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The Best Pet Insurance in Alabama (2024)

Graci Daby

Graci Daby graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism. She has written for 365 Pet insurance, and edited pet insurance categories across other Insurance focused sites, including MarketWatch. Recently, Graci has been working as an SEO analyst and editor in the pet field for the past 2 years. In her spare time, Graci looks after her fur babies.

04/18/2024 09:38 AM

Pet lovers nationwide want to give their animals the best medical care possible without breaking the bank. This is especially true in Alabama, where over half of all households have pets. 

All those pets come with veterinary needs, which are often unexpected and costly. Because of this, we’ve reviewed top providers to help you find the best pet insurance in Alabama, so your furry friend can be happy and healthy in the Heart of Dixie.

The 5 Best Alabama Pet Insurance Companies

Continue reading to learn more about the following pet insurance providers so that you can choose the best one for your needs: 

Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Alabama

Best For Star Rating Monthly Cost Link
Spot Spot Most Inclusive
$22-$80 Compare Quotes
Lemonade Lemonade Most Affordable
$16–$30 Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance ASPCA Pet Insurance Most Experienced
$18–$44 Compare Quotes
Embrace Embrace Best for Discounts Offered
$23-$85 Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws Healthy Paws Best for Chronic Conditions
$24–$54 Compare Quotes
Spot
Logo Spot
Best For Most Inclusive
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $22-$80
Compare Quotes
Lemonade
Logo Lemonade
Best For Most Affordable
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $16–$30
Compare Quotes
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Logo ASPCA Pet Insurance
Best For Most Experienced
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $18–$44
Compare Quotes
Embrace
Logo Embrace
Best For Best for Discounts Offered
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $23-$85
Compare Quotes
Healthy Paws
Logo Healthy Paws
Best For Best for Chronic Conditions
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $24–$54
Compare Quotes
Company
Waiting Period
Money-back Guarantee
Maximum Enroll Age
Monthly Cost
14 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$80
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$18-$60
15 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$46
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$23-$85
15 days
Yes
14 years old
$14-$45

*Orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligaments typically have waiting periods of 6-12 months. This is a common guideline amongst pet insurance providers. Coverage for most other injuries and illnesses will begin after the waiting periods listed above.

Why Trust Quartz Advisor

Our editorial team follows a strict and comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing pet insurance providers. Our scores are not impacted by advertisers.

27

Companies rated

105

Hours researching

2,700

Quotes collected

Pet Insurance Companies in Alabama Reviews

Your pet has unique needs for veterinary care. Likewise, you have a unique budget and need a personalized plan, even when it comes to spending money on your beloved pet. Luckily, there are countless pet health insurance providers on the market, and they all offer varying price points and policies.

Spot Pet Insurance

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Our Rating and Review

Spot offers an accident/illness plan and an accident-only plan. Spot plans have an unlimited annual benefit option and exam fee coverage, so you’ll get more reimbursement on your pet’s veterinary needs.

To learn more, read our Spot Pet Insurance review.

Cost

On average, a Spot plan costs $30-$50 per month for dogs and $18-$25 for cats. The plans are highly customizable, so you can choose from the following rates to personalize your monthly cost:

Reimbursement rates – 70, 80, 90%

Annual limits – $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, unlimited

Deductibles – $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000

Covers

Spot’s accident/illness plan is available to any pet over eight weeks old. This plan includes exam fees, hereditary conditions, alternative therapies, emergency visits, and chronic issues that may span across policy periods.

Spot offers Gold and Platinum wellness plans for routine care.

The Gold package covers up to $250 on parasite testing, wellness exams, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.

The Platinum Package covers each of the items in the Gold package, plus parasite preventatives, urinalysis, blood work, and health certificates.

Spot only provides pet insurance for dogs and cats. Like all other providers, it doesn’t cover incidents during the waiting period or pre-existing conditions. Spot’s coverage also excludes pet diet products, non-FDA treatments, cosmetic procedures, and pet boarding.

Pros & Cons

Pros No upper age limits Unlimited annual benefit option Two preventative care add-ons Exam fees covered Cons Higher monthly premiums No prescription pet food coverage

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade

Most Affordable
4.8

Our Rating and Review

Lemonade provides accident/illness coverage for dogs and cats. The provider offers add-on options for physical therapy, office fees, and wellness care so that you can cover a wide variety of veterinary costs.

To learn more, read our Lemonade Pet Insurance review

Cost

Lemonade has competitively affordable prices, with plans starting at $10 per month. The average cost of a plan is $37 per month for dogs and $15 per month for cats.

Lemonade offers a variety of add-on options, different reimbursement percentages, coverage caps, and annual deductible limits. 

