With the popularity of pet insurance, it seems a new company pops up every day. Identifying the insurer that fits your pet’s needs may leave you puzzled. Florida pets can be exposed to unique risks such as injuries—from extreme weather conditions or sickness from interacting with a poisonous creature.
If you live in the Sunshine State, here’s how to find the best pet insurance in Florida for your furry companion.
- Featured partners
- Best Pet Insurance in Florida
- Pets Best
- Embrace
- Figo
- Prudent Pet
- TrustedPals
- Summary: Florida Pet Insurance Ratings
- How Much Does Pet Insurance in Florida Cost?
- Types of Pet Insurance Plans
- How Pet Insurance Works
- How to Find the Best Pet Insurance in Florida
- Florida Pet Laws
- Common Pet Risks and Veterinary Costs in Florida
- Methodology
- Next Up in Pet Insurance
Best Pet Insurance in Florida
- Pets Best – Great For Choices Of Deductible
- Embrace – Best For Superior Benefits
- Figo – Great For Short Waiting Period For Accident Coverage
- Prudent Pet – Great For Extras
- TrustedPals – Great For Service Dogs
Summary: Florida Pet Insurance Ratings
How Much Does Pet Insurance in Florida Cost?
The cost of pet insurance can vary by location, among other factors.
Costs for Florida Pet Insurance With $5,000 Annual Maximum Coverage
Costs for Florida Pet Insurance With Unlimited Annual Maximum Coverage
Company | Monthly pet insurance cost in Florida |
---|---|
$26
|
|
$34
|
|
$47
|
|
$47
|
|
$48
|
|
$49
|
|
$50
|
|
$71
|
|
$96
|
|
Costs are for a plan with unlimited annual coverage ($30,000), a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace and Healthy Paws) and 90% reimbursement level. Source: PetInsurer.com.
|
Types of Pet Insurance Plans
At first glance, pet insurance offerings may seem confusing. But fortunately, pet insurance plans usually break down into three categories: accident and illness plans, accident-only plans, and wellness and routine care plans.
Accident and Illness Plans
Whether your kitten mistakenly gets a little too playful with a Bufo toad or your bulldog overheats while on a walk, accident and illness plans cover a wide range of health-related expenses. These plans cover everything from injuries like bone fractures to illnesses like ear infections to more severe illnesses like diabetes. They can also cover hospitalizations, surgeries, X-rays, MRIs, blood tests and behavioral issues.
Accident-Only Plans
This type of plan covers any accident-related vet costs. If your pet gets bitten by a poisonous snake in the backyard or injures its paw while running on the beach, accident-only plans can cover the costs involved to help your pet heal. Keep in mind these plans don’t cover any illness-related costs.
Wellness and Routine Care Add-On
Your pet also requires preventive care to keep them healthy, such as vaccinations, routine check-ups and flea/tick prevention. To help pay for these costs, some pet insurers offer wellness and routine care add-ons that you can choose to include in your accident and illness plan (at an additional cost).
How Pet Insurance Works
When you select a pet insurance policy in Florida, you usually have several elements that make up each plan that determines the cost you pay for coverage. Here’s how pet insurance works:
Premiums
Several factors can influence your monthly cost of coverage. These factors include:
- Your pet’s age, gender and breed
- Your ZIP code
- Coverage amounts
- The insurance company you choose
For example, if you have a cat, you will generally pay less for coverage than someone who owns a large dog.
Deductible
A deductible is the amount of the veterinary bill you’re responsible for before your pet insurance coverage starts. For example, an insurer may give you the option to choose among a $250, $500 and $1,000 deductible. Choosing a smaller deductible will increase the monthly cost of your policy.
Reimbursement Level
Your reimbursement level dictates the portion of the vet bills you must pay. For example, if you choose a 70% reimbursement level, you’re responsible for 30% of the vet costs (after the deductible). Choosing a lower reimbursement level will lower your monthly costs. However, you will have to pay more every time you make a trip to the vet.
