Best Pet Insurance in Massachusetts (MA) in 2024

Name: Lemonade
Brand: Lemonade

Written by Brenda Woods Updated 04/17/2024

We researched the best pet insurance companies in the country, comparing them on price, coverage, customer reviews, and more to see what they have to offer. Through our research, we found Lemonade to be our top pick due to its affordable coverage and streamlined claims process. See our top recommendations for pet insurance in Massachusetts below.

Having an inexpensive pet insurance plan can save you money if your pet has an accident or develops an illness. Since pet plans don’t cover preexisting conditions, you should enroll while your pet is young to prevent paying out of pocket when the unexpected happens.

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best pet insurance companies

Companies Considered

1000

Pet Owners Surveyed

3800

Reviews Analyzed

Policies Compared

How Do MA Pet Insurance Companies Compare?

Company	Star Rating	Monthly Cost for Dogs*	Monthly Cost for Cats*	Visit Site
Our Top Pick VISIT SITE	4.8	$33.69	$13.32	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.6	$38.44	$21.53	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.5	$20.76	$18.47	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.7	$65.15	$53.43	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.6	$49.85	$26.55	VISIT SITE
Visit Site	4.5	N/A	N/A	Visit Site

*Sample quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male pets in Massachusetts.

Who Are the Top 7 Pet Insurance Providers in Massachusetts?

Below is our list of the top pet insurance providers available in Massachusetts, starting with our favorite, Lemonade:

Lemonade: Best Overall

Spot: Most Customizable Plans

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Best for New Pet Owners

Embrace: Best Deductibles

Healthy Paws: Best Coverage Limit

Fetch by The Dodo: Best Holistic Coverage

Prudent Pet: Most Comprehensive Plan

Lemonade

Best Overall

4.8

Pros and Cons of Lemonade Pet Insurance

Pros Offers up to $100,000 in annual benefits, higher than many providers Has a two-day waiting period for accidents, shorter than most competitors Provides a 10% discount when you bundle pet insurance with another Lemonade insurance policy, such as home or car insurance Cons Excludes behavioral conditions from coverage, which some providers include Has a lower BBB rating than some competitors Can be unresponsive by phone, according to some customer reviews

Overview

Lemonade is our top pick for pet insurance in Massachusetts, scoring a 4.8 out of 5 in our thorough review process. Lemonade stands out most for its affordable and flexible coverage, quick and easy online quotes, and streamlined claims-filing process via the company’s app or website, which both use artificial intelligence (AI). It also has a commendable charitable giveback program, which donates unused premiums to charities each year.

Lemonade Plans and Coverage

Lemonade offers one accident-and-illness plan that covers treatments, diagnostic tests, procedures, and other expenses related to issues such as injuries, broken bones, cancer, general illness, and hereditary conditions. It excludes elective procedures, behavioral conditions, and preexisting conditions.

Lemonade also offers an add-on for routine vet visits, physical therapy, and preventive care at two coverage levels. The more affordable option covers a wellness exam, three vaccines, a fecal test, diagnostic tests, and blood work, while the more expensive add-on extends coverage to dental cleanings and flea, tick, or heartworm medication.

Spot

Most Customizable Plans

4.6

Pros and Cons of Spot Pet Insurance

Pros Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee Doesn’t limit coverage for older pets Covers microchip implantation Cons Doesn’t cover dogs or cats under eight weeks old Has a 14-day waiting period for accidents Doesn’t offer as many discounts as some other providers

Spot Overview

Spot is a great pet insurance company in Massachusetts for pet owners looking for flexible premiums. Customers can choose among six annual limits, five deductibles, and three reimbursement rates to help decrease their monthly premiums. For this customizability, Spot earned a 4.6 out of 5, losing points for its limited customer service hours and lean preventive care coverage.

Spot Plans and Coverage

Spot offers a cheap Accident-Only Plan that covers injuries, swallowed objects, or toxic ingestions. It also offers an Accident and Illness Plan for more complete coverage, including protection for illnesses, dental diseases, behavioral issues, hip dysplasia, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory infections. Neither plan covers preexisting conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding costs.

Spot also offers two add-ons: the Gold Preventative Care Plan and the Platinum Preventative Care Plan. These can be added during checkout for a flat rate of $9.95 or $24.95 per month. The Gold Preventative Care Plan covers seven items, including wellness exams and fecal tests, for a total annual benefit of $250, while the Platinum Preventative Care Plan extends coverage to 12 items for $450 of coverage per year.

