Pet Insurance
If your pet requires veterinary care, purchasing the best pet insurance in South Dakota can help you save some money and offer peace of mind. Some policies also cover preventive care costs.
MoneyGeek collected information about pet insurance from various insurers that serve the top cities in South Dakota, including Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. We used this data to determine the average cost of pet insurance in South Dakota and research additional coverage options to help you meet your pet insurance needs.
The Best Pet Insurance Companies in South Dakota
MoneyGeek obtained ranking information for pet insurance in South Dakota by reviewing quotes from different providers and comparing their policies. We selected the top companies based on coverage options and affordability scores.
Several factors can affect the cost of pet insurance, including the pet’s medical history and age. By comparing quotes between insurance companies, you can secure the best coverage for your animal friend's needs.
Best Overall Pet Insurance in South Dakota for Your Pet
pros
Significantly low premiums
Exam fees covered
Various discounts available
Direct reimbursement with Vet Direct Pay
cons
Does not cover elective and preventative care
Rehabilitation coverage not available on basic plan
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best pet insurance company in South Dakota is Pets Best. Its coverage costs an average of $28.09 per month.
This company offers several insurance plans for accidents and illnesses, along with coverage for routine care as an add-on option. Pets Best covers exam fees, physical rehabilitation and prescription medications. If your pet is sick, you will save on exam costs for each visit. Its insurance also covers acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, which may not be covered by other providers.
Pets Best offers three insurance options with different offerings as one of the best overall providers for pet owners in South Dakota.
Best Pet Insurance Company in South Dakota: Unlimited Coverage
pros
Unlimited coverage across all policies
Covers chronic conditions
Covers alternative care
Quick claims processing
cons
Limited plan options
Doesn’t cover exam fees
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek’s best pet insurance company in South Dakota for unlimited coverage is Healthy Paws. Healthy Paws' policies do not apply maximum limits on per-incident, annual or lifetime insurance claim payouts, which offers peace of mind knowing that you will never go beyond your coverage limits — even if your pet requires intensive medical care.
Unlimited coverage policies are often more expensive than other insurance options. It will cost you an average of $34.79 per month if you purchase Healthy Paws pet insurance coverage in South Dakota.
Pet insurance policies from Healthy Paws cover many incidents, including illnesses, accidents, genetic conditions, cancer and alternative care, including physiotherapy and acupuncture. A policy from Healthy Paws also covers chronic illnesses that are not pre-existing conditions. However, it does not include exam fees and is also not the cheapest in South Dakota.
Best Pet Insurance Company in South Dakota: Affordable Coverage
pros
Customizable policy limits and deductible
Covers exam fees
Comprehensive coverage including dental and hereditary conditions
cons
No preventative care coverage
More costly for older pets
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Our top pick for affordable pet insurance coverage in South Dakota is Pet Plan. A policy from Pet Plan costs $20.16 per month, on average. South Dakota residents can customize their coverage limits and deductibles for pet-related illness and injury, hereditary diseases and dental care.
If your pet does not have any major conditions, you can select a Pet Plan policy with lower premiums and high deductibles to save on costs. However, if your pet has health issues, you can get more comprehensive coverage by paying a bit more.
Despite the low cost, Pet Plan policies also cover dental care, exam fees and various other features missing from other insurers.
Best Pet Insurance Company in South Dakota: Multiple Pets
pros
Low costs for individuals with multiple pets
Covers exam fees
No upper age limit on illness and accidents
cons
Complicated plan structure
Rehabilitation coverage not available on basic plan
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
South Dakota residents looking for cheap coverage for multiple pets can consider Pets Best, which is MoneyGeek’s top pick. This insurer combines strong coverage with affordable costs and provides several deductible choices. South Dakota residents pay an average of $25.28 per month for pet insurance policies from the insurer. Pets Best offers a 5% discount on specific plans for multiple animals.
Pets Best insurance plans cover illnesses, surgeries, accidents and cancer, as well as wellness coverage for routine and specialized care. The policy caters to exam fees, physical examination and specialized treatment such as acupuncture.
