Best Pet Insurance Companies & Plans in Maryland (2023 Review)

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)

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:

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.

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%. 

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.

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.

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.

*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.

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.

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.