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The Best Pet Insurance in Alaska (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 09:42 AM

Alaska, also known as The Last Frontier State, has breathtaking views, chilly weather, and a unique culture and environment all its own. Alaska has some of the greatest fishing and hunting in the world. With its many pet-friendly areas, Alaska is also a wonderful place for pets and their parents. However, it’s important to consider that your pet can be injured or have an accident while out and about with you. Pets can become sick, get an infection, or develop a chronic illness at any time, even if they’re healthy or young. 

Pet insurance protects you financially if your pet has an accident or develops an illness. 

The 4 Best Alaska Pet Insurance Companies

Shopping for pet insurance can be overwhelming with the many providers and pet insurance policies available. In this article on the best pet insurance in Alaska, we’ll cover the following pet insurance providers:

Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Alaska

Best For Star Rating Monthly Cost Link
Spot Spot Most Inclusive
$22-$80 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
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
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

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 Alaska Reviews

Alaska has many pet insurance providers. However, it can be frustrating and confusing to sort through all the information about these providers while trying to pick out a pet insurance plan for your pet. To help you out, we’ve compiled in-depth details on each Alaskan pet insurance provider. We’ve included information about coverage options, plan types, average costs, exclusions, and everything you need to know about these pet insurance providers before you decide on one.

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Our Rating and Review

Spot is a fantastic pet insurance provider for many reasons, including its multiple wellness plan options, customization choices, and 10% multi-pet discount. Many providers only offer one wellness plan option or don’t offer any preventative care choices, so the fact that Spot has two wellness plans is a great feature. We also like that it has a convenient mobile app that allows you to submit and track claims and contact customer service. On top of this, Spot is partnered with Cesar Millan, the famous dog trainer, and has a heavy focus on behavioral issues and coverage for that, which many pet insurance providers exclude.

To learn more, read our Spot Pet Insurance review.

Cost

Spot’s comprehensive coverage, or accident and illness plan, is thorough and offers coverage for everything from hospitalizations to exam fees, behavioral issues, dental diseases, and hereditary conditions. On average, you can expect to pay around $40 per month for dogs and $22 per month for cats. However, its accident-only plans start at an affordable price of $10 per month and depending on the customization options you pick, you may be able to get your accident and illness plan for as low as $16 per month. With its wellness plan, you’ll receive coverage for routine veterinary costs, such as checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and deworming. These plans cost $9.95 or $24.95 per month, depending on the coverage tier you choose. Spot’s plans exclude coverage for exotic animals, pre-existing conditions, breeding, and cosmetic procedures.

Cover

As a whole, we love that Spot has so many wellness plan options and that you can pick from multiple annual deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and annual limits. Its multi-pet discount and user-friendly mobile app are other significant benefits when choosing Spot.

Pros & Cons

Pros Many wellness plan options No upper age limit Coverage for behavioral issues and alternative therapies User-friendly mobile app Cons Does not cover prescription pet food for general health No exotic animal coverage

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Most Experienced
5

Our Rating and Review

ASPCA pet insurance was founded in 2017 and is a partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ASPCA has many pros, including a generous 10% multi-pet discount, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and no exam is required before enrollment. In addition, ASPCA offers many types of coverage, including an accident-only plan, accident and illness plan, and wellness plan options. We love that it provides an accident-only plan as this is a less expensive option for pet parents looking for catastrophic coverage for their pets.

To learn more, read our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review

Cost

With ASPCA, you can expect to pay around $48 for dog insurance and $29 for cat insurance monthly. Its accident and illness plans cover dental disease, congenital conditions, diabetes, respiratory issues, accidents, and much more. We do want to note that ASPCA does lack comprehensive dental coverage, though. However, we love that it offers behavioral issues coverage because many providers don’t. Lastly, it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, exotic animals (except horses in some states), preventive care, and breeding costs. 