Best Pet Insurance Company in South Dakota: Cats
pros
Covers exam fees
Multi-pet discount
Has accident-only coverage
cons
Does not offer unlimited coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
According to MoneyGeek, Embrace is the top choice for pet insurance for cats in South Dakota, charging residents an average of $13.48 per month. Cat owners can shop around to get the best rates for pet insurance in the state.
Embrace provides many coverage options for cat insurance. Its policies cover exam fees, injury, chronic illnesses, diagnostic tests, prescription medication and more.
Embrace also offers a multi-pet discount. If you have more than one cat, you can save on premiums with an Embrace policy. However, the company does not offer unlimited coverage.
Best Pets Insurance in South Dakota Ranking Summary
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- RankingWinnerAvg. Monthly Cost
- OverallPets Best$28
- Unlimited CoverageHealthy Paws$35
- Affordable CoveragePet Plan$20
- Multiple PetsPets Best$25
- CatsEmbrace$13
What Is the Average Cost of Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs and Cats in South Dakota?
The average cost of pet insurance in South Dakota differs based on your coverage needs and location, along with the breed of your pet and its age. To insure a dog in South Dakota, you will pay an average of $24.71 per month for a policy with a $5,000 limit, $44.73 for coverage with a limit of $10,000 and $45.01 per month for unlimited coverage.
The cost of pet insurance in South Dakota is significantly lower for cats than dogs. You will pay an average of $13.06 per month for a $5,000 limit, $21.79 for a $10,000 limit and $31.39 for unlimited coverage.
Costs also vary depending on the deductible amount and extra features you choose for the policy. Insurance companies weigh these factors differently, so you should compare quotes before purchasing any policy.
Average Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance in South Dakota
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- Pet Insurance Policy$5k Coverage$10k CoverageUnlimited
- Average Cost for a Dog$25$45$45
- Average Cost for a Cat$13$22$31
HOW MUCH PET INSURANCE DO YOU NEED IN SOUTH DAKOTA?
MoneyGeek recommends a coverage limit of between $5,000 and $10,000 and a reimbursement rate of at least 80% for South Dakota residents. With an ideal coverage limit, you will be able to pay for any emergencies or accident costs associated with your pet.
Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in South Dakota
MoneyGeek’s analysis aims to inform pet owners in South Dakota about available insurance options across most providers. Typically, most policies comprise:
- Annual Reimbursement Limits: Ranges from $3k to unlimited
- Deductible: $250 to $500, although some insurers offer options with higher or lower limits
- Bill Reimbursement Percentage: 70-90%
While some pet owners wish to purchase cheaper insurance coverage with lower limits to save on their monthly premiums, others seek the most coverage for their pets and would prefer policies with higher coverage levels. In most cases, policies with higher limits cost more but often provide maximum or unlimited protection.
MoneyGeek recommends the following coverage limits South Dakota residents looking to buy pet insurance.
Cheapest Pet Insurance in South Dakota by Coverage Level
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- Maximum Policy CoverageWinner: Cheapest PolicyAvg Cost
- $5,000Pet Plan$20
- $10,000GEICO$34
- UnlimitedHealthy Paws$35
If you wish to keep your pet insurance costs at a minimum, you can purchase a policy with a low annual premium, high deductible and low reimbursement rate. The table below compares the cost of pet insurance in South Dakota for a $5,000 limit, $500 deductible and a reimbursement rate of 80%.
Cheapest Low Coverage: $5k Annual Maximum / 80% / $500 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyLow Coverage Monthly Cost
- Pet Plan$20
- Pets Best$21
- Spot$22
Cheapest Average Coverage: $10k Annual Maximum / 80% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyAverage Coverage Monthly Cost
- GEICO$34
- Embrace$34
- Figo$38
Cheapest Unlimited Coverage: Unlimited Maximum / 90% / $250 Deductible
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- Pet Insurance CompanyUnlimited Coverage Monthly Cost
- Healthy Paws$35
- Pets Best$36
- Pet Plan$36
The Best Cheap Pet Insurance by City in South Dakota
Aside from age, coverage level and other factors that influence pet insurance costs, your location can also significantly affect your premiums. The cost of treatment for your pet may vary across cities. For instance, South Dakota cities with a high cost of living may feature higher veterinary medical charges, which translate to higher pet insurance premiums.