ASPCA

Best for New Pet Owners

4.5

Pros and Cons of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Pros Doesn’t require records from your pet’s recent medical exams for coverage Covers microchipping and exam fees in standard policies Offers an accident-only plan for low-cost coverage on emergencies related to accidents Cons Has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, which is longer than some competitors Has per-item limits for each wellness benefit Requires you to call for a quote if choosing unlimited coverage

ASPCA Overview

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance scored a 4.5 out of 5 in our review of the top pet insurance providers. It features a local vet finder tool on its website and mobile app, a breadth of articles and resources about various animal breeds and their common health conditions, and a useful pet insurance comparison tool.

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Plans and Coverage

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers the Accident-Only Plan for pet parents who want affordable coverage for injuries and emergencies related to accidents, such as broken bones and bite wounds. Its Complete Coverage Plan covers those emergencies plus treatments and procedures related to illnesses, including cancer, hereditary conditions, hip dysplasia, congenital conditions, hypothyroidism, and more. It doesn’t cover any preexisting conditions that arise before the end of the 14-day waiting period.

For preventative care options, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers the Basic Plan for a flat rate of $9.95 per month for $250 of annual coverage on your pet’s routine care, including a wellness exam, fecal test, and two vaccines. The Prime Plan costs $24.95 per month for $450 of the same covered items plus spay and neutering, flea prevention, a blood test, and a few more items.

Embrace

Best Deductibles

4.7

Pros and Cons of Embrace Pet Insurance

Pros Has a two-day waiting period for accidents Includes coverage for exam fees Offers a free medical history review Cons Has limited customer service availability Has a more expensive wellness add-on than competitors Has a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions

Embrace Overview

Tied with Healthy Paws, Embrace scored a 4.7 out of 5. It impressed us with its five deductible options and Healthy Pet Deductible benefit, which credits each pet parent with $50 toward their policy’s deductible each year they don’t file a claim. We recommend this company to anyone looking for lower coverage prices and routine pet care. However, Embrace’s policies might not be best for Massachusetts pet owners looking for higher coverage limits since the company’s coverage options max out at $30,000.

Embrace Plans and Coverage

Embrace’s Accident and Illness Plan covers exam fees, genetic conditions, medications, dental trauma, congenital conditions, allergy testing, physical therapy, acupuncture, cancer treatments, emergency care, specialists, and other vet bills or costs related to accidents and illnesses. It doesn’t cover preexisting conditions and requires an examination by a licensed vet 12 months prior to the effective policy start date or during the 14-day illness waiting period.

Embrace also offers an optional Wellness Rewards for Routine Care add-on and provides $250, $450, or $650 per year for preventive and routine care, such as microchipping, annual vet visits, teeth cleaning, prescription diet foods, and spay or neuter surgery.

Healthy Paws

Best Coverage Limit

4.7

Pros and Cons of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Pros Has a fast claims process Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee Provides multiple ways to contact customer service Cons Has a 15-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses Offers only two deductible options Doesn’t include an option for wellness coverage

Healthy Paws Overview

For the best unlimited coverage limit, we recommend Healthy Paws, which scored a 4.7 out of 5 for its overall coverage, cost, and customer service. Unlike other pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws’ plan comes with no annual, lifetime, or per-incident coverage limits, so pet owners don’t have to worry about maxing out their coverage during a covered event. If you want more plan customizability, consider another provider since Healthy Paws offers only two annual deductible choices and reimbursement rates.

Healthy Paws Plans and Coverage

Healthy Paws offers only one plan for accidents and illnesses and covers hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, chronic conditions, cancer, and injuries, as well as necessary procedures or vet visits, including diagnostic treatments, X-rays, ultrasounds, surgery, hospitalization, medications, emergency care, specialty care, and alternative treatments.

This plan doesn’t cover any preexisting conditions that arise before the policy’s effective start date or during the 15-day waiting period. It also doesn’t cover spay or neuter procedures, exam fees, vet visit fees, or any preventive care.

Fetch Pet Insurance

Best Holistic Coverage

4.6

Pros and Cons of Fetch Pet Insurance

Pros Covers behavioral therapies up to $1,000 per year Pays for advertising and reward money related to your lost dog or cat Offers an unlimited annual coverage limit option Cons Requires pets to get annual checkup exams to be eligible for coverage Doesn’t offer preventive or wellness care plan options Doesn’t have a 24/7 vet telehealth line

Fetch Overview

Fetch scored a 4.6 out of 5, performing well in our review for its impressive holistic coverage included in each policy. It covers therapies and treatments that your pet’s vet may recommend to treat a related condition. These holistic therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, homeotherapy, and stem cell therapy, are often excluded or limited by other providers.

Fetch Plans and Coverage

Fetch has one accident-and-illness plan that covers broken bones, dental injuries, general illnesses, chronic conditions, and hereditary conditions. It reimburses policyholders for treatments, procedures, and vet visits, including behavioral therapies, diagnostic tests, cancer treatments, specialist treatments, rehabilitation, and prescription medications.

