Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

Pet Insurance in South Dakota

| September 14, 2022

Choosing the right pet insurance company for you and your dog or other pets in South Dakota can be a frustrating and confusing process. How much coverage will my plan provide? How fast will I be reimbursed? Are there any health issues not covered?


Here at iHeartDogs, we created an easy comparison below of all the major pet insurance brands in South Dakota and across the US. You can also use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the major pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to compare pricing and coverage:

Best Pet Health Insurance For Dog in South Dakota

Let’s take a deep dive into the features and benefits of each of the major pet insurance brands here in South Dakota and across the USA. Simply scroll to the right to view all the brands:

Pets Best
Lemonade
ManyPets
Trupanion
FIGO
HealthyPaws
Prudent Pet
Embrace
Wagmo
Company
Company
Pets Best
Lemonade
ManyPets
Trupanion
FIGO
HealthyPaws
Prudent Pet
Embrace
Wagmo
Annual Coverage
Annual Coverage
$5,000 or Unlimited
Up To $100,000
Unlimited
Unlimited
$5,000 or Unlimited
Unlimited
$10,000 or Unlimited
$5,000 - $30,000
Unlimited
Multi-pet Discount?
Multi-pet Discount?
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
What They Do Best
What They Do Best
Best for plan customization
Great pricing for puppies & kittens
$0 copay option. No fees for paying monthly.
Best for paying claims to veterinarian direct
Short waiting periods
Best for paying claims fast
Best Trustpilot reviews
Best plan for superior benefits
Fast claims. Wellness plan available.
iHeartDogs Customer Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
iHeartDogs Customer Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.3 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.5 / 5
4.1 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.5 / 5
4.5 / 5
4.1 / 5
Wellness Plan Option? (preventative care e.g. exams, dental, vaccines)
Wellness Plan Option? (preventative care e.g. exams, dental, vaccines)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Example Quote for 1 Year Old 30 lb Mixed Breed
Example Quote for 1 Year Old 30 lb Mixed Breed
$35.81 per month
$20.00 per month
$30.00 per month
$68.25 per month
$69.30 per month
$26.25 per month
$73.46 per month
$42.35 per month
$15.00
Reimbursement Amount
Reimbursement Amount
90%, 80%, or 70%
90%, 80%, or 70%
90%, 80%, or 70%
90%
100%, 90%, 80%, or 70%
90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50%
90%, 80%, or 70%
90%, 80%, or 70%
100% or 90%
Annual Deductible
Annual Deductible
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, or $1,000
$100, $250, or $500
$100, $250, or $500
$0 to $1,000
$100, $250, $500, or $750
$100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
$100, $250, $500, or $1,000
$200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000
$250, $500, or $1,000

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Receive a Free No-Obligation Quote from All the Pet Insurance Carriers At Once
Rather than visiting each insurance carrier’s website, you can use the form below to receive a no obligation quote from all the pet insurance carriers at once, allowing you to easily compare:

Which pet insurance company is best?

South Dakota Pet Insurance FAQs

What Pet Insurance Is Most Widely Accepted In South Dakota?

Pet insurance does not work like human health insurance. Instead of the company paying the veterinarian directly, they expect the pet owner to make a claim and then pay them back the allowed amount. Most pet insurance providers will offer coverage to everyone in the nation. For this reason, almost all insurance companies work with people in any state, making virtually all options widely accepted. 

What Is Usually Not Covered By Pet Insurance In South Dakota?

Pet insurance companies will not pay for preventative care or pre-existing conditions. For example, unless you pay extra for a wellness plan, they will not cover checkups, dental work, or vaccines. However, they will cover issues like ear infections, broken bones, and long-term illnesses.

Insurance does not cover care for animals that have been abused or neglected or for diseases that could have been prevented with immunizations. It also does not cover care for conditions that were already there. So, insurance companies will not pay to treat your dog; if he gets an illness, a vaccine could have prevented. Any condition your animal had before the policy started will not be covered either. 

Do Pet Insurance Premiums Go Up With Age In South Dakota?

As animals age, their risk of illness and injury increases. Insurance companies still need to make a profit and have money to care for all the animals with policies. You can expect prices to increase at four or five years and again at twelve years. The prices usually rise gradually, with only small increases each year. 

Can I Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis In South Dakota?

Most pet insurance policies do not cover problems that were already there, but there are some exceptions. All of it depends on what the insurance company calls “pre-existing conditions.” Conditions that can be treated and cured are any health problems or illnesses that your pet has been treated for and gotten better from. 


Most insurance companies think that a condition is cured after 180 days with no symptoms, but some need a full year. Ear infections, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory illnesses, and vomiting or diarrhea are all conditions that can be treated. Also, even if there is no diagnosis, symptoms can be considered pre-existing conditions if they are written down before a pet is covered. It also matters if the symptom can be fixed or not.

