As a pet owner in North Carolina, you want to provide the best care for your pet. Whether your dog loves exploring the mountains or your cat prefers lounging at home, unexpected health issues can arise anytime. That’s why it’s important to consider purchasing pet insurance, which can provide financial security and access to immediate veterinary care during an emergency.
At Guides Home Team, we understand the importance of finding the right pet insurance policy in NC for your beloved animal. That’s why we’ve conducted extensive research to compare the top pet insurance companies in North Carolina based on affordability, coverage, cost and more. With our guide, you can easily find the best pet insurance provider to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care when it matters most.
Best Pet Insurance in North Carolina in 2023
Here are the top providers of the best pet insurance in North Carolina:
Pros and Cons
+ Simple pricing structure with adjustable annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
+ Uses AI technology to promote a quick claims process
+ Is a certified B Corporation and has a Giveback Program that donates to charities
– Routine care is not covered within general accident-and-illness plans
– Limited availability
Coverage and Cost
Lemonade is our top pick for affordable pet insurance that covers your animal’s treatments, procedures and other costs related to accidents and injuries, such as outpatient care, cancer treatments, emergency care, hospitalization, diagnostic tests and more. However, it doesn’t cover behavioral treatments, pre-existing conditions, dental illnesses and elective procedures.
Optional Add-Ons: Lemonade offers add-ons for vet visit fees, physical therapy coverage, and preventative care coverage at two different coverage levels and price points. For around $10–$16 extra per month, Lemonade can help you pay for your pet’s wellness exam, three vaccines, a heartworm test, a fecal test and a blood test. For $16–$25 more, it’ll cover an additional dental cleaning and flea, tick or heartworm medication.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some average prices for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate for 1- to 9-year-old pets in Charlotte, N.C.:
- Dogs: $15–$44 per month
- Cats: $11–$22 per month
To learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ Offers optional coverage for preventative care and alternative therapy
+ No age limit for enrollment
+ Telehealth service with 24/7 vet support
– No coverage for preexisting conditions
– Higher premiums for certain pet breeds
Coverage and Cost
Spot’s pet insurance coverage is split into two options accidents only or accidents and illnesses. It pays for common veterinary services related to covered incidents in each plan, including exam fees and microchip implantation. Still, its exclusions include pre-existing conditions, elective procedures and pregnancy-related issues.
Optional Add-Ons: You can also add $250 or $450 annually for wellness care at an additional monthly cost.
Sample Monthly Premiums: To give you an example of how low your policy could be with Spot, we pulled accident-only quotes for dogs and cats in Charlotte, N.C., for a policy with a $2,500 annual limit, $1,000 annual deductible and 70{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate.
- Dogs: $8.19 per month
- Cats: $6.69 per month
Note: Prices for Spot’s accident-only plans don’t vary based on age and breed like they do with accident and illness policies.
To learn more: Spot Pet Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ Comprehensive plan options for accident, illness, and preventative care
+ Offers coverage for hereditary and chronic conditions
+ No enrollment age limit
– Very limited coverage for preexisting conditions
– The waiting period is up to 6 months for some conditions
Coverage and Cost
Embrace offers pet insurance coverage for costs related to accidents and illnesses, including chronic condition treatments, exam fees, dental procedures, prescription medications, cancer treatments, allergy testing, alternative treatments and more. It doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic or elective surgeries, issues related to pregnancy or breeding and organ transplants.
Optional Add-Ons: If you want coverage for preventative treatments, you can purchase Embrace’s Wellness Rewards plan, which covers 100{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} of costs related to routine care, including vet visits, microchipping, grooming, teeth cleaning, anal gland expression and more. It comes with $250, $450 or $650 of annual coverage, depending on how much you need.
Sample Monthly Premiums: We pulled several quotes from Embrace for a policy that covers mixed dogs and cats of various ages in Charlotte, N.C., with a $5,000 annual limit, a $300 deductible and an 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate. Here are the averages we found:
- Dogs: $40–$69 per month
- Cats: $20–$41 per month
To learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ No veterinarian network restrictions
+ Offers behavioral therapy coverage as an add-on
+ Philanthropic mission to support animal welfare program
– Does not cover preexisting conditions
– Restricts coverage for pets over 14
Coverage and Cost
You can purchase the Accident-Only Coverage plan from ASPCA Pet Health Insurance for reimbursement on veterinary costs related to injuries and accidents, or you can buy the Complete Coverage plan for coverage on those accidents and other conditions, such as hip dysplasia, cancer, hereditary issues, general illnesses and more.