It also covers boarding fees when you’re hospitalized for more than four days, advertising and reward fees related to a lost pet, and vacation cancellation fees related to your pet’s covered condition. It doesn’t cover any of your pet’s preexisting conditions that arise before or during the 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, nor does it cover any preventive care costs.

Prudent Pet

Most Comprehensive Plan

4.5

Pros and Cons of Prudent Pet Insurance

Pros Includes a 24/7 vet chat with each plan Offers cheaper wellness add-ons than other providers Has a 30-day money-back guarantee Cons Has higher-than-average premiums for the Ultimate Plan Doesn’t have a mobile app Is more expensive on average than many competitors

Prudent Pet Overview

Receiving a 4.8 out of 5, Prudent Pet is our top choice for comprehensive pet insurance in Massachusetts. We were especially impressed with the company’s Ultimate Plan, which comes with an unlimited coverage cap and extra coverage not typically offered by other companies. This plan covers things such as lost pet advertising, boarding fees, and vacation cancellation fees.

Prudent Pet Plans and Coverage

Prudent Pet offers three pet insurance plans and two add-ons to give pet owners more coverage options. The Accident-Only Plan covers $10,000 per year for procedures or vet visits related to accidents or injuries, such as bite wounds, swallowed objects, and broken bones. The Essential Plan covers $10,000 per year for those accidents in addition to illnesses such as cancer, birth defects, digestive illnesses, hip dysplasia, and hereditary conditions.

The Ultimate Plan covers unlimited vet bills for the accidents and illnesses in the Essential Plan, plus coverage for lost pet advertising, boarding fees, pet replacement during a theft or loss, mortality expenses, and vacation cancellations. None of these plans cover preexisting conditions that arise before or during your policy enrollment or waiting periods.

Additionally, Prudent Pet offers a wellness coverage add-on that can be an extra $7.95, $13.95, or $19.95 per month, depending on how many preventive benefits and how high of coverage limits you need. For even more coverage, Prudent Pet sells an add-on for veterinary exam and consultation fees.

How Much Does MA Pet Insurance Cost?

Based on the sample quotes we received during our research, the average cost for pet insurance or a pet wellness plan in Massachusetts with standard accident and illness coverage is around $25–$55 per month for dogs and $15–$35 per month for cats. However, these prices can vary based on several factors that go into each premium.

Here are some factors that may increase or decrease your quoted monthly premiums:

Age

Older pets typically cost more to insure than younger pets since they’re more prone to experiencing medical issues. Insuring your pet at an early age can help keep premiums low when renewing the policy terms year after year.

Breed

Some dog or cat breeds that are more prone to illnesses can be much more expensive to insure than other breeds. For example, golden retrievers are more expensive to insure than Yorkshire terriers or mixed breeds.

Location

Your ZIP code can affect the pricing of your pet insurance premium. We always recommend getting a few quotes from providers in your area to compare prices based on your exact location within the state.

Customization

Many companies offer flexible customization options so that you only pay for what you need. You can lower your premium by selecting lower annual coverage limits, lower reimbursement rates, and higher deductibles. However, this can cost you more money in the long run through higher out-of-pocket costs during a claim.

Discounts

Many providers, such as Pumpkin and Embrace, offer a discount for each additional pet you add to your policy. If you need coverage for multiple pets, we recommend considering those providers.

What Types of Pet Insurance Plans Are Available in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts pet owners have three plan options:

Accident-and-Illness Plans

Accident-Only Plan

Wellness Plan

Accident-and-illness plans are the most popular plan type. You’re covered for common accidents, such as broken bones, lacerations, swallowed objects or toxins, ear and eye injuries, and any other injury that’s the result of an accident. You’re also covered for illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, and more.

Some providers offer an accident-only plan that’s just for injuries. You won’t get any coverage for illnesses, but it’s a cheaper plan.

Providers that offer wellness coverage typically only provide it as an add-on to your standard plan. You can use it to cover preventive care, such as dental cleanings, vaccinations, wellness exams, spaying and neutering, grooming, and other routine vet treatments.

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Massachusetts?

Pet insurance is easy to use with most providers. Once your coverage begins, you can take your pet to your veterinary office for covered treatments, and you’ll pay the bill up-front. Then, you’ll file a claim for what you paid, and your insurer will reimburse you, usually within a couple of weeks. Some companies provide more convenience by allowing you to directly pay your vet with a membership card and skip the claims process, but this is rare.

