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


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Updated: September 26, 2024

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If your pet requires veterinary care, purchasing the best pet insurance in South Dakota can help you save some money and offer peace of mind. Some policies also cover preventive care costs.

MoneyGeek collected information about pet insurance from various insurers that serve the top cities in South Dakota, including Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. We used this data to determine the average cost of pet insurance in South Dakota and research additional coverage options to help you meet your pet insurance needs.

The Best Pet Insurance Companies in South Dakota

MoneyGeek obtained ranking information for pet insurance in South Dakota by reviewing quotes from different providers and comparing their policies. We selected the top companies based on coverage options and affordability scores.

Several factors can affect the cost of pet insurance, including the pet’s medical history and age. By comparing quotes between insurance companies, you can secure the best coverage for your animal friend's needs.

Best Overall Pet Insurance for Your Pet

Pets Best

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Significantly low premiums

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Exam fees covered

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Various discounts available

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Direct reimbursement with Vet Direct Pay

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Limited annual limit Does not cover elective and preventative care

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Rehabilitation coverage not available on basic plan

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best pet insurance company in South Dakota is Pets Best. Its coverage costs an average of $28.09 per month.

This company offers several insurance plans for accidents and illnesses, along with coverage for routine care as an add-on option. Pets Best covers exam fees, physical rehabilitation and prescription medications. If your pet is sick, you will save on exam costs for each visit. Its insurance also covers acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, which may not be covered by other providers.

Pets Best offers three insurance options with different offerings as one of the best overall providers for pet owners in South Dakota.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Unlimited Coverage

Healthy Paws

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Unlimited coverage across all policies

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Covers chronic conditions

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Covers alternative care

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Quick claims processing

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Limited plan options

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Doesn’t cover exam fees

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek’s best pet insurance company in South Dakota for unlimited coverage is Healthy Paws. Healthy Paws' policies do not apply maximum limits on per-incident, annual or lifetime insurance claim payouts, which offers peace of mind knowing that you will never go beyond your coverage limits — even if your pet requires intensive medical care.

Unlimited coverage policies are often more expensive than other insurance options. It will cost you an average of $34.79 per month if you purchase Healthy Paws pet insurance coverage in South Dakota.

Pet insurance policies from Healthy Paws cover many incidents, including illnesses, accidents, genetic conditions, cancer and alternative care, including physiotherapy and acupuncture. A policy from Healthy Paws also covers chronic illnesses that are not pre-existing conditions. However, it does not include exam fees and is also not the cheapest in South Dakota.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Affordable Coverage

Pet Plan

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Customizable policy limits and deductible

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Covers exam fees

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Comprehensive coverage including dental and hereditary conditions

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No preventative care coverage

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More costly for older pets

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Our top pick for affordable pet insurance coverage in South Dakota is Pet Plan. A policy from Pet Plan costs $20.16 per month, on average. South Dakota residents can customize their coverage limits and deductibles for pet-related illness and injury, hereditary diseases and dental care.

If your pet does not have any major conditions, you can select a Pet Plan policy with lower premiums and high deductibles to save on costs. However, if your pet has health issues, you can get more comprehensive coverage by paying a bit more.

Despite the low cost, Pet Plan policies also cover dental care, exam fees and various other features missing from other insurers.

Best Pet Insurance with Multiple Pets

Pets Best

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Low costs for individuals with multiple pets

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Covers exam fees

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No upper age limit on illness and accidents

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Complicated plan structure

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Rehabilitation coverage not available on basic plan

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

South Dakota residents looking for cheap coverage for multiple pets can consider Pets Best, which is MoneyGeek’s top pick. This insurer combines strong coverage with affordable costs and provides several deductible choices. South Dakota residents pay an average of $25.28 per month for pet insurance policies from the insurer. Pets Best offers a 5% discount on specific plans for multiple animals.

Pets Best insurance plans cover illnesses, surgeries, accidents and cancer, as well as wellness coverage for routine and specialized care. The policy caters to exam fees, physical examination and specialized treatment such as acupuncture.

Best Pet Insurance Company: Cats

Embrace

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Covers exam fees

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Multi-pet discount

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Has accident-only coverage

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Does not offer unlimited coverage

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

According to MoneyGeek, Embrace is the top choice for pet insurance for cats in South Dakota, charging residents an average of $13.48 per month. Cat owners can shop around to get the best rates for pet insurance in the state.

Embrace provides many coverage options for cat insurance. Its policies cover exam fees, injury, chronic illnesses, diagnostic tests, prescription medication and more.

Embrace also offers a multi-pet discount. If you have more than one cat, you can save on premiums with an Embrace policy. However, the company does not offer unlimited coverage.

Ranking
Winner
Avg. Monthly Cost

Overall

Pets Best

$28

Unlimited Coverage

Healthy Paws

$35

Affordable Coverage

Pet Plan

$20

Multiple Pets

Pets Best

$25

Cats

Embrace

$13

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

The average cost of pet insurance in South Dakota differs based on your coverage needs and location, along with the breed of your pet and its age. To insure a dog in South Dakota, you will pay an average of $24.71 per month for a policy with a $5,000 limit, $44.73 for coverage with a limit of $10,000 and $45.01 per month for unlimited coverage.

The cost of pet insurance in South Dakota is significantly lower for cats than dogs. You will pay an average of $13.06 per month for a $5,000 limit, $21.79 for a $10,000 limit and $31.39 for unlimited coverage.

