The Best Pet Insurance in Alabama (2024)
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:
- Spot: Best overall
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- ASPCA: Most experienced
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Alabama
*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.
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
Lemonade Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
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.
Provider | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Sample 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.