You’ll need to understand these four aspects to best customize your policy:

Premium: Your premium is what you pay for your plan monthly. It’s based on your location, the type and amount of coverage you want, and your pet’s age, breed, and gender. It also varies by the conditions below.
Annual coverage limit: This is the total amount your insurer will reimburse you for in one policy year. You won’t be reimbursed for any money you spend over this limit. Most pet insurers’ coverage limits start between $2,000 and $5,000 and go up to around $30,000. Some also have an unlimited coverage option.
Deductible: Much like with your own health insurance, the deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Many companies’ options start at around $250 and go up to $1,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be.
Reimbursement percentage: This is how much of the claim your insurer will pay. Most pet insurance companies offer options of 70%, 80%, and 90%, though some offer 100%. The less you have your insurer pay, the lower your premium will be.

How Can You Find the Best Pet Insurance Plan in Massachusetts?

Many pet insurance providers offer similar plans, coverage options, deductibles, and so forth, but there are a few things that can set a company apart. We recommend looking at the following to see which companies offer you a better deal:

24/7 service: You never know when an issue or question will arise with your pet, and some things can’t wait until morning. Look at a provider’s customer support availability. Check their customer service hours on its site, and see if there’s a 24/7 vet telehealth line you can call for urgent questions.

Discounts: Some providers offer discounts for bundling insurance policies, insuring multiple pets, or being a military member, veterinary worker, or other professional. These often aren’t well-advertised, so you may need to read the fine print or look on the site’s FAQ page.

End-of-life services: Sadly, our pets won’t be around forever. Burial services and cremation are expensive on top of a difficult time, but some wellness plans include burial and cremation costs in their coverage.

Exam fees: Many providers don’t cover exam fees or require an upgrade, but occasionally you’ll find one that includes them in the standard plan.

Waiting periods: The typical waiting period for accidents is 14 days, while illness waiting periods vary. Some companies, however, offer shorter waiting periods of just a few days. This comes in handy if your pet has an accident or gets sick right after you enroll.

What Are Massachusetts Pet Laws that Pet Owners Should Know?

Pet owners should be aware of all Massachusetts pet laws. Breaking certain laws can result in years of prison time, not to mention detriment to your pet. Massachusetts has laws and regulations around issues such as the following:

Abandonment
Animal fighting
Burial
Confinement, chaining, and neglect
Devocalization
Exotic pets
Leashing
Licensing
Spaying and neutering
Temperature requirements

This isn’t a full list. Many Massachusetts cities also have their own laws.

Boston pet laws include the following:

Dogs must be leashed when not on owner’s property
Dogs cannot roam at large
Pet owners are responsible for waste disposal when not on their property

Springfield pet laws include the following:

Pets must be leashed when off owner property
Animals must not create a public nuisance
Pet owners who allow fertile pets to roam at large more than six months will be fined
Pet owners must provide humane living conditions, such as proper nutrition and water, shelter from the weather, and veterinary care as needed
Pet owners cannot unlawfully confine or tether pets outdoors
Pet owners must properly dispose of any waste not on their property

Worcester pet laws include the following:

Dogs cannot create a public nuisance or risk being impounded
Dogs must be licensed
Dogs cannot roam free
Pet owners must dispose of all pet waste not on their property
Pet owners cannot chain or tether a dog to a stationary object for longer than 24 hours

Is Pet Insurance Worth it in Massachusetts?

Yes, in most cases, pet insurance in Massachusetts is worth the monthly cost. Your pet deserves good health care just as you do. A pet health insurance policy can help ensure your pet gets the care it needs while helping save you money and providing peace of mind. We recommend Massachusetts pet owners look into Lemonade, Prudent Pet, and Embrace, as these are the insurers that rated highest on our list for the Bay State when comparing coverage, cost, and customer service.

We suggest carefully reviewing policy details, reading customer reviews, and getting a quote to compare prices before deciding on a provider for you and your pet.

FAQs About MA Pet Insurance

Is it worth it to get pet insurance in Massachusetts?

We recommend purchasing a Massachusetts pet insurance policy to ensure that your pet receives necessary medical attention or treatments and that you don’t spend excessive out-of-pocket costs on vet bills.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers vet bills related to a variety of accidents and illnesses that may occur unexpectedly. Common incidents include broken bones, injuries, bite wounds, hereditary conditions, cancer, digestive illnesses, dental trauma, chronic conditions, and diabetes.

Many pet insurance providers also offer a wellness care add-on, covering preventive care, such as vaccinations and annual vet visits. No pet insurance providers cover preexisting conditions, so you can’t purchase coverage for an incident that has just occurred.

What is the best pet insurance for dogs in Massachusetts?

We recommend Lemonade as the best overall pet insurance company in Massachusetts for its affordability and simplified user experience. However, each of the providers in this review has unique benefits that could make it a better fit. Before you purchase a policy, take the time to compare quotes from a few providers.

Other Massachusetts Home Service Resources

Our Rating Methodology

We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:

Coverage (25)
Plan options (20)
Monthly cost (20)
Company reputation (15)
Customer service (10)
Species eligibility (10)

Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.