Costs also vary depending on the deductible amount and extra features you choose for the policy. Insurance companies weigh these factors differently, so you should compare quotes before purchasing any policy.

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

Average Cost for a Dog

$25

$45

$45

Average Cost for a Cat

$13

$22

$31

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HOW MUCH PET INSURANCE DO YOU NEED?

MoneyGeek recommends a coverage limit of between $5,000 and $10,000 and a reimbursement rate of at least 80% for South Dakota residents. With an ideal coverage limit, you will be able to pay for any emergencies or accident costs associated with your pet.

Compare the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in South Dakota

MoneyGeek’s analysis aims to inform pet owners in South Dakota about available insurance options across most providers. Typically, most policies comprise:

  • Annual Reimbursement Limits: Ranges from $3k to unlimited
  • Deductible: $250 to $500, although some insurers offer options with higher or lower limits
  • Bill Reimbursement Percentage: 70-90%

While some pet owners wish to purchase cheaper insurance coverage with lower limits to save on their monthly premiums, others seek the most coverage for their pets and would prefer policies with higher coverage levels. In most cases, policies with higher limits cost more but often provide maximum or unlimited protection.

MoneyGeek recommends the following coverage limits South Dakota residents looking to buy pet insurance.

Maximum Policy Coverage
Winner: Cheapest Policy
Avg Cost

$5,000

Pet Plan

$20

$10,000

GEICO

$34

Unlimited

Healthy Paws

$35

If you wish to keep your pet insurance costs at a minimum, you can purchase a policy with a low annual premium, high deductible and low reimbursement rate. The table below compares the cost of pet insurance in South Dakota for a $5,000 limit, $500 deductible and a reimbursement rate of 80%.

Pet Insurance Company
Low Coverage Monthly Cost

Pet Plan

$20

Pets Best

$21

Spot

$22

Hartville

$22

GEICO

$24

Embrace

$24

Figo

$25

24 Pet Watch

$41

Pet Insurance Company
Average Coverage Monthly Cost

GEICO

$34

Embrace

$34

Figo

$38

ASPCA

$42

Hartville

$42

Spot

$42

Pumpkin

$49

24 Pet Watch

$55

Nationwide

$63

Pet Insurance Company
Unlimited Coverage Monthly Cost

Healthy Paws

$35

Pets Best

$36

Pet Plan

$36

Trupanion

$41

Figo

$55

Spot

$67

The Best Cheap Pet Insurance by City in South Dakota

Aside from age, coverage level and other factors that influence pet insurance costs, your location can also significantly affect your premiums. The cost of treatment for your pet may vary across cities. For instance, South Dakota cities with a high cost of living may feature higher veterinary medical charges, which translate to higher pet insurance premiums.

Cities that are more prone to accidents and natural disasters may also feature higher rates. Your coverage level also has an impact on your rates.

City
Coverage Level and Average Monthly Rate

Aberdeen

$5k: Pet Plan, $20 Unlimited: Pets Best, $36 $10k: Embrace, $35

Rapid City

$5k: Pet Plan, $20 Unlimited: Healthy Paws, $32 $10k: Embrace, $33

Sioux Falls

$5k: Pet Plan, $20 Unlimited: Pets Best, $36 $10k: Embrace, $35

What Factors Impact Pet Insurance Cost in South Dakota?

Pet insurance costs depend on several factors, such as the pet’s breed, age, level of coverage and location. Most insurers allow you to customize your coverage limits based on your budget and pet insurance needs.

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    Annual reimbursement limit

    Also known as the "coverage limit," this figure refers to the amount paid by the insurance provider to cover your pet’s medical costs per year. Coverage limits start from $3,000 up to an unlimited amount.

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    Deductible

    Refers to the amount you will pay out of pocket after your claim is processed. Deductibles generally range from $250 to $500. Policies with lower deductibles tend to feature higher premiums and vice versa.

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    Bill reimbursement percentage

    This is the amount an insurer reimburses you for your pet’s medical bills. For instance, if you reach your deductible and receive a bill for $1,000 with a bill reimbursement percentage of 90%, you still have to pay $100 to the vet.

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    Breed

    Dogs tend to be more expensive to insure than cats, and insurance for larger breeds or types with known congenital health issues might also cost more.

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    Animal age

    Older pets are more expensive to insure than younger animals, as health issues develop with age.

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    Location

    If you live in an area with a higher cost of living or a city with environmental/weather hazards, you will likely pay more for pet insurance.

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    Multi-pet discount

    Some insurers offer discounts if you insure more than one pet on a policy.

FAQ’s About Pet Insurance in South Dakota

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

MoneyGeek's Rating Methodology for Pet Insurance

According to MoneyGeek, data plays a significant role in financial decision-making. For pet insurance research, our data team collected thousands of quotes from the top 13 insurers in South Dakota to help determine the cheapest pet insurance policy for your needs.

To identify the top pet insurance companies in South Dakota, MoneyGeek utilized a detailed scoring system through analyzing costs and product offerings for each insurer. For our ratings, MoneyGeek analyzed affordability scores by coverage level at 50% of the total score plus our 24 qualitative research policy option data points at 50%.

To find the cheapest pet insurance providers in South Dakota and determine affordability scores, MoneyGeek collected quotes by insurance carriers across various zip codes in South Dakota 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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