Quotes for pet insurance can feel overwhelming when you’re starting from scratch, but the process is simpler than most new pet owners realize.
Whether you just brought home a playful puppy, finally decided to protect your loyal companion of ten years, or you’re planning ahead before adoption day arrives, understanding how to request and compare pet insurance quotes puts you in control of one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your pet’s health and your financial peace of mind.
The difference between stumbling through this process blindly and approaching it strategically could mean hundreds of dollars in savings annually and significantly better coverage when your pet needs it most.
Why Getting Multiple Pet Insurance Quotes Matters
The Price Difference Between Providers Can Be Staggering
Quotes for pet insurance from different companies for the exact same pet can vary by 40% to 60% or more.
A healthy two-year-old Labrador Retriever might receive quotes ranging from $35 per month to $95 per month depending on the provider, coverage level, and regional pricing.
This price variation isn’t random—each insurance company uses different actuarial models, has different claims experience, and targets different customer segments.
Some providers specialize in comprehensive coverage with higher premiums while others focus on basic accident protection at budget-friendly rates.
If you only get one quote, you’re essentially gambling that you’ve randomly selected the best option for your specific situation.
Coverage Details Vary More Than You Think
Two policies with identical monthly premiums can offer drastically different protection.
One $50-per-month policy might cover hereditary conditions, prescription medications, and alternative therapies with an 80% reimbursement rate.
Another $50-per-month policy from a different provider might exclude hereditary conditions entirely, limit prescription coverage to six months, and only reimburse 70% of eligible expenses.
The fine print in pet insurance quotes reveals crucial differences in annual limits, deductible structures, waiting periods, and specific exclusions that directly impact whether you’ll receive payment when you file a claim.
First-time shoppers who skip the comparison process often discover these coverage gaps only after their claim gets denied.
What You Need Before Requesting Quotes for Pet Insurance
Your Pet’s Basic Information
Every quote request starts with fundamental details about your pet.
You’ll need your pet’s exact breed (mixed breeds require your best estimation of the primary breeds), date of birth or approximate age, sex, and whether they’ve been spayed or neutered.
Insurance companies price policies differently based on breed because certain breeds face higher risks for specific health conditions—Great Danes are prone to bloat, Bulldogs face respiratory issues, and Persian cats commonly develop kidney disease.
Your pet’s age dramatically affects pricing since older pets statistically require more veterinary care.
Spaying and neutering status matters because these procedures eliminate certain cancer risks and reproductive health issues.
Medical History and Veterinary Records
Honest disclosure of your pet’s medical history protects you from claim denials later.
Gather records of past illnesses, injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and current medications your pet takes.
Pre-existing conditions—any health issue that showed symptoms or received treatment before your insurance effective date—are typically excluded from coverage.
If your seven-year-old cat has been treated for kidney disease, that condition and related complications won’t be covered regardless of which policy you choose.
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New pet owners with puppies or kittens have a significant advantage here since their pets typically have clean medical histories with no pre-existing conditions to exclude.
Long-time pet owners requesting quotes for the first time should request complete medical records from their veterinarian before starting the quote process.
Your Coverage Preferences and Budget
Decide what you’re trying to protect against before requesting quotes.
Are you primarily worried about catastrophic accidents and illnesses that could cost thousands, or do you want comprehensive coverage including routine wellness care?
Determine your realistic monthly budget for pet insurance premiums—most pet owners spend between $30 and $70 monthly depending on their pet and coverage choices.
Consider your financial comfort zone for out-of-pocket costs by thinking about deductibles (annual amount you pay before insurance kicks in) and reimbursement percentages (the portion of eligible expenses the insurance pays after you meet your deductible).
A higher deductible with lower monthly premiums makes sense if you have emergency savings and want protection against major expenses.
A lower deductible with higher premiums works better if you prefer predictable monthly costs and minimal surprise bills.
Where to Get Pet Insurance Quotes
Direct from Insurance Company Websites
Visiting insurance company websites directly gives you the most control and often the most detailed quote information.
Major pet insurance providers like Nationwide, Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Pets Best, and Embrace all offer instant online quotes through their websites.