Annual Coverage Cap
Some pet insurers apply an annual coverage limit to a policy. This means they will only pay claims up to a certain amount per year. For example, if you choose a $5,000 coverage limit, you must pay out-of-pocket for any vet bills that exceed this amount in a given year. Some pet insurance plans offer an unlimited coverage option.
How to Find the Best Pet Insurance in Florida
Understanding the basic mechanics of a pet insurance policy is only half the battle. Because the details of pet plans vary, it’s crucial to identify the things that matter most when insuring your pet. When comparing your options, here are some things you to take a closer look at.
Exam Fees
When you make a trip to visit the vet, you’re usually charged an exam fee. Unfortunately, not all pet insurance plans cover exam fees.
Waiting Periods
After you buy a pet insurance policy, you typically have to wait a few days or a couple of weeks before your insurance company will reimburse you for vet costs. The length of time you must wait depends on the insurance company’s terms. It’s wise to find a policy with shorter waiting periods because you never know when your pet will get sick or injured. For example, Healthy Paws has a 15-day accident waiting period, while Embrace has a two-day accident waiting period.
Also, some companies like Pets Best have extended waiting periods for certain conditions like cruciate ligament issues or hip dysplasia, while others do not. If your pet is possibly susceptible to these conditions, it’s best to look for an insurance company that doesn’t have extended waiting periods.
24/7 Vet Helplines
Let’s say your new pup has an encounter with a poisonous plant on a Sunday afternoon. In this case, your vet might not be available to walk you through the best care options. Many pet insurance companies offer 24/7 vet helplines to answer health care-related questions. Selecting a company that offers this perk may ease your mind.
Plans That Pay the Vet Directly
When you visit the vet, you usually pay the entire bill up front. Then, your pet insurance company will reimburse you for expenses after you submit a claim. However, some pet insurance companies like Pets Best can pay the vet directly if the vet approves the transaction.
Multipet Discount
Some insurance companies offer a multipet discount. For example, Spot offers a 10% discount for insuring more than one pet. Companies may also offer extra discounts like a military discount or a claims-free discount.
Plans Offering Routine Wellness Coverage
If you’re looking for a pet insurance plan that offers preventive care coverage, you need an insurance company that offers a wellness and routine care plan. Since routine care can cost a few hundred dollars per year, adding wellness coverage to your policy may help minimize the out-of-pocket cost to keep your pet healthy.
Extra Benefits
You may get additional perks with some insurance companies. For example, Prudent Pet gives policyholders a $15 Amazon gift card every time they refer a friend to a policy. Another example is Nationwide, which gives policyholders special prescription pricing at Walmart pharmacies.
Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
Compare 10+ Leading Pet Insurers In Minutes
Florida Pet Laws
On October 1, 2023, the Authorization of Restrictions Concerning Dogs law went into effect in Florida. This law overturns breed bans by local governments in Florida, including a 1989 Miami-Dade County ordinance that allows the county to euthanize pit bulls based on their breed. While the state law invalidates the county ban, residential communities are still allowed to ban specific dog breeds.
Beyond state laws, localities also have laws and regulations pertaining to pets. Here’s a sampling of local pet laws in Florida.
Jacksonville Pet Laws
Jacksonville residents must get annual rabies vaccinations for their dogs, cats and ferrets. They must also license all cats and dogs over four months of age each year.
Pet owners shouldn’t have more than four cats and/or dogs over the age of four months.
Dog owners must keep their pets on a leash when in public. The leash shouldn’t exceed eight feet at its maximum extension.
Only licensed, vaccinated pets are accepted in pet-friendly shelters in Duval County during major storms.
Miami Pet Laws
Miami-Dade County requires owners of dogs more than four months of age to license their pets. Dogs must wear their tags at all times. The county also offers tags for cats, though they’re not required.
Barking dogs and noisy birds may be considered a nuisance, which can result in a $100 fine. Homeowners with tenants who have nuisance pets may be responsible for their tenants’ animals and have to pay fines.
You shouldn’t tether a dog outdoors unless they are in your “visual range.” You also should make sure the tether won’t injure, strangle or entangle the dog and the pooch isn’t left out during extreme weather. The dog should also have access to water, shelter and dry ground. If your pet is on a pulley, running line or trolley system, it should be at least 15 feet in length and less than seven feet above the ground.
Orlando Pet Laws
Orange County residents with a dog, cat or ferret that are four months or older should vaccinate their pets.
Orlando has 10 dog parks, including Barber Park Dog Park, Dr. Phillips Dog Park, Independence Dog Park and Yucatan Dog Park. These areas are a chance for your pooch to run and enjoy other dogs’ company, but you must also follow the rules.
Rules include dogs must come when called by owners, aggressive dogs aren’t allowed, owners must have a leash at all times and owners should leash dogs when entering and exiting the park.
Tampa Pet Laws
Dog owners must vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies if the pet is four months or older. Residents can vaccinate their pet annually or every three years depending on the vaccine. Those who don’t vaccinate their pets pay fines of at least $100 and up to $500 for multiple violations.
Hillsborough County residents shouldn’t allow pets to run freely when they are off-property. Owners should keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet and under control by their owner. At-large animals may lead to a fine of at least $100 and up to $500 for multiple violations.
Dog parents should not leave tethered dogs unattended outside. The dog owner should remain outside with any tethered dog, keep it within sight and the tether should safely restrain the dog and be connected to a buckle-type nylon or leather collar or body harness. Those who violate this bylaw may face fines of at least $370 and up to $1,000 for multiple violations.
Hillsborough residents should also prevent their dogs from biting or attacking a person or pet unprovoked. People cited for a vicious animal or aggressive dog may face fines of at least $450.
Common Pet Risks and Veterinary Costs in Florida
Hot weather and wildlife encounters can be dangerous to your pet. Here are some pet risks in Florida to be aware of:
- Heat stroke. Excessive heat can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion include difficulty breathing, drooling, excessive panting, poor responsiveness, rapid heart rate, redness of the tongue, seizures, stumbling and vomiting.
- Heartworm. Florida’s year-round climate means more mosquitoes that carry heartworm disease.
- Plants. House plants such as dracaena, Easter lily, English and Algerian ivy, gloriosa lily and peace lily can be toxic to your pet. Landscape plants like azaleas, daylilies, lantana and oleander are also toxic. Onions and tomatoes can also be dangerous to dogs and cats.
- Wildlife. Wild animals such as alligators, bufo toads, snakes and venomous spiders can be deadly to your pet. You can reduce the risk of harm to your pets by walking on well-worn roads and keeping your pets out of the basement and crawl spaces.
Veterinary Costs in Florida
The average vet visit cost in Florida is $58, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of vet visit costs. If your pet has additional health care needs, like medical treatment, vaccines or prescription medication, your vet costs will be higher.
Here’s a look at vet visit costs in different cities in Florida.
City | Average cost for a veterinary visit for one pet | Average cost for a veterinary visit with additional pet | Total cost for a veterinary visit with two pets |
---|---|---|---|
Tallahassee
|
$52
|
$41
|
$93
|
Jacksonville
|
$56
|
$44
|
100 |
Orange Park
|
$56
|
$44
|
100 |
Port St. Lucie
|
$56
|
$44
|
$100
|
Fort Lauderdale
|
$58
|
$46
|
$104
|
Miami
|
$58
|
$45
|
$103
|
Orlando
|
$58
|
$45
|
$103
|
Hialeah
|
$59
|
$46
|
105 |
St. Petersburg
|
$61
|
$47
|
$108
|
Tampa
|
$61
|
$47
|
$108
|
Average
|
$58
|
$45
|
$103
|
Methodology
We used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score Florida pet insurance companies based on the following.
Average plan prices: Up to 40 points. We averaged pet insurance quotes for each insurer for a mixed-breed dog at two ages in Florida.
Plan benefits: Up to 60 points. We scored plans based on the following important features: Annual coverage choices, whether the plan can pay a veterinarian directly, access to a 24/7 vet line, availability of routine wellness coverage, whether the plan pays the vet exam fee, pet dental illness coverage, end of life coverage, and multipet discount.