You can mix and match the following options:

Reimbursement rates – 70, 80, 90%

Annual limits – $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000

Deductibles – $100, $250, $500

Covers

Lemonade’s base accident/illness plan covers diagnostic testing, procedures, and prescribed medications. You’ll be eligible for reimbursement on your pet’s diagnostic blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and more.

In addition to accident/illness coverage, Lemonade offers three preventative care packages.

The Preventative package covers up to $265 for a yearly wellness exam, fecal test, three vaccines, heartworm or FeLV/FIV test, and blood test. The Preventative+ package covers up to $480 for all of those items, plus routine dental cleanings and parasite preventative medications. 

Lemonade’s Preventative package for puppies and kittens provides up to $640 in annual reimbursements to get your pet’s health off to a good start.

Lemonade doesn’t cover the pre-existing conditions your pet acquired before the start of your policy. You also won’t get coverage on any incidents during your waiting period.

Lemonade only covers dogs and cats, so bird and exotic pet owners will have to look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros Competitive prices Multiple add-on options User-friendly website and mobile app Cons Only available in 35 states No unlimited annual coverage cap

ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Most Experienced
5

Our Rating and Review

ASPCA offers pet insurance plans for dogs and cats in all 50 states. You can choose from an accident/illness plan, an accident-only plan, and two wellness add-ons for your pet’s perfect coverage.

To learn more, read our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review

Cost

To fit your monthly premium budget, you can customize ASPCA’s accident/illness plan and accident-only plan. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll pay an average of $29 per month for cats and $49 per month for dogs.

You can mix and match the following rates:

Reimbursement rates – 70, 80, 90%

Annual limit – $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000

Deductibles – $100, $250, $500

Covers

ASPCA caps annual coverage at $10,000, which is relatively low compared to other providers. However, it’s still a good choice for comprehensive coverage and customizable rates, especially if a limited annual cap isn’t a deal-breaker for you.

The Complete Coverage plan covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, exam fees, and diagnostic testing. It also covers advanced treatments like chemotherapy, acupuncture, and stem cell therapy.

ASPCA’s Basic Preventative Care package covers up to $250 of your pet’s routine care services like dental cleanings, wellness exams, deworming, vaccinations, fecal tests, and heartworm tests. The Prime package covers up to $450 for all Basic plan items, as well as a health certificate, parasite preventatives, bordetella vaccination, blood test, and urinalysis.

ASPCA’s coverage excludes pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, breeding costs, and elective procedures. ASPCA may cover your pet’s pre-existing condition if it has been cured and is non-symptomatic for at least 180 days. This rule doesn’t apply to knee and ligament conditions, which will always be considered pre-existing if they occurred before your policy start date.

Pros & Cons

Pros Exam fees covered Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Cons $10,000 annual coverage cap Monthly transaction fee

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Our Rating and Review

Embrace provides comprehensive accident/illness insurance for dogs and cats. Pets 15 years or older can enroll in Embrace’s accident-only plan for coverage of unexpected injuries.

To learn more, read our Embrace Pet Insurance review

Cost

On average, Embrace’s pet insurance costs between $35-$45 for dogs and $20-$25 for cats. Embrace’s Healthy Pet Deductible program encourages you to keep your pet healthy and up-to-date on preventative care. This diminishing deductible system also reduces your deductible by $50 for every year you don’t submit an insurance claim. 

You can personalize the following rates to fit your pet’s health needs and your budget needs:

Reimbursement rates – 70, 80, 90%

Annual limits – $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000

Deductibles – $200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000

Covers

Embrace’s accident/illness plan covers diagnostic testing, congenital conditions, emergency care, behavioral therapy, dental illness, and more. 

For coverage on your pet’s routine care services, you can purchase Embrace’s Wellness Rewards package. Embrace’s three wellness programs have allowances of $250, $450, and $650 per year. The plans function as budgeting tools and will save you about $25 in yearly wellness costs. 

Embrace’s coverage excludes pre-existing conditions and incidents occurring during waiting periods. For pre-existing conditions, Embrace only reviews the past year of your pet’s medical history. Conditions occurring before those 12 months or conditions that have been cured may be eligible for coverage.

Embrace doesn’t cover costs for breeding, boarding, pet diets, elective genetic testing, elective procedures, or treatments not prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Pros & Cons

Pros Healthy Pet Deductible 24/7 PawSupport service Wellness Rewards Program Cons No unlimited annual coverage option Coverage limited by age

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Healthy Paws

Best for Chronic Conditions
4.3

Our Rating and Review

Healthy Paws covers your pet’s unexpected vet visits. It’s a good choice for pet owners who want one easy-to-understand pet insurance policy without choosing from multiple add-ons. Healthy Paws also operates a charity foundation that has donated over $1.6 million to homeless pets.

