Advisor

Content on Quartz Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Quartz Editorial and Advertising. Quartz Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website.

The Best Pet Insurance in Maryland (2024)

Written by
Graci Daby
Written by Graci Daby Author

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 10:37 AM

You care for and nurture your pet while showering it with love. But what happens when a health issue arises? How will you be able to pay for it?

Purchasing the best pet insurance policy is one way to make sure your beloved pet can get all the medical care it needs without having to worry about the financial burden. Pet insurance typically provides three types of plans:

  • Accident-only (swallowed foreign body, broken leg, bite wound)
  • Accident + Illness coverage (accident + cancer care, hereditary conditions, etc.)
  • Wellness plans add-ons (for an additional fee: vet costs, vaccinations, microchipping)

The 6 Best Maryland Pet Insurance Companies

Pet coverage is different in every state and can be overwhelming to sort through. We’ve done research on the top companies that provide pet insurance in Colorado to help you sift through the information and help you decide which insurance provider is right for you and your pet.

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 Maryland

Colorado is a state that prides itself on offering excellent pet health insurance. Read on to find out what all these policies cover (and don’t), how much the average monthly cost is, what add-ons are available, and a few pros and cons of each company. We’ll also break down the deductible options, any available discounts, and annual caps to coverage if any.

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
Prudent Pet Prudent Pet Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
$18-$29 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
Prudent Pet
Logo Prudent Pet
Best For Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $18-$29
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
14 days for illnesses, 5 days for accidents
Yes
No age limit
$18-$29

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

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Our Rating and Review

Spot Pet Insurance is a no-obligation policy to safeguard your pet from high-cost and inconvenient veterinary visits. You may adjust the coverage amount to fit your pet’s needs and financial restrictions, as well as customize the policy to match your preferences. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance is the insurance provider for Spot.

To learn more, read our Spot Pet Insurance review.

Key features

  • An annual limit of $2,500
  • Preventive care programs are available at an extra cost
  • No age limit
  • Dog coverage is usually $30-$50 per month, while cats will cost around $18-$25 per month

Spot covers a wide variety of things, including

  • X-rays
  • Tooth extractions
  • Poison control
  • IV fluids 
  • Cancer treatment
  • Blood tests
  • Accidents
  • Emergency care
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization

Of course, there are drawbacks. For example, Spot does not cover dental treatments, gland expression, preventative care, vitamins, experimental therapies, cosmetic surgery, and house visits.

Pros & Cons

Pros No upper age limit 30-day money-back guarantee Cons No preventive care options 14-day waiting period Low Annual Limit

Lemonade

Most Affordable
4.8

Our Review and Rating

Lemonade has a variety of insurance plans to choose from to meet your needs and budget. In addition to pet insurance, Lemonade provides home and renters’ coverage, and you can even bundle them together for a discount. Lemonade pet insurance is now available in 35 states, including Maryland, with additional states coming soon.

To learn more, read our Lemonade Pet Insurance review

Key benefits of Lemonade’s plans include

  • Rates as little as $10 a month 
  • There’s a simple claims process that doesn’t require a bunch of paperwork 
  • Coverage levels range from $5,000 to $100,000

Lemonade covers a variety of conditions and medical procedures like

    • MRIs
    • CT scans
    • X-rays
    • Urinalysis
    • Emergency care
    • Surgery
    • Hospitalization
    • Medications

    Unfortunately, Lemonade doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, preventable illnesses, or experimental treatments.

    The typical cost of cat insurance is $15 per month, whereas the average cost for a dog is $37 per month. You may also add extra coverage to your policy if you wish. It begins at $10 per month for cats and rises to $15 per month for dogs on preventative plans.

Pros & Cons

Pros Preventative coverage Donates unpaid claims to a nonprofit Easy claims process Cons New to the pet insurance market Limited availability

ASPCA Pet Insurance

Most Experienced
5

Our Rating and Review

ASPCA pet insurance is a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, contributing to its high standing as a pet insurance provider. It also backs up its coverage and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, similar to other pet health insurance providers, ASPCA does not require preliminary tests before enrolling.