Optional Add-Ons: This provider doesn’t pay for your pet’s pre-existing health issues, elective procedures, spay or neutering and issues related to pregnancy or breeding. However, it does offer preventative care options for dental cleanings, wellness exams and vaccinations. You can buy the Basic plan with $250 of total annual coverage or the Prime plan with $450 of coverage per year.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Below are a few average premiums from our sample quotes for various mixed breeds in Charlotte, N.C., for the Complete Coverage plan with a $5,000 annual limit, $250 deductible and 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement level:
- Dogs: $34–$79 per month
- Cats: $18–$34 per month
To learn more: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ Simple and quick online claims process
+ 24/7 veterinary telemedicine service
+ Comprehensive coverage for hereditary conditions
– Standard plan doesn’t include wellness or routine care
– Customers have complained of long claim processing times
Coverage and Cost
Fetch’s standard policy covers your pet’s treatments, procedures, exam fees and other costs related to accidents and illnesses, such as holistic care, dental procedures, telehealth calls, cancer treatments, rehabilitation and more. It doesn’t cover any pre-existing issues that arise before coverage starts, routine and wellness care or cosmetic and elective procedures. It requires your pet to be examined yearly to remain eligible for coverage.
Sample Monthly Premiums: After pulling dozens of quotes, we found that Fetch’s prices for older pets can be considerably higher than many competitors, so it may not be best for older animals. Here are some averages from our quotes for 1- to 9-year-old dogs and cats in Charlotte, N.C., for a policy with a $5,000 limit, $250 deductible and 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate:
- Dogs: $34–$162 per month
- Cats: $20–$49 per month
To learn more: Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ Unlimited lifetime coverage
+ No per-incident limits
+ Donates some of their profits to help homeless pets receive necessary medical care
– Does not offer a routine or preventative care package
– Does not cover pre-existing conditions
Coverage and Cost
Although Healthy Paws’ policies exclude office visits and exam fees, pre-existing conditions and hip dysplasia during the first 12 months of coverage, they pay unlimited costs for accidents and illnesses, which means you’ll never owe out of pocket beyond your annual deductible and copay. Unlike some pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws offers no preventative care add-ons.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Below are some average pet insurance prices for 1- to 9-year-old pets in Charlotte, N.C. We selected a $250 deductible and an 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate when those options were available.
- Dogs: $41–$81 per month
- Cats: $19–$38 per month
To learn more: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
Pros and Cons
+ Customizable policies
+ Covers hereditary and congenital conditions
+ No upper age limits for pets
– Does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions
– Tends to have higher monthly premiums than competitors
Coverage and Cost
Prudent Pet offers one of the most comprehensive pet insurance plans in the industry, the Ultimate Plan, which covers unlimited vet bills per year for most of your pet’s conditions, including injuries, hereditary conditions, hip dysplasia and more. It also reimburses you for a few extra items such as lost-pet advertising costs, vacation cancellation fees and mortality costs for burial and cremation fees. Embrace also offers the Accident-Only Plan, which covers $10,000 per year for costs related to accidents, and the Essential Plan for $10,000 per year for the conditions covered in the Ultimate Plan without the extra reimbursement benefits.
Optional Add-Ons: With each plan, you can add coverage for vet visit fees and wellness coverage at three different monthly prices and coverage levels.
Sample Monthly Premiums: Here are some pricing averages from quotes we received for the Essential Plan with a $250 annual deductible and 80{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} reimbursement rate for mixed animals in Charlotte, N.C., that are between 1 and 9 years old:
- Dogs: $41–$92 per month
- Cats: $24–$55 per month
To learn more: Prudent Pet Insurance Review
Which is the Best Provider of Pet Insurance in North Carolina for You?
Pet insurance may offer both peace of mind and financial savings. While we recommend Lemonade for its overall affordability compared to most competitors, comprehensive coverage options and fast claims process, the other pet insurance providers we reviewed stand out for various unique features that may be more beneficial to you.
For example, Embrace has a Healthy Pet Deductible that can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses after multiple years without filing a claim. Additionally, Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual coverage, which is great for those who want maximum coverage at a reasonable price. We recommend getting quotes from at least three pet insurance providers to compare coverage and plan pricing in your area.
