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Pet insurance is an essential addition to the care of your pet. With it, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your furry companion has the coverage needed when it gets sick or injured.
As a resident of Maine, it’s important to know which pet insurance plans provide the best coverage at the most affordable rates. To help you get started, we compiled a list of plans so that you can better determine the most appropriate one for your pet’s needs—and your budget.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
As a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. But accidents and illness happen, even to the best-cared-for pets. That’s where pet insurance comes in.
Pet insurance can help with the unexpected costs of veterinary care, from routine checkups to emergency treatment. It can also give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.
There are a few things to consider when shopping for pet insurance, such as whether you want coverage for routine care or just emergencies and what type of deductible you’re comfortable with.
We will discuss these factors in greater detail below. Once you’ve found the right policy for you and your pet, you can rest assured that you’re covered.
Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies
How Much Does Pet Insurance in Maine Cost?
The price of pet insurance may vary depending on your pet’s age, size, your geographic location, vet clinic, and other factors.
But generally, the younger and healthier your pet is, the lower your premiums will be. Pets in certain geographic areas may also be more expensive to insure than others. Additionally, the cost of insurance will likely be higher at a vet clinic than at a general store.
In order to give you a general overview of the cost of pet insurance in Maine in 2024, we’ve provided a table below that covers and compares the top providers.
Please note that the following estimates are for a typical four-year-old mixed-breed dog in Maine.
Pet Insurance | Monthly Cost | Discount for Multiple Pets? | Waiting Period |
Trupanion | $59.91 | N/A | Illnesses: 30 days
Accidents: 5 days |
Spot | $50.27 | 10% | Illnesses: 14 days
Accidents: 14 days |
Embrace | $49.08 | 10% | Illnesses: 14 days
Accidents: 2 days |
Fetch | $40. 79 | N/A | Illnesses: 15 days
Accidents: 15 days |
Healthy Paws | $51.75 | N/A | Illnesses: 15 days
Accidents: 15 days |
Prudent Pet | $36.74 | 10% | Illnesses: 15 days
Accidents: 5 days |
Figo | $21.74 | 5% to 10% | Illnesses: Varies
Accidents: Varies |
Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/picks/guides/insurance/pet-insurance-maine/
Additional Costs to Anticipate
As you can see from the table above, the cost of pet insurance in Maine is relatively affordable. However, there are a few additional costs that you will need to take into account.
Once again, your pet’s age may be a factor in the final cost of additional services. Dental visits, for example, typically run anywhere from $200 to $300. But if your pet is older, the vet may need to take blood to check its health prior to administering anesthesia. Such blood work can cost you an additional $100.
Extractions often cost between $50 and $100. But if a pre-exam is called for by the vet, you could be looking at an additional $50. It’s worth noting that pre-exams are usually only needed if your pet is a new patient. However, some vets make pre-exams mandatory for all pets.
Another added cost you may need to anticipate is for preventive care. It’s true that many pet insurance plans cover these costs, but not all do. As such, it’s important to make sure your plan covers preventive care if that’s something that is important to you.
How Often Should I Get Preventive Care?
In order to keep your pet healthy, it is important to take them in for preventive care appointments at least once a year. However, the frequency of these appointments may vary depending on your pet’s age, health, and lifestyle.
For example, if your pet is older or has chronic health conditions, they may need to be seen more frequently. Additionally, if your pet is very active or spends a lot of time outdoors, they may also need to be seen more often.
Preventive care appointments typically include a physical examination, vaccinations, and routine testing. The costs of these appointments will vary depending on the veterinarian and the services performed. However, the average cost of a preventive care appointment is between $50 and $100.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Preventive Care?
In many cases, yes. Trupanion, for example, covers vaccinations, routine blood work, and more. Some other companies have similar coverage for preventive care, while others exclude it or only offer it as an add-on.
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering preventive care coverage in a pet insurance policy:
- Preventive care typically has a per-incident or per-visit deductible, meaning you will have to pay a certain amount out of pocket for each preventive care visit before the insurance company kicks in.
- Some policies (like ASPCA’s) only cover preventive care if it’s recommended by a veterinarian.
- Routine care like vaccinations and routine blood work may be covered under a wellness plan, which is a separate type of policy from traditional pet insurance.
Be sure to talk to your veterinarian and your insurance agent to see what’s covered and what’s not.
How to Avoid Preventive Care in the Future
Preventive care is one of the most important things you can do for your pet’s health. By getting regular wellness checks, vaccinations, and routine testing, you can avoid many serious and expensive health problems in the future. Here are a few tips to help you keep your pet healthy and avoid costly vet bills:
- Schedule regular wellness visits with your veterinarian.
- Keep your pet up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Practice good dental care at home and schedule regular dental cleanings with your veterinarian.
- Feed your pet a high-quality diet and provide plenty of exercise.
- Be sure to spay or neuter your pet to avoid unwanted litters and help reduce the risk of certain health problems.
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of illness in your pet so you can catch problems early and get treatment before they become serious.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your pet healthy and avoid expensive vet bills down the road.
Conclusion
As you can see, pet insurance in Maine is relatively affordable. The average cost of premiums is just over $40 per month. Of course, this cost will vary depending on the type of pet you have, your pet’s age, and the coverage you choose. Be sure to shop around and compare rates before purchasing a policy to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Featured Image Credit: Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock