Is pet insurance worth it in New York?
Pet insurance in New York is certainly worth it because no pet owner derives pleasure in the death of their pet or seeing them in a helpless condition. That’s why pet insurance offers pet owners the opportunity to get their pets treated either due to an emergency injury or an illness.
Pet insurance also offers an array of benefits both to you and your pet. You get to ensure your peace of mind while your pet gets insured of sound health for as long as possible, based on your subscription.
Every pet insurance plan has specific benefits you and your pet could gain from. All you need to do is to go through each plan to know which will best fit your pet.
What types of pet insurance plans are in New York?
The following are the four main types of pet insurance plans in New York:
- Accident-only plan: This insurance plan takes responsibility for any accident your pet might encounter. So, it covers emergency health care and accidents but will not cover pre-existing conditions, illnesses, or pet-specific issues.
- Accident and illness plan: This plan covers your pet’s accidents and illnesses, alongside every cost that might be incurred during tests and treatments.
- Wellness plan: This plan takes responsibility for your pet’s basic health care, vaccinations, and routine care. This plan is also an add-on option if you would like more holistic care for your pet.
- Comprehensive care: This policy covers costs related to accidents, illnesses, and injuries. In addition, it pays for wellness care such as vaccinations and annual checkups.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
The following are most commonly covered under pet insurance policies:
- Vaccinations: Most insurers cover annual vaccines against core diseases like rabies, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia. Some also cover vaccinations for other conditions such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
- Treatment for illness or injury: This includes emergency medical treatment for an illness or injury. This policy also covers x-rays, medications, and surgery.
- Routine and preventative care: This includes wellness exams, routine lab tests, and other regular maintenance services you may be seeking for your pet. Heartworm testing and flea/tick preventatives are also included.
- Diagnostic testing: This includes imaging such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and more.
The following is a list of exclusions you should be aware of when looking at pet insurance policies:
- Treatment or diagnosis of pre-existing conditions: Pet insurance will not cover the cost for treatment or the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions.
- Injury or illness with intent to cause harm: Pet insurance will not cover injuries or illnesses that were provoked by abuse, neglect, self-mutilation, or any other intentional act on the pet owner’s part.
- Breeding, pregnancy, and whelping: Pet insurance does not cover expenses related to breeding, pregnancy, or the whelps (i.e., newborn pups) if the mother dog dies during pregnancy or the whelping process. This would include transportation costs to and from the veterinary clinic, medications, and surgeries related to whelping.
- Additional veterinary facility fees: If your veterinarian charges more than the fee agreed upon in your policy, pet insurance will not cover the difference.
- Elective veterinary procedures: Any elective veterinary procedures will not be covered by the insurer in a basic plan. Examples of these procedures include dental care, routine surgeries such as spaying (for females), neutering (for males), and declawing. However, many policies do offer an add-on option if you would like to have coverage for elective care.
How much does pet insurance cost in New York?
The following are estimated prices of pet insurance in New York, based on pet breeds, age, and location.
| Pet Breed | Age | Cost |
| Golden Retriever | Adult, 5 Years | $45-$135 |
| Golden Retriever | Puppy, 6 Months | $49-$99 |
| Chihuahua | Adult, 5 Years | $24-$83 |
| Chihuahua | Puppy, 6 Months | $19-$69 |
| Domestic Cat | Adult, 5 Years | $18-$47 |
| Domestic Cat | Kitten, 6 Months | $15-$40 |
Keep in mind, there are several factors that affect the cost of pet insurance such as the pet’s age, type of pet, location, breed, and the type of coverage you settle on.
What are the veterinary costs in New York?
The estimated prices for veterinarian procedures in New York are as follows:
For Cats
| Procedure | Cost |
| Exam/vet consultation | $139-$209 |
| 1-2 days of hospitalization | $834-$2,085 |
| 3-5 days of hospitalization | $2,085-$4,170 |
| Diagnostic bloodwork panel | $111-$278 |
| Pet x-ray | $209-$348 |
| Treating / Repairing a wound | $664-$1,245 |
| Pet surgery | $2,085-$4,170 |
| Ultrasound | $417-$834 |
| Breathing issues (ie. asthma) | $695-$3,475 |
For Dogs
| Procedure | Cost |
| Exam/vet consultation | $139-$209 |
| 1-2 days of hospitalization | $834-$4,865 |
| 3-5 days of hospitalization | $1,660-$4,170 |
| Diagnostic bloodwork panel | $111-$278 |
| Pet x-ray | $209-$348 |
| Treating / Repairing a wound | $660-$2,075 |
| Pet surgery | $2,502-$6,950 |
| Ultrasound | $1,112-$4,170 |
| Breathing issues (ie. asthma) | $417-$834 |
How to choose the best pet insurance in New York
When choosing pet insurance, keep a few of these factors in mind so you can make an informative decision for your pet:
- Consider your budget and costs: When choosing a pet policy, compare a few potential plans and see what each has to offer. Remember to take your pet’s age, breed, and your pet’s current health condition into consideration. All these factors will affect the cost of your monthly premium.
- Your pet’s needs: Before committing to any pet insurance plan, take into consideration your pet’s breed, any pre-existing conditions, and what illnesses your pet is prone to developing later in life. Pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions so it is recommended to insure your pet from a young age.
- Customer reviews: Research what other customers have to say about an insurance agency you’re considering. Read reviews about the customer’s experience, their service, and how they handle their claims process. This will help you when making a final decision.