Direct quotes let you adjust coverage variables in real-time to see how different deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual limits affect your premium.
You can typically complete the quote process in five to ten minutes per company without speaking to anyone.
The downside is that you’ll need to visit multiple websites separately and manually track the different quotes you receive for comparison.
Through Comparison Websites and Brokers
Pet insurance comparison websites let you enter your information once and receive multiple quotes simultaneously.
These platforms partner with several insurance companies and display quotes side-by-side for easier comparison.
Comparison sites save time but may not include every available provider—some insurance companies don’t participate in these platforms.
Insurance brokers work similarly but add a human element, offering personalized recommendations based on your specific situation.
Brokers typically don’t charge fees to pet owners since they receive commissions from insurance companies when you purchase a policy through them.
The trade-off with comparison sites and brokers is that you might receive follow-up sales calls or emails, though you’re never obligated to purchase.
From Your Veterinarian’s Recommendations
Many veterinary clinics maintain relationships with specific pet insurance companies and can facilitate quote requests.
Veterinarians see firsthand which insurance companies pay claims promptly and which create frustration for pet owners.
Some veterinary clinics offer enrollment discounts or simplified quote processes through their preferred insurance partners.
However, veterinarian recommendations might be limited to one or two providers rather than a comprehensive market view.
Use your veterinarian’s recommendation as one data point in your research rather than your only source of quotes.
Step-by-Step Process to Request Pet Insurance Quotes
Step 1—Choose 3-5 Providers to Compare
Start by selecting three to five insurance companies to request quotes from based on initial research.
Look for providers with strong financial ratings (AM Best rating of B+ or higher), positive customer reviews specifically about claims processing, and coverage options that match your priorities.
More than five quotes becomes difficult to track and compare effectively without adding significant value to your decision.
Fewer than three quotes doesn’t give you enough market perspective to know if you’re getting competitive pricing.
Create a simple spreadsheet or document to track which companies you’re requesting quotes from and when you submitted each request.
Step 2—Gather Your Pet’s Information
Compile all the information mentioned earlier into an easily accessible format before you start filling out quote forms.
Have your pet’s medical records, vaccination history, and your veterinarian’s contact information ready.
Take note of your pet’s microchip number if they have one, though this usually isn’t required for quotes.
If you’re getting quotes for multiple pets, organize their information separately since you’ll likely receive bundled discounts for insuring multiple pets with the same company.
This preparation step typically takes 15-30 minutes but saves considerable time and frustration when you’re actually requesting quotes.
Step 3—Complete Online Quote Forms
Navigate to each insurance company’s website and locate their “Get a Quote” or “Get Pricing” button, usually prominently displayed on their homepage.
Enter your pet’s information accurately—incorrect details about age, breed, or medical history can result in quotes that don’t reflect the actual premium you’d pay.
You’ll be asked to select coverage options including your preferred annual deductible (commonly $250, $500, or $1,000), reimbursement percentage (typically 70%, 80%, or 90%), and annual coverage limit (often $5,000, $10,000, unlimited).
Start with middle-tier options (for example, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $10,000 annual limit) to get a baseline quote, then adjust variables to see how pricing changes.
Most quote forms take five to ten minutes to complete per company.
Some providers offer instant quotes while others require 24-48 hours to review your information and provide pricing.
Step 4—Review and Compare Your Quotes
As quotes arrive via email or display on screen, add them to your comparison spreadsheet with the monthly premium, annual deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual limit, and any notable exclusions.
Don’t just compare the monthly premium numbers—a $40 policy with a $1,000 deductible might actually cost you more annually than a $50 policy with a $250 deductible depending on your expected veterinary usage.
Calculate the maximum annual cost for each policy by multiplying the monthly premium by 12 and adding the annual deductible.
Note which policies include wellness coverage, prescription medications, alternative therapies, and hereditary conditions in their base plans versus requiring additional riders.
This comparison process typically reveals one or two clear frontrunners that offer the best combination of coverage and price for your specific situation.
How to Read and Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
Understanding Monthly Premium Costs
The monthly premium is the amount you’ll pay every month to maintain your pet insurance coverage regardless of whether you file any claims.
