Pet Insurance
Pet owners in Maryland can get the best insurance for their furry companions after reading MoneyGeek’s analysis. To determine the best insurers, we collected quotes from multiple companies in Baltimore, Columbia and Silver Spring to evaluate average rates across the state.
Choosing the right policy can depend on several factors, such as your location, the age and breed of your pet and whether it has any hereditary conditions that need medical care. This will help you save significantly on out-of-pocket medical expenses and ensure helpful care for your pet’s needs.
The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Maryland
MoneyGeek’s research broke down the best insurance companies based on several factors to help customers choose the ideal policy for their pets' needs. Our process included comparing thousands of quotes from several insurers to understand the coverage they offer in Maryland.
Several factors determine the cost of pet insurance. MoneyGeek ranked the insurers based on providers that offered a wide range of coverage with affordable policies. We aim to ensure that these policies cover all aspects of medical care for your pet while keeping insurance costs reasonable.
Best Overall Pet Insurance in Maryland for Your Pet
pros
Policyholders can choose coverage limits and deductibles
Provides a multi-pet discount
Offers coverage for exam fees
cons
Waiting period before insurance kicks-in
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Pets Best ranked first in MoneyGeek’s analysis of companies that provided the best overall pet insurance. This provider offers comprehensive medical care for your pet at $26.50 per month, on average.
The company offers several types of coverage, including plans that pay for acupuncture and chiropractic treatments, prescription medications, dental care and exam fees for bloodwork, pathology reports, MRIs, CAT scans and X-rays.
Pets Best features a minimum coverage limit of $5,000 per year. Policyholders can also choose unlimited coverage, which few other insurers offer.
The company does not impose an upper age limit for pets and offers the same coverage limits, regardless of your pet's age. Pets Best covers illness and accidents. The illness coverage pays for medical care for congenital cases, cancers and emergency care. You can also opt for coverage that pays for dental cleanings and medical procedures like spaying and neutering.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Maryland: Unlimited Coverage
pros
Includes dental coverage
Offers multi-pet discount
Offers coverage for hereditary conditions and emergencies
cons
Does not cover pre-existing conditions
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
If you’re looking for unlimited coverage options for your pet in Maryland, Pets Best is MoneyGeek’s top choice. Pets Best unlimited coverage insurance policies cost $35.43 per month, on average.
If you have a pet with chronic or hereditary conditions that require constant medical care, it could lead to significant expenses. Choosing a pet insurance policy from Pets Best ensures that your pet receives prompt and competent medical care.
Although these policies may lead to higher monthly premiums, you will save significantly on medical expenses that you'd otherwise have to pay out of pocket.
The company offers coverage for acupuncture, chiropractic and rehabilitative treatments if your pet has any pre-existing ailments requiring special care. Policies from Pets Best cover medical care expenses due to accidents, illnesses and hereditary conditions. This provider also covers prescription medication costs, provided the medicine is included in the insurer’s formulary list.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Maryland: Affordable Coverage
pros
Covers exam fees
Covers chronic and hereditary conditions
Provides coverage for alternative therapies
Covers bilateral conditions
cons
Does not offer a multi-pet discount
Does not cover pre-existing conditions
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek’s preferred insurer for affordable coverage in Maryland is Pet Plan, which offers policies at $21.14 per month, on average.
The company offers coverage for exam fees that helps you save anywhere from $50 to $250 every time you visit the vet. This coverage includes the cost of any examinations performed by a licensed veterinarian to diagnose or treat an ill or injured pet. This coverage does not pay for routine or elective procedures.
Pet Plan’s coverage also pays for alternate therapies, including acupuncture, homeotherapy, stem cell therapy and chiropractic treatments if the treatment is carried out by a licensed veterinarian.
This provider offers protection for chronic and hereditary conditions and dental injuries or diseases to all of your pet’s adult teeth. It is one of the few pet insurance companies that cover bilateral conditions, provided your pet does not have any signs of the condition at the time the policy takes effect.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Maryland: Multiple Pets
pros
Offers multi-pet discount
Offers dental coverage
Covers exam fees
cons
Does not cover bilateral conditions
Extended waiting period for orthopedic conditions
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
If you have multiple pets in your household, MoneyGeek recommends Pets Best. This insurer offers affordable policies and extends a discount to policyholders who include more than one of their animal companions on an insurance policy. These policies cost $23.85 per month, on average.
