Keeping pets healthy can put a dent in your wallet and insurance can provide some relief. Here’s everything you need to know about pet insurance in Missouri.
Quick Look: The Best Pet Insurance in Missouri
- Top-Rated Pet Insurance: Lemonade Pet Insurance
- Best for Prescription Food and Supplements: Spot
- Best for Pets With Chronic Conditions: Embrace
- Best for Families With Multiple Pets: Pumpkin
- Best for Bundling With Other Insurance Products: Progressive Pet
The Best Pet Insurance in Missouri
Ready to learn more about pet insurance plans? Here are the best pet insurance providers in Missouri, according to our research.
1. Best Overall: Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade is currently available in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District Of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin,
Lemonade Pet Insurance is a simple platform that’s easy to use and allows you to customize your pet insurance, including accident & illness coverage along with a wellness plan. Accident & illness policies cover:
- Office visits and emergency care
- Medications
- Procedures and surgeries
When you choose the wellness plan, you also get:
- Testing and bloodwork
- Vaccine coverage
- Live chat features with a veterinary professional
You can check out Benzinga’s review of Lemonade Pet Insurance for more information or reach out to their customer service team for assistance.
Pros
- Low premiums
- Robust standard coverage
- Live chat and other support options
Cons
- Range of coverage may not be as extensive as the competition
2. High-Quality Pet Insurance: Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance is the No. 1 pet insurance provider recommended by Cesar Millan, the leading expert in dog behavior. Some insurance highlights:
- Up to 90% reimbursement on eligible vet bills
- No age cap on coverage
- Plans start as low as $1 a day* — that’s less than a cup of coffee!
You can customize your coverage and can even add special Spot-On coverage. Coverage options include accidents, behavioral issues, dental disease, illnesses, preventive services and even hereditary and congenital conditions.
Spot’s claims service is easy. Just visit your vet, send Spot the bill and get reimbursed.
Take 30 seconds to fetch your free quote now.
*Rates vary based on plan type, species, breed, age and location
Pros
- Set up account quickly
- No age cap
- Up to 90% reimbursement
Cons
- Certain breeds may fetch high premiums
3. Embrace: Best for Dogs
Consider a plan from Embrace Pet Insurance if you want to save a bundle on coverage. You can adjust the deductible, annual maximum and reimbursement percentage to reach a monthly premium that fits your budget.
Embrace Pet Insurance covers accidents, illnesses, exam fees and preventive veterinary care. Training and grooming may also be covered under your plan.
You could save even more on out-of-pocket costs as time goes on with Embrace’s Diminishing Deductible feature. With each year that passes where you don’t file a claim, your deductible will drop by $50.
Claims can be filed by email, fax or electronically. Most policyholders receive 90% back on their claims.
Pros
- Deductible reduction plans
- Accident, illness and preventative coverage
- Receive about 90% back on vet bills
Cons
- Certain services may not be covered
4. Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Best for Extensive Coverage
Limitations apply. For terms and conditions, visit pumpkin.care. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (NPN#19084749) (“Pumpkin”) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance plans underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy, and is not available in all states.
Look no further than Pumpkin for the best pet insurance on the market. You can get a wide range of traditional pet insurance and optional preventive care coverage. All of Pumpkin Pet Insurance’s policies come with a 90% reimbursement rate.
Pumpkin offers policies for both dogs and cats and covers a wide range of situations. Your best bet is to get a sample quote, where you can find exclusions clearly laid out in bullets.
Pumpkin’s customer service team can be reached by:
- Calling 1-866-ARF-MEOW, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST
- Emailing help@pumpkin.care
Watch out for Pumpkin’s chat feature — coming soon!
Pros
- Easy to reach customer support
- Sample quotes before you buy
- High reimbursement rates
Cons
- Be careful to review coverage to ensure what you need is covered
5. Progressive: Best for Customization
Progressive pet insurance allows you to customize your deductible, your reimbursement percentage and your annual limits. You can also add wellness coverage, which offers benefits for preventive care.
Progressive processes most claims in 5 days or less, which means you won’t have to wait long to get your reimbursement.
It also offers a discount if you purchase multiple policies.
Pros
- Easy to customize coverage
- Quick claims processing
- Bundling discounts
Cons
- Additions may be more expensive than anticipated
Pet Insurance in Missouri: An Overview
Why does pet insurance matter? Let’s take a closer look at the sheer number of pets and the amount Missouri residents spend.