Cover

ASPCA’s preventative care plans are great options. ASPCA has a basic plan at $9.95 per month and a prime plan that is $24.95 per month. These plans provide coverage for routine veterinary care, such as vaccinations, deworming, dental cleanings, wellness exams, and much more. 

Overall, we love that ASPCA has many customization options for annual limits, reimbursement rates, and deductibles. We don’t love that ASPCA has poorer customer reviews than many other providers. However, we appreciate that it also offers accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plan options and a great 10% multi-pet discount. 

Pros & Cons

Pros Microchipping coverage Partner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Low deductibles 10% multi-pet discount Cons Poor customer reviews Low annual coverage limits

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Our Rating and Review

Embrace pet insurance is a fantastic choice for pet parents looking for coverage for accidents and illnesses. Embrace does not offer an accident-only plan but does have multiple wellness plan options. However, we love how comprehensive its accident and illness plan is. You can receive coverage for many things, including hereditary conditions, hospitalizations, congenital conditions, cancer, and even prosthetic limbs and mobility aids. We also love that Embrace covers preventatives, grooming, prescription pet foods, and many other types of treatment that other providers don’t typically cover. 

To learn more, read our Embrace Pet Insurance review

Cost

Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $100 per month for Embrace’s comprehensive accident and illness plan. This will vary greatly depending on where you live and your pet’s age, breed, and more. The customization options include annual limits, annual deductibles, and reimbursement rate options. For its wellness plans, you can expect to pay $18.75, $35.42, or $52.09 monthly with a $250, $450, or $650 yearly allowance, respectively. If you have an Embrace wellness plan, you’ll receive coverage for wellness exam fees, spaying/neutering surgery, microchipping, vaccinations, and much more. None of Embrace’s plans will cover pre-existing conditions, DNA testing, cosmetic procedures, or exotic animals. 

Cover

Overall, we love that Embrace offers extensive accident and illness coverage and multiple wellness plans. It also has an excellent user-friendly app, a 10% multi-pet discount, and a 5% military discount, which are fantastic benefits for pet parents. Embrace can be pricier than most, but you’re receiving some of the best coverage on the market.

Pros & Cons

Pros Comprehensive coverage Offers unique Healthy Pet Deductible to reduce your bill over time Donates $2 to charity with each pet insurance policy sold Mobile app makes submitting claims quick and easy Cons Strict pre-existing conditions policy Higher prices than average

Healthy Paws

Best for Chronic Conditions
4.3

Our Rating and Review

Healthy Paws is a more affordable pet insurance option that has many benefits. It only offers a single, straightforward accident and illness pet insurance plan, which covers things like emergency care, hereditary conditions, surgery, cancer, and chronic illnesses. Its plans will not cover exotic animals, routine care, exam fees, vaccinations, or teeth cleanings. Healthy Paws’ dog insurance plans start at $25 per month and average $40 per month. Cat insurance will typically start at $12 per month and average $20 per month.

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

Cost

One thing we love about Healthy Paws is that its plans have unlimited maximum payouts, meaning that you’ll never hit a limit and can continue to receive reimbursement for eligible veterinary expenses as long as you have the plan. We don’t like that Healthy Paws doesn’t offer accident-only or wellness plans. It also has a lengthy 12-month waiting period for illnesses related to hip dysplasia. Healthy Paws doesn’t have a multi-pet discount, but it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. We love that it is underwritten by the Chubb Group, an A+ rated insurer with over $25 billion in surplus. Healthy Paws is incredibly charitable and has given $1.6 million to deserving rescues and shelters through its Every Quote Gives Hope and Refer-A-Friend grant programs. 

Cover

Overall, we like that Healthy Paws has a comprehensive but straightforward accident and illness pet insurance plan. However, we dislike that it has decreasing reimbursement rates and increasing annual deductibles as your pet ages. On the other hand, it has many customizable insurance coverage options and a convenient mobile app for submitting claims, which are significant benefits.