Premiums increase as your pet ages with most companies—expect annual increases of 5-15% as your pet gets older and statistically requires more veterinary care.
Location affects premiums significantly since veterinary costs vary by region.
Pet owners in urban areas with expensive veterinary care typically pay higher premiums than those in rural areas.
The breed matters more than most first-timers realize—purebred dogs prone to genetic conditions cost more to insure than mixed breeds with fewer hereditary health risks.
Decoding Deductibles and Reimbursement Rates
The annual deductible is the amount you must spend out-of-pocket on eligible veterinary expenses each year before your insurance begins reimbursing you.
If you have a $500 annual deductible and your dog needs $800 in covered veterinary care, you pay the first $500 and your insurance reimburses you for the remaining $300 based on your reimbursement percentage.
The reimbursement rate is the percentage of eligible expenses the insurance company pays after you’ve met your deductible.
With an 80% reimbursement rate, the insurance pays 80% of covered costs and you pay the remaining 20%.
Some policies use per-incident deductibles instead of annual deductibles, meaning you pay a deductible for each separate illness or injury rather than once per year.
Annual deductibles are generally more consumer-friendly and cost-effective if your pet experiences multiple health issues in a single year.
Identifying Coverage Limits and Exclusions
Annual coverage limits cap how much the insurance company will reimburse you in a single policy year.
A $10,000 annual limit means once your reimbursements reach $10,000 in a year, you’re responsible for 100% of additional costs until the policy renews.
Unlimited annual coverage costs more in monthly premiums but provides the most protection if your pet faces extraordinarily expensive treatment.
Pay close attention to per-incident limits that cap reimbursement for specific conditions—a policy might have a $10,000 annual limit but only cover $3,000 per incident for cruciate ligament injuries.
Exclusions list what the policy doesn’t cover, typically including pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, breeding costs, and behavioral issues.
Some policies exclude specific conditions entirely like hip dysplasia in certain breeds or breed-specific hereditary conditions.
Common Mistakes First-Timers Make When Getting Quotes
Choosing the Cheapest Quote Without Reading Coverage Details
The lowest premium quote often provides the most restricted coverage with high deductibles, low reimbursement rates, and significant exclusions.
A $25-per-month policy might sound appealing until you discover it has a $1,000 deductible, only covers accidents (not illnesses), and excludes most hereditary conditions.
The goal isn’t finding the cheapest insurance—it’s finding the best value for comprehensive coverage that actually protects you when your pet needs expensive veterinary care.
Spending an extra $15-20 monthly for significantly better coverage usually proves worthwhile the first time you file a major claim.
Not Disclosing Pre-Existing Conditions
Failing to disclose your pet’s medical history might get you a lower initial quote, but it guarantees claim denials and potential policy cancellation later.
Insurance companies review veterinary records when you file claims and will discover undisclosed conditions.
Deliberately hiding pre-existing conditions constitutes insurance fraud and can result in losing your coverage entirely right when you need it most.
Even if a condition seems minor or unrelated to a current claim, disclose it—the insurance company decides what’s relevant, not you.
New pet owners have a tremendous advantage here since puppies and kittens typically have no pre-existing conditions to worry about.
Waiting Too Long to Get Your First Quote
Every month you delay getting pet insurance is another month where new health issues could develop and become pre-existing conditions that future policies won’t cover.
If your healthy two-year-old dog develops diabetes before you purchase insurance, diabetes and all related complications will be excluded from coverage for the rest of their life.
Long-time pet owners who’ve delayed insurance for years often face difficult choices between expensive premiums that exclude multiple conditions or continuing without coverage.
The absolute best time to get quotes for pet insurance is during your pet’s first year of life when they’re healthiest and have the cleanest medical history.
The second-best time is right now, before any new health issues emerge.
What Happens After You Request Quotes for Pet Insurance
How Quickly You’ll Receive Quotes
Most pet insurance companies provide instant quotes online immediately after you complete their form.
You’ll see your estimated monthly premium on screen and receive a detailed breakdown via email within minutes.