Pets Best’s wide range of coverage types cater to all your pet’s needs without having to worry about medical expenses. As one of the few insurers that offer unlimited coverage, its policies work well for multi-pet owners who may need to take care of their pets' frequent medical expenses.
With Pets Best, you can choose to pay the vet for medical procedures and get reimbursed by the insurer or have them pay your vet directly, thus saving on out-of-pocket expenses. You can choose additional coverages that pay for prescription medications and vaccinations to prevent conditions such as heartworm and rabies. The insurer also provides coverage for your pets' preventative care procedures.
Best Pet Insurance Company in Maryland: Cats
pros
Policyholders can file claims on the company website or app
Offers coverage for alternative therapies
No separate waiting period for orthopedic conditions
cons
High minimum deductible limit
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In Maryland, insurance policies for cats are typically cheaper than plans for dogs. GEICO is MoneyGeek’s first pick for cat insurance in the state, with affordable insurance at $18 per month, on average.
GEICO offers a range of options to cover exam fees related to accidents and illnesses, along with alternative therapies like acupuncture. The company also provides coverage for preventive care that pays for dental cleaning, fecal and blood tests, wellness exams and flea and heartworm prevention.
GEICO also offers to pay for chronic condition treatments, although it does not allow the inclusion of any pre-existing ailments within this coverage. The insurer covers hip dysplasia as well as bilateral conditions, as long as the pet does not show signs of these conditions at the time of signing up for the policy.
If your pet develops orthopedic conditions soon after GEICO’s policy takes effect, you can take advantage of the insurer’s unique terms. Policyholders can reduce the waiting period for orthopedic conditions to 14 days by completing an orthopedic exam followed by a waiver process, as instructed by the insurer.
Best Pets Insurance in Maryland Ranking Summary
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- RankingWinnerAvg. Monthly Cost
- OverallPets Best$27
- Unlimited CoveragePets Best$35
- Affordable CoveragePet Plan$21
- Multiple PetsPets Best$24
- CatsGEICO$18
What Is the Average Cost of Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs and Cats in Maryland?
Insurance costs in Maryland depend on various factors, such as the age and pedigree of your pet, your location and the coverage that you choose.
The average cost of dog insurance in Maryland is $53.67 per month. For cats, it is $26.29 per month, on average. We determined these costs by evaluating each factor with a $250 deductible and a $10,000 coverage limit.
You can also find the best pet insurance options in Maryland with higher or lower coverage using MoneyGeek’s research.
The average cost of dog insurance with a $5,000 coverage limit is $28.93 per month, while cats cost $15.95 per month, on average. You can also get unlimited coverage for your pets, which costs an average of $60.17 per month for dogs and $38.88 per month for cats.
Average Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance in Maryland
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- Pet Insurance Policy$5k Coverage$10k CoverageUnlimited
- Average Cost for a Dog$29$54$60
- Average Cost for a Cat$16$26$39
HOW MUCH PET INSURANCE DO YOU NEED IN MARYLAND?
You can choose from various coverage options and customize your coverage and reimbursement limits based on your budget and your pet’s requirements.
For the average pet owner in Maryland, MoneyGeek recommends coverage limits between $8,000 to $20,000, with a minimum reimbursement rate of 80%.
Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in Maryland
MoneyGeek’s analysis aims to provide relevant information about the insurance options in Maryland. The leading insurance companies provide:
- Annual Reimbursement Limits: Ranges from $3,000 to unlimited
- Deductible: $250 to $500, but some companies have higher or lower options
- Bill Reimbursement Percentage: 70% to 90%
Some pet owners in Maryland may choose cheaper policies with lower coverage limits to minimize expenses. Others buy these policies if their pets do not require frequent medical care. Conversely, policies with higher coverage limits are typically more expensive but offer maximum protection.
You can evaluate the best pet insurance in Maryland for your needs by reading MoneyGeek’s recommendations in the following table.
Cheapest Pet Insurance in Maryland by Coverage Level
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- Maximum Policy CoverageWinner: Cheapest PolicyAvg Cost
- $5,000Pet Plan$21
- $10,000Figo$43
- UnlimitedPets Best$35
If you’re looking for affordable pet insurance in Maryland, consider a policy with a low coverage limit, a high deductible and a low reimbursement rate. Higher reimbursement rates and lower deductibles may lead to increased monthly premiums.