Pros & Cons

Pros Unlimited lifetime benefits Less expensive pet insurance option Donates to over 300 nonprofit pet charities Offers a user-friendly mobile app for submitting claims Cons No multi-pet discount available Doesn’t offer preventative care or wellness plan options

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Alaska?

Pet insurance is a pet health insurance that acts as a financial safety net should your pet develop an illness or have an accident. You can also choose add-ons for routine veterinary care coverage or accident-only coverage. To use pet insurance, visit any licensed veterinarian or animal hospital and have your pet treated. Then you’ll pay the veterinary bill out of pocket and submit the invoice to your pet insurance provider. Once your pet insurance claim is processed, your provider will reimburse you based on your policy details, like your annual deductible and reimbursement rate, which typically falls between 50 and 90%.

Pet insurance gives many pet parents peace of mind knowing that their pets will receive veterinary care if they have accidents or develop illnesses. With pet insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your pet will be covered, and you won’t have to worry about expensive vet bills.

How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Alaska for You

Before choosing a pet insurance provider, you’ll want to consider several factors. For starters, we recommend deciding what kind of pet insurance plan you’d like. There are three primary types of pet insurance plans available on the market: 

  • Accident-only coverage: As the name implies, accident-only coverage will help with costs associated with accidents your pet may have, such as broken bones, swallowing a foreign object, eating something toxic, or being bitten by an animal. It won’t cover illnesses or routine veterinary care costs. 
  • Accident and illness coverage: Accident and illness coverage will cover everything accident-only coverage does and developed illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, hip dysplasia, and much more. It will not help with routine veterinary care costs. 
  • Wellness or preventative care plans: Wellness plans are typically add-ons to one of the other types of plans. It will provide you with financial help for routine veterinary care, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, deworming, dental cleanings, and more. 

After deciding what kind of pet insurance plan is best for you and your pet, consider the following factors and what features are most important to you: 

  • Are dental illnesses or cleanings covered under this plan?
  • Can you speak with your pet insurance provider via your preferred communication method? (live chat, phone, email, etc.)
  • Does this pet insurance provider have good customer reviews and ratings from consumer report websites, like the Better Business Bureau?
  • Will the plan cover alternative therapies, such as physical therapy or acupuncture, and behavioral issues?
  • Does the plan have an annual or lifetime limit?
  • Will the plan provide coverage for prescription diets or medications?
  • What are the plan’s exclusions?
  • Can you easily get a free quote from the pet insurance provider?
  • What kind of diseases is your dog or cat’s breed more susceptible to? Does the plan cover those breed-specific health issues?
  • Does the pet insurance provider have preventative care or wellness plan options?

Once you know which provider you’re interested in, we recommend immediately signing your pet up before it has time to develop pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are never covered by pet insurance, so sign your furry family member up as early as possible to minimize the risk of it developing pre-existing conditions. 

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Alaska?

Pet insurance monthly premium costs can vary significantly based on many factors. Some are factors you choose, including your annual deductible, plan type, annual limits, reimbursement percentage, and if you choose a wellness plan add-on. Other factors like your location, pet’s age, and pet’s breed are not controllable but will also affect your monthly premium. 

Typically, you can expect to pay between $30 and $60 per month for dogs and $15 and $30 per month for cats for accident and illness coverage. Wellness plans will usually cost an additional $10 to $25 per month. Accident-only plans are generally cheaper and may be as little as $10 per month. Other factors like multi-pet, bundle, or military discounts can decrease your monthly premium if you qualify for them. 

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Alaska?

ProviderSample Monthly Cost For DogsSample Monthly Cost For CatsSample Monthly Wellness Cost
Spot$40 $22 $9.95 (gold), $24.95 (platinum)
Embrace$35 $18 $35
Healthy Paws$39 $12 Not offered
ASPCA$49 $29 $9.95 (basic), $24.95 (prime)

Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance in Alaska Cities

Here are some monthly premiums for pet insurance in five different cities in Alaska. The policy we picked pays 80% of the bill for covered expenses and requires a $250 deductible. It’s based on a medium-size mixed breed male dog that’s 5 years old.