Number of households with pets:
- 863,000 Missouri residents have a dog
- 718,000 of Missouri residents have a cat
Amount spent on pet bills annually:
Average cost of pet insurance annually:
- For dogs: $566
- For cats: $354
How Do Pet Insurance Plans Work?
Pet insurance isn’t the same as health insurance for people. Here are the factors to keep in mind when you buy pet insurance:
- The reimbursement amount. Pet insurance plans typically work on a reimbursement basis. This means that you pay the vet for services. You submit a receipt for what you pay and the insurance company reimburses you. You may be reimbursed for a percentage of what you paid or for a set amount. For example, let’s say Fluffy eats something she wasn’t supposed to. You take her to the vet and she stays for a few days. The bill is $1,000. You pay the vet $1,000. You submit your receipt to your pet insurance and your insurance company reimburses you 80%. You receive $800 to cover Fluffy’s vet bill.
- The deductible. This is how much you pay for covered services before your insurance starts. Let’s say your plan has a $500 deductible and you haven’t met the deductible for the year. Fluffy’s $1,000 vet visit would reimburse you $300 instead of $800 if you have a $500 deductible.
- Coverage limits. Some plans limit how much they will pay in a year. Let’s say you choose a plan with a $2,500 annual coverage limit. Once your policy pays out $2,500 in benefits, it won’t pay any more. You may be able to choose your coverage limit.
Each of these factors impacts your premium. If you choose a high deductible and a low coverage limit, your policy will cost less. It will also cover less and you may pay more out of pocket for care.
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?
Pet insurance covers a range of veterinary services. Every plan is different, so it’s important to read the fine print on any policies you’re considering.
Here’s what’s typically covered by pet insurance:
- Illnesses. It’s scary when your pet is under the weather and you don’t know why. Pet insurance covers diagnosing illnesses like digestive problems, urinary tract infections, cancer and more. It also typically covers treatment for illnesses, IVs and other medications.
- Accident. Unfortunately, accidents happen. Pet insurance covers the costs related to injuries, including emergency care, X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds. If surgery and hospitalization are required, pet insurance usually covers that as well. Some insurance companies offer accident-only insurance if that’s your biggest concern.
- Congenital and hereditary conditions. Some pets have inherited conditions that don’t show up until they’re older. Hip dysplasia is a common example of an inherited condition that shows up later in life. Some plans include coverage for these conditions and others offer it as an add-on.
- Behavioral issues. Some plans include coverage for diagnosing and treating behavioral problems like aggression and excessive licking. These behaviors sometimes have roots in physical conditions. Regardless of the cause, seeing a vet is an integral part of understanding and treating behavioral issues. Not all plans cover care for behavioral issues.
- Prescription medications. Your pet may need prescription medication to live his or her best life, and this coverage also varies by plan.
- Alternative therapies. Acupuncture, rehabilitative therapy, hydrotherapy and chiropractic care can help improve your pet’s health and quality of life. Some plans include coverage for alternative treatments.
What Isn’t Typically Covered by Pet Insurance?
Carefully consider what’s typically covered by pet insurance as you consider the best pet insurance plan. Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover:
- Preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is any health condition or injury that happened before you took out your policy. Plans may also have a waiting period and conditions or injuries that occur during the waiting period may not be covered, either. Waiting periods may apply for both accidents and illnesses. Most waiting periods for accidents are relatively short. The waiting period for illnesses can be 6 months to a year, depending on the condition. Check the language of your policy carefully so you know what to expect.
- Breeding. Plans may not cover costs related to pregnancy and breeding.
- Cosmetic procedures. Pet insurance policies don’t cover claw removal and other cosmetic procedures.
- Preventive care. This varies by plan. Many insurers offer an option to add on preventive care. Preventive care includes vaccines and annual check-ups.
Choose the Best Pet Insurance Plan
Which plan is best for you? It depends on your budget and the age and health of your pets. It also depends on your pet type. Birds and exotic pets are a bit more challenging to cover than dogs and cats. When it comes to your budget, consider more than just the monthly premium. A more expensive plan might be worthwhile if it has a lower deductible and it covers a higher percentage of costs. Your vet might be able to recommend an insurance plan as well if you’re not sure which route to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is a type of coverage that helps reduce your pet care costs. Usually, you’ll sign up for a plan, choose your coverage and deductible and pay up front at your provider. Then, they’ll reimburse you at an agreed upon percentage once you file a claim.
Are all pets covered by pet insurance?
It depends on your provider, but most offer coverage for cats and dogs at a minimum. Some do not extend coverage beyond these species; others may offer coverage for other pets.