Cities that are more prone to accidents and natural disasters may also feature higher rates. Your coverage level also has an impact on your rates.
Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies by City
- CityCoverage Level and Average Monthly Rate
- Aberdeen$5k: Pet Plan, $20
$10k: Embrace, $35
Unlimited: Pets Best, $36 - Rapid City$5k: Pet Plan, $20
Unlimited: Healthy Paws, $32
$10k: Embrace, $33 - Sioux Falls$5k: Pet Plan, $20
$10k: Embrace, $35
Unlimited: Pets Best, $36
MoneyGeek used city-based data in South Dakota by gathering quotes for $10k coverage, 80% reimbursement, and $250 deductible for a 1-year-old Goldendoodle.
What Factors Impact Pet Insurance Cost in South Dakota?
Pet insurance costs depend on several factors, such as the pet’s breed, age, level of coverage and location. Most insurers allow you to customize your coverage limits based on your budget and pet insurance needs.
Annual Reimbursement Limits
Also known as the "coverage limit," this figure refers to the amount paid by the insurance provider to cover your pet’s medical costs per year. Coverage limits start from $3,000 up to an unlimited amount.
Deductible
Refers to the amount you will pay out of pocket after your claim is processed. Deductibles generally range from $250 to $500. Policies with lower deductibles tend to feature higher premiums and vice versa.
Bill Reimbursement Percentage
This is the amount an insurer reimburses you for your pet’s medical bills. For instance, if you reach your deductible and receive a bill for $1,000 with a bill reimbursement percentage of 90%, you still have to pay $100 to the vet.
Breed
Dogs tend to be more expensive to insure than cats, and insurance for larger breeds or types with known congenital health issues might also cost more.
Animal Age
Older pets are more expensive to insure than younger animals, as health issues develop with age.
Location
If you live in an area with a higher cost of living or a city with environmental/weather hazards, you will likely pay more for pet insurance.
Multi-Pet Discounts
Some insurers offer discounts if you insure more than one pet on a policy.
FAQ’s About Pet Insurance in South Dakota
Per MoneyGeek’s analysis, we recommend that pet owners in South Dakota purchase insurance if they need protection from large medical bills associated with pet illness, injury and accidents. For instance, the Canine Journal indicates that pet owners spend an average of $800 on emergency examinations and about $210 for oncology consultations.
According to avma.org, 46.4% of households in South Dakota own pets. Insurance provides the cheapest way of avoiding severe medical costs if your animal friend needs treatment.
Based on MoneyGeek, the cheapest pet insurance company in South Dakota is Pet Plan, with an average rate of $20.16 per month. However, actual costs may vary based on your location, as well as your pet’s age, breed and medical history.
In South Dakota, pet insurance for a policy with a $10,000 coverage limit costs $44.73 for dogs and $21.79 for cats, on average. However, prices may vary significantly based on your specific needs, from as low as $16 to as high as $45 or more per month.
Several good pet insurance providers are available in South Dakota. Based on MoneyGeek, Pets Best, Pet Plan, Healthy Paws and Embrace rank among the best providers in the state overall.
MoneyGeek's Rating Methodology for Pet Insurance
According to MoneyGeek, data plays a significant role in financial decision-making. For pet insurance research, our data team collected thousands of quotes from the top 13 insurers in South Dakota to help determine the cheapest pet insurance policy for your needs.
To identify the top pet insurance companies in South Dakota, MoneyGeek utilized a detailed scoring system through analyzing costs and product offerings for each insurer. For our ratings, MoneyGeek analyzed affordability scores by coverage level at 50% of the total score plus our 24 qualitative research policy option data points at 50%.
To find the cheapest pet insurance providers in South Dakota and determine affordability scores, MoneyGeek collected quotes by insurance carriers across various zip codes in South Dakota 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
- Pets Best. "Compare Pet Insurance Companies." Accessed November 29, 2021.
- Healthy Paws. "Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review." Accessed November 29, 2021.
- Canine Journal. "How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?." Accessed November 29, 2021.
- Avma.org. "AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook." Accessed November 29, 2021.
Pet Insurance