CityMonthly Cost
Anchorage$35.07
Juneau$41.84
Fairbanks$38.58
Cordova$41.84
Fort Yukon$31.56

Final Thoughts

Pet insurance is a personal choice that can be an excellent investment for pet parents looking for a financial safety net in case their pet has an accident or develops an illness. Veterinary expenses can become costly quickly, especially if you consider the costs of emergency care and chronic conditions. Having a pet insurance plan in place helps you always provide your pet with the best veterinary care it deserves, allowing you to enjoy your time with him or her. 

We Quartz hope that this article on pet insurance in Alaska helps you make the best decision on if pet insurance is worth it for you and your pet. No matter which provider you choose, know that you’re making a key investment in your furry family member’s health.

Information for Pet Owners in Alaska

This vast, chilly state is very pet-friendly and offers some of the most beautiful outdoor adventures to pets and pet parents alike. Before going out, review Alaskan pet laws to ensure that you comply with them and look at all the fun things you can do with your pet in Alaska. Then enjoy your pet-friendly adventure!

Alaska Pet Laws 

Here are some Alaska pet laws you should know about before embarking on your adventure: 

  • Alaska is very strict about the type of animals you can bring into the state. If you’re visiting or moving to Alaska, make sure you review Alaska’s “Clean List,” which does exclude many exotic and wild animals. 
  • There is no statewide leash law. However, areas in Alaska may still require that your dog is leashed, so be sure that you check with the local area before unleashing your dog.
  • All dogs need to be licensed by the time they’re four months old.
  • Dogs must be up-to-date on their vaccinations. 
  • Dogs that chase wild animals or pose a threat can legally be shot, so please keep your pet safe with you.

Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in AK 

Looking to have a blast with your pet in Alaska? Check out these pet-friendly establishments: 

  • Fairbanks Dog Park: This huge 20-acre park has two large fenced-in areas, many hiking trails, and a dog training area. 
  • Bishop’s Beach: This large dog-friendly beach has plenty of space for dogs to run and enjoy the water. 
  • Tommy’s Burger Stop: Located in Anchorage, this restaurant has excellent burgers and salads. Its pet-friendly patio is a great place to stop for a bite. 
  • Spenard Roadhouse: This pet-friendly restaurant features many cuisines and a lovely outdoor patio for you and your dog to enjoy.

Alaska Pet Resources 

If you or someone you know is in need, consider these Alaskan pet resources for help: 

  • Friends of Pets in Anchorage: This place allows residents of Alaska to apply for a $100 coupon for spay or neuter services at any Alaskan veterinary clinic. 
  • All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Wasilla: This clinic offers low-cost vaccinations for dogs and cats. 
  • Palmer Veterinary Clinic in Palmer: This clinic has low-cost vaccinations for pets in need in the spring and fall. 
  • Alaska SPCA: This pet food bank offers low-cost spay and neuter services and vaccinations. 
  • STOP the Overpopulation of Pets: This charity offers vouchers for spay and neuter services. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Alaska

What does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?

Depending on what type of plan you choose, your pet insurance plan will cover different things. Accident-only plans provide medical coverage for accidental injuries, such as broken bones, sprains, and prescription medications. Accident-and-illness plans try to extend that coverage to include cancer treatments, digestive illness, hip dysplasia, and similar issues.

Does pet insurance only cover dogs and cats? 

Most pet insurance providers only cover dogs and cats. To date, the only pet insurance provider that covers birds and exotic pets in the United States is Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide can cover your pet pig, lizard, parrot, chinchilla, and other exotic animals. Exotic pets need excellent veterinary care just as much as dogs and cats, so consider looking into a pet insurance plan for them today if you have an exotic pet.

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.

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.