The Best Pet Insurance In New Jersey (2024)
New Jersey is a lovely place to live and is an excellent location for pets. As of 2018, there were about 2,878,037 cats and dogs in the state of New Jersey. Because of this, you’ll find that New Jersey has several pet insurance providers. With so many providers and plans on the market, you might find it tough to choose one that meets your budget requirements and best serves your pet’s needs.
The 6 Best New Jersey Pet Insurance Companies
- Spot: Best overall
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
- Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in New Jersey
There’s no doubt that people love animals — whether they’re dogs or cats, rabbits, and hamsters, or even pigs and horses. No matter what the pet, one of the things you need to do is ensure that it’s well cared for with high-quality healthcare coverage.
If something were to happen to your furry friend, it would be helpful for you if you had pet insurance coverage in place so that you wouldn’t be left with outrageous vet bills. Luckily there are lots of companies out there that offer pet insurance in New Jersey so that you can ensure your furry friend is well looked after.
Here is a look at some of the top companies in the Garden State.
| Best For | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot |  | Most Inclusive | $22-$80 | Compare Quotes | |
| Lemonade |  | Most Affordable | $16–$30 | Compare Quotes | |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance |  | Most Experienced | $18–$44 | Compare Quotes | |
| Embrace |  | Best for Discounts Offered | $23-$85 | Compare Quotes | |
| Healthy Paws |  | Best for Chronic Conditions | $24–$54 | Compare Quotes | |
| Prudent Pet |  | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options | $18-$29 | Compare Quotes |
| Spot | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Best For | Most Inclusive |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $22-$80 |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Best For | Most Affordable |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Experienced |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18–$44 |
| Embrace | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Best For | Best for Discounts Offered |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $23-$85 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Best For | Best for Chronic Conditions |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $24–$54 |
| Prudent Pet | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Best For | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18-$29 |
*Certain conditions, such as cruciate ligaments or orthopedic conditions, may have longer waiting period times, usually six months to a year. This is common among many pet insurance providers, but most illnesses will be covered after the waiting period listed above.
Top 6 Best Pet Insurance Companies In New Jersey
Spot
Most Inclusive
Lemonade
Most Affordable
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Most Experienced
Embrace
Best for Discounts Offered
Healthy Paws
Best for Chronic Conditions
Prudent Pet
Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
How Does Pet Insurance Work in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, pet insurance is paid on a reimbursable basis. You’ll pay the doctor directly when you take your pet in for treatment and then submit an invoice for reimbursement after the bill has been audited and authorized. The policy’s options will influence the reimbursement amount after it has been audited and authorized.
These options are:
- Maximum Annual Payout
- Reimbursement Percentage
- Deductible
The average yearly payout is the total amount paid out in a policy year as claims. The deductible is the amount you must cover yourself before your company pays you back. The reimbursement percentage indicates how much of the pet insurance premium you must pay before your company reimburses you.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans in New Jersey
Pet parents in New Jersey have a wealth of choices when it comes to selecting a pet insurance plan. There are a wide variety of providers offering coverage to dogs and cats in the Garden State, and many of them allow customers to choose between coverage options to best fit their pet and their financial situation.
The cost of your plan will vary depending on the type of plan you buy and the breadth of coverage it offers. Here are some of the most common types of New Jersey pet insurance plans you’ll come across as you shop around.
Accident and illness coverage
Accident and illness coverage is the most comprehensive type of pet insurance, helping offset your vet bills if your pet is hurt or sick. Most accident and illness plans cover diseases like cancer and urinary tract infections that any pet can be susceptible to, as well as breed-specific and congenital conditions. Many accident and illness plans also help cover the cost of exams, prescription drugs, and surgeries.
Accident-only plans
Accident-only plans only cover medical treatments and prescriptions after a traumatic, unpredictable injury. However, you likely will not be able to get coverage for illnesses or conditions that develop over time. For example, accident-only plans may cover X-rays and prescription drugs needed if your dog breaks a leg in a car accident. But your plan likely will not cover the same services if your pet needs them due to cancer, hip dysplasia, or another progressive illness.
Wellness Coverage
Most pets require routine care annually, even when they are in perfect health. Wellness coverage helps pay for non-emergency veterinary expenses you might run into — like exam fees for annual check-ups and blood tests. Treatment for sudden illnesses or injuries will not be covered under a wellness plan.