Some companies that offer more customized underwriting might take 24-48 hours to review your pet’s information and provide a final quote.
If a provider requires more than two business days to deliver a quote, that might indicate slower customer service overall including claims processing.
Have all your quotes in hand within one week of starting your research unless you’ve requested coverage for a pet with complex medical history requiring additional review.
Follow-Up Calls and Emails to Expect
Insurance companies view quote requests as sales leads and will typically follow up with phone calls and emails encouraging you to enroll.
You might receive 2-5 follow-up contacts from each company over the week following your quote request.
These follow-ups aren’t necessarily negative—sales representatives can answer specific questions about coverage details and sometimes offer limited-time enrollment discounts.
If you find the follow-up overwhelming, most companies respect requests to only communicate via email or to stop contacting you entirely.
Never feel pressured to make an immediate decision—legitimate pet insurance companies don’t use high-pressure tactics or expiring quotes to force quick enrollment.
When to Make Your Final Decision
Take adequate time to compare quotes thoughtfully but don’t delay so long that your pet develops new health issues in the meantime.
Most pet owners complete their comparison and make a final decision within one to two weeks of requesting initial quotes.
If you’re getting insurance for a new puppy or kitten, prioritize enrolling before they’re 12-16 weeks old to ensure maximum coverage with no exclusions.
Long-time pet owners have more flexibility but should still enroll within a month of starting their research.
Pet insurance policies typically include waiting periods before coverage begins—commonly 14 days for illnesses and 48 hours for accidents—so factor this into your decision timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance Quotes
How many pet insurance quotes should I get?
Three to five quotes provide sufficient market perspective without becoming overwhelming to compare effectively.
Getting fewer than three quotes doesn’t give you enough data to know if you’re receiving competitive pricing or comprehensive coverage options.
Requesting more than five quotes creates diminishing returns since the additional quotes rarely reveal significantly better options than what you’ve already found.
Focus on getting quotes from companies with strong financial ratings and positive claims-paying reputations rather than trying to quote every available provider.
Do pet insurance quotes affect my credit score?
Pet insurance quotes never affect your credit score since insurance companies don’t perform hard credit inquiries when providing quotes.
The quote process only requires information about your pet and your contact details, not your financial history or credit information.
Even when you enroll in a policy, most pet insurance companies don’t check credit at all or only perform soft inquiries that don’t impact your credit score.
Some companies offer payment plan options for annual premiums that might involve credit checks, but standard monthly payment plans typically don’t require credit review.
Can I get pet insurance quotes without committing to buy?
Requesting quotes creates absolutely no obligation to purchase pet insurance from any company.
The quote process is specifically designed to let you shop and compare without commitment.
You can request quotes from multiple companies, review all your options, and decide not to purchase from any of them without any consequences.
Insurance companies understand that educated consumers request multiple quotes, and they build this into their sales process without penalties for choosing not to enroll.
How long are pet insurance quotes valid?
Most pet insurance quotes remain valid for 30-60 days from when they’re issued since they’re based on your pet’s current age and health status.
After this period, you may need to request a new quote since your pet has aged and premium calculations might change.
Quotes also expire if your pet develops new health conditions between when you received the quote and when you’re ready to enroll.
Any new diagnosis, treatment, or symptom that emerges after you receive a quote could be classified as a pre-existing condition not covered by that policy.
This time-sensitivity is another reason to complete your comparison and make a decision relatively quickly rather than letting quotes sit for months.
What makes pet insurance quotes go up or down?
Your pet’s age is the single largest factor affecting quote pricing—premiums increase as pets get older and face higher health risks.
Breed significantly impacts pricing since some breeds are genetically predisposed to expensive health conditions while mixed breeds typically cost less to insure.
Location affects quotes because veterinary care costs vary dramatically by region with urban areas generally being more expensive.
The coverage options you select directly control your quote with higher deductibles lowering premiums, higher reimbursement percentages raising premiums, and unlimited annual coverage costing more than capped limits.
Your pet’s health history influences pricing once you move beyond the quote stage to actual enrollment since pre-existing conditions get excluded and sometimes affect overall policy pricing.