Best pet insurance in Colorado (CO) in 2024
Updated 2:13 p.m. UTC April 12, 2024
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Pets Best is the best pet insurance company in Colorado, based on our in-depth analysis of accident and illness plans. Pets Best doesn’t have the most affordable pet insurance in Colorado, but it gets top marks for offering unlimited coverage, having a 24/7 pet health line and including coverage for behavioral therapy and end-of-life expenses. With Pets Best pet insurance, you also have the option to add a wellness plan.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Paw Protect
Best pet insurance in Colorado in 2024
- Pets Best: Best pet insurance in Colorado.
- ManyPets: Best for included vet exam fees in Colorado.
- Fetch: Best pet insurance for military in Colorado.
- Lemonade: Best cheap pet insurance in Colorado.
- Embrace: Best for behavioral health coverage in Colorado.
- Figo: Best for quick accident coverage in Colorado.
- Healthy Paws: Best flexible pet insurance in Colorado.
Top-rated pet insurance companies in Colorado of 2024
Compare the best pet insurance companies in Colorado
Here’s how Colorado pet insurance companies compare.
Pet insurance company | Product rating | Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado | Learn more | |||||
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Pets Best | $35 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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ManyPets | $28 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Fetch | $39 | Compare quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Lemonade | $20 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Figo | $40 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Embrace | $65 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Healthy Paws | $34 | Compare Quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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Trupanion | $67 | Compare quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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MetLife | $58 | Compare quotes Via Petted’s website | ||||||
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*Average monthly pet insurance premiums assume unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage.
How much is pet insurance in Colorado?
Pet insurance in Colorado costs around $38 per month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited annual maximum coverage. How much your pet insurance costs will depend on your pet’s age, breed and other factors such as your ZIP code.
Here are average rates for the best pet insurance companies in Colorado.
Pet insurance company | Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage | Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage | ||||
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Lemonade | $10 | $20 | ||||
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ManyPets | – | $28 | ||||
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Healthy Paws | – | $34 | ||||
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Pets Best | $31 | $35 | ||||
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Fetch | $32 | $39 | ||||
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Figo | $28 | $40 | ||||
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MetLife | $29 | $58 | ||||
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Embrace | $46 | $65 | ||||
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Trupanion | – | $67 | ||||
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*Source: PetInsurer.com. Monthly pet insurance rates are for plans with a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and 90% reimbursement level. Rates for plans with unlimited coverage use the highest annual coverage amount available — $30,000 for Embrace and $100,000 for Lemonade.
Vet costs in Colorado
When deciding which Colorado pet insurance plan is best for you, consider the average amount you’ll pay each time you take your pet to the vet. Some plans cover vet exam fees, while others don’t.
Here are the average costs for dogs and cats to visit a vet office in some Colorado cities, according to data from Banfield Pet Hospital.
COLORADO CITY | AVERAGE COST OF A VET OFFICE VISIT |
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Aurora
| $65
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Colorado Springs
| $67
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Denver
| $65
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Average pet insurance claim amount in Colorado
If your pet has a severe accident or illness, you could end up paying much more out of pocket than the average vet visit. In March 2024, the average Colorado pet insurance claim was $466, according to data from Embrace pet insurance.
These states had the highest average pet insurance claims in the nation:
- Washington, D.C. – $623
- Massachusetts – $527
- California – $525
- Nevada – $515
- Washington – $503
- Oregon – $491
- Arizona – $483
- New Jersey – $482
- Virginia – $482
- New York – $474
- Colorado – $466
How to find the best pet insurance in Colorado
When comparing pet insurance in Colorado, consider these features to help you choose the best plan for your needs and budget.
24/7 vet lines
A 24/7 vet line is available through many pet insurance companies and is staffed by experienced veterinary experts. Most vet lines are available through chat or over the phone, answering general questions about your pet’s health to provide guidance for the best healthcare solutions. If your pet has a medical issue in the middle of the night and your vet’s office is closed, the 24/7 vet line may help you avoid an unnecessary and costly emergency vet visit.
Direct pay option
Some vet offices are directly linked to pet insurance companies. This software connection allows the veterinarian to submit your pet’s invoice electronically so you only pay your portion at checkout, instead of paying in full, then filing a claim and waiting for reimbursement.
Check for discounts
If you own more than one pet, most pet insurers will offer a multi-pet discount ranging from 5% to 10% on each additional policy. There may also be discounts for military members and workers in certain organizations or membership affiliations. Some pet insurance companies, like Embrace, offer a diminishing deductible feature, which lowers your deductible for each policy year you don’t file a claim.