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in New Jersey for You
It’s difficult to compare pet insurance plans on an equal basis. It’s impossible to calculate each plan’s potential return on investment because of coverage, exclusions, and price differences. Here are some suggestions for choosing the finest pet insurance for you and your cat or dog based on your needs.
- Type of Plan
- What the Plan Covers
- Coverage Level
- Possible Discounts
- Annual Limits
- Deductible Amounts
- Multi-pet Discounts
- Bundle Discounts
- Pay-in-full Discounts
How Much is Pet Insurance in New Jersey?
The average cost of pet health insurance throughout the state of Wisconsin costs anywhere from $18 to $45 per month for dogs and $13 to $30 for cats, not including optional wellness costs. As we’ve mentioned, your monthly rate will be primarily determined by your pet’s age, breed, and medical history, as well as where you live in Wisconsin.
For example, accident-illness coverage through Spot for a 3-year-old medium mix breed dog in Appleton, Wisconsin, costs $36.45 per month, whereas the same coverage for the same dog located in the quaint town of Bayfield costs $27.72.
To further demonstrate how average monthly premiums tend to vary across all five of these providers in Wisconsin, we’ve generated pet insurance quotes for both cats and dogs and arranged them in the table below.
All of the following estimates are based on an alias policyholder with a 2-year-old pet — either a medium mix breed dog or a domestic short-haired kitty — living in Madison, Wisconsin, and selecting the most popular accident-illness plan customizations as recommended by each provider. Sample wellness costs for our dog and cat insurance quotes chose the most basic add-on available.
| Provider | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Sample Monthly Wellness Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | Average $30-$50/month | Average $18-$25/month | Starting at $9.95 |
| Lemonade | Average $37/month | Average $15/month | Cats start at $10 Dogs start at $15 |
| Embrace | Average $30-$40/month | Average $15-$20/month | Start at $18.75/month |
| Healthy Paws | Average $39/month | Average $12/month | N/A |
| ASPCA | $48.78 | $29.16 | $9.95 (basic), $24.95 (prime) |
| Prudent Pet | Average $39/month | Average $23/month | Cats start at $7.95 and dogs at $11.95 |
The cost of pet insurance in New Jersey varies from one region to the next, but it’s usually rather comparable. According to a survey of five major cities in New Jersey, monthly premiums varied depending on a brief examination of zip codes. Monthly payments for a policy that pays 80% of the cost of any covered expenses with a $250 deductible each month are shown in the table below. It’s for a 4-year-old medium-sized mixed breed dog. We obtained these quotes from Healthy Paws, which offers only one plan option.
| City | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Newark | $41.37 |
| Jersey City | $44.33 |
| Atlantic City | $35.22 |
| Princeton | $44.33 |
| Trenton | $41.37 |
Final Thoughts on Top Pet Health Insurance Providers in New Jersey
Veterinarians have improved their techniques substantially, and your dog or cat can be treated for almost everything these days. When selecting a pet insurance policy for your pet, consider your budget, the demands of your pet, and what you want coverage for most. Do you require regular care coverage or just accident coverage to assist you in the event of an emergency? Consider all of your choices and obtain multiple quotations from various pet insurance providers before making a decision.
New Jersey Pet Laws
Under state law, all dogs in New Jersey aged 7 months or older must be licensed with the local government of the town where they live. Many local governments require the same of cats, though it is not mandatory statewide. In most cases, you’ll need to reapply for this license every year. The licensing fee varies from town to town, but the maximum you can be charged is $21 per year for each pet.
As part of the licensing process, you’ll need to show that your pet is vaccinated against rabies. All cats and dogs residing in the state of New Jersey must have a rabies vaccine when they are old enough to take one. The only exceptions are when the owner gets a letter from a licensed vet that their pet cannot undergo rabies vaccination without serious health risks.
Proof of vaccination must be submitted to the municipal clerk’s office in your town before you can receive your pet’s license tag, which must be worn on the pet’s collar.
Although New Jersey as a state has no restrictions on how many dogs one household can have, each township and county may have differing rules.
Newark pet laws
For the most part, the City of Newark follows statewide standards when it comes to animal ownership, welfare, and punishment for animal cruelty. However, there are a few city-specific provisions pet owners should be aware of.
- Animals may not be kept in “adverse environmental conditions” outdoors, including temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit and above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- All pets must be safely secured in vehicles. They may not roam freely in a vehicle when it is in motion.