Cheapest Low Coverage: $5k Annual Maximum / 80% / $500 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyLow Coverage Monthly Cost
- Pet Plan$21
- Pets Best$21
- Hartville$27
Cheapest Average Coverage: $10k Annual Maximum / 80% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyAverage Coverage Monthly Cost
- Figo$43
- GEICO$49
- Embrace$49
Cheapest Unlimited Coverage: Unlimited Maximum / 90% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyUnlimited Coverage Monthly Cost
- Pets Best$35
- Healthy Paws$44
- Trupanion$64
The Best Cheap Pet Insurance by City in Maryland
Your location significantly affects the cost of pet insurance in Maryland. For example, in cities with a high cost of living, consulting a vet can also be expensive. This subsequently leads to higher insurance costs.
Other factors that affect insurance costs are coverage limits, traffic density and the weather. Pets are more likely to become sick in areas with extreme climates and are also at risk due to traffic hazards on congested roads.
Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies by City
- CityCoverage Level and Average Monthly Rate
- Baltimore$5k: Pet Plan, $20
Unlimited: Pets Best, $36
$10k: Embrace, $43 - Columbia$5k: Pets Best, $22
Unlimited: Pets Best, $38
$10k: Embrace, $51 - Silver Spring$5k: Pets Best, $19
Unlimited: Pets Best, $33
$10k: Figo, $41
MoneyGeek used city-based data in Maryland by gathering quotes for $10k coverage, 80% reimbursement, and $250 deductible for a 1-year-old Goldendoodle.
What Factors Impact Pet Insurance Cost in Maryland?
Insurance costs in Maryland depend on the breed and age of your pet, as well as the policy and coverage you choose. Other factors that determine cost are policy deductibles, reimbursement rates and your location.
Annual Reimbursement Limits:
This limit refers to the yearly number up to which insurance companies reimburse policyholders. Insurers will only start reimbursing after you have reached your annual deductible limit.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount payable by the policyholder each year before the insurance plan starts to cover medical expenses. Many insurers allow you to choose your annual deductible limit. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly insurance premiums become.
Bill Reimbursement Percentage
This refers to the reimbursement you receive from your insurer after incurring medical expenses. Policyholders in Maryland can choose their reimbursement rates. Your insurer will start reimbursing your medical expenses only after you have reached the annual deductible.
Breed
Insurers in Maryland typically charge more to insure dogs than cats. You may also have to pay more for insurance if you own breeds that have congenital conditions or are more likely to become sick.
Animal Age
Although insurance premiums increase with the age of your pet, certain insurance providers offer the same rates for pets of all ages.
Location
Cities with high traffic density and extreme weather patterns may affect the animal’s health and lead to higher insurance premiums.
Multi-pet Discounts
If you have more than one pet, you can apply multi-pet discounts offered by certain insurers to reduce monthly premium costs.
FAQ’s About Pet Insurance in Maryland
More than one million households in Maryland have pets, but only a very small percentage of them have insured their pets. MoneyGeek believes that insuring your pet helps you provide timely health care and avoid unplanned, significant out-of-pocket expenses.
For example, if you own a dog, you may encounter lifetime medical expenses between $7,565 and $19,060. Choosing an insurance policy helps you reduce these expenses drastically.
Pets Best is MoneyGeek’s preferred insurer overall for the cheapest pet insurance in Maryland. The company offers insurance at an average rate of $21.14 per month. The most affordable policies for you depend on your location and type of your pet.
For a policy with $10,000 coverage, pet insurance for dogs costs an average of $53.67 per month and $26.29 per month for cats. Depending on your coverage requirements and other factors, you may have to pay anywhere between $12 to around $97 per month.
MoneyGeek’s analysis revealed that the best companies for pet insurance are Pets Best, Pet Plan and GEICO.
MoneyGeek's Rating Methodology for Pet Insurance
MoneyGeek believes that data helps us make better financial decisions. For pet insurance, our data team spent countless hours gathering thousands of pet insurance quotes across the 13 largest providers to help you find the most affordable policy to meet your pet’s needs.
To determine the best pet insurance companies in Maryland, 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 Maryland and our affordability scores, MoneyGeek gathered quotes by company across many zip codes in Maryland 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
- Care Credit. "Average Costs: Veterinary Care." Accessed November 30, 2021.
- AVMA. "AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook." Accessed November 30, 2021.
Pet Insurance
