowa?
Many variables affect insurance costs, including your location, the breed and age of your pet and the coverage you select. Most insurance companies allow you to tailor your pet's coverage based on specific needs.
Annual Reimbursement Limits
The annual reimbursement or coverage limit refers to the maximum amount that your pet's insurance provider will pay toward medical expenses each year. Coverage limits range from $3,000 to unlimited.
Deductible
In most cases, deductibles are between $250 and $500. The higher the monthly premium, the lower the deductible becomes. Your pet insurance premium will be less expensive with a higher deductible.
Bill Reimbursement Percentage
This is the percentage of your pet's medical bills that your insurance company will pay back to you. For instance, if your deductible is met and you receive a $1,000 bill with a 90% bill reimbursement ratio, you will be responsible for paying $100 to the veterinarian, with the remaining 90% covered.
Breed
Bigger breeds and animals with a history of congenital health issues will almost always cost more to insure than smaller breeds. Similarly, dogs are more expensive to insure than feline pets.
Animal Age
A pet's insurance costs increase with its age, due to the fact that older pets develop more health issues.
Location
Your geographic location also affects prices. If you live in an area with a higher cost of living or additional environmental concerns, like heavy traffic or severe weather, your costs may be higher.
Multi-Pet Discounts
Some providers feature discounts for insuring more than one pet under the same policy.
FAQ’s About Pet Insurance in Iowa
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, pet insurance policies are written at a rate of more than 20% per year across the country. While over 59% of Iowa's households own pets, only a small percentage hold comprehensive pet insurance. Insuring your pet may help protect you from rising medical costs if your pet becomes unwell.
For example, without insurance, the cost of care for a broken bone in your pet may be roughly $2,371. If your dog has a more serious ailment, such as cancer, costs can climb to as high as $4,137. Pet insurance is a relatively inexpensive option to avoid these more significant expenses and ensure that you can afford your pet's medical care.
With an average monthly premium of $15.68, Pets Best is the cheapest pet insurance provider in Iowa. However, insurance premiums vary with your location and the type of pet you have, so the cheapest insurance may change for each pet owner.
The average monthly cost of dog insurance in Iowa is $24.21 for up to $5,000 in coverage, $45.26 for up to $10,000 in coverage and $46.36 for unlimited coverage. Cats are generally less expensive to insure, with an average monthly premium of $13.06 for $5,000 coverage, $22.49 for $10,000 coverage and $30.79 for unlimited coverage.
When it comes to purchasing pet insurance in Iowa, you have a plethora of alternatives. According to MoneyGeek, Pets Best and Embrace are Iowa's best pet insurance companies.
MoneyGeek's Rating Methodology for Pet Insurance
MoneyGeek believes that data helps us make better financial decisions. Our data team spent countless hours gathering thousands of pet insurance quotes across the 13 largest providers to ensure you find the most affordable policy that meets your pets' needs.
To determine the best pet insurance companies in Iowa, MoneyGeek built a detailed rating system by analyzing each company’s product offerings and costs. For the MoneyGeek rating score, we weighted affordability by coverage level at 50% of the total score and weighted our 24 qualitative research policy option data points at 50%.
To determine the cheapest pet insurance companies in Iowa and our affordability scores, MoneyGeek gathered quotes by company across many zip codes in Iowa for four pet types with the following coverage levels:
- Low Coverage: $5,000 coverage, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement
- Average Coverage: $10,000 coverage, $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement
- High Coverage: Unlimited coverage, $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- CareCredit. "Average Costs: Veterinary Care." Accessed December 1, 2021.
- AVMA. "2019 ECO-PetDemoUpdateErrataFINAL-20190501.pdf." Accessed December 1, 2021.
Pet Insurance