Paterson pet laws
The city of Paterson makes animal control officers available at all times of day if a pet is in danger. They can be called out after hours if a stray animal is sick or in life-threatening danger, so residents may want to note local emergency numbers in the event of an emergency. Other local pet ordinances include:
- All pet owners must immediately pick up their pet’s excrement and properly dispose of it in any area that they do not themselves own. The fine for not doing so can go up to $1,250.
- Any female dog that is in heat or any other dog wandering about in Paterson freely without any sort of licensure or identification can be impounded by animal control officers.
- Any dog outside of private property must be properly restricted on a leash that does not exceed the length of six feet, and the individual holding the leash must be able to restrain the dog.
- Pet owners may be held financially liable for damage caused by pets if they are in public and not in control of the owner.
Elizabeth pet laws
In the city of Elizabeth, you may not own a pit bull or Staffordshire terrier without a special dog license. You may not bring a pit bull into Elizabeth from out-of-state without seeking permission from the municipal board.
No pigs or goats may be kept as pets in the city of Elizabeth.
Information for Pet Owners in New Jersey
Below are some of the greatest places to go in New Jersey with your pet. However, before you take your pet out for the day, you should also be aware of the state laws related to dogs and cats.
Let’s look at some fun things to do with your dog or cat in New Jersey and some key rules that you must follow while outside to keep your leisure time lighthearted and interesting for both of you!
Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in NJ
New Jersey is not only a state with lots of exciting things to do for couples and families. It’s also a state where dogs may have a great time and be part of the family fun. There are several pet-friendly locations in New Jersey that offer a variety of activities. Whether you’re searching for hiking paths, beaches, restaurants, or places to stay, there’ll be plenty more than enough options in New Jersey. Here are some suggestions:
- The Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster – This dog-friendly park has a lovely route for dogs on leashes. There are no picnic tables, but there are plenty of open areas for dogs and their owners.
- The Paterson Great Falls National Park – This 89-acre park is dog-friendly and has several trails as well as a big waterfall. Dogs must be leashed and are not permitted in the facilities.
- Camping at Camp Taylor in Columbia, New Jersey – This campground provides a wide range of services and allows up to two dogs per campsite.
- The Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Beach Haven – This hotel is pet-friendly from September through May.
New Jersey Pet Resources
Many local animal shelters and rescue groups in New Jersey provide low-cost veterinary care to owners who are unable to pay for emergency vet visits. Some help low-income pet owners, while others serve all pet owners. Here’s a list of some of the organizations in New Jersey that aim to assist pet owners.
- The Animal Welfare Association – provides low-cost spay and neuter services to low-income pet owners.
- Low-cost sterilization is available to low-income pet owners through the Spay & Neuter Service of New Jersey.
- Union City Animal Clinic – offers affordable veterinary care to pets at a lower cost than other vet clinics
- Animal Alliance – New Jersey pet owners may receive low-cost wellness checks, vaccinations, sterilization services, and pet food/supplies through this program.
- One Step Closer Animal Rescue – Pet food bank that also offers low-cost spay/neuter services
- Companion Animal Advocates – Available to assist you with your dog’s nutrition, spaying, and neutering, as well as rehoming services.
- PetPALS of Southern New Jersey – Veterinary Ambulance Service provides disabled, elderly, and sick pet owners transportation to and from their veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in New Jersey
What should I look for when buying pet insurance?
When buying pet insurance, the first thing you should look at is the coverage offered. You want to make sure you feel comfortable that you’ll get financial help for the types of vet bills you’re most likely to encounter.
After that, make sure you’re getting a reasonable price for the type of coverage you need. You can shop around with multiple pet insurance providers, paying close attention to the monthly premium and any annual limits. You should also look for a pet insurance provider that offers 24/7 claims service, an easy claims process and glowing customer reviews.
How much does pet insurance cost per month in NJ?
Dog owners in New Jersey can expect to pay an average of $30 to $41 per month for pet insurance, while cat owners can expect to pay between $15 and $29. The specific price you’ll pay for insurance coverage will vary depending on your pet’s age, breed, health history, and residence.
Do I legally have to insure my dog in New Jersey?
No, there is no requirement in any part of New Jersey to maintain pet insurance. However, a pet insurance policy is still likely a good idea. Annual coverage for dogs is more affordable than many owners think — and can pale in comparison to the cost of a veterinary emergency.
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.
What does Pet Insurance Typically Cover in New Jersey?
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.
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.
Our Methodology: How We Rated and Ranked Pet Insurance Companies
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