Wellness plan rider option
Pet insurance only covers certain vet expenses for accidents and illnesses. Routine and preventative care, like vaccinations and flea and tick preventatives, will help keep your pet healthy and can extend its life expectancy. Consider pet insurance companies offering preventive care coverage.
Ready to explore your options? How to compare pet insurance quotes
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance pays a portion of your eligible veterinary costs in exchange for a monthly or annual premium.
How much you pay for pet insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Your pet’s age, breed and species.
- Your pet’s size and gender.
- Your Colorado ZIP code. Living in a more rural area like Leadville, Rifle or Pagosa Springs might mean you pay less for pet insurance than Coloradans in Aurora, Denver and Colorado Springs.
- The pet insurance company, plan and coverage options you choose.
Types of pet insurance plans
When you compare pet insurance plans, you can choose from an accident and illness plan or an accident-only plan. Depending on the pet insurance company, you may also have the option to add a wellness plan.
Accident and illness. Offering the broadest range of coverage, this comprehensive pet insurance covers both accidents and illnesses. It will cover everything an accident-only plan will, plus breed-specific, chronic and hereditary conditions, heart disease and other illnesses.
Accident-only. This plan is usually cheaper than a comprehensive plan because it excludes treatment for sickness. Accidents include broken bones and teeth, insect or animal bites, ingested poisons, bloat and lacerations. Accident-only coverage may pay for associated costs of hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic testing and prescription medications.
Routine wellness plan. A wellness plan will cover routine and preventative care and is usually available as an add-on to an accident and illness insurance policy. Veterinary expenses to maintain your pet’s health aren’t covered under pet insurance without a wellness plan. This typically includes annual visit fees, microchipping, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery and dental cleanings.
Is dental coverage included in pet insurance? Pet dental insurance explained
How does pet insurance work?
When you buy pet insurance, you can choose from different levels of coverage, deductible and reimbursement level. The more the insurer reimburses, the higher your premiums will be. Consider these options when comparing pet insurance policies.
Annual maximum limit
The annual maximum coverage limit is the most the insurer will pay per plan year. Most carriers offer an annual cap between $5,000 to unlimited.
Deductible
Before the insurer will reimburse for covered vet expenses, you have to meet a deductible. Pet insurance companies offer deductibles typically from $50 to $1,000. You can save on your premium by having a higher deductible, but you’ll also have to foot more costs on your own.
Reimbursement percentage
Once you’ve met your deductible, the insurance company begins reimbursing for eligible expenses. The reimbursement percentage is the portion of each bill your insurer will pay. Most insurance companies offer 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement. Figo is the only carrier in our lineup offering 100% reimbursement.
Methodology
We analyzed nine pet insurance companies operating in Colorado using data from Petinsurer.com.
For this analysis, average rates are based on accident and illness plans, which account for 98% of pet insurance policies purchased, according to data from the North American Health Pet Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Rates are also based on dog pet insurance, as dogs make up 85% of insured pets, per NAPHIA.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog at two different ages in Colorado, with unlimited annual reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. The lower the average rate, the higher the number of points.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer annual reimbursement of up to $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Behavioral therapy: 5 points. If an insurance company covers behavior therapy in its pet insurance plans, it scored points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, an insurance company scored in this category.
Colorado pet insurance FAQs
Out of the best pet insurance companies in Colorado that make our rating, Lemonade offers the cheapest pet insurance — charging an average of $20 a month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited coverage.
Pet insurance is not tax deductible in Colorado unless your pet is a service animal. You should speak with an accountant or tax professional to learn if your pet meets eligibility requirements.
Pet insurance may cover vaccinations if you have a wellness plan add on. Wellness plans can cover costs for preventative care, neutering and vaccinations.
In general, pet insurance companies allow you to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian or clinic for care. Unlike health insurance, there is no in-network or out-of-network coverage to deal with or vets that won’t accept your insurance plan.
Pet insurance companies impose waiting periods before coverage goes into effect. Waiting periods vary depending on the policy and insurer, as well as the type of coverage (e.g., accidents, illnesses, orthopedic issues). Typically, the wait for accident coverage may be as brief as one day after the policy’s effective start date, while more serious issues like cruciate ligament events may have a wait time of six months or more.
The cost of pet insurance in Colorado depends on a number of factors, including your pet’s age, breed, where you live, and the coverage and deductible amounts you choose. Based on our analysis, the average cost of pet insurance in Colorado is $43 per month for a plan with unlimited annual coverage.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.