How Much Does Pet Insurance in North Carolina Cost?
Although pet insurance prices vary depending on your pet’s breed, age, species, gender and zip code, you can expect to pay between $20 and $100 per month for dog insurance premiums and between $10 and $40 per month for pet insurance for cats, based on the dozens of sample quotes we received in the state during our research.
We secret-shopped for pet insurance quotes to give you an idea of the exact monthly costs. The graph below shows the monthly premium for a two-year-old medium mixed-breed male dog and a two-year-old mixed-breed male cat in Raleigh, N.C.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans
There are two types of pet insurance plans offered by providers in addition to optional preventative care coverage. Here are more details about each plan:
- Accident-only plan: This plan covers just your pet’s accidents and injuries, which can include broken bones, sprains, lodged foreign objects, toxic ingestions and more. It’s an ideal option for those who need only minimal coverage and are on a budget shopping for their pet insurance plan.
- Accident and illness plan: This type of plan is more expensive than an accident-only plan, but it includes coverage for most conditions and emergency incidents that could happen to your pet, including hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions as well as accidents and injuries.
- Preventative care add-ons: These optional coverage items can be added to your policy to help pay for your pet’s wellness and typically include vaccinations and annual checkups. They can be especially valuable for pet parents with young animals. When we surveyed 1,000 pet owners in the U.S., we found that 42{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} of respondents who got their pet before it turned 1 paid between $200 and $500 for initial wellness costs and 27{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} paid over $500.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance in NC
When you’re shopping for your pet insurance policy, it can be overwhelming to know what factors are important. Here are a few things you should consider to help narrow down your choices, eventually landing on the best pet insurance provider for your specific needs:
- Plan type: Not all companies offer accident-only plans, so if you’re looking for this type of coverage, consider Prudent Pet, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance or Spot.
- Coverage limits: Each company offers a variety of annual coverage limits, allowing you to select a limit that’s best for your pet. If you’re looking for unlimited annual coverage caps, narrow your search to Prudent Pet, Fetch, Spot and Healthy Paws.
- Policy customization: Just as you can customize your policy based on coverage limits, you can also choose various deductibles and reimbursement rates to help ensure you only pay for what you need. If you want a wider range of deductible options for cheaper pet insurance policies, look to Embrace or Spot.
- Wellness coverage: Some providers, such as Fetch and Healthy Paws, don’t offer preventative care plans. If you want to add optional coverage to your plan, consider pet insurance providers such as Lemonade or Embrace.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Pet Insurance Companies
Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, scoping quotes and purchasing processes by secret shopping, speaking to representatives on the phone to assess the customer service experience, and surveying 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage.
We scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements. We then divided this final score by 20 to calculate an overall star rating out of 5.0 stars.
Here are more details about each factor and how it’s weighted:
- Monthly pricing (25{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): The best pet insurance companies combine comprehensive coverage and plan options with affordable rates.
- Plans (15{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): The top pet insurance companies offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans and wellness or preventive care add-ons to give customers the option to choose a plan that’s best for their pet.
- Covered treatments (15{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Companies with a breadth of included treatments and unique coverages received more points than providers with more standard or general policies.
- Customization options (10{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): Providers with more annual-limit, deductible and reimbursement-rate options earned the highest scores.
- Customer care (10{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): We scored companies on their website accessibility and overall usability, customer service availability, mobile apps (if any), money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options, awarding points to the insurers with more customer experience offerings.
- Industry reputation (10{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): We reviewed up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and scored companies on their years of industry experience and state availability.
- Waiting periods (10{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): Companies with shorter accident, illness and orthopedic waiting periods between the sign-up and coverage start date scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
- Eligible age (5{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac}): Some companies don’t offer policies for pets that are over a certain age. We deducted points from providers that have age limits for covered pets.
We use our rating system to compare and contrast each company against key factors to help us determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
Hilary Snow is a communications professional with over 20 years of experience in private and public sectors. She has worked for a number of well-regarded outlets and content marketing companies local to North Carolina, including The Greater Wilmington Business Journal and ZillaMetrics.
Parker King is a writer, editor and SEO content strategist with a master’s degree in professional communication from Clemson University and years of experience in the digital marketing industry. She specializes in writing, editing and optimizing personal finance, home services and insurance content.