Pet Insurance in Maryland: Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies and Most Affordable Quotes


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Updated: September 26, 2024

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Pet owners in Maryland can get the best insurance for their furry companions after reading MoneyGeek’s analysis. To determine the best insurers, we collected quotes from multiple companies in Baltimore, Columbia and Silver Spring to evaluate average rates across the state.

Choosing the right policy can depend on several factors, such as your location, the age and breed of your pet and whether it has any hereditary conditions that need medical care. This will help you save significantly on out-of-pocket medical expenses and ensure helpful care for your pet’s needs.

The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Maryland

MoneyGeek’s research broke down the best insurance companies based on several factors to help customers choose the ideal policy for their pets' needs. Our process included comparing thousands of quotes from several insurers to understand the coverage they offer in Maryland.

Several factors determine the cost of pet insurance. MoneyGeek ranked the insurers based on providers that offered a wide range of coverage with affordable policies. We aim to ensure that these policies cover all aspects of medical care for your pet while keeping insurance costs reasonable.

Best Overall Pet Insurance for Your Pet

Pets Best

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Policyholders can choose coverage limits and deductibles

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Provides a multi-pet discount

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Offers coverage for exam fees

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Waiting period before insurance kicks-in

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Pets Best ranked first in MoneyGeek’s analysis of companies that provided the best overall pet insurance. This provider offers comprehensive medical care for your pet at $26.50 per month, on average.

The company offers several types of coverage, including plans that pay for acupuncture and chiropractic treatments, prescription medications, dental care and exam fees for bloodwork, pathology reports, MRIs, CAT scans and X-rays.

Pets Best features a minimum coverage limit of $5,000 per year. Policyholders can also choose unlimited coverage, which few other insurers offer.

The company does not impose an upper age limit for pets and offers the same coverage limits, regardless of your pet's age. Pets Best covers illness and accidents. The illness coverage pays for medical care for congenital cases, cancers and emergency care. You can also opt for coverage that pays for dental cleanings and medical procedures like spaying and neutering.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Unlimited Coverage

Pets Best

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Includes dental coverage

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Offers multi-pet discount

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Offers coverage for hereditary conditions and emergencies

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Does not cover pre-existing conditions

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

If you’re looking for unlimited coverage options for your pet in Maryland, Pets Best is MoneyGeek’s top choice. Pets Best unlimited coverage insurance policies cost $35.43 per month, on average.

If you have a pet with chronic or hereditary conditions that require constant medical care, it could lead to significant expenses. Choosing a pet insurance policy from Pets Best ensures that your pet receives prompt and competent medical care.

Although these policies may lead to higher monthly premiums, you will save significantly on medical expenses that you'd otherwise have to pay out of pocket.

The company offers coverage for acupuncture, chiropractic and rehabilitative treatments if your pet has any pre-existing ailments requiring special care. Policies from Pets Best cover medical care expenses due to accidents, illnesses and hereditary conditions. This provider also covers prescription medication costs, provided the medicine is included in the insurer’s formulary list.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Affordable Coverage

Pet Plan

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Covers exam fees

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Covers chronic and hereditary conditions

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Provides coverage for alternative therapies

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Covers bilateral conditions

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Does not offer a multi-pet discount

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Does not cover pre-existing conditions

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek’s preferred insurer for affordable coverage in Maryland is Pet Plan, which offers policies at $21.14 per month, on average.

The company offers coverage for exam fees that helps you save anywhere from $50 to $250 every time you visit the vet. This coverage includes the cost of any examinations performed by a licensed veterinarian to diagnose or treat an ill or injured pet. This coverage does not pay for routine or elective procedures.

Pet Plan’s coverage also pays for alternate therapies, including acupuncture, homeotherapy, stem cell therapy and chiropractic treatments if the treatment is carried out by a licensed veterinarian.

This provider offers protection for chronic and hereditary conditions and dental injuries or diseases to all of your pet’s adult teeth. It is one of the few pet insurance companies that cover bilateral conditions, provided your pet does not have any signs of the condition at the time the policy takes effect.