To learn more, read our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review.

Cost

Healthy Paws offers a comprehensive accident/illness plan with customizable rates. Depending on the rates you choose, a plan costs about $15-$30 per month for cats and $32-$67 for dogs. 

Healthy Paws has no annual coverage caps, so your reimbursement isn’t limited. To personalize your monthly premium and level of coverage, you can combine the following rates*:

Deductibles – $100, $250, $500

Reimbursement rates – 70, 80, 90%

*These options are available to pets 3 years old and younger. Healthy Paws limits plan customizability based on your pet’s age at enrollment, so be sure to check your specific quote for limitations.

Covers

Healthy Paws’ comprehensive accident/illness plan provides coverage for hereditary/congenital conditions, chronic illnesses, diagnostic treatments, scans, surgeries, emergency visits, prescription medications, specialty care, and more.

Healthy Paws only offers pet insurance for dogs and cats, and it doesn’t cover waiting periods or pre-existing conditions. Lastly, the company doesn’t offer any add-ons for wellness care or exam fees, so you’ll only get reimbursement for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Pros & Cons

Pros Unlimited payout option for all plans Comprehensive accident/illness coverage Dedication to charity Cons No preventative care add-on Coverage limited by age

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Alabama?

Pet insurance differs from human health insurance because it doesn’t operate through networks. This means that you won’t have to figure out if your pet’s veterinarian accepts certain insurance providers or not. Instead, you’ll visit your licensed veterinary clinic and pay out of pocket for your pet’s treatments and services. You’ll then save your pet’s medical records and itemized receipts from the visit and submit them to your pet insurer’s claims system.

Most providers have mobile apps that allow you to submit claims and track their progress on the go. Most providers also allow claims submission via email, fax, or postal mail for pet owners who are less comfortable with online submission. 

After reviewing your claim, your provider will either reach out for further documentation, mail you a check, or directly deposit a reimbursement into your bank account.

How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Alabama for You

When choosing a pet insurance plan in Alabama, you need to consider your pet’s:

  • Age
  • Species
  • Breed
  • ZIP code/location
  • Health status

Next, you should consider the specific plans top providers are offering. Most pet insurance companies offer a traditional accident/illness plan, an accident-only plan, and a preventative care add-on. Some providers, like Healthy Paws, stick with base plans and don’t offer supplemental packages. 

An accident/illness plan is useful for any pet parent seeking coverage for unexpected veterinary bills. Accident-only plans cover any of your pet’s mishaps, such as broken bones, swallowed objects, or ingested poisons. Wellness plans vary in what they cover but are typically a great way to budget for expected yearly vet bills.

After you’ve considered available plan options, it’s time to think about your unique pet. Your pet’s specific characteristics will affect your monthly premiums and maybe its level of coverage, depending on the provider. 

For example, many top providers only allow enrollment before your pet turns 14 or 15 years old. Some providers will allow enrollment, but only in an accident plan. To choose the best provider, think about how each factor can benefit your pet’s health and your wallet.

For example, if you have an older pet more prone to injuries, you may want to find a provider with no upper age limits and a solid accident-only plan. If you have a new puppy or kitten that will be in and out of the vet clinic for vaccinations and checkups, you’ll need a plan with a high level of preventative care coverage.

To choose the best pet insurance, you also need to look at quotes from different providers for your specific ZIP code. Premiums rise and fall in response to your area’s vet costs, as well as how many other pet parents in your area are submitting claims. The next section will look at how costs vary in two popular Alabama cities.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost In Alabama?

On average, pet insurance in Alabama costs $30-$40 per month for dogs and $15-$20 per month for cats. 

As we noted, pricing is largely based on your ZIP code and your pet’s breed and age. Using ASPCA’s quote calculator, we found that a plan for a 2-year-old mixed breed dog costs about $30 per month in Birmingham, Ala., and $42 in Montgomery, Ala. When we selected that same plan for a 6-year-old dog, the prices were $44 and $61 per month, respectively.

We’ve collected pet insurance quotes from our top providers to give you a better idea of how much pet insurance costs in Alabama. These quotes reflect average monthly pricing for a 2-year-old mixed-breed pet in Birmingham, Ala.

ProviderSample Monthly Cost For DogsSample Monthly Cost For CatsSample Monthly Wellness Cost
Spot$28 $16 $10-$25
Lemonade$20 $13 $16-$24 for dogs
$10-$16 for cats
Embrace$37 $20 $19-$52
Healthy Paws$42 $20 $19-$52
ASPCA$30 $17 $10-$25

Final Thoughts 

We hope this review helps you find the best pet insurance in Alabama. Our top provider picks bring a full range of coverage options and customizable rates to the table, so you have choices to fit your unique pet and budget. All of the providers we discussed are up and running in the Yellowhammer State, so you won’t have any trouble purchasing a plan.