Do not let your pet’s pre-existing condition prevent you from purchasing pet insurance. Even if the pre-existing condition is not covered, your pet insurance will cover other things, like accidents or new illnesses. In addition, depending on the type of policy you buy, it should cover any new conditions that are not related to the one you already have.

Does Pet Insurance Cost More For Certain Breeds In South Dakota?

An insurance company’s job is to give you reliable coverage when you need it most and keep the company’s losses as low as possible. So, the level of risk that comes with each policy is used to figure out the premium costs. Expect to pay more for coverage if your dog’s breed makes it more likely that he or she will get sick quickly. 

Also, expect to pay more for purebred animals because they often come from the same bloodline, which makes them more likely to have diseases or birth defects that run in the family. The breed of your dog will often affect how much you pay for pet insurance because some dogs are just riskier from the insurance company’s point of view.

 Is Pet Insurance Mandatory In South Dakota?

No, pet owners in South Dakota are not required to buy insurance for their pets. But it is a smart purchase because the cost of vet care goes up every year, making it harder and harder for the average family to afford. If pet owners do not have insurance, you might not be able to pay for care that could save their pets’ lives. Insurance for pets is for the owners, not for the government, which is why it’s not mandatory. 


How Does Zip Code Affect Pet Insurance In South Dakota?

Because the price of pet insurance plans is partly based on how much veterinary care is expected to cost in your area, your city, state, and postal code are all very important factors to take into account. For example, the cost of veterinary care will probably be higher if you live in cities like Sioux Falls or Rapid City than if you live in a smaller city like Pierre.

What Is An Average Annual Deductible On Pet Insurance In South Dakota?

Your homeowners and auto insurance deductible levels can have a significant impact on your premiums. The same is true for pet insurance, and there can be a strong case for picking a higher deductible over a lower one. A deductible is the amount you have to spend out of pocket before getting a claim reimbursed. 

An annual deductible is the most typical deductible found in pet insurance policies. You must pay the predetermined deductible amount during a policy year out of pocket before the plan starts paying for veterinary services on your behalf. After that, you must pay the deductible each time the policy cycle renews because the choice resets annually. The typical range of deductibles is $100 to $1,000. However, the most popular deductible among pet owners is $250. 

How Much Do Pet Insurance Premiums Increase Per Year In South Dakota?

Most insurance companies’ prices start to go up four or five years as your dog ages. Older animals require more health maintenance and are more likely to experience illnesses and accidents. An increase per year usually only goes up a few dollars, though but can be higher depending on the company. Check with multiple companies to find out the options that increase the least and the most. 

What Is The Average Cost Of Pet Insurance Per Month In South Dakota?

In South Dakota, your pet’s age, breed, health, and where you live all affect how much pet insurance you need. Depending on the factors, however, the price can range from $17 to $81 per month on average. Most pet owners in the state spend about $38 a month on their pets. Rates can vary depending on the company, too, so always check multiple options. 


Do All Vets Take Pet Insurance In South Dakota?

Insurance firms allow clients to select their own veterinarian and location by employing a reimbursement approach. Additionally, this enables pet owners to visit veterinarians outside of their local area without running afoul of the law. Additionally, this will make your life much easier because you will not have to search the network for pet care. When you choose a policy, you will be able to use it anywhere in the country and often in Canada, too, with only a few exceptions. 

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost Per Year In South Dakota?

Prices for insurance start at around $204 per year and can go up to $972 per year, depending on the breed. This does not include your share of the bills since most companies will pay you back for a portion. So, you will have to pay for some expenses yourself. Also, there are many things that can make the cost go up or down, and you cannot know the real annual price until you choose all the options. 

What Is An Average Annual Limit For Pet Insurance In South Dakota?

An annual limit is the maximum sum that, in accordance with the terms of your policy, your insurance provider will pay out for your dog in a calendar year. The annual maximum amount of coverage provided by your pet’s insurance policy will range from $5,000 to $30,000, and you will be given the choice of one of many restrictions. For instance, if the $5,000 yearly cap on your insurance coverage is exceeded by your veterinary charges, the insurance provider will not cover any additional costs until the following year.

Which Pet Insurance Company Does iHeartDogs.com Recommend?

Our recommendation depends very much on your individual situation. You can compare quotes for your dog’s age and your location here. We can report that Trupanion, HealthyPaws, and Pets Best are very popular with iHeartDogs supporters.

Compare Pet Insurance Companies. Which is best?


What do iHeartDogs Readers Think About Pet Insurance?