Best Pet Insurance with Multiple Pets

Pets Best

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Offers multi-pet discount

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Offers dental coverage

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Covers exam fees

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Does not cover bilateral conditions

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Extended waiting period for orthopedic conditions

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

If you have multiple pets in your household, MoneyGeek recommends Pets Best. This insurer offers affordable policies and extends a discount to policyholders who include more than one of their animal companions on an insurance policy. These policies cost $23.85 per month, on average.

Pets Best’s wide range of coverage types cater to all your pet’s needs without having to worry about medical expenses. As one of the few insurers that offer unlimited coverage, its policies work well for multi-pet owners who may need to take care of their pets' frequent medical expenses.

With Pets Best, you can choose to pay the vet for medical procedures and get reimbursed by the insurer or have them pay your vet directly, thus saving on out-of-pocket expenses. You can choose additional coverages that pay for prescription medications and vaccinations to prevent conditions such as heartworm and rabies. The insurer also provides coverage for your pets' preventative care procedures.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Cats

GEICO

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Policyholders can file claims on the company website or app

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Offers coverage for alternative therapies

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No separate waiting period for orthopedic conditions

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High minimum deductible limit

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

In Maryland, insurance policies for cats are typically cheaper than plans for dogs. GEICO is MoneyGeek’s first pick for cat insurance in the state, with affordable insurance at $18 per month, on average.

GEICO offers a range of options to cover exam fees related to accidents and illnesses, along with alternative therapies like acupuncture. The company also provides coverage for preventive care that pays for dental cleaning, fecal and blood tests, wellness exams and flea and heartworm prevention.

GEICO also offers to pay for chronic condition treatments, although it does not allow the inclusion of any pre-existing ailments within this coverage. The insurer covers hip dysplasia as well as bilateral conditions, as long as the pet does not show signs of these conditions at the time of signing up for the policy.

If your pet develops orthopedic conditions soon after GEICO’s policy takes effect, you can take advantage of the insurer’s unique terms. Policyholders can reduce the waiting period for orthopedic conditions to 14 days by completing an orthopedic exam followed by a waiver process, as instructed by the insurer.

Ranking
Winner
Avg. Monthly Cost

Overall

Pets Best

$27

Unlimited Coverage

Pets Best

$35

Affordable Coverage

Pet Plan

$21

Multiple Pets

Pets Best

$24

Cats

GEICO

$18

What Is the Average Cost of Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs and Cats in Maryland?

Insurance costs in Maryland depend on various factors, such as the age and pedigree of your pet, your location and the coverage that you choose.

The average cost of dog insurance in Maryland is $53.67 per month. For cats, it is $26.29 per month, on average. We determined these costs by evaluating each factor with a $250 deductible and a $10,000 coverage limit.

You can also find the best pet insurance options in Maryland with higher or lower coverage using MoneyGeek’s research.

The average cost of dog insurance with a $5,000 coverage limit is $28.93 per month, while cats cost $15.95 per month, on average. You can also get unlimited coverage for your pets, which costs an average of $60.17 per month for dogs and $38.88 per month for cats.

Pet Insurance Policy
$5k Coverage
$10k Coverage
Unlimited

Average Cost for a Dog

$29

$54

$60

Average Cost for a Cat

$16

$26

$39

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HOW MUCH PET INSURANCE DO YOU NEED?

You can choose from various coverage options and customize your coverage and reimbursement limits based on your budget and your pet’s requirements.

For the average pet owner in Maryland, MoneyGeek recommends coverage limits between $8,000 to $20,000, with a minimum reimbursement rate of 80%.

Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in Maryland

MoneyGeek’s analysis aims to provide relevant information about the insurance options in Maryland. The leading insurance companies provide:

  • Annual Reimbursement Limits: Ranges from $3,000 to unlimited
  • Deductible: $250 to $500, but some companies have higher or lower options
  • Bill Reimbursement Percentage: 70% to 90%

Some pet owners in Maryland may choose cheaper policies with lower coverage limits to minimize expenses. Others buy these policies if their pets do not require frequent medical care. Conversely, policies with higher coverage limits are typically more expensive but offer maximum protection.

You can evaluate the best pet insurance in Maryland for your needs by reading MoneyGeek’s recommendations in the following table.

Maximum Policy Coverage
Winner: Cheapest Policy
Avg Cost

$5,000

Pet Plan

$21

$10,000

Figo

$43

Unlimited

Pets Best

$35

If you’re looking for affordable pet insurance in Maryland, consider a policy with a low coverage limit, a high deductible and a low reimbursement rate. Higher reimbursement rates and lower deductibles may lead to increased monthly premiums.

Pet Insurance Company
Low Coverage Monthly Cost

Pet Plan

$21

Pets Best

$21

Hartville

$27

ASPCA

$27

Spot

$27

Figo

$28

GEICO

$29

24 Pet Watch

$40

Pet Insurance Company
Average Coverage Monthly Cost

Figo

$43

GEICO

$49

Embrace

$49

ASPCA

$52

Hartville

$52

Spot

$52

24 Pet Watch

$53

Pumpkin

$61

Nationwide

$88

Pet Insurance Company
Unlimited Coverage Monthly Cost

Pets Best

$35

Healthy Paws

$44

Trupanion

$64

Figo

$66

Pet Plan

$68

Spot

$83

The Best Cheap Pet Insurance by City in Maryland

Your location significantly affects the cost of pet insurance in Maryland. For example, in cities with a high cost of living, consulting a vet can also be expensive. This subsequently leads to higher insurance costs.

Other factors that affect insurance costs are coverage limits, traffic density and the weather. Pets are more likely to become sick in areas with extreme climates and are also at risk due to traffic hazards on congested roads.

City
Coverage Level and Average Monthly Rate

Baltimore

$5k: Pet Plan, $20 Unlimited: Pets Best, $36 $10k: Embrace, $43

Columbia

$5k: Pets Best, $22 Unlimited: Pets Best, $38 $10k: Embrace, $51

Silver Spring

$5k: Pets Best, $19 Unlimited: Pets Best, $33 $10k: Figo, $41

What Factors Impact Pet Insurance Cost in Maryland?

Insurance costs in Maryland depend on the breed and age of your pet, as well as the policy and coverage you choose. Other factors that determine cost are policy deductibles, reimbursement rates and your location.

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    Annual reimbursement limit

    This limit refers to the yearly number up to which insurance companies reimburse policyholders. Insurers will only start reimbursing after you have reached your annual deductible limit.

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    Deductible

    The deductible is the amount payable by the policyholder each year before the insurance plan starts to cover medical expenses. Many insurers allow you to choose your annual deductible limit. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly insurance premiums become.

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    Bill reimbursement percentage

    This refers to the reimbursement you receive from your insurer after incurring medical expenses. Policyholders in Maryland can choose their reimbursement rates. Your insurer will start reimbursing your medical expenses only after you have reached the annual deductible.

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    Breed

    Insurers in Maryland typically charge more to insure dogs than cats. You may also have to pay more for insurance if you own breeds that have congenital conditions or are more likely to become sick.

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    Animal age

    Although insurance premiums increase with the age of your pet, certain insurance providers offer the same rates for pets of all ages.

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    Location

    Cities with high traffic density and extreme weather patterns may affect the animal’s health and lead to higher insurance premiums.

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    Multi-pet discount

    If you have more than one pet, you can apply multi-pet discounts offered by certain insurers to reduce monthly premium costs.

FAQ’s About Pet Insurance in Maryland

Is pet insurance in Maryland worth it?
Which company has the cheapest pet insurance in Maryland?
What is the cost of pet insurance in Maryland?
What are the best pet insurance companies in Maryland?

MoneyGeek's Rating Methodology for Pet Insurance

MoneyGeek believes that data helps us make better financial decisions. For pet insurance, our data team spent countless hours gathering thousands of pet insurance quotes across the 13 largest providers to help you find the most affordable policy to meet your pet’s needs.

To determine the best pet insurance companies in Maryland, MoneyGeek built a detailed rating system by analyzing each company’s product offerings and costs. For the MoneyGeek rating score, we weighted affordability by coverage level at 50% of the total score and weighted our 24 qualitative research policy option data points at 50%.

To determine the cheapest pet insurance companies in Maryland and our affordability scores, MoneyGeek gathered quotes by company across many zip codes in Maryland for four pet types with the following coverage levels:

  • Low Coverage: $5,000 coverage, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement
  • Average Coverage: $10,000 coverage, $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement
  • High Coverage: Unlimited coverage, $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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