For more information on the best pet insurance companies in Alabama, read our comprehensive provider reviews for an in-depth look at plan options, costs, coverage exclusions, and real customer reviews. No matter which plan you choose, you can rest assured knowing you’re covered all the way from Huntsville down to Mobile.

Information for Pet Owners in Alabama

Along with fantastic health coverage, your furry family member deserves top-notch fun. Whether you enjoy relaxing or adventuring, Alabama hosts some great attractions for quality time with your pet. 

While you’re out having a blast, don’t forget to follow the rules. We’ll key you in on some of Alabama’s pet laws, so you and your fur baby can stay out of trouble.

Last but not least, you can look into some helpful resources for pet owners in Alabama.

Alabama Pet Laws

In the Deep South, the weather can get intense during the hot summer months. As of 2020, the Alabama Senate was working toward a law banning people from leaving pets in hot cars. 

Alabama state law prohibits you from tethering your animal outside for over eight consecutive hours. This effort reduces the number of pets that suffer from heatstroke and dehydration. It also keeps people from using their dogs as “cheap alarm systems.”

In Alabama, you can have up to three dogs or cats living outside your home. You’re allowed to have as many indoor pets as you want.

Keep in mind that many Alabama pet laws are enforced by individual cities. In this case, rules may differ depending on where you live in the state. Either way, most pet laws are designed to protect your pet, so we recommend following them no matter where you are.

Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in AL

Alabama is bursting with pet-friendly activities your animal is sure to enjoy. In addition to its outdoor attractions and hiking trails, the state has dog- and cat-specific locations for you to explore.

Remy’s Dog Park in Birmingham is a safe – and fun – haven for all canines. The park has a Large Dog Area, Small Dog Area, and Special Needs Area for your older, disabled, injured, or skittish pup. 

Remy’s Dog Park is equipped with waste bag stations and drinking fountains, so there’s no sweat if you forget to bring baggies or a water bottle.

If you’re looking for a furry friend in Alabama, Gatos and Beans is the place for you. Serving as Alabama’s first cat cafe, Gatos and Beans is the purrfect spot to mingle with adoptable felines and fellow cat-lovers.

In addition to hosting a fun, purr-worthy cat yoga class, Gatos and Beans has a boutique chock-full of adorable gifts.

Alabama Pet Resources

The Sugarbelle Foundation in Birmingham provides financially struggling pet owners with food resources and veterinary care, so they never have to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender a pet. You can visit the foundation’s website to donate to the mission of “Keeping Pets and People Together.”

Montgomery’s MACOA Pet Food Program works to keep senior citizens and their beloved companions nourished and healthy. The program launched after MACOA staff members realized seniors were using Meals on Wheels lunches to feed their pets. The program runs on donations and provides dog and cat food to MACOA seniors twice monthly.

The Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation offers low-cost spay/neuter services to Birmingham area community members. The foundation’s mission is to decrease pet overpopulation in shelters while helping homeless pets find forever families. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Alabama

How much does pet insurance cost?

Pet insurance costs will vary based on your pet insurance provider, location, your pet’s breed, your pet’s age, and more. Other factors that will influence the cost of pet insurance include the type of plan you choose, especially if the plan has extensive coverage and if you opt for preventative care add-ons. The more coverage your plan has, the higher the cost is likely to be. 

To give you a general idea of pet insurance costs, we’ve researched the following numbers for you. Currently, most dog insurance plans cost $28 per month on average, and cat insurance plans can cost as little as $11 per month. Depending on the plan, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 per month to $90 per month in most cases.

Do pet insurance policies have waiting periods?

Yes, pet insurance policies more than always have waiting periods. between your initial enrollment period and when coverage officially begins for the plan. Across most providers, the standard is around 14 days for accidents and illnesses, but some others, including Lemonade and Embrace, can shorten your waiting period to as low as two days for accidents.

Do all vets take pet insurance?

In short, yes. Your pet insurance provider doesn’t work with your vet, so you don’t have to worry about your vet being in-network like a human health insurance plan. Instead, you submit your claim directly to your pet insurance provider, which will reimburse you based on your coverage. This allows you to go to any licensed veterinarian, whether they are at a clinic or animal hospital, to get your pet the care they need. As long as the treatment is covered under your plan, you’ll be covered.

Our Methodology

​​Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:
  • Coverage
  • Plan options
  • Cost 
  • Reputation
  • Customer service 
  • Species available
  • Wellness benefits 
We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursements, deductibles, and limitations.  Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:
  • Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
  • Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points.  Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
  • Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
  • Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
  • Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
  • Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
  • Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.