Is Pet Insurance Worth It? - We asked [33] Dog Owners and Here's What They Said

Pet insurance is "worth it" if you can afford the cost of the insurance, but could not afford an emergency vet bill. However, the best plan is to only get a pet if you can afford vet care, & to have a special savings account set aside for pet emergency care. - Louise 

Very much worth it. I have Nationwide. It used to be VPI. It doesn’t cover things in full, but it very much helps. More then paid for itself with my first two dogs. Haven’t needed it much with the two I have now but if something happens, I won’t hesitate to get the best treatment I can. It really helps. - Beth

Yes it is worth it. But you need to shop wisely for it. I have care credit that is used when needed. With no excluded treatments because it's up to me! Great rates and options to pay back. Saved my bank account a number of times. - Jennifer

Always worth it with my previous pet dog, Louie (French bulldog) and current pet dog, Lucy (dachshund).
It’s more than paid for itself each time. Unless you can cough up $10,000 for an emergency surgery I suggest you get pet insurance. Healthy Paws I highly recommend!!! - Leo

My vet one time said...my a "Dogs are Expensive" account. Whatever the going rate for pet insurance is...say $100...put that monthly in the "D A E" account. If you are ahead at the end of the year roll that money over....then, if you do need a big sum you have it, and if you don't the $ is in your pocket and not the insurance company's... whatever you decide..good luck! - Peggy

With my last dog no. I paid 17 years and never made a claim. With the two I have now definitely. My JR managed to get a dog toy piece stuck in her intestine - hugh, expensive op so worth it. I don't like the fact that even though my dogs are both young, the premium has gone way up however. 3&2 are not senior dogs. - Kit

Before just checking quotes check with your vet or ones in your area. The one problem with many pet insurances it actually may affect the cost a vet or clinic may charge for a service based on what they may have to pay or what they need to do get paid. For example a base xray charge may be $100 if you pay yourself but say you use insurance A that may cost the clinic so much a year to be a member or requires so much documentation or takes so long for payment may increase the charge to $130-150 .Then if you have a deductible you will be paying more. Your vet will also know which ones are more reliable for your area and for the needs for your breed. - Candi

I would never have a pet without insurance. Way too risky for those sudden and age related injuries/health issues . Everyday check- ups and vaccines are incidental costs compared to many things that can go wrong w ur furry family member ❤️ - Holly

I'm furious that insurance companies have now made owning pets incredibly expensive. Once insurance companies enter into the equation, the price for everything goes "through the roof." I wish these monsters would be regulated and insurance, health care was NON PROFIT!!!!!! - Rhonda

Yes Healthy Paws has been great. My Boston is on constant eye meds for about 6 years and 2 surgeries. I have 80 percent and they pay right away. - Lynda

Worth it if you plan ahead. One of my dogs I adopted and got insurance a year or so later and insurance has denied EVERYTHING…even an ear infection at 10 years old, as a preexisting condition because she had one when she was 3years old. My other dog I got insurance right away (lesson learned!) and it has been a huge benefit because ten years later he had significant medical expenses that were covered at 90% I could not be more thankful to have the insurance - Shannon

Definitely worth every penny! Our Shitz tore her ACL, swallowed my husband’s hearing aid, puts everything in her mouth!!! We have Healthy Paws. Very pleased. Just wish we went with 90% coverage instead of 80%. Get it BEFORE they have an issue!! - Jan

Nope not worth it. I love my babies but, it's like human insurance, Hardly worth getting. More n likely whatever your pet has insurance won't cover it so your still gonna pay out the ying yang. So here we are paying out the ying yang for insurance and still paying high dollar to a vet. - Nancy

Yes. My sweet hound developed allergies. The insurance covers are $73. Apoquel prescription plus everything else that goes wrong. She had a cough with meds the bill was over $400. Very happy we have insurance. - Pamela

Yes! For 10 years I never had to use it. Then my dog got very sick and needed to go to the animal hospital. She was diagnosed with diabetes and cushings disease and the costs for all the medications and testing she undergoes until we get her regulated is exorbitant. With the insurance I’ve been getting most of it back. - Erica

Worth it! Preventative/wellness services usually aren't included with accident/injury plans, but most insurances offer that separately (for more money). Get coverage asap when you get a pet... preexisting conditions are almost never covered and the older a dog gets, the higher the cost gets. I had Nationwide through my previous employer. The plans were supposed to follow my pets for life, after I left the job, but (long story short) the plans were cancelled. So now I'm getting new insurance through ManyPets for a dog who was 9 when I got the Nationwide plan, but is now 13 - with preexisting conditions. For all three of my dogs, it's about $235/month (that's with the optional wellness plans added for each). But if anything happens to any of my "kids", I pay a $250 annual deductible, then ManyPets covers 80% - with no lifetime limit. - Andrea

Yes. It's worth it. You never know what might happen. I see so many go fund me's to help animals when insurance would have covered it. Fyi, Trupanion is slightly more expensive but can pay the Vet directly if the Vet is signed up on their system. I have my 2 dogs and 2 cats covered. - Blythe

More Popular Pet Insurance Resources
Thanks for reviewing our guide to comparing pet insurance brands. Below you find some additional pet insurance resources from iHeartDogs.com

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Pet Insurance Carrier Comparisons

Breed Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance by City

Pet Insurance by State

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog