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Pet Insurance In Virginia

| Published on September 14, 2022

Choosing the right pet insurance company for you and your dog or other pets in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Let’s take a deep dive into the features and benefits of each of the major pet insurance brands here in Virginia 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?

Virginia Pet Insurance FAQs

What Pet Insurance Is Most Widely Accepted In Virginia?

The purpose of pet insurance is to assist you in covering unforeseen expenses that arise when your pet is ill or wounded. Similar to health insurance, a monthly premium is required. Your veterinary expenses will then be reimbursed in full or in part. There are several insurance companies that provide coverage for animals, and the vast majority of them operate on a reimbursement basis with you rather than with the veterinary clinic. For this reason, almost all pet insurance companies are accepted in Virginia.

What Is Usually Not Covered By Pet Insurance In Virginia?

Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any pet health insurance company, despite the fact that each one defines pre-existing conditions differently. A pre-existing condition is one that existed prior to the beginning of the insurance or the expiration of the waiting period. Most pet health insurance plans do not continue to pay for problems that require ongoing treatment. Contact each business before making a choice.

Congenital and hereditary diseases are carried from parent to kid and frequently go untreated. However, many companies allow you to supplement your primary insurance with additional coverage for certain circumstances. If your pet is purebred, you might want to research any breed-specific health issues he might be predisposed to and see if your pet health insurance provider would pay for them.

Do Pet Insurance Premiums Go Up With Age In Virginia?

Age-related pricing increases are due to the increased risk of illness, disease, and injury in older animals. Additionally, progressive illnesses get worse with time and demand more care. Older animals are generally more expensive because they mature slowly and recover more difficult.

The cost of your pet insurance could increase even if your pet is healthy at the moment and you have never filed a claim. This is due to the fact that your insurance provider does medical research and reviews the medical files of other animals of the same breed and age in an effort to reduce the likelihood of significant claims. In addition, insurance firms do not want to lose money because they are businesses. As a result, insurance firms let their customers pay a lesser sum each month.


Can I Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis In Virginia?

Pre-existing conditions are typically not covered by pet insurance policies, although there are a few exceptions. Everything is based on what the insurance provider refers to as pre-existing conditions. Any health issues or illnesses that your pet has been treated for and recovered from fall under the category of conditions that can be treated and cured.

Do not allow a present health issue prevent you from purchasing pet insurance. Your pet insurance will still cover other things like accidents or new illnesses even if the pre-existing condition is not covered. It should also cover any new conditions that are unconnected to the ones you already have, depending on the sort of policy you purchase.

Does Pet Insurance Cost More For Certain Breeds In Virginia?

Various breeds have distinct genes that make them more susceptible to illness, so medical expenses and insurance premiums vary so much by breed. For example, purebred animals are more costly because they frequently descend from the same lineage, increasing the risk of inherited illnesses or congenital anomalies. Although, mixed breed dogs typically cause less to insure as they have fewer hereditary issues.

Specific behaviors such as eating inedible items run higher in specific breeds leading to higher insurance costs. If your dog’s breed is more likely to have an urgent or emergency condition, be prepared to pay more for coverage. Because some breeds of dogs are simply riskier from the insurance provider’s perspective, you will typically pay varied pet insurance costs.

Is Pet Insurance Mandatory In Virginia?

No, pet insurance is not required in Virginia for pet owners as the government is not involved, and veterinarians do not require insurance. However, it is a wise investment because the price of veterinary care rises yearly, making it more and more difficult for the typical household to afford. Pet insurance exists only to help pet owners with their exorbitant vet bills and to bring in money for the insurance firms.


Do Pet Insurance Premiums Go Up After A Claim In Virginia?

Yes, your insurance provider may think that because you made one claim, you are more likely to make more, which would result in higher premiums. The same is true if you have to submit a claim as a result of an incident or the death of a pet.

How Does Pet Insurance Work In VA?

The coverage is subject to some limitations and adjustment periods, exactly like conventional insurance. Before coverage starts, the companies demand a health examination. In addition, you must also pay the vet bill out of pocket. If your claim is accepted, the insurer will either mail you a check or deposit the money into your account. Your reimbursement is determined by the plan structure. The primary components are deductibles (the annual cost of coverage) and compensation (what the insurance company pays you for claims).

Is Pet Insurance Regulated In Virginia?

No, pet insurance is currently governed by Virginia State law. However, the state’s insurance commissioners ensure companies are allowed to sell insurance but offer no other regulations.

What Is A Pet Care Plan?

Insurance coverage, known as wellness plans for animals, covers a portion of the cost of routine checkups with the vet and preventative care. Some services include blood tests, vaccines, spaying or neutering, microchips, and much more. Most pet wellness programs operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning that members initially pay for treatments out of pocket before receiving reimbursement from their providers. The majority of wellness programs include an annual benefit cap.

What Is The Cheapest Insurance For A Dog In VA?

The two companies that provide the cheapest pet insurance in Virginia are Lemonade and Spot. Additionally, Healthy Paws and Figo provide competitive pricing. The most affordable prices will vary by pet and the options you choose, such as a greater deductible, a higher coverage limit, and a lower reimbursement rate. Age, breed, region, and other factors that affect rates, can change the rate dramatically. Check for discounts, such as those for numerous pets and state employee discounts.


Does Dog Insurance Vary By Breed In Virginia?

Your insurance price may vary depending on the breed of your dog. The cost of insuring some breeds is more than other animals since certain breeds are more likely to acquire genetic and chronic conditions. Smaller animals and animals of mixed breeds typically have lower overall insurance premiums. Dog insurance is often more expensive than cat insurance since older dogs are more prone than younger ones to experience health issues.

Is It Cheaper To Insure A Male Or Female Dog?

The gender of your dog affects how much you pay for insurance. Because male dogs are more likely to get into dangerous situations like fights and accidents, you should expect to pay extra for pet insurance if your dog is a man. On the other side, female dogs typically recover from illness more rapidly than male dogs, which is another aspect that may help dog owners avoid paying higher premiums.

However, some ailments, such as several reproductive abnormalities for elderly dogs, are more prevalent in female dogs than in males. Female dogs can also have metritis, an infection of the uterus that happens after giving birth, and female puppies frequently experience vaginitis.

What Are Pre-Existing Conditions For Dogs?

Any pet insurance provider will not cover pre-existing conditions, but they will never prevent you from purchasing pet insurance. If your pet has a pre-existing condition that can be treated, your coverage options will depend on that. A pre-existing condition is any chronic disease that manifests before an insurance policy begins to pay benefits.

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.

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