To learn more, read our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review

Features of ASPCA pet insurance

  • ASPCA has a user-friendly mobile app that allows pet insurance members to file claims, contact customer care, check their benefits, and pay their premiums using their phones
  • Multi-pet discount
  • Microchipping is covered
  • ASPCA presently offers coverage only for cats and dogs.

List of covered services

  • Cancer treatments
  • Microchipping
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Prescription foods
  • Supplements for specific conditions
  • Tooth extractions
  • Exams
  • Medical supplies

Like other pet insurance providers, ASPCA does not cover pre-existing conditions, plastic surgery, or breeding expenses. It also offers less coverage for dental issues than others.

Although ASPCA is a fantastic organization, it charges more than other pet insurance companies. The average cost of ASPCA insurance for dogs is $49 per month, while for cats, it’s $29. Please keep in mind that these costs will vary based on your pet’s age and condition, as well as where you live and other circumstances.

Pros & Cons

Pros Microchipping included Multiple pet discount Cons Lower annual limits Higher prices

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Our Rating and Review

The Embrace pet insurance program is competitive, and it also offers unique benefits. Embrace has protected over 100,000 pets over the 19 years it has been around. It also has a match program to add $2 to a pet-related charity for each policy acquired. Since 2012, Embrace has worked with American Modern Insurance Group to underwrite its policies.

To learn more, read our Embrace Pet Insurance review

Key features include

  • 10%multi-pet discount
  • 5% Armed Forces discount
  • ACH discounts
  • Spay/neuter savings
  • Monthly payment discounts if you pay yearly rather than every month
  • A wellness rewards program called Embrace Wellness Rewards
  • A preventative care policy that reimburses basic veterinary training and grooming costs regularly
  • A Healthy Pet Deductible, which allows you to deduct $50 from your pet’s yearly premium if you don’t file a claim

Embrace covers a fair amount of tests, illness, and issues such as

  • Diagnostic tests
  • Specialty care
  • Cancer treatments
  • Hospitalization
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Follow-up care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Prosthetic limbs
  • Dental Illness up to $1,000/year 
  • Prescription medications 
  • Breed-specific issues
  • Congenital illness
  • Chronic conditions

Embrace’s exclusions are better than those of other insurance companies. However, Embrace does not cover pregnancy, pre-existing conditions, intentional injuries, cosmetic operations, DNA testing, or stem cell treatment.

The cost of dog insurance varies from $30 to $40 per month, while cat insurance costs between $15 and $20 a month. Rates will differ based on the pet’s age, gender, and breed. Lastly, Embrace currently covers only cats and dogs.

Pros & Cons

Pros Healthy Pet Deductible Wellness Program Cons Tight pre-existing conditions rules Higher Premiums

Healthy Paws

Best for Chronic Conditions
4.3

Our Rating and Review

Healthy Paws was established in 2009 as a nonprofit organization focused on assisting pet owners with financial obligations for their pets while also aiding animal rescue organizations with sick animals. It operates grant programs that have dispersed over 1.6 million dollars to shelters and rescues.

Healthy Paws has partnered with Aon Corporation, a global insurance broker, and Chubb Group backs its pet insurance plans.

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

Key features of Healthy Paws’ plans

  • 30-day money-back guarantee 
  • Customizable coverage
  • Only covers cats and dogs
  • Does charge a one-time new customer fee of $25
  • Typical cost for dogs is $39 per month and for cats it’s $12 per month

Here is a brief list of what’s included in Healthy Paws plans

If you want to partner with Healthy Paws, there are still some expenses you would be responsible for. All pre-existing conditions, examination fees, preventative care, behavioral treatment, and non-FDA pet nutrition and supplements are excluded from its plans.

Pros & Cons

Pros Covers breed-specific conditions Fast claim repayment Cons $25 New member fee No preventive care options

Prudent Pet

Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
4

Our Rating and Review

Prudent Pet is an excellent alternative for people who want to pay for unlimited yearly coverage. Prudent Pet has several plan choices with set annual limits, such as its ultimate plan, which provides infinite annual coverage. If your pet requires complex treatment in the event of an accident or illness, an unrestricted plan eliminates the worry of running out of money. It also offers wellness plans covering routine care costs like vet visit expenses and vaccinations.

To learn more, read our Prudent Pet Insurance review.

Key benefits:

Prudent will also cover:

  • Cancer and treatments
  • Bite wounds
  • Broken bones
  • Emergency care
  • Hospitalization
  • Surgery
  • Congenital disabilities
  • Eye, ear, and skin conditions
  • Urinary infections
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Hip dysplasia

Prudent Pet does not cover pre-existing conditions, organ transplants, cosmetic operations, alternative therapies, or prescription food. Also, at this time, the company only covers dogs and cats.

The cost of pet insurance is determined by several factors, such as the breed and age of your dog or cat. The typical cost for a dog is $39, whereas a cat’s expenditure is about $23. A wellness plan for a cat will set you back around $13.95 per month, and that price increases to around $19.95 for a dog. Lastly, Prudent Pet claims to have faster claim processing thanks to its usage of AI technology.

Pros & Cons

Pros Fast claim processing with AI tech Offers a multi-pet discount No age limit for coverage Cons High premiums Big list of exclusions

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Colorado?

Pet insurance works a little differently than the human version of health insurance. For starters, you usually pay for the vet bill or treatments out of pocket and then file a claim with your pet insurance along with a receipt for reimbursement. Your pet insurance company will either approve or deny your claim depending on whether your expense is covered in your plan and then issue you the money via check or direct deposit.

Since your insurance is directly reimbursing you and not the vet, you don’t have to worry if your vet is in-network with your insurance company. You have the freedom to choose any licensed vet you prefer. The amount of reimbursement you receive depends on your annual deductible and how much you are allotted for annual claims. The average rate of reimbursement ranges from 60-90%. 

How To Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Colorado for You

Choosing pet insurance can be a tedious prospect. We recommend paying particular attention to the following:

  • Ease of submitting claims
  • Amount of monthly costs
  • Coverage needed

Once you know how much money is in the monthly budget, find a plan that gives you the most bang for your buck. Then look at the claim submission process to see how user-friendly it is. The amount of coverage you have won’t matter if the process is such a headache you never submit the claim in the first place.

It’s hard to predict if your pet will need accident or illness coverage, but you know the wellness add-ons will more than likely be used. Having those costs covered can significantly reduce your yearly expenses. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, pet owners spend an average of $242 annually on routine care for dogs and $178 for cats.

How Much Is Pet Insurance in Colorado?

The cost of pet insurance significantly changes from one state to the next and depends on what type of coverage is needed. Some companies will charge you more the older your pet is and may increase the price depending on your pet’s breed.

Another determining factor for your overall cost is the additional fees associated with add-on packages. The good news is Colorado offers many options to help ensure you get the coverage you need. We’ve broken down the average monthly premiums in Colorado of each company to help you see how much you might have to pay.

ProviderSample Monthly Cost For DogsSample Monthly Cost For CatsSample Monthly Wellness Cost
Spot$40 $22 $9.95- gold
$24.95- platinum
Lemonade$37 $15 $10 for cats
$15 for dogs
Embrace$35 $18 $35
Healthy Paws$39 $12 Not offered
ASPCA$49 $29 $9.95 – basic
$24.95 – prime
Prudent Pet$39 $23 $7.95-19.95 for cats
$11.95-29.95 for dogs

Where in Colorado you live makes a bit of a difference when we pulled a pet insurance quote, and this can depend on the pet insurance provider, but costs are usually decided based in part on zip code.

CityMonthly Cost
Denver$38.49
Colorado Springs$29.06
Durango$32.28
Estes Park$32.28
Aspen$38.49

*For our sample quote, we used a 3-year-old mixed breed dog, weighing 21-70 lbs. If you have a puppy, a senior dog or a large breed dog, your quote will vary. If you are looking for cat insurance, you’ll find that is a bit cheaper than dog insurance, and you can also get savings by doing a multi-pet discount.

Final Thoughts

According to CBS News, pet owners in Colorado typically spend more than $1,500 annually on vet care which puts it as one of the highest paying states in the U.S. Purchasing pet insurance can not only decrease your spending but may also allow you to do more for your pet than you could paying out-of-pocket alone. 

With the cost of living continuing to rise, these numbers will likely follow suit. The younger you purchase insurance for your pet, the better, as you will likely never have to face the dreaded “pre-existing conditions” that cause the majority of claim denials.

Information for Pet Owners in Colorado

Living in Colorado with pets presents some unique opportunities and challenges alike. Let’s take a quick look at current pet laws in Colorado, as well as some fun places to bring your pet to in the state.

Read on to see our favorite dog (and cat) friendly excursions as well as some resources available!

Colorado Pet Laws

Colorado has several laws in effect to protect both the animals and citizens of Colorado. Here are a few important laws to keep in mind.

  • Pets in the custody of licensed animal shelters must be held for a minimum of five days before the pet becomes available for adoption or otherwise disposed of.
  • Counties may adopt policies that require animals to be licensed and under control at all times. 
  • Dogs and cats adopted from Colorado animal shelters are considered state pets.
  • Unlawful for any cat or dog owner to allow the animal to run at large if not properly inoculated as deemed necessary by the county board of health.

Fun Things To Do With Your Pet in Colorado

Colorado has lots to offer for you and your pet, whether it’s hiking the plentiful trails or engaging in some whitewater rafting. Several museums now allow dog admission, and unique activities like Jeep tours allow both you and your pet to see the sights. Denver, in particular, is especially pet-friendly, with many tech companies allowing you to bring your pet with you to work.

In addition, many restaurants allow you to now dine with your dog. Doggie boutiques are a new up-and-coming thing popping up all over the city. Regardless of where you live in Colorado, the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding fun things to do with your pet.

Colorado Pet Resources

If you, or someone you know, need help taking care of your pet, here are some resources for you that provide assistance:

  • Fort Collins Pet Rescue: Local food bank that serves pets in need. Call (970) 484-8516.
  • Colorado Pet Pantry: Distributes food to 93 monthly pet food banks across 29 counties in Colorado. Call 303.818.0618 to find a pet food pantry near you.
  • The Ladybug Fund: Have now joined forces with The Street Dog Coalition and help provide emergency veterinarian care for pet owners in Colorado going through hard times. Visit their website for more information.
  • The Pet Fund: Founded in 2003, this national nonprofit helps provide nonemergent veterinarian care to those pet owners experiencing hardships.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Colorado

What is Pet Insurance? 

Pet insurance is health insurance for your pet that reimburses you for part of your pet’s vet bills based on your specific plan’s coverage. Unlike human insurance, pet insurance providers do not pay for your pet’s medical bill at the vet clinic or animal hospital. Instead, your pet insurance provider will reimburse you directly after you’ve submitted your claim. Most pet insurance plans will reimburse you for between 50 to 90% of the total vet bill. This means that you’ll pay out of pocket for your dog or cat’s medical bill at the time of the visit, then submit your claim to your pet insurance provider, which will then reimburse you for the cost up to your plan’s reimbursement rate.

Is buying pet insurance worth it in Colorado? 

For most pet owners, pet insurance is absolutely worth it. We never know when our pet could have an unexpected accident or develop an illness, so having a backup plan in place to help pay for your pet’s vet bills is beneficial for most pet parents. Vet bills can quickly add up to hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, which many pet parents don’t have readily available. 

Having pet insurance protects you financially and gives you peace of mind that you won’t have to say no to recommended treatments to benefit your pet’s health and happiness.

How do I get reimbursed for a vet bill?

Simply take your cat to any licensed veterinarian and submit your claim. Depending on your provider, you can submit your claim through its mobile app, online member center, or through the mail. Then, you’ll wait for your provider to approve the claim. Once approved, it will reimburse you for the allocated amount in your pet insurance policy through direct deposit or check

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.